Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Mindful Single Speed
Two weeks ago I raced my first Single Speed race. I have only ridden a single speed three times. I bought my bright orange Kona Unit so that I could always have a bike to ride. The beauty of SS is that the bike is simple and not much can break! The fixed gear movement was not something I have ever been interested in, until now. There is a simplicity, a ZEN like experience when riding with one gear. You must learn to accept where you are on the bike and how fast you can go. For someone like myself, not being able to go any faster can bring up a lot of frustrations. This can only mean I have something to learn; Patience, mindfulness, Zen. During the thirty five mile race I connected to my Kona which I named Apple to be funny…. I realized I needed to handle this bike differently. I used my momentum, I looked ahead at the trail, I utilized the bike more. I learned to adjust myself instead of adjusting the bike. I learned skill's. Skill's that my mind is learning too. Instead of becoming frustrated I am learning to accept. Instead of forcing something/someone to adjust or "shift" I am adjusting I am shifting. Mindfulness
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Don't be Chained
There is a sanskrit word Abhyasa, which translates to Practice. It can mean; "choosing to apply effort". There is another sanskrit word Viragya, which translates to Non-Attachment. This can mean; "free from attachment without rejecting anything".
Enduro #2 in Crested Butte was amazing! Crested Butte was in full bloom, lupin, sunflowers, so many wildflowers! I found myself in aw of such a picturesque place. The stages for both days of the Enduro were at the Evolution bike park. This time I was able to pre-ride all of the stages! Whoopee!! I raced a bit tentatively after Angel Fire. I just wanted to stay on my bike and not be flung into the ground! I felt good about day 1 and was ready to race again on day two. The first stage for day two was a bit pedalie and was going to be a great warm-up for the rest of the day's races. I started out, knowing nothing was technical and that I could really make up some time here. One or two minutes into what should have been a ten minute stage, my chain was sucked into the inside of my gears! I tried to move the chain back to it home (on my gears) but since I had placed a chain guide ( designed so chain drop's don't happen) was now making it impossible for me to get my chain back on. My heart sank. Then a decision, do I mess with this mechanical or do I just try and get across the finish line in whatever fashion possible? I chose the latter. As the ladies past me one by one concerned that I may have been hurt, I hollered I was fine and to race fast! Any one of them would have stopped to help me and that feels great. I proceeded to run my bike, jump on my bike and glide downhill, then use one leg to push the bike along like a Strider bike (little kid's bike). Finally I made it to the bottom in a little over eighteen minutes. I was now last, and I knew it. I did finish the rest of the stages after getting my bike worked on and had a blast!
The best part about being last is you helped the person second to last not to be last! :) I heard that somewhere.
So, I learned to not be chained. To have "Viragya". Because the truth is, it is all about the journey (cheesy I know) but very true. I learn something every Enduro and race. I choose to stay unchained from the outcomes and embrace the lessons and the joy's. I choose "Abhyasa" Practice!
Enduro #2 in Crested Butte was amazing! Crested Butte was in full bloom, lupin, sunflowers, so many wildflowers! I found myself in aw of such a picturesque place. The stages for both days of the Enduro were at the Evolution bike park. This time I was able to pre-ride all of the stages! Whoopee!! I raced a bit tentatively after Angel Fire. I just wanted to stay on my bike and not be flung into the ground! I felt good about day 1 and was ready to race again on day two. The first stage for day two was a bit pedalie and was going to be a great warm-up for the rest of the day's races. I started out, knowing nothing was technical and that I could really make up some time here. One or two minutes into what should have been a ten minute stage, my chain was sucked into the inside of my gears! I tried to move the chain back to it home (on my gears) but since I had placed a chain guide ( designed so chain drop's don't happen) was now making it impossible for me to get my chain back on. My heart sank. Then a decision, do I mess with this mechanical or do I just try and get across the finish line in whatever fashion possible? I chose the latter. As the ladies past me one by one concerned that I may have been hurt, I hollered I was fine and to race fast! Any one of them would have stopped to help me and that feels great. I proceeded to run my bike, jump on my bike and glide downhill, then use one leg to push the bike along like a Strider bike (little kid's bike). Finally I made it to the bottom in a little over eighteen minutes. I was now last, and I knew it. I did finish the rest of the stages after getting my bike worked on and had a blast!
The best part about being last is you helped the person second to last not to be last! :) I heard that somewhere.
So, I learned to not be chained. To have "Viragya". Because the truth is, it is all about the journey (cheesy I know) but very true. I learn something every Enduro and race. I choose to stay unchained from the outcomes and embrace the lessons and the joy's. I choose "Abhyasa" Practice!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Enduro Race #2 Crested Butte
These are the maps for the Big Mountain Enduro #2!! I am looking forward to this race! After taking the clinic this past weekend and planning to pre ride the courses, I feel more prepared! Leaving tomorrow for the races Saturday and Sunday!
Here we go!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
The Yeti Beti Clinic
This past weekend, I attended my first all women's mountain bike clinic in Keystone, CO.
Clinic's are a great way for a beginner mountain biker to improve very quickly and for the intermediate/ advanced rider to gain even more mad skill's! The common thread amongst the ladies attending the clinic was gaining confidence! We learned the correct body positioning on our bikes, which makes you more connected to the bike. The words "fluid", "relax", "open your body", and "look where you want to land" were used by my coaches. Once again feeling the relationship between biking and my life.
I want to talk about a few of the coaches I got to spend time with and that helped me to start and achieve these goals. Lindsey Voreis "You can learn so much about yourself and your ability to persevere and overcome obstacles"-Lindsey V. http://www.kirtvoreis.com/lindsey-voreis.html
I imagine you can see why I could connect with her! :) She also rides horses which is super rad! Lindsey's energy is high volume and authentic and I love that! Tammy Donahugh was one of my coaches at the clinic. Tammy helped me to recognize "baby step's", Not that I couldn't hit a jump or rally some obstacle's, but to wait and learn how to do it "right" on smaller jumps. Patience comes to mind, learning how to not get too far ahead of myself and accept where I am at (right where I need to be). Tammy has a great clinic for women coming up in August in Frisco, CO. DixieTrix http://www.dixietrix.com/
Wendy Palmer of Moab, UT was also one of my coaches and her energy alone helped me to work through some of the anxiety I had from last weekends Enduro. I had competed my first Enduro, and I feel great about that. Going to the clinic I still had some trepidation after a few of the crashes. Wendy taught me to use my shocks more "you gotta pump to jump"! "load and explode"! I learned to really use the suspension on my bike and pump into turns, before a drop or a jump. I plan to use all these skill's at my next Enduro in Crested Butte this weekend!
The Yeti Beti clinic was a success for me and I can't wait to use the skill's I learned on my bike and in my life. Fluid!
Clinic's are a great way for a beginner mountain biker to improve very quickly and for the intermediate/ advanced rider to gain even more mad skill's! The common thread amongst the ladies attending the clinic was gaining confidence! We learned the correct body positioning on our bikes, which makes you more connected to the bike. The words "fluid", "relax", "open your body", and "look where you want to land" were used by my coaches. Once again feeling the relationship between biking and my life.
I want to talk about a few of the coaches I got to spend time with and that helped me to start and achieve these goals. Lindsey Voreis "You can learn so much about yourself and your ability to persevere and overcome obstacles"-Lindsey V. http://www.kirtvoreis.com/lindsey-voreis.html
I imagine you can see why I could connect with her! :) She also rides horses which is super rad! Lindsey's energy is high volume and authentic and I love that! Tammy Donahugh was one of my coaches at the clinic. Tammy helped me to recognize "baby step's", Not that I couldn't hit a jump or rally some obstacle's, but to wait and learn how to do it "right" on smaller jumps. Patience comes to mind, learning how to not get too far ahead of myself and accept where I am at (right where I need to be). Tammy has a great clinic for women coming up in August in Frisco, CO. DixieTrix http://www.dixietrix.com/
Wendy Palmer of Moab, UT was also one of my coaches and her energy alone helped me to work through some of the anxiety I had from last weekends Enduro. I had competed my first Enduro, and I feel great about that. Going to the clinic I still had some trepidation after a few of the crashes. Wendy taught me to use my shocks more "you gotta pump to jump"! "load and explode"! I learned to really use the suspension on my bike and pump into turns, before a drop or a jump. I plan to use all these skill's at my next Enduro in Crested Butte this weekend!
The Yeti Beti clinic was a success for me and I can't wait to use the skill's I learned on my bike and in my life. Fluid!
Monday, June 17, 2013
Big Mountain Enduro #1 Angel Fire, NM
Well, I must say that was fun and hard! I definitely got a dose of real MTB racing! If you are curious about what an Enduro MTB race is check out http://www.bigmountainenduro.com/ . This kind of racing is fast and tests your technical skills, willpower, and strength of mind. "One has to be ever alert and constant in both practice and aspiration. Even if the whole world collapses around you, it does not matter. If you give up hope and effort, you can never be successful".
Now the race begins. Lesson #1 Pre ride a course! "Blind Dates" on a races are not smart. Lesson #2 (it's an easy one) Look ahead and not just at what is coming at you, especially while at high speed. Sorry coach! Lesson #3 by far the most important….. No matter what happens, drop a chain, screw up what gear your in, fall, twist handle bars, eat dirt; take a breath and control your mind/emotions. "If you give up hope and effort, you can never be successful." Right??!! Ahhh…Zen/Enduro.
Now after meeting all those great ladies I raced with I will be learning from them at the Yeti Beti clinic next weekend! http://www.betiallrideclinic.com/beti-allride-clinic1.html Love life and bikes! Feel so grateful that this is my world.
Now the race begins. Lesson #1 Pre ride a course! "Blind Dates" on a races are not smart. Lesson #2 (it's an easy one) Look ahead and not just at what is coming at you, especially while at high speed. Sorry coach! Lesson #3 by far the most important….. No matter what happens, drop a chain, screw up what gear your in, fall, twist handle bars, eat dirt; take a breath and control your mind/emotions. "If you give up hope and effort, you can never be successful." Right??!! Ahhh…Zen/Enduro.
Now after meeting all those great ladies I raced with I will be learning from them at the Yeti Beti clinic next weekend! http://www.betiallrideclinic.com/beti-allride-clinic1.html Love life and bikes! Feel so grateful that this is my world.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Ready to Race!
The mascara is packed. Pedicure - check, hot pink with rhinestones :) The pink Stan's No Tubes Jersey and shammies are clean!
The Yeti SB95 (Donzi) for those of you who don't know, this is the name of a speed boat company and a horse I wanted when I was 13, now the name of my BA bike. Maxxis tires are good to go. Big thanks to the Durango Girls No Tubes for having a great team to help support me! Jimmy Kight- you rock! Best coach ever! Thanks 2nd ave sports for dealing with "the bike hypochondriac". Huge thanks to Patti Zink of MBS for talking with me yesterday and calming my nerves. Mountain Bike Specialist, 2nd Ave Sports, and Petal to Peaks are for sure the go to places in Durango!!
This will be my first Pro/Open Enduro race and I am so excited!! The course looks super fun! Hope there are a bunch of ladies out there to meet and race with and of course to get inspired by!
The Yeti SB95 (Donzi) for those of you who don't know, this is the name of a speed boat company and a horse I wanted when I was 13, now the name of my BA bike. Maxxis tires are good to go. Big thanks to the Durango Girls No Tubes for having a great team to help support me! Jimmy Kight- you rock! Best coach ever! Thanks 2nd ave sports for dealing with "the bike hypochondriac". Huge thanks to Patti Zink of MBS for talking with me yesterday and calming my nerves. Mountain Bike Specialist, 2nd Ave Sports, and Petal to Peaks are for sure the go to places in Durango!!
This will be my first Pro/Open Enduro race and I am so excited!! The course looks super fun! Hope there are a bunch of ladies out there to meet and race with and of course to get inspired by!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
This is what I will be racing this weekend!
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