la Vuelta a España CYCLING CHALLENGE [aka Tour of Spain]

nerdieprofessor
nerdieprofessor Posts: 512 Member
edited October 1 in Fitness and Exercise
Greetings cycling enthusiasts!

The Vuelta a España starts on Saturday, August 20. For the uninitiated, that is the Tour of Spain, one of the three grand tours, which include Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España [France, Italy and Spain].

Like all grand tours, generally, la Vuelta involves 21 days of racing over a 23 day period, that is, two rest days in 23 days. Fun, eh? Insane, is more likely.

The Vuelta is not famous for as many high mountain climbs as the Tour de France (in July) or the Giro d'Italia (in May), but it is famous for ridiculously hot weather and some insane fans.

Our CYCLING CHALLENGE, like the Tour de France cycling challenge [ http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/279068-tour-de-france-challen ] is to ride your bike 21 of the 23 days the Vuelta is happening, which means from August 20th to September 11th. You can take your two rest days at any time, they do not have to coincide with the Vuelta rest days, of course.

For your ride to count on any given day, it must be done on that day (a day begins at midnight and ends at midnight, of course) and it must be at least 30 minutes long. Distance is not a requirement, although more is almost always better. Speed doesn't matter either. What matters is that you are on your bike (any sort of bike, or even a stationary bike or bike trainer) for at least 30 minutes, preferably pedaling (not dozing!) for 21 of the 23 days.

Got it? Well, who's all in for this? I am!

PS. If you want to follow the Vuelta on the official website, it's here (in English): http://www.lavuelta.com/indexen.html
PPS. If you want to see a list of stages, here's an easy to read one: http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stages

Let's do it!
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Replies

  • TDSeest
    TDSeest Posts: 1,089 Member
    I will begin training for this now…I have two days of flying, which may be my rest days...
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Very cool idea! I'm doing a triathlon Sept 2, otherwise I'd be in for sure.
  • CDGolden
    CDGolden Posts: 343 Member
    I will get in on this one also.

    Thanks....Chris
  • olivedrab
    olivedrab Posts: 85 Member
    Hmmmm, pretty tempting, Octo.
  • nerdieprofessor
    nerdieprofessor Posts: 512 Member
    Y'all can do it! You only need a minimum of 30 minutes each day, so you should be able to fit it around flying, beer-drinking and triathlons. :o) Welcome olivedrab, CDgolden, jacksonpt, and TDSeest! :o)

    Spread the word if you know other cyclists who want to join in. The challenge starts on Saturday!
  • Trishkit
    Trishkit Posts: 290 Member
    Count me in, again! :smile:
  • nerdieprofessor
    nerdieprofessor Posts: 512 Member
    Count me in, again! :smile:

    Yea Trishkit!

    The Challenge and the Vuelta begin tomorrow! If you have universalsports channel you can watch on TV. :o)
  • olivedrab
    olivedrab Posts: 85 Member
    Okay, I'm in for a try. If I miss too many days, I'll just be a mascot or water-girl or something...
  • dids01
    dids01 Posts: 93 Member
    Hmm wonder if I can borrow an exercise bike whilst I'm watching it on TV. That sounds like a plan :happy:
  • Kathy_Noring
    Kathy_Noring Posts: 143 Member
    IN! :)
  • grandpabiker
    grandpabiker Posts: 14
    This will help push me through those lazy weekends--I'm in!
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    ok... this is my first MFP challenge. Do we post workout data each day, or... ?
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member

    The Challenge and the Vuelta begin tomorrow! If you have universalsports channel you can watch on TV. :o)

    Crap!! Versus isn't covering it??? *sigh*
  • Trishkit
    Trishkit Posts: 290 Member
    ok... this is my first MFP challenge. Do we post workout data each day, or... ?
    Yep! Post the date and time you rode each day, and Octo will keep track and post a daily list of everyone and their ride dates and rest days, so we can keep track. :smile:
  • nerdieprofessor
    nerdieprofessor Posts: 512 Member
    Welcome grandpabiker, Trishkit, dids01, knoring, olivedrab, CDgolden, jacksonpt, and TDSeest!

    :bigsmile:

    I'll record each day that you tell me you rode more than 30 minutes. You can share as much detail as you like, of course. I'll record something like this.

    JoeBlow 8/20 8/21 8/22 Rest

    Which means Joe biked three days in a row and then had a rest.

    Be sure to post each day so we can keep up. Late comers are also welcome!

    :laugh:

    So, the CHALLENGE STARTS TOMORROW! WOOHOO!

    Let's do it! All in!

    :drinker:

    octo
  • martinkross
    martinkross Posts: 2
    I am in. This is my first challenge, I assume I post daily my minutes riding and keep up with others on the forum topic.
  • dids01
    dids01 Posts: 93 Member

    The Challenge and the Vuelta begin tomorrow! If you have universalsports channel you can watch on TV. :o)

    Crap!! Versus isn't covering it??? *sigh*

    try going to steephill tv and see if you can get it on line I did that with the tour de france whilst at work. they have a list of countries that are showing it and links to it.
  • nerdieprofessor
    nerdieprofessor Posts: 512 Member
    Welcome martinkross, grandpabiker, Trishkit, dids01, knoring, olivedrab, CDgolden, jacksonpt, and TDSeest!

    I'm off for my morning ride.

    la Vuelta is on universalsports (owned by NBC as is Versus) and universalsports.com online.
  • skywalker
    skywalker Posts: 1,533
    Very cool idea! I'm doing a triathlon Sept 2, otherwise I'd be in for sure.
    @jacksonpt...I'm doing one in October. Where is yours? I've been looking for a sprint or olympic to do before then. (you live less than an hour from me :laugh: )

    @octo... I'm in, but I will be doing swimming and running in there, not cycling every day. :happy:
  • nerdieprofessor
    nerdieprofessor Posts: 512 Member
    Welcome skywalker, martinkross, grandpabiker, Trishkit, dids01, knoring, olivedrab, CDgolden, jacksonpt, and TDSeest!

    The team time trial (TTT) is going on right now in Spain, but nearly done, I think.

    I just rode 31 hot slow sweaty miles. I hate for summer to end, but I'm so over this multi-month heatwave. I haven't made it to the shower yet because I'm not sure I can stand up that long. Egad.

    So.

    CDgolden
    dids01
    grandpabiker :bigsmile: 8/20
    jacksonpt
    knoring
    martinkross
    octoprof :bigsmile: 8/20
    olivedrab :bigsmile: 8/20
    skywalker
    TDSeest :bigsmile: 8/20
    TrishKit

    skywalker (and whomever else) if you have to swim or run one day, that can still count. It's all about getting moving and staying moving.
  • olivedrab
    olivedrab Posts: 85 Member
    skywalker (and whomever else) if you have to swim or run one day, that can still count. It's all about getting moving and staying moving.

    And here I was, tearing my hair, trying to figure out how to fit a ride in on top of other commitments (including exercise) some days. Now I feel sure I can meet the challenge, and I'll still try to bike each day!
  • skywalker
    skywalker Posts: 1,533
    Just got back from 46miles for today :smile:
    Tomorrow is a swim and run day. see you then! :happy:
  • nerdieprofessor
    nerdieprofessor Posts: 512 Member
    Welcome skywalker, martinkross, grandpabiker, Trishkit, dids01, knoring, olivedrab, CDgolden, jacksonpt, and TDSeest!

    Leopard Trek won the Team Time Trial! WOOHOO!

    I just rode 31 hot slow sweaty miles. I hate for summer to end, but I'm so over this multi-month heatwave. I haven't made it to the shower yet because I'm not sure I can stand up that long. Egad.

    So.

    CDgolden
    dids01
    grandpabiker :bigsmile: 8/20
    jacksonpt
    knoring
    martinkross
    octoprof :bigsmile: 8/20
    olivedrab :bigsmile: 8/20
    skywalker :bigsmile: 8/20
    TDSeest :bigsmile: 8/20
    TrishKit

    skywalker (and whomever else) if you have to swim/run one day because of triathlon training and whatnot, that can still count. It's all about getting moving and staying moving.
  • CDGolden
    CDGolden Posts: 343 Member
    In for day 1....15 mile commute to work...still need to ride home tonight...
  • dids01
    dids01 Posts: 93 Member
    30 minnutes done on exercise bike set up in front of Tv watching the vuelta, This is the best I can do as haven't got a bike.

    I wanted HTC to win TTT:cry:
  • nerdieprofessor
    nerdieprofessor Posts: 512 Member
    Leopard Trek won the Team Time Trial! WOOHOO!

    So.

    CDgolden :bigsmile: 8/20
    dids01
    grandpabiker :bigsmile: 8/20
    jacksonpt
    knoring
    martinkross
    octoprof :bigsmile: 8/20
    olivedrab :bigsmile: 8/20
    skywalker :bigsmile: 8/20
    TDSeest :bigsmile: 8/20
    TrishKit

    What about the rest of y'all?
  • martinkross
    martinkross Posts: 2
    33 minutes on my Trek with Vicky riding on hers, its great to get moving again and I remembered how much fun cycling is, Vicky should join us shortly.:laugh:
  • trijoe
    trijoe Posts: 729 Member
    That bites that I can't get it on Versus.

    Also a triathlete, but I'm in. Could be a challenge, as I have a light week next week.

    30.33 miles this morning, 2 hours doing hill repeats on the trainer. So sore.

    Check out this tri! www.savagemantri.org
    A real beast. I conned 3 friends into doing it with me. 3 very talented friends. Didn't bother telling them they're in charge of scooping me up and carrying me home afterward. Somehow, I think they know.

    Exciting!
    Many thanks for such a cool challenge!
  • nerdieprofessor
    nerdieprofessor Posts: 512 Member
    Leopard Trek won the Team Time Trial! WOOHOO!

    Welcome trijoe!

    dids01, an exercise bike will work!

    So.

    CDgolden :bigsmile: 8/20
    dids01 :bigsmile: 8/20
    grandpabiker :bigsmile: 8/20
    jacksonpt
    knoring
    martinkross :bigsmile: 8/20 (looking forward to Vicky joining us!)
    octoprof :bigsmile: 8/20
    olivedrab :bigsmile: 8/20
    skywalker :bigsmile: 8/20
    TDSeest :bigsmile: 8/20
    trijoe :bigsmile: 8/20
    TrishKit

    What about the rest of y'all?
  • Trishkit
    Trishkit Posts: 290 Member
    I'm in for 8/20. 8.6 miles in 30 minutes, a little over 17 mph average. Still on the bike trainer, but going to try to get some road time, this time around. :smile:
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