ePACT is a proud partner of the BC Ride to Conquer Cancer presented by Silver Wheaton, benefiting BC Cancer Foundation. We look forward to supporting all riders, so that each and every one of you has your most successful ride yet!
To help, we’ve enlisted the help of two riding experts, Adam Lund and Jordan Myers. Adam Lund is ePACT’s Medical Expert, and was even the Ride to Conquer Cancer’s Medical Advisor for three years! On top of this, Adam has worked in trauma hospitals and specialized in mass gathering medicine.
Jordan Myers is a seasoned cycling veteran who has completed the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic Ride a whopping eleven times and participated in Cycle Oregon eight times. He has even represented USA and Canada, and raced on the ITU World Championships Long Distance Triathlon Team!
Keep reading for Adam and Jordan’s tried and true cycling tips.
Adam
What can participants do to be ready for the big day?
The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a “Ride”, not a “Race”. All participants are winners for being there in the first place and raising money for such a great cause.
Participants need to remember that the Ride to Conquer Cancer is not a small ride… it’s a long haul in the saddle each day. Get on your bike, and work up to some longer rides during training. And ensure your bike, your saddle and your riding gear all fit you well to avoid discomfort and/or injury.
What are some common injuries/incidents that people should be prepared for during such a long ride?
Chafing… let’s talk about chafing. Your best defense here is are clothes that fit you well and don’t rub… common sense, right? Once it starts, it’s very difficult to manage on the weekend as wounds take time to heal. If you end up with chafing or road rash from a minor fall, see the first aid team, and they can help you with a durable dressing. Duct tape (no joke), properly applied over a sterile dressing can be a life-saver on event in keeping a dressing in place.
Serious injuries are rare, but crashes can happen. Ensure you have a helmet that fits you well, and is appropriately adjusted to protect you if you do crash. Avoid getting caught in packs of riders, or drafting, and be aware of surface hazards, such as railroad crossings, sand and gravel. Also watch for “edge traps”, such as curbs and lines in the pavement running in the direction of travel. They can grab your front wheel when you aren’t expecting it and take you to the ground.
The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a two day event – any tips on recovery after day one to help make getting back on the bike day two easier?
When in camp, be sure to get clean and dry, eat a good meal, keep alcohol to a minimum, and try to get some sleep. There is a lot of celebration, and the camp is a very fun part of the event (a feel-good highlight, actually), but make sure you take care of you so you bring your best to the 2nd morning.
Any other advice?
Enjoy the experience, and bask in the pride of what you have accomplished!
Jordan
What are some things participants can do before the ride to be ready for the big day?
No amount of training in the last days will make you a better rider. In fact, attempts to “get in shape” the final week may make you more tired before the ride. Focus on what you can control – sleep, stress level, diet, and equipment – all are paramount in the last 72 hours.
- Stress– Many people I know that do a ride often stress the week of the event that they haven’t ridden enough, that the weather might be bad, or that they are coming down with a cold or injury. It’s always OK to have pre-event jitters – it means you respect the distance and endeavor ahead of you.
- Diet – Don’t over eat or “carbo load” in the hopes of “topping up” some nutritional deficiency. Fresh fruit or veggies with lots of water content, like cucumbers or melons, are great to prepare. And in the last 36 hours don’t attempt to make up or “prepare” your body. Keep drinking coffee, have a beer, drink a normal amount of water, and have that glass of wine (of course within moderation). We are creatures of habit. Doing many things outside the norm on many levels has a profound effect if it’s all taken on during the last week before a ride.
- Sleep– Get as much sleep during event week that is humanly possible. From my experience, those who had a lot of sleep always performed well on big races.
What first-aid items do you carry with you?
I bring a small stick of body glide, some gauze and some athletic tape – that’s it. You can wash out any cuts with the water on your bike. Placing gauze on a cut and taping it (a make-shift band aid of sorts) is the most flexible first-aid you can provide until you can get to a station to have it cleaned up properly.
Any tips on recovery after day one to help make getting back on the bike day two easier?
Surround yourself with good people, and tell lots of jokes. Mentally, the more you’re relaxed the easier this will be, so humor is huge. Whatever you do on day one will be amplified on day two (the good and the bad), and proper gear will ensure that day two is easier.
What are your top tips for participants in this year’s ride?
Remember that it’s not a race, and to smile. You use less energy and muscles in your face smiling, so use it to get through a tough moment!
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