BRAKES

Look at Chris's face, she says your supposed to use your head when you ride, I guess it worked for her!!!!! :)

Face Plant

Here's the evidence of my face plant from Sunday. A bit bruised, but will hopefully clear up fast. What a ride that was. It was in theSoquel (pronounced "So Cal") Demostration Forest outside of Santa Cruz.

Here's Murphy's (my riding partner that day) description of our ride up the mountain and then down "Sawpit" trail:
"At Soquel we did about 2100 ft of climbing and about 12 miles. Two or three near vertical rock gardens, a couple of 12 foot root chutes, about five ravines, one vert ramp vertical exit over a horizontal root, a couple of near unrideable rock gardens going up, a dozen jumps, fifteen switchbacks, a half dozen slingshot supercross berms, several off camber "s" curves with varying transition rates, I don't know how many drops and one face plant." I get breathless just thinking about it. Black diamond stuff for sure, but the most fun (and fear) I've had on a bike in my life.

I'm still in San Francisco and managed to squeeze in one more ride in Oakland yesterday. An 8 mile loop with one kicker of a "hill". Whew! It was a fire road, which is a lot like a narrow gravel road. It was really bumpy, though, due to the near-two-months of rain they had here in Feb/March. SO, it was a safe, fast ride (except for the climb!), meant for aerobic training. Nice urban trail!

Rock Island-Quad Cities

So, I said I should do well, and I kinda did, 8th was what I squeeked out of 40 women. It was flat, fast and fun. I just didn't plan one turn early enough..
Anyway, the racing weekend is over and it is back to the normal week, and riding our bikes.
Is everyone ready for summer, we are getting a taste of it now and more on the way.
Hope for rain!!!!!
What about everyone elses weekend, tell us about them.
Feel free to comment and give us a piece of your fun weekend to listen to and with others.
Thanks for the good thoughts everyone, it seemed to contribute to my good weekend.
C-

Quad Cities

HOT! HOT! HOT!
It is sooo hot up here in Illinois/Iowa (Quad Cities). I am racing this weekend and I have to say it hurts, a lot a bit. Saturday we did a thing called "Snake Alley", which is a 1 block straight uphill cobble stone climb with the remaining approx. mile being primarily downhill until you come around again to climb the crooked street. They used to use it for testing draft horses ability to pull a work load uphill back and forth pulling a wagon. Anyway, I thought I was going to die, it was so hot!~!! I mustard out a 20th spot out of approx. 40 women.

On Sunday we went to Weed Park in Muscatine. Kind of like being in Carondelet Park only a little longer climb. Though I was a goner once, hurt really bad another due to my engine overheating, but somehow with 2 laps to go I kicked myself in the rear and sent myself flying for a 6 place finish.

I will let you know how the Memorial Day crit goes. It is flat, fast, and lots of turns. Should be a good day for me. My motivation you say? $2400 in the pot, 20 places, but the $500 first place is like a carrot on a stick or should I say a rabbit on a rail!!!

How about that lucky Chris out in Cali?
See ya!
go ride today ladies and by all means have a blast.

Weekend Rollercoaster in Bay Area

Whew.

I am speechless right now at the weekend I've had in San Francisco (actually, the surrounding mountains). I have little energy to type, I am bruised, beat and utterly happy. I got to hook up with one of the coolest people I've met here in SF; he lent me his bike, drove me to the best trails, took me surfing, fed me (and gave me too many beers) and blasted the way down some wicked fun singletrack. Thank you, Murphy.

Whew.

I can't even think straight; I'm completely overwhelmed. I'll try and get pics up, but they're all kind of lame posing-at-the-top kind of pictures with a disposable camera and do little justice for the whole experience. The views were uh-may-zing; so many that I missed due to looking at my trail. But everywhere I looked it was beautiful: overlooks, waterfalls, redwoods....

Babbling; stupid, happy babbling. This weekend is why I love mountain biking: 75% scaring myself to death, 24% fun, excersize and adrenaline (maybe a bit more on the adrenaline) and 1% cursing the hills I have to climb just to flyl down.

Sigh.
Did I mention the surfing? A whole other thing, but, wow.

Memorial Day

Hello Everyone,
We will be out of town on Monday and the 7:30am ride will not have a leader. Enjoy the Holiday!!!!
I will be away from my computer over the weekend so, contact Chris, Barb, or Mindi if you have any concerns or questions.
See the May calendar in April archives for email and phone information.
Later Ladies
C-

SIUE RIDE

I do not have a leader tonight for the SIUE MTB ride in Edwardsville, Illinois.
The GORC crew will be there riding, however.
If you have not been to this trail, get a map from the GORC website, or be sure to go with someone who knows the trail.
Questions, give me a call.
Carrie

Dead Weights

Anchors, Bobbers, Lures, Dead Weights, we collect 'em all. Never think for once that Team Revolution is not for YOU! Some of us are racers, and love to go fast, but when we're supposed to go fast. We love to go easy, take our time and enjoy the surroundings. This is something you can't do very well when you are going fast.
Team Revolution is about you. Team Revolution is about learning, having fun, and growing. Team Revolution depends on each and every one of you to come ride and get your friends out there. This is for us, but it gives us great joy to give you ladies a place to ride, talk, learn, gain confidence, gain fitness, laugh, go slow, and go fast.
Hang on to your desire no matter what level of cyclist you are. A cyclist is someone who enjoys being on a set of tires with a lot of air to lift them up.
We are dedicated to making this what every woman wants and needs, so bear with us in the slow times and we will send rewards right back at you.

Now,....Come ride with us!!!!

C-

Monday mornings rock!!!

Hello everyone,
How was the weekend? As it stands now, weather is great, however, Wed and Thurs doesn't look so good according to the weather man. Some things to think about:

When do I like to ride?
When is riding convenient for me?
What do I want out of a group ride?
What kind of ride is best for me?
Is Team Revolution giving me this, or how can I tell what would be better?
Would I benefit from an extensive informational and instructional seminar/clinic tailored just for women?

Bottom Line: We need your feedback!!!! Ladies, Friends, Shop employees, Shop Owners. We can only be in a few places at one time and don't always here what you are saying or telling the sales people or your friends at work about your cycling hobby.
TALK TO US...LET US HAVE IT....BLURT IT OUT :)

See ya Chicas
C-

Good Job Ladies

I just wanted to thank everyone for coming out and riding with us last night. You gals did superb!!! I love seeing the enthusiasm in all of you that ride. We want to make sure it stays that way, so let us have it. Tell us how we are doing. You know those trucks with the sticker that says, 'HOW'S MY DRIVING?', well let us know, good, bad or concerned.
Just a reminder that tonight is the beginner mtb ride at SIUE. Here is the link to the map to give you directions. We will meet at 6pm. www.gorctrails.com/trails/msiue.asp
***There will be a ride on Saturday at 9 am for basics and fundamentals at Forest Park History Museum. At 11 am Ekatarina, will leave out from the History Museum to go on a 28-30 mile ride for intermediate riders.
Sunday plans? We'll get back to you tomorrow.
See ya
C-

NO-DROP ROAD RIDE

HEY GALS,
Let's try this one more time!!!! It's Wednesday and 6pm we roll out from Bread Co. in Webster Groves (next to Straubs). No-Drop road ride approx. 15-18 miles, at approx. 14-16 mph avg. Come ride with us, and leave everything else at work or home!!!
See ya there
C-

Rain Out!

I'm afraid another ride has been canceled due to rain. Since there's no better way (that I can think of at 10pm the night before) to get the word out; this is where we'll be posting rain-outs.

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For the record, we'll be posting cancelations for team mountain bike rides as a "go" or "no go" here around 8pm the night before. Or, if it's raining in the morning; check the blog.

Um, yeah, so what I'm saying is: check the blog. Religiously. Or for rainouts (since that's mostly what we've been posting lately).

But, for tomorrow, I'm assuming this mist is going to make the trails messy. So, we'll see you next week.
-chris

What the World?!!!

Hey Gals-The GORC guys say that the SIUE trail is unrideable. Hence another Thursday evening mountain bike ride put on hold. However, we are still on for the Friday night Bike Basic skills at Forest Park at 6pm. We will meet at the boathouse and go from there. Come with questions and your bike for a few drills, as well as, miss the traffic of rush hour and pass the time with us.

Spring time is here, Sorry for the rainouts, stay enthused

RAIN-RAIN GO AWAY-RIDE CANCELLED :(

SORRY THE RIDE HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR WEDNESDAY, 6PM AT BREAD CO. IN WEBSTER GROVES.
SEE YA FRIDAY AFTER WORK OR SATURDAY IN FOREST PARK.
IT'S STILL RAINING!!!
RAINCHECKS GALORE
C-

Happenings

Hey gals, seems as if the rumble is getting around! Over the past week we had quite the happenings. Wednesday we were joined on our road ride by Erin and Jodi to do our 15-20 mile "no-drop" ride from Bread Co. in Webster Groves. We were sprinkled heavily on midway through the ride, but had a great time, nonetheless. Cinco de Mayo came and went, I met a great new rider at Forest Park for Q & A night. Saturday, I raced in Illinois and donated my oxygen (ha ha). A second is good enough for this 30something'er. On Sunday Barb kicked it up on the Trailnet ride from Carondelet park. Cycling is contagious ladies, be careful, smiles are hard to get rid of!!! Keep riding and come join us. Check out the calendar.

***Rain info: 314.581.8818***

This Week w/ Team Rev:

Wednesday: 6 pm Barring rain at start time-Webster Groves Bread Co. "No-Drop" 15-20 miles. Come have fun and learn to ride on the road.
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Thursday: 6 pm (Check for rain update-location/activity) SIUE beginners MTB ride. 12 miles easy rolling smooth terrain. Learn some mountain Bike Mojo
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Friday: 6pm MTB Skills 101-Forest Park Boat House. This is an approx. 1-1.5 hr. skills course on things such as balancing, center of gravity on a bike, path focus, braking, obstacles, and turning to name a few. *****NO MATTER YOUR LEVEL, this short course will give you some small tidbits of info to help you ride better.
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Saturday: 9 am Forest Park ride leaving at from History Museum. (Beginner-All Welcome to come learn skills and fun)
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Saturday: 11 am Forest Park ride from History Museum (Leave the Park and ride on the road for approx. 1.5 hrs at slow-moderate pace to help acquaint riders w/traffic and group riding.
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Saturday 2: 9:30 am Castlewood MTB ride. (easy going ride for learners and fun)
Sunday: It's MOM'S day and they get to ride if they want.

***Rain info: 314.581.8818***

See ya there^
C-

Thursday SIUE Ride CANCELLED!!!

Ladies the trail at SIUE is unrideable for a couple of days. I will get back to you on an alternative to rainouts when it comes to this ride.
Talk soon.
Thanks
C-

May Flowers

Ladies-May has arrived and I want to tell each and every one of you...Get Out and Ride!!! Our calendar is posted, so take a look at it and join us if you can. The May calendar is your reference to what we have now and we rely on your feedback to adjust each and every month. This week (May 1st-May 5th(Cinco de Mayo) and the lovely weekend, we have a variety of rides planned.

Wednesday-Webster Groves Bread Co. Road Ride-we leave at 6 pm sharp, this is a no drop/or beginner ride. approx. 1 hr in length.

Thursday-SIUE Beginner MTB ride-meeting at 6pm for a casual learning experience on some smooth singletrack.

Friday-Forest Park (see flyer)-A Question & Answer session to voice your concerns and inquiries about the vast world of biking.
We will also address some of the basis maintence tips needed with owning and riding a bicycle.

SAT & SUN-Looks like a Castlewood adventure. Keep posted for full details!!

We are glad to have all of you and hope you will bring others who might be interested in joining the Team Revolution group and begin "Rolling" in the fun and frolic.

Talk to you soon
C-