Training

December 30 - 10 weeks to go!

This week we discovered that there is nothing more motivating for HIIT than to be chased by loose dogs on a back country road in Georgia.

I posted a question on Reddit about what other riders do when chased by dogs - and, as might be expected, got dozens of answers ranging from, ride as fast as you can, carry mace (no), carry a whistle (possibly), carry an ultrasonic whistle (I like this idea), spray pepper spray in the road, carry an air horn,  give the dog a kick (no), or even one person said they carry a pistol -- yikes!

In any event, we made it safely, and got in 67 miles for the day.  

My husband and I are taking different approaches to training.  He is much stronger than I, so I am focused on upper body strength, while he is focused on getting as many miles on the bike as he can.  He's already logged more than 1,000 since September!

I go to the gym 3x week (can't believe I am actually a gym rat!) and work with a trainer to get in my strength training.  

Of course I have been riding too.  Our friends loaned us a Peloton, so that has been really helpful, but the big issue for us is that we live near the coast -- there are NO hills.  We have travelled to western parts of the state a few times to get in miles and hills.

We are ahead of the training plan the company sent us, so I feel good.

Happy New Year!

Choosing Our Route and Tour Arranger

 

In my dreams, my cross-country bicycle trip would have been 50 miles a day for about 3 months.  Unfortunately, that meant that I would have to arrange my own logistics, SAG and travel companions.  As much as I wanted a leisurely cross country trip, I wanted a company to manage it for me even more.

We looked at a few companies.  First, we signed on with Trek Travel.  But, they travel the Northern Tier (Portland, WA, to Portland, NH), which is about 4,000 miles from coast to coast and they bike at 18-20 miles per hour, and average 85 miles a day. For me, that would be a race across the country!

So, after some serious conversations with my body as to my true capabilities, we decided to go with Cycle for Life.  Our ride will the Southern Tier, San Diego, CA, to St. Augustine, FL, (about 3,000 miles), at the much more leisurely pace of 12 - 16 mph, with an average 75 miles a day.  Still a helluva feat!

Next up.  Training!