The tiny world happenings at WomenCyclist.com

I awoke this morning with a large amount of excited energy, anxiousness and a bit of anxiety about the upcoming week. It’s going to be a tough week; actually a tough month, but one of the most amazing in terms of emotional rewards, physical challenges and new beginnings. I also realized this morning how monumental this is in terms of women’s cycling world and how wonderful this time is for the future of our sport.

This week marks the Mike Nosco Memorial ride on Thursday. This epic ride commemorates Mike Nosco, who is a true All American man with a large heart who left the world too early in an unfortunate accident. Mike’s brother Jack shares the same heart and put together this ride to honor his brother, but also to give back to the world on what is sure to be a difficult day for him and his family. So, this year Jack dedicated the ride to Ronette Espinoza, wife of Zap Espinoza (long time industry media personality). Ronette fought an unbelievable battle against cancer and while she was taken too early from her husband and daughter, Xakota, I believe that every ounce of her time battling this disease is time and energy each and every woman I know appreciates. Her suffering and bravery will lead to research and information that will one day benefit each of us…for this, I and many others, am inspired. How do I know? This year we will see the largest number of women riding the Mike Nosco Memorial, they will “Ride for Rono” on this most difficult course because we know it matters; because we want to help the man ZAP who stood by his wife during this difficult journey and because we want Xakota to be supported as a woman, by women. Women from San Francisco to San Diego are joining including world, national, local champions and recreational cyclists—(going to be a heck of a PJ party at my house Wednesday nite!) Regardless of our level, we will be the strongest, we will push hard, we will help the cause, we will hope to give the inspiration Ronette gave us to Xakota’s and Zap’s inspiration bank so that they can draw upon it as they cope with difficult moments in their life without Ronette.

Directly following the Mike Nosco Memorial ride, myself and the women of B4T9 Masters Women’s Cycling Team will head to Los Olivos to coach at the West Coast Women’s Collegiate Cycling Conference. This, also incredible event is supported by USA Cycling, SCNCA, B4T9 Women’s cycling team and the University of CA. 15 Teams and 80 young female cyclists will attend. Once again women will join forces to grow the sport and it has already grown from what we originally thought it would be. Again, this is due to the women supporting the effort such as Ina-Yoko Tuetenberg of HTC Highroad who agreed to come when I asked her while we attended the SLO Grand Fondo….not only did she agreed with little to no information, she is also bringing champion Jessica Phillips to ride and talk as the event as well! WOW, I was so amazed by their generosity and willingness to participate—giving up a weekend day in the off season…so appreciated and largely responsible for jumping the participation from 20-80 attendees. Also joining in this generous participation is the amazing Amber Neben….what a line-up and such a great opportunity for these young collegiate cyclists to be exposed to incredible talent; true professionals in the business. That combined with hard work by Erikaceae Pearsons of WCCWCC, the women of B4T9, Jill Gass, MaryAnn Levenson, Sue Fish and the entire team,USA Cycling, SCNCA, and everyone else, this should be yet another overwhelming in a good way kind of weekend!

From that, I’ll go on to be motivated and educated at USAC Training Weekend for Level 2 Coaches. I’m already a Level 2 Coach, but this class offers on the bike skills training…perfect for a girl like me who spends 10+ hours a week teaching this! I am looking forward to increasing my bags o’tricks and torture These lectures are always a great time to be able to network with fellow female (and male) coaches, see friends from all over the country, test my brain and physical abilities at the hands of instructor extraordinaire: Michael Heitz! I also think that the need to include this in a coaching seminar points to the fact that the sport is growing and with more beginners getting into cycling, more coaches will enjoy (like I do) the rewards of coaching at this level.

As if that wasn’t enough I’ll hop a flight to Morgan Hill the next day for a week of BG bike fit classes with Specialized. Very excited to learn, try and see their methods and reasons for the BG fit system. Fit is such an important issue for everyone, it’ll be great to enhance my knowledge of this and see how it correlates with the geometry/engineering of the Specialized bikes for women. I have to admit it’ll be almost just as exciting to see the Morgan Hill campus….!!!I hope to get lots of pictures

And for my last “to do” of the season I will get my first lactate test and begin tracking/measuring a training program and the results for all to follow. Finally going to get all my ?s answered about testing, training and measuring the results….you’ll be able to read about it in Road Bike Action magazine once complete. I think women will be really interested and again hopefully it will lead us to new information as to how we can get to that next level; whatever that is specifically for you.

All in all I’m honored, thrilled, excited, exhausted and motivated just thinking about it…guess that’s why I had to write it out, feels more organized now.
Thanks for reading,

RaeLynn
Pedalanthropist