PACTIMO REWARDS (0) | FREE SHIPPING ON $70+ ORDERS | FREE EXCHANGES | 877-291-6238 | NEED HELP?

What Happened at Big Frog 65

June 19, 2017

"I didn't know it at the time, but today was going to be a game changer for me."

by Ali Whittier / 2017 Pactimo Brand Ambassador

"The weekend before Big Frog I was covering an attack in a road race when I had an exercise-induced asthma attack (thanks, allergies).

One minute I'm doing my job, the next it felt like someone was squeezing my lungs and taking my breath away. I argued with myself on whether or not to get off my bike at the side of the road but settled on slowing down, recovering, and finishing the race (alone).

Needless to say, I wondered if my allergies would wreak havoc at Big Frog.

But, the old saying goes, "it takes a village"...and as I rolled up to the starting line with my teammate and long time training partner, Susie Farmer, "my village" and all the work that was put into this moment was all I could focus on in my mind.

I didn't know it at the time, but today was going to be a game changer for me.

Photo by Dancing Images

From my training plan by Steve Carpenter, to nutrition plan by Barry Murray to superb bike mechanics from Cycle Sport Chattanooga (and Spencer getting me the right equipment, of course) I was more prepared than ever.

But most important, the support system I have from the Chattanooga cycling community and especially from friends, family and coworkers (who may not even ride bikes) is second to none. It's easier to ignore any self-doubts when you have people cheering you on.

Here's my Big Frog 65 Race Report

We rolled off the start line with pleasant temps and good company...a lot of smiles and excitement. I lined up with Susie and near other riders I knew from Chattanooga. Carp had me well-prepared with training, but I knew I needed to not blow myself up during the long stretch of road before the single track."

Read the rest of Ali's blog on www.withthewhittiers.com »

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Also in People, Places & Things

SBT GRVL 2019

August 21, 2019

This year’s inaugural SBT GRVL (Steamboat Gravel) did not disappoint. Steamboat Springs was host to an amazing addition to the gravel calendar and they pulled it off in style.

Bike Across Kansas 2019

July 24, 2019 1 Comment

"We got up early in the morning for our Journey to Goodland Kansas where I was about to embark on a 9-day bike ride; I had never done anything like this before and was excited for this new challenge. Despite having started packing the week before, I was up till midnight checking on gear and feeling like I was forgetting something. We left Missouri at 7am and seemed to travel forever. About 8 hours later, we rolled into Goodland and got ourselves checked in and a camping spot secured for the night."

Frank Kim is at the Front of the Pack

July 01, 2019

CEO Frank Kim and Pactimo's industry-leading catalog of cycling jerseys, bibs, shorts, and outerwear has even outfitted Olympians and National Champions as well as a wide group of professional athletes. "We're a cycling apparel brand," says Kim. "We're focused on what has to do with apparel on the bike."