10 days to go

The Tour Kopiko is a mammoth challenge that can easily overwhelm the best of riders. What we’ve learned over the years of running marathons, competing in triathlons and life in general is to keep the objectives in perspective and divide it all into bite-sized milestones.

IN TRAINING

Training can quickly morph from grin to grin and bear it, to I’m over it..! However with the help of a few cycling friends we’ve tried to set up a realistic, regular (and invariably progressive) goals to keep ourselves motivated and in a positive place.

We have intensified our training these last few weeks to focus on hills and long hours in the saddles. The last several weeks have been filled with biking 40-50 kms 3 days a week with 1000+ meters and 1 day a week of 5-6 hours in the saddle or 100+ kms . It has been tough on all of us, but we are determined and excited to take on this challenge.

FINAL THOUGHTS 

Amongst the adrenalin and tough days that lie ahead one must remember to stop, smell the  roses and seek out other Zen-like pleasures...

I enjoy the simplicity of just riding a bike, bathe in the sunrises and sunsets, (or heavy rains and showers) discovering 'windswept and interesting' locals and engage with them in discourse.

I believe we’ve done the hard yards in training and will approach the start with low or no expectations. (Actually, I’m not sure we’ll be able too). There will be moments of misfortune that will test our resolve - not meeting any preconceived expectations can be demotivating. Better to expect and plan for things to go wrong and celebrate when they don't.

As our start date creeps closer now, the nights are filled with anxiety, tossing and turning (like a windy road) wondering what did we get ourselves into?