The further away we are from childhood, the further away we can get from our childhood goals. For Emily Chappell, training for a gruelling transcontinental bike race helped her realize that she couldn’t sit back and wait for life to happen. Through her training, Emily came to understand that she was also capable of achieving her childhood dream of becoming an author.
Emily was inspired to quit her job as an award-winning cycle courier in fast-moving London, and moved to Wales to pursue her passions for writing and for riding. She now writes full-time and her current cycling goal is the Transcontinental Race, happening in July 2016.
The Transcontinental Race is an ultra-distance, self-supported bike race. Beginning in Geraardsbergen, Belgium, Emily will cycle 300 kilometers (approximately 186 miles) a day for two weeks until she crosses the finish line in Çanakkale, Turkey. While racing, she will ride on average 20 hours a day.
Emily uses her Microsoft Band to track her training – especially her elevation gains and performance while climbing hills. During long rides, she is more worried about reaching her mind’s limits than her body’s limits, so text messages she receives on her band from her friends and family during her rides give her the mental push she needs to get herself to the finish.
Microsoft is partnering with Emily to share her story. Check out the video to meet Emily and discover how Microsoft Band helps her live healthier and achieve more.