Terrified - Le Cyclo-défi contre le cancer du Québec /The Quebec Ride to Conquer Cancer

Chasing_your_memory · Newbie

Terrified

Jasen · Member

Hi Tanya,

All it takes is a little preparation and you will be just fine. Judging by your pic I wouldn't consider you overweight either so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

If you're really concerned about the ride then why don't you get an early start on your training by joining a gym, or even getting yourself a stationary bike to use at home? You can often find them used on the internet at reasonable prices. Ex: http://montreal.kijiji.ca/f-stationary-buy-and-sell-sports-bikes-W0QQisSearchFormZtrueQQCatIdZ111QQKeywordZstationary.

As soon as the weather is favorable in the spring hit the road. Your winter training will have already started building your stamina (and your sore-butt resistance!) and you will be able to start doing longer and longer training rides fairly early in the season. Don't forget that the Ride also organizes training rides in different areas which allows you to meet and train with other people of your caliber, which is a great way to stay motivated.

Congratulations for taking this on. It may seem a little overwhelming right now but I am sure you will never, ever regret it. My condolences for your grandfather. I know exactly what you went through because I am living it right now with my grandmother and it is heartbreaking. I am afraid I have just spent my last Christmas with her and that is a harsh realization to come to. By participating in this event I feel I am taking some control, and it alleviates the feeling of helplessness that inevitably manifests itself as you watch a loved one suffer. I wish I could do more to help her, but at least I know I'm part of a solution which will one day ensure that no one else will have to experience this.

You are not alone, remember that! Whatever you do don't give up, this is an amazing thing you are doing and there are many people behind you who will do what it takes to help you succeed.

Good luck!

Jasen

Fremut · Member

Hello Tanya! I echo every single word from Jasen!! Preparation is needed, BUT!, this is totally feasible!! Self motivation in this will be key, having made it this far in the process & being registered, to make it through the ride, here are a few friendly pieces of advice:

1) I have been cycling for a good number of years, and to put things into perspective, riding 100 km at an average speed of 18-20 km/hr takes...5-6 hours (including brakes). Meaning, both you & your bike need preparation; invest a little time to ensure that your bike will be suited to give you the "comfort" to ride the 2 days + 200KM. It does not need to be a 3000$ bike, however, a great working condition is key.

2) The good thing about gyms is that you'll have several pieces of training equipment & advice to work with. You may also concider adding to your training regiment, funds permitting, a "bike trainer". This is an approximately 200$ device to which you attach your own bike (rear wheel) and can train in your living room, basement etc. ANY TIME. The big advantage is that it allows you to get comfy with your own bike. Most bike stores sell these.

3) Having ridden this type of long distance in the past, I can tell you that no one is in peak condition for it unless they do some work, so you should not concider yourself at a disadvantage

) In January, everyone is starting from that point. However, it is time come February to start preparing mentally and physically.

My sincere condolences for your grandfather. The love you have for him will certainly give you the strength to do this; this "voyage" will require planning & preparation on your part, but you will find countless people willing to help you along your way, you will be surprised what people will do for others when you demonstrate your willingness to conquer a good challenge like this

HANG IN THERE & SENDING YOU POSITIVE VIBES

))

Pascale · Newbie

Hi Tanya!

I am very sorry for your grandfather. I completely understand your feelings, I've lost my grandfather 3 years ago and I still feel very sad about it. Also a friend of mine (a member of me team) had cancer this year. I was tired of feeling helpless that is why I signed up for the ride.

Last year at the same date, I did not had a bike, I did not know what a gym was

Because I decided to buy a bike for the summer, I had to start training myself. I did 2 or 3 spinning classes per week and I really got in shape really fast and I'm not 19 but 30 years old so I guess it will be even faster for someone younger. Also if you can, as soon as the temperature is more clement, buy an old bike, someting heavy and cheap. Use it every day to go to work/school if you can. You'll get in shape in no time!

As for the distance, well even if you are in top shape, I guess it is always hard to pedal 120km per day during 2 days... But the memory of your granfather will help you focus and there will be many motivated people around you to help you get through the ride... I'm sure you'll be suprised of what you can accomplish.

So don't be terrified about the ride. You can be a little bit afraid and I thnik it's normal if you never done it but don't be terrified....

I looked at your picture and you do not look overweight...

Congratulation for signing up for the ride. I'm sure you'll be very proud of yourself...

sharkies10k · Veteran Member

Don't worry, just make sure your bike fits you and is well adjusted, has a comfy seat, and make sure you get some decent bike shorts.

Then just work at getting comfortable on the bike, you don't need to be in super-good shape for this. Just keep it in a low gear and keep tuk-tuking along. Last year someone who lost a leg to cancer and was still on chemo completed the ride.

If you can, practice riding in a group, improve your bike skills to the point where you can follow behind someone else. This is called drafting. You absolutely do not have to be able to do this to do the ride, but if you can, it will save you 30% of energy.

If you're really tired and it's really hard to keep pushing those pedals, then when someone comes up beside you and asks you "do you want to draft" you can catch a ride in his slipstream as he blocks the wind for you. It really makes a difference you can feel.

ddkphotos · Senior Member

not in shape - that's a good definition for me! Also - "exercise is a dirty word" is another motto!
I'm 43, about 50 lbs overweight and have never spent more than an hour on my bike. At most I'd go on 5 or 6 rides a year (that was last year). I've gone many years not riding at all!
But that being said - the next 4 months I will be in serious training - starting with my stationary bike. Right now I'm in physio for my right arm/shoulder/back - so they suggested I stay off my real bike until that is under control.
I'm going to try my best and if I can't make it then I'll get a ride to the next stop and have a little break and then try some more. The money will be raised whether I finish the ride or not.
I wasn't planning at all on signing up - as a volunteer yes - but I went to the orientation with my hubby. He had a heart attack Christmas 2007 - and last year he had to get in shape - so he rode his bike all summer - lost 45 lbs and was feeling better. He didn't feel good for the past couple of months though - and the docs don't know why - but if he was willing to sign up for the challenge - I figured I could too. It will give us something to train for together and hopefully we'll both get in shape while trying.
I lost my mom to cancer when I was 12 (she was 50), and have also lost 2 grandparents, an aunt and uncle, my mother-in-law and am also a cancer survivor (melanoma).
My condolences to you - and yes girl - you can do this!!

jamarc · Newbie

Hi Tanya,

Here are some tips that are working for me. I'm not a cyclist by the way.

1 - Spinning classes. I lost 40 pounds in 2 months last summer simply due to 3 spinning classes per week and proper dieting (not starvation). Long distance is all about fueling your body, not starving it.

2 - Don't just do cycling and leg exercises. Cycling is heavy on many major muscle groups, especially in long distance cycling. So do lots of ab exercises to best support your back; tricepts, shoulders and forearms are crucial to sustaining good posture so don't neglect the upper body.

3 - I hate stretching but I now do it religiously, before, during and after.

4 - Some people love listening to music to help the hours pass while on a stationary bike. I recommend trying both with and without. You may realize that you'll get less of a headache and concentrate better without music. 2 hours on a stationary can be boring. Just keep focusing on the goal, your grandmother, and unfortunately, all the people that will get some form of cancer in the future.

NUTRITION: focus heavily on nutrition. I've been reading a lot on how to fuel and recouperate. This becomes key. I'm trying different foods to see how my body reacts. Consult a nutritionist. I'm going to meet one next week.

Good luck to you. You can do this. The hard part of it all is the fun part.

sharkies10k · Veteran Member

Beware which nutritionist you consult.

A friend of mine bonked in the NY marathon because her nutritionist put her on the Zone diet. And this was supposedly a "sports nutritionist".

I think you can put together a good diet just by using www.mypyramid.gov.

You need good protein, good carbs, good fats (but not too much), and to go easy on treats... the website has a calculator that makes it easy for Jane or Joe average to eat right. It can even take into account increased energy needs from all those long bike rides.

broadway29 · Senior Member

Wow. We all have so much in common. My Mom passed away a year ago from complications after Breast Cancar surgery. My Dad is 3 years past Prostate Cancer. I'm so determined to do every kilometer of this ride, for them and for me. I'm a 52 year old mom of 3 teens trying to get my biking legs back after all winter. So I'm with you there Tanya. I worked out a bit in the Gym over the winter but not enough. I'm riding as much as weather permitting. But Mother Nature has not cooperated. But with all the support we will be getting for Family, friends and new ride friends we'll all make it, every kilometer.

broadway29 · Senior Member

What's a zone diet?

broadway29 · Senior Member

Ever since I read Tanya's comments about her fears. I kept asking myself what is scaring me about this ride and I finally realized what it is. I am terrified of riding in such a huge group. I have never rode with others all around me and I am nervous I will be the cause of a huge pile up.

Chasing_your_memory · Newbie

omg I hadn't thought about that... pile up... I've never ridden in a group either... lol I think we'll be fine. Thanks everyone for all the advance and encouragment. We are all amazing and we are going to do this and finish (without pile ups i hope...lol) My training has been going well but with finals and work i've gotten a bit off track but I know I can do this and so can all of u :)

GO US!!!!

sharkies10k · Veteran Member

The zone diet is 40% carbohydrates, 30% fat, and 30% protein.

That is not enough carbs for us right now, as carbs are our main fuel!

We need to be getting 60% carbs.

Protein needs to be 1.5 grams / kg body weight.

Fat needs to be enough to keep your weight steady, usually it comes in sufficient quantities with the protein you eat.

sharkies10k · Veteran Member

Practice starting, stopping, and getting on and off your bike.

Practice turning and holding your line.

Once you have good bike control you will be in a better position to (a) stop fast enough to avoid becoming part of a pileup and (b) a good enough rider to avoid causing a pileup.

Also, just because there will be a lot of us doesn't mean we can't give each other lots of room.

As a matter of safety, I really think we should ask the organizers to do a staggered start:

Let all the sickos that want to fly at 50 km/h start at 7:00 sharp.

Then send out waves every 5 minutes going down by 10 km/h in pace time. 40km, 30km, 20km, and 15 km/h groups.

That way the crazies don't have to weave their way through a bunch recreational riders, and the friendly turtles can trundle along peacefully at the rear without being buzzed by the pros.

We always do this for inline skating and a large number of fun runs do this as well. What do people think of this?

comsoft · Veteran Member

No fair labelling me a sicko just because I want to fly at 50 km/h. Actually, I can't ride at that speed, but I want to. I don't think there will be a problem, because the speeders will quickly get away from the turtles, and the groups won't see each other again until Trois-Rivieres. Notwithstanding that, a staggered start is probably a good idea.

broadway29 · Senior Member

Can you name some good energy bars. I've started trying some out, and am not sure which are the better ones.

sharkies10k · Veteran Member

Anyone who can maintain a cruising speed of 50 km/h will have enough of an ego built up that labels won't leave a bruise. smile

And I, temporarily being a turtle due to serious injury, do not want to impede their path.

sharkies10k · Veteran Member

I like the new cereal-based Powerbars, and Clif and Luna bars.

You can also make your own by grinding up dried fruit and nuts, and mixing in puffed rice if you want more of a crunchy texture.

Use juice and honey to get them to stick together well.

ddkphotos · Senior Member

yes I think a staggered start is a good idea. I'm a little worried about the number of people also...

sharkies10k · Veteran Member

I work at the Jewish, so I can talk to the people organizing the ride.

If they don't see things our way, we can always just start at the very back.

You're supposed to start slowly anyway while you get warmed up, and slowly speed up to cruising speed.

My average speed yesterday was 17.5 km/h but I was going "school zone speed" - there were lots of people on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

I'm on a rest day today, plan to take my inlines out tomorrow.

davedean · Member

One other piece of advice to add to the pile of excellent advice above, DONT RIDE ALONE.

If you dont know anyone who is doing the ride, attend some of the pre-ride events and make some friends. They'll get you through if the going gets tough. Everyone is rooting for everyone on this ride and everyone wants everyone, INCLUDING YOU, to have a great experience.

Whether its some comfort if you're tired, a push up whatever hill there may be (it doesnt look like there are any hills according to my mapping), or someone to push the wind for you, you're riding with friends on this.

sharkies10k · Veteran Member

For serious - no hills? I've been told there would be one big long hard climb right at the end, just before Quebec.
Did you by some magic get an official route map?
I don't even know yet if I'll get to ride, we have a team and I'm #2 on the list, so I only get to go if we raise 5k...

If I do get to go I'll definitely need to get with my guide to check what her comfort zone speed is. Even though I only ride once a week my speed in the "no effort" has pretty much doubled On smooth flat straight pavement I can be cruising at 30-40 kph without applying any real pressure to the pedals.

I can't climb worth crap, so no hills would be awesome news.

davedean · Member

go to mapmyride.com and plot a course from Montreal to Quebec along the north shore of the River, click show elevation. There are some bumps close to Quebec, but they appear to be small.

jojo · Newbie

Hi guys,

I was wondering what is your average pace on your rides?

ddkphotos · Senior Member

I started out averaging about 13 km an hour... but now my bike computer is telling me more like 17/18 km/hour. If there is no wind against me I can usually go around 20 km... have gone 25 but in really favorable conditions. I truly suck at uphills and against strong winds... I'm sure I'll be one of the slowest ones out there...
How about you?

Jasen · Member

Average pace is as personal as your preference in pizza. Mine is around 30, but there will be riders of all levels from 15 to 45 km/hour. What's important is to find your comfortable pace and stick to it for the duration of the ride. I would recommend training to maintain a minimum of 15 to 20 though, if you want to cover the entire distance on both days with plenty of breaks along the way. We're heading east so chances are we should have a tail wind, but that's not a given, so let's cross our fingers.

sharkies10k · Veteran Member

If you're in a group, you should let the smallest engine lead it out, then maintain that pace and not speed up. If there are large differences in power, a GPS can be handy. You can program it to beep at you when you go too fast, so your buddies don't have to ask you to slow down every 30 seconds, or worse, burn out trying to follow you.

broadway29 · Senior Member

Hi folks I checked out mapmyride to quebec city and yup there are some hills on our way into the city and they don't look little to me. But I'm not sure what the elevation %'s mean and how that will translate into an actual climb. By my count it's 264k.

jojo · Newbie

Hi. My average pace is about 18km/h, but I'm aiming 20km/h. I have a hybrid bike and everybody is telling me that I would go way faster if I had a regular road bike. My goal is not to be fast but I don't want to be alone at the tail of the group.

Another question : is anyone experiencing knee pain? I'd noticed that I was moving my feet on the pedals, so I got the click pedals. I fell a few times, but my knees are feeling better but I still feel a small pain... Any advice?

broadway29 · Senior Member

Two things I know can cause knee pain, your seat is too low and or you're pedaling on too hard a gear.

mikek · Member

Hey Tanya, just remember this is a ride and not a race. Enjoy everyone's company, the volunteer staff and the beautiful scenary along the way. The one common denominator amongst all of us is that we're doing this because we've lost a loved one to cancer. So we're more alike than you think.

Don't beat yourself up about this, you'll do just fine smile

-- Edited by mikek on Thursday 4th of June 2009 05:27:36 AM

-- Edited by mikek on Thursday 4th of June 2009 05:29:23 AM

team m.a.d · Senior Member

jojo, I have always had a "performance" (as they call it) Hybrid bike, and this year I moved into the Road Bike, I treated myself and went full carbon, not necessary but, from my average speed on a Hybrid of 23km/hr to this new bike, I can ride easy at 30+km/hr and have hit 50+k/hr on a flat road. But is it necessary for this ride, no, it is not a race. My friend has a bike store and he hs been telling me that some people are doing the ride with 10yr old mountain bikes. Get yourself thinner tires and this should help.

As for the knee pain, Broadway is right on that one, you could also try Clips. Keeps your feet in the right position and also bring your bike (and you) to get sized up.

mermaid · Veteran Member

I too opted for a hybrid bike-seeing how this was the very first bicycle in my life!
I am now the proud owner of a very pretty purple/silver Opus Urbano...which my daughter has nicknamed PURPLE LUCY. I wanted something durable, that could get me from point A to B and to ride around town. Should this relationship work-I may even opt for a matching silver basket to hook to the front next summer-you know..for my girlie things (lip gloss, cell phone and wha-nots)...ah I hear a collective groan from the elite men/women in tights..heh,heh...its all good-this is not a race-if I can make it in one piece without flying off a steep, steep cliff-I'll be a happy camper! biggrin

Joking aside-Im managing the hills quite well at this point-the spinning classes really paid off! I too noticed initially the knee pain-I had told the bike guy to keep the seat low while I got used to riding-raised it since then-no more pain..the clip shoes also really make a difference.

-- Edited by mermaid on Thursday 4th of June 2009 11:30:55 AM