Preparations - Bike and Body

 First, the Bike

The preparations started, sort of, when I purchased my new bike, a Trek Domane with disc brakes, electronic shifting and carbon frame and wheels. Here I am (March 2019) the proud owner of the new bike I named Zin. (The bike is purple. Zin is short for Zinfandel, one of my most favorite wines. Zinfandel grapes have a dark purple skin. The name makes sense to me.)

Once the snow melted and the temperature rose above 40 F, I had to take it for its shakedown ride. Verdict - Sweet!!!!!

Then, the Body

Now I had to get into endurance biking shape. Getting into shape and climbing the mountains was what made me the most nervous about this adventure. In addition to getting in as many miles as I could outdoors, I did three things.

1. I started training at a studio called  PowerCycling in Ann Arbor. The training program is individualized to your needs and goals. The owner/trainer, Marc, keeps a detailed log of all workouts and has incrementally challenged me over time. I am definitely a stronger rider because of his training and I have the data to prove it. 

2. In Spring 2019 Rick let me use his smart trainer and I liked it so much that I bought my own Wahoo Kickr and opened a Zwift  account. So on those cold winter days I can get a ride in without going to the studio. I was definitely able to get more riding in because of it.

3. I had read that one of the best things you can do to make climbing easier is to reduce the weight you need to carry up the hill. The new bike helped with that, and I lost ten pounds during the shutdown. Thank you Zwift and Kickr.

Ask a cyclist how to prepare to ride 3,000 miles across the country, they will tell you to ride 3,000 miles. In 2021 between spinning at the studio, Kickr/Zwift and outside riding I rode 3,200. So I got my miles in!

In a few weeks I will start to understand if all my preparations were adequate. Day 1 is short, but has a single 3,100 foot climb. I'll let you know how I do.