Getting comfortable with the uncomfortable
Have you ever found yourself at a time in your life where you find yourself constantly getting out of your comfort zone? I find this is my life lately and this is proving to be my most rewarding time of my life.
If you have been following along, you know I am training for the Trans Rockies Gravel Royale this coming August 23. It’s a 4-day stage race that starts in Panorama BC and finishes in Fernie BC. It’s my first ever stage event along with my first cycling race. Although I am not participating as a “racer”, I am prepping and preparing myself to be ready for all that comes with biking for 4 solid days through the Rockies.
This past weekend my coach Ray asked that I select to do 1 more big epic adventure and to try a route I have never done before. With this nude, I had my good friend Annie put a route together in the Laurentians, around Mont Tremblant, QC. She did not disappoint! I was well prepared with hydration, nutrition and mapping devices (last time my Garmin battery died). The goal of this training weekend was to be uncomfortable, and this is certainly a theme for my life lately.
I was certainly a bit nervous for the first hour. Trying new roads and the unknown can be unnerving and scary. What eventually calmed me down is understanding that I am a prepared type of person, I have my phone, bear spray and lots of hydration and food to keep me comfortable. I feel this was the feeling that my coach wanted me to have, as tackling the Gravel Royale will have a lot of unknowns in it!
This route had some very beautiful sections and overall, some very nice drivers who gave a lot of space. It’s challenging, breathtaking and rewarding. Completing a route like this on my own reminds me that I am capable of this type of ride, and I have the ability to handle the highs and lows that goes along with this type of event.
Maps: RidewithGPS route is here
Hydration: Nuun Endurance and Sport
Food: Potatoes with salt, honey stingers, PB&Jelly sandwhich
Gear: Peppermint Cycling kit, Norco Search 105 Tire Size 36 - Challenge Strada . Added in the Redshift stem to help make it a more smoother ride!
Route difficulty: This route has a fair amount of elevation, around 2000 meters. You will want to ensure you are feeling comfortable enough the constant rolling terrain and be prepared for a handful of really punchy hills. There is a gravel sectiont that is quite rocky and such but I was able to bike through it without issues with my Strada 36 tires.
Rest Stops: Bring extra water as there isn’t much of a way of stopping once you leave the start line all the way to St-Donat. There you can get lunch and fill up with any nutrition or hydration you need. Somewhere after Montange Du Noir you will hit a little store to grab more water before the last 30km.
Where to stay: For the first night I stayed in Hotel St-Sauveur and for the 2nd I stayed at Cedar lodge in Val-Morin. I really enjoyed both stays but if I had to pick I would go with Cedar lodge. It’s a very nice B&B that serves a lovely breakfast with some peace and quiet in the country but close to the towns.
