New Year 1st Practice

So I want to get the wheels of the new year rolling in the right way. I want to make Fridays practice at A-MTN mandatory if you are here in town.

If you are here I want you there, 9am meet at Club House.

If you are in town and not here I will be upset and no excuse will get you an excused absence. The only way is if I hear from your parent that you are super sick. So don't miss.

I am going to be much stricter this year in regards to making practices and having excused absences and the like. So I warn you now and hope to excite you about the great things to come.

And for those of you that hope to race this season I will guarantee you that your competition will not be sitting at home eating cookies on that day and probably was not yesterday. So lets get ready to give them hell this year and lets get out and start working hard.

Now to the fun stuff.

I want to invite everyone to come to my house after the repeats to watch my beloved Florida State Seminoles play their last football game under the great Bobby Bowden.

Ignacio

Great day in the Dirt

The Island of dirt was like a fantasy. Pablo, Matt, Dean, Julia, Lizzy and Ashley came out and we had a fun fast day.

Other than Ashley totally eating it at the bottom of the shaft and getting a fat lip is was a fun day. She was tough though and rode back in and I really hope to get a picture of it because she will make the rest of us feel like weenies I think.

thanks for the ride
Ignacio

Meeting Tomorrow 10am

Tuesday morning 10am meeting at the Club House.

I did not write this: Coghauler did

‘Twas the night before Christmas
and out on the street,
Everybody was cycling and, man,
was it neat!
The fixies were hopping
at the stop signs with care, coz
Tucson Bike Lawyer said the
cops would be there!
El Grupo was racing, staying in a line
straight.
Ignacio was beaming,
saying, “Man, ain’t they great?”
And Mom on her Surly and me on my Trek,
Were loaded with presents, trying not
to wreck!
When over on 6th Street there came such a
noise,
The whole group did a u-ie,
but maintained their poise.
And over to Bicas they pedalled
like crazy,
Three fell on the tracks saying,
“Oh, woopsey-daisy”.
Into the lot the cyclists tore,
Looking this way and that to find
out the score.
They just couldn’t figure, so gathered
around
That one lowly window and here’s
what they found.
One huge cargo bike and
Eight La Supremas;
A ton of new bike parts
and the one we call Claus.
He spoke not a word and
got real busy.
Just standing there watching
made everyone dizzy.
He gave the wheels new tires
And put the bikes all in rows.
He oiled the chains and got
grease on his nose.
He fixed all the Peugeots, the
Raleighs and Schwinns;
put wheels on the racks and
parts in the bins.
But before the Supremas gave the
cargo a lift.
Lights, helmets and bells
were the bike’s final gift.
And he said as he left
flying o’er the freight train,
“Merry Christmas to all and bikes
may use full lane!”.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

MTB Tuesday

Remember to comment on your wished place to ride.

Also recently Dean sent me an application via Google Calenders that will allow you to write me and tell me if you are coming or not. However since I do not have this up and running:

WILL EVERYONE PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT THAT PLANS ON COMING

this way I can make sure that there is enough car spots.

Thanks everyone
Ignacio

Yeah still no school for a week. I hope everyone has been sleeping in and not getting too cold. Thank goodness we did not actually ride at the proposed times of last week as it was freezing in the mornings.
I was able to go out a few days, and on Christmas I had a great day in the dirt where I did not see one single person on the trail but I did see a whole family of Javelinas and they actually looked in good and beautiful health.

I want to really honor the two week break that you all have definitely earned, but also want to propose a certain number of ideas. I want to make certain that you are all proud of your recent accomplishments over these past few month, as I know I am.

I know this team takes a lot of time and commitment and I am often even asking more, so I want to thank you all for your dedication and your hard work that you put into this team. I have rarely seen any of you give anything but 100% when at practice, so thank you.

In this next week I would like to invite you all to come play on your bikes, totally optional practice ideas:

Tuesday: Mountain biking
Start time: Meet at Club House 10am

Thursday : Road ride
Start Time: 9am meet at Club House

Friday: Road Ride
Start at 9am meet at Club house

Sunday: Lizzy Choice ( its her birthday the next day)
Start time: 10 am meet at club house

I want to start practice at times when you don't have to wake up without the sun. I really don't like to so I can only imagine that most of you don't. Sorry for proposing times last week that were really not fun, and in the freezing cold.

Where are we going:

Well the mountain bike ride istotally up to where you guys want to go. So please post your wishes and when we meet the winning rides gets the go. That will be for hte MTB day.

As for the road rides, Thursday will be the traditional fixed loop. Yes I know the same one that so many of us have done a 100 times, but really it is a great little ride and I enjoy racing a lot of you on that old familiar road.

Friday is going to be one of those end of the year crazy things. I want to do 10 A Mtn repeats in recognition of the New Year. Something crazy for the New Year, this is something that we used to do on my Swim Team and so it has one of those places in my heart where Crazy things go.

Merry Christmas Everyone and hope to see some of you soon!!!

Ignacio

Marcos and the marathon

Marcos recently competed in the Tucson Marathon and is alive to tell about it. Granted I have not heard too much from him about it but from what I know the boy can run.

He won his division by over in hour and finish 97th overall in a time of 3 hours 20 minutes. That puts him well within striking distance to qualify for the Boston Marathon. That means pretty dang cool.

So congratulations Marcos!!!!

Ignacio

Why?

I decided to cancel practices for the next two weeks to give everyone a break. We have been going strong now for quite a while. Since before El Tour (September) without a break. So I suppose it is time for some rest.

It was becoming apparent to me that people needed it to recharge their batteries and to get excited about riding again. I know for some it was really feeling like a chore and they were not enjoying it anymore. So I hope that with some time away everyone, including myself, can come back excited and motivated to work hard and ride with their friends again.

I am not upset in any way, more I am trying to let everyone enjoy some down time and not monopolize it all.

Have a great break and I will look forward to seeing you all in the New Year!!!

Ignacio

Hell Week Cancelation

First I want to thank Ashley, Matt, Lizzy, and Nathan for a great ride today. We showed up in the cold after a crazy night and first had free coffees at Espresso Art and then enjoyed Gates Pass, Nathans first time. On the way back we were able to do a few intervals and then were able race each other over the Irvington hills, so a fun ride.

SO NO MORE PRACTICES OVER THE BREAK, and we will see about the new year. If you want to ride feel free to contact me and ask if I will be riding. I will be but I don't want to spoil your break or burn you out.

Next ride: January 3rd.

Secret Santa and Practice Times and rides

Yes I know how to use the Google calender and should be using it a bit more as a way to distribute info so please be looking there in the near and long future.

All practice times and rides are posted on the Calender so you will not have to ask me, "Where are we going?".

I am hoping that as many of you make as many of the rides as possible. I hope I picked some fun ones and that you will be excited about some of them. I know that not everyone will make everyone but if you can let me know before hand if you are going to miss that would be nice so I know who to wait for and what not.

Secret Santa:
Rules-- NO MORE THAN $5 may be spent
HOME MADE IS WAY BETTER

ALL GIFTS DUE ON WEDNESDAY PRACTICE OR BEFORE

MTB Tomorrow

December 18th Friday.

Who wants to go Mountain biking?

I know that I had said that I could lead the ride but very unfortunately I cannot. If there is someone who can lead it please post such.

Please let me know how I can help put a ride together.

Ignacio

The Canadian Are Coming

Greetings:

I heard from the coach and he would like to have dinner and meet the teens on Jan 15th. Please reserve the community room.

Nippy has arranged for us to eat dinner with the Canadian National Mountain bike team. This is an amazing opportunity that I hope all of you take advantage of. So please put this on your calender and make arrangements to come.

This is something special.

thanks
Nippy

Oh by the way

Lance Armstrong will be at Borders Tucson this Sunday, December 13 at 4pm signing copies of his new book, COMEBACK 2.0.

Borders is located at :

5870 E. Broadway Blvd.

Tucson, AZ 85711

But riding with Santa will be just as cool, because Daniela and I are Rudolph andd James Brown is the number 1 caroler.

Parade of Lights

Calling all El Grupo riders! Please help BICAS escort Santa's sleigh along the Parade of Lights on Saturday night (Dec. 12). You don't have to but you can decorate your bike for Xmas, attach a bunch of red bike lights, dress up in red+green or wear a Santa hat or whatever. We are meeting at 5:30pm at 17th street and 5th ave.

4th Ave Street Fair - bike valet

Super short notice, but many of you have heard of this from Ignacio.

We need your help this weekend to host the bike valet parking area in front of Ordinary bike shop on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 6pm each day. This is both a service that El Grupo offers, and it helps to raise money (donations/tips). There is no cost to us, just our volunteer time to watch over folks' bikes while they shop the street fair.

For riders, please talk with Ignacio tomorrow at practice about volunteering an hour or two on either Saturday or Sunday. If your parents are willing and available, they could help as well. We need to spread out the help, so don't all pick the same hours, but it is always more fun if more than one person is there at a time. These hours will count towards your "outreach" hours, and you can even much on total junk food (french fries!) while you do them if you are so inclined (though I would suggest sharing those huge portions!).

Thanks in advance for your help!

Kathleen's Request

Okey-dokey then....I just got notice that the voting polls are now OPEN in the Alliance photo contest.
For your ease, below is a link to each of the images.
You can rank the images with anything from 1 to 5 stars along with your vote.

Here is how your voting will help BICAS: I selected BICAS (as they are part of the Alliance that is hosting the contest)to be the recipient of the grant-like awards that are being given out.

Here is how your voting will help El Grupo: If any image official wins and I get a prize, I am donating the prize to El Grupo to use as part of a fundraiser...for example the grand prize is a bike trip for two to Tuscany. We could auction that off to put money down for the bus/van. Cool, huh?

So get your clickers ready and.....VOTE!!!! My name is listed at KathleenD.

Advocates in Action:
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C23/P48/#12 Ignacio giving bike education to a young girl

Biking and Walking:
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C21/P24/#3 Max and Logan walking their bikes after a race

Inspirational:
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C25/P288/#2 American flag and coaches reflect in Avery's sunglasses
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C25/P312/#5 Max giving Logan a championship jersey
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C25/P336/#9 Old fashion biker watches the start of the 24 hour race

Youth:
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C24/P72/#15 Parents, coach and teammates help each other get ready to race
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C24/P72/#4 Getting ready for the Show Low Ride
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C24/P144/#14 Avery sticking his tongue out while he races
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C24/P144/#22 Two teams One Goal (El Grupo and YBC meet up before the race)
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C24/P144/#12 Team Spirit..El Grupo watching 24 Hour race
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C24/P168/#3 Logan waiting to do his 1st lap, 24 hour race
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C24/P120/#15 Logan/Max State Tandem Champs


Biking:
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C26/P72/#21 Ignacio and Kramer after climbing Mt. Lemmon
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/category/C26/P720/#15 The start of the 66 mile Show Low...faded look image(not El Grupo riders)

There are 6 other images that were submitted but I do not see them in the photo groupings...if I find them, I'll let you know.

Thanks a bunch,El Grupo!
Kathleen

This just in from Larry Robinson

GABA would like to know if on Monday, December 7th, starting at about 5:30PM to 7:00PM and then 8:30PM to 10:00PM if any El Grupo kids would like to help set up and take down for the Holiday potluck. It would be volunteer hours and all good stuff! Let me know, or email LarryRobinson08@gmail.com or call him at 237-5792, he has more info.

Also Larry would like to know if any of us can help this saturday morning with the Toys for Tots bike ride. It starts and ends at Reid Park and Larry was hoping we could do some bike valet.

Larry's message to me:

It looks like we will have a nice area to do a bike valet at the Zoo this Saturday. We should have it set up by 10:00 am, probably would use a minimum of 4 to 6 El Groupos to manage it it is a large area it would last till about 12:30. I can be there to help set up and bring supplies like signs,table ,chairs ,rope etc. Also Pam can use some help with cleanup after the pot luck. So come early eat then cleanup. I would help to get anyone home who needs it as they will be late on a school night. Also my Mom likes the Idea of helping us out with a dinner in the campground on the Salt River Ride,something else to plan.

GOALS

Now that everyone has a 2010 schedule of races and El Grupo team events (e.g. 24 Hours in the OP, Tour of the Tucson Mountains, El Tour) it’s time to set some goals so that we can plan training. Why set goals? Many people find that setting goals helps keep them challenged, fresh, and focused. They help you see the progress you are making, and to plan your training so that your goals can be achieved. Whether you are aware of it or not, the coaches are constantly setting goals for practices and big events. Listed below are a few examples of goals:
Ride to the top of Mt. Lemmon.
Bike commute to school at least 75% of the time.
Do a 3-day self-contained bike tour.
Ride a lap of 24 Hours in the OP in under an hour and 45 minutes.
Ride a 20 km time trial in less than 30 minutes.
Enter and finish a race.
Be capable of changing a flat in under two minutes.
Win the U of A crit.
Learn to track-stand and bunny hop.
Ride A-Mountain in under seven minutes.
Completely overhaul and rebuild a bike.
Podium finish at the Tucson Bike Classic.
Help five novice cyclists feel safe and comfortable enough to ride to school.
Learn how to build a mountain bike trail, and help build a section of local trail.

These goals may or may not be relevant to what you want, so think about what YOU want; what’s important is to challenge yourself and have fun. It’s helpful, if you are going to set goals, to make them specific and measurable. A goal like “be a better rider”, for example, is tough to work with; if you want to be a better rider, state what that means to you in specific and measurable terms. It’s also important to make sure that while goals should be beyond where you are now as a rider, they are not ridiculously out of reach. For example, if you just started riding this year and are struggling to stay in the middle of the pack on El Grupo rides, setting a goal for next year of making the National Team is probably not achievable. Write you goals down so that you can see your progress and so that we can help you achieve your goals.

Dream goals are worth thinking about and writing down too, whether you share them with others or not. A dream goal is something that is way, way beyond what you are currently capable of, but with lots of hard work and focus over several years might be achieved. Here are a few examples: do a transcontinental self-contained bike tour, make the U-23 National Team, build a bike frame from scratch, set a national time-trial record, get the City to establish a bike boulevard through your neighborhood.

Just want to ride with El Grupo and let the coaches determine goals? No problem. Setting personal cycling-related goals is not a requirement for being involved with El Grupo. You should know, however, if you do not set your own goals then the coaches end up setting goals for you; this is your opportunity to determine your own goals. If you do have some specific goals in mind, please write them down so that we can help you develop a plan that will put you on track to achieve those goals. We will be discussing goals and training plans for 2010 during the next few Sunday practices.

Get on the BUS

El Grupo Team Members: This comes from Nippy

Ignacio & Daniela really want to get a bus/van for the team

I have a few ideas as to which company to approach to see it they will make a big donation.

Your help is needed to make our change better in getting the large donation.

I would like every one to hand write (computer is ok) two letters.

In the letter please put the following some place in the letter.

Name, age, class in school and school name, time you have been an El Grupo member,

Most important what El Grupo means to you (50 words or less)

Super important as the two companies if they will help El Grupo obtain a bus/van.



Address one letter to


ROD PACE, President/CEO
Rosemont Copper CompanyP.O. Box 35130Tucson, AZ 85740-5130




Second company:

Robert B. McMahon, Chairman / CEO
Metro Restaurants4644 E. Fort Lowell Tucson, Arizona 85712

Ouch!

Pump up your tires and loob your chain!

El Tour Platinum Coach Nelson Recap

This is the story of the “platinum” El Grupo riders (Kramer, Logan, Dillon, Max, with coaches Alex, Nippy, and Nelson) in El Tour. We lined up early – 5 AM – getting reasonably good position in the front half of the “gold” group, rolling across the start line a few minutes after 7 AM. For the first 55 miles or so, the strategy was to keep the boys out of the wind as much as possible, and to avoid potential crashes. Both goals were achieved, and as we reeled in literally hundreds of riders the main challenges were safely threading our way between groups of riders and making sure that everyone was eating and drinking as we cruised along at an average speed of 24 mph. Kramer took on the responsibility of reminding everyone to eat and drink every 20 minutes, and closing gaps in the pace line, and Kramer’s leadership was a key part of the group’s success in the first half of the race. We were on track to finish in under five hours.

As we turned on to Oracle we were towing a large pack of riders, some of which were trying to edge into the middle of our pace line. A gap opened up in the middle of the pack and Dillon was dropped; Nippy stayed back to help him bridge back up. We slowed our pace off and on for the next 25 miles, hoping that they could get back on quickly, but ended up riding that distance without Dillon and Nippy.

At our second sag stop we waited, waited…and waited some more; after more than 10 minutes Dillon and Nippy were back with us. We chased on to a group being pulled by a tandem, and things were looking good again when I took a pull and missed the turn up Avra Valley. Ten minutes later, after a couple of long, hard pulls, we were back with the tandem group, at the base of Rattlesnake pass, looking at a finish time under 5:20 - and then Logan was off the back. We slowed nearly to a stop at the top of Rattlesnake, took it easy on the way down, regrouped, then realized we were loosing Logan – his legs were shot, with severe cramps that forced him off the bike. We all stopped for a few minutes, then got Logan back on his bike, still cramping, and Alex and I pushed Logan while Nippy and Kramer took turns at the front, pushing the pace as much as possible. Kramer looked like a sled dog straining in a harness, strong enough to pull the group all the way to Hermosillo. I think Kramer could have pulled us in at 25 mph, but we had to hold him back because there was no way that the entire group could match his strength. In the last few miles, Logan’s legs started feeling moderately better and we crossed the finish line, looking strong, as a team.

The point of this tale is not shortcomings, but strengths. Dillon and Logan faced challenges that would make even the most experienced riders quit, but these guys did not quit. They did not consider quitting, even though that would have been both easier, in the short-run, and understandable. The team loyalty that was displayed by the rest of the group waiting for dropped riders was something seldom seen among athletes of any age or ability. It would have been easy for the guys that were riding the strongest that day – Kramer, Alex, and Max – to break the pact they had made the night before and continue on without their teammates. They very likely would have made platinum. They would have caught some flack for the decision, but anyone would understand why young, competitive riders, in the excitement of a big event, would take off and leave their teammates in their quest for a faster time (believe me, older, more experienced riders do this all the time in El Tour). But they did not break their agreement to finish together, and it was never seriously discussed. Equally impressive, there was no bitterness about having stuck with the decision to finish together – these guys were justifiably proud of their achievement as a team.

Kudos and huge thanks to Kathleen, Carol, and Megan, for starting line assistance and support stops that were so professional and organized that they would have looked at home in the Tour de France, and to Nippy and Alex their excellent on-bike coaching.

BigWheel backflip

I didn't know we were sprinting

Start of the 66-mile El Tour

El Tour video

El Tour 09

This event is a culmination of so much work, patience, pain, anguish, sweat, heart, and worry that there is no way a blog post can capture the months of training and preperation that each person involved put in to make this happen. This event is as much about the amazing young men and women that put their bodies to the limit to achieve a goal with their friends as it is about the parents that wake up every weekend to get their kids to practice on time, worry about them every ride and make sure they are fueled for the next one. These events are absolutely team efforts in every sense of the word it takes every parent, coach, rider, and supporter to make it happen. I very much want to thank everyone that has put effort and heart into this team and has made this happen. What we acheived was only because of the great support network that this team is amazingly fortunate to have.


THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So really how did it go?


Well again so hard to know where to start. Every rider can tell their own story of trial with adversity and their triumph over it. From Nathans crash, to Logans cramps, to Donovan pushing harder that ever, Ricardo and Pablo pulling to the end, Connor killing the Oracle hill, every rider can tell you of there battle and triumph and this is why I love these events. Not one of the young men and woment that started the race yesterday are the same today. They all know something about themselves that only comes out in true tribulation and effort. They will always have this acheivement to keep for themselves, no one can ever take it away. And this is so much of why I coach, I want every kid to learn that they are so much more than they know. Our minds too often limit our potential, but when asked for, more, it will most often amaze how much more we have. I can't begin to explain how proud I am of every rider on this team that participated. Really I can't wait for the next event and I promise you there is more to come from every rider. Don't think you have reached your limits because you have only begun. Let the beauty begin.

Here is a look at "my team". Ricardo, Pablo, Connor, Donovan, Milo, Julia, Dean and Coach Christian. We rode the 109 and finished in 5:57. Just in time to get the boys a gold medal and for Julia PLATINUM. That means really cool. I had an absolute blast leading the team for 109 miles and would do it again any time. We rode the perfect dream ride. I cannot think of anything we could have done to make it better. THANK YOU TEAM!!!!!!!!!
Nelson, Alex Strickland and Nippy coached the Platinum team made up of Max, Logan, Kramer, and Dillon. These guys put so much heart into the ride each ones face was completely covered in salt when I found them at the end. I was told by many that they were absolute animals and I know each rider is telling there story over and over today. Next year if they can start with their cycling pears they will easily go Platinum. This year they started too far back and just never had a chance to catch up. Well done Gentleman!!!

The mighty Travis coached the 67 mile team made up of Ashley, Nathan, Marcos, Lizzy, Matthew and Jannette helped him coach.

I should say he had the hardest job of all as he had the newest group of riders, however he got them together in no time and had them put together one heck of a ride. They averaged over 15 miles an hour and loved every minute of it. Most exciting for me to hear was Ashley pulled the team in over the last 20 miles. I can't wait to have these guys move up to the 109 and riding together with the other teams.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR A PERFECT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!


Hanging out at the dinner party before the ride, getting our jerseys. Lizzy's first.

Julia realizes platinum dreams.

You got to look good to ride good, Yeah that's right!!

You earned it Nathan.

But my wife and son are still better looking.
My favorite part.

The calm before the storm.

I love the look on the boys faces here. That is anticipation with the known fact, that they are ready. It's called confidence, something that can never be given only earned. That is why I coach.

Can we wear tight jeans?

El Tour 2009

El Tour Preparations & Pasta Dinner

So it is here at last, what you all have been working so hard for over the past months: El Tour de Tucson. It is next Saturday, November 21st in case you needed that. There is a lot that needs to happen this week including getting the bikes ready, picking up packets, and eating lots of good nutritious food (how many times have you peed today is the question of the week...drink water!)

For Wednesday's practice, meet at the clubhouse at the usual time in your regular clothes so we can all ride over to the TCC to pick up our packets and mingle/schmooze at the El Tour Expo. If you will not be at practice on Wednesday, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to pick up your packet at the Expo, which goes from mid-day Wednesday through Friday evening. If you have questions, ask us please, don't forget!

If your bike needs work, you need to get in touch with Ignacio ASAP. He has made time for just this this week, but again, it is your responsibility to let him know that your bike needs help before the big ride.

Finally, on to the fun part: EATING! As per tradition, we will have an all family-rider pasta potluck dinner on Friday evening. If you will be riding, you can meet at the clubhouse at 4:30pm to ride over together. If you are going with your family (who are all invited, please share this with them!), you can meet us there at 5pm.

Where is there? We will have the dinner at Stone Curves co-housing on the southwest corner of Stone and Limberlost in the community kitchen/commons area. Parking is a bit limited, so talk with others to carpool if possible.

How can you help? Judith will be making a pasta sauce and enough pasta for the masses. We need everyone else to contribute to the potluck by bringing appetizers, vegetable side dishes, garlic bread, dessert and drinks. Here is who I have signed up so far, so PLEASE comment or call to let me know what you will be bringing to make sure we are covered.

Max/Judith: pasta and sauce
Logan/Kathleen: big salad
Milo/Kandus: appetizer
Donovan/Lizzie/Mary Beth: desserts
Pablo/la famosa tia: cake

Again, if your parents are not accustomed to reading this, show this to them. You are all invited and it is always lots of fun to share food, get to know one another, and celebrate the hard work that has gone into this big event. Ignacio gives some pretty funny speech usually, and those new riders receive something they have well-earned.

Call Daniela 777-8629 if you have questions or to let me know what you will contribute.

Bike Swap Pics

Thanks again to everyone for making this a very successful event. I had a great time saving fun with the baked goods sale and I never once had to help with the bike valet. So I am very thankful to the riders and parents that made the valet run so smoothely. We made a bit of money and I sold a ton of baked good, a few bikes, and probably annoyed more people than not. So yeah to Success.



Saving fun in the process.


Ricardo was out filming for his Voices project, that Greg he is talking to. The organizer of the event and an El Grupo board member. THANKS GREG!!!!

Duh, read the chain stay, duffess.

Hard work in pictoral form.

The one the only great Grey Wolf.

Can you believe he actually told me that he knows baked goods better than most and he said our muffins were no good because of lack of frosting.

I say next time I see him and I have a muffin around I might stuff it in his cookie eating face and then tell him to use his super powers harnessed in his belt to do something about it.

A living legend, yes, questionable dresser, yes, Avery abort mission move man move!!!!

Pie Party @ Rachel's house- TONIGHT!!

Host:	Lisa Kiser & Rachel Kiser
Location:	Our home View Map
When:	Sunday, November 15, 6:30PM Add to my Outlook Calendar
Phone:	881-9427 Please CALL RACHEL if you can go and need directions. Or call Ignacio if you need a ride.
Hello, everyone! You are invited to our Family Pie Party--bring a pie to share or just come and enjoy the pie! All are welcome--bring a friend! There will be lots of pie, a pie walk for the kids, big pumpkins to climb on, a pie-throwing contest, and a mystery pie contest. There is also a Pie Prose and Poetry contest--write something about pie and win a prize, or try your hand at the prose and poetry contest at the party. Food will be served outside unless weather doesn't permit, so be sure to bring something warm to wear (as needed!). We hope to see you there!

Sunday November 15th Practice

STARTS AT 8AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday - Bike Valet Hours

Reminder: the bike valet will be in the "park" on the east side of 4th Ave between 7th and 8th streets...just look for Ignacio's VW vanagon.

Here is the line-up:

7am-8am: Donovan, Ashley, Julia

8am-9am: Rachel, Connor

9am-10am: Max, Logan, Connor

10am-11am: Kramer, Ashley, Julia

11am-12pm: Lizzy, Marcos, Meema

12pm-1pm: Kramer, Fernand

PLEASE be on time, and know that you are truly needed during that hour at the bike valet, not simply at the bike swap. We are there to watch over folks' bikes and to let them know how awesome El Grupo is.

If your name does not appear above, it should. Please be prepared to fill in where there are only two people listed, or wherever needed. The only exception is if you must complete all your El Tour work trade hours that day, and cannot be to the bike swap before 1pm. We could always use help with breakdown at that time, though, too.

Kathleen has offered to help (thanks!) and will be helping in the 9am -12pm window, as will Daniela during the morning hours, but this is truly about you the youth riders providing a service to the community so we are all counting on you. In addition, we will as El Grupo be selling bikes, baked-goods (thanks Julia & Ashley), and water trying to raise money to do what we do and will want your help in doing that.

It is a great day for El Grupo to really let folks know who we are, what we do, and rally support. Be prepared to do that, in addition to geeking out on bikes and such. Si se puede! Just put on a happy face like these guys...

El Tour Work Trade Status

The fine folks over at the PBAA, the people who put on El Tour, have been very kind to let us "work trade" for our right to ride in the event. We have been logging all of our hours at Bens Bells and really having a good time of it. Most of the riders are very close to finishing their 10 hours which is great. I am going to list now the current totals of each rider and what they have left:

Ricardo>3.5 hours in-------6.5 left
Pablo >5.5 hours in -------- 4.5 left
Connor> 7.45 in------------ 2.15 left
Donovan> 7.55 in ---------- 2.05 left
Julia > 10 in---------------- DONE
Milo > 4.10 in ------------- 5.50 left
Max >10 in ------------------- DONE
logan >10 in------------------ DONE
Kramer > 7.15 in --------------- 2.45 left
Dillon >6.30 in--------------- 3.30 left
Marcos > 7.45 in ------------- 2.15 left
Ettiene> 4.15 in---------------- 5.45 left
Fernande> 4.15---------------- 5.45 left
Lizzy> 8.55 in------------------ 1.05 left
Ashley> 9.05 in ---------------- .55 left
nathan> 5.45 in ----------------- 4.15 left
Matea> 4.15 in ------------------ 5.45 left
Rachel> 7.05 in----------------- 2.55 left

I know I told you all this about 8 times today however I really want to make sure we are on the same page. HOURS HAVE TO BE DONE BY THE END OF SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!

MORE HOURS ARE AVAILABLE AGAIN AT BEN'S BELLS THIS SATURDAY FROM 6AM TO 4PM, SO YOU ALL HAVE ENOUGH TIME THIS SATURDAY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

NO EXCUSES!!!

THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE HELP ON THIS AND MAKING IT HAPPEN!!!

ignacio

Bike Swap Meet - Saturday!

Yep, it's that super fun day for bike lovers when they close down 4th Ave from 6th St to the underpass for us all to geek out on bikes, parts, clothes, you name it-if-it-is-bike-related. Saturday, November 14th, from the crack of dawn to high noon or so.

El Grupo always has a presence, and like we did last year, we will be providing bike valet parking for all those who choose to ride their bikes to the event, and don't plan on selling it. We will watch your bike for you between 6am and 1pm so you can shop, haggle, what-have-you with no worries. We will be located in the fenced-in park on the EAST SIDE of 4th Ave BETWEEN 7TH & 8TH ST. Just look for the VW vanagon and the El Grupo banner!

So, for all EG riders, friends and parents, we are asking for your HELP to staff the bike valet parking in between 6am and 1pm. ALL RIDERS MUST WORK MINIMUM ONE HOUR!! We will have a sign up sheet starting Wednesday at the clubhouse when we will all be patching tubes for PBAA all day, yeah :) The earlier you sign up for the hour you want, the more likely you will get it!

Looking forward to seeing you all out at the Bike Swap on 4th this Saturday!


OH YEAH AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT OUR WORKTRADE DAY TOMORROW. YOU MUST BE AT THE CLUBHOUSE TOMORROW AT 10AM TO NOT HAVE TO PAY TO GET IN. DON'T BE LATE. ETIENE AND FERNANDE YOU GUYS NEED TO SHOW UP. YOU TOO RICARDO

SilverBell Century Success

The food table shivers when we approach.

I can't image that we help GABA's overall food budget at all. I have to imagine at some point we might get a talking to . I mean Ricardo ate 3 pieces of sandwich by himself and left with the 4th in his mouth.

Getting ready for the day, making Daniela proud.

Look Mom were stretching!!

THANKS GABA!!!!!!!!!!!

Yet again the Greater Arizona Bicycle Association came through and offered El Grupo another amazing day.

I rode 95 miles with Julia, Donovan, Amy, Ricardo, Connor and Milo. So just 10 more and it would have been El Tour. I think we all know we are ready now and as long as nothing crazy happens we should be just fine.
Which way do we go?

Travis and his team had a land mark day. Most of his team has been cycling for less than 6 months on the team, and don't you know they rode 90 miles!!!!!!!!! That's pretty amazing and to top it off they did it not too much slower than my team. So 67 mile El Tour riders, heads up there will be some fast youth out there.
Travis showing us where the food goes.


Alex Strickland, Nippy and Nelson rode with the super fast team and realized that if they can stick together and work as a team they have a real shot at going Platinum.

Rachel rode her longest ride ever and I think even wore down Dave Bohm. Thanks for all the help Dave!!!

THANKS GABA FOR A GREAT RIDE!!!!!!

El Tour is in less than 2 weeks.

Start getting ready for it today. Drink water, sleep well, eat good food, and get pumped!!

Ignacio

Kathleen's Request

All right team this is a must. Kathleen has sent me this message and I want everyone to act on it.
Hi Guys,I entered 20 images in the photo contest...all but a couple focused on El Grupo.Look under the categories of Youth, Biking and Walking, Advocates in Action, Biking and Inspirational.Maybe you could do a blog post and encourage folks to go and vote.I'll share any winnings....how about a bike trip to Italy!!!


Hi once again....Would you please let all the BICAS folks know to go to the site to vote on the images....they are my/our identified non-profit to get the goods if any of the photos are selected. The 10 photos with the most votes "by the people" are put before the judges for the final vote. All of the info is below with the link.Tag words to look for will be mostly "youth bike racing".They have me listed as "Kathleen D. (Tucson, AZ)Most of the images are in the Youth and Inspirational categories with some in each of the other ones listed below.There are multiple ones of Max, Logan, Avery, Igancio......and a few from Show Low.Thanks.....it would be soooo great to win one for the gipper!We ARE SO going to get that bus!!!!K

http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/photo-contest/


SO DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GABA Silverbell Centruy

This Sunday the 8th we are going to ride with GABA again on a ride they call the Silverbell Century. The starting location is at River and Craycroft and they are saying the the event starts at 7am. So I should think that if we meet at the clubhouse at 6:30 am we can get there in a reasonable time.

MEET AT CLUBHOUSE 6:30AM SUNDAY.

Remember when we are on GABA rides we are guests and need to be on best behavior. There will be great food stops along the way, so no worries there.

Just please be ready for a long hard day. This is an attempt to simulate the intensity of El Tour so put your shorts on knowing that a hard day awaits.

Lets have fun with it and I will be excited to hear about everyones adventure.

More info can be found here: http://www.bikegaba.org/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=376&year=2009&month=11&day=08&Itemid=34&catids=37

El Tour Work Trade - IMPORTANT!

In order to do El Tour (and not have to pay full price for entry) we have the opportunity to do work trade with the PBAA and for the first time this year, with Ben's Bells. All riders between the ages of 13 and 18 must put in 10 hours of work trade, PLUS contribute $20 in donation to charity. This is something that El Grupo will expect you to come up with...either on your own, asking friends or relatives, teachers, etc. to support you in this ride. As for the work trade, here are your options, starting with next Monday, Nov. 2nd.

Monday, Nov. 2nd at Bens Bells (University & Euclid, Geronimo Plaza) from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. Please be on time as we will receive instructions by Jeanette at the start. Painting beads, lots of fun!

Monday, Nov. 9th at Bens Bells - more of the same, 3:30pm to 6:30pm

Saturday, Nov. 14th at Bens Bells- 6am to set up for "indoor el tour" before you head over to the swap meet

There will also be opportunities for packet stuffing and patching tubes, and Nelson is looking into this. More on this to come. But please mark down the next two Mondays for Bens Bells to hang out and paint beads together.

There will NOT be shop hours this next Monday as we will all be at Bens Bells.

Questions? don't wait to ask!

Practice Time Change

This Sunday the 1st of Nov. practice will begin at 8am.

PRACTICE STARTS AT 8AM THIS SUNDAY MORNING!!!

THAT IS ALL..

IGNACIO

Pablo's Broke Bike

About three weeks ago during a training ride of about 50 miles, Pablo and his bike decided to break up. It was one of those uncomfortable break ups where to the two people really still like each other and care for each other but they know it just can't be. Like marshmellows and peanut butter you know you want to eat them together all the time, I mean that fluffy nutter stuff is crazy good, but you just know it's not right.

This is what happened to Pablo. He loved his bike. Called it Sarah. Raced it. Loved it. Took her everywhere he went, we even got it painted for him. Hell he got upset if you touched it. I mean it was love. But it was not meant to be. She was too old for him, and just not ready for that kind of relationship.

So on a ride of 50 half way through, Sarah, the bike, decided to call it quites. She let go right where the head tube meets the downtube. It happened in a rip the band aid right off kind of moment too. No one saw it coming and he was devistated. There were no prior arguments, no tiffs to forshadow the break up. Just one big nasty, I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!

I was right behind them when it happened and really it was all at once. Just a loud pop and it was over.

So if anybody has a 56 cm frame that needs a partner, well we are looking. He is still single and looking for a partner. We recently were introduced to another however she too was damaged and not ready to go.

SO WE ARE IN NEED OF A 56 CM FRAME!!!!

Please feel free to contact me at anytime if you have something, and I do not care if it is aluminum, carbon, ti, or steel. Just something the kid can ride.

Practice Change this weekend

That's right this Saturday October 24th is my 30th birthday, and to celebrate I have always ridden my bicycle up the mountain. The sour one that is. So this Saturday I would like, and have, invited the team to join me instead of riding on Sunday.

So practice this weekend will be on Saturday the 24th. We will meet at the club house at 7am and see how far we can get. It will be a long day in which you will go higher up the mountain than you have ever gone.

Another treat is that Daniela's parents will be here in town and will be driving up to join us. They will also help us along the way with water and snacks. Maybe we will picnic at some point, too. (If others want to contribute snacks, birthday treats even, please let Daniela know so you can get them to her :)

I would really like to have as many El Grupo members around as possible and all other interested parties who want to watch me ride my bike as a person one year older.

thanks and hope to see you all out
Ignacio

Show Low Low Down

You got to look good to ride good, DUH.

I know, check me out, my thighs, my shorts, WOW!! I am obviously ready.

This is how we love to do the do.

Really it's the only thing my car does better than anybody elses (except for Christian's AWESOME truck).

Yes this event happened like three weeks ago, but it has taken me that long to get "over it".
It was hands down the hardest bike ride I have ever been on and from the stories I heard from the rest of the team, I think it was the hardest ride any of us have ever been on.

The event was Saturday the 3rd of October, The Tour of the White Mountain, an event put on by Epic rides. This is the same group that puts on the 24 Hour race that we are all such fans of. So coming into the event I figured that it would be similar to it, a fun flowy course, that was friendly to the masses. Well I was dead wrong!!!

I rode the 60 mile event with Nickle, Alex Stickland, and Zach. Nickle was the only one who had ever done the event and was nice not to tell us of the horror that awaited. The race was to be 60 miles long with mostly single track, however in the middle of the event Alex and I found ourselves lost with about 30 other riders resulting in us riding 70 miles. I am glad we did too because if not I would not have been on the bike for almost 7 hours. That's right it took me 6 hours 51 minutes to do 70 miles.

The 60 mile crew, still stupid as to what to come.

The course was littered with large lava rocks that never allowed you to rest. It was relentless in its punishment. After the race Daniela asked me if it was pretty, if there were any nice sections. I unfortunately had to tell her, "I don't know." Really I never had a chance to look up at the surroundings. Heck I was holding on the bars so tight that by the end of the ride I was having great difficulty opening my fingers enough to engage the brake lever.

As for the rest of the team. Max cried when he saw the finish line he was so happy to be done. He along with the rest of the team did the 35 mile ride. Logan bonked so hard he was delirious and did not recognize Daniela at the end of the race and she made him eat on the spot. Milo and Conner each took over 7 hours to do the course. And Ricardo had to #2 so bad he got 3rd place in the Junior category.

As that goes we finished the event well. Nickle got 5th place in the single speed division. Ricardo got 3rd in Juniors in the 35 mile event, Kramer 4th and Logan 5th.

I was just happy to make it out alive and I think Alex and Zach the same.

The rest of the weekend went super well also. Lizzy, Ashley, and Julia joined us on the trip and I was to take them riding the day after. Yeah right. No way we went it was too crazy out there.
Thanks Ladies for a great weekend and all the help.

I must say though that we love this style of event and wish more races were like this. We get out of town for a weekend. The kids usually get out of school on Friday which makes me seem super cool, and we then get to camp out. Really just a fun way to get enjoy our time together as a team. Torture Anyone, anyone?

I hope we get to do a lot more stuff like this and I want to thank Kathleen, Joe, Kandis, and Nelson for all their help in making this happen. Oh sorry you too Chad.

Thanks everyone and, yes I will say it, SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!

That's right for some reason at the end we were still all smiles and talking about next year.