Jerry Keen, who raced bicycles from 1988 to 1998 and owns the Trek Bicycle Store, told Gervais, “When it starts to hurt, just remember the people you are competing against are hurting, too.” “I felt really fast with my climbing,” Gervais said, calling the rides there “exactly what I needed.”Įach stage must be completed within a set amount of time and within 7 hours of the first finisher of the stage. She recently returned from doing hill-training by riding in the Appalachians in Kentucky and Tennessee. In fact, the windy weather Central Illinois has experienced is like a “secret” weapon, providing both physical and mental training.
Gervais has been training hard since being selected for the race, rain or shine, wind or calm, day and night. The shortest stage in the 24-day race is 124 miles the longest is nearly 870 miles.įor comparison, the Tour de France covers about 2,200 miles in 23 days. It follows along the borders of Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China.
10 in Vladivostok, crosses five climate zones, seven time zones and the Ural mountains. The 5,700-mile race, which concludes Aug. Her $45,000 entry fee is being covered by sponsor Hampton Inn-Hilton.“I actually feel pretty confident going into it,” she said, referring to the race that begins July 18 in Moscow. Each bike costs about $16,000, because of the high-tech lightweight materials used and electronic components. She will use two different bikes in the race with different tires for different conditions. Gervais’ major equipment sponsors are Trek Bicycles and Bontrager. Initially, Gervais was to be the only woman in the race, but a woman from the Philippines, Shangrila Veniegas Grube Rendon, was a last-minute addition. Keen said with confidence, “She’s going to finish” and added it will be great for her “to inspire other ladies to ride.” “I actually feel pretty confident going into it,” she said, referring to the race that begins July 18 in Moscow.
Four years ago, she battled through ovarian cancer.
#HOURWORLD BLOOMINGTON TRIAL#
An ultra-cyclist who won her age group in the 2015 24-hour World Time Trial Championships in Borrego Springs, California, the 47-year-old Gervais is no stranger to overcoming challenges off the bike, too.
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