My favorite fortune cookie from 40 years ago — “Don’t be so afraid to succeed that you are afraid to prepare” 60 x 75 mile days…..Hmmm How do you prepare for such a challenge? Having attempted lots of “endurance” contests, I felt very confident “planning” the preparation, but as always, its the “execution” that is the challenge!! I’m reminded of the old saying “The mind is willing but the body is weak".” (ironically as I start this adventure with a “bunch of Christians”, I believe this was coined about Jesus’ abandonment in the middle of the night in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before his capture at the hands of Judas.)
I begin the journey in 2019 with one company going bankrupt 60 days before leaving. The following year, COVID-19 stalled the effort. 2021 I trained with the intent to ride, and decided at the last that the time away and exorbitant expense was more than I was willing to invest! The end result is I had developed a very good aerobic base, so after being gone most of January, 2024 in Tanzania, and some of February (vacation in Spain) I was ready to begin to build miles, time in the saddle, and climbing!!! ugh…
Over March to May I accumulated 2750 miles and over 250 hours of bicycling — largely indoors using the cycling social platform called Zwift. Riding indoors allowed me to train on most days, with Augie as my coach, working my way up to 300 miles and 20 hours over a week. (last week—10 days out)
Never before have I started a race or event fully trained. Only once did I have my weight own to 215 pounds from my norman 245 pounds. Yes, I feel completely ready but doubts like “How will I do in the rain?” “How cold will it be early in the ride?” “How hot will it be going across the midwest in July?” “Can i really do 100 mile days when needed?” All will have to be answered later!!!
Then there is the equipment side of things….. While i have a wonderful Bicycle to ride (AKA “Ruby” a Specialized Roubaix) I have a habit of making a real “science project” in determining every possible piece of required gear that will still fit in tunder the 40 pound allotment. Warm clothes, cool clothes, Eyewear (with integrated rear mirrors), air pad for sleeping on the floor and the associated clothing and supplies to get through 72 days and 4000 miles in whatever weather is thrown my way. A fun exercise!
Train ticket purchased, “home maintenance” notes for Annie completed, and my bottom “conditioned” properly (to survive the “sitzbone” pain everyone experiences) is finally behind me and here I am ready to roll!
So, yes I’m fully prepared, and have given myself the greatest possible chance to succeed! Let’s do this!!!