Debbie Kennedy

Age: 60
Country: France
Location: Bescat
Affiliation: Darkhorse Rowing
Team: Dark Horse Rowing
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Weight: 154 lb
Logbook ID: 2012614
Member since: June 26, 2023

About Me

Age: 60 | Location: Vallée d’Ossau, Pyrénées, France

On the Erg Since: January 2025

My Journey

I have climbed over 569,032 meters in elevation on my bike, and I am incredibly grateful every single day to have some of the most legendary climbs right on our doorstep. The spectacular mountain views from the road bike never get old—from the drama of snow-capped peaks to vibrant, green rolling valleys, and the rushing of snow-melt rivers down below. Of course, the journey is made even better by the French patisserie stops, where you can enjoy a pastry alongside jaw-dropping views.

From Laruns, the Col d'Aubisque is a constant companion, alongside the Col du Portalet, both sides of the Col de Marie-Blanque, the Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin, and the Col du Soulor via Ferrières—not to mention the notoriously steep Pyrenean foothills that test your legs before you even reach the high passes.

I didn’t take the traditional path to this kind of endurance. In 2015, we relocated to the French Pyrenees, which is exactly when I picked up a road bike for the very first time. Over the last decade, these mountains became my backyard and my training ground. At the end of January 2025, seeking a fresh challenge to complement my cycling, I climbed onto the Concept2 ergometer.

The Erg Life

To put it mildly, it’s a fierce love-hate relationship. The indoor rower is an absolute beast—it’s super tough, uncompromising, and demands everything you've got. But that's exactly why I keep strapping back into the pull-straps. I love the mental and physical grit it takes to sit with the discomfort and see what's possible.

Whether I'm grinding through a tough interval session or locking into a long, steady-state piece, the erg has become the perfect training partner to my life in the mountains. I'm proof that it's never too late to start from scratch, build power, and chase down new personal milestones.

"The erg doesn't care how beautiful the mountains are outside—it just demands the work."*

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