If you don’t already think we are nuts, you will after you read this post. 🙂
My cycling coach puts on a big fundraiser every year to raise money for ultrasound machines. Diego and his wife are simply amazing! This is their third year, their time is all volunteer, and they already have 550 plus people signed up for Ride4Us.
So I’ve been complaining all summer about how I trained all winter and didn’t get to do one race b/c of our shooting schedule and my surgery. And then look, an opportunity presents itself, and Brian gives me this look of here’s your chance. (gulp! :)) We had plans to take the kids camping one last time, but at the last minute, and I mean last, we decided to stay for the race and then go camping later that day. Thus, a serious last minute sign up!
Brian has pledged to ride 25 miles. I’m going for the 50 mile length. Mind you, I haven’t ever gone farther than 30 miles in one ride–my poor bottom, but unlike my husband I’m stuck with this over achiever flaw! Oh, and Pascaline is even going to do the 5K with my little brother and Blaze! (yeah Pascaline!)
We start at 7:15am on Saturday, and our goal is to raise $1000 before we start. Yep, that’s right, we’re trying to raise that in 48 hours. 🙂 Don’t we look tough enough to do it!
It’s kind of fun posting this b/c I haven’t asked for sponsors since I was in 4th grade and got a dime for every lap I ran! I’ve asked my family to pledge a dollar for every mile they think we can ride, miles 40-50 being the toughest. 🙂
And hey, we even formed a team called Me Ra Koh Photography Team. If you’re around you are more than welcome to ride with us! Awesome photographer, Yuriy Manchik, has already signed up. He’s in his twenties and going for the 62 mile length…jerk.
Here’s the link to our team’s pledge page if you’d like to make a donation! Thanks guys! You are AWESOME! If nothing else, say a prayer for me at around 10:30am when I hit the last five mile climb!
Quick questions…has anyone else done a ride of this length? Any advice on what to eat the night before or morning of? Someone said bring power bars with you and lots of Gatorade. Do you concur?
My mom does the Disney marathon & triathlon every year.. Definately go for a big pasta dinner the night before! Best of luck to your family!!
You guys are seriously awesome! The company that makes air-borne has these packets that you put in water…I am blanking on the name at the moment, but I feel they are better than gatorade, mostly because there isn’t any extra sugar and they have all the nutrients and electrolights you need to keep going. Just a thought! Good luck you guys, We love you!
Congrats you two…this will be a fun adventure. I’ve done a couple of long bike rides (I did a half Iron Man triathlon with TEAM IN TRAINING) and our coach always taught us to ‘do something’ every 15 min. So, drink water, (gatorade is tough on the tummy…too much sugar, try NUUN instead) or eat something. Roasted almonds are good (esp. flavored ones), power bars (cut up first…hard to do while riding) or cliff shots are fun too (like gummy bears). I hope you have a great ride and a fun camping trip afterwards. I’d love to come help shoot, but already commited to help work the wedding show with Michael. 😉
Cheers and go team MeRa Koh photography!
I’ve heard its two nights before the race that really counts in terms of sleep/rest and eating. Having done my first two century rides this summer (LIVESTRONG Philly/Elephant Rock), my advice is get chamois butter and use lots of it, take advantage of the rest stops and the food/drink they have, GU or gels are easy to use while riding, and most importantly, have fun and enjoy what will be an amazing experience!
My hubby has done several MS150 bike rides and he always likes to eat a big pasta dinner the night before. Good luck!
Ok, something funny. While checking your blog this morning Ty glimpsed the pic of you and Brian and yelled “Mommy and Daddy” thinking that you two were us two! TOO FUNNY since the most athletic thing I have done this week is to program my tivo for the upcoming season premieres. You two are aweome, good luck!!!
Ha! That is so funny Kari!!!
Okay friends, I think I’ve got this straight, we need to eat pasta the night before, to much sugar in gatorade, and Jen–love the tip about breaking the bars up prior!
You guys are AWESOME!! AND, we have two photographers vollunteering their time to shoot the event. Plus, we’ve raised over $300 in donations! YEAH!!!
Keep the helpful tips coming! And Surya, what’s GU and chamois butter? You’ve got my interest peaked!
FYI, Gu, hammergel, cliff shots (when I said that before, I meant cliff blocks, they are more like gummy bears) are all gels that have lot of carbs/sugar to give you a boost of energy. Most endurance athletes use them during workouts or races. I wouldn’t use them on race day if you haven’t tried them before…but always good to try and incorporate into your training ;)…when you have time.
Again, have fun!
Chamois Butter, or any of the other similar products out there, help to reduce chafing and can ease the discomfort of a long ride. A good pair of shorts are key on that front too.
Enjoy!
Hi Me Ra!
You are going to do great!!
I’ve tagged you!
See my blog for details!
xo daria
Soma….
Soma….