Summer Down Under

I've gone through a thermal shock from winter in Colorado to summer in Victoria (Melbourne) - a good shock, sorry to say mates. Setting up a Giant bike rental and finding the most popular and safe routes has been easy - the Aussies are bike crazy. The photos are: sjw out on the beach road, two road signs (one warms my heart, guess which), bike trails make it easy to get to and from roads to ride.

Unfortunately, the weekend is over and today starts the meeting slam. Probably, no sun and ocean breezes from here on out. sjw

Introducing KAREN FIENBERG

Allow me to introduce a "new" cycling pal to the Women's BMCT: Karen Fienberg.

For those of you who have yet to meet this gregarious and fun-loving creature, rest assured, she's a true reflection of fun complemented by a cycling philosophy designed to enrich her already desirable Rocky Mountain lifestyle.

Please invite Karen on any weekday rides, women's only weekend rides, and she will be invited to join the 1st Sunday of every month Men's Team rides (leaving 5 minute after the men.)

From KAREN:

I ride because it is pure pleasure and enjoyment for me. I am a cycling ambassador, spreading the love and joy of cycling - that's why you'll often see me riding in a tutu. I enjoy being part of a sport that has empowered a lot of women in other areas of their lives. I like to think of riding as Cycletherapy.

I have been riding since 1998, although I have some memories of riding my Univega 10-speed out towards Lyons while in college at CU, wearing running shorts, sneakers, and a tank top (no helmet, water, tube, pump). My first ride was 60 miles around Boulder County on a bike borrowed from a friend and I knew I was hooked.

I started participating in MS150 rides, then rode the Elephant Rock for my first century. I remember eating Clif Bars at EVERY aid station (gag) because I was nervous that I might bonk riding 100 miles. Some of the cycling events / rides I've done since then are:

More MS150 rides

Triple Bypass

More Elephant Rock Centuries

Bicycle Tour of Colorado

Ride the Rockies

Mont Ventoux

L'Alpe d'Huez

Col du Tourmalet

Venus de Miles

I love to climb (but you may have figured that out already).

I was the Festival Director for Venus de Miles in 2009 and am the Festival Director for the Vic's Espresso Criterium this year. I love giving back to the sport that has given so much to me.

Remember, a bad day on the bike is better than a great day at the office.

Karen Fienberg

Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.
~ John F. Kennedy

Vic's Meet and Greet Prospect Ride

Hi Blues, Paul here with some ride news;

We will be meeting at the Vic's Prospect location for a show-your-love-for-our-sponsor Vic's St. Valentine's Day team ride on Sunday February 14. Not sure where Prospect is? It's here. We will meet at 9:00 AM (Yes, I know - it's an hour earlier) with Whitey and some of the Vic's regulars who would love to meet the Vic's/Peerless team. So get there, get a coffee, a tea, a treat, top off your water or get rid of too much water and hang out for an while before we ride. Please park in the lot southeast of Vic's behind Solar Village not on Tenacity or Ionosphere. Call me with any questions. Thanks all!

Roses are red
Our team kits are blue
It's Valentine's Day
See you at Vic's Too!!!

Red Cross Mobile Text Donation to HAITI

If you'd like to make an easy and legitimate donation to Haiti, the American Red Cross offers a TEXT option via your cell phone that delivers 100% of your dollar to relief efforts. Check out the link for additional information. Directions below as well:

1. create a text to 90999
2. type "haiti" in the text area
3. hit "send"
4. you will receive a response asking you to confirm with a "YES" you'd like to donate $10 which will be charged to your phone bill.
5. you will receive another text asking if you'd like to continue receiving text updates. You may respond with "no" or "yes". I responded with "no" and haven't received additional texts.

Amira, Amore!

Many thanks to U-Bikes for their excellent mechanics who built the bike up. Here's a photo of Lester (GM of University Bikes in Boulder, CO), Daphne, and Randy Gaffney out on the bike today. The Amira is the fast one in front.

Wow! Day 3 on my new Amira by Specialized, and I'm a happy camper. The Amira ride is smooth and precise, with quick cornering. I'm on the short side (5'4" when I stretch), and the 48cm frame is a perfect womens-specific fit. While the bike is built for racing, so far it's been very comfortable for the long team rides. I've logged 7 hours in the saddle over the last 3 days, and there's not a sore spot or sore muscle anywhere. For anyone looking to upgrade to a new bike that fits women, this is a great choice!

I love cycling with you/the boys and the girls

Had a great time riding today.

BCSM Power Training Day

Len, Julia and I got our ya-ya's out spinning in the comfort of the BCSM computrainer room today. Other than the embarrassing question of "how much do you weigh?" ---and then they add 20 lbs -- I promise it will be a pleasurable (okay, and somewhat painful on the "efforts") experience with your friends to cheer you on and race against you. So, if you've been on the fence about whether or not to sign up for the Wed rides with Lester (& sometimes Neal)... jump over to our side. We'd love to have you!

Out of the Box

Today I broke free from the indoor box and rode routes not seen in over 3-months - I gave it more juice than winter training calls for. Pretty hard to control the endorphins! The neck flexibility is coming back, but I need to keep working on that. I'll join the 'boys' ride as soon as rehab conditions permit. Steve

Free but not perfect

Men,

After 12 weeks with my head immobilized I've hit a conundrum.

The C1 vertebrae has not healed and prospects for healing are

confusing. I've got some sorting out to do. I'll keep you posted.

sjw

New Team Members

Welcome the following new team members for 2010,

Anita Lopez
Curtis Leschyshyn
Frank Zoldak
Gary Mulder
Grant Holicky
Mike Sutter
Rob Kelly

Team Weekend Rides

Team Weekends rides will be every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 AM through out the fall/winter months. Meeting place is Vic's on 30th street, in Boulder, if location changes, it will be posted

• Team rides are members only, except for invited guest.
• Attire for team rides is present team kit
• Routes will be decided on the day of the ride through out fall/winter months or when training sessions begin, if you have a particular route, let the team know in advance
• Ride pace is Recovery - Overdistance through out fall/ winter months

'Cross Time

Temperatures are falling, leaves are falling, cyclists are falling...

It can only mean one thing: the craziness that is cyclocross season is upon us, and the mayhem has begun! Overenthusiastic racers who just don't know when to call it a season have been hitting the Colorado 'cross circuit for a number of weeks now. This odd stepchild of bike racing has been growing in popularity by leaps and bounds, and a (un?)healthy number of racers have been turning out for a full slate of 'cross races that run from mid-September to the state championships in December.

So far this season, the conditions have ranged from scorching sun and temperatures in the high 80's to blizzards and temperatures below freezing. The courses have varied from smooth grass to rocky slopes, from packed gravel to bike-eating sand pits, from dusty singletrack to derailleur-destroying mud bogs, and everything in between.



The competition is fierce but friendly, and the physical demands are unusual. As Neal Henderson describes it, 'cross racing is a bit like an intense criterium with the all-out sprint at the starting whistle. If you've pondered life on the 'cross side, now is a great time to come out and give it a try. If you're not quite ready to try leaping over barriers and immersing yourself in freezing mud, consider coming out to harass those who are. Just don't forget your cowbell!

Our Injured Teammates

Marc and I had lunch Monday with Paul and Steve. both seem to be doing well after there recent encounters with the medical profession. Paul should be back in a month or so after a pretty serious back surgery. Steve will be in the neck brace for a total of three months after his accident on the road in Italy.

I urge everyone to keep in touch with our guys as from personal experience I know it's easy to feel a bit left out as you recover from an injury.

Unseen in the photo is the elastic and plastic (and uncomfortable) back brace Paul will wear for another few weeks. Get well soon guys!

2009 Team Photo

Here is the composited Team Photo for 2009.