Sunday, February 21, 2010

Photos of WomenCyclist/Bicycle John's Clinic

Please credit Robin Karlson for these pictures if you use them...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Moorpark-CA/Women-Cyclist/183785497458#!/album.php?aid=148981&id=183785497458&ref=nf

Girls and Bikes

Girls and their bikes…

Perhaps you remember your first bike (mine was a yellow banana bike), or your first ride. Maybe you were young or maybe you aren’t, but it happened…you pedaled your bike and that feeling of freedom, independence and confidence come over you. Next time you went a little farther, then climbed that big hill, then rode a charity event and perhaps even have participated in a race or two. Now you can’t imagine life without your bike. This is the magic between a girl or woman and her bike.

Magic is what it felt like last Saturday at Bicycle John’s bike shop in Agoura, CA. Bicycle John’s graciously hosted a WomenCyclist (a.k.a.RaeLynn) Ladies Ride & Clinic. We met in the morning for breakfast and divided into two groups; one route was shorter lead by Jennifer(owner of bike shop) and Irene Johnson (Cat 2 racer). The second group rode a warm up pace with the first until the split in Westlake Village where we went on to practice paceline and group riding skills with the guidance of Kalyra RAAM 2010 Ladies Jill Gass &Sonia Ross.

If you haven’t experienced the thrill of a double paceline 40 women strong you must give it a try. It isn’t about the speed, but the incredible energy of the group. Truly inspirational from beginner to advanced rider. We were lucky to have sunny skies and quiet roads to enjoy this experience.

The longer riding group returned to Bicycle John’s in time to help the first group finish up a flat changing clinic, eat lunch and dive into our other topics of interest for the day.

Many of our riders took full advantage of Janis Burns; professional soigneur who worked out the kinks, helped stretch and relax the riders after the ride. I think Janis deserved a massage at the end of the day—she worked hard and we all learned a lot. Best piece of knowledge for me: the ice bath benefits—challenge is; actually doing it!

Jill Gass and Sonia Ross shared with us their goals for 2010 RAAM and experiences at past RAAM events. Amazing level of commitment/ planning and training…All to benefit Girls Inc. in Santa Barbara, even better! http://www.kalyrawomensracingteam.com/index.html

Next up on the podium we had Susan Farber, sports psychology coach from The Winning Edge: www.thewinningedgesb.com. Susan talked about goal setting and fears that hold us back, as well as answered questions about specific issues/challenges woman in the audience experienced. We learned that group riding poses a great deal of anxiety for women and hope to bring more clinics in to help with group riding skills, both mental and physical.

Irene Johnson explained the benefits and challenges associated with bike fit. How to overcome issues and the importance of bike fit to aid in injury prevention as well as improving performance. The right chamois and the right saddle top the list of most necessary items for our ladies.

We finished up the day with another flat changing clinic for those long riders who hadn’t had the opportunity to do that earlier.

I would be remiss not to mention that we even had our very own videographer filming this event—wow did we feel special, but I bet he felt like the luckiest man alive that day—haha… Thanks Michael.

And of course we ate again…after all we did ride!

All in all it was an amazing day, with amazing women who love to ride bikes, share their experiences and knowledge for the benefit of the movement: Get more women on bikes!

Days like Saturday inspire me…

Women I’ve met like Jill, Sonia, Susan, Irene, Jen, Janis and all the participants inspire me….
Indeed this is a long blog, but so much effort and time went into this event from all of our contributors it would be a shame not to spend some time sharing it properly.

Much thanks goes out to:
• All the participants for coming out to ride.
• To Bicycle John’s owners, Jen, Scott and Mike for the facility, food and support everyday
• To Kalyra RAAM 2010 riders Jill Gass and Sonia Ross
• To Janis Burns, professional soigneur
• To Susan Farber, sports psychology coach
• To Irene Johnson, Cat 2 racer
• To Bryan and Fabien for the mechanical support
• To Michael Rieder for videotaping
• To Robin Karlson for the photos that are attached to this post (please credit her if you use them on your socials/websites)

Pedal fast, but enjoy the journey…
RaeLynn

www.womencyclist.com
USA Cycling Coach
All a girl really needs is an open road,
her favorite playlist,
a beautiful, fast bike and
legs that let u never feel the chain:)


Wednesday, February 17, 2010

A Million reasons to ride..Upcoming Events

‘Tis the season for Cycling Events so for this email I have gathered some to put on your calendars…

Of course I will start with the upcoming Ladies Ride & Clinic this Saturday Feb. 20th at 11:30 a.m. at 29041 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Agoura, CA @ Bicycle John’s.

There are so many exciting aspects to this day it won’t make a difference if it rains or shines; there’s something to be learned for everyone. Here’s a list of our featured coaches in no particular order with their topic in bold:

o RaeLynn Milley USA Cycling Coach, Cat 4 racer for Bicycle Johns (ride leader, flat repair, nutrition, safety)
o Jennifer Johnson; owner Bicycle John’s (ride leader &flat repair)
o Irene Johnson; Cat 2 racer for Bicycle John’s, Masters Worlds Austria Everest Challenge, Death Ride, Breathless Agony, (flat repair & bike fit)
o Janis Burns, Professional Soigneur for USA and International Pro Teams: Liquidgas, Trek U23, Kenda and more (massage & recovery)
o Jill Gass; State and National Champion, USA Cycling Expert level coach and Kalyra RAAM2010 team (ride leader, paceline skills)
o Sonia Ross of Kalyra RAAM 2010 team, Masters and National Champion racer, massage therapist (ride leader, paceline skills)
o Susan Farber: sports phsycology coach, Cat 4 racer for Echelon, The Winning Edge(The mental game/goalsetting/dealing with fears that hold us back)
• So don’t miss it or you’ll miss A LOT Email to rsvp or ?S raelynn@womencyclist.com
2 rides: one shorter 10 miles, one longer 35 miles

• Oh yeah; this is a FREE clinic, generously provided by Bicycle John’s) --even more reason to come.

But wait there is more---Ladies & Gentlemen of our 8:00 a.m. Saturday ride—this ride is still happening prior to the clinic and you will be joined by the ladies, Jill & Sonia of the Kalyra RAAM2010 team on the ride. This will be their training ride for the day, so rest up and show them a warm welcome to our hills—don’t be afraid of rain; Jill and Sonia aren’t—after all it could rain on their 3000 mile journey across AMERICA!!

Helmets are mandatory and it will be a PROMPT 8 a.m. start to get Jill & Sonia back in time for something to eat and the clinic! Start at 29041 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Agoura, CA @ Bicycle John’s bike shop.

Ok onward …if you are like me you’ve been awaiting the Road Bike Action April issue…heard today it’s in, so hoping to see that in shop and in your mailbox soon! www.roadbikeaction.com

April 3, 2010 is a big day with two events and YES you can do both…
Santa Clarita Century Ride: Starts at Valencia Town Center
http://santaclaritacentury.com Full century (get ready to climb), Half century, and Family Fun ride

and then……

"Women of Dirt” brought to you by MTBChick, Tonya Bray—this is going to be a fun night and I am hoping we can meet up at the shop and get carpools set up for attending. There will be a VIP section, open seating and 5 awesome women from So Cal will/are being chosen for their outstanding contributions to women’s cycling. Ticket info coming soon Men and women will love this thrill seekers/gravity lovers’ video! (Date night…think about it:)
Awesome Land: Women of Dirt screening in Hollywood" on Saturday, April 3rd at 6:00pm.

Event: Awesome Land: Women of Dirt screening in Hollywood
What: Opening
Start Time: Saturday, April 3 at 6:00pm
End Time: Saturday, April 3 at 9:00pm
Where: Cinespace Hollywood
Last but not least……

May 8th, 2010 Cruisin the Conejo ride is coming up so get registered for the best charity ride in our own backyard. 6 routes including 2 metrics and a full century—something for every level of rider! www.cvcbike.org for more info or for group rides to get in shape before the Cruisin’.

Then the BIGGY…Tour of California May 16-23rd..lots of events planned as we get closer to this great race.

So see you Saturday for all the FUN! And if you don’t see something for you, let us know what your TRI group, Cycling club, MTB group wants and we’ll be happy to put it together for you…

Ride safe,
RaeLynn

Monday, February 1, 2010

Bike racing 101

The few, the brave, the unknowing, the anxious, the confident, the sexy, the fit, the best of the best came out for a weekend of bike racing in the San Inez/Goleta area this past weekend. The Poor College Boys race was on Saturday and what a course, what a day to ride and what a race. This was a road race, so not much opportunity to see a lot, but I got a good spot on a hill just after the start and had excellent views as they came screaming down the hill into the finish line. Too bad the camera battery died:(

Both the men and women were fired up for this first race of the year and all quads were firing. Love the sounds of racing and the views were spectacular:) CA Pools men were killing it, they are going to have a great season. Saw a bit of the women's and then lost track of which group belonged to which category so just cheered them all on. Scott Johnson of Bicycle John's pulled off a great race and bunny hopped a crash at the finish...great skills.

Sunday was all about women at the Mothballs criterium. Jennifer & Scott, Robb put up the Bicycle John's tent and made room for the ladies to warm up near the start line. Jill Gass gave a great clinic on criterium skills and Kim Anderson of Columbia High Road shared a few words of motivation for the first time racers.

This Cat 4 race was part of the Womens Cycling Challenge which is a movement to get more women to race. There were a few variations in the normal crit process but none the less everyone raced and had fun. Most received prizes or primes and everyone got a Bicycle John's WomenCyclist goodie bag complete with Gu, Shot bloks, Road Bike Action Magazine,Patch kit, wine opener, Action Wipes and chapstick:)

Team Echelon provided Susan Farber, sports psycology coach for before and after the race to help overcome some nervousness and learn from the race debriefing. A benefit that is beyond useful! Team Nexus ladies were in good form this spring as well. Avalon (Echelon) of course was her own force to be reckoned with---I think she used a bit of pent up anger at having her car stolen to motor down the course--she was a women possessed:)

We even had a fun ride on Sunday morning which I did ride and it was gorgeous, beautiful bike lanes and always a favorite to ride a double paceline with such skilled riders.

All in all, a great racing weekend and I was happy to be a part of it..even though I couldn't race. Until the next one: Congratulations to all the racers Men and WOMEN!

I posted photos on WomenCyclist facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Moorpark-CA/Women-Cyclist/183785497458#/photo.php?pid=3200967&id=183785497458


RL