DRIVING LESSON No: 2 - Stop Signs

A stop sign is a traffic sign, usually erected at road junctions, that instructs drivers to stop and then to proceed only if the way ahead is clear.




The use of such signs, and the logic behind it, is simple and clear. It does not require a doctorate in nuclear physics or any related subject. Even if no such signs were to exist, it is common sense to stop when venturing out of a side road or into a road where visibility of traffic is limited. And when I mean traffic I am not only referring to cars but to motorcycles, bicycles and horses – although the latter instances should be avoided as much as possible.

The Maltese islands do not offer us, cyclists, the luxury of being able to venture out in the countryside and cycle for kilometres on end in peaceful, unpolluted roads. In order to practice our sport we are forced to risk our lives on the main arterial roads. I do enjoy that adrenaline rush, but my self preservation levels are quite high, so I do take extra caution when cycling on the main roads, however there is little respect towards us and sometimes the risk of an accident is way beyond my control. Such attitude makes us feel as if we are invisible. How many times do I have to swerve onto the centre of the road, risking being hit by a passing car, to avoid a car coming out of a side road? Just because no other cars can be seen doesn’t mean they just drive out?

Some drivers are oblivious of the fact that roads are also used, legally, by cyclists and these should be respected at least on the same level as they would respect another car. Some drivers might not realise the implications of being involved in an accident with a cyclist. Do they realise how unprotected we are compared to when travelling in a car?

So when you are out there, driving to wherever destination is next on your agenda, please spare a thought on those cyclists who are either trying to keep a healthy lifestyle, or doing their bit towards the environment or else training for a worthy cause!

Ride against the wind

With half the world asleep, the other half probably absorbed in some sort of sin, I prepare to set off to meet my Lifecycle buddies. It is 330am on a Sunday morning, and most of my friends are out partying and making the most of the summer, which incidentally starts this very day!

I put on my helmet, switch on my GPS, bicycle lights and cycle to Ta’Qali to meet John, Maria and Pierre so that we can start our 160km training ride for the day. It is still dark, and sunrise is still a couple of hours away. I can’t stop myself from yawning and visions of my comfortable bed keep on appearing in front of my semi-closed eyes. I am on auto-pilot. Half way into training I have become very familiar with most of the Maltese roads, especially in the area around my home.

Cycling in the direction of Ta’Qali, I feel as if I am tackling the first hill of the day, when in reality the road is flat. The wind is blowing in the opposite direction and making it tougher for me to cycle. I had been warned that the forecast for the coming days would be windy. For once the Met office got it right!

John’s bubbly character makes it easy to switch into a good mood and his positive outlook always rubs off on me, even when I am trying to keep up with him to make sure that he doesn’t feel obliged to slow down because of me. Reaching Qormi in a very good time we head towards the airport to meet Maria and Pierre. We meet them just as we finish climbing up the hill – or ramp, as John likes to call them. I joke that it is unfair on us, having to climb this hill when we will probably have to loop this area twice in today’s training.

After a brief discussion as to whether we should do some loops to cover some mileage I suggest we do the Valletta route, which I normally undertake when I want to do a short route. It is scenic, has some undulations and is quite close to our meeting point at Mater Dei. Since looping is not something we enjoy doing, it was easy for me to sell the idea and we head towards Valletta through Marsa.


430am and sunrise is still about an hour away. This does not mean that there is no activity on the roads. Quite the contrary. Undoubtedly most of them are party animals on their way home. At one point we are accompanied by a mobile club – I guess if we cannot make it to a club the club will follow us. Well this is what four young males did. Presumably drunk, their comments were incoherent. A friend of mine, a Lifecycle participant in 2007, had mentioned that such encounters were part of the joys of Lifecycle training.

Since I am in the company of some very good cyclists I give that extra push, so much so that John teases me about my surge of energy! I am pleased to see that my average speed has increased to 23.5 km/h. We are on flat ground, the wind is in our favour and we are yet to attack the hills but it is still motivating. Maria and I comment that we have only fives weeks of training before we set off to Istanbul and start discussing what our activities will be undertaking when we come back – definitely more sleep, a trip on a jet ski, barbecues and perhaps even sky diving – the skies the limit!!!

We stop for a quick snack break, during which I try to stifle a yawn but Pierre quickly catches me in the act and starts teasing me, something that has become a habit!. After an hour we reach St. Julian’s. Being my usual route, I half expect us to turn back upon reaching the Love monument but Pierre and John have other ideas. We head towards the Coast Road and I start doubting and worrying whether we will reach Mater Dei on time. After all there is that little ‘ramp’ called Burmarrad Hill that we would need to tackle.

I start feeling tired and a bit unwell, I just try to brush it off and keep a steady pace, especially when we reach Burmarrad. I look at my GPS and am happy to note that my pace up the hill is improving every time I embark on this route. It takes us 20 minutes, from the start of Burmarrad to Mater Dei, covering 60 kilometres. We have now 100 kms more to go.

I am still not feeling 100%. I wonder whether it was because I might have pushed myself a bit too much or whether because I am coming down with some virus or something of the sort. I try to put it at the back of my mind while I get teased on my participation in a TV programme the evening before.

We are glad to see Ray, fondly known as Space, back in training after having missed a couple of sessions due to an injury. He is very enthusiastic about today’s training and is raring to go!

Listening attentively to Alan giving an update on the pre-visit

Alan gives us a quick update following feedback received from Soner, Mario and Gilbert, who are currently on a pre-visit. There is some amazing scenery to look forward to. However it is also already very hot. Sizzling 40 degree temperatures have already hit Turkey and Syria, so we already know what to expect in August. Alan emphasizes the importance of hydration, having the right mix of carbohydrates in our water, wearing sunscreen with an appropriate protection factor and covering our arms properly to try to avoid heatstroke as much as possible.

Receiving last minute instructions before hitting the road

730am. Time to hit the road. Tony and I decide to try and cycle together having done very well in the past week. We set off on the usual initial route through the B’Kara By Pass. Yet again I feel the wind against me, creating a resistance that requires more energy than I feel I can give at the moment. Slowly we progress towards the Mgarr Roundabout where we take a turn towards Rabat. A slow steady incline. As we move forward, I realise that I am not at all feeling the way I should. I am feeling dizzy. At the roundabout leading to Mtarfa, where we are supposed to tackle our first hill, I realise that the sensible thing to do is stop. Tony and Simon stop immediately to see what is wrong. My heart rate goes up. I start shivering. I feel very weak. Simon immediately calls Alan, who leaves his checkpoint to come and assess the situation. Just as Alan had instructed in the morning’s briefing, Tony and Simon put my legs up to try and get the flow of blood back into my head.

A steady stream of cars drive past us and as expected they do not stop. Two fellow cyclists and friends of mine, Karen and Justin cycle by and immediately stop to see if I need anything. That is one of the special things about cycling. There is an unwritten code of support. Karen immediately pours some cold water on my head, which is very welcoming even though the temperature is not that of a summer day.

Alan and Shirley arrive shortly after. Alan suggests that I go home and give it a rest for today. My determined, or hard headed nature, whichever you prefer, does not particularly like that suggestion so I wait a bit more in the hope that I get better and can proceed with the day’s route. Karen and Shirley stay with me. I eat a banana to try and get some energy into me, even though this is my third banana in so many hours.

Soon, we are joined by the rest of the cyclists who have already gone up Mtarfa and are heading towards Zebbug. They all stop to see what happened and while most of them would like to stay on to see that I am ok, Alan gestures for them to leave. I am in good hands so they must continue the ride otherwise they will lose precious time.

Half an hour later I muster up some courage to attempt to cycle. Karen offers to ride with me, whilst Shirley is still concerned. I assure Shirley that I will not push myself too much and will take it in stages, see how I feel. Slowly Karen and I push off. Thankfully there are few undulations in the road, and we set off at a comfortable pace, reaching the Zebbug by-pass in no time.

The road disappearing under me like a film reel, I pick up a good speed. The wind is in our favour, and I feel good enough to try to attempt going down to Qormi. I want to at least try to get to Hal Far and back. Taking a slow but steady pace we reach the Airport. I am still feeling very tired and weak and hit by an occasional shiver. Reaching Lister Barracks again the wind is against us. I admit I would have struggled a lot more hadn’t it been for Karen who cycled in front of me, sheltering me from the wind.

The ride stops at Caffeina, our favourite coffee shop in Zebbug. John, Jesmond and Pierre are already there ordering coffee. Soon after we are joined by other cyclists who have all felt the effect of the wind. Today was not easy for most of us. Although the sun barely made an appearance making it easy in terms of heat, the wind was quite strong, giving little respite even in downhills or flat spaces.

Whilst I am a bit disappointed at just having done only 105kms instead of the 160kms originally planned, there is always a lesson to be learnt and the important thing is that one takes heed of such lessons and try to learn as much as possible.


Photos courtesy of Ray Pace, pacemedia.tv

Bitter Sweet Symphony

I guess I lost the right to whinge and complain about up hills, cycling in the heat and during unearthly hours on Sunday 14th June.


Listening to the Nursing Officer and Transplant Co-Ordinator Anthony Bugeja explaining what patients and their families go through when they are faced with Renal disease is a humbling experience. Something which, I am not ashamed to admit, brought a tear to my eyes.

When I stop to think about it I realise how many things we take fore granted in our lives and how much we should be appreciative of what we have.





The satisfactory result I achieved in Sunday's time trial, which upon completion left me elated, pales in comparison with the success story of a two year old having a kidney transplant and a potential new lease of life.


We truly should be grateful.

Adrenaline Rush

It’s been three hours since I arrived home from my 120kms/6 hour Sunday ride and the adrenaline is still pumping. Although my legs are almost numb and I am tired I can still feel a lot of positive energy in my body. It has been a good day overall. Good spirits all around. Good team work and support from the start. What more can a Lifecyclist ask for I say to myself? 

Starting off at 4am, Robert and I clocked 42 kilometres prior to meeting our fellow cyclists at the usual meeting point at 645am. Although a 4am start meant that I missed out on a fun Saturday night out with friends, it gave me enough time to wake up properly, warm and hype myself up in preparation for the day's route. I admit I am not a morning person. It takes me ages to start focusing and stop yawning – something that Pierre pointed out to me one morning earlier on in the training.

Reaching Mater Dei, I find some cyclists already there. Some warming up and doing stretching exercises, others being seen to by the physiotherapists, other checking out their tyres for sufficient pressure and others just trying to figure out why they had wounds on their hands.

Tony stretching his muscles before the ride

Physio Carolyn helping Lenny with stretching exercises

Yes, Nigel has become an endearing source of entertainment. Showing his ‘war’ wounds to the rest of us we eventually realise that the wounds were not made through means of some spectacular bike stunt but by applying hair removal cream to his legs with his bare hands! We cannot stop teasing him – but he is a good sport and takes the teasing in his stride.

Nigel's "war" wounds"

It’s time for Alan’s briefing. He points out that preparation does not only consist of getting on the bike and going out for our scheduled training rides. It also consists of regularly checking that our bikes are in order. Tyre pressure, chains well oiled, batteries in our lights etc etc. Alan also recommended that we keep a daily diary. Jotting down what we have eaten, mileage covered, routes taken, heart rate, average speed and feel good factor. The latter will help us understand where we feel good and where we don’t which will help us identify our strengths and weaknesses.

Lifecyclists paying attention during Briefing

I cannot agree more on this. Ever since I started Lifecycle training, I kept a diary on a spreadsheet. As I went along I started adding relevant information and like that I can see the progress I am making. The only thing I didn’t have was the Feel Good Factor which I included in this week’s template. In Alan’s words – Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance!

Prior to setting off a group of us agree to cycle in a group together. We are more or less on the same level and we agree to see how we get on. Ideally we keep in a group that way we can keep each other company and at the same time ensure that no one cycles on their own especially when abroad and where roads are totally unfamiliar. 

Setting off with Tony, Simon, Nicholas, Nigel, Ian and Clifford we hit the B’Kara by Pass, where Cliff, who is the most experienced of the lot starts to give us tips on how to draft and supervising us in the process. I must say, that whilst being in the front is harder work, I feel safer since I do not feel too comfortable being so close to the back wheel of the cyclist in front of me. Reaching the Mgarr roundabout we proceed to Burmarrad where we change formation. I go to the back, and the lack of wind hitting me directly helps me to improve on my speed and make me feel more comfortable. Reaching the Targa Gap downhill, we all break loose, some of us reaching speeds of 66kms an hour – well it is a downhill isn’t it. Make the most of it!

Our loop today starts at the St.Paul’s Bay roundabout which leads to the Xemxija By Pass. From there we take the road up to Mistra Village and this is where the hard work starts. Having driven through this road a million and one times, it is only when cycling that one realises how steep it is. Ian, Tony and I pick up a steady pace, reaching speeds of approximately 12km/h. slowly and surely, soon after we reach the Belleview roundabout where we are greeting by Ray and Soner, cheering us on and directing us towards Mizieb – the first killer hill of the day has been climbed and I am feeling great - no need for CPR!

Going down through Mizieb, we tackle another steep but short climb then it is mostly flat ground till we reach the Xemxija by Pass again. Here we find Mario, Francesca and Carolyn all encouraging us and giving us directions. Once again we keep a steady pace and go towards Splash and Fun. The Coast Road is windy and we find ourselves having to use up more strength as the wind is not in our favour. However I find myself reaching average speeds of around 21kms an hour which is very motivating. 

Reaching Xemxija Hill for the second loop admittedly is tougher as the energy levels are slowly depleting. I have been cycling for about four hours now but I don’t feel exceptionally tired. In fact I the good mood I have is translating into a very big smile and into a lot of positive energy. I am enjoying this ride very much.

Having done two loops we are instructed to head towards Balluta, Sliema where the Group ride will end. Hitting the Bahar ic-Caghaq hill we are faced again with the wind and inconsiderate drivers who insist on driving dangerously close to our bikes even though this is a wide road and there is enough space for everyone. It is a pity to see such lack of consideration, especially when there is a cycling lane in that particular stretch of road. Drivers in Malta have a lot to learn when it comes to etiquette, consideration and safety.

Around 1015am we reach Balluta. Ray, Shirley, Francesca and Soner are there to greet us. Francesca urges us to start stretching – something that I still have to get into I must admit. It is so important as it can prevent injuries which at this stage of training are really not something we want. After stretching we have what has become a customary coffee – most cyclists have ended up with this "habit". I must say it is a good way of socializing and mingling as it is in these moments where we have time to talk between us, share experiences and compare notes.

My GPS is showing that I have clocked 105 kilometres. 15 more to go. The ones who did not have an early start are more or less half way through. I must confess, that starting earlier works better for me since now all I have to do is cycle towards home where a soothing shower and a nice lunch awaits me.

As I reach home, with a huge grin on my face, the feel good factor is at its peak. 

I look forward to the next training session now.

Photos courtesy of  Ray Pace, pacemedia.tv

All in the mind

One doesn’t have to study psychology in depth to understand the power of the mind.  The mind plays a vital role in the way we handle our day to day challenges. Our thoughts, perceptions, emotions, imagination and will are all managed through our minds.

What on earth is she talking about you might be asking yourself.

Participation in Challenges such as Lifecycle are not just about being physically prepared but also about mental preparation. The power of the mind should never be underestimated.  Concentration, confidence, control and commitment are the main mental qualities considered to be the most important for successful performance in such activities.

Whilst commitment, concentration and control are the ‘easiest’ to achieve, confidence is something that I believe most people struggle with. At least I can definitely speak for my self on this.  I often have doubts on my capabilities and when these doubts creep in I find that my performance suffers.

This doesn’t mean that we are expected to be confident all the time. Be it stress at work, struggling to cope with family obligations combined with the hectic training schedule do contribute towards having our off days. Whether it is related to sports or even just one's appearance we all go through moments of lack of confidence. Whilst having a bad hair day does not have dire consequences, having a negative attitude in events such as Lifecycle can have upsetting consequences.

Take for example three weeks ago. I woke up in a bad mood. Don't ask me why. I just did not feel like waking up at 6am on a Sunday morning to go and cycle 60kms. Going round Xemxija and the Coast Road for a couple of times to clock up the miles and build stamina was not something I felt like. I admit. I just sulked and walked out of the house in one of the foulest moods ever. Needless to say that particular training session is best forgotten.

Fast forward three weeks. Sunday 31^st May saw most of the Lifecyclists take part in the longest cycle ever. Going over the route, sent by email two days before just kept me picturing all the hills we had to climb. I already had a sinking feeling in my stomach.

But, that particular morning I woke up motivated. The motivation being the result of the fitness test I took the previous day. Although I need to improve, my fitness levels are not as bad as I thought and this had such a positive effect on me.

This doesn't mean that I wasn't tired by the time I cycled up Burmarrad hill for the third time in the mid-morning heat. This does not mean that I wasn't looking forward to heading towards the beach in the afternoon because I was.  

But,  I did it all with a smile on my face, without breaking into a sweat.....no pun intended