The Ride to Conquer Cancer - 2014

[Katiepie]

I have begun a very personal challenge to complete the http://www.conquercancer.org.nz/site...nal&fr_id=1050 Ride to conquer Cancer - 2014.

So many of us have lost the ones we love to Cancer, some have survived it themselves, others will possibly learn how to support someone going through treatment in the future. We all know how cruel a disease it is, and how terrifyingly common it is to become ill with it these days.

For me personally, I sat at my darling dads bedside last year when he passed away from Cancer, only 5 weeks after being diagnosed.

I now feel strong enough to take on the challenge of joining the Ride to Conquer Cancer, in honor of my dad and help to raise funds for the Auckland Cancer Society. Future research is the only way to help others fight this fight, and win.

I will join thousands of others, a mix of those who have also lost loved ones or are cancer survivors themselves, and cycle 200km over 48 hours in November this year. It will be a huge physical challenge for me. I am unfit, I am not a cyclist, and my body is not what it used to be with new daily challenges. I am ready to push myself to new limits.

The challenge has begun - any support from any direction is, as always, greatly appreciated. I am so bloody excited!

I have no energy for getting grief on here - just a little support can go a hell of a long way, as I know from many of you in the past. Bring it on!

[Old Steve]

You great girl!

Since I moved to Oz I haven't been in here often, so it's a fantastic thrill to see you posting and still riding Katiepie. Sorry to hear about your Dad, we're never prepared are we, no matter what is going on. I always thought my Dad was immortal.

Sorry this message has to be a 'fluffy' and not advising of some more solid support coming to your great cause.

Ride safe and enjoy!

[Katiepie]

You great girl!

Since I moved to Oz I haven't been in here often, so it's a fantastic thrill to see you posting and still riding Katiepie. Sorry to hear about your Dad, we're never prepared are, no matter what is going on. I always thought my Dad was immortal.

Sorry this message has to be a 'fluffy' and not advising of some more solid support coming to your great cause.

Ride safe and enjoy!

Thanks mate. Only mentioned the fluffy stuff as I'm so tired of being accused of seeking attention so it had to be said. Words are support enough and I thank you. On a mission, looking forward to the challenge. Hope you are well.

[Robbo]

Good on you katiepie, it is a wonderful cause to help fight a scourge that has had an effect on many of us. I hope one day in my lifetime that i will see a cure for cancer. The best of luck with your ride and i hope you get the rewards you desire.

[rocketman1]

Hey Katiepie,

Great to read about your endeavour to complete this ride.
I am recovering from cancer myself and I know what a great cause this ride is for.


Best of Luck.

[Ulsterkiwi]

good on ya, I like the way you think.

[R650R]

Good luck, I see you've already been through some challenging situations.
Try getting some rides in to get your legs used to spinning and make sure your vitamin levels are good esp magnesium etc to ward off muscle cramps.
Even if your just cruising that's a fair distance in a short time for anyone. Just been down your way for Karapoti so all to aware about leg cramps!
Safe travels.

[Katiepie]

Good luck, I see you've already been through some challenging situations.
Try getting some rides in to get your legs used to spinning and make sure your vitamin levels are good esp magnesium etc to ward off muscle cramps.
Even if your just cruising that's a fair distance in a short time for anyone. Just been down your way for Karapoti so all to aware about leg cramps!
Safe travels.

Thanks 650R. Well done for doing the Karapoti. That's and impressive feat. My training has started and I know it will take me right up until the ride to get my fitness level to where it needs to be, and body conditioned. I am doing my early training on a cheap mountain bike, and slowly getting used to cycling again. Doing a gentle 25km tomorrow along the river trail. I am working on both fitness and strength, adding in a bit of hiking along the way. Walked the Tongario Crossing over Christmas, and aiming to do it again next month. I have gone back to my physio to help me strengthen my neck back and leg that are all very week.

I need this challenge for me personally, as it's high time I pushed myself again and got my body used to being active again. The mental challenge will also be very good for me. And of course the ultimate goal of raising funds for Cancer research and treatments to try and help others have more of a chance at kicking cancers butt in the future.

This is quite a learning curve for me, thank you for the advice about vitamins and muscle spasms. I have ample supply of a high dose magnesium from previous injuries. And those who know me will know that the biggest challenge for me will be diet and learning how to eat healthy foods to keep me going.

2014 is a very exciting year, with much opportunity to push myself to better levels.

[caseye]

Support, for katiepie! Dun!
Go girl.
Great to see you into it and making things happen.
I know you can do it.

[SMOKEU]

I will join thousands of others, a mix of those who have also lost loved ones or are cancer survivors themselves, and cycle 200km over 48 hours in November this year. It will be a huge physical challenge for me. I am unfit, I am not a cyclist, and my body is not what it used to be with new daily challenges. I am ready to push myself to new limits.

It's going to be a pretty big mission if you're not really a cyclist. You do have plenty of time for training though, so you should be fine if you cycle regularly to build up your stamina. It's not a quick process though. I could do that sort of distance over 2 days, but I'm a cyclist who does a lot of road riding and that will be a pretty big challenge even for me.

Get some Gatorade or other such electrolyte sports drink, as that really helps over longer distances. Taking caffeine pills before the ride and smoking buds along the way helps too, as your muscles won't be as painful after a good smoke. Just don't forget to drink plenty of water/sports drink. Get a frame mounted pump, saddle bag for basic tools and a puncture kit, and water bottle cage(s) so you don't have to carry a backpack. Some good puncture resistant tyres are a must.

What bike are you planning on using? You want a good road bike too for those distances.

[SMOKEU]

PS. You don't need lycra to be a good cyclist. I've never worn it, because I don't want to be a lycrafag.

[Tazz]

My grandfather died of cancer a few years back on St Patricks day so it is on my familys mind at the moment. The bugger went through chemo and still had a full head of jet black hair grow back (wtf did they put in brylcreem back in the day!?) but it wasn't enough, such as it goes.

Best of luck with the training and ride bud. If you enjoy the experience make sure you don't just stop at one.

[Katiepie]

It's going to be a pretty big mission if you're not really a cyclist. You do have plenty of time for training though, so you should be fine if you cycle regularly to build up your stamina. It's not a quick process though. I could do that sort of distance over 2 days, but I'm a cyclist who does a lot of road riding and that will be a pretty big challenge even for me.

Get some Gatorade or other such electrolyte sports drink, as that really helps over longer distances. Taking caffeine pills before the ride and smoking buds along the way helps too, as your muscles won't be as painful after a good smoke. Just don't forget to drink plenty of water/sports drink. Get a frame mounted pump, saddle bag for basic tools and a puncture kit, and water bottle cage(s) so you don't have to carry a backpack. Some good puncture resistant tyres are a must.

What bike are you planning on using? You want a good road bike too for those distances.

Thanks for your advice. And yes, I know what a massive challenge this will be, not being a cyclist. This is why I have made a start this early as I will need all the time I can get to get ready.

Starting out with a shitta of a bike, but that won't be for long. Am working hard to save and sell a few things (no, not the motorbike) to buy myself a small framed, lightweight endurance road bike for the later and longer training. Seen a few that I have had advice on, but just for now need to stick with the shitta until the time is right to change.

Who knows, smoking some buds on the rides might just help me with my food and diet issues - my old colleagues have been trying to fix me for years with that stuff. lol - stubborn girl but I just keep saying no.

[Grashopper]

Wow! Go you! :

Wish you all the best for this. You are getting a better bike than that old mountain bike though, aren't you?

Edit: Haha, that's what happens if you get distracted by a horror movie while writing a post.

[Gremlin]

Best of luck. You'll definitely want to be completing 100km rides by the time the event rolls around. Remember also that working with other cyclists in a pack will really help. Slogging out the distance solo will be a lot more work. In competition packs, only 40% of the energy is used, compared to doing all the work.

In terms of bikes, be careful purchasing anything 2nd hand, as you can end up inheriting the issues, and depending on budget, end up costing more than something new on special. On that note, never pay RRP The mountain bike will make the riding harder (you probably know that), but then, for improving fitness, that's not a bad thing. Try to find the fun in the riding, as doing it purely for fitness will be a struggle to keep motivation going.

Used to road team time trial over a decade ago, and got into bicycles again last year, but this time mountain biking. Good for fitness and the social aspect