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.