Building the Engine: Data, Strength, & Protein

Once we signed up for this ride, the immediate question was: how do you train for a 3,800-mile, 47-day journey? Step one: figure out where we were starting from — and what needed work.

One of the first things we did after we made our deposit was hop on a call with Robby Ventura of Vision Quest Coaching. Trek Travel partners with Robby to provide riders with an 8 month workout plan through Training Peaks — think intervals, pedaling drills, hills, and back-to-back-to-back centuries.

Robby encouraged us to get baseline assessments: DEXA scans for body composition (lean mass, fat distribution, bone density), VO2 max for aerobic fitness, and resting metabolic rate (RMR) to understand how many calories we burn at rest. I opted in for all of it. I’m an engineer … I like data.

Sample data from my DEXA Fit workup in October 2024 shared with my trainer, nutritionist, and doctors to inform my prep plan.

Around the same time, I started working with BJ Baker, a trainer who built a personalized strength and balance routine. Since June, I’ve been lifting 2–3 times a week. I’ve been working my legs for years but have neglected my upper body. Progress is measurable — I’ve gone from doing push-ups against the kitchen counter to knocking out 4 sets of 15 on the ground. That’s real strength that will benefit me for life.

7/28/25, pushups mid-set.

Then came the nutrition piece. Our son Leo shared a podcast that changed my mindset: Dr. Gabrielle Lyon on The Huberman Lab explained why protein and strength training are critical, especially for women, as we age. Her book Forever Strong was equally eye-opening. I now aim for 90-100 grams of protein a day, spread out across meals.

I also worked with Sumner’s nutritionist, Julianne, who ran a series of blood and gut tests. The results showed some nutrient absorption issues and imbalances. So, I’ve been on a targeted three-month plan to rebalance my gut microbiome and support detox — just in time to dip my rear wheel in the pacific ocean.

All of this — the testing, the strength work, the protein, the gut protocol — is about building the strongest, most resilient version of me before I depart from Portland, OR. This is not a race. It’s a mission. I’m not aiming to win anything. I’m aiming to finish strong, stay healthy, and soak in every mile of this experience. The foundation is set. I will keep building on it — one push-up, one rep, one high-protein smoothie at a time.

Up next: What I’ve learned (and unlearned) about fueling on the bike.