Princesses were scattered far and wide this weekend with all manners of events, official or not.  Some in Morinville at the Tour de l’Alberta doing a 100km in the flatlands east of St. Albert, AB.  Some doing 150km on the rolling hills of the townships of Cochrane to Madden to Didsbury and… one on the cardiac hill known as Edworthy Rd… EIGHT times and one doing a two 100+km day Ride to Conquer Cancer.  EPIC for everyone.

There was much learning that went on this fine weekend.  Here is a summary:

• Pacing is King- even for tough as nails Princesses (and Princes)
• 150km is not just 3×50 – no matter how many ways you do the math and how much you try to convince yourself
• you CAN do one more repeat, km, hour – even when your mind says that your body can’t
• having a thermarest and sleeping bag when you’re supposed to sleep in a tent is a good idea
• the BIG CHAIN RING is a fine thing at the right time on the right course
• pace lines are effective, efficient and fun to do (oh, and makes the ride go a little faster – literally and figuratively)
• heat + hills + wind + fatigue + many kms = more food, drink and electrolytes than you have ever thought possible.

Everyone had a plan this weekend, and everyone accomplished a great deal.  We are two weeks away from the big race day at the Gran Fondo Banff and I am very confident that the team is ready.  The strength, endurance and confidence that everyone has – makes me very proud to be a Princess.

RideSplendidly!