I asked our riders how they prepare themselves for such an incredible endurance event like the Race Across America and here is how one of our new riders, Eric Cagle, is conditioning himself for the journey. Click Eric's name to view his profile and learn a little more about how he became associated with Gears 2 a Cure.
Q: What does your training regimen look like?
A: Probably not as good as it should be. I'm trying to ride around 80-100 miles on the weekend and I've been doing that for 3 or 4 weeks. I worked my way up to that obviously. And then trying to get another 50 or so miles in during the week. I'm able to do that when I'm not traveling and unfortunately I'm traveling 50% of the time. When I'm traveling or because I live in Texas and if you're keeping track of the weather it's raining every day now, I use an elliptical. I'll be on the elliptical anywhere from a half hour to an hour and half depending on the time I have available. I also just got a new Aero bike.
Q: How often do you train?
A: I'm training 5-6 days a week
Q: When did you begin training for RAAM 2015?
A: Started riding about 5 years ago. I got out of it about a year ago in August of 2013 when moved out of California to Dallas. It took some time to A:move and B: find routes I was comfortable riding on. Started in December for this just getting cardio in shape and have ramped up to where I am now. I've never done anything even close to this.
Q: How does training for RAAM differ from other bike rides you've done?
A: A lot more time spent in training. On my weekend days I'll try to do one a 2-3 hour ride and on the other day I'll try to do 3 separate rides in the day at a faster pace to try to simulate the sprinting.
Q: Do you adjust your diet at part of your training? If so, what do you do differently?
A: Yeah I really cut out most of the fried food and eating more vegetables. I find I'm trying some protein shakes because it seems to be the only way I can get enough calories in.
Q: What is your go/to post training drink/food?
A: The Naked Juice protein shake
Q: Have you adjusted (or will you adjust) your sleep schedule?
A: I'm used to traveling international, so I'll probably start on that Monday or Tuesday trying to adjust that.
Q: What does your training regimen look like?
A: Probably not as good as it should be. I'm trying to ride around 80-100 miles on the weekend and I've been doing that for 3 or 4 weeks. I worked my way up to that obviously. And then trying to get another 50 or so miles in during the week. I'm able to do that when I'm not traveling and unfortunately I'm traveling 50% of the time. When I'm traveling or because I live in Texas and if you're keeping track of the weather it's raining every day now, I use an elliptical. I'll be on the elliptical anywhere from a half hour to an hour and half depending on the time I have available. I also just got a new Aero bike.
Q: How often do you train?
A: I'm training 5-6 days a week
Q: When did you begin training for RAAM 2015?
A: Started riding about 5 years ago. I got out of it about a year ago in August of 2013 when moved out of California to Dallas. It took some time to A:move and B: find routes I was comfortable riding on. Started in December for this just getting cardio in shape and have ramped up to where I am now. I've never done anything even close to this.
Q: How does training for RAAM differ from other bike rides you've done?
A: A lot more time spent in training. On my weekend days I'll try to do one a 2-3 hour ride and on the other day I'll try to do 3 separate rides in the day at a faster pace to try to simulate the sprinting.
Q: Do you adjust your diet at part of your training? If so, what do you do differently?
A: Yeah I really cut out most of the fried food and eating more vegetables. I find I'm trying some protein shakes because it seems to be the only way I can get enough calories in.
Q: What is your go/to post training drink/food?
A: The Naked Juice protein shake
Q: Have you adjusted (or will you adjust) your sleep schedule?
A: I'm used to traveling international, so I'll probably start on that Monday or Tuesday trying to adjust that.