Joanne Sisco

Weekly Smile – I Have A Plan!

I’ve been wearing a huge smile since the weekend and my heart has been bubbling over with excitement.

After months of discussion, we finally took the plunge and booked a trip to Thailand in October.  The flights are in place, and our registration has been confirmed for the 10 day bicycle trip that will take us 1,015 km from Bangkok to Phuket.

My BHAG for 2016 – a big, hairy, audacious goal – is now officially in play!  Having a big scary goal in place gives the coming months structure and purpose.

Discussions about this trip started last June when we received an email from good friends who threw out this challenge.  These are the same friends we have travelled with extensively throughout the past 10 years – from training camps, marathons, Ironman, to Kilimanjaro – through Europe, Canada, and the US.

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2010 Spain – in my usual spot at the far back of the pack … who are nowhere to be seen. Photo taken from support vehicle.

I had not been on a bicycle for 4 years since I had an accident that ended with a ride in an ambulance and a battered face.  I had been remarkably lucky that I wasn’t more seriously hurt … but more than a little spooked about riding again.

… but in enthusiasm for this opportunity, I got back on my bike last July and slowly started the process of rebuilding my cycling base.  Now my real training has begun in earnest.  I’ve never attempted a challenge like this before and I’m quietly filing away all the complaints starting to bubble up from my aging body.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
2015 – back on my bike again

I’m confident that as the mileage starts to pile up over the months ahead, I’m going to seriously question my sanity and why on earth I thought this would be a great idea.

For now though, I’m smiling.

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2010 Spain – wouldn’t you be smiling too?

This post was in response to the Weekly Smile hosted by Trent’sWorld.  Every Wednesday, Trent has invited us to share what’s made us smile in the past week.

The world doesn’t need to always be a grey and negative place.  Please check it out and consider sharing your smiles.

weeklysmile1

108 comments

  3. No wonder you’re excited – that is quite the challenge you’ve set yourself! I’m sure you’re going to do this but I have a couple of words of advice just in case – electric bicycles!

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  5. OMG! I have to ask…was alcohol involved in this decision? LOL

    Fantastic News! Love the shadow image and your tenacity in facing your fears…BIG time!

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    • Thanks! Having a scary audacious goal will certainly keep things interesting this year. I’m not one to blow off the training because I don’t feel like it, or I don’t have time. I may not be a fast or strong cyclist, but I intend to be ready for the challenge 🙂

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  7. Ooh, jealous. Not just about the trip but that you have a BHAG. I don’t have a G at all, BHA or otherwise.
    100km a day? Okay, maybe a teeny bit less jealous. Can’t wait to hear all about it, though. Bound to be awesome!

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  10. Wow! Sounds like an incredible adventure both in terms of getting through the kilometres and in experiencing Thailand. I’m not terribly mobile but I enjoyed sailing this week. I was mainly ballast but I had a go steering. It was so liberating! xx Rowena

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    • I spent a huge chunk of my life as a desk jockey. I didn’t care much for the sweaty, mess outdoors.
      Now I’ve come to appreciate that any day spent outdoors is a great day 🙂
      Sailing would be great fun – ballast or not!

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      • As you read in my About, my health hasn’t been great and while I’m a lot better, I still have residual issues.
        About 4 years ago, I went away on an Adventure Camp with Muscular Dystrophy Assoc. I had just been thinking about having a break and my husband said he’d take the time off to look after the kids. I ended up going parasailing,quad bike riding,surfing. It was just incredible! I didn’t realise quite how much it changed me until we went on a family ski holiday. I’d decided not to ski but once we were there changed my mind but it was all a bit too late. I went skiing the following year though and the next with a specially trained instructor. My biggest problem seem s to be walking on uneven grown where some of these seemingly risky sports aren’t such a problem. I broke my foot simply walking on grass where there was a bit of a dip.
        By the way, thought you’d appreciate this: https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2015/04/13/kayaking-with-two-dogs/
        I must have been mad!
        xx Rowena

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    • A 200-mile ride is a huge challenge. The longest single day ride I’ve ever done is a 100 miles … and it hurt.
      Good luck with your training and the ride. When and where will it be?

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  13. ☆☆☆☆ Joanne, you are an awesome inspiration for all of us who have put perils and adventures to the “back burner” of our memories! Thailand will be wonderful and with your plan of action, building up to longer rides, I just know you can do it! 🙂
    I like biking but one with a regular speed and bigger seat. I think there is a name like a “Cruising” bicycle. I like going to islands and renting these! 🙂

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    • I started very late in life and I feel like I’m playing catch-up with all the things I dreamed of doing someday.
      This is one of those opportunities I felt I had to seize while I had a chance and if it meant I had to get back on my bike and ride for a god-awful distance, I was going to make it happen 🙂

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    • Janna, you’ve got it exactly right. I do feel both excitement and fear.
      I often question whether I’ve got the ‘right stuff’. My husband and our friends are very good athletes. I’m a wannabe. This will not be a walk in the park … but nothing ventured, nothing gained 🙂

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  15. Your smile is incredibly infectious. I am excited and smiling and happy for your upcoming excellent adventure. I know you can do this and I am here shaking my pom-poms as you ride toward your goal. Go, Joanne, Go! Rah!

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    • I knew you were going to ‘get’ this challenge!!
      Experiencing a different part of the world from the vantage point of a bike seat is pretty amazing. It’s up close and very personal … bugs-adhered-to-your-skin personal 🙂
      As I’m grinding my way through the long training rides ahead, I’ll be picturing you with your pom-poms cheering me from the sidelines 🙂

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  16. That’s awesome news Joanne, I am so happy for you 🙂
    You’ll have plenty of time to train and get yourself ready and I’m sure that despite the pain and a bit of cussing along the way, this trip will leave you with a lifetime of precious memories.
    Good for you!!!

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  17. What an incredible trip to look forward to! I’ve never taken a biking trip like this… do you feel that you have adequate time to explore the sights not on the bike trail? You are starting your training nice and early so I’m sure you’ll be in great shape for the trip. I love the idea of having a BAHG… I’m going to have to put some thought into that!

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    • We will be touring Bangkok before the bike trip starts and Phuket at the end. Inbetween we will be stopping in small villages along the coast both for breaks at for the night.
      I expect we will be seeing quite a bit 🙂

      I haven’t had a “go big” goal like this in a very long time. I’m both excited and nervous about it.

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  19. Kudos to you for challenging yourself! It sound like an amazing adventure. I love having a trip planned far in advance so you can anticipate and look forward to it. Can’t wait to hear all about it.

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  20. Your friends must love having someone they can call who’s game for any adventure. My daughter spent a year in Thailand and loved it. Friendly people and beautiful sights. You’re going to love it. Leave plenty of time for enjoying the culture and food 🙂

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    • I really enjoy this couple because they have such a ‘let’s do it’ attitude. I’m confident there will be plenty of laughs along the way.

      I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Thailand. I’ve never been to that part of the world before, and I’m very excited about it.
      … and trust me on this one, when you’re riding 100 km a day on a bike, a LOT of food is being eaten 🙂

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  21. What a wonderful reason to smile! Not only a fantastic trip and goal to look forward to but you’ve made your way through the maze of booking and planning the trip! Good going!

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    • You hit it on the head … booking the flights on this trip was a maze!! I’m grateful I wasn’t doing all the legwork on this one!

      It’s a big goal with lots of sweat to look forward to – literally – but I’m sure there will be a lot of great memories built in the process 🙂

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  22. Ah hah! I knew you’d do this trip. I’m excited for you. Also have a great idea….you should get yourself in fine form and then test your mettle by driving yourself right down here for a visit! It would be just over half as far up and back! Yep, am thinking you definitely need to do this. Should I begin preparing the guest room?

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  25. WHAT is it about you Canadians and cycling? Mad as a box of frogs… but I do look forward to the journey and I wish you (and your butt) all the luck in the world! And I shall join you with a big smile today (if you don’t mind) as we have just exchanged contracts on our new house purchase so we shall be moving to the coast in a couple of months time 😀 😀

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  27. My traveler’s heart says, “Fantastic! Sounds great!” but my tailbone is whimpering, “Ouch!” in sympathy…Looking forward to the continuing story~

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  28. How cool is that? Congratulations. I am officially looking forward to reading about this experience. I hope everything goes well with the remaining planning and the actual trip!

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    • Thanks 🙂 Sometimes we just have to acknowledge our fears and doubts and just jump in.
      My love affair with the bike can be described as rocky at best, but if nothing else, I will have stories to tell 😉

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  30. Hi Joanne – amazing … what a wonderful trip and it will be so worth all the effort – talk about scenery etc .. and all the culture … can quite see your enthusiasm and pleasure ahead – cheers Hilary

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  31. I did the math. That’s 101.5 km a day! Seriously impressive. I ride a stationary bike most days (so that I can read while I’m riding) and at the rate I ride, it would take me 125 days to complete the trip…

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    • HAHAHAHA! thanks for the laugh 😀

      Yes, I’m aware that on average we will be riding about 100km a day … some days more, some less. I’ve definitely committed to this trip with some trepidation. I’ve never done back-to-back riding quite like this before although I am no stranger to endurance riding.

      Stay tuned. It could get interesting 😉

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    • Exactly Nancy! Once the signing up has been completed, the gauntlet is down and the challenge begins. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
      It’s real now and I’m stoked.

      Check with me in July. By then the tears will likely have started and I’ll be having anxiety attacks 😉

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  35. That’s so exciting! I’m so thrilled for you and can’t wait to hear all about it. This post totally made me smile! 🙂 I have a BHAG for 2016 too and I’m planning for it each and every day. You’ve inspired me to take the plunge. Thank you, Joanne!

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  36. Congratulations! I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who plans obsessively since I made all my reservations for a trip to NY in June. (Did I tell you this…sorry to repeat if so). Anyway, how exciting! I hope you have a great time and I’m sure you’ll let us know all about it.
    What’s that saying about a bicycle? If you fall off the best thing to do is get back on and keep riding…or something like that!

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    • I’ve fallen off a bicycle so many times and got back on, I’ve lost count. As I get older though, it’s tougher to bounce back :/
      I’ve always been slow, but now I’ll be riding with even more caution than I have in the past.

      You have mentioned your upcoming trip to NY and sharing your memories with your kids. I think anticipation is one of the best parts of a trip, and until the reservations are made, the trip is still only an idea. With the plans solidly in place, now is the time to be ridiculously happy 🙂

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  37. That’s great! I used to bike a lot, but after a few small falls I haven’t been in a while. I’ve been running (and kayaking) more for my exercise and outdoor time. And Thailand – everything I know about it is positive, a very beautiful country. I’m sure you’ll wear that smile through the year as you train, through the trip and for years to come when you think back on it. Thanks for sharing the plan and smile with us!

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  39. AWESOME – H

    On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 9:40 AM, My Life Lived Full wrote:

    > joannesisco posted: “I’ve been wearing a huge smile since the weekend and > my heart has been bubbling over with excitement. After months of > discussion, we finally took the plunge and booked a trip to Thailand in > October. The flights are in place, and our registration has b” >

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