Midsummer Musings from Coach Lorri

Whoever created my schedule this summer was crazy!  What's that you say?  I put together my own schedule?  Well that explains everything.  Indeed, I'm crazy.

Since mid-June, I've spent more time away from home than at home.  My life has been a constant go-go-go.  And, of course, the bike has been an integral part of that action.

In June, I spent two weeks in beautiful Markleeville, CA, home of the Death Ride.  I held my 5th Annual Alpine Altitude Adventure camp with a great group of riders and also rode the Alta Alpina Challenge on one of the hottest days of the year.  I rode my favorite mountain passes, practiced yoga at studios in Carson City, Truckee, and South Lake Tahoe, visited the farmer's markets, hiked with my dog, and did some advance work for The Specialized Women Sports Camp where I'd be coaching in August.  I even went stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Tahoe for the 1st (and 2nd) time ever!

Lorri and Annie at the Death Ride

July was non-stop action, with another week in Markleeville, capped off by my fastest Death Ride ever!  I somehow slipped in a bunch of Savvy Bike clinics, bike fits, and on-the-bike coaching sessions, as well as prep for the 8th Annual Menlo Park Grand Prix presented by Kit Order.

Janelle Kellman of Kit Order with Lorri at the Menlo Park Grand Prix

The day after the race, I spent my 48th birthday with off-load and then hopped on the redeye for New York to spend an amazing week visiting long-lost family and friends and attending my 30th High School Reunion.  I rode my bike 6 days in 6 different places, including a group ride and a ride with a high school buddy.  I met with cycling and fitness friends to work on plans to bring coaching programs to NY next summer.  This was the first real vacation I've taken in a long time, and I even completely ignored work and email for a few days.

Lorri and her nieces riding in upstate NY

When I returned from NY, I had one day at home before heading up to Truckee to coach the road cycling programs at The Specialized Women Sports Camp.  What a fabulous weekend of clinics, riding, yoga, SUP, and seminars in a stunning setting.

Lorri and her athletes climb Donner Pass

And now I'm back and ready to settle in for a while, with awesome Bike Skills clinics, AIDS LifeCycle Training Ride Leader Certification clinics, bike fits, on-the-bike clients, and even some road and mountain bike racing to finish off the summer.  I've loved every minute of my crazy summer, but I'm thrilled to be back home in Northern CA -- the most perfect place on earth to ride a bike!

Life is short.  Live each day fully.  Enjoy summer.  Make memories!

Pactimo Does It Again!

We've had a great relationship with Pactimo the past two seasons, and we're super-excited about the winner's jersey they've designed for the 8th Annual Menlo Park Grand Prix presented by KitOrder.com.  Check it out!  And don't forget, you can't WIN if you don't register to race.  Save $$$ with our early registration discount if you register by June 30th.  Yup, that's this Sunday!

https://www.usacycling.org/register/2013-1977

How Can YOU Support Women's Cycling?

For the past 8 years, Velo Girls has promoted (bike racing lingo for putting on a race) the Menlo Park Grand Prix.  This is an awesome criterium on a very unique course and we pull out all the stops to make this a fun, family-oriented day of bike racing.  In addition to our competitive events, we have a super-fun expo, a FREE children's race, other fun kid's events, and even gourmet food trucks.  This year's race is July 28th and we're busy planning all the details of this year's event.

As one of the only all-women's cycling clubs in the United States to promote a bike race, we've made it our mission to use this race to promote women's bike racing.  With eleven races during the course of the day, we have FIVE women's races (while most other races only have one or two).  This year's edition of the Menlo Park Grand Prix is host to the Elite Women's State Championship, the Master Women's State Championship (with two races), and separate races for CAT 3 and CAT 4 women.  This is a HUGE investment for us since women's fields are smaller than men's fields and there is a pretty significant loss of income for the women's races.  But women's cycling is our mission so we're willing to take that risk and find other sources of income to underwrite this investment.

It takes a lot of resources for us to put on this race and we'd love to get YOU involved this year.  Here's how you can help:

#1 -- Register to Race:  We have 11 competitive events during the day, including Northern California Nevada Cycling Association BikeReg.com Premier Series races for P/1/2 (men), Masters 1/2/3 35+ (men), Masters 1/2/3 45+ (men), and Women 1/2/3.  We're also part of the NCNCA Women's Series with separate fields for the CAT3 and CAT 4 women.   You'll find registration here:  https://www.usacycling.org/register/2013-1977

#2 -- Become a Sponsor:  We're particularly interested in cash sponsorship, but donations of goods and services are also welcome (either to supplement race production or to be used as prizes).  We're utilizing social media this year to help raise funds and all donations are welcome and appreciated.  Check out our new "Friend of Menlo Park Grand Prix sponsorship level (and get a super-sexy race t-shirt).  http://www.gofundme.com/8thmenloparkgrandprix

#3 -- Volunteer on Race Day:  It takes more than 70 volunteers and staff to put on a race of this caliber.  We've got volunteer positions for course marshalls, registration staff, and even podium girls!  Email Lorri@velogirls.com for details.

Our list of event sponsors is growing daily, but special thanks go to KitOrder.com for stepping up as presenting sponsor this year.  

We'd also like to thank Cycles Fanatic, Davis Junior Race Team, High Note Coffee, Ink Monkey Graphics, Pactimo, Rock Tape, and Savvy Bike.