The Countdown - 10 days to Go!

by Diana

Almost at $2000 towards my $5000 fundraising goal! Thanks all you wonderful, generous supporters!!

Next week at this time, we will have dropped off our bikes, picked up our BC Bike Race roller bags and be doing the final packing for a week-long adventure. Do we feel confident or scared? Tired or full of excitement and energy? Answer: All of the above!

My final big training days are done. I’ve ridden very close to the heights and lengths of the longest BCBR days, tested out some of the stages, lifted thousands of pounds of weights, done hundreds of burpies, push-ups and umpteen other moves in the gym. I’m ready.

Well, I thought I was ready until Sunday’s ride, which felt like a real set-back. The hardest climb up Red Mountain in a long, long time. The heat and large lunch I ate did not help! On the way down - two falls! I’m afraid my new cleats were not releasing from the pedals as easily as they should have. New shoes, new cleats, re-built pedals. I thought I had given myself enough time to break them in. Not so sure now. No matter – yesterday’s flat ride, in which I clipped in and released at least 500 times should help! And besides, there are always my old stand-by shoes. They have taken me over many, many kilometers and ground up countless climbs. The old faithfuls are definitely coming along! True, the soles were ripped almost in half two years ago, but the Shoe Goo is holding remarkably well!

Am I nervous? Undoubtedly. Do I think I could have trained harder? Probably. But I’ve done as much as I reasonably could. My body is as ready as it can be. My bike is ready – new tires, new brake pads, re-built pedals, brake and shifting cables adjusted. Thanks to my two awesome local bike shops, Gerrick’s and Revolution! My clothes are ready – great lululemon riding kits, a new rain jacket, new shoes, even new riding socks! Am I mentally ready? I think so, but I’ve never done anything like this before. Time will tell.

Now it’s rest time. A few light spins, lots of sleep and more eating. Get the body well rested and strong for a week of punishment. Hope the tent en route is quiet and comfy, and that sleep comes easily; hope my nervous stomach doesn’t get the better of me. Do yoga and breathe deeply. Think about how much fun this is going to be! A week on my bike amid the most beautiful scenery imaginable, beside my best sports buddy, Joanna. BCBR, bring it on!