The March 'Peep Wars' - Don't be a Marshmallow Bike Challenge

In honour of the spring cycling season its time to get on your bike and prove you are not a marshmellow this year (now before I scare anyone this is about setting your OWN goals - so work out what works for you!!!)

The challenge is all about getting your motivation going, exceeding your own expectations in a supportive atmosphere as the Northern Hemisphere gears up for the racing season (and the other side of the world winds down!).

You select your individual riding goal for the month based on time or distance and you will be assigned to a team.

As with other challenges I will honour team requests where possible AND if I get enough interest I will also create a 'newbie' team for those just getting into cycling/triathlon! (just let me know if thats where you want to be!)

It doesnt matter if you are a seasoned cyclist or just new to the sport, the emphasis of this TEAM event is to be supportive, be friendly, be fun and give you that extra PUSH to reach YOUR goals for the month... teams will be based on the challenge theme and be announced before the challenge starts on March 1! (I usually come up with some random team names but hopefully there will be enough for a team identity!)

Banter between the teams is highly encouraged, a bit of smack talk (all in the spirit of things) can be a lot of fun... but remember the only place you can really prove you are tough enough is on the bike so... DONT FORGET TO RIDE!!!!

AND....a word of warning...there is a loosing penalty:

1) If your team looses the Peep Wars then you will be required to change your avatar to a Peep/Marshmellow for the month of April

2) If you fail to meet your personal goal in the Peep Wars, you must add a signature line that declares " I am a marshmellow and need to harden/toughen up!" for the month of April

The Challenge starts this Saturday March 1 - and if you want to compete just post below.

1. The Challenge will run for the following weeks:

Week 1: March 1 - 9

Week 2: March: 10- 16

Week 3: March 17 -23

Week 4: March 24-31

2. Please make sure your logs are up to date at the end of each week so that I can get all the challenge results on Monday from the team leaders...

3. Teams will be assigned at random but any special requests will be honoured where possible

4. Team captains will be determined by each of the inidividual teams and I will supply a spreadsheet to track your teams totals, if the team wishes to use another method such as google spreadsheet for tracking their team thats fine but please make sure everyone is up to date at the end of each week and supply me with the information.

5. I will post the team line ups on February 29. Late additions will of course be more than welcome within the first week of the challenge

3. The winning team will be determined but the overall % of goal achieved by the team. In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the amount of team members who reached their own individual goal.

4. If more than one team reach 100% of their goal a tie will be declared for number 1

5. Individuals who achieve more than their committed goal will not have more than 100%

6. All cycling can be included such as stationary cycling, trainer time, commuting and spin classes (but the measurement MUST be consistent - time OR distance). Time/Distance within races is also included

7. Team members will be required to post their weekly results with their team leader each Monday with team leaders sending me their team results Monday afternoon so I can try and get all tracking online Tuesday night/Wednesday morning (USA time of course!)

8. In the event of longterm illness or injury team members can withdraw from the challenge

9. I will maintain a team leaders thread for any issues that may arise and to keep everyone up to date with any information or queries

10. All training must be logged in your training log, if its not there it didnt happen! (Im trusting everyone to log their training honestly)

11. The teams who do not come first in the challenge will be required to change their avatar for the month of April to a Peep/Marshmellow picture of their choosing

12. Individuals who do not complete their stated goals must add a signature line for the month of April declaring " I am a marshmellow and need to harden/toughen up!" for the month of April

Now... I think thats enough guidelines, if Ive missed anything please let me know.. otherwise sign up below AND... get on your bike!!!! Lets have some fun!

Happy Cycling,

Cat