I'm a beginner rider - I started training in March. I've been going to the gym and I go riding 3 times a week including some rides with groups. I too, bit off more than I can possibly chew because this is tough - lots of time, effort and money is going into this. I want to be able to complete this ride successfully, meaning, I don't want to be entirely last and I want to be able to also enjoy the journey.
I am somewhat scared, but I'm giving it my all !! Here's to hoping there will be no wind, very little hills and I will sail on through to the finish line with a smile on my face !!! :)))
-- Edited by pianogirl on Tuesday 26th of May 2009 03:37:05 AM
You will have a great time and don't worry about being last as I will be at the back. I was worried at first on raising the money and everything and could I do it but I am determined so just think positive.
All aspects of this ride are daunting, but our determination gives us strength, & our strength gives us the determination to keep going. We will all reach the goals we are meant to achieve. I know one of the reasons I have chosen to ride is not only to prevent others from experience the pain of losing a loved one to the beast of cancer, but to help myself in the healing process. I have discovered why my sister fought so hard to live (even if she knew the battle would be lost). Life is precious & should be cherished and lived to the fullest. That is one goal I have reached (along with meeting my minimum fundraising goal) so consider myself a winner already, even if I don't finish the ride early in the pack. This ride may be challenging, but is nothing compared with fighting for your life. As long as we all keep our chins up & the wind at our backs we can help keep the beast at bay. (Sorry for the long windedness)
Pianogirl, you are correct in saying this is a daunting task. This is my first ever fund-raiser ride and my first big group ride (I'm usually a solo mountain biker). I may or may not hit my fund-raising goal, but to be where I am at is a victory already.
Don't forget, this isn't aimed at being a race....as long as the sweep doesn't pull you off the course at the end of the day, then it doesn't matter when you cross the finish line. This is a ride to complete, not compete :)
I haven't been too successful at meeting up with folks yet, but if you're in the Edmonton area, feel free to let us know...there are a bunch of us up here that may be able to meet up for training rides.
WOW!!!! On Sunday May 24th I attended the training ride that was guided by David and Bradley. There were only 5 of us in total that attended, the other two gentlemen that rode were Lionel and Clinton, and they were great to ride with! The ride was advertised as approx. 30K each way. My thoughts were "Well I have friends in Chestermere I will ride there, beg off and get a lift back to town. Ha Ha! Not with David as your ride guide, he could talk the devil into saying he was sorry...LOL... The ride both ways turned out to be 53.5K and we did it 3 hours and 26 mins. and did I hurt at the end? Oh yeah but not as badly as I thought that I would...LOL... There were points along the ride that we would cross a main street and I would tell the guys that they could leave me there and I would call a taxi! They laughed and said to me "It's not that much further. You can make it!" And I did! But not without my share of whining and not without their encouragements! Let me tell you that if the training ride any indication of what it will be like to ride on Ride Day then I know that I can do this!!! At those moments when I thought that there was no way that I could pedal another inch let alone another K someone would encourage me or just simply ride beside me and start talking and asking questions so I had to ride on in order not to be rude. I am not so good at being rude...LOL... I guess I took the idea of us have ride guides and the wonderful guys and gals at the office for granted but after that training ride I gained a whole new appreciation!!! So see you at the finish line!!!
That was my first bigger ride was out to Chestermere, that is a nice ride. How would you like to join a group of about 7 of us that will ride from Okotoks to Millerville this weekend. We have full range from the faster riders to the slower riders(I'm one of the slower ones. ) You are more than welcome and it will give you some road/hill experience.
Morrisjo... sorry I missed your post .. Thanks for the offer...I signed up to do a bunch of training rides in the next ten days and I am praying that I make it through them ... LOL... I am a little worried about the 72K ride on Sunday but if I can't do that how will I do the ride in 2 weeks? I hope everyones training is going well!!! I just recieved news that the husband of the woman who inspired me to do this ride is dieing of Lung and Liver Cancer .. they don't think that he will last till we ride... and she hasn't been gone 6 months...my heart goes out to that poor family!!!!
I was worried at first on raising the money and everything and could I do it but I am determined so just think positive. 
