No Meeting Minutes: So Lame

Sorry, All for not posting the minutes from the last meeting. Crazy busy! (yeah, yeah, yeah).

Last night we had our Wednesday night ride and I pretty much came to the conclusion that it's time to label that as something other than a "Beginner" ride. If you've been to the website lately, you'll see we're working on better addressing the various levels of riding by "categorizing" rides:

http://stlrevolution.com/clubrides.html

We have 4 rides that we "sanction" right now, with the help of ambassadors that have agreed to host rides. These four (ROAD) rides should cover all levels:

1. {EASY to STEADY ROLLER} Saturday/Sunday morning in Forest Park (this is NOT yet a weekly event, since Carrie usually runs it and if we're traveling to a race, it's just not happening). Riding 101 (as we've coined it) is somewhat of an instructional ride to reacquaint riders with the bike or equipment upgrades (like clipless pedals, etc.). It's also a place where a rider can learn to feel more comfortable riding with other people and building a base fitness in a safer environment than open roads.

2. {EASY / STEADY / ROLLER} Tuesday afternoon/evening ride leaves from Lafayette Square and head to the Riverfront Trail.This is mostly flat with the majority of the ride taking place on a trail (away from traffic). It's a simple out and back where you can do as much as you're comfortable with. Our friend, Audrey, has agreed to run that ride (which leaves from her house on the Square) and she's said the pace is pretty easy. If you've been apprehensive about joining us on the Wednesday night ride, this one's a good place to try and pick up your pace and increase fitness in a safer environment.

3. {STEADY to HIGH ROLLER} Wednesday night is our flagship "NO DROP" ride where we will go at the pace of the slowest rider; we expect to consistantly pedal without "taking breaks" but want to ensure every rider finishes with another rider or coordinator. Since we've had so many "regulars" on the rides this year (which is GREAT!), the pace is steady and can be high for beginners. Generally, it falls into two distinct riding groups. We'll always make sure no one is left behind, but we've been told by many first-timers that the hills are quite challenging and we recommend a good fitness level before committing to this ride.

4. {HIGH to ROCK-n_ROLLER} Monday night at 370 and Elm (St. Charles) is a good ride to test and build fitness. It's a FLAT and often windy course that goes along paved (farm) roads in North County. There is a fast ride that leaves at 6pm; on days that we term "Intermediate" we'll ride with women that want to improve pack riding skills and fitness. It's a 25-28 mile course that, even on intermediate days, a rider should expect to average no less than 18mph. It's a great place to test yourself.

We really want to encourage all riders and love to teach; recently the Wednesday ride has been quite challenging for newer riders and it's our sincerest hope that no one leaves that discouraged. Feel free to let us know what you think about any of the rides above. We need feedback to ensure we're doing what we set out to do ("Put simply, the club exists to help inspire women of all ages to ride for competition, recreation, health and fitness.").

I know we need more MTB rides, but on the road, what else do we need (besides consistancy on the 101)? Help us help you (and your friend that you're trying to convince to start riding)!

-c

Girls' Night Out

Girls Night Out Cycling Event at Maplewood Bicycle
date: April 26, Thursday
time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
location: Maplewood Bicycle; 7534 Manchester Rd.; St. Louis, MO 63143

Golden Gate Bridge and all that

So, I'm in SF again (for work) and, man, I really love it here. If I didn't have to work so much while I was in town, I'd probably really like this traveling to San Fran gig. Unfortunately, days where I can sneak out of the office for a three hour lunch/ride are too few. I've been going non-stop since I flew in on Monday.

Monday night involved a concert at the Great American Music Hall. Brandi Carlile was uh-may-zing; I shake my head in disbelief. I wish I could harness the energy of that experience. I'm sure I stood there in this crowded room, with a slim line of sight just over the shoulder of the guy in front of me, just slack-jawed.

Tuesday I wake early to run (iPod-less) for about 6 miles along the Embarcadero. Tuesday night I'm at Gestalt having some beer and brats (that's bratwurst, not poorly behaved children) and Wednesday is the company meeting (at 7:30 am) and I'm tired and skip any workout. Lame (pronounced: laaay aim!). Wednesday night too many mojitos at Colibri spell dissaster for my Thursday run. Luckily, my SF psycho-fit-biking friend in SF pushes me into a noon ride over in the Marin Headlands (or was it the "Headwinds"?).

Why did I ramble on? I'm not sure. Sleep deprivation. The better question is why did you bother reading this far?

I'm exhausted.
Thank you Murphy Mack.
-c

Carrie's account....

***Carrie's account of the DOG wood Race.
"All I could think about when I was chasing the Hinton rabbit in front of me was, Steve Prefontaine!!! Kuddos to everyone that raced that hilly course. Did I mention, I do not do hills!!??? Pain is about acceptance."
See ya all at Hillsboro
C-

2, 4, 6, 8!

(thanks again to Action Images for the photos above)
Dogwood Road Race

There is one word to describe it: Hilly.

Wow. It's wierd to ride for nearly 55 miles and have 2nd place decided by a 200 meter sprint; but that's what happened. Pam Hinton (Mercy Cycling) managed to stay off the front after her first attack at mile 12(!). Wow, again. It's kind of a blur of hills, wheels, pavement and waves of calf-cramps for me. I ended up covered in salt and utterly exhausted.

Team Revolution came in 2, 4, 6, 8. Carrie, who got off the front for bit, hung out by herself for about 20 miles in the wind and hills before we caught her she managed to recover and win the field sprint. I finished up behind Stacey (Mercy Cycling), by mere inches! Jessica (Trek Store) sprinted in for 5th and Steph did awesome hanging in and taking 6th. Mindi mangled her chain 10 miles into the race and ended up chasing for the next 44 (still passing riders and finishing a very respectable 8th).

I get to do it all over again next week in Hilsboro, IL. (deep breath)

Yee Haw!

March Highlights

(thanks to Action Images for the photo above)
STL Revolution Highlights:

Rain, rain, stay away--at least for another day! We're hoping to get an unofficial Wednesday night ride in. If the roads are dry at 6pm, we are riding the "Wed Nite Ride" loop from the St. Louis Bread Co in Webster Groves.

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Sylvan Springs Crit
Carrie pulls out a win for Team Revolution! I like to think I helped a bit, but those of you who have seen Carrie race know she didn't need me there to set her up. On the other hand, my fifth place finish wasn't quite the proud finish I wanted out of my first race, but I did manage to get back on my bike after sliding out in the last turn. I'm still nursing a not-so-cleanly "shaven" leg...(rookie!)

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A quick update on the MTB race this past weekend is up on the Forum.

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There's a road race in southwest Missouri on Sunday! Looks like 4 of the 5 TeamRev girls will be representing! We encourage anyone who wants to get their feet wet (we hope that's not a literal phrase) in racing will come join us. Too far with too little notice? I know. Carrie's planning a "Race-Ready" (see clinic descriptions under "Competition") clinic soon. Interested? Let us know!

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Upcoming clinics include:
- "Roadside Repair" hosted and sponsored by Mesa Cycles: April 14 Time TBA
- I know there are more, but I'm drawing a blank right now! Check back here or on the site!

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Survey!
If you didn't receive a survey via email from us, it likely got bounced back by your spam filter. Contact Carrie

to fill out our quick cycling interest survey (it would really help us make this club better!). Please?

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Action Images
Kurt, with Action Images, has been busy traveling to Cali to take beautiful pictures of big races that make me drool and my hands sweat with adrenalin. Some of the images of the cornering are remarkable....and yet so reminiscent of a recent, disastrous mistake I made (Sylvan Springs Crit "crash"--lame).

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I know there's more, but I'm distracted by the work that I'm supposed to be doing...

St. Pats Mountain Bike Luau

Okay, we know it is St. Pats weekend, but, what is a good celebration, but after you have just kicked up 8 miles or so of a little dirt on your mountain bike??
Check it out. Mesa cycles has included a beginner and first timers category.

If you are curious, go check it out!!! Watch or Ride!!!
Any questions, contact Mesa Cycles at 314.645.4447

Have fun, I would do it in a heartbeat, but 5 hours on the bike in Illinois will be my ball and chain this Saturday.

Let us know how it goes...
The STL Revolution gang
C-

Nike + Lance

Today I ran (out of necessity) from my hotel here in rainy San Fran (actually, when I ran it wasn't raining, but that's the forecast for the week I'll be here!). So, I ran from my hotel, like I always do. Ran down to the waterfront and along the Embarcadero, like I always do. It was a bit chilly so my pace was a bit higher so I could warm up. Plus, I was happy it wasn't raining.

When my workout was done; I stop my fancy new Nike/iPod thing and Lance comes on over the headphones congratulating me on my personal best mile time. I think I laughed outloud. But then I noticed myself kind of beaming, like, "Hey, yeah, that was a pretty good run and Lance just told me so".

Ha! Dammit if Nike and Apple aren't spot on and hearing Lance Armstrong's previously recorded voice isn't inspirational. Dammit if I'm not too cheesy for loving this expensive and unnecessary gadget!

Made me laugh. I'm such a sucker.

Fluffy Bunnies and Hugs

After months of working with Carrie on the website, planning, proposals and clinics, it was nice to have some affirmation on our direction. We are headed in a good one and with a good group. Of that I'm sure. So, after cleaning up the last taco shell from our lustrious QDoba spread and the last beer bottle rattled in the recycling bin at The Church Key, Carrie and I drove away abuzz about a year full of excitement.

I'm relieved--as many of the attendees of last night's meeting were--that our inagural "meet + greet" for 2007 wasn't just me, Carrie and a handful of our supportive friends shoveling down some tacos and blaming low attendance on the weather. There were roughly 30 women braving the cold night for our first social. The exciting part for us was hearing from all those that COULDN'T make it, but sincerely had intended and wanted to.

There are a lot of people out there: riding their trainers, braving sub-freezing temperatures, wistfully looking over the dashboard of their cars as they commute, attending various spin classes and so on. We'll get them together.

Thanks to those who came and supported and to those that continue to do so "behind the scenes". We are sincerely grateful for everyone's enthusiasm. It is contagious and will lead to the success of the "revolution" we intend to start. The real success of this club lies within each member and rider and the strength of the network we create. We'll need your continued support and feedback to build that. We can't wait to hear from everyone, collectively, individually or otherwise.

Feel free to use the stlrevolution FORUM to do so. (hint, hint)

Until next time. Ride on, my friends. And let me know if you're riding, too. (forum, hint, hint).
-c

Meet and Greet: Tonight!

Just a quick, obligitory note about our meeting at the Church Key (with food provided by QDoba, people!). Check it out at our site.

On another note, last week was my first time ever getting "up" on the rollers all by myself with no doorway or other props. Yay!

And one more note, I lost my first race today. In the basement. On my rollers. Carrie was spouting out a race simulation at the end of my ride today and I gave up my break away. I conceded at 186 bpm, with a minute and a half left in the race and the pack was 10 seconds off. I have no idea what that means. 10 seconds doesn't sound like enough and I just gave up. I didn't even try to hang on as they passed me. Lame.

It was a good race to lose, I guess.

Hope to see a lot of people tonight! Racers and non-racers. I want to believe there are other people out there who might like to ride a bicycle.

I'm Such a Nerd

I got this Nike+ accessory for my Nano (actually, my grandma gave it to me for Christmas!) and I broke it out this week (finally!). I'm in San Fran and don't have much access to cycling (although tonight I'll be trying to finish work in time to make the "Butter Lap" ride), so I'm testing out the whole running vs. riding ratio this week.

I am not a product tester of any kind, and really am not going to go into all my thoughts, criticisms and suggestions about this Nike/iPod accessory. It's just plain "neat-o" right now and I'm enjoying the little charts they show me (you can totally see how in my run this morning, when this guy passed me I picked up my pace and drafted behind him for a few minutes--but then let him go so he didn't think I was stalking him!).

Cool.

We rode. We yoga'd.

So, we hit the woods one last time before snow falls and it was so fun (and warmer) that we didn't do any road riding. And what's better, after punishing the body with climb after climb, than some stretching.

Ahh.

Seriously.

I officially give Angela, our instructor for the "open house" class we took, two very-relaxed-and-fully-aware thumbs up. Since I have like no experience at such activity, she was gracious enough to do a very introductory workout for me and like 27 other people. It was a full class, but it didn't affect my experience. There's something so stereotypically cheesy about yoga (vegetarian, hippy cult-ish), but also something incredibly self-appreciating (I'm nodding my head as I write this).

Inhale. Exhale.

Saturday January 20th Happenings

Hello everyone,
Just a note about things going on for Saturday 20th:
Check out
The Pilates & Yoga Center of St. Louis FREE OPEN HOUSE 12-4 pm
**Free one-hour lessons on Pilates equip-1,2,&3 pm(call to reserve a spot)
*Free Pilates mat class 12-1pm
*Free Interval training 1:15-2:15pm
*Free Hatha Yoga class 2:30-3:30
*Free Chair massages with the message thereapists
*Healthy refreshments

Address:
1015 McCausland Avenue
314-781-5050
info@pilatescenterstl.com

Tell them you heard about it from Team Revolution!
One Revolution Member wrote:

'..I wanted to chime in on the Pilates and Yoga Center which I think is WONDERFUL. Karen Prechtl who owns/runs it is delightful and I have enjoyed every class I have
ever taken there. Truly a high caliber of instruction there. ...

Ride info for Saturday barring rain(call if you have questions)
MTB: 10 am Castlewood (main bathroom and playground parking lot)
Road: Leave from Castlewood at 11:30 am (1.5 hrs approx)
Bring warm clothes and a little winter grit!!

Trail Advocacy:
Details:
GORC and SIUE trail building
Meet at the North Trail Head at 8:30 on Saturday Morning.
(directions:http://www.gorctrails.com/trails/msiue.asp)
We will ferry you over to the trailhead
We will return to the North Trailhead for lunch and then if the trail
conditions permit ride afterwards.
Visit the Gorc website for more information:
http://www.gorctrails.com/

Let me know of anyone that I might need to add to my list.
Let's ride or Yoga, or play in the dirt, what do you say?!!

Ride. Eat. Work. Ride. Work. Sleep.

That's what I've been doing lately. After taking a week off for the holidays, I jumped in the deep end. Yikes.

How does one train on the bike in the winter? How am I supposed to fit in my 2.5 and 3 hour rides? That's been a big issue. I've been splitting time on the rollers (some in the morning and some whenever I can fit it in throughout the day). I'm not totally convinced that it's as effective as a single, long ride. But, my, um, "seat" is not prepared for that time on my saddle on the rollers; I'm sorry, but it's just not the same.

So, I'm toying with the idea of integrating running as part of the training. I've been doing a bit of research (bear in mind, math is by far my worst subject--to an embarrassing degree) and I think I'll be using a 5:1 ratio on mileage. So, if I would have done a 20 mile ride, I should, instead consider running 4 miles (and maintain the same intensity as the bike workout would have been).

This trade-off comes with a good background and familiarity with running and pace. I know, given my experience in both disciplines, that a 13-14mph ride roughly translates to me (specifically) as a 10 minute mile pace. Comfortable. A higher intensity ride workout demands a higher-intensity run and so on.

OK, so this is just something I'm TOYING with. Not recommending. Especially not without establishing a running base. I'll keep you posted and we'll see if it works at the first race of the season....

Man-haters Unite!

I'm going to (attempt to) dispell what I suspect may be a myth: We're an anti-male feminist riding group.

Um...(dramatic pause)....no, we're not. We actually like men and many members of the club are married to them. Men. Various members are married to various men. Whatever! You get the point!

Men. We often ride with them. Hell, sometimes we even race against, er, with them. But, in establishing the club, we just thought it would be a good idea to generate an environment where women didn't have to worry about men; there's plenty of time for that everywhere else.

Just in case you were wondering.

Also, it's my personal new year's resolution to "blog" more. Winter sucks for many reasons. The main one is that it's really hard to get out and ride in the few hours of daylight--by myself, let alone with a group of people. So, maybe there's a few people out there like me, perusing the web by the dim light of your screen after 5pm. I hope to keep you better company in the future.

Fun with Fotos

Yo! Check it out! I found a cool way to display our photos. Forgive the "out-datedness" of these, but expect more like it in the future. Yay!

Same Blog New Name

We thought this one might be more intuitive to find. Since our website is stlrevolution.com.