Le Tour Celebration at Bicycle John's

Here's an invite to all my readers for a cool cycling event in Agoura Hills, CA at the new Bicycle John's location. Join us, it'll be fun!

Hi Everyone – Two months have sprinted by since my last note inviting you to join the soft opening of our Bicycle John’s in Agoura Hills. That event was a lot of fun and we had about 50 people come out. Thank you for supporting us!



Two hundred bike repairs, three dozen beach cruisers, and cases, and cases of inner tubes later we are ready to celebrate the grand opening of our bike shop as well as what is shaping up to be an epic Tour de France.



Many of you know that my long term goal is to grow the sport of cycling and in doing so share with others the beauty, challenge and elegance it offers all of us. In that spirit we have developed an event designed to get you and all your friends out to ride with us! This event is intended to draw a crowd – let’s get 200 people out on their bikes - and in doing so introduce new people to our sport, make new friends and encourage those close to cycle to ride more.



Here’s the idea.

We are going to do a (short) group ride in the late afternoon on the penultimate day of the Tour de France. While we won’t be climbing Mont Ventoux, there will be primes (awards) on the road during the ride, jersey’s awarded and the team (club) that shows up with the most people in their team kits (matching riding outfits) will be awarded a major prize! There will be a big party with a BBQ, stuff to do for the kids and raffles at the shop.



The ride is not limited to just roadies. If you’re in a mountain bike club, bring your mountain bikes; if you’re in a tri-club, bring your tri-bikes; if you’re not in a club, well, I would enjoy introducing you to one!



Here’s the detail.

Bicycle John’s Agoura Hills cordially invites you to “Le Tour Celebration 2009”

· 20 mile ride through beautiful Agoura Hills – ride start is 4:30 pm sharp, route slips handed out that day

· Free BBQ dinner after ride

· Raffle every half-hour for Cycling Accessories

· Club Contest (see below)

· Prime Competitions – announced at the ride start

· Activities for the family during the ride



When:

Saturday, July 25th, from 4 to 10 PM



Where:

Bicycle John’s - Agoura Hills

29041 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Agoura Hills, CA 91301

818-597-8330



How:

Please pre-register by emailing Jen: jennifer@bicyclejohns.com

And forward this email to your club members and friends



Prizes:

1st 100 pre-registered get a FREE Bicycle John’s Podium Hat

All Pre-registered guests receive an extra raffle ticket

Primes won on the road will be awarded at the shop after the ride



Club Contest:

35% OFF COUPON* to Club with most members “In Club Jersey”

*Coupon issued to each club member attending the event (of winning club), valid for 35% off one (1) item, cannot be combined with any other offer, excludes bikes in store, coupon expires 9/30/09



Enjoy the ride!



Scott & Mike
RL

Race Debrief

Once again I learned a great deal at this race and yes it was brutal, but I still managed to have fun! Everything was perfect as the day started out, great breakfast, perfect weather, awesome warmup, etc.
At the start gate I was really nervous, the field was big and we weren't allowed to pre-ride the course--this is something that is so important in my opinion. As the start time moved back and the announcer continued to warn of the dangers: potholes (these were bike swallowing size), wildlife(yes giant turkeys), cattle crossings (multiples), and newly tarred holes that heated up and were now sinkholes for tires....lovely...my adrenaline was pumping.
Finally on the road all was good, I was staying with the pack until mile 1.2 when my chain came off, at first I was pissed at myself thinking I misshifted but then it happened 2 more times--I was furious and now dropped on the big climb.
Again my adrenaline was pumping, I was angry and now climbing like a mad woman. I knew I wouldn't catch the group as the downhill was not far off and with a national champion leading the group I was history.
However I don't give up, so I continued on spending most of the day being the "carrot" for the men's pack, racing the downhill side with the men's groups, getting dropped and doing it again. Just a love for punishment I guess.
Finally at the finish of lap 3 the champion lady lapped me. I spent the entire race thinking I was last, however I wasn't, I was second to last:)
The finish line was a complete cluster-- as the men 1-2 were lined up to start and I was trying to finish along with some of the men's 5s so that was a pretty hairy moment with lots of confusion and bikes going every which way.
This course left everypart of my body sore. The cattle crossing were tough on the back and constant rough roads and the pressure of downhilling dodging rocks and potholes with the men took a toll on my neck and hands. My legs have never been so sore.
I guess looking back on it this race put some fight in me and I really did race this one not just ride it, so for me it was good. Any race w/o injury is a good one for me.
Live to ride another day--crit tomorrow, but I'll be watching that one,maybe next year.
Ride on
RaeLynn

SLO Road Race

I feel pretty good for this race. I would have liked to be a few pounds lighter but that won't make or break anything for me. This past week I spent tapering my training and getting plenty of rest as well as staying hydrated. I have never done a one day RR, so it will be interesting to see how I do mentally and physically. I am racing the Master class here, but judging by the registered ladies, they are hardcore, some Pro 1 last year that must be "young" enough for Master this year. It's probably going to be the hardest 35 miles I've ever ridden...however I had one of my best rides up here in San Luis and got a 22 mile break-away, so I'm going to put my mind where it was that day and fight to stay in/on the peloton's wheel.
One thing is certain: with each race I learn a lot,have always achieved some sort of Personal best, meet new friends and leave it looking forward to the next...what more could a girl ask for?
So let's hope for fireworks from these legs and lungs:)
RaeLynn

Pre-race jitters

This is my first season racing and so far it's been a lot of hard work, great fun and few big disappointments. As I approach my next race; the SLO Road Race I am once again competing in an event that is unlike any of the others. This time I will race the Masters class 35+, we will race with 3/4 but be scored separately. This is a one day race. The course is a 7 mile lap (we do 5 laps), with a hill of 600 ft at mile 1.5 to mile 3 than downhill from there.
My goal is to manage to stay on the wheel of the peloton and not get dropped. With this course description that could be hard. I need to be with the pack at the top of that hill, if I'm dropped on the downhill the peloton will build up so much speed I'll never catch up.
So I need to:
Grab a wheel and stick.
Grab a wheel and stick.
Grab a wheel and stick.
and don't crash...
wish me luck:)
RL

Tour of California City Council Meeting Details

The local organizing committee for the Amgen Tour of California is proposing that the race starts and ends in the Conejo Valley next May. Thousand Oaks and Agoura are very supportive but Westlake Village needs a nudge. Nothing would be more impactful that a large and supportive crowd showing up at tonight's Westlake Village city council meeting.



Please take 20 to 30 minutes to come by. Please forward this email and tell your friends to come by too. Bring the family -- it is a great experience for the kids to see government in action!



The Westlake Village City Council is committed to the ideal of a quality community and seeks the input of community residents to maintain this objective. The City Council meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.



City of Westlake Village
31200 Oak Crest Drive
Westlake Village, CA 91361







www.amgentourofcalifornia.com















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Rock Store Moments

I love my gal Sheri's Wednesday afternoon rides. The ladies are great and occasionally some boys join us too...like tonight Robb rode along. We meet at Bad ASS of course and there's always the route discussion..where to go, is there a hill, what time to the kids have to be picked up, etc. I love to suggest Rock Store every week...it gets the discussion fired up and always I'm shot down...but not tonight; Sheri was leading the push to Rock Store and I was all for it. Jeanne and Laura had never been so the timing was perfect. No traffic, late date, it was cool (cold for me) and the only sunny spot was at the top of the climb, so we rode to the sun:)
After yesterday's intervals and a twig in my chain I was shot out the back like a cannon...it was great though, they were going for it and I could hear them laughing and talking and encouraging one another.
This is the great thing about ladies rides...the fun. Even when I've raced I've noticed is that women talk more...imagine that....they cheer and hoot and really get into it. They compete and they want to be first, but are not sore losers and they cheer for the last gal up as much as for the first!
It's rides like Sheri's that remind me to have fun on my bike, turn off the GPS & HR, laugh, enjoy, and just ride; it's not always a race...and most importantly that lip gloss in your toolbag is okay, but remember to re-gloss at the top of the climb:)
If you must suffer---at least look good...
RL

Photo provided by Laura...

Pink --not only for Girls!--updated

This guys might have looked good but it has been announced that he in fact is a doper-a cheat! Doesn't deserve to have worn the well respected Pink jersey....LOSER!!!!