A cool mom at my school and an amazing ride

[kelownagirl]

One of the parents at my school, Jenn Davies, will be riding across Canada in 19 days at the end of June. Amazing. It's all in an effort to raise money for kids with cancer.

Here's a blurb from the website.

"The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride is one of the biggest and most ambitious charity cycling events on behalf of childhood cancer in the world. On June 2, 2008, cyclists will start a 19-day, 7,600km trans-Canada odyssey from Vancouver to Halifax. 50 selected National Riders will traverse the entire 7,600 km distance, joined along the way by thousands of other caring cyclists who will cycle shorter 25km to 200 km distances along the way in cities across Canada. Together, our cyclists will raise millions of dollars on behalf of charities that improve the quality of life for children, and their families, living with and beyond cancer."

Although most people do this ride in stages, as a team, Jenn is one of the National riders who will be doing the entire 7600 km ride herself, (averaging 400km per day?!) for 19 days. I cannot fathom that.

Here's a link to her blog in case you want to follow along.

She was at an assembly at our school today, telling the kids about her ride and encouraging them to believe in themselves and work towards their dreams to make the world a better place.

Oh and I forgot to mention, she was hit by a pickup 10 days ago. He turned right in front of her. She has some bumps and bruises and was rushed to the ER but she's recovering and still plans to do the ride.

[shootingstar]

" On June 2, 2008, cyclists will start a 19-day, 7,600km trans-Canada odyssey from Vancouver to Halifax. 50 selected National Riders will traverse the entire 7,600 km distance, joined along the way by thousands of other caring cyclists who will cycle shorter 25km to 200 km distances along the way in cities across Canada. Together, our cyclists will raise millions of dollars on behalf of charities that improve the quality of life for children, and their families, living with and beyond cancer."

Although most people do this ride in stages, as a team, Jenn is one of the National riders who will be doing the entire 7600 km ride herself, (averaging 400km per day?!) for 19 days. I cannot fathom that.

Here's a link to her blog in case you want to follow along.

She was at an assembly at our school today, telling the kids about her ride and encouraging them to believe in themselves and work towards their dreams to make the world a better place.

Oh and I forgot to mention, she was hit by a pickup 10 days ago. He turned right in front of her. She has some bumps and bruises and was rushed to the ER but she's recovering and still plans to do the ride.

Hopefully she recovers from accident in time.
Has she randonneured-trained before, KG?? Hard-core randonneurs can only sustain a few consecutive days of cycling..with very little sleep to do such mileage daily..meaning more like 200 kms. per day or so/less.

Presumably she has a sag wagon to carry weight of her belongings if she plans to ride that degree of intensity /distance??

My partner did his lst cross-Canada bike ride solo with his 4 loaded panniers. 4,300 kms. in 45 days from Vancouver to Toronto. This was starting in late July.... Yes, he averaged 100 kms. daily...and it had to be that way, he had bought a plane ticket to fly out to New Zealand. I do recall he did have some difficult days..

Well, at least she's riding in the right direction..it's supposed to be ABIT easier to traverse across Canada from west to east, because of the prairie winds.

[kelownagirl]

Hopefully she recovers from accident in time.
Has she randonneured-trained before, KG?? Hard-core randonneurs can only sustain a few consecutive days of cycling..with very little sleep to do such mileage daily..meaning more like 200 kms. per day or so/less.

Presumably she has a sag wagon to carry weight of her belongings if she plans to ride that degree of intensity /distance??

My partner did his lst cross-Canada bike ride solo with his 4 loaded panniers. 4,300 kms. in 45 days from Vancouver to Toronto. This was starting in late July.... Yes, he averaged 100 kms. daily...and it had to be that way, he had bought a plane ticket to fly out to New Zealand. I do recall he did have some difficult days..

Well, at least she's riding in the right direction..it's supposed to be ABIT easier to traverse across Canada from west to east, because of the prairie winds.

I know she's done some 400 km rides although I doubt for that many days. It looks like there are 50 people who are doing the solo ride. Wild.

[Susan126]

How can a person ride 400 km a day and then do it again the next day?! WOW! That would be like a 14-16 hour day?! Amazing! This has blown my mind! I can't even imagine doing a ride like that let alone do it again and again for 17 days! WOW! AMAZING Sorry I'm just in awe of this woman!

I wish her all the best! Tail winds, good weather, no mechanicals, and a safe ride across Canada!

Sue

[kelownagirl]

How can a person ride 400 km a day and then do it again the next day?! WOW! That would be like a 14-16 hour day?! Amazing! This has blown my mind! I can't even imagine doing a ride like that let alone do it again and again for 17 days! WOW! AMAZING Sorry I'm just in awe of this woman!

I wish her all the best! Tail winds, good weather, no mechanicals, and a safe ride across Canada!

Sue

Yeah, the more I think about it, the more unimaginable it seems. I just emailed her to make sure I have the info right, although I checked the website several times and that's what it says.

[Grog]

A friend of mine in Montreal is doing this ride and I think there are relays and bits of the rides spent in a truck.... but it wasn't that clear from what I've read either.

In any case it's a great initiative!!

[kelownagirl]

They're in Vancouver now, getting ready to leave on Monday. Jenn has raised $36,000 so far. Her goal is $50,000. She will be riding 250km a day for 19 days in a row.

Here is a good interview with her.

Here is a promo video for the ride itself.

[Wahine]

It's quite possible to ride 400 km a day if you ride at the right intensity and have a support crew to carry all your stuff. The guys and gals that do RAAM ride 400 miles some days, that's 640 km. Granted they're racing, but I'm just using that as an example of what is possible. It'll be very cool to see how she does.

[mimitabby]

250k a day sounds a lot more doable for 19 days. 400k a day would really exhaust anyone... for 19 days!!

Raleighdon did his first 400 k last month, that's 250 miles, just in case you're wondering. There's NO WAY he could have done it for even 5 days in a row.

Yesterday he did a 200k and i'm certain he could have easily done it again today.

keep us posted, Kgirl!

[Trek420]

It's quite possible to ride 400 km a day if you ride at the right intensity and have a support crew to carry all your stuff. The guys and gals that do RAAM ride 400 miles some days, that's 640 km. Granted they're racing, but I'm just using that as an example of what is possible. It'll be very cool to see how she does.

Wow, just wow. Even one day, one day flat, flat downhill with a tail-wind fully supported .....

wow, just plain wow

[kelownagirl]

Just the clarify - the first time I posted it, I hadn't done the 'figgering' quite right. After I talked to her again, I found out more about how they were doing it. They won't be doing 400km a day, it'll be 250km a day, and yes, they are fully supported of course.

First off, they will be stopping at every cancer hospital along the way and meeting kids so in some areas of Canada, there will be a lot of hospitals and a lot of stops. I believe in these sections, they will ride about 250 km a day, together in a peleton. In the more isolated areas with fewer hospitals, they will ride relay style - half will ride 5 hours, be driven ahead to the next stop and rest 5 hours, while the other half takes over. It certainly will be an interesting challenge. In every interview I've seen, the riders say that even if it's very difficult for them, it's harder for kids with cancer. I found the videos very touching.

I'll keep you posted on her progress.

[RoadRaven]

They won't be doing 400km a day, it'll be 250km a day

That sounds better Kelowna - I was just about to get out the calculator to dee how long per day at what speeds she would have to be cranking... 250/day sounds MUCH more achievable, and still a huge goal.

Looking forward to your updates, sounds really interesting.