So I think I started training WAY too late. It's bad enough I'm working full time and things are so busy these days that I'm working longer hours AND feeling much more tired as a result :(
Today I rode 40km and that was my longest yet. How am I ever going to make 2x100km? :(
Don't be discouraged! There will be riders (over 3000) of all levels of physical condition, ability and on bikes from road racers to canadian tire specials. Just do your own pace, take advantage of the rest stops/food/drinks and if you can, make friends along the way, you'll be there before you know it!
don't feel discouraged at all! The ride is so friendly that at any level of fitness training you are able to complete this epic journey!
just remember to stay hydrated along the way, drink even when you're not thirsty...bring a few of those energy gels and energy bars. also remember to switch positions every so often and totally make use of the pit stops along the way!
we're here to beat cancer, not beat ourselves ;)
i try to remember when i train and feel discouraged that 'cancer is hard, riding is easy!'.
stay positive and remember who you're riding for ... they will guide your way!
If you can motivate yourself to ride 40 km, your supporters can motivate you for the remainder. Remember who you are riding for and you will be fine. There are a lot of people out there cheering you on as well. Just pace yourself and stay nourished. Don't forget to smile!
Don't sweat it too much - the more you stress, the more pressure you'll feel and that's not good. This is goign to be an amazing ride, not a race, so just take your time and take breaks when you need to. Keep yourself hydrated and you'll be just fine.
Just for reference, I started cycling about two months ago and could barely do 30 km without being in serious agony afterwards. My longest ride to date now is 85km and I'm looking forward to building up my distances over the summer.
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------------------------------- Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try. -Yoda
km? I'm just nearly as unprepared, though I've done a few 70 and 85 km trail rides, and i'm in the 200 MILES ride. I'm just going to soldier through. Email at catholiccyclist@live.com and we can encourage eachother, my friend. The ride season starts late, the RIDE is early...i'd like September or even July, and we just do what we can. I've been hiking, climbing stairs. I have asthma, bad, scarred lungs, cancer twice, etc, and I'm not giving up. My goal? "Dear Lord, don't let me be last. Just let me finish for my brother." KM, we'lll have encouragement and support all along the way. I worry I'm unprepared, and short half the gear I need, but I'm just going to set my face toward the finish line and the giant beer I'll seek out there.
Email anytime. Chase We can be members of the " I should have trained more" club.
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Never Give Up; Never Surrender! Strength in Numbers. Livestrong!
Hi, Kaitlan. You sound like me although I have been out on the weekends. My longest ride was 72KM; and I did that in 5 hours. I even managed to continue standing to make supper once I got home!
As the other have said, you will not be alone - remember, there is strength in numbers and we'll all support each other. This is not a race; it is a ride.
This is my first year but I did volunteer last year (and have walked in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer) so I have an idea of what to expect. Just the support and comardiery will carry you through. I got my kit & jersey last night & now I more excited then ever! I think my tag number is 519; look for me along the way. I expect to be at the back of the pack but will gladly give you whatever encouragement you need.
Every time I go to ride now it's raining, threatening to, or as now, coming down in sheets. I figure if I get a small ride or two in before ride day, I'll be thrilled. At least so far they are saying sunny for ride weekend. The 84 km i did on a trail, taking break times out, was about 5.5 or 6 hours. I hope to do better on the pavement. And next month, after the ride, a fellow in town has a road bike for me. Put together but great for a first bike. I'm very excited. It's cyclocross, and if I can get to paved road to practice, I'll alternate.
We should all be able to do this again, without raising money, in September to show how much better shape we're in. I know I'm going to be on an exercise bike all winter and hiking more to shape up. Lesson learned this year, train MORE.
We'll all be fine. I honestly have no doubt about that.
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Never Give Up; Never Surrender! Strength in Numbers. Livestrong!
you will be fine I am worried also but know in my heart that I will do this why because what I am about to conquer is nothing compared to what a person goes threw when diagnosed with cancer.
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When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.
having been through cancer twice, this is true. I'll be thinking of Jerry, six months gone, of Rhonda, off work, sick with chemo, and riding hard. we're also waiting to see what's up with my esphogus. We're hoping it's not a return of the cancer. Tests coming.\So the ride? Aces. I'll grin most of the way.
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Never Give Up; Never Surrender! Strength in Numbers. Livestrong!
You can just ride at the back of the pack with my friend & I. We're only recreational riders (meaning we just occasionally ride around town on flat surfaces and bike paths at a pace where we can still chat away). Plus we're riding mountain bikes which I hear isn't the best idea but we just keep reminding ourselves, it's a ride not a race. We haven't had much opportunity to train either so hopefully by the time we reach camp on Saturday there will still be hot water showers and massage therapists who aren't exhausted.
My team and I have done this ride for the last two years, this will be our third and we have always been around the back of the pack, there is NO SHAME in being there, this way you get to enjoy it more! I had a neighbor that did the ride the first year and he was in camp on DAY 1 before noon! They only stopped once for a small bite at lunch and then sat around camp by himself for hours until the main group of riders started flowing in.
Becky - If you know someone that might finish before you see if they can book a massage for you since the last few years by the time we finished the first day they were completely booked and were not taking any new people for the massages.
They make us watch a video where they tell us it's not a race, but to some, sadly, it is. I plan on riding with a couple of slower people and if I really need to go faster, fine, but I'm just going to DO the ride. Without wind, not a problem, but if the winds pick up, it'll slow most of us down and that's okay. The money is already being used by PMH, so it's not like if we don't all show up at noon cancer research suffers. While each year I suppose I'll want to do better, I never expect to tear through the course like Lance Armstrong. Beating cancer both times, watching my brother die from it, and knowing the money raised helps others from suffering? That's what this ride is about. That and having fun. Except on hills. But mostly, fun.
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Never Give Up; Never Surrender! Strength in Numbers. Livestrong!
I'm having the same problem. I was training and then got injured in a horseback riding injury. The past two months I've been in rehab so I can make the ride! I'm nervous about my leg giving out but hopefully I can make it!
Hi I used to be a fairly decent cyclist and could do 50 /75 kms no problem for fun on Saturdays.
Then I got sick! Found out I have Multiple Myeloma a rare blood cance winter 2010 and last june had a stem cell transplant at PMH.
Before the transplant I did chemo since Fecruary 2010 until June 2010.
I did not do much physical activity through all my treatment and recovery (about a year)
Joined a gym January 2011 and have been going a number of times a week. Just dusted my bike off this week! Now I'm riding to and from work (just less then 10 km each way).
I don't think I'll be able to do the entire ride. Fatigue can be quite and issue for cancer recovery (especially if you have a stem cell transplant) so I plan to ride until I'm tired on day 1 and really push it day 2. If I over do it on day one I will not be able to get out of bed day 2. But I know I'm doing what I can for a good cause
the ride marks my one year anniversary of my stem cell transplant. I'm sure Ill be at the back of the pack.. come say hi!
I have signed up for the 200M and I's starting to get a little scared! I have never done this ride - so I have no clue on what to expect.
I have been training rather hard the past 3 months and feel that my body is ready - my mind on the other hand is playing tricks on me.
For anyone that has done this ride in the past, can you please shower me with knowledge, tips, and words of "it's going to be alright!" I would much appreciate it.
Last year I was well trained but had never done more than a single century so was nervouse. This year with the weather I have some knowledge but less well prepared physically.
Some advice:
You will finish day one, and if you are trained up it will not be difficult. Training by ones self is difficult especially doing long rides alone, however, on the ride itself you will have lots of company and encouragment. HOWEVER, do not go out too fast. There are some really fit, really good, really really fast riders riding in the 100 mile, and it is tempting off the start to keep up with them, and you probably can for a while but you probably do not want to. So for the first 50 k be disiplined in keeping your training pace until you get a real sence of how you feel.
From my experience last year you will find a group on the road that ride at your pace, ride with them, everyone is there for the same reason and are very supportive to the point that I had to tell one group to drop me as I could not keep up and they would slowdown for me.
Second piece of advice is be very diciplined on your food and liquids. A sip every 10 mins and a full bottle every hour plus an energy gel or its equivalent every hour. If you are trained and hydrate and feel properly it will be no problem and the others will help with the mental.
In my stuff at camp I had two pack of recover drink mix (from my bike shop) made sure I downed those right away.
This year on day two there will be a cut off from the 100 mile course to the 100 k course at about the 50 k mark so start the day and see how it goes. Day two is very flat so just keep the legs moving and you should be fine.
hi, a little note to you all that are scared. This is a ride and not a race. We are here to have fun and make friends hopefully. I was a fairly good rider in the past but two years ago was run down by a driver who had no concern for cyclist. Badly injured I have taken therapy and trained for this over the past two years, although this year limited by the weather. I was also diagnosed as a result of the accident with moderate to severe fibromyalgia and I am in pain 24/7. Long rides are attainable with subsequent 5-7 days of recovery time. I worry only about back to back rides. One thing I have learned, people are essential to your success and while you are out there find those that ride at your pace which is fairly easy to do as they will be around you if you are near the back of the pack. Band together and even at 15-20km, drafting does help you to continue with little effort. Remember to communicate well and take turns sharing the lead. I know they discourage it but if a group plans it out even during the ride it can be accomplished without too many mishaps. Most of all have fun!
Howard... all you need to do is find a group riding at a pace you like and hang out with them. Last year, I was in a team of three but we were constantly hooking up with other riders for company.
Near the end of Day 2, we got a good rythym going and started setting a decent pace.... before I knew it we had picked up a comet's tail of about a dozen riders and we came into the finish as a group. It was a lot of fun!
I'm not going to lie to you... there are going to be some hard-core riders out there who won't give you a sniff. But there are plenty of people who are going to be more than happy to have company to chat with. Find people that are going your speed and make some new friends. You'll be ok. I promise.
I am a five time rider. This event is not a race or part of the tour de france. Once the speeches are done and the course opens the rush you will feel will last you for the next two days. I have seen survivors, cancer patients, people missing limbs, blind people, old, fat (ME) and so many others make the ride. You will hurt to some degree for sure. Take your time, stretch, drink and eat. Most important of all ride at your own pace, there is no shame in taking 8 hours to finish. Live the experience it is one of the greatest events you will ever be involved in.
I've had a tough go at finding the time to get out and ride. I'm not feeling screwed nor scared as I know that I'm lucky and in good health to be able to partake in such an important event.
