Mourning and learning

Today I learned that B4T9 isn’t just about the women who are on the team, it’s about all female cyclists; about women who share a love of the bike, about mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, grandmothers and partners. Some of us are bike racers, some are recreational cyclists, some philanthropists, even some who don’t ride a bike at all.  We all share a love of the sport; for how it empowers women and helps us achieve a healthy fitness level. Cycling allows us to share time with friends, explore new places and meet new people. Every time we throw a leg over the bike and start to pedal we are brave—whether that moment is at a charitable event, a ride with the kids to the beach or even when there’s a chance at standing on the podium at a local bike race.  Every pedal stroke or new mountain top we reach makes us happy, but with that we know and accept that, as with any activity, there are risks of injury and sadly sometimes death.  It is not something we take lightly, accept or want to happen.  Yet, unfortunately it happened this past weekend and we lost Suzanne Rivera and we as a collective group are mourning.  Our team is like family; we share rides, meals, houses, carpools, victories and losses.  We laugh and cry together. …and we have learned that our family is larger than just the team from the amazing outpouring of support from women who ride, race and/or just follow our journeys.  From professionals to beach cruiser gals we have felt so much love and understanding that it is hard to grasp.  As we grieve today and in the days to come, coping will be more difficult than the longest climbs or the hardest races we will ever participate in. If you were lucky enough to meet Suzanne you knew instantly her strength and her joy and for those who did not meet her we know that you would have been inspired by her.  We as a team and a world of female cyclists know that the men, women and children who allow us to follow our passions have strength greater than any of us and this does not go unnoticed.  We grieve for you too, for your sacrifices, your losses and your worry.

Sad news

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write to you this sad news.  Today, B4T9 teammate Suzanne _____ passed away as a result of a crash at the Mariposa Women’s Stage Race.  Suzanne was a friend, a bike racer, a mother, a wife, an athlete and an amazing fun, spirited woman who we all enjoyed immensely. 

Although new to our team, Suzanne fit in well, was always smiling and encouraged others.  We as a team and as individuals are heartbroken, devastated and sad beyond words that could be written at the loss of Suzanne.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Suzanne, her family and friends on this most anguishing day and for the difficult days they face ahead.

I personally, and all of the team, want to express our gratitude to the nurses, racers and friends who gave their all on site to administer every life saving measure possible.  Everyone was courageous in their effort.

Thank you for your support, prayers and thoughts for the family and friends of Suzanne at this difficult time.

Details of services will be posted at a later date.

With great sadness,

Jill and the B4T9 Team members, sponsors and supporters.

Taking Action for Women's Racing!

Serious Cycling is taking action to equalize the women's and men's prize fields with a new race; The Jailhouse Circuit Race.There's been so much talk going around about women's racing and prize $, it's nice to see people stepping up to the plate to support.  Equal prize $$$ for the 1-2 women and men and a race for CAT 4 women only..also with prize $$.  Thanks to Serious Cycling, Ultramet, WomenCyclist, B4T9, Universal, RCI, Ladyface, The Sheriff's and so many others for this new exciting addition to the 2012 race calendar! Ps....I'm not totally internet savvy, so if you can't see or print this flyer email scott@seriouscycling.com and he will be happy to send you one to pass along::))

Beginner's Spirit

On today’s ride I had to tap into my beginner’s spirit. I had a new route, I’m geographically challenged so I knew I would get lost. It was wet and cold. I didn’t know if I would make it up that hill. I had to ride it alone. It was on this ride that I found myself thinking about a question I’m asked so often, “Why I like coaching the beginners and what made me get into it? It was simple: I did suffer on that climb, I did get lost and had to find my way back, I did have a bad experience with jerks in traffic and had to keep pedaling, and I did get wet, but it was all this that made me see what I like so much about beginner cyclists…they are BRAVE, every pedal stroke makes them stronger and it is that energy that fuels me. So as it’s written on one of Lance’s bike, “never forget your beginner’s spirit”. (pic stolen from Lance's twitter:))

San Diego Women's Road Cycling Camp with CCSD and WomenCyclist

Twitter Karma

Some of you may remember when I was Tweeting about meeting my new friend Jo Allen of Think Pink Cycling...well if not, here's a little background. Jo met Martha Van (owner of Action Wipes and a great sponsor of WomenCyclist)via Twitter...Martha then introduced me to Jo, who at the time lived in London and was coming to the US to ride across America (then all the mountains of Europe) for charity. It was a radical sabbatical of the cycling type. Jo came to the US, visited Martha and me and then the karma gods opened up to us...she got a radio interview that day to promote her cause,then we went on a bike ride and met George Hincapie, who then promoted her cause at his movie viewing that night! Jo's trip was off to a great start.

Fast forward to now, Jo completed her tremendous goals and not surprisingly went back to London realizing life in California might be quite nice...and it helps that somewhere along the way she fell in love with Rob Panzera of Cycling Camp San Diego. Jo now lives with Rob in San Diego and is coaching too. I am very excited to have Jo here in the US as part of the women's cycling community. We've had lots of laughs since day 1. Meeting Jo was like seeing an old friend, not like meeting a stranger; so those who think Twitter is wierd...maybe so,but on the odd chance I meet one great person I'll keep tweeting--btw I've met many!

Jo is putting on a women's camp this January and I want to pass along the information to any of you who might be in the San Diego area (or outside the area and need to escape the snow).

I've attached the flyer with all the details, so you can contact Jo if you are interested in attending. Should be great fun, lots of beautiful roads to ride and sunshine everyday.

Good luck Jo and welcome to the neighborhood!
More women on bikes--xoxox
RaeLynn

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