A Gentlemen's Farewell...

"Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I have hope for the human race." ~ H.G. Wells

Today, I saw the true meaning behind this quote. At the 4th stage of the 2011 Giro d'Italia, we were all witness to what I find to be one of the most heartwarming and respectful actions in professional sports. There are very few sports, if any, in which the entire competition could come together as one to remember and celebrate the life of a fellow athlete.


Wouter Weylandt (LEOPARD-Trek) lost his life from a crash during Stage 3 of the Giro d'Italia. Only 26 years old, he was young, ambitious, and a phenomenal racer. Just a year ago, he had won Stage 3 with his former team Quick-Step. Further investigations would prove that Weylandt had died on impact, that he had felt little if any pain, adding just the slightest level of resolve for family and friends who feared his final moments on the road.


Throughout the 4th stage on May 10th, all 23 teams took turns leading the peloton in a rolling procession honoring their fallen brother. In the final 4km to the finish, Team LEOPARD-Trek lined up 9 abreast (with Garmin-Cervelo rider and best friend of Wouter, Tyler Farrar) to ride in unison, silently across the finish line. The other 22 teams drifted back allowing the leading nine to roll through the crowds that filled the air with a calm applause.


I have so much respect for each and every one of these cyclists, and am very proud to be a part of our common love of cycling. Thank you, for proving that Mr. Wells was right, there is hope for the human race.


TMP

Road Trip to Arizona

I was planning on getting this blog up earlier in the week but the weather has followed us home from Arizona and it has been some prime time to get out on the trails of Eagle. Here is a picture of the riding today... Garmin said it was 83 degrees in the sun with not a cloud in the sky.

We took off for Arizona early Thursday morning for the Whiskey Off-Road event and took the Moab route to get down there. It was very scenic most of the way down with the exception of very barren stretch of land from the Arizona line until Flagstaff. We arrived in Prescott around 6:30pm not realizing that we actually gained an hour to move into Pacific Time.

After unloading the gear, suitcases, and bikes we walked a few blocks over to Whiskey Row to grab a bite to eat. Prescott Brewing Company seemed fitting for the evening. The waitstaff was very friendly and their menu had so many options, that made making a decision very difficult. I was recommended the Ponderosa IPA by our server and it was a very wise choice. The brew was fantastic and I could instantly see why this brewery has been named the #1 Micro Brew in Arizona for 2 years now. Their house ground Peppercorn crusted Gorgonzola burger was pretty awesome too!

The town of Prescott has got it going on. From their historic downtown section to the "upper" Prescott Valley with all the common shopping and dining options you find in most booming cities, there was something for everyone. The start/finish and expo area was setup right on Whiskey Row right alongside the town Court building and its spacious park setting. The finish line offered several balcony seating options from the various bars and restaurants giving spectators "VIP" access to all the excitement. The locals were all very friendly and I had several "locals" thank me for stopping in their town and spending some money.

The festivities began on Friday afternoon with the "15 Proof" (15 mile fun race) followed by the Pro Mens and Women Fat Tire Criterium. The course was set right downtown in a large figure 8 pattern of about 10 square blocks. On top of a stacked field of Pros, each lap feature some brutal climbs that reminded me of San Francisco streets. We missed the womens race but got there just in time to see the mens field lining up. Just minutes into the race, you could see who was really there to fight for position in the race, which was truly only held for the top five call-up positions for Sunday's race. Just one lap into the race a lead group had formed with Chris Sheppard, Barry Wicks, Jake Wells, Tinker Jaurez, and a few more. This group would end up putting non-stop pressure into the rest of the field eventually finalizing a race in which only 7 out of 50+ pros had not been lapped or pulled form the race. One of our local favorites Jake Wells (Dogma Athletica) finished with a strong 2nd place finish in a final sprint up the 200 yard, 15 percent grade to the line.



Saturday morning was the start of the 25 Proof and 50 Proof races for all categories except Pros. We started the 50 Proof race promptly at 7:30am to the sound of a customary shotgun blast, as used for the beginning of each race throughout the weekend. I arrived at the start a little later than I wanted, so my position was not optimal for a fast start. After close to a minute and a half of waiting I finally got rolling. The initial climb was on pavement for about 4 miles as we led out of town to the Prescott National Forest land. I was able to gain quite a bit of time on the road as it gradually got steeper up to the dirt. Apparently it was not enough though, as we hit the singletrack, it literally took 100 yards for the "Conga Line" to start with those who pushed it too hard in the beginning and now couldn't maneuver some of the simplest of technical features. Despite the frequent stops, the singletrack was prime. The town of Prescott has a very close relationship with the National Forest Service and it shows in the quality of their trails. Built for sustainability, the first climb and descent of the course featured what seemed to be an endless array of water bars keeping even the most technically advanced riders busy and attentive. At one point we had some steep 30+ percent descents littered with water bars that scattered racers among the dirt. One guy took an initial turn into the descent and instantly went over the bars. I must say I was rather impressed with his instant release from his pedals, otherwise his landing would have been race ending. As I weaved my way through the racers walking the descent, we popped out onto a double track climb for about 15 minutes up to aid station 1 and our descent to the Skull Valley out and back.

The out and back format was nice in that it allowed me to see the damage inflicted to the field from the lead riders who were able to "clean" the majority of the initial singletrack. The out and back was about 9.5 miles each way and it wasn't until mile marker 6 that I started to see the first riders making their way back up. At the turn around it looked as though I was sitting in about 40th as I made the turn back up the hill. The climb out of Skull Valley, past aid station 3 and to the top of the total climb was brutal. About 15 miles in length and a vertical gain of about 2800 feet that gradually got steeper definitely put some hurt into the thighs. Trying to ease off the onset of cramping, I tried to hold a steady pace without really trying to put some big efforts into the pedals. By the time I reached the top of the climb I had dropped to about the mid 70's in placement. My chain had lost all lube on the descent of Skull Valley and it was amazing how much of a mental damper the sound of a squealing chain will put on your cadence.

The first long descent was oh so fun! It was a fast sweeping 15 minute ride on some newly build singletrack by the NFS. I was able to gain a few places on the descent until I ran into the final 200 foot climb of the course. It started with some technical rocky ascents that I must have hit hard in the wrong fashion which sent my thighs into a wicked cramp spasm. I instantly jumped off the bike in an attempt to stretch them out with no luck. My thighs literally looked like they were alive with muscles jumping back and forth. After a few minutes I was able to get back on the bike and "spin" a little ways up. Soon enough, the climb became more sustained and loose, the cramps came back. With a bit of walking I managed to get to the top of the climb and begin the second long sweeping descent back into town. By this time I had lost quite a few more spots and was currently sitting at about 98th position. I made the final efforts on the road back to Whiskey Row and finished with a time of 4:45:00. I was very happy with the time and effort considering it was my longest race to date. Final results put me in 97th place out of 232 finishers in the Mens Open 50 Proof. One thing I was really happy about is that the Park City Point to Point race is not until September, because I am definitely not ready for a 78 miles race yet!

Team High Maintenance had a great showing with some fantastic results. Team Captain Amy Hermes finished a huge 2nd place finish in the Womens 50 Proof Singlespeed category. In the Womens 25 Proof category, Nadine Davis finished 3rd and Danielle 12th (also her longest race to date). After the race, we found out that Danielle managed a solid finish despite a bent rear brake lever from a early crash as well as a broken pedal, preventing her from fully engaging her cleat.

In almost every category, riders from Colorado seemed to dominate the podiums. Interesting, considering most of us have just hung up the skis for the season. Former Bach Builders rider and current Honey Stinger rider Dax Massey took 2nd in the mens singlespeed 50 Proof race. Way to go Dax!

On Sunday, the Pros took off and were just flying by the course checkpoints. In the mens field, Chris Sheppard (Rocky Mountain Bicycles) crushed the group finishing in a record breaking course time of 3:04:00, almost four and a half minutes ahead of 2nd place finisher Colin Cares (Kenda Felt). Eagle local Jay Henry (Tokyo Joes) dug really deep to finish in 3rd place. Jake Wells hung on to finish strong in 7th place. In the womens race, Pua Mata (Sho-Air) pushed hard in the final descent to pass race leader Catharine Pendrell (Luna Chix) with only a mile to go and win the race. Avon local pro Gretchen Reeves finished in 4th place.

All in all, the Whiskey Off Road is an event that I will definitely return for. My only issue was the race start format. I think I would race in the pro group next time just to have an open trail ahead of me. The 50 Proof group started with about 600 racers and the 25 Proof group had even more. Thanks Prescott! We'll see you again soon!

Thanks again to Bach Builders MTB Race team sponsors NoTubes, Ergon, and Infinit Nutrition for keeping the suffering to a minimum in my first race of the season!

Better Days Ahead

Today is one of those days, that sitting in your favorite local coffee shop, couldn't be a better idea for the day. The weather here in Eagle has been not the greatest riding weather over the past few days and this morning we sit at a chilly 36 degrees with a steady fall of mini snowballs. You know, those kind that are not quite in the form of hail but a bit heavy for flakes.

Yeti's Grind is not your average coffee shop. Run by owners Nate and Tara Picklo of Eagle, the bustling vibe as you walk through the door begins the experience. Inspired by a local coffee shop at Nate and Tara's alma mater, Baylor University, they wanted to create a hip and trendy place to get a good cup of Joe in Eagle which the town was lacking at the time. So Nate left his job in construction and Tara left her job in teaching to make this dream a reality. The term "Yeti" came from a nickname that Nate had adopted on a trip to Alaska due to his lack of shaving over the course of the trip. Throughout the shop you will find all sorts of Yeti themed trinkets. Their menu is well-balanced and they have several offerings if a dose of caffeine is not your thing, as well as a wide selection of gluten-free options. Past the liquid menu, they offer bagels with a smorgasbord of toppings and spreads, burritos, breggos, scones, and dessert breads.

Yeti's Grind opened its doors just over 3 years ago and has quickly become a staple in the small quirky town of Eagle. On any given morning you will find everyone from soccer moms to contractors, cyclists to small business owners grabbing their favorite brew before the days adventures. See, what I like about this specific establishment and what sets them apart from places like "MoreBucks", is that it feels welcoming to anyone. I don't need to be a hipster to fit in, or own an iPad to use the free WI-FI access. It's a place to unwind, forget about the days tribulations, and enjoy some great coffee with friends.

To add to the success, Yeti's Grind opened its second location in the Solaris building right in the heart of Vail Village. Longtime locals may not consider this area the "heart" of the village but it is quickly becoming the center of action with its marketplace offerings, bowling alley, movie theater, etc. So whether you are in Vail or Eagle, stop in and say hi. Enjoy a cup of the finest coffee the Vail Valley has to offer, roasted locally by Travis Colbert, owner of City on a Hill Coffee based out of Leadville, CO.

So what does a local coffee shop have to do with cycling you ask? From a local cycling team to the jerseys hanging in the shop, Yeti's supports cycling and has instrumental in re-enlivening my interest in our sport. It is just another example of the progress we can make in a community when we combine our interests toward a common goal.

Alright, back to the weather. Thursday morning, Danielle and I are hittin' the road to the first race of the season in Prescott, Arizona. The Whiskey Off-Road with options of 50, 25, and 15 mile lengths is a 3 day-long mountain bike festival in the center of famous "Whiskey Row" in downtown Prescott. The forecast right now is mostly sunny and mid-70's for the whole weekend which will be a very nice change to this cold, snowy Spring in the high-country. I'll be sure to bring the nice weather back to the Vail Valley since we have a variety of events starting up in May.

Tomorrow starts the Vail Recreation District Short Track MTB Series kicking off the season at the Eagle County Fairgrounds. Original short track founder and announcer Larry Grossman will make his way "up the hill" to help design what we all know will be a suffer-fest course for all racers. Registration is only $10 per race with free beer afterward. See you all there!


Also coming up in May will start the Vail Rec MTB Bike Series with the first race in Eagle Ranch on Wednesday, May 25th. If you around Eagle for Memorial Day weekend I highly suggest bringing your bike and take part in Hammer Mash. Sure to be a fun filled event with clinics, group rides, vendors, etc.  Keep and eye out for Eagle's Party for the Planet (usually in conjunction with a whole lot of bike demos from our local valley bike shops, rides, beer, etc.). It should be around May 14th. 


Thank you to everyone near and far who is getting these events together. This is the direction we need to go in and gain the support of everyone to make Eagle the next mountain bike destination. As the title says, I definitely see better days ahead. See you all when I get back from Arizona!


TMP

The Race Whip - 2011 Yeti ASR-C Race

To say that I have tried a variety of bikes since I moved out to Colorado would be an understatement. Over the past 4 years I have owned a Trek 6500 hardtail, a Specialized Stuntjumper FSR, a Gary Fisher Pro Carbon, a Rocky Mountain Element 70, a Turner Flux and 5 Spot, finally moving onto a 2009 Yeti ASR Alloy. You win some, you lose some when rotating through a bunch of bikes like this but luckily since the Rocky Mountain, it was just a frame swap each time.

The Yeti ASR was the first bike that truly fit my preferred body geometry and riding style. Yeti's traditionally have a slightly longer top tube length while still dropping their head tube and seat tube angles to give it some very confident descending capabilities. I used the ASR all last season and it was fantastic. I rode my best season to date and the bike held up through everything I threw at it. However, the carbon rear triangle was a bit flexy even at my lightweight. The thin seat stays could easily be flexed back and forth by simply applying some pressure to the wheels with your arm. It was time again for something new...

I went down to see Mike at Venture Sports in Avon to see what options we had. Yeti Cycles had just released a 2010 completely redesigned ASR Carbon earlier in the year, that featured massive tubing all-around. the rear triangle this time was a giant one-piece mold that stiffened the whole frame up. They also added a 15QR front axle mated to a 12x142mm rear thru-axle to create one of the stiffest 4 inch travel XC rig's you could find. I knew that I had to have it. Luckily for me, by late August Yeti was already shipping their 2011 models with the new Shimano XT 10 speed group and 2011 Fox Shox.

Over the course of the winter I have invested a few more dollars into the bike to get it "race" ready, as if it wasn't right out of the box. Through some of our various sponsors with Bach Builders I swapped out the wheelset, tires, and added some sweet new Ergon grips. The bike now weighs in at 22.9lbs with pedals and the ride is incredible. I have never ridden a bike that fits me so well and handles with such finesse whether you are climbing a loose and rocky 20% grade or descending some fast and technical singletrack.

Thank you to Mike at Venture Sports and Yeti Cycles for their continued support through the grassroots racing program! Stop by and see Mike if you want to get on a Yeti...

Frame: 2010 Yeti ASR-C full carbon with integrated seatmast, Chris King headset, press-in BB

Suspension: 2011 Fox FIT F100 RLC 15QR Fork, Fox RP23 rear shock with Boost Valve

Drivetrain: 2011 Shimano XT Dyna-sys 10 speed group (Crank 24-32-42, cassette 11-36)

Cockpit: 2011 Easton EC70 handlebars, EA90 stem, Ergon GX2 Carbon team series grips, WTB Silverado Saddle, Crank Brothers Eggbeater TI pedals

Stoppers: 2010 Shimano XTR disc brakes, Formula R1 rotors

Rollers: Stan's NoTubes Crest rims, DT Swiss 1.5/2.0 spokes, Stan's ZTR Hubs (15QR front, 12x142mm rear), Specialized S-Works FAST TRAK LK 2bliss tires 2.0

If you haven't tried a set of Ergon grips yet, you need to get out and see what you are missing. Ergon International makes a wide variety of grips, backpacks, cleat tools, and soon to be released gloves that are all designed with one thing in mind - COMFORT. I tried a set of grips last year and was skeptical at first. While the climbs were fine, I didn't feel as confident on the descents with such a large grip beneath my hands. While the Ergon grips do take some getting used to, you'll find that they have a variety of shapes and sizes in their grips. The GX2 grips pictured above are one of the smallest and now that I have these, I have seen a dramatic improvement in hand comfort on my rides. The added carbon barend also gives the rider a variety of hand positions on the bike so you never end up with too much pressure on one section of your hand. I can honestly say now that I can't imagine going back to regular grips again. The soon to be released gloves will also be matched to specific grip sets, designed specifically to maximize the ergonomic comfort on the bike. You can purchase any of their products at your local bike shops, outdoor stores or here: ERGON ONLINE

Thanks again to Ergon International for your support! 

Bach Builders MTB Race team is an official Ergon Factory Rider Team

First race is coming up quick on April 30th in Prescott, AZ. The Whiskey Off-Road, 50 miles of fast, fun singletrack in the desert! Race report to follow...

And you thought Watts and HR were important numbers...

Imagine yourself 3 hours into a 6 hour race. At this point your legs are fatigued, breathing is about 10 minutes behind you trying to catch up. You have been training for this race for several months now but something is still not right...

Scroll through the stats on your bike computer and see that your average wattage is right on par for an ultra-endurance race. Even your heart rate has not crossed the Zone 4 line. You reach into your jersey pocket to take in some food, gels, chews... whatever you can get your hands on. Still, your body seems to be shutting down on you. Caloric intake gets you no where, easing off the pace and focusing on breathing doesn't help either. All you crave is water. As you continue, a different type of sweat develops from your pores. At this point, vision becomes blurred and dark. It is too late to adjust and continue.

Most of us train with the intention of racing within a set guideline of numbers pertaining to our power output, heart rate, calorie intake, etc. It is a pretty easy routine to get dialed in throughout the season. Luckily, with this routine our body will typically react consistently and rarely will you be caught off-guard by any abnormalities. There is a small group of racers (however an rapidly increasing number now) that have one very important number to focus on: Blood Glucose Level.

The above scenario is an all too frequent situation that a Diabetic racer must face (more specifically a Type 1 Diabetic). Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases in the U.S. Studies show that by 2050, 1 in 3 Americans will be diabetic if we continue to promote the "Super-Size Me" lifestyle the majority of Americans live by everyday. While these factors will most likely inflict a Type 2 disease upon most Americans, which is maintained by taking a pill to help the body utilize insulin created by the body to manage Glucose levels. The last thing we want is the future of Americans to be dependent on medications to survive. Type 2 Diabetes by definition is simply the body's inability to properly use insulin created by the pancreas to manage blood sugar levels. This type of disease is generally acquired from personal dietary habits (extreme high-sugar content intake) and genetic history. With an adjustment to dietary habits, Type 2 diabetes can be avoided and in many cases reversed through proper nutrition and exercise.

The less frequent yet more deadly version is Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas in the body completely shuts down and can no longer produce insulin. Those affected must inject themselves with insulin through syringes, pens, or monitors with catheters attached to the body. Most injections are as frequent as eating and drinking. The most important factor pertaining to the onset of Type 1 diabetes is that it is not genetic nor is it acquired from lifestyle habits. It can happen to virtually anyone, whether a finely tuned athlete or your average Joe, and at this point there is no cure.

My wife Danielle is a Type 1 Diabetic. She was diagnosed shortly after we were married in August of 2005. Although she lives a very healthy lifestyle and is able to manage her sugar levels well, it is always a concern for her when riding and racing. Diabetic shock or coma can occur at anytime. A Diabetic shock can occur even while sleeping as the body falls below a stable blood sugar level (usually below 50). The average person maintains a stable blood sugar level between 82-110mg/dl. A Diabetic Coma can occur when a blood sugar level reaches an extremely high level.

There are plenty of great organizations that help promote awareness for Diabetes around the U.S. One group that I especially admire is Team Type 1, a U.S based cycling team whose racers are comprised of those struggling with Type 1 Diabetes. From amateur to a pro-level cycling roster, they work together to prove that this disease will not win in its effort to deter them from achieving their goals. Daniel Schneider  a rider on the TT1 Elite mens cycling team wrote a short blog regarding his experience during last weekends Mead-Roubaix in Boulder, CO. Check it out by clicking on his name above. You can also check out Team Type 1 by clicking on their name above as well.

As for me, Type 2 diabetes is pretty dominant in my Native American family background. Luckily, through cycling and nutrition, I have been able to prevent the disease from affecting my life so far. But even without being formally diagnosed I have come close to experiencing some of the effects of the disease. On several occasions I have tested my blood sugar levels at times when energy levels had drastically decreased and the "shaky" feeling set in. This usually had my sugar levels down to about 58-64 mg/dl. I must say, it is a feeling unlike any type of "bonking" on the bike you will ever experience.

So next time you cruise by that aid station to stock up on some extra calories to get you through the finish, think about what it would be like to also stop and have to inject a shot of insulin just so your body could do something with those gels. Heart Rates fall back with rest and breathing, higher Watts will push you further and faster, but a BGL reading needs the most attention.

Thanks for reading and helping to spread the awareness of Diabetes.
TMP

Vail Valley Mountain Bike Association - an IMBA affiliate

Just a quick note here until further information and structure is available: Through a collective effort, Eagle County cyclists have created the Vail Valley Mountain Bike Association. This will be the Valley's first IMBA affiliated mountain bike advocacy group and through this partnership, we will be able to work directly with the International Mountain Bike Association based out of Boulder, CO. IMBA's presence in the land management negotiation process has been monumental in establishing sustainable trail access around the world. Now, the Vail Valley will be able to more effectively work with land managers and organizations to help work side by side with the Hidden Gems initiative in an effort to help keep access to bikes on our public lands.

More than just a legal resource, VVMBA will also host dedicated trail work days and open the possibility to build more sustainable trails in the Vail Valley. Please show your support and become a member today. You can sign up at Mountain Pedaler in Eagle, as well as Moontime Cyclery and The Kind Bikes in Edwards. The initial year long membership fee will be $20 for an individual and $30 for a family.

Happy Trails!
TMP

The Future of Women's Cycling

As I sit in Yeti's Grind on my day off enjoying a delicious roast from City on a Hill Coffee and a huge bacon and egg burrito topped with salsa, I begin to think about a comment my little sister wrote on my Facebook page the other day. In her best effort to get me to come back home and express how much she misses Danielle and I, she mentioned that "Cierra Thinks you should come back home, have a baby, teach me how to ride on a bike on the mountains, you look better WITH glasses, come to Disney with us this April, and a lot more". While the first two "thinks" I bet will not happen anytime soon, the third stuck out in my mind and brought back some memories from my family's last visit to Eagle.


A few years ago, my family was out when we used to live in Vail and everyone rented bikes. At the time, I was not into racing yet and leisurely rides down the bike path were on tap for the afternoon. While my little brother about 13 at the time could ride any grade we took him on, I felt bad for my little sister who just wanted to ride with her big brother, but due to her lack of riding experience and steep hills could not follow us. Two years later they returned to Colorado and we rented bikes again. What a difference... my little sister was fearless when it came to any obstacles in her path. We went over to the bike "skills" park by the Eagle ice rink and she was so excited to ride over logs, rock gardens, and go over the jumps with way more speed than I am sure she was intending to give. My little brother on the other hand, now struggled with the technical riding skills attempting to "jump" with my sisters 20 inch mountain bike and nearly lost his 'boys' on a hard landing.


The thought of teaching my sister to ride and race a mountain bike made me think about girls and women in our sport of cycling and how strong of a field we have today. More importantly, I would like to commend some of these women for being outstanding role models for girls in an age where public controversy seems to be the norm among teenage celebrity figures. 


Three names come to mind: Emily Batty, Heather Irmiger, and Rebecca Rusch. Click on any of their names to check out their personal websites to learn more about them. While each of these athletes have very unique and different personalities, they all have a common goal. To become the BEST at what they do, to win races, have fun, live an active healthy lifestyle, and most of all promote and expand the influence of women's cycling.


A year or two ago I read a story in BIKE magazine, an issue that was dedicated to women in cycling. This is where I introduced to Emily Batty, a promising young rider from Ontario, Canada who despite the common notion that mountain biking is a dirty sport, she takes pride in still being "a girl" on the bike by wearing makeup and jewelry while racing. Now, her white necklace she wears to every race is somewhat iconic with her image (pictured right). To add to that appeal, she still maintains that hometown girl attitude and, along with hectic training and racing schedule she still manages to make time for her husband and pro racer, Adam Morka. Lesson #1 to live by: Do what you love and be yourself. 


With failures like Lindsay Lohan and others in the spotlight for my sister to look up to, I think about the positive influence girls like Emily Batty can have on our youth. So by all means Cierra, next time you stop out here in Colorado I will definitely teach you to ride on the mountains! Until then, look up to this girl ---->

To me, Heather Irmiger is a perfect example of a healthy lifestyle. If you follow her on Twitter @irmigrrr, you will regularly see her post some pictures of a new ultra-healthy dish she has prepared for herself and husband Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski. She believes in well-balanced, organic nutrition and it shows in her results. 2009 SingleSpeed World Champion and countless podium finishes in the UCI World Cup field, will make anyone shift to her diet. Still don't believe me?? Just check out her photoshoot for this years Cyclepassion calendar. Google it... Here is a good story about the couple that made it to USA Today in their bids to race for the Team USA at the Beijing Olympic Games: MTB Couple Lesson #2 to live by: Take care of your body, eat well, and stay active.

Last but not least, we come to the current 2 time Leadville Trail 100 winner and 2009 24 Solo World Champion, Rebecca Rusch. Commonly known as "The Queen of Pain", Rebecca rides at a whole new level when it comes to ultra-endurance races. At 42 years old this year, it is no easy feat to put your body into the pain that she can mentally get through. She is a role model for all women young and experienced, proving that no matter what age you can still be at the top. Racers like her, Dave Wiens, and Ned Overend continue to push the bar higher, showing everyone that experience outweighs age in the sport of cycling. Rebecca is pictured here below: (Congratulations to Rebecca on her latest win at the 24 Hours of Argentina this past weekend) Lesson #3 to live by: Aim high and set goals, only after this can you unlock your true potential.

All three of these women I find particularly important in my wife Danielle's aspirations to become a strong racer. Her struggles with Type 1 Diabetes help fuel a desire to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, as well as prove that even with a life long disease, you can still achieve your goals. I thank you Danielle; for your determination, dedication, and companionship in our common interest in the sport of cycling.

I know there are countless other women who have contributed to the rise of womens cycling and I thank you all. We continue to see more and more amazing events every year such as the Beti Bike Bash in Denver. The Beti Bike Bash, in its second year is a women's only race/festival. Another great thing to see is cash purses for pros that match the mens fields. The Whiskey Off-Road for example, a race that Danielle and I will be attending/racing in April is evenly splitting a $20,000 purse for the mens and womens pro field. Sadly, this was not a common thing in the past. The future of womens cycling is moving in the right direction for sure... are you going to be a part of it??

TMP