ElevateMe goes to White Rock!

July 15, 2010 by brenna · Leave a Comment 

Just a quick blog here to celebrate my first major training day. This past Wednesday, I took a ride from Vancouver to White Rock, and then back to Surrey, for a total of 75 km. I took a rest over night at a friend’s place and made the ride back to Vancouver the next morning. For a total of approximately 125 km in two days, this training ride was able to give me a pretty good idea of what I’m going to be up against this summer.

But more than just “training”, it was a beautiful ride too. In fact, the route I take is one of my all time favourite bike rides that I have only had the joy of taking two times before this last trip. The scenery is so incredible, which really helps to keep motivated and feeling positive for miles and miles of highway that seem to stretch on forever: From Vancouver, I took the Kent Avenue bike route going East along the North side of the Fraser river. I connected with Marine Drive and rode it all the way to New Westminster, veering onto Front Street for a portion of the ride. From there, I crossed the Patullo Bridge into Surrey, and rode along the King George Highway until reaching White Rock. This is a surprisingly fantastic highway to ride, as cars are extremely courteous and there is an awesome shoulder for cyclists.

All in all, it was a successful ride, and I am feeling more confident about my physical capacity for the long biking days – and epic hills – that lay ahead of me.

Oh yes, and I was saving my ElevateMe bar until I arrived on the beach, just so I could take a picture of it with the giant white rock (do you know how hard that is?!) Honestly, nothing tastes so satisfying like an ElevateMe treat unless it’s an ElevateMe treat after an extraordinary amount of cycling!! Happy riding :)


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A Day at the Beach

July 12, 2010 by brenna · Leave a Comment 

Summer is finally here – YES, it’s even here in Vancouver! The sun is out, dogs are running in the parks, it seems everyone is happy, and life seems swell all around.

* Cue dreamy music *

Aaah, it would just be so wonderful to spend a whole day lying on the beach doing nothing at all…….

**** !!!!!!! ****

With only one month until I leave for my trip, there is no time to procrastinate – let alone spend a whole day at the beach! It is time to get serious about training! In the past few weeks, I have been working on increasing the number of kilometers I ride each day. I am also making sure to practice riding both in the warm sun and while carrying extra weight on my bike in order to prepare for those factors that are sure to affect my performance when I am on tour.

But wait… the beach is pretty warm, and I’m pretty sure the stairs leading down to Wreck Beach would be of some benefit to my calves and thighs, no? I think so!

Yesterday, finding more than a few hours between yoga classes, I decided to take advantage of this extra time and squeeze a few extra kilometers into my day. Starting at Kerrisdale Community Center, I rode all the way up Marine Drive and down to Wreck Beach on the UBC Campus. It was such a gorgeous route, and very little traffic made for peaceful riding. Since I hadn’t had lunch yet, the wild raspberries and salmon berries along side of the road made for an extra-delicious boost of energy!

11 km later, I arrived at (the top of) the beach, and worked my way down the steeply 473 stairs to the ocean. This was my first visit to Wreck since last summer, and after throwing off my shoes and sinking my feet into that warm sand, I knew it had been too long! I was hot as a habenero and so immediately made my way down to the water. As soon as I my feet touched the tide, my whole body was re-energized. I couldn’t resist; I threw off all of my clothes and went straight into the water!

Weeeeeeeeeeee!

Best…training day… ever.

After I had my moment, I wrapped myself up in my only dry piece of clothing, and laid in the sun, waiting for it to dry me. With just enough time to ride to yoga and have a bite to eat before hand, it was time to head back up to my bike.

Oh yeah… those stairs!

Alllllllll the way back up those infamous Wreck Beach stairs I went, needless to say much slower and less enthusiastically than when I was coming down. A chocolate acai berry brownie ElevateMe! Bar gave me just enough energy to ride the 10 km back to Kitsilano. After having some dinner at Whole Foods Market– make that a LOT of dinner – I taught my two evening yoga classes at Yogacara Studio. The 12 km, generally uphill trek home was the last bit of biking I was able to squeeze in before the end of the day. Needless to say, I had a great sleep!

Today, my calves “thank me”, and I feel just a little bit stronger and more prepared for my trip.

Now, if only every training day could include a dip in the ocean!

* Interested in learning more about my ride this summer? Check out my new webpage at http://themooncycle.webs.com, or join “The Moon Cycle” page on facebook. Happy riding to you!

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Sarah Daitch Bio

July 4, 2010 by SarahD · Leave a Comment 

I grew up on the tundra and boreal forests near communities in Canada’s Northwest Territories. I raced for the Canadian National Cross Country Ski Team in 2008-2009 and have competed at the 2007 Nordic World Championships.

As a member of the Esteem Team role model program, I encourage youth to pursue a healthy lifestyle and follow their dreams. I am now 28 years old, and following my own dream of representing Canada at the 2011 Nordic World Championship.

I am also an ambassador for the non-profit Fast and Female, which seeks to empower girls through sport, and work for the organization at events throughout the year.

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