After months of training and preparation a certain group of Princesses (avec Prince’s) embarked on the focus of the training for 2015 – the Gran Fondo Banff.  If you are unaware of this event, it is a 150km bike ride amid the wonderful surroundings of Banff National Park.  This particular event is in its infancy but Gran Fondo events have been happening all over the world for many years.  They seem to have really taken off in Canada in the past few years as evidenced by both the number of events and the exponential increase in the number of cyclists we see on the road today.

Team Princess Pedal consisted of 14 riders of whom completed the distance (modified or otherwise).  To give you some perspective:

• training began in January for this August event for these Princesses
• this training included a couple of indoor rides, strength training and core conditioning – and whatever else was on the agenda… marathon/half marathon training, fitness and yoga classes… xc skiing… you name it
• some riders had not gone more than 50km on their bikes prior to training for this event
• the summer of training included some gruelling rides in… 0C …28-30C and with plenty of wind
• the weather of the day included a 3C (felt like 0C) and overcast at the start… it got better though… but the toes didn’t thaw until about 100Km into the event
• the terrain included 4724 feet (1440m) of elevation gain (ouch!)
• the organizers of the event – thought of everything.  Literally –  everything.

The team – well, they did an incredible job.  Everyone approached the day with a healthy respect for the distance.  Nervous? You bet.  Excited? Yes.  Doubting their abilities? Maybe less than a week or two ago.  The frosty start had everyone chilled to the core – or at least to their fingers and toes.  Heck – it had snowed in the mountains (and we were in the mountains) in the few days right up to the day prior to the big day.  What might one expect?  Beautiful sunshine and warm weather, of course!

The day unfolded and without question – the Princesses were successful.  Success comes in many forms but mostly – or maybe fully – it comes in the form that it arrives.  Am I proud of Princess Pedallers and their escorts?  Oh, yeah!  PROUD WITH A CAPITAL P!

LiveSplendidly!  RideSplendidlly!