Lessons learned towards cycling 1000 Km over 5 days

This is the first time I post something as personal as this one, but I became a strong believer that personal and professional aspect of life has never been more closely interwoven as in our times, clearly one affecting and influencing the other.

?It was early January of 2022 and I was reflecting on what "gift" can I make to myself by the end of this year. As I have been doing for the last 20 years the "gift" has always been connected to a cycling adventure or cycling challenge. There have been years where a challenge was something small, my first 100km tour or a 2 day cycling trip in nature, and years where I was upping significantly the game, such as the 6day tour of Crete, or getting the Super Randonneur metal for completing a series of 200/300/400/600 Km brevets (cycling events) in 2019. Reflecting back, all "flagship" experiences came with a cadence of every 3 to 4 yrs and just before, big milestones in life or career. It looks like a pattern, a need to celebrate life, achievements, experience something new and exciting, or simply pushing the envelope and stretching the growth limits.

?What would the challenge of 2022 be? Many ideas were on the table, but I needed something that would not clash with work and family commitments, was a big stretch, yet, within the sphere of plausible. After reviewing the shortlist, I decided not to opt for an official event as it had multiple restrainers which were outside of my control. As a matter of fact, I have seen several of such events being canceled or postponed due to COVID in the last couple of years. I could not afford to train and prepare that long for something that would not take place. And there it was, standing at the podium of ideas, a 1000Km cycling challenge. 5 cycling rides of 200km, over 5 days. It was official, the 5X200 challenge was the present of the year, a set of rides that I would draw and that I would do alone and unsupported.

?The whole journey from the prep to the event it self, which concluded on September 15th, has been an amazing one! A memorable set of experiences, personal challenges, discovery of own limits, but also, a great respect of the unexpected and the unknown. But I would get only half the benefit if I would not make an honest post evaluation on how all worked…or not so. Here are some personal reflections coming out of the last months journey:

• ?Be clear on why you do it: sometimes we embark on a journey without been precisely clear on why we devote the time and effort to go the extra mile. The harder you nail that down, the more determined and focused you are on keeping the beat on. For me, at this time, was all about growing my cycling capability to that level, but also devoting lot of personal time to reflect back and what’s next in life and business.
• ?The journey vs. the achievement: as in all the challenges I embark on, I value equally the journey vs. the final challenge. That keeps the smile during the 9+ months you prepare. It is because you are opting for a healthier lifestyle, a better physical state, a large number of beautiful rides and experiences until you get there and finally the pleasure to envision and prepare for a great challenge at the end.
• ?Plan way ahead, especially if you have a busy family and work schedule: having quite a busy personal and professional life, you need time to prep and experiment how to juggle among priorities. Not only for you, but also for the valuable number of people you are surrounded by. Your close family and friends are at the top of the list that you certainly don't want and afford to fail them
• ?Things will go south in so many ways, so be ready for it and re-plan accordingly: during prep I had to deal with a number of headwinds. During the last month I had to replan the entire route and move it from central/north Greece to Attica region as I needed to be close to Athens. The biggest though came in the last 2wks prior to the event. I got a nasty tendonitis on the right hand on the journey back from a wonderful 10day trip in Italy with the family. It was a tough one, as it was preventing me to press on the right brake without feeling lot of pain. I embarked on a series of day by day physiotherapy sessions and was lucky to be good enough to start the challenge on the set day. What I only had to do , was to keep stretching while riding, 2 times per hour, so as to ease the pain and maintain performance of the right hand.
• ?Mind the gap between 100 and…many 100s: riding continuously for 8+ hours for 5 days at high pace and without support is something that you cannot fully simulate on a training plan. Little things get exaggerated and become noticeable or painful at the compounded effect of time. Tire pressure, stress on certain equipment, clothing that works for 100K might give you hard time when you reach 500K, are only a few of them that I discovered and learnt for the next one. Also I never thought that I am not able to eat as much as needed during the course of the day to keep the energy balance. I was constantly getting 30% less calories than the ones I was consuming.
• ?The most valuable of the lot - Know when you have to pull the plug: for a person that values focus and determination, it is a hard decision to pull the plug. The tendonitis, although manageable at the beginning, started getting too much at the end of the 4th day and stretching was only a very temporary relief. Midway the last day of the challenge and having to cover the last 100km, I was on the red pain zone. Braking was hard and stretching was not working. This, along with the hot Greek weather, which going close to 40C mid-day, resulted in losing focus and alertness on the road at times. For the ones familiar with Greek roads (and drivers), this could result to an unfortunate accident…at best. And there I was, having ridden almost 900Km, I was calculating the odds of pushing further or pulling the plug. The decision was less difficult than I initially thought. My own safety was at stake and I could not afford failing on that one, first to my family who has supported me along the journey, but also to all the experiences and rides that are awaiting ahead.

?Looking back, it has been an amazing 9month journey, that I learnt so much, experienced even more but, above all, got stronger physically and mentally throughout this adventure. Many reflections, thoughts and decisions became much clearer when I unclipped the pedals and a big smile will not leave my face for days. Not because of what has been achieved, but for the amazing journey that I experienced all along the way!

?Are you on a journey as well?

?All the very best and enjoy the ride!

?Michalis