Charles Barkley has said that cycling is not a sport because "everyone can pedal a bike." With all due respect to Sir Charles, bicycle racing is one of the most grueling sporting events in the world. Take the Tour de France, universally considered the hardest of all bicycle stage races. Over three weeks, the best cyclists on the planet compete over 2000 miles of racing and ascend more than 130,000 vertical feet. That's about five times the elevation of Mt. Everest. During the race, the cyclists burn between 3,000 and 4,000 calories per day. Unable to replace the lost calories, their bodies literally begin to consume themselves in search of energy sources. Add in the dangers of descending steep mountain switchbacks at nearly 60 miles per hour while riding in a group of riders known as the peloton, and you have one of the most physically and technically challenging sporting events in all the world.
A couple of years ago, I was re-introduced to the sport of cycling when a buddy texted early one weekend morning asking if I wanted to do a road ride with a local group in Richmond. "How far?" I texted back. No more than 20 miles I was told. I reluctantly agreed and dusted off my road bike that I bought in college. After what turned out to be a 40 mile ride with my legs cramping and locking up for the last few miles, I was hooked again.
Fast forward two years, I have an indoor trainer, as well as a new road bike, and spend between four and six hours a week riding indoors and outdoors as a form of exercise and escape. I have done rides of up to 80 miles and climbed some of the highest roads in Virginia and West Virginia. So when that same buddy asked me in February if I wanted to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway and raise money to end Alzheimer's, I felt confident that I could handle whatever challenge it presented.
Little did I know at the time the type of challenge riding the BRP presents. It spans 470 miles from Waynesboro, VA, to Cherokee, NC, with almost 49,000 feet of vertical climbing as it winds through the Blue Ridge mountains. For comparison, that's about the distance I would cover in six weeks of training. We plan to ride the parkway from start to finish in only six days. Some days we will cover 100 miles and climb over 10,000 feet. It will be hardest and most physically demanding activity I have ever done. By comparison, it's about the same distance and vertical climbing that riders in the Tour de France would cover over the same period of time when riding the mountain stages.
The logistics for the ride are also challenging. We will need to ensure that we complete the mileage each day and make it to the campgrounds where we reserved spots that are located throughout the parkway. Just like cyclists competing in a stage race, we will need to fuel and recover so that we are physically prepared for each day. We have a team of volunteers that will provide support in case we have mechanical issues and assist with preparing the campgrounds for our arrival each day.
The fact that I can raise money for Alzheimer's research and care makes this journey all the more special and motivating. My grandmother lived with Alheizmer's for number of years and I personally saw the toll that it took on her and my family members that took on the responsibility of caring for her. It is a terrible disease because it can rob a person of so many quality years of their life. I hope that you will support me with a financial contribution toward finding a cure and ending this terrible disease.
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