BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories

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2005-06-29 11:44 AM

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Elite
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Tucson, AZ
Subject: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories

Let’s hear the success stories of what you really improved or had a breakthrough in due to this month’s BT Bike Challenge.

 For me it was last Sunday’s ride with Gwozdzilla and another gal in our tri club as we climbed up 0.25 miles past Mile Marker #5 on Mt. Lemmon.  I had never even tried to climb that road on a bike before.  I’m just not a climber on the bike.  I suck at climbing.  I was honestly thinking I could maybe make it to Mile #1, and stretch to Mile #2 if I was lucky.  The first steep climb is before Mile #1’s marker always looked impossible to me.  But it wasn’t that bad!  And I still can’t believe we made it all the way to the first campground on the mountain.  We took lots of little rest breaks along the way, which really helped.  And it was much more fun riding with other gals.  The funny thing is, it took us over an hour to get up there, and only 11 minutes to get back down to the base of the mountain.

 Eventually Gwozdzilla and I will make that full 23 miles to the top! 



2005-06-29 11:47 AM
in reply to: #186332

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Pro
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Helena, MT
Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories
PirateGirl - 2005-06-29 9:44 AM

 Eventually Gwozdzilla and I will make that full 23 miles to the top! 

That'll be a fun ride down!!!

2005-06-29 2:30 PM
in reply to: #186332

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Expert
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Jackson, Mississippi
Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories
My big breakthrough actually came during the first month's challenge. I saw the thread come up for the challenge and thought to be funny that I'd challenge myself to actually get a bike. Well.. once I did that bear upped my ante to 100 miles after I'd requested 75. On the very last day of the challenge I got my wife to drop me off out next to the local bike trail.. I had 40 miles left to ride. I was gonna go 10 up.. and 10 back.. and then see how I felt.. well.. I got back and rested.. ate a cliff bar.. stretched out some. Well.. since the wife dropped me off I didn't have a way to get back home until I called her to come pick me up.. or till I rode over to where she was... or.. wait.. DUH.. why don't I just ride home??? so..I sucked it up and rode.. 21 miles later i had exceded my goal by 1 mile!!

Hopefully I'll have many many more breakthroughs to come!!!

ws
2005-06-29 2:44 PM
in reply to: #186332

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Buttercup
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Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories

I've gotten faster (moving 20mph under my own power).

I've increased endurance - 40 miles. I intend to do 45 mile rides during July's Sundays.

2005-06-29 3:49 PM
in reply to: #186332

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Master
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Lexington, Kentucky
Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories

- June mileage more than 220% of May mileage

- Did not get dropped on a club ride 50% longer than any previous ride I'd done.

- My coworkers think I'm a stud for biking to work.

2005-06-29 3:52 PM
in reply to: #186332

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Master
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South of SLC
Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories
Bear won't yell at me because I hit my goal.

2005-06-29 3:57 PM
in reply to: #186332

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Master
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South of SLC
Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories
I have found that I can do things that I previously did not think I could do until my second or third year in this sport.

I am tired all of the time, which has taught me how important mental preparation is to our sport. I have found that as tired as I get on some of my rides, I can always find another reserve of energy somewhere in me that will carry me to finish my ride.

My speed has improved dramatically over my long rides.

My ability to stay in the saddle has improved.

My shoulders and neck have strengthened so they do not hurt by the end of my longs rides.

My legs look really cool. I am even going to shave them for my 1/2 IM in a couple of weeks. That should be interesting!

Mike
2005-06-29 4:05 PM
in reply to: #186332

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Elite Veteran
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chicago area
Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories
Upped my mileage about 9 fold from May. Rode about 26 miles alone and enjoyed it!
Feeling much better on the bike now. Was 2 minutes faster in my last tri.
Thanks BT Challenge!
2005-06-29 4:16 PM
in reply to: #186332

Veteran
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The Emerald City
Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories
I've learned that I can go longer distances without taking a break.  I used to "rest" after 8,9, or 10 miles.  Now I can go at least 20 without stopping.
2005-06-29 4:43 PM
in reply to: #186332

Elite Veteran
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Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories
I mentioned this in my last RR, but a girlfriend I introduced to tris is really, really competitive, and a runner to boot (marathon background, etc.)

Well, on Sunday, we were about the same coming out of the water and toed the line together at T1. I let her take off first, and get ahead. About 1/3rd of the way out I caught and passed her and just hammered the leg (18.7 MPH which is a PR for me). I knew she'd do her best to keep up, and she did. We started our run together and I just pulled away because I felt great. I knew I had the bike fitness. Ended up beating her, the runner, by 5 minutes, and she didn't look too good when I saw her at one of the turn arounds.

If you don't have the bike fitness to hammer the split, you won't have a good run.

Edited by lynda 2005-06-29 4:44 PM
2005-06-29 4:46 PM
in reply to: #186565

Elite Veteran
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Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories

Rollin' Thunder - 2005-06-29 3:57 PM .....My legs look really cool. I am even going to shave them for my 1/2 IM in a couple of weeks. That should be interesting! Mike

Send before and after pics, please!  

2005-06-29 4:47 PM
in reply to: #186633

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Elite Veteran
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chicago area
Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories
Great story Lynda! I bet that felt REALLY good to do that to a "runner".
2005-06-29 8:09 PM
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Regular
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Washington, DC
Subject: RE: BT Bike Challenge breakthrough / success stories

Truth be told-- It wasn't until about the last week in May that I actually stopped using the stationary bike at the gym and started riding outside on my road bike.

Now, at the end of June I have competed in my first triathlon (20K bike at 18.32mph), completed an endurance ride of 40 miles, and will have ridden (what will soon be) over 200 miles.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated in the challenge.

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