Ride to Empower

Our Cycling Summer Vacation

We get a little summer break from our Planet Ultra events; so we hit the road for 7-8 weeks in our RV. We enjoy cycling both on and off road - and would like to share some of our wonderful experiences with you, via photographs. We hope this inspires you to get out and ride!!!

Off road in Ketchum, Idaho (aka Sun Valley) - some of the best mountain biking in the U.S!

An awesome 10-mile bike path around Diamond Lake, OR. We had the path pretty much to ourselves!

 

Diamond Lake, OR.

Crater Lake National Park, OR. The BEST way to explore our country's National Parks is by bicycle!

Mountain biking in Westfir, Oregon (off-road HEAVEN):

 

Winding your way through a lush pine forest on smooth singletrack makes for an absolutely perfect day of mountain biking! If you love to ride bikes - you just have to do it both on and off road!

A beautiful tunnel of trees on the Aufderheide Memorial Highway - part of the West Cascades National Scenic Byway.

 

Great views from a one-lane bridge over the Willamette River.

Scenes from the Olympic Discovery Trail between Sequim and Port Angeles, WA. The Trail will ultimately stretch approximately 100 miles from Port Townsend at the East end to the Pacific Coast at the West end.  Currently 30 miles of the Olympic Discovery Trail are completed with another 30 miles funded and heading toward construction, mostly west of Lake Crescent. 

Mount Rainier National Park, OR. We did a magnificent 80 mile loop through the park and then meandering in and out of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

More to come! We'll post more pictures from our 2009 summer travels in Oregon, Washington and Idaho!

My Love/Hate Relationship with Cycling

Right now I'm having a love/hate relationship with typing this post. I just spent a good 2 hours typing and by mistake ended up erasing the whole piece. Oh well, I will take a deep breath and start over....I will rely on the patience I have developed while riding long distances.

For those of you who are training to do your first century ride, I'm sure you're feeling a little overwhelmed as you look at your training plan and see that in the months ahead you are supposed to start riding longer distances. I remember I felt this way at the end of July last year as I trained for the 2008 Ride to Empower. My love/hate relationship for riding kicks in when I start having to ride for 4 or more hours at a time. This happened to me the other day.  I'm a little bit ahead of schedule in following my training plan because I know I will not have as much time to ride in August. So, my goal was to ride 60 miles that day. I decided to ride on the bike path along  Lake Michigan. Before I start out on a long bike ride, I try not to think about how far I have to ride or how long it will take. I tell myself that I can turn around at any time and head home. I play these games in my head so I don't get too psyched out by all that awaits me. The problem is I know too much because of having trained for the ride last year. I know how many times I will have to ride up and down the lake front in order to accomplish my goal and how grueling it can be sometimes. To be honest, during my 60 mile ride there were times I definitely wasn't happy about it. I know that hate is a little strong for what I was feeling but there were definitely times my feelings teetered in that direction. However, I happened to have good endurance that day, and the wind was minimal and the day was not too hot so the ride went fairly well. Once I was done, I felt  the relief of being done as well as the thrill of having accomplished my goal. It is then that my love of cycling returns. 

My purpose in writing today is to encourage those of you who may be feeling apprehensive about the remaining months of training. To be honest, there is a lot of hard work ahead, and there will be times you may feel as if you are losing your mind. For example, the other day while riding I started looking at other people's bike helmets in order to pass the time. I don't like my helmet very much because it has a plastic piece that sticks out of the front of it. It seemed as if most of the other helmets I observed did not have this plastic piece. When I stopped at a restroom, I removed the plastic piece and threw it in the garbage can. When I returned to cycling, the sun seemed too bright to me, and my face felt overly hot. That is when I realized that my plastic piece served a purpose in that it protected me from the sun. So, when I looped back to that restroom during my day of riding, I reached into the garbage can to retrieve my plastic piece and snapped it back onto my helmet. That is what I call "sort of losing my mind". Being on a bike that long and riding back and forth over the same terrain can do that to me. However, notwithstanding these types of mental lapses in reasoning, I know I will persevere and accomplish my goals.  I'm also  confident that you will have what it takes to both mentally and physically  accomplish your goals, whether they are those that you set for yourself weekly, or the ultimate goal of riding in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada. Even though there will be times you' ll have trouble walking because your legs will be stiff from riding, I'm know you'll get right back up on the saddle and continue to ride, ride, and ride!

Other changes that I'm sure you are experiencing are those relating to your physical appearance. Are you looking slimmer yet? All those hours of riding burn calories and as a result I'm eating mostly carbohydrates and am not gaining any weight. Prior to training for this event, I had to steer clear of too many carbohydrates because at my age just breathing in the smell of them seems to put weight on me. In other words, my metabolism is usually non-existent. Now, however, I find myself eating pizza, peanut butter sandwiches,etc. in order to have the strength to ride, as well as the stamina to sustain myself between rides. To be honest, it's fun to be able to eat whatever I want because I know from last year that about 1 month after the big ride my metabolism will go back to its old sluggish pace. So, I do love that I slim down as a result of all this riding but I don't like the fact that I  tend to lose a lot of my muscle that I develop from lifting weights over the winter. After my mastectomy, I started to lift weights to give myself a sense of empowerment. One unexpected benefit of lifting weights was that the development of my chest muscles gave the impression that I still had my breast. I noticed last year that around August my chest muscles started to go down, and I found that I had to be careful about wearing certain tops. All the riding leaned me down so much that my beloved chest muscles slimmed down too. I'm not one too worry to much about that kind of stuff so I just ignored the changes. I also knew that once the ride was over I could build up my muscles again. After my 60 mile ride, I can see these changes starting to occur once again. As I said there are things I love about training for this Ride and there are some things I don't like (and sometimes even hate).

So, you will experience a lot of changes over the summer as you continue to train for the big day. You will learn how to sit for longer periods of time on your bicycle, to keep pedaling when your legs feel too tired, to keep moving towards your goal notwithstanding the weather (wind, rain, heat and cold),  to keep your mind in the moment even though you know you should be home doing things around the house or at work, to be patient without thinking too much about how many miles you still have to ride, and to take better care of yourself by eating healthier and drinking more water so as to keep up your endurance... and in the end you will grow as a person from this experience... you will learn,among other things, how to dig deep when you would otherwise like to give up, and in the end you will feel pretty darn good about yourself for persevering through it all and ending up at the finish line even if that finish line isn't at the 100 mile mark. You should all be proud of yourself for just taking the chance and becoming involved in this event. All of you should  pat yourselves on your backs for making it this far and knowing that  you have what it takes to accomplish your goals in the remaining months ahead. When you have those days of riding where the feeling of dislike (or on those really bad days, the feeling of hate) tends to creep into your thoughts, just know that at the end of your ride the feeling of love will come back to you again. Most importantly, don't forget that at the end of all your training when we  meet in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada,  we will all be able to share our experiences and enjoy each others company. We will share our love of life because as breast cancer survivors we understand how important it is to embrace this concept in our daily lives.  The wonderful memories that you will each take home with you will make those difficult times experienced while training seem minimal.  My hope is that when all is said and done you will end up saying to yourself  "hey, I think I'll do this again next year "...

Quick Tips for Riding in the Heat

It's HOT out there! High temperatures add a whole new challenge to the cycling experience. Here are a few tips on how to deal with the heat:

-Start early! Our experience living and riding in the 100 degree desert heat is that it's easier to deal with the heat if we don't start in it. If it's 75 or 80 when we start, and we ease into 100 as the day progresses, the heat is manageable. Not sure why. But it's the truth. A lot of the riders where we live in Southern Utah start at first light during the summer. So get up early. If you live in or near a city, the air is better first thing in the morning too.

-Wear a light colored jersey. It really does help. White or yellow are best when it's real hot. Avoid dark colors when you're riding this summer. And bring a light colored jersey to Vegas as well.

-Drink a lot of liquids, before, during and after your ride. Not too be too graphic, but -- you know you're drinking enough if your urine is clear and copious. If it's dark, you're not taking in enough fluids. 

-Use insulated water bottles. We prefer the large ones by Polar. Just before you get ready to ride, fill them with ice and water. Put them in your freezer and then take them out just as you're leaving for your ride. The ice only last 30-45 minutes but the water stays cold or cool for 90 minutes or so (which is longer than the water should last if you're drinking enough). If you don't use insulated bottles, your water will be as hot as the air way before the bottle is half empty. Nobody likes to drink hot water; so you'll wind up drinking less just when you need to drink more! According to many articles we've read, cool liquids help lower your body temperature and make you faster. If it's hot, or even pretty warm, we will have ice for your bottles at the Ride. Any good bike shop should have the bottles. If they don't let us know and we can sell you some.

-Wet your hair! If you have enough in your bottles to spare, pour some over your head. Brian likes a little at a time. Deb prefers to stop, take her helmet off and soak her hair. Deb does this with a water bottle, lawn sprinklers, in the sink at a public restroom - pretty much anywhere water can be found.

-Use ice to cool off. Fill a cotton tube sock with ice and wrap it around your neck or put it in your jersey pocket. If it's super hot, take a zip lock bag full of ice and put it in your bra (sorry, guys - this doesn't really work for you). Stick some ice cubes in your helmet or pockets. Especially in drier climates, the evaporative cooling effect works great. It will work great in Las Vegas too if it's unseasonably hot.  

-Go up. It's cooler in the mountains, of course. Head to higher altitudes to do some training. The temperature decreases about 5 degrees for every 1,000 feet of altitude. And hint: Start at the bottom and ride UP! Get some serious climbing training in as you cool yourself off!

              

-Practice, practice. Like all things the more you train in the heat the easier it gets and the better you can perform.

Don't let the heat stop you! A little sweat never hurt anyone!!!

FAQs - Post Your Questions Here

Hi All -

We're getting a lot of emails from you! Thanks for getting involved and allowing us to help you make the most of your Ride To Empower experience!

If you have a question you believe the answer to which will benefit others, please post that question as a comment to this post. That way everyone can follow this thread.

Ask away!!!

Deb & Brian

Don't Experiment On Ride Day

As I write this, Brian is riding the last lap of the Cascade Creampuff - a 100 mile mountain bike race with over 8,000 feet of climbing. It has been an incredibly challenging day; made moreso by the cold temperatures, the rain and muddy conditions. I'm so very proud that he has toughed it out. He's going to be hurting tomorrow ... but his determination and toughness reminds me of a quote from our favorite cycling legend, Lance Armstrong, which I know is one of Brian's cycling mantras:  "Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."

Brian deserves lots of kudos... but that's not the real reason for this post. The truth is, I think a lesson can be learned by all who read this, by admitting a little race day mistake which caused Brian to spend pretty much the entire race with a very sore butt.

BIG event-day NO NO: Brian switched saddles before the ride.

A saddle change was necessary because the old one literally fell apart last week. What he should have done was take the saddle off his road bike; because it was the exact same model as the one that broke, and it was "worn-in" so that his bottom was used to the feel of it. What actually happened, however, is that he bought a brand new saddle. An entirely different model. It looked pretty similar, shape-wise, and got great reviews online and in the bike shop. But clearly, his butt wasn't used to it - and he paid for it today.

Moral of the story: Don't experiment on ride day.

Even for the most seasoned cyclists, a century is a long day in the saddle. So ride a saddle that you know and love.

Same holds true for pretty much everything. Ride your own bike that you've trained on and fits you. Wear a pair of shorts you've worn before on a long ride. Practice and get comfortable with your pedals and shoes. Don't try aerobars for the first time. Don't wear a camelback if you don't know how it's going to feel. Eat during the century what you've eaten on training rides. Don't use powders or gels or other energy drinks you've not used before on a 3+ hour ride. Trying new things is a recipe for a less than perfect day.

So let's keep it as perfect as possible by sticking with the tried and true. You'll thank us for this advice. Really, you will!

Check Out the Ride to Empower Video on Utube!

The other day my close friend called and asked  me whether I was aware of the fact that I was in a video on utube. I asked her what was she talking about, and she said that she was playing around on her computer and had typed in the word Ride to Empower on utube, and  to her surprise there was a wonderful video about the 2008 Ride to Empower in Solvang, California. So, I checked it out and was mesmerized by how this short video took me back in time to all that I had experienced last October in Solvang. I must say the video definitely captured what the 2008 Ride to Empower was all about. My younger daughter watched the video with me, and after it was over she too was extremely moved. She told me that she now understood what all my fundraising and bike training was about last year. Instead of  trying to describe to you the essence of this video, I'd rather you to take the time and check it out for yourself.  For those of you who did the Ride last year, it will bring back wonderful memories, and for those of you who are new to this event, it will give you an idea of what you will be experiencing this October in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada. It will help to inspire all of us as we get on our bikes and pedal this summer.

It's hard to believe that July is already here. My riding experiences so far are not as impressive as those of Brian and Deb. Unlike them, I'm pretty much stuck here in Illinois. However, I do try to make the best of it, and irregardless of where I ride, I try to enjoy the views and smells of summer. The first month of riding has been harder than I thought it would be. When I first started out riding I thought it wouldn't be too hard in light of the fact that I rode 100 miles last October. I'm not sure whether my slow start is due to the fact that I'm a little bit older or that I haven't ridden in 7 months. In any case, I decided to lower my expectations for awhile, and not push myself so much. To be honest, it was making me feel pretty darn tired. However, as I enter into the month of July, I find that my riding isn't wiping me out so much. I'm able to relax and enjoy my rides more.

However, I'm not fooled into believing that it will stay easier. I know too much from last year. Just as I get comfortable riding a certain distance, I check out my training plan to see that I'm supposed to ride a little bit further. Sometimes I think of it as a "torture" rather than a "training" plan. As you all know, the distances we are supposed to ride get longer and longer as the summer progresses. Keep in mind, that because you're training, you'll be able to handle these longer distances but some days of riding will definitely challenge you. My suggestion is to not think too far ahead. Just take one ride at a time, do what you can do and definitely don't be too hard on yourself. No matter what, I want you to always try to appreciate and enjoy your time in the great outdoors, even if it's just in the town where you live.

This summer I have embarked on a new endeavor. I've decided to go back to school in order to get a masters degree in social work. This new direction in my life is very much tied into the changes that have taken place in my life since I've had breast cancer. I hope that as  result of going back to school, I'll eventually be able to find a career in which I will be able to help others. Needless to say, I've been a little bit overwhelmed in finding myself back in a classroom. The good news is that my brain still seems to be functioning, however, I'm a little concerned about being able to stay awake during class. Except for having to add caffeine back into my life, I seem to be doing okay. No matter how busy life gets, however, I still try to make time to get outside and ride. Riding helps me to remember what life is truly about. If I get outside on a warm summer day, and am able to smell the beautiful smells of summer (freshly cut grass is my favorite), or am able to see the beautiful, colorful wild flowers blooming along the bike path then I feel that I was able to experience life in a meaningful way. It helps take me outside of my busy life, and reminds me of how important it is to slow down and appreciate the quite beauty of nature, and life in general. For example, yesterday I rode on the Illinois Prairie Path. What motivates me to ride far on this path is that the farther I ride then the more remote and beautiful the path becomes. When I get out to where I'm the only one riding along the path, and stop to rest my legs, I love to hear how quiet it is, except for the birds chirping or the wind blowing in the trees above my head. My favorite yesterday was hearing the sound of bullfrogs in a marsh filled with cattails. The only bad part is when I have to turn around, and head home knowing how far I'll have to ride before I reach my car. 

These types of bike riding experiences remind me of why I love to participate in this event. It makes me take the time to get outside which I find wonderfully therapeutic. I hope you are all sharing similar uplifting experiences as you cycle this summer. As your legs and bodies get stronger and healthier, and as your minds and souls get soothed and renewed by the beauty of summer, I wish you well as we enter into the month of July.  We should all try to remember images from the utube  video as we continue to progress in our cycling this summer. I know such images will inspire us to reach our individual goals whatever they may be, as well as our collective goal of arriving in Red Rock Canyon this fall.  Until then, keep on doing what you do best...ride and fundraise!!!