El Grupo Youth Cycling

Hello new website, goodbye old blog!

2010-11-02T12:12:00.000-07:00

That's right. This blog if officially over. Of course, it lives on, but only to show where we have come from. For all that you need to know about where El Grupo is going, what we are doing, and more, please go to our new website here.

Scavenger Hunt Recap

2010-11-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for coming and making this 7th Annual event the best one ever. We had about the same number of adults, but more kids, and a better raffle, so a success was had. Thanks!!!

Pics are of course below provided by Kathleen. Check them out.

I really enjoy putting this event on, and am very excited to start searching for next years clues. I must say though when the event is in motion I get super anxious. I worry like crazy about sabatoge, so when it happened this year I felt crushed. However when I heard from all participants that it was no big deal, well, yes, I felt better, but still not perfect. But yes a great time was had so again thank you.

Below is a description of the fun that was had by Cherish, an El Grupo member in the waiting/making:

Hi, my name is Cherish and I'm 10 years old. My older brother, Nathan, and my older sister, Emily, are members of El Grupo. They have lots of fun biking all over Tucson. This Saturday I got to bike too. El Grupo had an event called the Headless Hunt, where you bike around and look for puzzle pieces hidden near downtown Tucson.

My mom and I decided to be a team this year. We made a good team. My mom and I would read the clues that were given to us, and then she would lead us to the general area where the puzzle pieces could be found. Next I would look around, find the box with the pieces and pull out the two pieces with our number. There were 12 places where we had to bike to. There were clues like find the large lizard sculpture, Tucson's greatest tree and the clock on the rock.

The street names near these locations were also given and that was my mom's job to get us there. It was much easier and more fun to do on a bike than it would have been trying to do it in a car. The slow pace gave us a chance to look at cool sculptures, architecture and other interesting things that we usually just drive by in a car without really seeing.

It was fun! I can't wait until next year's hunt.

2010 Scavenger Hunt Pics!

2010-10-31T17:07:00.000-07:00

Here. (El Grupo Facebook)

Or if you prefer....Here. (Esens site)

More on Scavenger Hunt

2010-10-28T22:22:00.000-07:00

Thanks Kathleen for the awesome photos from last year (scroll down). I hope those get you all very excited about Saturday's event - it is gonna be so much fun!

Please know that all El Grupo riders (and their friends, family, peers, etc etc) are expected to participate. It should not be a problem for each of you to come up with the $10, but if it is, please come talk with me. This is about having fun, and raising money so we can do more fun things all year long. Thanks so much to you all who helped to sort, paint, stencil and organize the puzzles - that means a lot to Ignacio and I to have you all involved in the process (and saved us from some late nights!)

Last, but not least, it would be great to have some baked goods out at the start on Saturday morning. We can make a few extra bucks and make sure that people are well sugared for the hunt. It is going to be a blast!

Contact me if you have questions. See you all Saturday morning! Daniela

Pics from 2009 Scavenger Hunt

2010-10-27T05:27:00.001-07:00

Thought it would be fun to post the album from last years Scavenger Hunt so all the new folks can see the fun that's coming up! Here on Facebook.

Also, a reminder guys....you've gotta invite your friends to the El Grupo page so we can build it...the more we network it, the more on-line presence El Grupo will have. Please do your part to build the page, ok? Thanks!!!

Tuesday Practice

2010-10-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

Tuesday October 26th

Objective: Make, paint, and stensile 75 puzzles for the Scavenger Hunt.

Come in plain clothes and strong minds to make 75 Disney puzzles.

We have to get these done so as to have a great weekend.

Thanks to all for a great Birthday as well. I had a great, memorable one and have all of you to thank.

Thank you!!!!!

Ignacio

Some pics from the bake sale and Coach Ignacio's birthday!

2010-10-25T07:25:00.001-07:00

HERE on Facebook!

Weekend Notes

2010-10-23T12:14:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone for helping with the bake sale. It was the best one ever!!! We made the most that we ever have by quite a bit and we handed out a ton of flyers.

Thanks everyone for the hard work. People were excited to see us out!!

Tomorrow's plans:

A and B teams will meeting at my house at 6:30am and will head out to ride all the way up.

All new riders will meet at the clubhouse at 8:30am and will head out and ride for an hour up the mountain.

Then all are invited to my house for pancakes and breakfast after the ride. The ping pong table will be out and the water cold.

See you all in the morning.

Ignacio

Weekend Notes

2010-10-22T15:33:00.000-07:00

Saturday 23rd

Shoot Out: Start time 6:15am sharp
So if you want to get to my house early totally cool, however we are off and ready at 6:15am.

Bake Sale: 8:00am ish
Meet at the intersection of Euclid and University in the Main Gate Square area. Bake sale will be held in Geronimo Plaza. Kathleen, Rane and Daniela will be setting up at this time. Please join us when you can, or get baked goods to us before then.

Sunday the 24th: More news and notes to come.

Ignacio

Here's a preview

2010-10-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

of today's practice!

Notice how smooth this rider is, he is not bouncing all over his saddle. He is going all out, yet still perfectly in control. Oh yeah, he is also doing this on rollers. Wow!

Practice

See you guys in a couple of hours.

Hunter

KVOA News

2010-10-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

That's right we, El Grupo, will be on the news tomorrow morning.

KVOA at 6am and 4pm.

Please tape this or record it if you can so we can use the material.

Thanks and I hope you all get to watch.

Ignacio

If you think this is cute, then watch for Nathan and his interview.

Thanks!

2010-10-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

Richard thinks Daniela and mine's pancakes are better than Bobo's.

Playing Table Tennis in Spandex is important for proper and effective arm motion.

I suppose this is just a general thanks to all for making this team so much fun.

Why?

Well on Saturday the A and B teams went out and rode the Old Man shoot out and were just fantastic ambassadors for our team. Super polite, road kindly and respectfully, and then beat the pants off everyone to the bridge. Alex Strickland initiated the move and made a break and along went Logan, Nathan and Donovan. The younger boys went 1,2,3 on the bridge all alone, while Alex held for a very respectful showing. Lizzy was also out and almost, almost made it to the bridge. We were within the last mile. D-Son went on his first shoot out and Richard was there to take care of him.

Not what I most proud of though. What did I like best?

Well it was when we got back to the house and everyone immediately started playing with Damiano. They have really taken him on as a little brother and I know he loves it. I really enjoy watching it as well. I want to thank everyone for the time they take to be super great to him, thanks.

Also thanks all for the help with the Swap meet bikes. Hopefully we can make some money off of them for the team. So that way we can have more pancakes after the rides.

Marcos Did It!!!!!!

2010-10-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Marcos just called. He completed the Mt. Lemmon Marathon in an amazing 3 hours and 56 minutes!!!!!
Congratulations, Marcos! We are so proud of you!

How You Can Help with Scavenger Hunt

2010-10-14T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here is some additional info on how you (parents, riders, friends, etc) can help with the Headless Hunt bicycle scavenger hunt coming up on Oct. 30th. As we have said before, this is our one big community fundraiser of the year, so we need all your help to make it a successful one.

Here are possible ways to help:
1. Don't just hand fliers out, but truly get people to come. The more people that participate, the more money we make, the more fun.

2. Bake some goods! We will have a bake sale next Saturday, Oct. 23rd at Main Gate for the end of the "Shootout ride", which will probably be set up at 8:30am to 10am (more details on this later). We will also have a bake sale at the start of the scavenger hunt to fuel up riders. Plan on baking something or helping to "staff" these bake sales.

3. We want to have a bike decoration station at the start of the scavenger hunt, just for fun. We may have prizes for folks with the best decorated bike at the end. So I need a parent/rider or several to take on soliciting some donations of fur, sparkles, fake flowers, etc etc from around town businesses (or purchasing them if that is a possibility). A good friend of El Grupo, Janet Miller, organized bike decorating during Cyclovia and it was a true hit. She is on board for this, but needs us to take the lead. Anyone interested? We will also need folks that morning of the event to help folks decorate their bikes as we register folks.

4. Registration. This always takes a little time, which is why we will have baked goods and decorations to entertain in the meantime, but we would like to make this as smooth as possible. I need a couple parents or board members who are willing to think through the best process with me and help get people registered (i.e. record names & contact info, get money, etc)

5. We will be making new tshirts for this event and selling them at the event. We will need help that morning (probably one person) with selling the shirts. Unfortunately, time is a bit scrunched for our printer, Dwight, and it is the same cost either way, so we will not be printing the shirts ourselves this time. (sorry Kathleen!)

6.One sweet raffle: Chad, one of our lovely board members, has put together at least 10 awesome raffle prizes and will be selling tickets the day of the event for them. We will want help from folks in selling these and letting people know how cool the prizes are (i.e. bike from REI, a painting, one-hour massage, free yoga passes, etc etc)

7. Get people to come! That means you, too!

Please let me know what questions you have and where you can help. Thanks so much!

Daniela 777-8629

A Few things

2010-10-14T06:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry Marcos- Last night Daniela and I did some homework and discovered that we will be unable to join you this Sunday for the marathon. The event organizers have structured the event quite rigidly wanting to ensure safety, which makes it impossible for us to cheer you on.

So I am sorry, however good luck and the best to you. To the rest of the team I suppose we will just have to ride up the mountain next week.

Scavenger Hunt!!! Can't tell you how important it is. It is our only fundraiser of the year and we need funds. So please tell your friends, family, and neighbors to come. I would like to have 200 people there. Today at practice I am going to give you all flyers to post around town and to hand out. So please help with this.

DRINK WATER ALL DAY LONG!!!!!!

Saturday October 23rd we will be having a bake sale like in times past after the Shoot Out.

I am sure there are a few more things to comment on but I will start here.

thanks

Ignacio

LIGHTS!!!

2010-10-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

Hola mi amigos

Just a reminder that the sun is setting earlier and earlier now. Bring those lights of yours, so we may be seen on our ride back to the clubhouse.

lights lights lights

see you at practice

hunter

Tucson Velo Rocks!

2010-10-11T20:49:00.001-07:00

Just want to give a well-deserved shout out to Mike McKisson who runs TucsonVelo.com. He is also one of our most passionate supporters, and joined many of you out on the ride on Sunday. Thanks to Mike for covering entry into Saguaro East National Park for El Grupo riders. You have been a real asset to the bicycle community over this past year, and we sincerely appreciate your support!

Check out his daily posts on all you need to know about cycling in Tucson here.

Scavenger Hunt now posted on the El Grupo Facebook page.

2010-10-11T08:05:00.000-07:00

Ok Team...the event is now listed on the El Grupo Facebook page. It is your job to share the link with ALL of your Tucson Facebook Friends and ask them to come support your team! Use the "SHARE" button or "Select Guests to Invite" and it will go directly to the buddies you click. This event is your biggest fundraiser of the year...it's success will depend on how much you promote it with your friends and family. Go for it!!!!
Right HERE!

Hey, hey, hey.....

2010-10-11T07:46:00.000-07:00

Logan fell asleep yesterday after practice while hanging up his clean clothes while still in his stinky jersey. This isn't posed...he is passed O-U-T!

Moslty Mandatory

2010-10-08T16:59:00.000-07:00

A-B team ride tomorrow morning. 6:30am start. My house.

See you then.

Ignacio

Most Aggressive Jersey

2010-10-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, we have a points race every week. It takes place on the same roads every week with well known spots along the course to score points. The rider with the most points at the end of the day earns the right to wear the Lilac jerseys. A true honor in the world of El Grupo. However we also have a jersey for most aggressive rider. This is typically earned by the rider that really pushes their boundaries in a great way or to the rider that tactically tries something, new, fresh and daring all in an "out of character" sort of way.

We have not begun the Points series yet, however I was forced to give out the Most Aggressive Jersey yesterday.

David Anaya, is the new proud owner for this week.

I was absolutely stunned by the effort this young man put in yesterday. He pushed his limits to the absolute extreme, while smiling the whole time. He has not officially made the team yet, but he sure did take a huge step yesterday in earning his place.

Well done young man!!!!

Ignacio

Vids posted on El Grupo Facebook page.

2010-10-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Coach Christian and El Grupo friend Eric Heithaus of Heithaus Productions, a 1/2 dozen El Grupo vids are posted on the El Grupo Facebook page. New riders will love seeing some historic El Grupo races and older riders will enjoy the memories. Please check them out under the "videos" section HERE.

Keep telling your friends about the Facebook page...it is a fantastic way to network and to let everyone know what you and El Grupo are up to!

Tour de Scottsdale Recap

2010-10-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks Hunter for entertaining little D on the drives.

Thanks Barney.
Thanks Gera.

Really I just want to spend some time and thank everyone that made this weekend so much fun.

1st and foremost to Hunter parents. Barney and Gera for opening their home to us and making us feel so comfortable. We all really enjoyed our stay with you and your pool and back yard are fantastic. I will get your blue prints for the out door grill area some other time. Thank you so much to the two of you!!!!
Dinner and breakfast were just great, the coffee was hot, and I happily ate seconds. The kids and Daniela even mentioned that they now want your grilled chicken before every ride because they felt so good during the event.

Thank you to the El Grupo youth riders. You guys all earned the right to be on this trip and you all confirmed every reason why I thought you were ready for this trip. We as a team are truly fortunate to have such outstanding people riding for us. Thank you team. You also are the brothers and sisters to Damiano and I could not ask for better people for him to learn from.

Thank you to Hunter for pulling this all together for us, and for taking us on a ride through your old hood. Very fun!!!

Thank you to the Franklin's for with out all your support everything this team has been up to lately would not be possible. Thank You Franklins!!!!!! Really if you ever want to trade cars I will listen to your offer.

Thank you to Daniela, for everything that you do for this team. She is truly the glue that allows this whole thing to work. She does all the behind the scenes "dirty" work and I am truly grateful for all the work that she does. We often joke that it is me who comes up with the crazy ideas and dreams and she is the one who has to make them happen. I really can't argue that point. Thanks!!!!!

I am going to let Daniela and Hunter write about the ride experience, as I did not get to ride. I hung out with Damiano.

Daniela's team-- Newgan and Lizzy
Hunters team-- Logan, Donovan, Nathan

10 it is!

2010-10-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

We meet at the clubhouse Saturday morning at 10, after a quick packing of the vehicle hopefully be on the road at 10:30-10:45.

Again, be at the clubhouse ready to go at 10 AM.

hunter

To those who are going

2010-10-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

to Scottsdale this weekend.

First and Foremost, make sure your bikes are ready.

This is what you will need to pack:

enough riding clothes for two rides.

2 jerseys

2 shorts/bibs

2 pairs of socks

your helmet

gloves

& your clippity clop shoes

Also, enough street clothes for this day and a half journey (don't forget something to sleep in and your toothbrush). Oh I almost forgot, swim trunks, my parents have a pool.

We will have limited travel space so only one bag per person. Trust me, everything you need will fit in one bag.

Daniela and I will be doing some grocery shopping this afternoon. So the food will be taken care of.

I will post later today on the time we are leaving Saturday morning. Right now it looks like 10 AM at the clubhouse, so we may be on the road by 10:30. I will make an official post on the time later today. So check back again.

We will not ride on Saturday until we get to Phoenix. Be good to yourself and try to get a good night's sleep.

Talk to you all soon

Peacie von Weacie

hunter

Scottsdale Cycling Festiva

2010-09-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

This weekend 8 El Grupo representatives (5 riders & 3 coaches) will be riding in the 70 mile Scottsdale Cycling Festival.

About a month ago, El Grupo was approached by the promoters of SCF and asked for our participation. In return for our involvement 8 riders will receive free entry to the event and El Grupo will receive publicity for our efforts. Moreover, we received a $300 donation from the Velocity Group Cycling to help cover the costs of food, gas, and transportation. As you could imagine we jumped at the opportunity.

Everything you could ever want to know about the Scottsdale Cycling Festival is here
Everything you could ever want to know about Velocity Group Cycling is here

We will leave here mid-day Saturday and return Sunday afternoon-ish. My parents will put all of us up for the evening and have a cook out in our honor. We also will go on a “day before the race” ride in my old stomping grounds. We have to get up at 4 something in the morning on Sunday to make the 7AM start time. Enjoy ourselves for 70+ miles and come on back to Tucson. Happy and (hopefully, not too) tired.

I do want to take a moment to talk about something that is happening all around us....right now. This tree is starting to bear fruit. People are taking notice of us and our hard work. So it is of the utmost of importance that we walk our talk, now more than ever. Cycling is a sport of support. It doesn’t matter if you’re Lance or Joe Cat 5, all of your cycling efforts are done with the assistance of sponsors. So those of you who are attending this years event as El Grupo diplomats understand this responsibility. You and your actions will represent all of us. So act by the golden rule, because nobody wants to help a jerk. Everyone loves to help someone they like. Or is likeable, which all of you are. Just be the best you, you can be and this tree will continue to bear fruit.

Those of you who are staying in town this weekend will have practice as usual. Also, look at the riders who are going to the SCF this weekend as the future you. To the riders who are going up to Phoenix. Look at the riders who remain in Tucson as the past you, and carry yourself in a manner that benefits all of us. Past, present, and future.

I am looking forward to this weekend!

Hopefully, this years El Grupo will open the doors for the entire team next year. Good luck guys and gals!

We believe in US!

If any of you have any questions feel free to ask Ignacio, Daniela, or myself. I will also post specific times after my meeting with Daniela and Ignacio later today.

+
hunter

Coaches' Mtg - Friday

2010-09-28T21:40:00.000-07:00

This is a message for: Hunter, Christian, Richard, Alex, Colin, Ashley, Julia, Travis

We will be having a coaches' meeting this coming Friday, Oct. 1st at 5pm at our house. Please plan on being there for an hour to discuss upcoming practice schedules, training goals, etc etc. Some snacks and beverages will be provided, but feel free to contribute to that. Damiano will provide entertainment.

Thanks! Daniela & Ignacio

MTB bikes today

2010-09-28T12:09:00.001-07:00

Short track fun today.

Donovan show Hunter the course and have fun with it today. You should race with the rest of the A and B team today. Maybe a 10 minute like 3 lap show down and have the other team do 2 laps. After just focus on skills and have fun, but work on stuff.

So yes Colin---- with one L---- MTB's today.

Thanks again

Ignacio

Thanks Collin

2010-09-27T18:22:00.000-07:00

Dude totally sweet new web site. I am totally impressed.

Everyone, he has been working really hard on this and we should all give him a big shout out when we see him next.

Thanks Collin.

Also Hunter has done a lot of the art work for the page and also deserves a very big thank you!!!

Both of you guys have really stepped up to be very important people in this organization and we are super fortunate to have you around.

Thanks for putting up with me and loving this team.

Ignacio

Mt. Graham State Championship pics!

2010-09-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

Right Here!!! Facebook link to the full album.

As a spectator, this is what I can tell you: Logan had a great race, meaning he had a lot of F-U-N, racing up the mountain with his buddy Kenny Polley who is from the Landis team in Phoenix. They yabbered and supported each other all the way up and then Logan sprinted for the win.

John (affectionately known as our Kramer) faced the pain of his race with courage only to get a front flat in the last 1K. Richard stopped his own race effort to support John. I'm telling you it was an amazing and touching thing to witness.

There are lots of reasons I love El Grupo...watching our 3 boys in action today are 3 of them.

New State Champ in Town

2010-09-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

Logan has done it!!!!

Logan won the state hill climb champs for the second year in a row!!!

I am sure Kathleen will post pictures soon. We are super proud of you young man, and can't wait to hear the stories.

Well Done!!!

Ignacio

Mt Graham Hill Climb state champs

2010-09-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Logan and Kramer are out to contest one of the hardest races in the state.

The State hill climb champs. It is taking place at Mt Graham just north of Safford. Last year Kramer won the 17-18 year old division and broke the record by more than 10 minutes. This year he is going after Chad Beyer's record so things will be a little harder. But all the best to you young man.

Logan rode the event last year on the back of the tandem with Max. They were the first ever 13-14 year old duo to try such a thing, so they set a new record. This year Max is in Africa, in Niger, so Logan gets to contest for the jersey on his own this year.

The best to you both!!! Everyone who reads this send them good juju power.

Also check out the new face book page for more photos from last years event.

EL GRUPO FACEBOOK PAGE NOW UP!

2010-09-23T22:32:00.000-07:00

You asked for it, you got it. I've created an El Grupo Facebook page. You can find it HERE.

This will be another place for all of us to post photos and spread the word about our group, not only who you are as riders but also the good you do in the community.

If you are already on Facebook, please become "friends" with or "like" the page. And, then repost on your page and invite your friends to join. The page can grow a lot but I need your help to do so.

I will periodically add more photo albums but if you have photos about El Grupo that you want to add, please feel free to do that or email them to me and I will post them.

Hope you enjoy the page and make good use of it. Let me know if you have any suggestions to improve it, ok? Thanks!

Also, if any one wants to be a co-administrator of the page, let me know.

Ashley and Julia, feel free to add photos from your trip this summer.

It will be good for others to see the many different aspects of who we are as El Grupo. I added an album that shows the "many faces of El Grupo"....you might want to include or have me upload of an image of the other activities you do or have done...like Newgan/D-son (BMX bikes), Matt (swim meet pic), Emily (one from your trip to Russia), Pablo (doing the pedicab or registering someone voting), Donovan (working at BICAS), Hunter (artist image)....stuff like that that shows how diverse you are. I have one of Logan (XC), Ignacio (bike education) and Marcos(Eagle Scout) up now and want to add more.

Sunday - Hoco Family Arts Festival

2010-09-21T21:11:00.000-07:00

This Sunday El Grupo will be providing free bike valet parking to all those who want to partake in the HoCo (Hotel Congress) Family Arts Festival.

We will need LOTS OF HELP FROM YOU to staff the bike valet parking from 9:30am to 5pm out in front of Maynard's Market & Hotel Congress on Toole Ave.

Here is what they say about the event:
The Tucson Pima Arts Council partners with the HoCo Festival to celebrate arts and cultural enrichment with FREE Family Friendly Arts and Cultural activities. The private public partnership is also an opportunity to provide the public with a showcase of local classes, workshops, programs and organizations who provide access to the arts all year long. The Tucson Pima Arts Council (TPAC) is the designated local arts agency for the City of Tucson and Pima County. TPAC fosters artistic expression, educational development and the economic growth of our diverse community by supporting, promoting and advocating for arts and culture.

Here is their website. It should be a fun event with music, entertainment and more to check out. I will expect that most of the youth riders sign up for a one hour shift, at least.

PLEASE COMMENT to let us know what hour works best for you, first come first served, and the rest I will kindly ask to fill the others!

Daniela

Yeah for our bike shop!!!

2010-09-21T20:54:00.000-07:00

Fairwheel Bikes, our resident very own bike shop sponsor for El Grupo, has been recognized with some prestigious acclaim at Interbike in Vegas, and its only the first day! Check out the story here:

Way to go Fairwheel!!

2010 Rider Goals

2010-09-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

First off thanks everyone for your help at the El Tour Fun run. I was impressed to see the turn out and how on time everyone was. At 5:30am that's pretty dang good. Thanks!

Those 3 hours get us on our way to our almost free entry into El Tour. We have to do 7 more and hopefully we can work with Ben's Bell's again to make that happen.

For many of you your first goal of the session is El Tour, so I am really looking forward to us all having a great time out there.

As for the rest of the session and your time in El Grupo folks have many different goals. During the Blue Loop trip I asked all youth participants to write down their sessions goals. One so that I could understand them and try to be the best coach possible to help each rider get to where they want, and 2 so that we as teammates to the other riders could be supported and cheerleaders to those goals.

For any one rider to accomplish any of these goals it will take a whole team effort. So I am going to post them as they were given to me, anonymously, because it makes no difference from whom these goals come, our only job is to be the greatest support network possible to allow our teammates the chance at achieving their dreams.

Goals:

Ride a self Supported bike tour from Portland to Tucson
Build a wheel that I won’t immediately break
Build a bicycle that I feel confident will last

Do some cross races
Kickass with Nathan in the 17-18 age group
Do a race as a cat 4
Get faster
Become a better climber

I want to win a race
I want to go really, really, fast up any mountain
Do crazy bike race strategies with Donovan—like the Madison
109 El Tour
Mt. Graham Hill Climb
Bike to school regularly

Under 1:13 at 24 hour race
Get accepted to Ft. Lewis College
Tour de Gila

Win 24 hour race
Sub hour Mt. lemmon
Platinum El Tour
Decide what to do about state champs and stick to it/ give it my all
Have fun/ get into cross country running
Maybe join track

Complete and do well in all races as possible
Learn how to “fixie-skid” and “track stand”
Win the UofA crit
Finish the 109 El Tour
Make a champion out of Sabina and Emily
Win all the State Championships

Go up Mt. Lemmon all the way
Finish El Tour
Win a big race

Get a race title, ( 1st place)
Beat everyone to A-mountain in the Points race
Impress my team immensely
Help someone get faster
Have the best sportsmanship possible

My number 1 goal is to show Nacho, the other coaches, and the other team members that I have the commitment, capabilities, and dedication to earn El Grupo membership.
I would like to participate in a race and look like I know what I am doing ( aka not noob like)
I would like to participate in El Tour (and finish)
Pick up a water bottle
Participate in the 24 hour race
Beat Lizzy in a race

Try to guess who's is which.

Also if you have not done this, it is a good practice, so that you may understand why you are working so hard.

Thanks

Ignacio

I Just Found This!

2010-09-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

This guy has the best trackstanding skills I have ever seen.

Remember, it's always the rider never the bike.

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday

+
hunter

Pics from the Fun Run Today....this is how we roll at 530am

2010-09-18T21:43:00.001-07:00

O2

2010-09-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

We as a team are in the process of creating a very special relationship with O2. The spinning/ yoga/ bike fit studio in Downtown. We have had the great pleasure of taking two of their classes and have been able to use their space to do our own self taught Yoga sessions. We are super excited to be creating this relationship and we hope to see it grow and flourish in the very near future. And if we continue to get to take Mike's Boot Camp classes and Chadwicks Yoga classes we are going to be super tough. Those guys provided us with some great classes that were super hard. THANKS!

More info at o2modernfitness.com.

Here is what they say on their site about what they do:
O2 MODERN FITNESS is Tucson's only dedicated Spinning® Indoor Cycling studio. Founded on the proven health and training benefits of cycling, O2 supports athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all levels. O2 also offers additional group fitness classes including Yoga, Pilates and Tai Ji for cross-training and general fitness maintenance.

YEAH LADIES!!!

2010-09-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had a fantastic day on the bike with the team. I want to thank everyone for a great ride and beautiful day, but I really want to make a point to thank Julia and Ashley.

These two amazing young ladies really never seem to stop amazing me and their new dedication to the team is really exciting.

The two ladies have accepted the challenge of coaching two different El Tour teams. They both in very short time have gone from new riders, learning the fundamentals, novices to strong, capable, intelligent cyclists that I am excited to have coaching our new riders.

I have full confidence that these ladies can get the new riders in shape and smart enough to complete there said goals.

Just super cool to see young, old riders, coaching new young riders to great achievements.

Thanks ladies I am really proud of the two of you.

El Tour Fun Run

2010-09-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

What: El Tour Fun Run 5 and 10k

When: This Saturday the 18th.
Start time 5:30am.

Where: St Gregory school. 3231 North Craycroft Road.

Why: So we can do work trade to get into El Tour for a more affordable price.

Last year we were able to work out a deal with the PBAA, the organization that puts on El Tour. We cam up with work trade program so that we could work our way into the event. Anybody 18 and under and in school has this opportunity. We work 10 hours each and that takes care of our entry. This is a great opportunity to get 4 hours worth of work into the books. I highly, super highly, recommend that every one comes and participates in this event.

I will be at the clubhouse at the crazy time of 5:00 am to meet anyone that might need a ride. Please comment if you need one. Also after the event I would like to invite everyone to Bobo's. Yes that's right. Also if you could each bring $2 to subsidize the cost of b'fast that would be great.

See you all at the really stupid time of the morning, on Saturday, not even a school day.

Ignacio

Giving Tree event Success

2010-09-14T07:02:00.001-07:00

Late post on this:

This past weekend we went out to the Giving Tree home facilities and partnering with the United Way we were able to fix 10 bicycles for the youth of the homes. These homes are for families that are finding there way in town and need some help. They are not homeless, as they now have a home, but they are receiving help to get back and going again. Pretty sweet program and help offered. I am glad we have something like this in town. So when Hunter heard that they needed help with their bicycle fleet for the kids he did not hesitate to get us involved.

So that's what we did. Last Saturday we went to the Giving Tree homes and fixed 10 bicycles, handed out a ton of safety info, and left with big smiles. We have always had an outreach component to this team, and this was the first time we used our skill in such a way. I had fun working with you all, so THANKS!!!

Thanks to all the riders and Parents who came out to help and lend a hand. Grupo is a big word and I am happy to know that we are making it even bigger.

Ignacio

Early Shift Tomorrow

2010-09-10T17:11:00.000-07:00

Meet at the clubhouse at 8am.

Hunter and I will be driving out and you can throw your bikes on the cars.

See you then!!!

Ignacio

Giving Tree Event

2010-09-09T19:59:00.000-07:00

When: This Saturday, September 11th, 9am-3pm

Why: The Giving Tree is an organization in town that helps out homeless families by giving them houses to live in the like. At these facilities they have many bicycles for the kids that live there, so that they may play like we do with ours. However as we all can imagine the bikes at times fall into conditions of disrepair, and so we are going to go out and help the kids fix their bikes.

Who: Really I would like to see as many people as possible out. One and all really. The more the merrier. I suppose this way we could really help out.

Where: Major cross streets are 22nd and Swan. On Swan south of 22nd on the east side of the street. I can give better directions tomorrow after speaking with Hunter.

You may come in the afternoon or in the morning whatever you are comfortable with and can do. Please post and let me know when you think you will be able to come. Also at noon to 3pm the Air Force will be out having a BBQ for all so at least be around for that.

Please post as to when you think you might be able to make it. This is just one of those things that is great to do.

Ignacio

Holy Tan Lines, Batman!

2010-09-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

This is what cycling does to you when you have to wear ridiculously short shorts for Cross Country running...

GABA Blue Loop 2010

2010-09-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

Thank You!!

To GABA and El Grupo. Everyone of these trips are priceless little adventures. The memories and stories garnered from these trips last a lifetime. So thank you to every El Grupo member for being there and making them possible. Also a huge thanks to GABA, Larry Robinson, and Linda. Without their support and direct love of El Grupo we would not be going on these trips. So please always remember to give Larry and Linda very special thank you's when you see them they really make sure that these opportunities are open to us.

The trip itself was just great. Really there is no way for me to capture it in this post. I can just post photos and tell you to talk with riders that were on the trip. Really it was just great.

For some kids it was the their first time in New Mexico, like quite a few, and for others it was their third time on this trip with me. Logan and Kramer. I feel very fortunate to have made such friendships that I am able to go on these trips with the same kids over and over. Pretty cool to watch them grow and to watch our friendship grow.

The weather was great for the whole trip. No rain this year, just a bit hot. I think most of us got burned.

I was fortunate enough to get to ride with Daniela on each of the days which was really pretty awesome. This was the first Blue Loop that she and Damiano have been on and I really hope not the last.

I suppose I hope just the same for everyone that was on this trip. I would love it if everyone from this year, was on the trip next year.

The trips are special in that I always say, you are not truly an El Grupo member until you go on an overnight with us, and well we have two "new true" members. D-Son and Newgan. WELCOME!!! Emily your time is near. This should be both scary and exciting.

Lastly a very special THANKS to the whole Franklin crew. Grandma Lou, Cherish, Kathy (Mom), and Mark (Dad). Without them this trip would not have happened. They drove the two extra cars it took to get us and all the gear there. They then drove the whole course so that Mark and Emily could ride the portions they were comfortable with. They also shuttled Damiano around the whole weekend with super baby sitter Cherish. Thank you Cherish you were amazing with Damiano and I will hire you some day when I have ice cream in the fridge.

THANK YOU TO THE WHOLE TEAM, GABA, THE FRANKLINS, DANIELA, AND DAMIANO

Sunday's Practice

2010-09-04T12:11:00.000-07:00

For anyone who is in town and wants to ride, I will be holding practice at 7:00 am at the clubhouse.

Where we ride depends on who shows up. Either way we will ride for around two hours, so parents expect a pick-up time of 9:15-9:30 am.

We will leave the clubhouse at 7:00. Make sure you get there a couple minutes early so you can be ready to ride at 7:00.

I hope everyone is having a fun weekend.

+
Hunter

The Bike Song

2010-09-02T12:33:00.001-07:00

It's a miracle...

2010-09-02T10:03:00.001-07:00

The City is paving St. Marys road! Only one half is done but no more speed bumps in the bike lane!

Reyna

2010-09-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

Since we're posting photos of cute things...

THANK YOU, EL GRUPO!

2010-09-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you one and all for helping Logan and me move. 40 minutes to move 800 sq feet of household goods has got to be a record of some sort! Several folks who live here commented about how happy every one looked during the move and what a great group you are. We appreciate each and every one of you and love El Grupo and all that being part of this team represents.
Kathleen and Logan

Thanks and more Blue Loop info

2010-09-01T20:09:00.001-07:00

Thanks everyone for helping today with the move. I know that Logan and Kathleen are super appreciative.

It makes me very happy to know that we have a strong team network that we can do things like this. Being part of a team means way more than just showing up to practice and racing or bike touring or commuting. Most important is that your teammates can trust you, respect, and care for you. If you make yourself available in such ways you will always have friends. Kind of great.

More Blue Loop info:

Every youth rider going on the trip has been purchased a travel duffel bag. This is the bag that you will be bringing on the trip and all other trips after this. I will expect it back after the trip. They are available for pick up at the club house tomorrow after practice. This is the only bag you are allowed to bring, of course apart from your sleeping bag and mat. I as well have those for loan.

Please be prompt on Friday, ready to go.

Also I handed out the gear lists today. If you follow this you will have everything that you need on the trip. If you don't have something please let me know. We have extra gear at the Club house and it is for all of you to use. SO PLEASE ASK!!! I need to know that you all have the appropriate gear. It is going to be a cold, wet, fantastic adventure.

Lastly I had a great time today with all of you doing the work out after the move. You are all showing some great heart and strength that I promise will turn into power on the bike. Keep up the good work all.

Ignacio

PS. I love that picture that I posted of Logan so much because of the look on his face. Look, he is the only one looking forward to the sprint bonus prize. Two of the other three kids are looking at each other and the kid in blue is looking down in defeat. Logan is head strait, eyes on the prize, just powering through. Determination will get you to places only your crazy mind believes.

Wed. Sept. 1st Practice

2010-08-31T21:33:00.001-07:00

Logan is the kid killing it up front. This picture is from last years TBC. He wins this sprint and the time bonus.

We will be helping Logan and Kathleen move from one condo to another in the Stone Curves complex.

Stone Curves is at Stone Av. and Limberlost.

We will meet at the club house at the same time and leave prompt at 3:45pm. We should then arrive at their house at approximately 4:15pm.

We will help them for as long as they need but we are not for seeing more than an hour of work.

I will then ride back into town with whom ever needs a ride back to the clubhouse.

Parents you are very welcome to pick your child up at Logan's house, just make sure that your child knows of this arrangement.

Thanks everyone for helping. This is part of being a team.

Ignacio

Blue Loop Info

2010-08-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

Gear lists will be available to all at the clubhouse during practice tomorrow. I will post one as well, I just left it on a different computer.

I am asking that all riders contribute $30. This is for the whole trip. Riders may bring extra cash if they like to buy stuff in the towns, but all meals will be provided either by El Grupo or GABA. If a rider can not contribute the said money please speak with me in private.

We will be leaving town on Friday after school at 4pm. PROMPT!!!

If you would like to drop off your camping gear on Thursday that would be great. It would help me in the packing the car process.

We will return late afternoon on Monday. The ride on Monday after all is 96 miles long.

Please let me know with very good time, so like real soon, if you will be needing any of the requested camping gear.

That said it is going to be a wet weekend. So pack intelligently and follow the gear list. It is calling for scattered t-storms in every town we are going to over the weekend.

For more info : www.bikegaba.org

Thanks see you all real soon
Ignacio

Why are we doing what we are doing?

2010-08-27T12:45:00.001-07:00

by Lorri Lee Lown
Lorri~VeloGirls.com
USACycling Licensed Coach
ACE-Certified Personal Trainer

If you do the same thing, the same way, all the time,
you become really good.....
at doing the same thing

I used this quote as the opening slide at a recent lecture about off-season training to introduce the theory of periodization and the importance of varying our training throughout the year. Many cyclists believe that by riding hard, fast, long & hilly all the time, they’re training to be the best rider that they can be. But what they don’t realize is that our bodies have an amazing capacity to adapt to the training stresses we impose, and so if we train the same way all the time, our bodies adapt and we don’t see continued improvement.

Periodization is a method of developing a training program based on a specific goal, typically defined by the calendar. Think of it as a project plan for your training. The macrocycle (typically one year), helps you define the times you’d like your performance to peak (a specific race or event). Within the macrocycle, we develop mesocycles (phases) with specific training objectives such as base, strength, power, peak, and maintenance. And within each mesocycle, we plan microcycles – typically specific training for each given day within a week.

The most important phase of our training is the base period. For most cyclists, since we plan to peak in the spring or summer, fall is traditionally the time when we focus on endurance/base-building rides. Also known as LSD (long, slow distance), these rides are high in volume (time), but low in intensity (heart rate). This can be a challenge on the road, because an endurance pace for most riders is pretty darn slow and doesn’t allow for much climbing (a challenge in choosing routes here in Northern California). It’s just so tempting to hammer, catch a rabbit on the road, or join in a fast-paced group ride. But to truly build base, it’s necessary to be extremely disciplined and spend most of our time on the bike at a lower (read slower) intensity.

An endurance ride can be a real challenge, both mentally and physically. Our goal is to achieve and maintain a steady-state heart rate between 65% and 75% of our maximum heart rate for 90 minutes or more. If planning for a specific event or type of event, a good guideline is to plan your longest rides to last 10-15% longer than your longest event. I tend to prescribe training in time, rather than miles, since there are too many variables (terrain, wind speed and direction, weather) that will affect your pace and thus your distance. During an endurance ride, you want to achieve a constant, smooth, moderate-resistance pedal stroke -- try to spin a nice easy gear at about 80-90rpms.

Endurance is the foundation of all else we do on the bike. Riding in a moderate heart rate zone builds the base for us to later increase speed, strength, and power. Endurance rides also help your body adapt to the stresses you’ll impose later in the season, preparing your muscles, connective tissue, and joints, and improving balance, posture, and flexibility. Not to mention helping you adapt to long hours on the saddle!

Anecdotally, I’ll tell you that our race team hates this! Here we have a great group of women racers – the largest women’s race team in Northern California – many of them new to bike racing. And every time they train together they want to RACE! For riders who’ve never followed a formal, periodized training program, the base-building period can seem counter-intuitive and frustrating. I keep telling them that I’m not crazy and that I’m not making these theories up! The training I prescribe is based on the research of my heroes – Joe Friel, Ed Burke, Davis Phinney & Connie Carpenter, Fred Matheny, and Sally Edwards. All of them have great books that will help you understand the importance of base training in more depth and will guide you in developing your own periodized program.

So, how does our body respond to base-building? Well, in several ways really.

First, endurance rides help build capillary density, which in turn allows our body to function more efficiently (oxygen and fuel delivery), improving aerobic performance. Intense riding will break down our capillaries, so the standard recommendation for the base phase of training is to spend no more than 20% of our ride time at a higher intensity. Recent studies also suggest that ANY time at a higher intensity will break down any increase in capillary density (as will resistance training during this phase). As I’ve come to learn, science isn’t an exact discipline, so we’re always learning new things about how our body works and responds to training.

The second physiological result of endurance riding is that at a lower intensity, our bodies burn a higher percentage of fat as fuel (as opposed to glycogen, the stored form of carbohydrate). Thus the popular term “fat zone” or fat-burning ride.” This can, of course, be deceiving to many people, because in reality, your body is burning more TOTAL CALORIES at a higher intensity level (although the percentage of fat as a contribution to fuel is lower). So relatively, you burn more TOTAL FAT at a higher intensity (since the caloric total is higher). But the key here is that our body’s first choice for fuel during higher intensity exercise is glycogen, and exercising at a lower intensity level helps your body become more efficient at burning fat for fuel. This is extremely important as you ride for longer durations (more than 90 minutes, such as in a century or road race), since our bodies’ glycogen stores are finite and it can be a challenge to replace all the calories we burn during a longer effort. By training your body to utilize fat as a fuel, you’re effectively stretching out your body’s glycogen stores to be used for a longer period of time.

Low intensity cycling also stimulates slow-twitch (type I) muscle fibers more predominantly that fast-twitch (type II) muscle fibers. These fibers then adapt by becoming more efficient at lower intensities with less fatigue. Because of this adaptation, we need to recruit fewer muscle fibers to maintain a given effort, and the fibers that are at work are more efficient. All good for cycling, because then we use less energy (fuel, oxygen) to ride!

And there’s another benefit to base training that isn’t frequently researched or written about. Low intensity riding allows you the opportunity to slow down and smell the roses! By relaxing on the bike, we’re reminded of the primary reason many of us began riding in the first place – the sheer joy of riding. So, slow down and enjoy the ride!

See you all on Sunday. 6:30 am leaving the clubhouse

Ignacio

Rain Policy

2010-08-25T08:31:00.001-07:00

We are a rain or shine team. It would be impossible for me to call everyone to cancel practice and I do not imagine that everyone would have access to this blog in time to get up to the minute info on practice.

So we are a rain or shine team. In the winter if it is raining we will ride the trainers that we have, in the "lobby", and in the summer months well you know, because you were with Hunter yesterday.

I also like this idea because it keeps us in the rhythm of coming to practice and hanging with our friends.

So we are a rain or shine team, but I understand that if you are a bike commuter to practice that this can be hard, so be smart.

Thanks everyone for showing up yesterday, I heard it was pretty fun.

ignacio

Save the Dates

2010-08-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

These pics are from the 2008 Blue Loop. Can you identify who these people are?

Thanks everyone for posting about the contract. This will help us all in moving forward, so that we all know what to expect from our teammates. We as coaches are trying very hard to provide you guys with the best team possible and it is encouraging to know that you are all behind us.

In moving forward with this fall, there are a few dates/ events coming up that I want to bring to everyone's attention. Some will be mandatory, others not. We will be scheduling our September team meeting soon to go over these and answer questions. This is more of a "heads up"!

Dates:

August 28th Saturday- Safety Fair at Desert Dove Church 9am set up till 2pm
This is on the super south side, by Pablo's house. This will be just like all the others we have done in the past. I will set up an obstacle course and you will lead younger kids through it. Very fun. For those of you that are Bike Ambassadors this is a paid gig. I will need a lot of help and I am expecting a few of you ambassadors to be there. Please post and let me know.

September 1st Wednesday- Helping Kathleen and Logan move
They are just changing houses within Stone Curves. We have been asked to help. We can do this during practice hours. If you ride home from practice, then no problem. If you get picked up then their house is at the corner of Stone and Limberlost. Call for best directions.

September 4th, 5th, 6th GABA Blue Loop
If you are going then your paper work is in. We do not know how much you will need to pay, but it will be nominal as always. This will be my third year on the trip and first with Damiano and without Max. www.bikegaba.com

September 11th, Saturday - The Giving Tree bike repairs
We have volunteered El Grupo to help needy, homeless kids with their bicycles from 9am -3pm out at their location. We will be making minor repairs, patching tubes, lubing chains, etc to get their bicycles back in working order. There will be a cookout going and fun to be had while we contribute our skills to a worthy cause. More details on this later.

September 18th Saturday - EL Tour Fun Run
The PBAA, the organization that puts on the El Tour, has graciously set up a work trade program for us so that we do not have to pay the full amount for the event. This is our first opportunity to put in some hours. This is a MANDATORY event. I really want you all there. More info to come but please mark this one.

September 26th, Sunday - HoCo Family Arts Festival bike valet parking
We will be providing free bike valet parking for all those who choose to use it at this super cool, family friendly arts festival in front of Hotel Congress downtown. It will be a block party from 10am-5pm and we will need your help to staff the bike valet in 1-2 hour shifts, at most. This is an easy and yet wonderful service we can do for the community, and a great way for others to learn about and support us.

thanks everyone
Ignacio

El Grupo Rider Contract

2010-08-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

Please read, review, and give me feedback. If you read this please let me know and comment so as to give me feedback.

Thanks.

El Grupo Rider Contract

I ______________ am excited and honored to have been selected to be a part of the El Grupo Youth Cycling Team. I recognize this as a great opportunity and will do my best to respect it.

Respecting the team and my teammates means that I have many responsibilities such as:

- Keeping my bicycle in proper working condition with the help of my teammates and coaches.

- Making this a priority in my life and showing up to practices on time and ready. I also recognize that if I have more than 2 unexcused absences in a month I forfeit my chance to ride in the “big” upcoming event.

- If I am part of another team, like a high school team, or have other commitments, I commit myself to making a practice schedule with the coaches that seems fair to all.

- If I miss practice I will be sure to call the coaches and let them know why. If I do not call on the day that practice was missed I understand that this will be counted as unexcused. I will do this because I know that the coaches put in a lot of work to make this team great and I will respect that by participating with the same intensity.

- Always wearing my helmet, NO MATTER WHAT, when I am riding a bike around town. I will do this because being a part of this team means that I am a respected young person in this town that will be recognizable to the bicycle public and it is very important to portray respect to the team via this small responsibility. I also recognize that if I am seen not wearing my helmet I forfeit my chance to ride in the “big” event---- NO QUESTIONS AKED!!!

- Coming to practice ready to work hard, never to complain, willing to push myself to a limit that I do not know exists.

- Committing to help the team with its outreach mission.

- Always showing up to practice with my medical emergency card, spare tube, lights, gloves, and water bottles for every ride.

- Following all clubhouse rules as determined by my fellow teammates.

- Reading the blog at least every other day because I know this is how my coaches disseminate a lot of information that I need to know.

- Ensuring that school is the number 1 priority in my life and working as hard in school as I do on the bike.

- I am super excited by this opportunity and accept it as an honor. I will do my best to adhere to this contract and whenever in difficulty I will consult my coaches for help.

Practice Week of August 16th

2010-08-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

Tuesday- Skills at the Park 4:30- 6pm led by Hunter.
Please come ready in cycling gear.

Wednesday- Yoga-- at Himmel Park-- led by professional instructor. Not cycling clothes.

Thursday- Ultimate Frisbee-- Oury Park 4:30-6pm

Sunday-- Tumamoc 6:30am Leaving the Clubhouse

Also on Wednesday I will be handing out information for the Blue Loop GABA Bike Tour. If you would like to go it is mandatory that you pick up your info on Wednesday during practice times, then have it back to me by Thursday. I need to get the paper work in.

More info on that at: www.bikegaba.org

Thanks everyone and more news to come.

Ignacio

Cronyn Family Pot Luck

2010-08-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite picture of you Max. It looks like you are ready to make Tom Boonen look slow.

Hey Everyone, please scroll down to approx. 2 posts ago for all the info.

It would be great for Max to have all his teammates around one more time.

I will be bringing frisbee's and food.

Hope to see a lot of you there.

Ignacio

Practice Times Changing-- EFFECTIVE TODAY

2010-08-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

The new school year has started, which means practice times are changing.

tues- 4:30- 6pm

Wed- 3:45- 5:45

Thurs- 4:30- 6pm

Sunday- 6:30am

Please make sure to be ready and on time for the afternoon practices. We all have school, families, and chores to attend too so please be respectful to your teammates and coaches.

THANKS see you soon

Here we come 2011

2010-08-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for a great meeting tonight.

I, along with the other coaches, am very excited about next season. We are planning to make it the best one in the history of El Grupo.

We are taking quite a bit of time to take the long view for this team. We want to ensure that everyone meets their full potential and is very excited to ride bikes when they move on to college or other endeavors in their lives.

I know that for some it is hard to "leave" certain races on the table, but I promise you all it is with the intent to have all of you show up next year way stronger then you would be this year, with full confidence that you can achieve your goals.

We are also very aware that not all of our riders want to race. THAT IS OK!! However we still expect the same-- that you come to practice, work hard, encourage your teammates, and participate in the team events.

As well we are very happy to answer anybodies questions about why we are doing what we are doing.

Mandatory Team Meeting Tuesday August 10th

2010-08-09T08:01:00.000-07:00

How are we going to get ready for next season, so we are the fastest in the whole world?

Where: Club House

When: 4:30pm

Why: Discuss plans to rock the 2011 race season

So NO PRACTICE ON TUESDAY MORNING or any weekday morning from here on into the school year. School is in session and again is our #1 priority.

Please everyone make your best attempt to come. Coaches, riders, and parents.

See you soon!!

Going Away Potluck for the Cronyn's This Friday!!!!!

2010-08-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

This Friday, the 13th, starting at 6pm, there will be a going away potluck for the Cronyn's (rider Max, dad Nelson, mom Judith, brothers Avery and Zayk). The family is heading off to Niger for a year...let's send them off well!

Who's invited: El Grupo riders, parents, coaches and associates.
Where: Stone Curves co-housing common house at Stone and Limberlost
Time: 6pm to 8pm or so.
What to bring: a dish to share, a photo or story for the memory book if you have one, your swimming suit/towel if you want to take a dip in the pool.

If you have any questions, give Kathleen a call: 245-6711
Please respond to this post if you plan on coming so we have an idea.
Take care everyone!

Congratulations, Marcos, on your Eagle Scout achievement!

2010-08-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

A few more images from Marco's celebration are HERE.

Southwest BMX Champs

2010-08-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

The D's and I went to the TCC to check out the action tonight and we were totally entertained. The races take about a minute each and they are action packed. They are super fast crit races on dirt. We watched kids as young as 4, girls and boys, up to the 13 year old's race tonight. The skill level and action was very high.

Daniela commented at one point though this is a world we know, just from another planet. It was kids racing bikes, but totally different.

I of course was interested in the gear and it was just like our world. Carbon FSA cranks, I saw a kid with XTR cranks, Paul V-brakes, the 4 year old's had clip less pedals. CRAZY!!!! However it was nice to see that their "kits" were even uglier than ours.

Tomorrow the racing starts early and goes until about 5pm. I would get there around 3pm to see some good action. I might go at 3pm and then head to the Barrio jumps once it cools down.

Go out and enjoy the show.

This Weekends Activities

2010-08-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday Morning: Old Man Shoot Out
Meet at my house 5:30-5:40am
Ride Starts at: 5:45 am SHARP

Breakfast after the ride to all who show up and ride proud.

Saturday Afternoon: BMX Jam Session at Barrio Jumps
Starts 2pm
ends: no idea

I will be there around 4pm with Daniela and Damiano. I am very excited about it. Please check out tucsonvelo.com for more info. Also please feel very free to come with me and watch. I am going to bring a cooler, chairs, and snacks. I plan to enjoy the show.

Saturday Night and Sunday afternoon: Southwest BMX Champs
Where: TCC
Times: I was told start at 10am and ends at 9pm.

Should be a good show. You can find more in at azstarnet.com. It is one of the featured stories of today.

I hope to see some of you out for these BMX events. Should be a real treat to see our peers on bikes, just different kinds, having fun and racing. Also feel free to come with me and the D's if you want.

Ignacio

Oh yeah practice Sunday at 6:30am. For everybody

It Takes A Real Cycling Dude....photos by Ricardo

2010-08-05T21:20:00.000-07:00

Thursday Race-- Everyone did great

2010-08-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

So why the dresses?

Well if you remember from the last post, there was a bet made before the race in Durnago. Whomever lost had to wear a dress. Well Marcos lost, but it's because he tacoed his wheel, so at the race we decided that Pablo should wear the dress.

So the deal was that Marcos had earned the right to pick out the dress. As I am told Marcos felt bad, sorry, or something and decided to join Pablo and wear a dress.

Boys you looked great and it was fun to see you out there riding proud.

Max won the race today in the last 10 meters on top of A-MTN. I tried to get Newgan the win, but we just came up short.

Max and Logan also powered away at the Ironwood Hills. They were impressive and strong today, the two of them.

Sabina for her first time ever made it to the top of A-MTN with help from Julia, and so she was awarded the Most Aggressive Jersey.

Well done!

Ignacio

I will let the fellas explain....I'm just the photographer...

2010-08-05T20:05:00.001-07:00

Hermosa Creek Trail Race

2010-08-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

All that was left of our adventure in town was the race.

We left town on Friday night and headed up to the ski resort north of town. The race was actually a point to point and not a loop so we drove to the finishing location. 8 miles up the road behind the ski resort in an alpine valley about 9,000 feet high. Really it looked just like Tucson. We camped the night there and then left super in early in the morning to make it to the start.

I do not have pics from the start of the race as Daniela had the camera at the finish.

This was the first time that I ever got to race with the team any kind of event where we were doing the same distance trying to beat each other and I was very excited.

We all started at the line together at the gun I took off up the hill. It was a gravel road for the first half mile up hill to the hole shot and the single track.

My idea was get an early lead, get out of sight, and then hold on for dear life.

Well I got the whole shot and that's about it. I road in the front for the first 20 minutes until my first crash. At that point Kramer came around me and that was the last time I was to be in front of him.

Because about 5 minutes later I was super manning of my bike with such impressive speed that a course marshal was freaking out chasing me to see if I was ok. However before he could reach me I was back on my bike with him cheering me on. Very fun really but I have quite a shiner on my left thigh now.

Right after this crash about 5 miles in Logan and Max caught me and we were then to ride the rest of the race together.

The race started out with approximately 7-8 miles on rolling up hill climbs. They were tough enough that Max, Logan, and I walked many of them. Making it really hard were the super muddy conditions which took all grip away from our tires and made it extremely hard to clip our cleats into the pedals.

After the initial climbing we reached the creek level inside of this canyon. Most the race was next to an audible running creek, that sliced right through the canyon of no name. So the conditions were just muddy, slushy, gooy and gross. It was fantastic.

Once at the creek level it was more rolling hills, just not as steep and fast double track. On the hills I did not the technical skills of Max and Logan and they would gap me every time. However every time that the course leveled out I was back to riding right behind them. This played out till the end of the race.

I really enjoyed my time with the boys on the trail. We really rode as a team. Setting tempo for each other when needed and waiting for each other when needed. Heck we even took a snack break together. Also making the trail and race just epic was the mud. I know I have commented on such already, but really since we never get a chance to ride in these conditions here in the desert it was just plain fun to be covered in mud. Head to toe we were black and brown.

So Kramer won the race by less than a minute in front of the three of us.
Donovan was next right behind us, then Nathan and Pablo.

Pablo actually fell in a ditch which is why Marcos gets to pick the dress he must wear on Thursday.

Why?
Well before the race Pablo decided to make a bet with everyone. Who ever was last had to wear a dress at the next points race. All fair everyone decided.

Marcos did actually get last though, but only because he again tacoed his wheel. He was able to do this within the first five miles of the race with Pablo behind him, yet he still finished not far behind. Apparently when it happened he made some sounds that I am glad Damiano did not hear and then he bashed the wheel of Travis Brown on a rock and got it mostly back into shape. Because if this tenacity we negated the last place and Pablo was granted the prize, while Marcos gets to but it for him.

Matthew and Lizzy rode the race together, however I did not hear too many stories from them. Thanks guys for taking care of each other out there. I am very impressed with your will power and guts. Dave Hagan actually thought about not letting you guys race. He was worried. However when you guys finished with smiles and such good spirits he made it a point to congratulate me for you guys, SO WELL DONE!!!

Great race everyone and next year I will again try to win it off the front.

Ignacio

Last full day

2010-08-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

Dave Hagan the guy on the far left of this pic is the guy that worked with Daniela to set the whole thing up. Very cool dude who also was a pro back in his day, and now is the team manager at FLC. He really put on incredible camp for us. THANKS DAVE!! We also ended up giving him a team jersey that we all signed, he then said oh next year...... YES!!!

Chris Wheary is showing us around at the Hub.

Team photo with Chris. He actually raced with Gord for years and told us stories of leading him out to victories in numerous races. Very fun.

So we are back in the desert and I am sure most of you have run into one of us and have started hearing the stories.

The trip was just great. It really could not have gone better. The kids were great and the coaching that we got was just top notch.

Really the kids were so great the baker of the college Larry, Lizzy wanted to steal him, actually came to our table the last day of the camp and thanked the kids for their excellent behavior and manners, and asked us to instruct the incoming freshman as to how to be human. THANK YOU TEAM. You all know it is these things I appreciate most of all. Larry also decided to take a liking to Damiano and the team, and make us special treats every day.

Thanks team for a great trip! Everyone who did not get to go this year really ought to try and come next year.

Mark at the end of the trip asked me how it went. My reply, just like any family trip, there are time of frustration and trouble, but in the end it is only the amazing memories left. The most important thing about a trip like this is not the coaching we received, the trails we rode, the races we participated in, but the friendships that were further cemented. Everyone who was on this trip is now just a little bit closer and more like family. This is a special thing that happens in long slow processes that will forever be a part of all of our persons. As much as I wanted to get home and have some down time, I miss all the kids already.

We sure are going to miss you Max and will be excited to hear from you and have you back as soon as possible.

So how did things end up:

Well Friday morning we awoke and went and rode the Colorado Trial with the Executive Director of the DEVO team. The Colorado Trail goes from Denver to Durango. Hopefully something I get to do some day.

After the trail we got to take a dip in the Animas River. A bone chilling river that runs through the center of town that even an ice cube would find cold. Most of us got in, Damiano included.

Chris Wherry an ex pro road rider of 17 years was next. We spent an hour with at his place the hub. An indoor bicycle training facility with computrainers, spin bikes, yoga classes, and the like. He spoke to us about bike racing tactics, but really just chatted with us. The kids after lunch and the morning rides were typically in food comas so conversations were not tantalizing.

This ended our training camp, so only the race was left.

Another Great Day

2010-07-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

The kids started the day with a TT hill climb. Apparently a legendary one here in town that everyone does to gauge how they are doing. They call it the Telegraph climb. We pre road it on Tuesday and today they went out against the clock.

I was unable to attend, since Donovan broke his bike. I allowed him to use mine while I spent the morning scouring town trying to find a new derailluer hanger. I didn't so we went ahead and rented him a bike for the next two days.

At the hill climb Marcos was the grand champion. He won by just less than a minute. Very well done. However on the way down he just about tacod his wheel and it had to be smashed on a rock to get him home.

After lunch we then met with the great Travis Brown. Hunter's boy hood bike racing idol. We told Travis as much and made sure to get a picture with him. Dude is really cool and even gave Marcos a wheel to use for the rest of our time here. So Hunter dude is super nice. He spoke to us about professionalism and sponsorship and really just about everything.

After that the kids had a little break which they used to just unwind and play cards. The free time was nice.

But the next speaker was a Nutritionist who had us laughing the whole time. The gentleman Rick has been in the game forever and was working with Lance at age 14. He is now working with Tom Danielson and is actually going to be in Spain training him for the next 6 weeks. He said his but chafes after 6 hours of motor passing on a scooter, that and a ton of other great info.

Upon our return I am certain that I am going to have many more tools in my tool box as a coach. I am very excited to take my new knowledge home and use it with the team.

Today's finally was definitely worth the wait. The head coach of the DEVO youth MTB racing team came out and did a skill session with us. We road down stairs, learned how to hop off curbs, and got to play on two different skill tracks. He is an impressive coach and actually produced 7 National titles this year at MTB nationals. We really enjoyed and learned a ton from him.

The moral of this story or the trip, we are super fortunate to have this opportunity to spend time with incredibly smart and talented people. I have learned a ton and I really hope the riders go home truly appreciating this experience.

Thursday Ride - Nobody Died!

2010-07-29T16:29:00.000-07:00

So, Newgan decided to go gravel surfing early into the ride this morning. On his face. The guy was a champ, though, and rode the rest of the ride and all the way up A Mountain. I wish I'd had a camera this morning, watching him barrel down Greasewood chasing Christian. Dude's gonna be a hell of a bike racer.

On the way down from A Mountain, Emily crashed into the boulders next to the gate. Luckily (really!), she walked away with only a few scrapes and a cut in her palm. Her bike didn't fair so well, unfortunately. Emily doesn't seem discouraged at all, though. She's ready to get right back on the bike. Uh, as soon as we fix a few things.

~Richard

Durango Day 2

2010-07-28T21:23:00.000-07:00

Just walking into my dorm room tonight at 10:30 pm our time here. We are having some really long, fun, draining days up here. Yet I am pretty sure we would not have it any other way. Things are going great.

Last night after I posted we went to a very fancy bike fit studio and spent an hour and a half with Dr. Ryan Siggins. Another really smart dude. He put Donovan on a very high tech machine that then sent D's body info to a computer and told him all of the angles that we need to know. Donovan was hooked up to machines like the Russian in Rocky 4. With stick on electrodes all over his right side. Really cool the technology. Donovan got a professional fit and the rest of the kids got free t-shirts.

After that we spent an hour just letting the kids cruise downtown. Downtown is not much bigger than ours it is just much more infilled like Flagstaff.

Today had us again waking up "early" 7am and on our bikes at 9am. The cafeteria here on campus is quite nice. They do a pretty nice job with the food. Nathan says he would not eat just raw Rahmen noodles for lunch if they had this at school. The baker has also been really nice to us and even gave us a loaf of banana bread today.

As well the dorm rooms we have been staying in are again quite nice. My dorm room at Florida State was more of a prison cell compared to this, so accommodations are pretty sweet. In the dorm building itself there is a game room where we have been able to leave all our gear as well so yet another nice treat.

These guys up here really have been so good to us. I can not say enough good things about this school the coaches and the infrastructure they have here. This is a professional establishment.

So today's ride had us on a completely different trail network. There was even a run called Star Wars that was so fun Nathan actually let out a real yelp of joy. It could have competed with my hollers. So much so that Lizzy thought he was hurt. The ride was about 2 1/2 hours long and super fun.

After the ride we went to a bike shop in town that had over 20 national championship jerseys in
it, aliong bikes that had won major races. Judith your Specialized commuter, a carbon copy, was hanging in the shop, Max will tell you.

NOTE: At lunch Nathan had shrimp with his pasta and had an egg roll. He liked them both and tried them both with out me making him. He really is becoming quite adventurous.

From lunch we headed to Elke's (can't find her last names place) and spent 2 hours learning about stretching, core strength and whole body conditioning. She was also a National Champion MTB down hill racer. This town truely is packed with talent. Heck we ran into John Tomac on the trail the other day. You know just 2 time MTB world Champ no big deal.

Finally after that we got a little nap in.

But then off the race. A short track MTB race. A discipline that we know nothing of. It was described to us a MTB crit racing, but I do not think this was a fair shake of it. It was more like pure pain for 20 minutes for the kids.

Most exciting though was that we got to race the junior bike team from Durango today. The team is called DEVO and they were spectacular. The kids could really fly. The girl Lizzy raced tonight was the National Champ in this Short Track discipline.

The team really hung in and raced well for our first time at 9,000 feet. Things are different up here. Kramer took the El grupo win Max second and Logan third. Best finish was Pablo and Donovan fighting for third. Donovan crashed and broke his derailluer hanger in the last 50 feet and then got up and ran to the finish to tie Pablo very exciting.

We are now finally back in our room after a burrito at the local shop that Pablo said passed the test so you know it was good.

Tomorrow is more riding run and I will do my best to keep this entertaining.

Nacho

Yeah Baby Durango!

2010-07-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

This is a totally different world up here. Today at one point on the ride I felt like it was Battle Star Galactica. Durango is another old town built in a valley much like Tucson. Mountains surround the whole downtown and college area, that is small, it's only for 15,000 people, but these mountains are different than ours. They are huge and right on the door step of town. Oh and green and filled with huge rocks.

We got here last night and went straight to dinner so the team was in good spirits from the get go. This after a 6 hour drive and breakfast and dinner at Nickles house.

Thanks Nick. While in Flagstaff we ended up all crashing on Nick's floor. Sardines probably have it better, but since we are not fish it worked out great. We spent the night with Nick watching movies and made bean burritos. Breakfast was egg and potato burros and we were out the door by 9am.

Monday night was just a meet and greet with the coaches up here. Matt Shriver and Dave Hagan. They kind of told us what to expect and not to go outside alone because of the bears. That's right bears on campus. So you know just like home.

Tuesday 9am was the start of our first ride. 9am hello. We usually have to be back at 9am in the desert. WOW 9am. When they told us we were going to have to start early most of the kids just laughed. 9am that's like winter time stuff.

So today's ride was roughly 12-13 miles, of terrian like nothing we had ever seen. The team rode super well and were incredibly polite. I hope that the coaches up where impressed because I was pretty happy. I mean only Lizzy fell into a ditch. She was not hurt at all, heck I was able to take a picture of her once we realized that all was ok.

We rode to the top of Telegraph mountain today around and back. Hard for me to really tell the trails because most of the time I was just smiling too big. This place is just so fun.

After the ride was lunch and a great presentation on Training plans by Matt Shriver. Dude is smart. We were in an auditorium room and the kids all thought the little desks off the arms of the stadium chairs were really cool. I learned a ton and was really happy to ask a lot of questions that I have had for a while.

We are having a great time and really just can't wait to ride some more.

This Week in Tucson

2010-07-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

First of all, sorry for the lateness of this post. Here's the rides we're doing this week while most of the crew is in Durango.

Tuesday - cancelled!
Wednesday - 6:30 am - moderate length ride, easy pace.
Thursday - 6:30 am - points race. This may end up just being a group ride, since our numbers are low. Still, the pace will be challenging and we'll split into groups as needed.
Sunday - 6:30 am - long ride day. Mt Lemmon, maybe?

~Richard

Durango Crew MTB ride

2010-07-23T17:15:00.001-07:00

This saturday the 24th of July I would like for everyone going to Durango that can to make this ride.

Meeting at the clubhouse at 6:30am. We will head out to Sweetwater and ride for about 1 hour. Just some lower loop runs to get used to the dirt again.

Mark please feel free to come.

See you all there.

Ignacio

New Riders Make the Team

2010-07-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

When I left this summer to go on vacation with Daniela and Damiano we had 5 new kids trying out the team. I had given them a practice schedule and the ultimatum to get into shape for a final test that would come on this day the 22nd of July.

This is the first time that El Grupo has had such an introductory/ acquisition of rider process so I was very intrigued to see how it would play out.

While gone the riders worked diligently with Hunter, Alex, Christian and Richard getting into shape while learning about the sport. I was able to call the coaches and some of the riders while gone a few times and I was always very pleased and excited to hear the stories of the new riders.

Coming back to see that all the great stories were true was very exciting. Also I want to make a point to thank everyone who helped in the clean up of the clubhouse. IT LOOKS FANTASTIC!!! I was also told that a ton of that work was done by the "newbies" so again THANK YOU.

So who made it what happened? Well as you know this team is about heart, effort, commitment and drive. If you have these four characteristics and you bring them to practice every day then you have a spot on this team.

So who made it?

Congratulations to D-son, Nugen, and Sam.

All received their jerseys and from today on are full blown members of this team. I was super pleased with the effort I saw them put into the ride today and am proud to have them on the team.

WELL DONE!!

Parent Meeting for Durango Trip

2010-07-20T16:46:00.001-07:00

HI all,

Ignacio and I are back from vacation, just in time to plan out all that needs to happen before we take El Grupo riders (possibly your child) up to Durango for a week! We need to meet with you to discuss some important details, fill out paperwork, figure out additional finances, etc.

The tentative plan is to leave Tucson next Sunday, July 25th to drive to Flagstaff to camp, and then drive the second day to Durango to arrive on Monday. Please find the detailed itinerary attached. We will be returning to Tucson on Sunday, August 1st.

We are hoping that you all can attend a parent and rider meeting this coming Wednesday at 6:30pm at the clubhouse. If not, please communicate with us in some other fashion PRIOR TO Wednesday. There are a limited number of spots available so it is very important that you and your child communicate with us on this.

Thanks so much! Daniela & Ignacio

Why Le Tour is awesome!

2010-07-16T17:43:00.001-07:00

Click here for some AMAZING photos of the first half of Le Tour.

We also made it!

2010-07-16T01:57:00.000-07:00

We got to San Francisco and made it across the Golden Gate Bridge in one peice! And I emphasize that last part because we really almost didn't. So our last two days were in Sonoma Beach State Park, we stayed at the Bodega dunes, and then we stayed at something Taylor state park about 20 miles outside of San Francisco.

Both days were fairly short distances, and the climbs were nothing worse then we hadn't already seen. We had a fairly good headwind, but thats about it. On our last day when Julia and I began approaching the bridge we just started gawking at its sheer enormity. Like that bridge is freaking huge. So we're biking to the bridge, and then realize that we're suddenly like... on the bridge. Like with all the cars going across the bridge, and in case you didn't know there is a shoulder made specifically for bikes and pedestrians. And despite this knowledge, we couldn't figure out how to get onto the shoulder because its seperated from the highway by like a fence.

So we end up on the bridge biking with heavy flows of traffic and angry people honking and shouting at us and giving us like no room, and we're pretty much peeing ourselves. Like holy crap, this is seriously terrifying stuff. But we cant stop and turn around, its a bridge, and we can't just stop in the middle of traffic. So we're riding and we're riding, and suddenly I hear a cop from behind me shouting "STOP! AND GET OFF THE BRIDGE!!" and I do as he says, I slam on my brakes, and he starts shouting "WELL NOT THERE!! STOP AT THE GATE" well I didn't see the gate so he pretty much had to lead me to it, and once I was off the bridge he sped away.

At that point I realized I didn't see Julia. I assumed that the cop had stopped her too and she would be further up the shoulder, so I started walking towards the beginning of the bridge. I still don't see her. After ten minutes or so I see this little like.. golf cart type vehicle with a construction worker in it, and to his side was Julia, and in the back of the vehicle was her bike.

She told me that there are this things called expansion grates on the bridge, and when we were riding trying to exit the bridge as fast as possible, I had biked over one no problem, and she thought nothing of it did the same thing and caught her wheel in the grate and flipped over her handle bars! Thankfully the car behind her was a police officer, who got her off the bridge and tracked me down before I got hurt. Julias totally okay, she's got some road rash on her shoulder, but needless to say we weren't really feeling much like being in San Francisco after that, and high tailed it in the direction of home.

But I think despite all the bad things that happened, we really did have fun. Like we seriously had the time of our lives, and feel seriously lucky that one: we even had the opportunity to do this, and two: we were capable of doing such a thing.

And a lot of that has to do with you guys, friends, family, El Grupo, GABA, everyone, for your overwhelming support in favor of us. I know that after this experience, although not perfect, we both intend on doing a trip like this again, hopefully with less mishaps.

Thank you all so much for the support and the help! This will probabily be our last post, so see you guys at home!

This one's for you Donovan

2010-07-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

Not that the headbutt should become comonplace, but this rider did a fantastic job holding his lane open for his sprinter, Cavendish. Who took the stage.

The blog cut off the right side of this video. Here's the youtube link +

hunter

We made it! Bar Harbor to Quebec City and back!

2010-07-15T09:23:00.001-07:00

We made it! 621 miles total round trip, and to think that at about mile 100 neither of us thought that we would make it. This trip was for sure an adventure. Way harder than either of us imagined. We had great days of perfection, terrible days of "I hate you and everything around", beautiful experiences and more. Adventures are not easy. They are work, hardship, and strife, but what awaits at the end, the middle, and all the good times, are moments in life that few ever get to experience. To takle such a thing takes a lot of guts and courage (and a touch of craziness), an amount of character that few are courageous enough to ask of themselves, however the few that do are rewarded with memories for a life time. We all have this ability. It is not something posessed by the few, it is just that only the few tap into the heart to make the attempt. For these reasons the girls (Ashley and Julia) will forever remember their trip and they will be different people when they return. They have done it, just as Daniela, Damiano, and I have done it, albeit on the other side of the continent.

Our Maine and Quebec Adventure
Daniela, Damiano, because he has no choice, and I have all decided that this was the hardest bike tour we have ever been on.
Why?
1) The weight of our bikes was more than we anticipated. I have calculated that I was pulling a 100 pound sled around, and Daniela's was not too far behind having to carry most of Damiano's stuff.
2) The terrain. Nothing in Maine is flat. Everything is a rolling hill. Think Craycroft hill over and over about 75 times a day. No joke. The Adirondecks are old mountains that have been worn away over millions of years and they are cut everywhere by rivers, so you end up with never ending rolling hills. All day: up, down, up, down.
3) The weather. We made it up here and left Bar Harbor just in time to experience a heat wave of the kind that old ladies in the pool said they had not experienced in 20 years. 90 degrees plus everyday with super high humidity. Every day by 9am I was soaked in sweat, the kind where your whole jersey is stuck to your back like you jumped in a pool. Every time I took my hand off the handle bar sweat would just pool off my hands. GROSS!!
4) The wind. Oh yeah we littery had a head wind 11 out of the 12 days we road. Not just a breeze but flags standing straight up sort of thing. By day 9, it was at such a point of humor that we stopped caring at all.

The Trip
Day 1 July 3rd Bar Harbor, Maine to Prospect, Maine 46 miles
Of course it was hot, head wind, and hilly, but a pleasant day. We stopped in the old Town of Bucksport and watched Spain play Paraguay. Great game. Camped at a beautiful spot along the Penobscot river. A little isthmus that jutted out into the river. We were practically in the middle of the river.

Day 2 July 4th Prospect, Maine to Palmyra, Maine 39 miles
This was my lowest day. I stunk mentally. I was complaining up a storm and was not fun to be around. I did not think I was going to make the trip on this day. It was crazy hot, the hills were insane, and I was not tour strong yet. I really did not think I was tough enough to make it on this day. The 39 miles were really all I could muster. I could not have ridden 40. On this day though at camp Daniela and I realized that our lives have changed in a dramatic fashion. When we used to camp we would always try and find the most secluded spot. With no one around. No services? Who cares. We really just needed a spot for our tent and that was about it. However, with Damiano we now seek out the people. We want campgrounds with people and kids, pools, and games. Christian and Lori camping, this is not.

Day 3 July 5th Palmyra, Maine to The Forks, Maine 59 miles
Things got better today. We started to get our tour legs. But today Daniela had a tough mental day. Worst part was the section between the towns of Solon and Bingham. We were told to take the rails to trails path along the river. Of course this sounded great and we listened. However no one told us it was going to be sugar sand the whole 8 miles and heavily used by ATV's. We were choking on sand and barely staying up right because of the sand. By the time we hit pavement we were a different color of brown and we were not talking to each other. So up the road we went until I saw a swimable lake, made the u turn and 20 minutes later we spoke for the first time in about 2 hours. Leaving the lake we were desperate for something good to happen, and well it was anwered. In the Forks, Maine (population 30) there is a campground/river expedition company/ brewery. That's right, the campground was home to the Kennebec brewery, a pool, and showers. Salvation.

Day 4 July 6th The Forks, Maine to Moose River, Maine 35 miles
A short day because the Netherlands was playing Uruguay, the insane hills and headwind and this was the last camp spot before we were to enter Quebec. At the camp ground we met the same group of kids that the girls met on their adventure. Just these kids were riding from Portland, Maine to Quebec City. Two weeks totally self contained. No vehicular support for a group of 25 people. None of the kids were cyclists yet all of them were riding between 35 and 60 miles per day with fully loaded bikes. Pretty cool and inspiring to see.

Day 5 July 7th Moose River, Maine to St Joseph de Beauce, Quebec 70 miles
The difference between Maine and Quebec is topographically vast. In Maine you are in what is often called the green tunnel. All you ever see is trees all around you. However, once in Quebec the land opens up and you can see for miles. Much like out west you can see space. The difference was starkly realized as soon as we crossed the border and much welcomed. Spain played Germany on this day and so we stopped in Beauceville to watch it. Yeah they won and thank goodness we stopped, it was crazy hot this day. Our camp spot took us to our first in Quebec. Camping in Quebec is surely not USA style. There it is all about getting close to people, creating a little community and hanging out. We arrived at this spot and it was bumpin. The pool was packed, grills were blazin, and just about every adult had a beverage. It was a party and we partook. Also Damiano met his first camp girlfriend. A "petit blonde" if you will.

Day 6 July 8th St Joseph de Beauce, Quebec to Levis, Quebec 45 miles
We came to the province of Quebec 3 years ago on a bike tour and discovered the Route Verte. A sort of bicycle highway system. It connects, town, cities, and villages, together through a network of off street paved paths, gravel paths, and lightly traveled roads. When we were here we promised each other that with our children we would return because it is so awesome and safe. Well three years later we are back and on this day we road most of the way on this network. Totally awesome.

Day 7 July 9th Quebec City
From our camp ground we were able to ride the city bus to a boat that then took us into the heart of downtown Quebec. A fantastic old city with old world European charm. We spent the day walking the streets, swimming in the park pools, and enjoying the live music of the summer festival that was happening just this weekend. A beautiful day that ended with all the humidity of the last 7 days coming to an end in a fantastic rain storm. One like we have not seen in a few years. It just let loose.

So now Daniela and I have been to Quebec twice together. The first time I got sun burnt and she almost had a heat stroke and broke out in hives. This time it was so hot that on this night we had a whole tub of ice cream for dinner.

Day 8 July 10th Levis, Quebec to Notre Dame Des Pines, Quebec 60 miles
Yeah baby!! This was a great day. We had a tail wind, the only day, strong tour legs, not too crazy hills, the Route Verte most of the way off street style and a day of rest behind us. We flew today. We were fast, and got to camp with plenty of time to enjoy the 5 star camping experiece Quebec style. This campground was incredible. It had a pool that could fit 900 people it said. With slides, lake style entry, water falls, every thing. 500 camp sites, a playground with swings so big Daniela was screaming like a little kid, and a mini golf course. This place was huge and packed with families. Some places were so set up they had extra fridges on the porch and some had extra sheds. Most of them were totally full with beer. Really at these places the kids run around like crazy playing, the parents mostly sit around play cards, drink, and eat. We were taken in by a super nice family and got to partake as a good Quebecer.

Day 9 July 11th Notre Dame, Quebec to Moose River, Maine 51 miles
We again rocked the ride today because we had to. Spain played in it's first ever world cup final and there was no way I was going to miss it. They won of course and very interesting the grocery store in Maine accepted my Canandian money and even returned to me change in US dollars. Not bad, try that in Tucson with Pesos.

Day 10 July 12th Moose River, Maine to Greenville, Maine 55 miles

A quiet day along the water. We road along the Moosehead Lake for most of the day. Really pretty and quiet with some very quaint towns along the way. An easy day because we were totally tour strong at this point. We were used to the heat, the head wind, the hills, and our heavy bikes.

Day 11 July 13 Greenville, Maine to Stetson, Maine 56 miles

This felt like a very workman like day. We know the tour is coming to an end and as though we are going through the motions now to finish it. We have no great destination left and only home to look forward to. Todays ride also had us on the worst road of the trip. Narrow, fast, with really crummy pavement. We did though have a nice stop in a small town Guilford at the library, where the internet speed was dial up quality 1995 style.

Day 12 July 14th Stetson, Maine to Bar Harbor, Maine 65 miles

We got rained on pretty good at night so while looking at the maps in tent we decided that we could make it back in one day. So the day started with a big task in front of us. Luckily Daniela is super awesome and strong on the bike and we road incredible together. We worked really well as a team this whole trip together. We were similar in speed this time and could really help each other. It also helps that we really enjoy riding for sport and today we really did. I am very fortunate to have found such a partner in life. We rocked this last day and were in town at home (Kylee and Ryan's) before 3:30pm.

This was a brilliant adventure that we will never forget.

We will be home on Saturday night, don't know if I will make Sunday practice. I am really excited to see you all and hear your stories of this summer. I hope you have all been having fun riding with your friends and keeping good attendance.

Durango is less than 10 days away and hope you have all earned you spot for the trip.

Ignacio

Okay, California doesn't suck that bad, but being broke definitely does.

2010-07-13T12:31:00.000-07:00

We're running out of money, I think thats why we've got such a negative feel on California. We're getting so broke that the entire group decided if we wanted to make it home with enough gas and food to get there, we would have to cut a couple days off of biking.

Julia and I sat down and had to prioritize, what part of the riding was most important to us. Julia just really wanted to bike into San Francisco, I did too but most of all I wanted to see a friend of mine that I haven't seen in 4 years. We both decided to cut a huge chunk out of the middle of our trip, and basically just skip to the end.

I think one of the things we've started to notice is one of the reasons this trip is mostly composed of people in their mid-twenties and older is because they have the funds and the time to do such. If we didn't have to worry about getting home in time for college, we could've probabily just bunked up in some town and tried to make some money. Or if we had actual jobs, a source of a somewhat constant income, we probabily wouldn't have such limited resources.

Unfortunately we have spended poorly and will miss out on a good 4 days through California, and we'll start on Sonoma Coast State Beach, ending the next day in San Francisco.

All in all we'll have done about 800 miles, which is 4/5ths of the distance we had intended to cover.

If only money grew on trees.

California Sucks

2010-07-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

We should go back to Oregon. I think we all agree that Oregon was pretty much the most amazing part of this trip. I really don't see what all the big fuss was about, about this stupid place. The campgrounds are all lame, the facilities are awful, and it costs us 35 dollars to camp! (because we've got our friends in the car) Needless to say we're running out of funds fast, I'm interested to see where we end up.

So we got into California like.. yesterday. It was only like a 26 mile day at best. I had that Led Zeppelin song "Goin to California" stuck in my head. Not that it was awful, but it was 6 miles to get to California, then we were in California and I was still singing it, which was kind of annoying. We stayed at Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park, and it was okay except the facilities weren't that nice and it was freaking expensive.

So today Julia and I did about a 50 mile ride to Praire Creek Redwoods State Park. The begining of the ride went through Crescent City, which scared the crap out of all of us, and then there was this gnarly 9 mile long climb. 4 of those miles were 6 or 7%. We then reached the state park only to find, that it was full and once again we had no place to stay. So right now we're just hanging out in some town trying to figure it out.

But the moral of these stories, California blows. If you ever do a bike tour, just go up and down Oregon. Totally worth it.

Parts! Thank You!

2010-07-11T15:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Corey Steinbrecher stopped by with boxes (plural) of parts that he rounded up for us. He said that it came from his friends at Carmichael Training Systems , Miles Ahead Cyclery, amongst others.

Let me say.... Atmos, Dura Ace, Carbon bars, oh my!

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

The extreme generosity of others never ceases to amaze me.

Peace and love go out to everyone and anyone who lends out a helping hand.

Just wait until you guys see the goods Tuesday morning.

Hunter

Day whatever to I have no idea. We're in Port Orford?

2010-07-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

So we've officially lost count of the days we've been riding. We're somewhere over a week, and somewhere under two. That's either a sign of us losing touch with reality... or us having that much fun. I'm going with the latter.

Basically whats going on is we have some freak weather up here in Oregon. And by freak weather I mean some really freaking nice weather. Its a cool 80 tops, everyday and rarely, except for in the mornings, it doesn't get below 65. The worst thing we had was some serious fog when we were leaving Walport going into Yachats. We were getting really close to shore, and it was around midday and there was just fog everywhere. Which was crazy because the lane had gotten just small enough for an unloaded bike, and the guardrails just disappeared at some parts. And did I mention it was a really fast downhill? There was also that. So we've got this scary fog that makes it so we can only see 20 feet max in front of us, and the only things we've got to keep us visible is that little red whimpy frog light that Ignacio gave us all. I watched it blink when I turned it on, and the only thought that went through my head was we are so screwed. But thankfully, for the worst of the fog we were going uphill, so traffic was going slower and had more time to see is riding in the road. I have never in my life been so thankful for an uphill.

But really, that's the craziest thing that's happened. I think Julia and I have reached this point where we've both realized all we have to do all day is bike, eat, hang out on the beach, and meet cute boys. And speaking of cute boys, Julia and I also met our first fellow bicycle tourists, one named Ian and the other named Quinn. Man they were cute I'll tell you what. Ian had biked from Missouri for a wedding in Tacoma, and decided to bike to Big Sur, and then home. Quinn was from Orcas Island and just decided to see how far he could bike down the coast. I think he mentioned something about Mexico.

Also something kind of cool, we met this group of kids biking from Seattle to San Francisco as well. There's maybe a dozen of them, all under 17 being lead by two 21 year olds. They're all real nice, and they've got these cute orange flags waving from their bikes so they can identify one another from far away.

What else can I say about whats going on up here? Oh the food! Can I just say that for whatever reason everything we eat up here tastes DELICIOUS? Cause it does. Last night we had banana pancakes. We'll probabily go broke and never make it home because we'll have blown all our money eating delicious food, but believe me its totally worth it.

Well I feel like I've run out of things to talk about. Not that we don't have things to stay its just really hard to convey what an awesome time we're having right now. Travis was right, we have to experience serious lows, to achieve some serious highs. Oh thats another thing, I just want you all to know that when we can we check your comments on our posts and your encouragement and support of us on this trip, through the bad and the good means more then you'll all know, and has helped us in our lowest mental lows. Thanks. All of you. We miss you guys!

Two more weeks!... ish.

The Weekend

2010-07-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

Friday
relax!

Saturday
5:00 am - I'll be making breakfast at Ignacio & Daniella's house. Food will be ready at 5 sharp, so we have time to digest before the ride. If you have any suggestions for what you'd like to eat, or if there's anything that you won't/can't eat, let me know (reply to this post) so I can plan accordingly. I'm thinking pancakes, eggs, toast, juice.
5:45 am - Old Man Shootout. If you're not showing up for breakfast, arrive 15 minutes early so you don't miss the start.
5:45 am - Easy Ride. Hunter's leading this one for the new riders and anyone else who wants to take it easy. Note that these Saturday rides are optional. You're welcome to show up for breakfast, even if you're not planning on riding.

Sunday
Picacho Peak TT - if anyone's interested in racing on Sunday, let me know ASAP so we can make arrangements. I'd be willing to provide transportation and help with preparation if anyone wants to go.
Also for Sunday, Nippy suggested that we could take the day off from riding to go bowling. He's still working on the details, but give a shout out if this sounds like fun.

~Richard

Thursday Ride Recap

2010-07-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

This week was a battle royale between Alex and Richard for the lilac jersey. Both riders traded first and second place finishes at each sprint point to tie it up at the end. Richard rode away from Alex on the final pitch in the tie breaking half lap on A Mountain to seal the deal.

The A group was a little smaller today, with notable absences from (old) Logan and Donovan. Young riders Nathan and Marcos were able to hold their own along with Alex, Richard, and Mike. Nathan lead out the sprint up Ironwood Hills to secure the third place point. Marcos stuck his head out in the wind at the start of the ride, and helped drive the first chase group, which successfully caught Richard and Alex at the base of A Mountain. For his efforts, Marcos was awarded the white jersey.

Everyone rode up A Mountain to the finish today! Special congratulations to Sam for making it to the top, and to Nippy for cheering him along.

Here's the sprint points breakdown (correct me if I'm wrong on the Greasewood & A Mountain placings):
Ironwood Hills
1st(3) Alex
2nd(2) Richard
3rd(1) Nathan

Starr Pass
1st(2) Richard
2nd(1) Alex

Greasewood
1st(3) Alex
2nd(2) Richard
3rd(1) Mike?

A Mountain
1st(4) Richard
2nd(3) Alex
3rd(2) Mike
4th(1) Marcos

Totals
(10) Richard
(10) Alex
(3) Mike
(1) Marcos
(1) Nathan

~Richard

Thank You, GABA!!!!!!

2010-07-05T22:36:00.000-07:00

Tonight during their monthly meeting, Jim, Andrea, Pam and the rest of GABA presented El Grupo with a spectacular financial donation. We are soooooo grateful to GABA for your most generous support. Your gift has now guaranteed that our riders will be able to attend the week long cycling training camp at Ft. Lewis College in Durango at the end of the month. Thank you, thank you, thank you! And, a special thank you too to all of the El Grupo riders who attended the meeting and helped with the ice cream social. Way to represent! Hats off to Nippy, Richard, Nathan, Marcos, Kramer, Lizzy, Matt, Donovan and Logan!

Our Oregon adventure.

2010-07-04T17:36:00.000-07:00

True story. [You might have to turn the volume up]

And the title of the video... direct quote from Ms. Julia.

SUPER Important: GABA Meeting Tomorrow Night...Please come!

2010-07-04T14:02:00.000-07:00

Ignacio contacted us. There is a GABA meeting tomorrow night at 6pm and he is asking for EVERYONE who can to attend. It is an ice cream social and we are helping to serve. We will help set up at 6pm, the meeting starts at 7pm.

Also, GABA is generously making a donation to El Grupo that will be used for the Durango trip. Expect to be there from 6-830/9ish.

GABA holds their meetings at: Pima County Medical Building, 5199 E. Farness Rd.
It is south of Grant a couple blocks and east of Rosemount.

GABA has always been very supportive of El Grupo; let's be there and pitch in!
And eat ice cream!

New El Grupo riders are also welcome. If anyone needs a ride, I can transport up to 3 more folks in my car....call me to let me know....we will leave the clubhouse at 545pm.
(Kathleen@ 245-6711)

Respond to this post so we know you've seen it and confirm if you are coming. Thanks! Happy 4th to all!

Baby Shootout

2010-07-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

Monday (tomorrow) at 5 am a few of us will be riding the shootout route to prep Keri for her first big group ride next week. All are welcome - this should be a 3-4 hour ride at moderate pace. We'll be leaving from Ignacio and Daniella's house.

~Richard

Day 4 & 5: Twin Harbors to some campground near Astoria

2010-07-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

So we just arrived in Oregon! and we didn't die going over that INSANE bridge, which I'm pretty sure is like... an 8 percent grade with some funky winds. Julia and I are having a blast today now that we're finally out of Washington. I mean we liked it initially, but after a while it was just like... GET US OUT OF HERE. Not that Oregon will be any different. It's just after yesterday, we really needed the change.

I wrote this piece of the post yesterday, its a little less lighthearted then our other posts, so bear with me:

Day 4: Twin Harbors to Cape Disappointment [yes that is the real name]

Day 4. I can honestly say this was the hardest day thus far. Again, not physically, neither Julia nor I have encountered anything so difficult we couldn’t handle, but this was the most mentally and emotionally challenging. And I personally, didn’t overcome myself and have to confess that I cheated.

Yesterday, through the clouds and the rain and lack of sunshine we all discovered we were missing home. A lot. Deidra couldn’t stop laughing and would constantly remind us what Heidi had said about substituting laughter for tears. We were all feeling pretty homesick and down. Then I discovered my right braison which was holding my rack in place, was now stripped. This meaning that for the rest of the trip I could no longer ride fully loaded. I hated that I’d spent all this time training, and working to get money to buy all these things, and now… it was kinda pointless. Now I’m not trying to use any of this as an excuse for the decision I made, but I want you to all know the background on why I did what I did.

So at this point, with all my belongings being soaked and covered in mud (because two days ago I had to remove my rack) my mental state was fairly low. Amongst other personal family things that had just come to light, of which I will not elaborate on.

So today was the 80 mile ride. I spent the morning telling Julia that today was not my day, I could just tell. I made the dumb decision to ride in a regular t shirt and long skirt because all my cycling clothes were soaked. This was a bad choice. My butt hurt worse than it has ever in my entire life. Along with that, the entire ride I had to listen to the lull of my rack smacking on my rear braison cause I’d forgotten to remove it at camp, and 20 miles into the ride my cable for my back brake had become loose. I just wanted this day to end.

We got to our halfway point in Raymond, WA and I was fuming. I’ll admit it, I had let my emotions get the better of me. Then after lunch, we started to ride again. About a mile into the second half, if that, clouds came out of nowhere and we began to get hammered my rain pellets and wind. At that point I started to cry, not heaving, just like tears. And I looked and Julia and said, I need to stop.

Julia is such a driven girl, there is absolutely nothing or no one that can prevent her from doing what she feels she needs to do. She wanted to keep riding, and I couldn’t blame her for that. So after little debate, I called for our friends in the car to come get me, and Julia went on her way. But before she left, she told me, “I’m sorry I have to keep going, but right now biking is the only thing that makes me happy anymore”.

I knew that I wasn’t the only one feeling homesick or sad. And as we were driving to camp, I started to wonder at what point instead of being the one thing that made me happy, when did biking start to feel like a burden... or an obligation? I realized that I felt like bikes had taken me away from my friends and my family. I was a little angry at this trip for taking me away from my home, and now I couldn't even do it unsupported. It sucks.

Now I know, none of that is an excuse for what I did. I’m supposed to live on my bike pretty much. This trip just wasn’t what I thought, and was a much bigger toll on my psyche then I had thought.

And I probabily could have just told Julia, lets pretend this never happened, but I wanted you all to know, or anyone considering touring, that its really not at all the physical aspect that is hard. Its everything else, all the other elements that come in to play, like missing home, or never having anything dry. It's not easy. I hope this will be the hardest day to come. I think we all do.

And that was yesterday. Today, Julia and I tackled that Astoria bridge and spit in its face. We totally kicked its butt. Morale is pretty high now that we've found a washing machine and some sunlight for a change. I know that we'll have days that are a lot harder then others, I just think we needed a day like yesterday to give us a little perspective on what we're really doing out here. Because up until this point, I don't think either of us really knew what we'd gotten ourselves into.

Oh and Julia got a haircut.

We ain't eva gunna be Maina's

2010-07-02T14:54:00.000-07:00

We are alive and well and hiding in the woods with some of Daniela's old friends. We are on the door step of Acadia National Park. The Aspen, or super posh, of the National parks. They even sweep the pine needles off the trails around here. But none the less they made this area a park for a reason.

We arrived here of course via Tampa Florida. Not really my home town but the place I went to High School and where many of my home dogs still live. We went to attend the wedding of my best friend in High School. Florida is often thought of as just the big cities and Disney World, but the interior of Florida off the coast is small country town USA. Daniela was very pleasantly surprised. The wedding was in the town of High Springs. This the entry way into a vast network of rivers, caves, and sink holes. Florida is a swamp on top of lime stone rock. Just like the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico and Cuba. What this means is that underneath the Florida swamp is just a vast network of honey comb style rock. And thus why we have sink holes and tons of caves under the ground, which are accessible via the rivers. My friend and new wife are very into diving in these caves and so we went to an entry point where they like to dive. Running springs was the name of his spot.

Great wedding, even though it rained before anything could really happen. So just started yelling like Spain had won the world cup and everyone followed. Super fun. Oh yeah and the day after the wedding we floated down the Ithnetucknee River. One hour of lazy floating. Daniela and Damiano had a boat and I just swam down the river. Hanging onto the boat every now and then. Water 15 to 20 feet deep, crystal clear, with some fishies to swim after.

Tampa and FLA were great. Very fun to see old friends. Most fun of all was being able to start hanging with them like we had seen each other yesterday, instead of 10 years. But so humid. Like walk outside 10 minutes drenched oh my gosh did you just jump in a pool humid. I really was expecting to see my breath visibly move the water in the air like when its cold and you can see your breath.

So now we are in Maine. Just outside of Bar Harbor. The bikes arrived yesterday and today we went for our first ride. We rode around the better part of most the island. 45 miles. A lot of it was done on paths inside of the national park that they call Carriage roads. Crushed rock paths that total 50 miles, totally off street, and getting you to some pretty sweet spots. It was very nice to see so many people using them of all different shapes and sizes. They also vary in difficulty, some areas were so steep that Damiano and I were sliding out while going up hill. We also road up Cadillac Mountain. A 5 mile climb like Mt Lemmon that apparently is the biggest mountain on the Atlantic coast of the USA. 360 views of the whole bay and ocean.

We head out tomorrow to start our ride to Quebec. I will try and keep everyone posted. We are having a blast and have even been cold now a few times. Damiano has been walking all over the place and Spain is alive in the tournament. Life is good.

Shout out time:

Alex Strickland: My bikes came in perfect condition. THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!! Also the snacks were a total life saver today.

Richard: For watching my house and taking care of business around there with the tub and all. Also for watching over the team and writing better posts than me.

To the whole team for what sounds like great efforts and a lot of fun. Keep up the good work and lets impress the folks up in Durango. Please keep listening to the coaches, having fun, and riding hard.

Days 1-3 1/2 : Port Orchard to Twin Harbor State Park

2010-07-01T13:05:00.000-07:00

Howdy Howdy! We are now on the 3rd day of bike tour, and let me tell you it has not been easy. No I am not talking about the biking, its been done. Really the only difference is there is wind and it is wet. No I'm talking about EVERYTHING ELSE. We have had so much misfortune, and maybe its because we sullied the name of Utah our bad Richard, that I was able to compile a list of things to look out for when camping, bike tour... or otherwise:

1) Make sure that the gloves you bring, are one left and one right. Not 2 rights.
2) Make sure that your rim tape is not made of rubber, because in all likelihood it will snap
3) Don't wait until you're about to go to bed the night before you start biking to change your flat, chances are its because your rubber rim tape snapped.
4) Don't pour a bag of shrimp directly in to the pan, especially if its oiled up, this will cause you to catch fire.
5) Don't operate heavy machinery with lack of sleep.
6) The things that look like poop, are probabily slugs, don't step on them!
7) And the gray rocks, are probabily poop.
8) Don't pitch your tent on an incline. Because you'll wake up in a ball in the middle of the night and when you have to ride the next morning it don't feel so good.
9) No matter how funny you think the "Population 35" sign painted outside of the convenient store in rural Montana is, don't take the picture. Because when you go in to pee, you'll probabily just end up leaving your camera.
10) Make sure you know how to use your stove.
11) Or if you know how to use it, if its a gas stove, don't over pump it. It will explode when you remove the pump.
12) And last but not least, make sure that the bolt holding your rack and fenders on isn't old, because it will probabily snap making it impossible to find a bolt long enough to hold both rack and fenders, which means you'll have to take the rear fender off and chances are that will be the day it will rain.

Yes, all these things have indeed happened to us, I will not specify to whom, but they have happened. But despite all the bad, we are having the time of our lives, but boy are we glad we're not alone. Thank god for our idiot friends Deidra and Casey who turn all of the things that would normally bring us to tears, to shrill laughter. You know, Julia's laughter.

Talk to you all in a few more days!

Thursday Ride Recap

2010-07-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

Good ride again today! Sam, Mose, and I got a little head start so we were able to see some action leading up the Ironwood Hills. Everyone was working hard; I saw Donovan bridge up to the lead group with Logan and Nathan in tow. New Logan came around us like a rocket.

Special thanks to Hunter for hanging back with Moes to coach him up Greasewood and A Mountain, and to Lizzy for staying with new riders Daniel and Logan.

Alex dominated, earning points at all four sprints to take the lilac jersey by a healthy margin. New Logan was awarded the white jersey for his strong riding and notable improvement. Watch out - this kid's gonna be fast.

Here's the sprint points breakdown:
Ironwood Hills
1st(3) Alex
2nd(2) Hunter
3rd(1) Nickel

Starr Pass
1st(2) Mike
2nd(1) Alex

Greasewood
1st(3) Alex
2nd(2) Donovan
3rd(1) Mike

A Mountain
1st(4) Alex
2nd(3) Mike
3rd(2) Donovan
4th(1) Nickel

Totals
(11) Alex
(6) Mike
(4) Donovan
(2) Nickel
(2) Hunter

~Richard

Weekend Rides

2010-07-01T10:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday - Old Man Shootout - 5:45 am
Plan on showing up at Ignacio's house no later than 5:30; the shootout waits for no one. If you need anything from the clubhouse, show up earlier and we can run down there.
New Riders - take the day off, have some fun. You're all doing a great job.

Sunday - Tour for Tucson's Children - 5:30 am
This is 27-mile unofficial charity benefit ride in southwest Tucson. We're going to take advantage of this ride to work on our pack riding skills. There will be riders of all different ability levels here, so awareness and safety is going to be our focus. The ride starts at 6:00 am at TCC. We are meeting at the clubhouse early to get ready and ride to the start together. Don't be late!
Thanks, Nippy! for bringing this ride to our attention. It should be a lot of fun.

~Richard

Thursday Ride

2010-06-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

Great ride today, everybody! From new riders Logan, Daniel, and Sam I noticed improvement in bike handling just during the course of the ride. Keep it up! I also want to thank the older riders for being good mentors to the new riders, and incredibly patient besides. These slower rides aren't the most exciting, but they'll pay off in the end.

Thursday ride/race tomorrow at 6:30... be sure show up well rested, fueled, and hydrated. Rob will be riding with the A group defending the lilac jersey, and Logan's gonna make someone work the get the white jersey off his back. I'd like to see some strong efforts tomorrow - don't be afraid to make tactical mistakes (that's how you learn). For the new riders, this is a chance to push yourself and get stronger. But don't neglect your bike handling skills. Everyone keep your heads up and ride safe tomorrow.

~Richard