Just registered myself for a 135km (85 miles) ride

[Helene2013]

Yep. I must have been out of my mind when I pressed the "send" button on this registration request. hihi

It will be in June 2014 in Quebec City. It is called Défi la Boucle (the loop challenge) and is to promote healthy lifestyles, especially in the younger generation. Benefits made from this challenge are reinvested in schools.

4000 cyclists are taking part of it, the bigger part of the Challenge is 1,000km in 3 days. We cannot be part of the big one as it is very limited, huge waiting list, etc. And you have to raise a lot of money per team member. We are not there yet and will never really be.

For me, who is new to road cycling, and did not have a chance to do a lot last summer, it will be a huge thing to get there.

I hired a trainer who is a physiotherapist/kinesiologist (who is an employee of my own PT). She is an accomplished triathlete, specializes in cycling. So I can't get a better coach/trainer to get ready for the Challenge in 6 months. I start training in January with her. Starts with a Vo2 bike test. Then we'll go for there. I could have done it by myself but because of my scrapped knees, I want a program that will be smooth on those. And my current therapist knows me by heart and knows my weakness, that I must watch.

We have a Rock and roll trainer in the basement, plus my treadmill and all my muscle equipement. Which I've been using for the past 2 months about 2hrs a week, sometimes 3.

Hubby and I will have a blast doing this event. He's smiling ear to ear already. He's already in cyclist team and rides pretty fast. But he said he will stick with me and take whatever time we need to make it to the finish line. I have to target a 24km/h speed, which is something I am not used to. I like to sight-see things while cycling. Not only the wheel in front of me. haha

To give you an idea, this is the 1000km done in 2012. We do the QC City part of the loop. For those who have ever been to QC City, you'll remember that it can be pretty hilly in the area. So I'll have to work on my thighs for sure....and cardio will kick in big time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWnIXleVvrQ

So this is my goal set up for 2014. My original plan was to do a 100km ride sometime in the summer season. I guess I'll go overboard with this new plan that I saw 2 nights ago and the registrations were today. I don't know what I'm getting into but it should be interesting.

I'm lucky enough that my employer pays $600 annually for any physical activity classes someone takes. This Challenge is $300. But we do get a jersey, etc. But it will still be an expensive 135km as it is 3hrs from home so that means going to campground, gas in the motorhome, etc.

But what a thrill of a lifetime this will be. I can't wait to start training seriously. And see if bikini will look good in July with all the upcoming workouts. hihi

[Catrin]

Congratulations and have fun preparing for this! I do think it is important to enjoy the training as part of the process