The Ride to Conquer Cancer - 2014

**R650R** · 25th March 2014, 06:00

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

1. Never, ever, ever Jew out on a bike pump. I recommend a Topeak Joe Blow. They're around $80 if you shop around, and do presta valves and schrader valves without having to dismantle anything on the pump. It will also do high pressure road bike tyres, as I've tested it to 120psi and it does it very easily, with plenty more in reserve.

I've thrown two of those Top Peak on bike pumps in the bin now, first one blew the seals/over heated during a change, second one think the seals dried up from lack of use.
Really PMO as the tyre had stayed on the bead despite major puncture at 60k on forestry road downhill, was muddy and could have ridden it out like that.
So got some of those CO2 things sitting around and bought an adaptor. I don't know how people think they would ever do a motorbike tyre, took two of them to get a 27.5x2.3 up to about 15-18 psi...

Have had a cheap Giro? floorpump like the style in picture from T7 for ages and works great for changes at home, gets used on motorbikes too and even good for a couple PSI into car tyres before a trip away.

**Katiepie** · 30th March 2014, 13:16

So I am adjusting to the standard 25km ride that I do ok, with a hard push near the end when I start to lag. But I have not done two days training back to back. This weekend I completed 2 x 26km rides/ The first day I did well, finding it less painful and focussed on strengthening my neck using different muscles. Todays ride I was joined by a friend who has a hell of a lot of advice and experience to share with me and I was very thankful to have a ridding buddy. The poor guy - I forgot to warn him just how slow I would be!!!!

We started off at a faster pace than what I have been easing myself into. But I was excellent to have to push on because you were with someone else, rather than take the easy option and just back off and plod along. I used muscles in my legs and thighs that I don't think I use as much as I should be, my back was getting a better work out too. My buddy followed me riding for a bit and then stopped me to adjust my seat. After a couple of stops and adjustments things were feeling a lot better in my riding position with a higher seat. I also began to use the muscles in my ride calf muscle more. As a result it is now much more swollen than it has been from rubbing against the plate and pins. It proves to me once again just how little I actually use my muscles.

On the homeward stretch of the ride I began to slow right down. My legs were feeling like jelly and the pain in my neck had started to escalate rapidly. I knew a migraine was coming on from the nerves pinching in my neck from my old injury (broken neck C2). But the more obvious thing to me and him was that my body was running out of fuel. It seems after only a few weeks of training I have lost weight and am down to spot on 50kg. This has not been intentional, and I hadn't noticed it myself. But a few people have been commeting on their concern about me burning too much energy, and not re-fueling my body enough. I know understand what they are talking about.

I won't go into it, but food and diet is my biggest challenge for this ride, and my training. I may have run out of steam today but this is all a wonderful learning curve for me to learn about my limited stamina, the limits of my neck and leg and how to push through them, and slowly building up a better fitness level after starting from scratch. I am loving the challenge, and am very thankful for all the support I am receiving along the way. Thanks to my friend today for your coaching, adjustments to the bike and general encouragement. It made me push a little harder rather than trying to figure it all out on my own.

Throughout the year I will be asking for donations again along the way. I have a long way to go but am off to a great start with some very generous donations behind me already - thank you to those of you who have done so.

My ride page can be found here.
All donations go directly to the Auckland Cancer Society to aid in future research and treatments.

when my uncle did this ride last year and raised over 16k in funds, he rode past a man standing on the side of the road in support of them all - holding up a sign that sums it up perfectly... "Fuck Cancer"

**Gremlin** · 30th March 2014, 14:31

In simplest terms, you must eat to put on fat. When you exercise, you would burn off that fat. The last thing you want to do is eat up the muscle you've been working to build.

**R650R** · 31st March 2014, 16:20

You should try and eat a good mix of protein and carbs within 30mins of finishing exercise too as that is when your muscles are primed to take up all the good stuff a lot quicker.
Especially if your planning on a second ride the next day.
Sounds like your doing alright all things considered, take it easy though, just riding regularly every second day if you can should do plenty for you.
There's a bit of a cycling thread over in the adventure touring section too called "adventure pushies", some more knowledgable folk in there too.

**Katiepie** · 6th April 2014, 22:13

A bit of an update on how my training is going.... but first, take 10 minutes to watch this very very cool orientation video for the Ride to Conquer Cancer. I am watching it daily at the moment, and each time it sets me into tears of sadness, joy, fills me with passion, and a large amount of motivation. My uncle speaks in it (which I didn't know) about how he raised over $15,000 last year. I am so excited to be a part of this event and raising funds for people like the ones in this video, and of course, my darling dad. RIP dad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8I_...ature=youtu.be

Last weekend I did 2 x 25km rides, and the second day kind of took it out on me as I didn't have enough fuel in my body. This weekend my new training partner got me out to the Rimutaka Rail Trail. This is a very gentle 20km ride and on a constant incline on the way up. Very subtle, but I began to struggle quite quickly with very poor breathing on the incline. I wanted to stop and rest for a few minutes to get my breathing right but my training partner wouldn't let me and pushed me on. Slowly I made my way to the summit and was thrilled to get there without stopping once. I have never ridden any form of an incline in my entire life so it all felt very different.

On the way back down my training partner put me on his mountain bike for a try, and my goodness me, what a difference!!! I sat in behind him watching him pedal 3 times as much as me. I had to laugh as it looked like effort alright, and I was having a ball on his bike! So much fun, and I couldn't believe how I could stop peddling for a moment and coast, and the bike didn't stop dead within seconds.

Today I went back out on my own to ride the same track again, and just loved it. I focussed on my breathing a little better and pushed myself to stay on the bike and not stop. I felt really really good when I had finished and look forward to getting my body used to riding uphill more along the way.

Tonight I have just been loaned a better mountain bike - so much lighter, better wheels, better seat and foot pegs. I look forward to getting onto my indoor trainer for the week, then out for some longer rides in the weekend.

My donations have reached the first milestone of $1000.00. I have to raise a minimum of $2500 but am aiming for $5000. People are being very generous and I am very thankful they are contributing to this cause that I feel so strongly about.

I am very excited right about now about everything. I am pleased with my progress after having never been on a push bike more than once 4 weeks ago, to now getting out and cycling about 50km each weekend and struggling a little less with each ride. I have been back on my pain medications today from a very very sore neck from the cycling, and the swelling continues in my leg, but seems to settle after a couple of days. It will be interesting to see if both these things continue along the way of adapt with me as I do more training.

Loving the challenge and the chance to give back a little to others who need the help.

http://www.conquercancer.org.nz/site...nal&fr_id=1050

**Katiepie** · 9th April 2014, 11:33

The total I have managed to fund raise so far for Cancer Research sits at $1705.00.

The FULL proceeds go to the Cancer Society at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre (ACSRC), based in in the University of Auckland. The ACSRC is one the world’s most productive academic cancer drug development groups, having to date brought 12 new drugs to clinical trials in NZ and around the world.

Proceeds from the Ride to Conquer Cancer ensure the sustainability of this important work as we continue to seek breakthroughs that will directly impact the lives of thousands of people going through cancer treatment.

I won't be stopping at the minimum required of $2500.00. I aim to raise at least $5,000.00 to help others fight, and win this bloody awful battle!

It's game on!

http://www.conquercancer.org.nz/site...nal&fr_id=1050

**Grashopper** · 9th April 2014, 18:19

Great to hear that your training is going well and you got $1700 together already in donations.

You still have a few months left to top your uncle's results

Hopefully your neck pain will lessen with time and training and your leg will get used to it, too.

**Katiepie** · 18th April 2014, 15:18

After a brilliant week in every way, I have now raised a total of just over $2500.00 for the Cancer Society. I am over the moon, because this now means can officially participate in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

A stunning bike was delivered to me at work yesterday, a rebuilt small-framed road bike that is bloody beautiful to be honest. I can now start my road training and up the length of rides.

I am managing my neck pain very well, and seem to be strengthening my neck muscles without the pinching of the nerves that I have been used to for 3 years. Pretty thrilled about that. My leg however is a bit of a mess - very swollen, and lower leg rather full of fluid. Even when I rest the swelling doesn't seem to go down. It doesn't seem to hurt too much when I cycle, but walking on it is causing great pain.

Aiming to raise $5,000 and now very very excited to be a part of this challenge. It's doing me the world of good both physically and mentally.

But for now, a few days off cycling and back onto my motorbike - as I head to the South Island for a solo road trip to celebrate my 30th. Can't think of a better place to be. Best I get some tramping in to make up for my lack of training for the week.

The ride is officially on! And I am super pumped about it all.

http://www.conquercancer.org.nz/site...nal&fr_id=1050

**Ocean1** · 18th April 2014, 16:59

Originally Posted by Katiepie

After a brilliant week in every way, I have now raised a total of just over $2500.00 for the Cancer Society. I am over the moon, because this now means can officially participate in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

A stunning bike was delivered to me at work yesterday, a rebuilt small-framed road bike that is bloody beautiful to be honest. I can now start my road training and up the length of rides.

Good news Katie.

I passed a small dayglo person of a blond persuasion jogging up the valley road earlier, wasn't you by any chance?

**Grashopper** · 21st April 2014, 15:42

Hope you're having fun on the South Island. Whereabouts are you heading? The road between Blenheim and Kaikoura is not in the best state, I heard, but I remember it being boring by car, so hopefully you'll have planned a more fun route anyway.

It's good to see that your fund-raising is going well and that you now have a good bike to train with. Would be interested to hear how much of a difference it is to the mountain bike.

Just heard the inspiring story of olympic sprinter Betty Robinson, who got into a plane crash and was in a coma for 7 month with head injuries, a crushed arm and a broken leg. The leg injury was pretty bad. It was set with a rod and pins but she never was able to kneel on it again. However, five years after the accident she and her relay team won the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Made me think of you.

**Katiepie** · 10th May 2014, 20:53

I know only a could of you are following this thread but a quite update for those who has wished me well or donated to my ride...

I am now out riding each weekend on the rebuilt road bike that had been put together for me and donated to me. Last weekend I got a couple of 30km rides under my belt on the road, and tackled the Wallicville hill near by where I live. Holy shit - that nearly killed me! It wasn't until I had already committed to the hill that I realised the bike was already in it's easiest gear. And it took all my body weight and focus to slowly push on the pedals (standing up, gearing was too hard for me to get a single rotation sitting down) and make it to the summit. But I did it, both days.

My breathing scared me - I couldn't get any breathe in and it felt like my throat was closed up or inflamed.
My neck was incredibly painful and it triggered a migraine for both days - I was a little sick at home that night throwing up all night.
And my leg, well, it had doubled in size, and the fluid that is usually there filled up my entire lower leg and went up in behind my knee - for the next week I was in agony and could not put weight on it or touch it.

Went to the doc a few days ago - had x-rays done on my leg and finally got to see for the first time in 3 years what metal ware was in there, and where it was. I wondered if anything had come loose causing the aggravation to my leg - but a simply x-ray showed me that everything was perfectly in place and tidy - a plate and 6 screws. Doc said leg is going to be a life long injury, breathing I am measuring to keep an eye on asthma, and my neck, well, that too it just simply what happens when I hold my head in that position and used the muscles around my C2 - the nerves get pinches and trigger migraines.

Not complaining at all, it was just really interesting to see my body react when I began to push it.

Very happy to know everything is normal and I got the all clear - so looking forward to continuing my training and making a little progress with my fitness along the way.

I have raised just shy of $3000 for the Cancer Research Centre, and I am aiming for 5k.

Tomorrow I am getting out for my first 50km cycle - including the Wallicville hill over to my house. I am very much looking forward to achieving that tomorrow.

A local bike shop have heard about my ride and have offered to service and set up my bike for me, and maintain it throughout my training - with new tyres for my ride. Also want to donated their time and parts when they are needed. Pretty over the moon.

And I had an interview with a local paper also last week to promote the cause, and this fantastic event. There are few outside of Auckland who do it, so I am hoping that I can help others - cyclists and non cyclist like me - to get behind this cause and enter the event next year by getting themselves to Auckland.

The interview left me in tears talking about the last few days of my fathers illness, but more determination to push even harder and raise money to help others win this bloody fight!

I am riding to Conquer Cancer - and it's helping me to recover from my major motorbike crash that nearly took my life from me. Never felt so happy and healthy - reckon I could get used to this whole cycling thing.

http://www.conquercancer.org.nz/site...nal&fr_id=1050

**R650R** · 10th May 2014, 21:33

Well done. I'm sure there's more than a couple following the thread. Probably too much in awe of what you're achieving given your problems with existing/previous injuries to write anything.
Sounds like you're focused and goalset, keep at it