Hello new website, goodbye old blog!

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

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!

Here. (El Grupo Facebook)

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

More on Scavenger Hunt

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

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

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!

HERE on Facebook!

Weekend Notes

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

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

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

Practice

Practice

See you guys in a couple of hours.

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Hunter

KVOA News

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!

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!!!!!!

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

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

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!!!

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!

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.

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.....

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

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

See you then.

Ignacio

Most Aggressive Jersey

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.

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

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!

OK

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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!

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

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!!!

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

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!

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

O2

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!!!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

GABA Blue Loop 2010

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