f4lbr2022 – FIT IS A FEMINIST ISSUE

Today is the rally’s longest day, 126 km from our campground in Port Hope to Adolphustown. We’re traveling through Prince Edward County and the last leg of the trip involves a ferry.

The weather changed. We were expecting overnight rain and possible thundershowers after which the weather was supposed to turn into something more reasonable. Instead we got heat alert day 2. I hate the part of the heat alert that says ‘avoid outdoor exercise.’

Sarah and I talked lots about how best to handle it. We opted for a very reasonable pace, stopping at all the stops, and drinking all the things. It’s a long haul to the first test stop on day 2, 38 km, but after that there’s lunch and two more spots and we just kept our focus on getting to the next break.

Here’s our route

You can look it up on Strava here

And you can donate to the bike rally here.

We’re working hard, riding in weather the no one would choose to ride in, and as a friend said over dinner, it’s all pointless if we don’t raise money to help people living with HIV/AIDS. These are people who need food, wellness care, peer support or just to be in a place that is welcoming and safe for them. We’re riding to raise 1.5 million dollars for the Toronto People With Aids Foundation.

I ended the day today happy. I’m happy that we made it in good shape, still feeling strong, happy to be riding with these wonderful people, happy to go for a swim when we got in, happy to be working together raising money for an important cause, and happy tonight for the rally’s talent show.

“All riders are expected to complete two back-to-back minimum 100km rides over two consecutive days (e.g. Saturday and Sunday) by this date.” By what date? By July 17.

The Friends for Life Bike Rally has its rules. I am sure they are good rules and they have them for a reason.

But here’s my reaction:

And truth be told I haven’t yet ridden 100 km in one go this year.

Yes, I’ve ridden 97 km and I was tempted to go all Cate-completist about it. and make it an even 100 but I didn’t. I wasn’t even exhausted but I was, as usual, done with Toronto traffic and all the red lights.

I have been doing back to back rides. This past long weekend I did 46 km on one day (Canada Day at Niagara Falls with Sarah) and 77 (with David) on another and then another 49 km (in Southampton with Sarah and her very speedy ZSUN teammate Nats).

But the astute mathematicians among you will note that that’s not 200 km over two days.

You can see my Strava profile here if you want to check up on me. Lol.

So what’s my plan?

I’m riding this Friday with Jeff, had planned on 70 km or so. I might ride with some GCAT folks on Saturday but that’s more like 60 km. Sunday there’s a wedding. So I don’t think it will be this weekend.

Next weekend looks good though. Sunday, July 17 is the Tour de Norfolk. We’ve committed to the 100 km.

I think I have a plan. We could ride 100 km in Guelph on Saturday and then the Tour de Norfolk on Sunday. Let’s hope for good weather and all going well we should be able to sneak in our back to back 100 km rides just under the wire.