The Killers fix a bike

Last week we went out for our weekend Venus de Miles ride. Now, it was supposed to be a 38-mile ride out highway 36 to Lyons with a little Fruit Loop attached. Because it was so windy, and we all know it's no fun to be on 36 when it's windy, we took an alternate route through Hygene and then over to Lyons. Turns out, what I thought might be an extra 5 miles or so, was an extra 15 MILES.

On this ride were two ladies from Texas. JR and Lou from Austin and Waco, respectively, who were just visiting our beautiful town. AND, a super strong lady rider that just got back on her bike (Erin? I'm sorry... I've blanked on your name). AND, faithful Marion, who I will now refer to as Lady Hammer. I was supposed to be leading and Mac was sweeping. Ah, heeelllll no. These four women kicked our biking butts. Lou was gracious enough to pull me and Mac for several miles, but then we couldn't keep up with her crazy pace. These women are KILLERS!!!

Not only did these Lady Killers haul it on this extra long ride, they also managed to unmangle a chain from Erin's bike (again, apologies if this is not your name).

Those bike maintenance classes sure came in handy. And, of course, a little bit of women's intuition and elbow grease.

Bravo Killers. Keep on riding.

-Sarah

Tutus and Butterfly Wings

Here's a wonderful note from our most dedicated volunteer, Karen Fienberg. She's a Venus 2008 rider and a Venus 2009 team member, and we love her so- Lauren

Karen with her tutu during the 2009 Bicycle Tour of Colorado

Venus de Miles 2009 is fast approaching as I type this! I have talked to several women who are registered for this exciting event and have heard some concern about riding alone or not being able to finish so I wanted to write a bit to hopefully squelch those fears for anyone who may be feeling the same.

First, I think you will rarely, if ever, be riding alone - you will be sharing an exhilarating and empowering experience with several hundred other women, many who may be participating in their first organized ride perhaps just like you! Just wait until you feel the energy at the start on the morning of the 30th. Prospect will be buzzing - I mean literally BUZZING as hundreds of women gather for the pre-start festivities.

I encourage you to chat and make new friends along the way during the ride. Last year a woman and I started chatting and we pedaled together for 25 miles. While riding we discovered that we knew a lot of the same people and just happened to both have been raised in the same area of Southern California. Crossing the finish line together was pretty cool, as we had both started out “alone.”

Second, I think you will be quite amazed (and impressed) at the amount of support and encouragement along the routes. And with the addition of the 50 mile course this year there is a terrific option to change your mileage depending on how you’re feeling that day. If you registered for 65 miles and only feel up to doing 50 you can veer off at the designated spot. And vice versa, if you registered for 50 and you find that you have your climbing legs and want to head up to Jamestown - GO FOR IT! For those of you who registered for 35 miles, pat yourselves on the back right now, because if the statistics are anything like last year we know that many of you may have never ridden that far and this will be quite an accomplishment! For many of our registrants we know that the mileage you have chosen may indeed be the most you have ever completed. We are so thrilled to be with you on that journey.

Now for the most important information - this ride is all about having FUN. This ride is all about having FUN. This ride is all about having FUN.
Did I mention that we want you to have FUN?

Now is the time to get your tutus, your wings, your tiaras, your boas (costume and craft stores have great selections) - whatever represents FLAIR for YOU! We want to see your spirit out there on Sunday the 30th. We want to see you shine and celebrate how you feel when you ride your bike. What does that look like for you?

We are going to have such a wonderful time and are so looking forward to sharing Venus de Miles 2009 - a Greenhouse Scholars Experience with you!

See you real soon.

Kate from NH shows us what's up

Meet Kate. She just moved here....from New Hampshire. SEA LEVEL. That's right. Just a few days, literally, after she ascended over 5000 feet in altitude she joined us for a nearly 40-mile Venus de Miles.

Here she is at El Dorado Springs celebrating her awesomeness.

Come ride with Kate and the Venus Goddesses soon!

Just in time for the Venus de Miles Ride!

The Venus de Miles Ride is in 18 days - weeeehoooo!!! But if you're anything like most people, you tend to get a bit nervous before athletic events like this. Have no fear, tonight we have your solution!

Women's Presentation: Strategies for Dealing with Pre-Athletic Event Anxiety

TONIGHT! 7:30pm at Full Cycle at 18th & Pearl in Boulder

Free for all women!

Join Sport Psychologist and Coach Pam Landry in a discussion about techniques and tools for successful emotional regulation. You'll learn how to increase or decrease mental energy levels as needed when emotions are unbalanced prior to participating or competing in an
athletic event.

We'll have take-away handouts and worksheets so you can get ready for the big day!

Presenter Pam Landry is a veteran coach, marathon runner, triathlete and Sport Psychology consultant with 20 years of experience working with recreational athletes of all ages and abilities. She holds a Master of Science degree in Sport Psychology and specializes in working with individuals to help them to continually work on expanding their potential in both athletics and in life.

Pam has been both a coach and athlete mentor for the Danskin Women’s Triathlon series and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. She currently coaches for several Boulder area running groups, conducts Corporate Wellness Program presentations and offers
sport psychology services to groups and individual clients through her business The Athlete’s Edge. With 17 marathon finishes to date, and more on the horizon, Pam continues to train and compete regularly, and enjoys bringing her unique experiences as an athlete, coach, teacher,
mentor and mother to every athlete and aspiring athlete that she works with…..With lots of fun along the way!

Updates from Full Cycle's Venus de Miles Club

Full Cycle's Venus de Miles Club learns how to fix a flat

Hey there Venus blog readers! So a few weeks ago about 10 of us met in the side yard at Full Cycle in Boulder for a Fix a Flat clinic. It was the first time I was to teach a clinic and I was nervous! I wasn't sure weather to talk about just fixing a flat or should I talk about nutrition, Chamis butter, shifting... I mean there is so much to I want to share where do we begin! The gals showed up and we began. I am not sure if you have been on a Venus club ride but the gals are amazing. So easy and fun. My nervousness started to ease. I had all our stuff out so if there was a question I would have an example and hopefully an answer. We began with how do you start to get ready for a ride. What do YOU need, what do I need. What is a good breakfast? Then we dove into how to get the wheels on and off. I think we spent most of the time doing just that. Every bike is different. During this time we talked about shifting and gears and what do they all mean. It was so much fun and we all learned a ton! In ususal form of the VdM Woman's Cycling Club supported each other, learned, and laughed!

The ladies, posing in their Venus kits

Some Club ladies out for a ride

From Karli Gronholm, owner of Full Cycle and co-founder of Full Cycle's Venus de Miles Club

Molly, Venus rider extraordinaire

Molly and her bike

Six years ago I would never have pictured myself riding even 10 miles on a bicycle, let alone /loving/ every minute of it! Like lots of kids growing up in LA, for me riding a bike was limited to riding laps up and down my block—busy streets and highways made me think only crazy people would choose to get around on a bike. Now I know different, and I ride every chance I get.

In my twenties I was a runner and avid hiker, but hadn’t been on a bike in years. Then something happened that changed everything for me—while I was out jogging I was struck by a car, and my leg was severely injured. With the aid of metal pins, screws, a bone transplant and a year of physical therapy, I could walk fairly normally, but could never be a “runner” again. Around that time, I moved to Colorado and got most of my exercise in the gym monotonously treading on an elliptical trainer. I never imagined I could again be an athlete, that is until I met my (now) husband Noah, who inspired my passion for cycling.

Molly with her husband Noah on trail ridge in rocky mountain

As it turns out, cycling is the best possible thing for keeping my injured body parts moving, strong and arthritis free. After the trauma of being hit by a car, I at first found it impossible to believe that I would ever feel comfortable sharing the road with cars. The first few rides were hair raising, but I quickly found a freedom and expression in cycling that I had never experienced before. Before I knew it I was riding 30 miles, 50 miles, and finally this summer I finished my first century (100 miles). The knowledge that I can power my body over 100 miles on such an exquisitely simple machine is incredibly empowering. I’ve also grown to love mountain biking. For me, it is playtime—mountain biking trails are really big playgrounds for adults (and children as well!).Molly with "Nellie" in Moab

This past year riding slickrock in Moab on my mountain bike “Nellie” and making it to the top of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park at 12,000 ft, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. But the highlight of my season was riding in the Venus de Miles with my wonderful girl friend Kerry. Being surrounded by so many positive, powerful women was truly an inspiration, and I have been waiting all year to do it again! Many thanks to the women of Venus for inspiring so many of us to reach our goals. This year I am rounding the ride out to an even 100 miles by riding from (and riding back to) my apartment in Boulder—and I am looking forward to every minute of it!

Molly Podolefsky is a Venus 2008 and 2009 rider, and an incredible fundraiser. In order to raise additional money for Greenhouse Scholars, Molly will be holding a bakesale on August 23rd at Jet's Esspressoria in Boulder. Join us for one of her delicious pies.

A note from Sarah, the Pusher(wo)man

Hey everyone. This is Vanessa. She just rode for the first time to Jamestown this past weekend with the Venus de Miles cycling crew. Vanessa just got this bike and started riding not too long ago. She is proof that with a good, steady pace and a fun group of ladies anyone can make it up to Jamestown.

Hope to see you on the next ride up to JT!!

Fan Photo

We love getting pictures from our riders. Here's Jennifer Margoles lookin' hot in her Venus kit after finishing RAGBRAI last week with her Dad in Iowa. Send us your pics and we'll post them, too. Thanks, Jennifer!

Am I A True Road Cyclist?

Me out riding near Cheyenne, July 2009

I’ve got quite a few labels attached to me. I’m Mom. Wife. Recent college graduate. Pet owner. There are many more things I can call myself, but I’ve never been able to call myself a cyclist. I’ll tell people in conversation, “I like road biking”, or “I do some biking when I can.” But, I look at the serious riders when I’m doing a tour, and don’t think of myself as belonging to their world. The question creeps into my psyche now and then. Am I a true cyclist?

What is it that qualifies a person as a bona fide road cyclist? Is it the number of hours spent training each week? A hundred-mile weekly average? More than $1,500 spent on a carbon bike? The number of tours or races completed? I don’t really fit into any of these categories. I’m riding a $700 Trek. I’m a Mom with young teens, and I have my own business from home; I don’t have time to put in 100 miles a week. I’ve only ridden in a couple dozen organized tours. I have yet to complete my first century (but I’m close). Not much of a resume for a cyclist who’s been on skinny tires for a couple of years now. I’m not a novice anymore, so what am I?

Today, I kissed my husband goodbye and glided down the driveway and into the street, beating back the laziness demons that constantly torment me. “Just go later” they whisper, “you don’t have to ride today.” Every time my derriere hits the saddle, I feel a small bit of accomplishment. It means one more ride soon to be under my belt, and the demons get the door slammed on them again. Surely, true cyclists don’t go through this struggle. I went out and rode alone, between rain showers. It was just me and a glorious Wyoming spring in the country, only a few miles from my home in town. Along the highway, a fox ran across the road not far in front of me, and I stopped to watch him bound through a field. Above us were clouds that looked as though a child had taken cotton balls, dipped the bottoms in grey-blue paint, and glued them to bright blue paper. But it didn’t rain. “Wow,” I thought. “This is why I love Wyoming.” But it’s also why I love biking. Does that euphoric contentment make me a true cyclist?

Road between Cheyenne, WY and Carpenter, WY. A favorite ride of mine.

My thoughts shifted to all the things I can do on my modest road bike, instead of focusing on what I can’t do. I can change a flat and handle many bike repairs on the road, by myself. I’m not afraid of traffic anymore, although I’m always vigilant. I’ve ridden forty-five miles in snow (the weather doesn’t necessarily make sense out here in the West, especially during Spring). I’ve had the best conversations and laughs with my friends out on the road. I’ve met the kindest people who’ve made my rides memorable; ride volunteers who hand out fruit and a smile when I’m dead tired, the guy who stopped on Fremont Pass in Colorado and helped me with a severely stuck dropped chain when I first started riding (I’ve since learned how to shift properly); the guy in an old Suburban who had a water cooler with him the day my friend and I ran out of fluids, twenty-five miles from civilization, on a scorching 97-degree afternoon. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life, and I’m getting stronger. I’m more careful about what I eat and drink. I’ve recently begun passing a few men on hills who have calves as thick as my thigh and are riding Cervelos and Merckxs. I’m starting to mentally keep track of my cadence, averages, and distances; my personal badges of honor on how much I’m learning and improving. Huh. Maybe I am a true cyclist.

I have concluded that I carry a lot of preconceived notions about what it means to be a cyclist. It’s likely most of them are stereotypes I’ve developed or witnessed. The only thing that truly matters, ultimately, is how I feel about biking. It’s not possible to have the experiences I’m having in any other sport. I can’t imagine ever giving any of it up. I dream about multi-day tours I’ll be able to take with my husband when the kids are older. I now regard the asphalt rising vertically in front of me as a challenge, not an obstacle. I absolutely relish the satisfaction I feel at the end of the day. I think I am a true cyclist, after all.

“Good ride!” my riding partner always tells me as we pedal back into town and split in different directions toward home. You’re right, my friend, good ride.

Riding the Elephant Rock in Castle Rock, June 2009

-Denise Hawkins, a 2008 Venus de Miles Rider

Send us your pics

Send us your pictures of you riding in your Venus jerseys, shorts, or full kits, and we will get them up on the blog. I already took my first ride in my kit, and definitely turned some heads.

Sarah Sibley, Pusher(wo)man

Everyone has a story that starts "As long as I can remember I've been on a bike." Or, "I remember when I was 10 years old and I got my first cool bike." I do not have one of those stories. Oh sure, I had bikes - a Strawberry Shortcake big wheel, a blue Schwinn with white streamers sailing off the ends of the handlebars, an orange Trek Mountain bike in college that was nicknamed "the Burrito Runner." I was just never really into bikes growing up.

My, how things have changed. Five years ago, while living in Seattle, my husband casually asked if road riding was something I'd be into. I think my answer was "uhm, ya sure, maybe. Why?" Followed quickly by "Would I have to wear spandex?" Somehow he talked me into getting a road bike and making cycling a hobby that we would do together. "Come on, you're so good at spinning. You'll be a natural on a road bike." What a hustler!

In a matter of weeks I was on a brilliant orange Motobecane SprinTour (later nicknamed "Orange Crush"). And seconds later I was falling off the same brilliant orange Motobecane SprinTour. It was a tough learning process, but luckily bruised knees and a bruised ego didn't hold me down. I dove headfirst and fell madly in love with cycling. I trained with a few ladies and did the Seattle to Portland 200 mile ride over two days in July 2006. When I crossed that finish line, you would have thought I just won the Olympic Gold Medal. I was sobbing and smiling and hugging and high-fiving everyone around me. It was glorious.

Finishing last years Venus de Miles 65-mile route on Orange Crush

After that, I was hooked. Along with a few girls, we started a recreational club called "Team Girl Parts." We'd meet once a week and on the weekends to ride together - no dudes. We figured there was a lot of time to talk on rides, and it's was great way for the ladies to talk about thing you just can't with the gentlemen. Also, we all had pretty competitive male partners that seems to want to always be King of the Mountain.

I've since moved away from Seattle and Team Girl Part, but am so so so so glad to have found Venus de Miles and an awesome group of ladies to ride with. I've put almost 3000 miles on Orange Crush and can't wait to double that.
Be warned. If you're a woman, and are thinking about getting on a road bike, I'm a pusher(wo)man. I'll get you on that bike and riding if it's the last thing I do.

Sarah Sibley is a board member and ride leader for Full Cycle's Venus de Miles Club, and general badass.

Learning to Ride

Teresa, the founder of Venus de Miles

I have to confess that I wasn't particular active up until eight years ago. Sure, I loved to dance and go for hikes, although I didn't discover cycling until 2001. My boyfriend Mo (now husband) suggested I try indoor cycling, which I quickly became addicted to. After a few months, I decided that I wanted to try road riding.

Mo gave me one of his old Ventana's, which (kind of) fit me, and I declared that I was going to start commuting by bike a few times a week, which was 20 miles each way. I went from 0 to 20 really quickly, and during our "trial commute", I thought I was going to fall over after mile 10. Luckily, we stopped at a cafe at the halfway point in Sacramento, enjoyed a shot of espresso, and were off on our bikes again.

On the ride back, Mo decided that I should learn how to draft - he explained this would really save my legs on the way home, since he could tell that I was clearly re-thinking my commuting plans. Drafting was apparently beyond me at that point, because a few seconds after trying it, I rubbed his tire and was laying in the middle of the road, completely embarrassed. Mo gave me an encouraging smile, and rode next to me the rest of the way. He never pushed the sport on me, and allowed me to experience it as I wished to after that point. Which, clearly doesn't include drafting.

After that day, I was more determined than ever, and started commuting 2-3 times a week. It didn't take long before I decided to ride my first century, and Mo upgraded me to a Specialized Allez, which fits like a glove. My century took 8 hours to finish; I was solo because all of my friends thought I was crazy riding 100 miles, but at the end I had the cycling fever.

My spin instructor suggested that I ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, in the AIDS LifeCycle Ride in 2003. That's 600 miles - which seemed kind of lofty, but also feasible. I talked my best friend into joining me, who had never ridden, and we trained for 8 months. It was an adventure of a lifetime. During the seven days of ALC, I laughed, cried, fell, got up and laughed again. I raised funds for a cause that I'm passionate about, AIDS, not to mention awareness. Plus, I was awfully fit for my August, 2004 wedding, which was an added bonus.

ALC 2004 with wonder woman and Diana

Not long after moving to CO, Mo and I started talking about riding ALC 2006. We rode 5 of the 7 days on our tandem, which most folks call the divorcycle, but for us, it's a haven. We love riding together and although there were numerous um - spankings - on the tandem - for him going way too fast, we had an incredible ride.

ALC 2004 with Mo

Riding allows me to take time for myself and my girlfriends, smell the flowers, eat chocolate, and giggle up hills. It not only keeps me sane, but it also makes me whole.

Hope to see you out there,

Teresa

My First Bike

My dad got me my first road bike as a gift for my 14th birthday. He had started riding a lot, and wanted a buddy. It was a perfect excuse for father-daughter bonding, except he's got some serious thigh muscles. At least once a ride, he'd get into a pace, start thinking of other things, and end up miles ahead of me. I'd chase after him on my sleek red LeMond, hoping for the day I could keep up.

Father and Daughter (and the world's ugliest jerseys)

In high school, I rode on our poor excuse for a cycling team for one year, until the team was cut. I tried a few triathlons and rode plenty with my dad. In Boston, the fact that I was clipped into my bike and clad in spandex made my friends think I was a little bit insane. I thought it was cool.

I brought my bike to college in NH, where it proceeded to get stolen 2 separate times. The first time, it was stolen from the basement of my freshman dorm. 15 months later, I got a call from an operations manager who told me he found an old piece of paper in the pouch with my name and parents' home address on it. That was something my dad always made me carry, and it clearly was helpful.

The second time the bike got stolen, I emailed out weekly for over a month. One day, my friend said, "Every day I walk to school and I see this bike flipped upside down in a tree outside of Alpha Delta." It was a red LeMond, and it had taken a trip through the air from the second floor porch of the frat into a tree out front.

When I moved to Boulder, I spruced up the bike and started riding a lot. Every time I brought it in for service, people would laugh at my 10-year-old frame with failing components. I liked it, and I thought that, coupled with my worn camelback and cotton tshirts, it was an East Coast badge of honor. In early August 2008, I flew back to Boston to ride the Pan Mass Challenge with my dad, and for the first time (and, perhaps, only time), kicked his butt.

Pan Mass Challenge 2008

Two weeks after Venus de Miles 2008, I gave in and bought a carbon fiber frame. I felt like I was betraying an old friend, but my new bike was super fast and super sleek. My old LeMond sat, sans pedals, in my laundry room for 9 months. I considered selling it, but it had been with me for over ten years. One day in March I went to do laundry, and it was gone. After a minor meltdown, my roommate told me to call my boyfriend. He told me, "We're not talking about the LeMond." A few days later he wheeled it back into the house, spiffed up as a single speed with new handlebars and flat pedals. Best birthday present ever.My sweet new ride

I love my LeMond, and I ride it to work every day. It's been with me through a lot, and I hope I get a lot more time on it before it's gone. Which is why I bought a really nice lock.

It's been a while

We've been quiet on the blog for a long time, but we're back. Venus is collecting stories about women on bikes. Send me your favorite stories about your time on a bike, funny or heartwarming. I don't care if it's about your first time on a bike or your 100th race win, as long as it's about women and biking. I'll take pictures too! lauren@venusdemiles.com.

Lauren

Get. On. Your. Bike.

Do it. Right now.

Everyone is out getting re-acquainted with their quads, and I think you should join. Conveniently, I've got two ways for you to do that.

Are you in or close to Boulder? Join the Venus de Miles Club, run by Full Cycle. Our first ride was this Saturday and we had over 60 women show up.

Are you in or close to Wheat Ridge? Head out to Wheat Ridge Cyclery and join their Women's Group Rides.

Feeling like you need some more style on your bike? May I suggest a Venus de Miles Jersey?



You can buy one when you register, or by emailing teresa@venusdemiles.com. We are selling them for $70 each, and we will be placing orders 4/15 and 6/15. They are totally unique and sure to cause a stir on the road, on the trail, in the gym, at the bar, on your couch, etc..

Lauren

Join us on Facebook

I'm always amazed by the great capabilities of social networking. We're migrating from a Group to a Page, which means you'll be able to post photos, start discussion topics, and see a calendar of all our events. Check us out, and become a Fan of Venus de Miles!

Venus on Facebook

Why is it almost March

This month has flown by and things are in full swing here at Venus de Miles. The team was at Women's Night Out at Wheat Ridge Cyclery last week, reaching out to riders and making some tasty margs. I got a lot of requests for the recipe, so here it is, courtesy of Jessica Hogan, our marketing guru:

4 cans Tecate
1 can limeade
Refill empty limeade can to the brim with tequila
Stir in some ice and enjoy.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Quick plug: I am looking for a parking coordinator and a volunteer coordinator for the ride this year. If your girlfriend, boyfriend or best friend isn't riding, send them my way and I'll get them working.

Our Venus de Miles Club-Boulder is up and running, and you can sign up here. Come ride with us all summer.

Finally, we're offering a free spinning class at Rally Sport in Boulder this Friday. Drop me a line if you're interested in signing up.

Lauren

A few quick updates:

1. Fundraising is up on the Active site, so be sure to create a profile and help raise money for Greenhouse Scholars

2. We've got a facebook group, and you can join it here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25722433584

Praying for snow,

Lauren

REGISTRATION IS UP

Venus de Miles 2009 is open for registration. You can register here for the 35, 50 and 65 mile rides at the early bird rate of $68.

Join us tomorrow, Thursday 1/22, for LUNAFest Boulder, which benefits the Breast Cancer Fund and Health Links Foundation. The show is at the Boulder Theater and starts at 7PM. Tickets are available at www.bouldertheater.com or the box office.

The first 400 entrants will receive a goody bag valued at over $25, and they're having an AMAZING raffle. Plus, you can have cocktails at George's next store before the show, and 5% of the proceeds go to the beneficiaries above.

You can also check us out at Women's Night Out at Wheat Ridge Cyclery. We'll be the table making killer margaritas and spreading the Venus word on Wednesday, February 18th from 6:30-9PM. This will be an awesome evening of giveaways, chocolate, wine and more at Wheat Ridge Cyclery, 7085 W. 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.

All this warm weather is getting me psyched for riding. The Venus de Miles Club is coming together nicely, and I'm hoping to be allowed to lead a few rides this spring. Which clearly means I need to buy a ridiculous costume.

New year, new opportunities

If your New Year's resolution was to get more involved, then you've got some great opportunities through Venus de Miles. We're looking for help putting together some of our most important parts of the ride, from sponsor outreach to AM setup. If you'd like to give back in 2009, we'd love to hear from you and get you involved. Please contact me and I'll help figure out the best way for you, your friends or your loved ones to help Venus de Miles in 2009.

There's also a project we're really excited about here, the Venus de Miles Club. It's an all-women's, beginner to moderate ride club launching this spring. Two of our most favorite women, Karli and Tanja from Full Cycle, are making this happen. Here's MY favorite part: they'll be offering a monthly Sadie Hawkins ride, where ladies can invite some boys then kick their butts. Let me know if you're interested and I'll send you all the info you need.

L
lauren@venusdemiles.com