Update to this post....Bear's and Lynda's adventure starts this week...Please follow Bear's ride via gps and don't forget to donate:) Good luck Bear and Lynda, ride safe! xoxoxoxo

There are times, like this week, that I've been utterly amazed at the generousity and ambitions of fellow riders...

~~with that written I'm shamelessly sharing some information about friends who, probably they will kill me for doing this, but have supported cycling in a multitude of ways and continue to do so..... I have cut and pasted my friend Bear's (yes, that's his real name) goals and fundraising story below to share with all of you...it's going to be an amazing adventure to follow and a huge effort to raise monies for the Arthritis foundation. I am proud to ride with and support cyclists like Bear and Lynda and I hope you too will join them, on whatever level you can to support and encourage this effort.

Here is their inspiring story:

The cycling season is well under way, and once again I am aiming to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation. This year I have big plans, as you’ll see below, so read on. This will be my 6th year on the California Coast Classic ride; it just doesn’t get old. I keep making new friends and meeting new folks who either have arthritis themselves or have a family member who does. A number of them have kids who suffer with a juvenile form of the disease. I can assure you, any donation, large or small, will be truly and deeply appreciated by all of the patients that the AF serves throughout the year.

From September 25 - October 2, I will again be riding in the CA Coast Classic, a 525 mile bike tour from SF to LA that raises funds for the Southern California Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to support research, education and programs for the 46 million Americans that live with arthritis every day. If you would like to help, please go to my personal fundraising page, Bear's California Coast Classic Page, to make a tax-deductible donation. If you’d prefer to donate off-line, you can print out the PDF form from my VeloBear web pages (see signature below) to fill out and send in with your check or credit card information.

New for this year, from September 12 - September 17, I will also be riding in the inaugural People’s Coast Classic, a 363 mile bike tour from Astoria, Oregon to Brookings, Oregon that raises funds for the Northwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to support their efforts in funding similar research, education and programs. If you would like to help, please go to my other fundraising page, Bear's People's Coast Classic Page to make a tax-deductible donation there, or use the PDF form.

BUT WAIT! THAT’S NOT ALL!Between these 2 rides, from September 18 - September 24, I will be riding in the first-ever Bear & Lynda’s Insane Coast Classic, a 439 mile bike tour from Brookings, OR to San Francisco that Lynda and I have plotted out connecting the two rides. Lynda will be driving the Team Support Vehicle as Directeur Sportif, Soingneur, and local tourist along the way. If you would like to help, please go to either Bear's People's Coast Classic Page –or- Bear's California Coast Classic Page to make a tax-deductible donation to either AF chapter. If I’ve reached my goal for one of the AF rides, please consider donating to the other! And if I’ve met my fund raising goals on both, don’t shy away from pushing me over the top! Any and all donations go to the Arthritis Foundation chapters. Lynda and I are sponsoring our own little undertaking ourselves.

So there you have it: September 12 – October 2. Another cycling Grand Tour just like the Giro d’Italia, Le Tour de France, and La Vuelta a España. Three weeks of riding 1,327 miles down the West Coast to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation. I hope you’ll join us!

Yeah, I thought you'd be amazed....incredible and I look forward to following this journey...if you have questions for Bear or Lynda follow the links above to reach him or email me and I will put you in touch:)

All I can say is 1327 miles....wow, wow, wow!!!! Let's get this party started!

Races, Rides & Parties: what more could a girl or guy want?

Events, Events, Events...that's what's news this week....lots going on in cycling through July, so get your calendar out and SAVE the dates----
First upcoming event is: our Saturday ride from Biycle John's (29041 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Agoura, CA)---this Saturday July10th: meet time 7:45 a.m. roll out at 8:00 a.m, Rides for all levels of riders: no drop-intermediate and fast & furious! Helmets are mandatory as is a proper working bike, fuel and clothing. Men and Women welcome. It's hot now, so bring lots of H2), electrolytes and of course sunscreen.
Upcoming races are fun for both spectators, first time racers and the seasoned racer, get out and join us at one/all of these:
1.) Bicycle John's Grand Prix This is a really fun 1.1 mile course with one big ring hill. July 17th in Santa Clarita. Come on out and race with us at our Bicycle John's owned/sponsored event!! One very special note about this race is that there will be 6 Junior categories with Awards--way to race juniors and they are fun to watch too--look closely, they are FAST! Thousands$$$$ in prize monies available for the other categories too---mens, women's, Pros & Masters....this will make for GREAT races.....so don't hesitate to come out and spectate if you haven't yet seen a race, it's really exciting stuff!! Register today at www.socalreg.com
2.) Rock Store Time Trial July 28, 2010 Last chance this year to put your official time stamp on our very famous climb....don't delay, this SOLD OUT last month! All proceeds benefit the Arthiritis Foundation. www.rockstorett.com Don't be intimidated, lots of first-timers at this race and no, you don't need to wear your SuperSonic Hedgehog TT helmet or a skinsuit to participate
3.) Piru Time Trial: July 10th and 11th, 2010 www.uncletren.com...2 days of Time Trials...40K and 20K courses on a beautifully paved road--smooth, fast and the every changing winds make this course as unpredictable as the arrival time of this newsletter! Lots of fun and a chance to see just how FAST can YOU go...."The Race of Truth, just you and the clock" Public categories for both men, women and juniors, so no need to be a pro, if you have a bike, you can race this one!
Not ready to race? Try a little altitude training with friend and fellow coach Rob Panzera before the snow flys in the hills: http://www.cyclingcampsandiego.com/High-AltitudeEnduranceTrainingCamp.html
Next up I'm sure you all have realized by now that the Tour de France is on Versus and whether you are watching on the internet, the television, or via www.roadbikeaction (for up to the second on site commentary on web and Twitter/Facebook) the racing has been riveting!!! Really exciting racing with some unexpected crashes, gnarly courses and an awesome chance to watch "seasoned" racers like Lance Armstrong, yes you know he is my FAVORITE. We are playing the tour via the internet all day, everyday at Bicycle John's so stop by and watch, recap or rewatch..... then we'll follow up all this exciting racing locally and abroad with nothing better than -----
A PARTY...yes our annual FREE Bicycle John's Le Tour and Customer Appreciation day/party/ride happens again this year August 7th at the Agoura location. Remember last year?...great prizes, a awesome ride and pulled pork sandwiches--woohoo. We'll do it all again starting at 4:30 p.m with a very special Benefit ride for "Mrs. Bicycle John, Shelly Fries". Those who know her, understand that Shelly has been fighting a brave battle against cancer this past year, so we want to show her and John our support as part of this community event. Details on our Bicycle John's facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134572999899913&ref=mf rsvp so we can plan the food to jennifer@bicyclejohns.com 1st 100 rsvps get a special gift too!

That's the news for this week, now let's get out and ride, race and Party!!
See you Saturday,
RaeLynn