In the early weeks of February 2010, I put down the non-refundable deposit to secure my cross-country bike tour, sponsored by WomanTours. I had a ton of questions for the president of the company before I felt comfortable signing that check. I bounced from one question to the next, covering all topics and making sure I’d be able to train to prepare for the grueling trip without it interfering in my personal life too much -- and of course, that I'd be able to finish the tour. A 3,100-mile bike tour! My brain was racing as I asked my questions.
- Can a 72-year-old woman complete something like this?
- Will my 72-year-old self be able to endure the different terrains?
- How can I train during ski season? (I couldn’t give up skiing.)
- How could I train despite the snow on the ground?
Jackie, the president of the company, lifted all of that weight off my shoulders. First, she assured me plenty of older women have participated in these tours. Next, she shared that through all the training, my body would be strong enough within a year to endure the ride. Finally, she helped me realize I could split my time between skiing, training and a bicycle set-up on a trainer indoors -- a fine substitute for riding outside.
This past year was quite a ride and I’m looking forward to embarking on new adventures during -- and even after -- the actual tour.
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