Before the RAW

8/17/2019  dwm photo

The night before the ride, 300 riders and friends gathered in the La Crosse Weber Center for a bike talk.

It featured the president of Trek Bikes, John Burke and former German professional biker and race analyst Jens Vogt.

Trek and Vogt have been part of all five RAW rides.  Trek is based in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Vogt was been part of their racing team and kept a connection to the company.

I heard about Vogt at my first RAW in 2016 for his phrase, "Shut up, legs!"  Interpret it as bike motivation, focus on the hill and climb despite the pain.

Left - John Burke; Right - Jens Vogt
8/17/2019 (dwm)

He talked about "Everesting" a 24 hour test of climbing on your bike until you've gone the distance equal to ascending the world's tallest mountain.  Except Vogt did it on a small hill near Berlin, Germany so his kids could watch.  That required a lot of trips up and down the hill.

The former Tour de France rider also offered good advice for a 225 mile ride.  He suggested riding with people instead of alone, and if the group you are in gets too far ahead, slow down and wait for the next group instead of wearing yourself our.

Jens Vogt
8/17/19 (dwm)

He also suggested to keep eating and drinking at rest stops and while riding to avoid sugar spikes and valleys.

Both thoughts were part of my plan, but hearing it from a pro validated it.

Burke, a strong recreational rider, praised the Wisconsin Bike Federation as an advocate for bike trails and increasing opportunities for people of all ages to ride.  In countries like Holland and Denmark, 25% of basic trips - to work, to the store, to school - are done on the back of a bike.  In the United States it is 1%.

Increasing the number of bike trips in the United States, he said, is a three-time winner; improving health, saving energy, and helping the planet.

As a past and future member of the Wisconsin Bike Fed - I like those thoughts.