Bicycling Basics - Class at Stanford

I have the privilege of helping teach the first of a multi night class at Stanford University for their "Health Improvement Program" aka HIP! If you are wanting to help introduce a super beginner into the bike world... via commuting, fitness, sport or otherwise... this is a great place to start. Classroom on campus - see details at this registration page: http://hip.stanford.edu/

October 15
Stanford Health Improvement Program 
 “Bicycling Basics for Women’s Confidence and Comfort” 5:30-7:00 pm Contact Stanford’s HIP program to sign up. http://hip.stanford.edu/ or call 723-9649 (I’m teaching day one) - fee $30 for set.

Thanks for your support!

Handcycle success!

Now my recovery is rejuvinated and sanity is saved.

5 weeks today - post surgery

Jolly Green Giant Foot

Hey all - I haven't been blogging as I sorta like to stay positive in this blog - and everyday I have a challenging hour or 2 or 3. Have a whole new respect for wheelchair bound folks and lips of cement on a sidewalk. Crutches, casts, and the ability to get something from the kitchen, then bring it to my desk. Either I'm kicking something along the floor... or I switch to a wheelchair so I can carry, and try not to spill when I go over the bump between the tile and the wood floor. The main focus right now is to keep sanity, get some range of motion in my knee, and decrease swelling. It's been exactly 5 weeks since the doctor "borrowed" bone from my knee, broke my leg - and placed it into my ankle's hole (or lesion). ONE MORE WEEK of no weight... then slowly I start to place some weight on my foot. I can't imagine it will be quick. My foot is so swollen right now... and doesn't move, and my knee can't bend more than 10 degrees, so I don't expect to be walking a week from now. 6 Weeks is the magic bone healing number. My surgeon who doesn't say but a few words ever in an appt, actually looked proud, smiley and giddy when he was advising me to take it easy... as "you are healing from a broken ankle"... "I broke it" he said with a Canary feather smile, "but it is broken".

I got a fantastic call today from an inspirational was a student for SLaB clinics... turned triathlete. She is doing her 2nd Tri this Sunday - a Tinley sprint w/ mtn bike off road for the cycling portion. It's so fantastic to hear from folks that are still riding and training and improving. Gives me hope and a peak into the outside world where people move. Sure I'm less muscle and more fat right now... but somehow I'm going to change that in this next year! I really want to do more skills clinics... and I actually have a class I'm teaching in 10 days at Stanford. It's a classroom class (vs hands on practice), but all about women and women's cycling. That will re-energize me for sure!

Tomorrow I go for my longest drive yet since surgery - up to Mill Valley for Acupuncture. I am hoping to make major headway in ridding myself of this massive swelling. One more week... and I will attempt to add weight. About 4 more weeks until I'm allowed in a pool.

Go ride - because you can! Ride for us who can't!
;-)
Bev

Davis Byrne in SF - long time bicycle advocate

http://www.ecovelo.info/2009/09/29/david-byrne-in-san-francisco-tonight/

• Sent from my high tech portable gadget •

Healing and patience and Interbike blues

Just past the half way point in my 6 weeks of no weight baring life.

Healing from this surgery I knew would be trying... and today I'm tired of needing help for everything. Immobility is a new thing - started early in the year with lots and lots of pain in my left ankle anytime I wanted to walk, jog, hike... press down hard on my left peddle while riding my bike. Physical therapy only mobilized my ankle more... and reared the ugly truth... a huge cyst and hole in my Talus. Now here I am... 3 weeks after a big surgery of my body's bones being drilled/broken or plugged in 3 different places. Send me patience and gratitude for all my friends and family that have been stopping by with food, entertainment and what-nots. Dreaming of better days, future bike rides...

Interbike is a tradition for us bike geeks - check out all the beautiful new gear... find new clothing... see designs... and most of all say hi to all our friends that thru this last decade and a half - all are there from all over the States and World... often still in the industry and just moved over a booth to another brand. Such is the life of staying inside... but moving up and on. It's a fantastic networking place... I find sponsors for SLaB... I find potential graphic design clients there. Sometimes I drink shots with them in a Tequila bar... I tried to hand Lance Armstrong a $5 bill during the Cyclo-cross race... and get signatures or photos with the current pro's. Tons of fun and long days.

*Sigh* - I'll be back dang it! Just have to work thru this recovery! Thanks everybody for constantly commenting humorously on my facebook/twitter comments... it's keeping me alive!

Yikes! Chef James Martin needs to learn a lesson in sharing the road

http://www.cyclelicio.us/2009/09/tesla-motors-perfect-bike-harassing.html

Mom & Son defy (bad) rules and bike to school

http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/mom-son-bike-to-school-state-trooper-awaits/

Wow! Can't believe it came to this... But hooray for the mom/son team
defiance to make a great point!

Pink Floyd Goodbye Blue Sky 9 11 01

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69oS_og-QAE

• Sent from my high tech portable gadget •

Beautiful riding street trials video

Instead of posting ugly pictures of my knee/ankle surgery - I thought I'd post an inspirational video to get you out riding! I'm riding in spirit - but with only 2 weeks down of 6 weeks no weight baring on my leg - I get to only watch for now. Supposedly it's 4 months off the bike, so I might need more mental help from my cycling friend community! Enjoy this vid! - Bev

SLaB ankle surgery update

Hi all! One week down on the recovery side of my ankle surgery. The
last skills clinic went fantastic- and it was only a few days before I
had this huge cast attached to my leg added!

I'm still extremely swollen in the entire left leg- with most
discomfort from my knee - where it donated two "plugs" - which double
what they thought they needed to use- to fill the holes in my ankle /
talus bone.

I'll update more when I can get to my real computer - and max out my
iPhone fun.

Days consist of icing and elevating leg-pain killer frequency
tweaking, upright a few X a day with help from crutches and family or
friends spotting me. Absolutely no weight bearing for 6 weeks.

5 more to go!
I am Strong!
-Bev

Must-Haves and Nice-to-Have basics for cycling equipment / accessories

I came up with a basic list for the Intro to biking class I helped teach at Stanford. I think it would be helpful to many - so am going to post it! Enjoy!

Cancellara's great downhill on stage 7 TDF

Amazing descent by Fabian Cancellara on Stage 7 or the Tour. He needed a bike change, and this is him catching back up. DON'T TRY TO RIDE LIKE THIS! Look at how far he leans his bike over! Can't believe the Motorcyclist with the Cameraman kept up! As my friend says... the motorcycle crew probably needed a change of leathers after this ride! Wow!

Swimming with Zeus in Greece

Just back from an amazing trip to Munich Germany then Athens, Santorini and Zakynthos Greece. Here is a tribute to the lovely dog that was at our villa!

Stanford Wellness Bike Class 7/16 and 7/23

I have the honor of helping teach a short class for Stanford's Health Improvement Program a.k.a. HIP! Sign up if you are interested in joining the class, focussed on the novice, to learn basics about bike fit and types of bikes, and how to jump start commuting and using your bike for errands if not exercise and training! It's a two part class - the 2nd class we'll ride over to a bike shop and discuss the different new technologies and point out must-haves and nice-to-have, or luxury items vs need to have accessories to make your riding and lifestyle be safe and easy! 

See complete course listings here: 

 http://hip.stanford.edu/docs/HIP_Schedule_Summer_2009.pdf

Old injury finally needing attention - Ankle surgery needed

Hi all -
Just thought I'd let you know why I haven't been riding too much lately. I can actually pedal a bike pretty well, its the walking to and from the trail, and hike-a-bikes that hurt me. An old sprain from '99 and '04 has finally started to cause toooo much pain. Some holes in my Talus w/ large cysts filling them are impeding at certain angles , especially painful if pushing down hard and in an incline w/ my foot. (Osteochondral lesions). Attached is a lovely iphone pic from my CT scan showing on the docs computer monitor.

I hope to line up surgery w/ Oakland's Bone and Joint Specialists - Dr. Roger Mann and his son.

If anybody does or doesn't like these guys... let me know! ;-)

Come to Evolution Bike Shop tomorrow June 13, for Demo Day

I'll be chatting with folks about future SLaB skills clinics and helping out in the morning at Evolution Bike shop! Come join the fun as they have demo bikes from Norco and more! Steven's Creek Blvd, across from Elephant Bar... near "Cupertino Square" (ak Valco mall). See you there!

Downieville Carraige House Inn!

Beautiful location and wonderful hosts! Thanks Luz and John Luster!

Yuba Expeditions Rocked!

SLaB is going to Downieville!

Russian Ridge group ride was gorgeous out!

Saturday Morning warmed up enough to enjoy the still green hills of Russian Ridge! Ancient Oaks Trail seemed even more mossy than ever - and mystical. Feels good to finally be venturing out on the bike, was a long hibernation this winter. 

GT demo April 11, SLaB clinic May 16, Downieville weekend June 6-7th.

Hi all - 

***MOVED TO TORO PARK IN SALINAS****

Instead of proposed clinic at Freemont Older this Sat.y April 11th, we'd like to invite you to Los Gatos Reservoir to meet the GT demo truck, and test ride any bike you might like to try! Ride around the Saint Joseph's trail and others - from that location!

**email me first, or check with Calabazas shop for details on this. I am not running it, and times/locations may change.

May 16-

Clinic in Cupertino is starting to fill up - hold your spot soon by email.

Downieville weekend. Arrive June 5th pm, ride Saturday the 6th & 7th. Depart anytime Sunday.

I'll post a deadline soon on commitment. A few rooms in our group's block are taken, and maybe you ought to commit to the others! Will be a blast!

Don't forget the Sea Otter - April 17, 18 and 19th

You don't have to race to enjoy yourselves there. Come watch pro's and amateurs, and shop the unique boutique booths to major brands and demo any bike brand!

Downieville weekend moved to June 6/7

Spots available for 2 upcoming clinics and Downieville weekend! Sign up through Bev on email.

Come stay at the Downieville Carraige House Inn, ride with Yuba Expeditions, be guided with help from SLaB and her expert guest leaders! 

Drive up Friday night. Ride Saturday and Sunday!

COST: for 2 nights, two days shuttle would be $190 + food

Rooms start at $75 a night. One suite available with 3 queens - split the $175 3 ways.

Shuttle prices are standard $20 a day.

Meals on your own.

Mtn. Bike Skills Clinics for Spring 2009!

Hello riders and those who'd like to start riding! 

Winter is waning and our sunshine is lasting longer - this means our riding season is here!

STRONG, LIGHT and BEAUTIFUL has exciting new clinics and events on the calendar!
We've changed the format a little, focussing on clinics and events not membership. No charge to be a Strong, Light and Beautiful rider, simply attend an event (fee based or complimentary events), or purchase a jersey and/or merchandise, ride with us, and you are SLaB! (Website to reflect this by end of March).

CO-ED!
We found that YES, mostly women need and want a group - a no pressure clinic, but there are men out there that haven't tried riding in years as well. Pass along these dates to those guys you know that are ready to get active on the trails, or haven't felt stable maybe on their road bikes, as attending these workshops help every type of rider improve their maneuverability on a bicycle!

GROUP RIDES
We will continue to offer group rides as the Summer and daylight grow. We plan to join other clubs group rides and events and trail volunteer work throughout 2009.

There is still beautiful merchandise available. Jerseys, Arm Warmers, Vests, and discounts at local bike shops and some brand components/accessories. www.iamSLaB.com

SLaB has upped her game this year with the addition of 1 to 2 expert riders joining our clinics and events. These guys can share tricks and expertise from their racing days to mechanic abilities. You'll certainly learn a trick or two from them!

If you have taken a SLaB clinic before, this will review skills from Super Beginner clinics, then go a step further with more intermediate skills, experts on hand, and a ride to practice on, and have a little more physical challenge.

APRIL 11
Skills Clinic and Ride - CUPERTINO, CA
Beginner/Beginner-Intermediate/and Intermediates!
Go thru basic skills & mechanical tips - 9-11a.m. $60pp
Then ride up the fire road to access Freemont Older's trails for on the trail assistance and testing out our new skills! 11:30-1:30pm. 

Enervit bars and energy drinks provided. Bring snack and required to have water bottle or hydration system for ride. If you need a bike or want to try a full suspension or hard-tail GT, 3 mediums available first come first serve. County Parking Fee not included.

MAY 16
Super Beginner/Beginner clinic, CUPERTINO, CA, 9 a.m.-12:30. $50pp
Haven't ridden in years? Want more stability on your road or hybrid or mtn. bike? Learn balance, weight distribution, cornering, braking techniques to encourage you go ride more challenging trails and roads. Bikes available to use - limited sizes and qty.
County Parking Fee not included.

JUNE 13-14 (price will be group rates, a great deal! Weekend of a lot of fun!)
2 nights 2 days in DOWNIEVILLE, CA
Beg-Intermediate riders
Shuttles with expert riders to join us on rides. They will assist, coach and/or guide us for an enjoyable descent!
Yuba Expeditions Bike Shop http://yubaexpeditions.com/
Carriage House www.downievillecarriagehouse.com

Bicycle right of way - be a car!

Space shuttle trail- sts-119

After solid rocket boosters detached... The trail left was still
getting sun - a beautiful sight!