Tour de France Challenge – 50k a Day / 21 Rides in 23 Days

Coach Steve’s Tour de France Challenge / 21 Rides in 21 Days / 50k a Day / Take an Indoor Cycling Class Everyday the Boys Ride

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I love races. Races to keep me focused. If I don’t have a race or a goal I don’t train with the same intensity and I can find excuses for not training.

Some people love fitness challenges. I like a challenge but I don’t like “30 days or challenges” or those types of events because I like to be able to take breaks or maybe its a fear of commitment. Somedays I just don’t feel like doing some type of specific training. So, I rarely commit to these types challenges.

But I love the Tour de France and I want to feel what it is like to wake up every morning and ride like they do. I decided to create my own challenge “Tour de France 50k a Day.”

Here’s some facts from the Tour de France:

  • Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2014, the 101th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,664 kilometres.
  • The course has 9 flat stages, 5 hill stages, 6 mountain stages with 5 altitude finishes, 1 individual time trial stage, 2 rest days
  • The Tour will go through 4 countries this year

I am going to ride 50k or 31 miles everyday the boys are riding in the Tour De France. It means 21 rides in 23 days and 1050k over the 3 week period. On a strong day it should take my about 1.5 hours. When I slow down a little or ride a hilly route it should take around 2+ hours. During the Tour de France this year I will be in Tahoe teaching at the Wanderlust Festival and spending some time in Yosemite. That means my road bike is coming with me and some beautiful scenery.

Ok, that’s great for me but how can some of my non-riding friends play with this challenge? How about taking an indoor cycling class everyday the guys riding the Tour de France? You would get 21 hours of good cardio in this 3 week period of time and if you do it right it can help your running. I’ll write a post how to cycle to help your running.

It kicks-off Saturday, July 5. Pick an option that works for you. If you have a bike ride outside, maybe work in some indoor cycling classes or create your own option. Just get motivated by one of the toughest endurance feats in all of sports, the Tour de France.

I will be posting results and opportunities to ride with me. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter. Let me know it you are up to the challenge.

Ride Focused, Steve Mackel – Cycling Coach and Tour de France Enthusiast

June 26, 2014 | Filed Under Steve's Posts 

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