tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55105941289848149502024-03-05T16:41:32.924-07:00Freeride FoundationUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger493125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-8833947473340862392010-04-06T23:20:00.003-06:002010-04-06T23:39:05.702-06:00Fontana City National ResultsThe first big US gravity event of the year is in the books. The Fontana City National took place March 26-28 in California. Melissa Buhl came out swinging, winning the downhill race by 17 seconds. For more information about the race, visit <a href="http://www.southridgeusa.com/">SouthridgeUSA.com.</a><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Pro Women</strong><br />1. Melissa Buhl<br />2. Joanna Petterson<br />3. Gabriela Williams<br />4. Jennifer Wolf<br />5. Joy Martin<br />6. Darian Harvey<br />7. Michelle Rivera<br /><br /><strong>Open Women</strong><br />1. Erica Phillips<br /><br /><strong>Sport Women 34 & Under</strong><br />1. Essence Barton<br />2. Stephanie Wolf<br />3. Valerie Vanderpool<br />4. Ashley Hernandez<br /><br /><strong>Sport Women 35+</strong><br />1. Nancy Harris<br />2. Kim Finch<br />3. Traci Adams<br /><br /><strong>Beginner Women 34 & Under</strong><br />1. Wendy Roller<br /><br /><strong>Beginner Women 35+</strong><br />1. Kim Krueger<br />2. Angela MijaresUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-88669714678262637122010-03-26T22:18:00.009-06:002010-03-27T00:04:43.479-06:00March's Featured Rider: Kathy Pruitt<div><div><em>Kathy Pruitt has been a racer for almost her entire life. And she's been a pro racer for <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZgJNGhKzGFfhPVzYhtnTIpK0aWrNU-C_fnn6aJ02PF2TW1MjE9U4isB-Uj_chuLYR1I4de442u93i7GxKywkgvoX5huuLCLf4Ks4AfaUmu7O3Mi046rTACFyVCKvyc3muANQYOJymuU/s1600/kp-face.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 146px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453187967052618626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZgJNGhKzGFfhPVzYhtnTIpK0aWrNU-C_fnn6aJ02PF2TW1MjE9U4isB-Uj_chuLYR1I4de442u93i7GxKywkgvoX5huuLCLf4Ks4AfaUmu7O3Mi046rTACFyVCKvyc3muANQYOJymuU/s200/kp-face.jpg" /></a>nearly half of it. She's been a staple on the US national and World Cup circuits for ten years, and consistently stands on the podium domestically. Internationally, she's solid a top-ten finisher and is chasing a downhill win at a World Cup. Kathy is unquestionably talented--whether she's descending, dirt jumping, or raging on the cross country bike--and incredibly hilarious. We're rooting for her to make it to the top of the of a World Cup podium (or two) this season!--FF</em><br /><br />Name: Kathy Pruitt<br />Home: Santa Cruz, California<br />Age: 27<br />Favorite type of riding: Everything!<br />Why you ride: It's challenging, rewarding and allows me to be creative.<br />Sponsors: Jamis Bikes, Giro, e-thirteen, Smith, Sombrio, Geax<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftHhoR4Z1roIgOkSO7_a8w3EEDmMefWo9aoYgk_0xSLU57A9RczCzvOb5_0PjZ8aySYEFYzBRn-Yj5jy5ZsqmX7Hxf4iLV-zkS-mrnP7Vofhi2D2GQELwja9EJJZuZU6kso8czWqZ21c/s1600/kp-turn.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453188762020915698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftHhoR4Z1roIgOkSO7_a8w3EEDmMefWo9aoYgk_0xSLU57A9RczCzvOb5_0PjZ8aySYEFYzBRn-Yj5jy5ZsqmX7Hxf4iLV-zkS-mrnP7Vofhi2D2GQELwja9EJJZuZU6kso8czWqZ21c/s200/kp-turn.jpg" /></a>Way back in 1988 I was racing and riding pee-wee motorcycles. I was 5 years old. That's when the two-wheeled obsession began. I continued with motorcycles and even turned pro at the age of 12. A few years later, after I had sustained a few major injuries, my parents decided to pull me out of the moto game. It didn't take long for me to figure out that I was pretty fast at going down a hill. The mountain bike my dad bought me to commute to track practice became my new outlet to relive my moto days. Soon, I convinced my dad to take me to a local downhill event in Truckee, California. I had a blast! More than 10 years later, I am still riding bikes and am just as competitive.<br /><br />A lot of things have stayed the same in the bike world since I started racing World Cups in 1999. But,the biggest change is the talent level, it has gotten very close and is so competitive that the top five riders' times can be on the same tenth of a second. The sport's level of riding has progressed in both men's and women's riding. The bikes have become much easier to ride, and it's easy to see that the level of riding went up right next to the equipment progressing.<br /><br />One of the things that has been hardest to learn in this sport is to be mentally strong, all the time. It doesn't matter if you are on a perfect bike and have all the best equipment, if your head and mind are not "there," you are not going to get over that scary jump or speed down the rutted and rooted <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKP_HBjMaODTFsEgNJ_yTbKKdUHHaBPjRm40aj1tYnBWNeY9JZmwcXhdylbCKoJPwLR1DWtwrzew8ijPZN_fOXlIKam9LwX-1ogP5lTtl8nWzR59lYt6FU7O-CVvz13vOM5pLD5vE-caA/s1600/kp-surf.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 131px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453189163344722658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKP_HBjMaODTFsEgNJ_yTbKKdUHHaBPjRm40aj1tYnBWNeY9JZmwcXhdylbCKoJPwLR1DWtwrzew8ijPZN_fOXlIKam9LwX-1ogP5lTtl8nWzR59lYt6FU7O-CVvz13vOM5pLD5vE-caA/s200/kp-surf.jpg" /></a>track as fast as you could have. Becoming mentally strong and staying in that space is very difficult. If your mind is in the game, the rest will follow.<br /><br />To combat becoming stale after 10+ years of competing and racing, I have learned to seek out other sports and activities that keep my mind fresh and challenged. I live near the ocean and luckily near many really good surf breaks. I have been learning to love the paddle out, how to read the swell, and figuring out the right place to be to catch that ride in. Surfing has become my reset button, you could say. It reminds me a lot of snowboarding, and I grew up doing that in Lake Tahoe, CA.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTW1d5z_TWnVUKsYt3HVJmmbawH70M-tSDP-TyUCVxYHOJb1_3S2m_Q-x3P7vur2dJoJbjJLiRv0SksjA1fadTmoIfYlzef62NLmwUixOtFIBkDDK1JRYxhAkLmFGacAVaoph-XK5X_-E/s1600/kp-jump.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453189893010133682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTW1d5z_TWnVUKsYt3HVJmmbawH70M-tSDP-TyUCVxYHOJb1_3S2m_Q-x3P7vur2dJoJbjJLiRv0SksjA1fadTmoIfYlzef62NLmwUixOtFIBkDDK1JRYxhAkLmFGacAVaoph-XK5X_-E/s200/kp-jump.jpg" /></a>I've worked hard in this sport and have achieved almost all of the honors that you can achieve, except the ever-eluding Senior World Championships. In 2000, I was the Junior World Champion--the year before, I placed silver. I have been the 3-time National series overall champion in downhill and have won the National Championship event in downhill and dual slalom. I have also stepped on every spot of the World Cup podium except the top spot during my racing career. I've qualified 1st a few times, but never won.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBChX7nrjEbEj_o3LGkg_swmTixOTiGt_5qM7xaHyG7CaxirWFa5yYM_98XUZ48bd2XDvfCk_0y4-BIAS4Nq_DYb_hKRN-WpINkN7KsmuWZrk2qgEEG5whEpmn-biL7BCmU_ApscikLg/s1600/kp-stand.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453190300009561714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBChX7nrjEbEj_o3LGkg_swmTixOTiGt_5qM7xaHyG7CaxirWFa5yYM_98XUZ48bd2XDvfCk_0y4-BIAS4Nq_DYb_hKRN-WpINkN7KsmuWZrk2qgEEG5whEpmn-biL7BCmU_ApscikLg/s200/kp-stand.jpg" /></a><br />My goals this year are pretty simple, I want to win races. I'll be spending more time at home in Santa Cruz to prepare for races and less time traveling, which will hopefully help me focus on my goals. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-65726809200771834182010-03-25T21:22:00.004-06:002010-03-25T22:08:45.443-06:00CCCX 2010 Downhill #1The first CCCX downhill race of the 2010 spring season was held at Toro Park, CA on March 20. Rosie Bernhard took her first pro win of her career, and was also the only girl to break four minutes on the course. The next CCCX race will be held April 11. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.cccx.com/">CCCX.com</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Pro Women</strong><br />1. Rosie Bernhard<br />2. Lia Lajoie<br /><br /><strong>Expert Women</strong><br />1. Cathy Chevron<br />2. Kelly Johnson<br />3. Mary Moncorge<br />4. Ayshe Tuncer<br />5. Jill Henrich<br />6. Ashley Hernandez<br /><br /><strong>Sport Women</strong><br />1. Jessica Spray<br />2. Shiloh Ballard<br />3. Courtney Rosiak<br /><br /><strong>Beginner Women</strong><br />1. Mary Pralinsky<br />2. Ruby Tidd<br />3. Katy Jossy<br /><br /><strong>Jr. Girls</strong><br />1. Faith SiebeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-79607345966827381552010-03-12T20:12:00.002-07:002010-03-12T20:24:48.676-07:002010 Mob 'n Mojave ResultsThe 2010 Mob 'n Mojave downhill race was held Feb. 13-14 at Bootleg Canyon, NV. Melissa Buhl took the win in the best-of-two-run race format. The next race at Bootleg is March 19-20, which is the St. Patty's Day Feast. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.allmountaincyclery.com/">AllMountainCyclery.com</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Downhill</strong><br /><strong>Pro Women</strong><br />1. Melissa Buhl<br />2. Jacqueline Harmony<br />3. Christine Hirst<br />4. Tasa Herndon<br />5. Linden Lane<br />6. Joy Martin<br />7. Ana Rodriguez<br />8. Margaret Gregory<br /><br /><strong>Open Women</strong><br />1. Amy Forwand<br />2. Megan Applegate<br /><br /><strong>Open Women 40+</strong><br />1. Carmen Bastek<br />2. Nancy Harris<br />3. Kathleen Kingma<br /><br /><strong>Dual Slalom</strong><br />1. Jacqueline HarmonyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-57512701308003487962010-03-11T21:50:00.002-07:002010-03-11T22:28:28.960-07:00Southridge USA Winter Series #5 ResultsThe 5th race of the Southridge Winter Series was held March 6 and 7. The talent ran deep in the pro women's downhill. Melissa Buhl emerged the decisive winner, finishing 9 seconds ahead of Anneke Beerten. The winter series is over, but racing resumes March 26-28 for the Fontana City National. For more info about racing at Fontana, visit <a href="http://www.southridgeusa.com/">SouthridgeUSA.com</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Downhill</strong><br /><strong>Pro Women</strong><br />1. Melissa Buhl<br />2. Anneke Beerten<br />3. Leigh Donovan<br />5. Gabriela Williams<br />6. Jennifer Wolf<br />7. Margaret Gregory<br />8. Sondra Williamson<br />9. Christine Hirst<br /><br /><strong>Open Women</strong><br />1. Rebecca Gardner<br />2. Mandy Oliekan<br />3. Nancy Harris<br /><br /><strong>Sport Women 34 & Under</strong><br />1. Stephanie Wolf<br />2. Julia Zavala<br />3. Ashley Hernandez<br /><br /><strong>Sport Women 35+</strong><br />1. Kim Finch<br />2. Traci Adams<br />3. Lisa Gianni<br /><br /><strong>Beginner Women 35+</strong><br />1. Lala Mijares<br /><br /><strong>4X</strong><br /><strong>Pro Women</strong><br />1. Kayla Meadows<br /><br /><strong>Open Women</strong><br />1. Robin Vold<br />2. Laura Drexler<br />3. Breanna FellowsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-78250105785669921872010-03-10T19:42:00.003-07:002010-03-10T20:02:27.476-07:00CCCX UpdateThe final race of the CCCX winter downhill series took place January 31st. Kathy Pruitt took the win for the pro women at the race, and Karen Hanzi won the overall series. The spring series was supposed to start on March 7, but the race was postponed due to poor weather. The next race is scheduled for March 20, 2010 at Toro Park, CA. For more information about CCCX, visit <a href="http://www.cccx.org/">CCCX.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>CCCX #5</strong><br /><strong>Pro Women</strong><br />1. Kathy Pruitt<br />2. Karen Hanzi<br />3. Rosie Bernhard<br />4. Heather McFadden<br /><br /><strong>Expert Women</strong><br />1. Kelsey Anderson<br />2. Mollie Sitkin<br />3. Kelly Johnson<br />4. AnneMarie Hennes<br />5. Amy Forwand<br />6. Kelley Damschen<br />7. Ashley Hernandez<br /><br /><strong>Sport Women</strong><br />1. Mary Moncorge<br />2. Tina Wilson<br />3. Aysche Tuncer<br />4. Jill Henrich<br />5. Kirstie Douglass<br />6. Natalie Morris<br /><br /><strong>Beginner Women</strong><br />1. Jessica Spray<br />2. Melanie McGuire<br />3. Ruby Tidd<br />4. Andrea Locke<br /><br /><strong>Series Winners</strong><br />Pro Women: Karen Hanzi<br />Expert Women: Kelly Johnson<br />Sport Women: Jill Henrich<br />Beginner Women: Andrea LockeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-30052042760762889342010-03-01T09:11:00.010-07:002010-03-01T09:41:45.296-07:002010 Ray's Women's Weekend a Huge Success!The 3rd annual Ray's Women's Weekend was held February 19-21. Once again, the weekend was an incredible gathering of women riders of all ability levels from across the country. Darcy Turenne came from B.C., Kathy Pruitt and Cory Coffey flew from CA, and several clinic goers even traveled from Austin, TX. All-in-all, about 150 women took advantage of the free day at Ray's. There were two clinic sessions on Friday--one in the morning, and one in the afternoon--led by 14 pro women riders with BMX, cross country, downhill, and dirt jumping backgrounds. Plus, breakfast and lunch were provided event sponsors. And there was a huge prize raffle and free cocktail party after the day of riding. Yeah, it was the best day ever.<br /><br /><br />And the weekend didn't end there. Girls paid half-price to ride on Saturday and Sunday, with an Awesome Land: Women of Dirt showing on Saturday night. Riders from the film including Lisa Myklak, Stephanie Nychka, Tammy Donahugh, were in attendance too.<br /><br /><br />Ray's employee and BMX ripper Nina Buitrago and Mad March Racing instructor Tamara Peloquin organized the whole shindig, and there are plans in the works for the 4th-annual event in 2011! <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Cleveland-OH/Rays-Angels-Womens-Weekend/208582886016?ref=ts">Check out the Ray's Angels Facebook page for more photos and info</a>!<br /><br />Tamara!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AkS-fwjLcTrIeW8K9GFKZNCEyyvhG065pL7LF9w7fMT-WPQL8fa5TjyVMEhuCIGWL7BvuqUaqWqw3uh0gx-4q6drfMfYScCV47M0yjnvWxw2v5lgh3rOMc0lDzo_2RydwCsCHg05Ze4/s1600-h/IMG_0021.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 123px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443701913307944994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AkS-fwjLcTrIeW8K9GFKZNCEyyvhG065pL7LF9w7fMT-WPQL8fa5TjyVMEhuCIGWL7BvuqUaqWqw3uh0gx-4q6drfMfYScCV47M0yjnvWxw2v5lgh3rOMc0lDzo_2RydwCsCHg05Ze4/s200/IMG_0021.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Nina in an ironic tee!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoReILGu5XXsF78nnjNYm1ZKe-a7YR9oRERw-g5UIp8skuyaTQ3r24OD8tKuSF3lsPsMd1432K3YSjFPHY7_Jz4fA4kLRlOwFBWM_8ruZg784n0-O7YMBEj7tsmVxQeobt1xTPCKcofQ/s1600-h/IMG_0023.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 190px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443702513462517618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoReILGu5XXsF78nnjNYm1ZKe-a7YR9oRERw-g5UIp8skuyaTQ3r24OD8tKuSF3lsPsMd1432K3YSjFPHY7_Jz4fA4kLRlOwFBWM_8ruZg784n0-O7YMBEj7tsmVxQeobt1xTPCKcofQ/s200/IMG_0023.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoReILGu5XXsF78nnjNYm1ZKe-a7YR9oRERw-g5UIp8skuyaTQ3r24OD8tKuSF3lsPsMd1432K3YSjFPHY7_Jz4fA4kLRlOwFBWM_8ruZg784n0-O7YMBEj7tsmVxQeobt1xTPCKcofQ/s1600-h/IMG_0023.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> Learning!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443703111776725154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86Ailfvxqs2p5rbtrkJHAFdNFM6AyJIuAkL2D7BzvypXE4EziXRqZNuFf1lcQd8n4qH4xj0VBe6wIB6o2vFT1OlMyiTqlNDnglAjJl74ZBDdAZQOQxNWJD1vVzLHMfYWt5F3uHV6wwNU/s200/IMG_0073.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoReILGu5XXsF78nnjNYm1ZKe-a7YR9oRERw-g5UIp8skuyaTQ3r24OD8tKuSF3lsPsMd1432K3YSjFPHY7_Jz4fA4kLRlOwFBWM_8ruZg784n0-O7YMBEj7tsmVxQeobt1xTPCKcofQ/s1600-h/IMG_0023.JPG"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-4189810805044662842010-02-15T14:35:00.017-07:002010-02-23T23:11:58.056-07:00February's Featured Rider: Joy Martin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZLhruG9r6U9IOrUmt6p0oAnAr8QH4I5uB1tZnbVGcNoH-g7onCQj7fQq5mot27_eSVv3vR-vJ8TX1IRS1bQV7EyDO5q7o5Yx5XNe6dx5bBncBAZVywxxyL8xq7G4Sz1ErbtEvEXSq44/s1600-h/Joy_5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 169px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441587282873325698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZLhruG9r6U9IOrUmt6p0oAnAr8QH4I5uB1tZnbVGcNoH-g7onCQj7fQq5mot27_eSVv3vR-vJ8TX1IRS1bQV7EyDO5q7o5Yx5XNe6dx5bBncBAZVywxxyL8xq7G4Sz1ErbtEvEXSq44/s200/Joy_5.jpg" /></a> <div><div><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Joy Martin is the first Freeride Foundation Featured Rider who juggles racing at a professional level with raising a family and working full time. Joy understands why bike wheels move the way they do because she's an engineer--she analyzes the rotating components in centrifugal gas compressors for a living. In addition to bringing up an adorable little dude with her supportive hubby, Kevin, Joy rides for the Vixen Racing Team and leads her own cylcing skills clinics in her "free" time. --FF</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Name:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>Joy Martin<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:100%;" >H</span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:100%;" >ome:</span> Poway, CA<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Age: </span>33<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:100%;" >Favorite type of riding:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>Fast and flowy<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Why you ride:</span> To escape it all. When I am on my bike there is nothing else but me, the bike, and the trail. Any stress I had goes bye-bye!<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:100%;" >Sponsors: </span>Vixen Racing, which includes: Cove Bicycles, Kali Protectives, Troy Lee Designs, Scwalbe, Hayes, Atomlab, SGD, Smith Optics, Camelbak, Loeka, Sunline, ParkTool, HoneyStinger, Goo, and Sunline<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Website:</span> <a href="http://www.vixenracing.org/">http://www.vixenracing.org/</a> and <a href="http://www.joyridemtb.com/">http://www.joyridemtb.com/</a><br /><br />When I was 19<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v9yFIK5TTSwFU383oSIuNvo3lnxI_sl_i2tWMMBnc8P7K_IO6JOylVqCcsn7TImBbNFe1c5YN9TVN7pbNNIVCbfiTAB4QD3J_-huE-O_hd70P3KvldtR-83riEJcTFb_M2MqQmfBDoM/s1600-h/DSC_0871.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441586866471041058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v9yFIK5TTSwFU383oSIuNvo3lnxI_sl_i2tWMMBnc8P7K_IO6JOylVqCcsn7TImBbNFe1c5YN9TVN7pbNNIVCbfiTAB4QD3J_-huE-O_hd70P3KvldtR-83riEJcTFb_M2MqQmfBDoM/s200/DSC_0871.jpg" /></a>, living in San Luis Obispo, California, I had a boyfriend with a really cool Specialized. He let me take it riding. The first downhill section of the dirt road I was on I flew down. The experience was so exhilarating I was hooked from then on. San Luis Obispo has some of the best terrain for mountain biking. The views are awe-inspiring and the riding is amazing. You could ride for two weeks straight everyday and still be on a different trails. The learning curve is really steep though--I was black and blue my first three years of mountain biking. There aren't any beginner trails in SLO, so I moved straight to intermediate and learned as I went. I love nature and getting outdoors, so riding satisfied that need. In high school I lived next to Yosemite, so I love getting away from it all, and my mountain bike took me there.<br /><br />Since I live in Sunny SoCal year round I do most of my training all over San Diego County. East County is rugged with lots of climbing and long descents, so I can get the time on the bike. Near my house are some well-built trails that are good for skill building, the locals have built a really great jump area that puts me on cloud nine everytime I ride there. My all-time favorite place to ride after 2009 is Whistler Mountain Bike Park. The vibe in Whistler is amazing and the riding is better than anyone can tell you about. The place is just perfect. My gal friends and I decided Whistler is "crack" for mountain bikers.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlp6o3NAssx8s8IFNfCvSsBrTIWtW2hN1n3n6WFxAlVnnzdsdSTRMC6_LBOEnn0aCHeiNIL_3wU6aVX-7AnSl0ws7xUhVFeX8oS6CrooDNi4iUx0tCSPwirvRu8o2AB4BI6UUebTJhiVk/s1600-h/Joy+2+final.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 144px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441586417150887842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlp6o3NAssx8s8IFNfCvSsBrTIWtW2hN1n3n6WFxAlVnnzdsdSTRMC6_LBOEnn0aCHeiNIL_3wU6aVX-7AnSl0ws7xUhVFeX8oS6CrooDNi4iUx0tCSPwirvRu8o2AB4BI6UUebTJhiVk/s200/Joy+2+final.jpg" /></a><br />My favorite thing to do when I'm not on the bike is to hang out with my little man Seamus, he is 3 1/2 now. When my husband and I left the hospital with him, Kevin said to me "when he is old enough, I promise you can race again." This comment was 100% spontaneous on his part, completely uncoaxed or influenced. Seamus loves coming to the races and seeing him grow and LOVE to ride his own bike is really exciting.<br /><br />I think to have the most success, you have to mentally strong and be able to challenge yourself. You need to understand your weaknesses and strengths and work on both. I love talking with the ladies who have been in the sport for over 10 years. The experience they gained and the williness to share is amazing to me. All the women who I have had the pleasure of riding with and talking to have inspired me in so many ways. Racing downhill is more a mental than physical sport for me. One of the "joys" of the sport is conquering my mental challenges. Someone told me that racing downhill exposes your core as a person, and I have to agree. Racing downhill tests your mental, emotional and physical persona. As an individual with the one lifetime I am <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttkDnBw5iEWPWlwZnzRKaKZxAFL4TZr4oFDtZryFLd0ln-RGeHYCNLz1ntmOslevGw7gYKReT1up833QcfD_d_KPuOdw1tg7TAKo1sp6xaigBi_Yia7cYGvPtijT1NZqKFs4HDmfTC6c/s1600-h/SRC%232_Joy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441585897194164850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttkDnBw5iEWPWlwZnzRKaKZxAFL4TZr4oFDtZryFLd0ln-RGeHYCNLz1ntmOslevGw7gYKReT1up833QcfD_d_KPuOdw1tg7TAKo1sp6xaigBi_Yia7cYGvPtijT1NZqKFs4HDmfTC6c/s200/SRC%232_Joy.jpg" /></a>given I love being able to push through my own barriers, it is very satisfying.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>Cornering is the most underrated skill, learn to corner well and it will take you far. (I'm still working on corners.) I think the cornering has been the hardest skill to put together. To do it right it takes the combination of so many things and since I am not the most coordinated person, I have to spend a lot of time working on it. </div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-4417848226315020282010-02-09T22:57:00.006-07:002010-02-09T23:20:37.762-07:00The Keyesville Classic Needs You!Several years ago, Allie and I went to the Keyesville Classic in Keyesville, CA. The race, which is now in its 22nd year, combines a 2-course downhill race, a short track race, and a cross country race. You can enter one or all of the races. We tied for the win in the downhill, but I suffered through the cross country race as well, while Allie fled the scene. Not that I'm bitter at all...<br /><br />This year, the race will be held March 19-21. There will be a women's cycling clothing fashion show, there's a pro payback for men and women, and there will be an Awesome Land: Women of Dirt movie screening too!<br /><br />The catch is that last year, no pro women attended the race, meaning no girls claimed the pro payback! That's money on the table, girls!<br /><br />Onsite camping is free, and there will be food at the venue as well. In addition, the clothes from the fashion show will be raffled off afterward.<br /><br />You can register right now at <a href="http://www.keyesvilleracing.com/">KeyesvilleRacing.com</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7iQT_V0yaw_9tz3afqMc6e8FwtJLt0xr4ifS2unVidLvYAVZ3BOrV1rJa3PxGSP4aKUBp_XCfkDlvnhfbXZKiepoh-ulCoriq9KXhZ2WMwMilnSIFUWuwVfjIp_JooRa4d_Hx6jB68k/s1600-h/JackienAllie.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7iQT_V0yaw_9tz3afqMc6e8FwtJLt0xr4ifS2unVidLvYAVZ3BOrV1rJa3PxGSP4aKUBp_XCfkDlvnhfbXZKiepoh-ulCoriq9KXhZ2WMwMilnSIFUWuwVfjIp_JooRa4d_Hx6jB68k/s200/JackienAllie.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436493762502990546" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-52581562132297920402010-02-07T22:38:00.003-07:002010-02-07T23:14:05.951-07:00Southridge USA Winter Series ResultsThere have been three Southridge USA Winter Series races in California so far this season. When it comes to points, in both downhill and 4X, the series title is still anyone's game! There are two more races left, and the final counts for double points. For more information about the series, the schedule, and results, visit <a href="http://www.southridgeusa.com">SouthridgeUSA.com</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#3 Feb. 6-7</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Downhill</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pro Women</span><br />1. Leigh Donovan<br />2. Joy Martin<br />3. Gabriela Williams<br />4. Margaret Gregory<br />5. Jennifer Wolf<br />6. Carol Gibbs<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Open Women</span><br />1. Heather McFadden<br />2. Nancy Harris<br />3. Erica Phillips<br />4. Kelly Damschen<br />5. Mandy Oliekan<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sport Women 34 & Under</span><br />1. Stephanie Wolf<br />2. Koral Kina<br />3. Ashley Hernandez<br />4. Julia Zavala<br />5. Meaghan Vollebregt<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sport Women 35 +</span><br />1. Kim Finch<br />2. Traci Adams<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beginner Women Women 35 +</span><br />1. Wendy Villegas<br />2. Lala Mijares<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4X</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Open Women</span><br />1. Brittany Jackson<br />2. Robin Vold<br />3. Laura Drexler<br />4. Andrea Aracil<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#2 Jan. 23/24</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Downhill</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pro Women</span><br />1. Melissa Buhl<br />2. Leigh Donovan<br />3. Joy Martin<br />4. Jennifer Wolf<br />5. Christine Hirst<br />6. Margaret Gregory<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Open Women </span><br />1. Mandy Oliekan<br />2. Nancy Harris<br />3. Kelley Damschen<br />4. Lisa Vanzuyen<br />5. Erica Phillips<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sport Women 34 & Under</span><br />1. Stephanie Wolf<br />2. Julia Zavala<br />3. Ashley Hernandez<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sport Women 35 +</span><br />1. Traci Adams<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beginner Women 34 & Under</span><br />1. Megan Applegate<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beginner Women 35 +</span><br />1. Wendy Villegas<br />2. Lala Mijares<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4X</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Open Women</span><br />1. Robin Vold<br />2. Laura Drexler<br />3. Andrea Aracil<br />4. Lala Mijares<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#1 Jan. 9/10</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Downhill</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pro Women</span><br />1. Jennifer Wolf<br />2. Christine Hirst<br />3. Gabriela Williams<br />4. Joy Martin<br />5. Margaret Gregory<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Open Women</span><br />1. Nancy Harris<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4X</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pro Women</span><br />1. Joy Martin<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Open Women</span><br />1. Nancy Harris<br />2. Laura Drexler<br />3. Robin Vold<br />4. Lala MijaresUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-80263358379163405562010-01-12T17:58:00.012-07:002010-01-19T20:28:19.929-07:00January's Featured Rider: Joanna Petterson<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktYd7GTd0CsfxihSs6TVEGRZW4HFu0i7TSj3ypoW_tgHxG4WNmq9ZQqZxNIozD_R2oFcZjHFMeYDMwF9-Rk-O6FpyJCru_fqPYM9-9mgc7B2jt16Tn2aKUWMejmB5vYCbfT4aMOjEudY/s1600-h/jotyres.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktYd7GTd0CsfxihSs6TVEGRZW4HFu0i7TSj3ypoW_tgHxG4WNmq9ZQqZxNIozD_R2oFcZjHFMeYDMwF9-Rk-O6FpyJCru_fqPYM9-9mgc7B2jt16Tn2aKUWMejmB5vYCbfT4aMOjEudY/s200/jotyres.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428657611756378850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Joanna Petterson is a South African-born rider who splits her time between winters in Hawaii, training sessions in CA, and racing the US and World Cup 4X and downhill circuits. Last season, Joanna found herself atop two World Cup podiums in Canada, and is looking to build on that success in 2010. In fact, Jo is one of the few riders who consistently races both disciplines at the World Cup level. As if that's not enough to set her apart from the crowd, she's as passionate </span><span style="font-style: italic;">about getting others involved in cycling as she is focused on her own professional career.--FF</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Name:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>Joanna Petterson<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >H</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >ome:</span> Kauai, Hawaii (born in South Africa)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Age: </span>30<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Favorite type of riding:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>Bikes, of course! Downhill, 4x, jumping, road, XC, singlespeed, around town<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why you ride:</span> I ride because it is a freeing experience. I love the wind on my skin, the speed, adrenaline, and the challenge. I love a good hillclimb on the road bike. I love to push myself and accomplish goals, and do things that I think are (near) impossible.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Sponsors: </span>Fulcrum Wheels, Maxxis, Clif Bar, Smith Optics, ODI, Leatt, crankskins.com, Harlot<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website:</span> (Coming soon!)<a href="http://www.joannapetterson.com/"> JoannaPetterson.com</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlif3y2txm0tYMCTc2C1As9EzxmPlNNkvxMNChRLQaho3MyBxnOxAUVwX-HdnNCvXHh5aqBrDcDP8L36QeS63V70K8JNpupXuTgUbQxBlWjJmgpVpdINGBLY-pq3wsJ9IU1g9zUaJ97w/s1600-h/Gibson.J.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlif3y2txm0tYMCTc2C1As9EzxmPlNNkvxMNChRLQaho3MyBxnOxAUVwX-HdnNCvXHh5aqBrDcDP8L36QeS63V70K8JNpupXuTgUbQxBlWjJmgpVpdINGBLY-pq3wsJ9IU1g9zUaJ97w/s200/Gibson.J.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426038507027021106" border="0" /></a>Are you a dreamer? I am. Every day I take myself from reality and attempt to reach my dream of being as great as I can be on a bike and then get even better. It is challenge to make the cycling life a reality. It is a full time job apart from the training needed to be elite. Racing is a lifestyle, from hotel, to plane, to car, to venue. I live my life out of a bag during the season and even in the off-season, making my various stops my home.<br /><br />I left South Africa when I was 4, moved around a bit with my parents, and ended up on the amazing island of Kauai, HI. I returned to SA when I was 8 and then returned to Kauai when I was 13. I was a world-traveled child, and I guess that stuck with me. I haven't done much riding on Kauai because I'm usually trying to take a break and let my body heal when I am here. So, I spend my free time surfing. It is such an amazing sport that I don't even want to call it a sport, more like an amazing adventure every time I get in the ocean.<br /><br />Recently, I surfed Hanalei Bay. We had some flooding this past week, the ocean is brown from the rivers and there are logs and sticks and even dead things that float into the ocean. On one hand it was terrifying to think what lurked beneath because there are sharks in the bay, crazy ones <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPRyf3p1LPOU0OTwuphDOhiH3ZW8BRxjwNYQyJwmLqcHnN4kpY_rPp5k1oTXo1HTaTA4pg9tfPB6AQPPMcmKNJE7y7tMuiDDPGcIW3VHtyEfV0AX5Xu63ni-VrTtGM73MsyiItLVJeIY/s1600-h/j.gibson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPRyf3p1LPOU0OTwuphDOhiH3ZW8BRxjwNYQyJwmLqcHnN4kpY_rPp5k1oTXo1HTaTA4pg9tfPB6AQPPMcmKNJE7y7tMuiDDPGcIW3VHtyEfV0AX5Xu63ni-VrTtGM73MsyiItLVJeIY/s200/j.gibson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426040968087443826" border="0" /></a>when the water is so murky, but on the other, the waves were so amazing! It was my best day of surfing since I got home.<br /><br />The riding on Kauai is mysterious, wet most of the winter and hard to find. One of my favorite trails takes you through eucalyptus forests, down a red dirt smooth trail with drops and smooth natural berms, and around the rim of a canyon with the views of Niihau. That's when you stop and check the surf. If it's up, then you finish your ride and head to the waves. Kauai is an amazing place, and I'm hoping it returns somewhat to the agricultural roots it has. Move away from tourism a bit and start to be self-sustaining. I'm working on that with my family when I am home, and when I retire from racing it will be a huge part of my life. Providing a resource for food is such a valuable asset in the long run.<br /><br />A little more relative to cycling, though, I aim to start a BMX track on the island, to provide a place for kids that's free of drugs and negative influence, that is healthy, and could one day lead them to the Olympics. I can't wait to start this project! In 2010 I am also producing a movie with a few other people. It is a hugely exciting project for me, one that I have wanted to do for a few <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic97_xitpBCoWdVOK3HW-2KwP5q1LLsQUNemj7E2mlSzu-_lAV3aUIeOmvKnWDqRbEA_BDEfXOp6BKN_MOURKEn03075ZbfqvwfUBip1227zcPFVFij7zJU7lKlzg2HdG_mU7HGOtnfBo/s1600-h/sven.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic97_xitpBCoWdVOK3HW-2KwP5q1LLsQUNemj7E2mlSzu-_lAV3aUIeOmvKnWDqRbEA_BDEfXOp6BKN_MOURKEn03075ZbfqvwfUBip1227zcPFVFij7zJU7lKlzg2HdG_mU7HGOtnfBo/s200/sven.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426041224279226242" border="0" /></a>years. It is going to be a women's race/ride film and we are going to highlight the best of women's riding.<br /><br />My biggest riding accomplishments would have to be unaccomplished, so far! Winning the 2006 NORBA 4X Series Championship was a good time. This season, my 3rd in 4x at the Mont Ste Anne and 4th in Bromont World Cup races where both great. But, I'm not super happy with the season. I placed 10th at the World Championships in Canberra, which was a good show but not my best. I'm aiming for much more in 2010 as far as my racing goes.<br /><br />Racing and competition in general have always been a part of me. It's a huge part of my personality that I can't deny. I just want to be the best I can be, and truthfully, I want to be better than every other racer out there. But so do they. So we just keep pushing each other and<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirU58F2pmDXDq4l0kFa6D7w_TzI-DRhxE1nRfYgflQ7WnwbUv3Xt4eVoUqGmPMzkJ_gk1eq9jg3mZbBSjoGx3QF4xxMHDsCDVsbcLSYl8fTZNXF9vVbWiANiR2DK-eXvhpym9B2t32Ubc/s1600-h/jo-jumping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirU58F2pmDXDq4l0kFa6D7w_TzI-DRhxE1nRfYgflQ7WnwbUv3Xt4eVoUqGmPMzkJ_gk1eq9jg3mZbBSjoGx3QF4xxMHDsCDVsbcLSYl8fTZNXF9vVbWiANiR2DK-eXvhpym9B2t32Ubc/s200/jo-jumping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426041559787581506" border="0" /></a> it's great. I love racing. I dedicated my life to it after my first race and have been pursuing this dream ever since for the last ten years.<br /><br />I enjoy meeting new people to ride (or surf) with wherever I am so if anyone wants to ride don't hesitate to get in touch and we can go enjoy this amazing sport. The more the merrier!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-4471943727967750172010-01-05T12:31:00.003-07:002010-01-05T12:39:23.087-07:00CCCX #4 ResultsKarin Hanzi was the lone pro female competitor at the fourth CCCX downhill race of the series on January 3, 2010. She walked away with the fastest women's time as well. Despite the lack of pro women racers, there was a solid showing for girls in each of the Expert, Sport, and Beginner classes. Nice work, ladies! The next CCCX race will be held at Toro Park, CA on January 31. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.cccx.org/">CCCX.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Pro Women</strong><br />1. Karin Hanzi<br /><br /><strong>Expert Women</strong><br />1. Kelley Damschen<br />2. Rosie Bernhard<br />3. Amy Forwand<br />4. Kelly Johnson<br />5. Ashley Hernandez<br /><br /><strong>Sport Women</strong><br />1. Mollie Sitkin<br />2. Ayshe Tuncer<br />3. Mary Moncorge<br />4. Keri Albrecht<br />5. Jill Henrich<br /><br /><strong>Beginner Women</strong><br />1. Jessica Spray<br />2. Ruby Tidd<br />3. Sarah Skammel<br />4. Andrea Locke<br />5. Sue Roussel<br />6. Sofia VillafaneUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-38535275179239795662010-01-02T20:25:00.003-07:002010-01-02T20:48:25.783-07:00Ray's Women's Weekend 2010: Be There!The annual Ray's Women's Weekend is just around the corner. The indoor mountain bike park in Cleveland, OH is hosting the <a href="http://www.raysmtb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=46">Ray's Angels Women's Weekend</a> on February 19-21, 2010.<br /><br />The weekend kicks off with a day of free riding on Friday (yes, as in you pay nothing!), in addition to the ability to take skills clinics from any of the 14 pro women coaches. It doesn't matter if you've never ridden a bike before, are a skilled racer, ride cross country, prefer dirt jumps, or pedal a BMX bike--there's terrain and a coach for you!<br /><br />Riding on Saturday and Sunday is 1/2 price for women, and all the pros will be sessioning all weekend too! <a href="http://www.raysmtb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=46">Click here to sign up for the clinics</a>, and if you do it by February 1, you'll get a free T-shirt.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.raysmtb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=46"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9slfGdCPm4zgk1Wd7feQUJ8iBUCHDqBmwYl0XeKLk_TL0lzossWKskL5DP4vaeHkMoA2zBxmTuU9alRcBR7xRXRS853qIvygdVA_iZnac_Q-DsfLpXbyDUUxHQ0E774G7VcmqLiNtrc/s320/RaysAngels.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422355075484151970" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-34114328083096972182009-12-26T18:58:00.003-07:002009-12-26T19:13:58.712-07:00Sweet Video from SheShreds.netA posse of NorCal riders put together this Dirt Divas video about their crew of friends. Check out <a href="http://www.sheshreds.net">SheShreds.net</a> too!<br /><br /><br /><object width="288" height="288"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fHPSxy9N4Wc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fHPSxy9N4Wc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="288" height="288"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-51294315929167150862009-12-26T18:40:00.003-07:002009-12-26T18:56:02.939-07:00CCCX #3The third CCCX downhill race of the season was held November 29 at Toro Park, CA. Kelly Johnson posted the fastest women's time of the day! The next CCCX race will be held January 3, 2010 at Toro Park, CA.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Expert Women</span><br />1. Kelly Johnson<br />2. Rosie Bernhard<br />3. Annemarie Hennes<br />4. Ashley Hernandez<br />5. Cathy Chevron<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sport Women</span><br />1. Jill Henrich<br />2. Ayshe Tuncer<br />3. Natalie Morris<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beginner Women</span><br />1. Jessica Spray<br />2. Andrea Locke<br />3. Ruby Tidd<br />4. Lise McCarthyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-36394963985084631072009-12-24T17:26:00.002-07:002009-12-26T17:56:25.935-07:00Australian National Series Round 1The first round of the Australian Mountain Bike Series took place in Glenorchy, AUS on December 12-13. Leigh Douglas took the win in downhill and Sarsha Huntington won the mountaincross. The next race in the series is the Australian National Championships in Adelaide January 12-17, 2010.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Downhill</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Elite</span><br />1. Leigh Douglas<br />2. Ema Lews<br />3. Sarah Booth<br />4. Leonie Picton<br />5. Sarsha Huntington<br />6. Joanne Fox<br />7. Shannon Chugg<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Under 19 Women</span><br />1. Emily Hockey<br />2. Holly Baarspul<br />3. Christie Batt<br />4. Katelyn Humphris<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Master Women</span><br />1. Jillian Brady<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4X</span><br />1. Sarsha Huntington<br />2. Jayne RutterUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-85342226301206790072009-12-01T19:24:00.011-07:002009-12-02T21:25:42.334-07:00December's Featured Rider: Katie Hayes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFXi2FhzU9ej43AJorjq2QW-hRLe9GMFA_Sw_Dzvsz8S4KuzPTo0NgfMfgiNhGs32UOkYyRMSfUhEeuMxmk0Ti-VDCKJPZxMC9dNmzVLl0hvdHf0QguoRrWOiPryc6IuOTBDzWyz9fcQ/s1600-h/katie_utah.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFXi2FhzU9ej43AJorjq2QW-hRLe9GMFA_Sw_Dzvsz8S4KuzPTo0NgfMfgiNhGs32UOkYyRMSfUhEeuMxmk0Ti-VDCKJPZxMC9dNmzVLl0hvdHf0QguoRrWOiPryc6IuOTBDzWyz9fcQ/s320/katie_utah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410856310349943842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Katie Hayes hit the Freeride Foundation radar with a promo video she released earlier this summer. I met her at the Slope Sistair event in Grand Junction, CO in August. The first thing I saw her do was tabletop a firepit gap jump at The Ranch, with the smooth style and confidence we don't see often enough from women freeriders. She went on to prove that she has the skill and the eye to put together a tough, but flowing slopestyle run that included drops, jumps, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">and wall-rides. Katie not only puts together sweet runs on her </span><span style="font-style: italic;">bike, but she literally builds the trails she trains on. The girl is young and smart, and we can't wait to see her progress over the next few years.--FF</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Name:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>Katie Hayes<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >H</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >ome:</span> Whitefish, Montana<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Age: </span>22<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Favorite type of riding:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>Fast with lots of airtime. Though I do enjoy going out and kicking my own ass riding tech, rooty stuff!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why you ride:</span> It is a great way to challenge myself, escape, or just have fun.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Sponsors: </span>Twenty6 Products, Hammer Nutrition<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website:</span> <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/user1849947">Vimeo videos</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJCjv1zgbkCsEMByArP4gBkRbaCNiKAzt6mm_mJa10fHUZzPJMvqD6b84roCePbm4YnqYaSnWIQljJklCdOny5B1Op0WJBhrFvE3jGtwFKAjSfeaF_VE4tVgsLx5HZaiDivjItfp-Ti4/s1600-h/kt_malice(2).jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJCjv1zgbkCsEMByArP4gBkRbaCNiKAzt6mm_mJa10fHUZzPJMvqD6b84roCePbm4YnqYaSnWIQljJklCdOny5B1Op0WJBhrFvE3jGtwFKAjSfeaF_VE4tVgsLx5HZaiDivjItfp-Ti4/s200/kt_malice(2).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410859333417205042" border="0" /></a>I grew up riding and racing cross country. Even then I was more stoked on flying down hills, dropping three feet off of the neighbor’s deck, and trying to launch myself off plywood ramps in the backyard. I’m positive my dad was too nervous to buy me a downhill bike. My fondest memory (and probably the one that solidified dad's decision) resulted in me clothes-lining myself on the side mirror of his truck, getting a fat lip, and losing a tooth. As I entered high school, my interests changed, and my parents decided I needed to prioritize my activities. Soccer became a year-round obligation, I had qualified for the Junior Olympics in Jackson Hole, WY for ski racing, and I decided not to get another mountain bike.<br /><br />Then I started dating a boy that loves to ride. Three years ago, I got tired of shuttling him for <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVmsoQFUbasi8Vp-k9M3uIhRy9LoXHFBAKdfthbPehIDBAIx4p_JdcZnoQWg5PWG-V1G2M-MRbJRbX_kJJkwtefEV_x2JvoHnrHFytcn6SwKWq3rdBmsYkdLufPV1SPwqbFc8RH9Ymnw/s1600-h/katie_building.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVmsoQFUbasi8Vp-k9M3uIhRy9LoXHFBAKdfthbPehIDBAIx4p_JdcZnoQWg5PWG-V1G2M-MRbJRbX_kJJkwtefEV_x2JvoHnrHFytcn6SwKWq3rdBmsYkdLufPV1SPwqbFc8RH9Ymnw/s200/katie_building.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410859721955639762" border="0" /></a>rides and decided I needed a downhill bike. It was a huge skill and confidence booster having someone much more experienced to follow around and learn from. I started helping him build and maintain our local freeride trails. I quickly realized that building the features I would ride makes riding them much more comfortable.<br /><br />Building is awesome, because it allows me to be creative and express myself artistically on the trail. It sometimes amazes me what we can do with dirt and logs. A couple months ago we had the chance to show the Ride Guide crew the two trails we have put the most work into this summer. It is a huge compliment to hear someone, that travels all over Canada and the US say, “Those were two of the most fun trails I have ridden!” You can watch the episode (#162) in January.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4uwa1ximhL4IUjqpIg-J3BtN8mLRQ53liAnWKG9LTlc0mPD7S2TeRsvTsgDn-BpXe2Py-CI5DeBwqdEPvaEBKWGcAjWJRoI9w3gx7ho4VqqcTF23HH2S4H8vN7O4hjFcPdtZ0fk4-xY/s1600-h/kt_stepup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4uwa1ximhL4IUjqpIg-J3BtN8mLRQ53liAnWKG9LTlc0mPD7S2TeRsvTsgDn-BpXe2Py-CI5DeBwqdEPvaEBKWGcAjWJRoI9w3gx7ho4VqqcTF23HH2S4H8vN7O4hjFcPdtZ0fk4-xY/s200/kt_stepup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410860261223557346" border="0" /></a><br />I love that riding provides me with a reason to travel! We started the summer off with a trip to Utah, riding in Moab and near Green River. Whistler became my second home for a week every month and I feel like riding there for so many days in a row improved my skills immensely. After closing weekend there, the trails felt more like my home trails than the ones actually at home. At the end of August I competed in Slope Sistair III. It was great meeting and getting to ride with such a fun and experienced group of girls.<br /><br />Why do I ride? For many reasons, but mainly because it is fun! I love going out for a day, whether it be to ride or to build, and coming back to the car <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURkcIV1-MEeaLMWN-fA8LqM8PZgOQl9PADVwrB9oj7bSfIA4xOyoFdBuW4cJKgY9g1IfUuMS7xs2KRmwu7G2hhLqDAIvjcBHytHAjGdYpgEbpQiL3K4T03ZtNI6MF_7rwEUvMp80K7us/s1600-h/katie_ss3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURkcIV1-MEeaLMWN-fA8LqM8PZgOQl9PADVwrB9oj7bSfIA4xOyoFdBuW4cJKgY9g1IfUuMS7xs2KRmwu7G2hhLqDAIvjcBHytHAjGdYpgEbpQiL3K4T03ZtNI6MF_7rwEUvMp80K7us/s200/katie_ss3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410860692694324242" border="0" /></a>feeling happy and fulfilled. I enjoy feeling challenged and then succeeding. I have learned that with success also comes failure and of course cuts, bruises, and broken bones. To succeed in this sport you definitely have to decide if you're going to be the one that gets knocked down, gets back up and tries again, or just gives up. I want to help the women’s side of the sport grow and see more girls take an interest in our sport.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-61966609448429705912009-11-23T13:49:00.004-07:002009-11-23T21:16:14.118-07:0018th Annual Southridge Challenge ResultsMaxine Irving crushed the Pro women's field at the 18th Annual Southridge Challenge downhill race this weekend. It's pretty nice to see a Pro women's field 8-deep during the off-season! Sadly, it doesn't look like there were any Sport or Expert women in attendance. For more information about the Southridge racing series, visit <a href="http://www.southridgeusa.com/">SouthridgeUSA.com</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Downhill</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pro Women</span><br />1. Maxine Irving<br />2. Joy Martin<br />3. Jennifer Wolf<br />4. Gabriela Williams<br />5. Christine Hirst<br />6. Francine Johnson<br />7. Carol Gibbs<br />8. Leigh Donovan<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beginner Women 34 & Under</span><br />1. Koral King<br />2. Julia Zavala<br />3. Paige Handy<br />4. Amanda Salter<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beginner Women 35 & Over</span><br />1. Kim Finch<br />2. LaLa MijaresUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-44094958332601721852009-11-16T16:15:00.004-07:002009-11-16T16:26:44.368-07:00CCCX Fall DH Series Fires UpThe 2009 racing season continues with the CCCX Fall Downhill Series. This 6-race series started Oct. 24 and runs through January 31. Two races are already in the books. The series is held outside of Salinas, CA at Toro Park. For more info about the CCCX races, visit <a href="http://www.cccx.org">CCCX.org</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#2, Nov. 15</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Expert Women</span><br />1. Cathy Chevron<br />2. Annemarie Hennes<br />3. Kelly Johnson<br />4. Rosie Bernhard<br />5. Morgan Compton<br />6. Ashley Hernandez<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sport Women</span><br />1. Jill Henrich<br />2. Natalie Morris<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beginner Women</span><br />1. Jessica Spray<br />2. Andrea Locke<br />3. Ruby Tidd<br />4. Kim Krueger<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#1</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, Oct. 24</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pro Women</span><br />1. Johauna Rathbun<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Expert Women</span><br />1. Annemarie Hennes<br />2. Kelly Johnson<br />3. Kelley Damschen<br />4. Ashley Hernandez<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sport Women</span><br />1. Ayshe Tuncer<br />2. Jill Henrich<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beginner Women</span><br />1. Andrea Locke<br />2. Anika KinkhabwalaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-91210326042374237742009-11-13T12:02:00.004-07:002009-11-13T12:07:43.101-07:00More Bootleg Racing: Screamin Santa Downhill and Super DThe Bootleg Canyon, NV crew just added another race to the roster this winter. The Screamin Santa Double Down Super D and Downhill races will be held outside of Boulder City, NV on December 19-20. The downhill race is a 2-run event, with 2 different courses. The fastest combined time wins. There will also be a speed trap for riders to score prizes for pinning it through that section. For current updates, info and questions visit <a href="http://www.myspace.com/johnsonrockhard" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="ecxecxyshortcuts" id="ecxecxlw_1258061761_4"><span>www.myspace.com/johnsonrockhard</span></span></a>.<br /><br />And don't forget that the Southridge Challenge is next weekend in Fontana, CA: <a href="http://www.southridgeusa.com/">SouthridgeUSA.com</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-43708486257905467692009-11-11T07:52:00.004-07:002009-11-11T08:04:32.429-07:00Awesome Land: Women of DirtThe teasers are up for the new Bones Over Metal film, <span style="font-style: italic;">Awesome Land: Women of Dirt</span>! There are 25-second clips of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRxnblqQaA8">Lisa Myklak</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TThIrRgj1CM">Tammy Donahugh</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B16IsQcCAc0">Katrina Strand</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=388F4KZKgQ8">Cierra Smith</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRX32z93W3g">Leana Gerrard</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciPSGUHzrPk">Kathy Pruitt</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lHph3V95bI">Darcy Turenne</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nx9E8bX_eM">Dawn Cashen</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcCtW4M7JDI">Jill Kintner</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUUr27RSvRQ">Stephanie Nychka</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIJTF2CHCyg">Emily Johnston</a>, and more available for your viewing enjoyment!<br /><br /><object width="288" height="288"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/388F4KZKgQ8&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/388F4KZKgQ8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="288" height="288"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-9379047974583804322009-11-10T07:12:00.002-07:002009-11-10T07:20:43.159-07:00Plattekill Gravity Series FinalsThe final downhill race of the Plattekill, NY gravity series was held on Oct. 25. Rebecca Bagley posted the fastest women's time of the day. Rebecca also took the Cat. 2-3 series win by a narrow margin over Felicia Kearsley. Kristine Koch won the series for the Pro/Expert women. For more information about the downhill and dual slalom series at Plattekill, visit <a href="http://www.plattekill.com/summer/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=206&Itemid=">Plattekill.com</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cat. 2-3 Women</span><br />1. Rebecca Bagley<br />2. Felicia Kearsley<br />3. Jennel OrtizUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-37808924597201006582009-11-05T08:48:00.007-07:002009-11-05T09:10:39.827-07:00Greetings from Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcVDiss3f_oA46AMZ_axClXVmUOnf-ZTD1Dx-ru2ughjZAZsqfnAMfbGGT_n1rFxnvokSIGP9T-foqtLi3U0D6zV-GsflaUTyjQJOlhI4cqqrbOfaUTpo-AQzG9vTwf_9ubM0IaraHYc/s1600-h/Rayhw.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcVDiss3f_oA46AMZ_axClXVmUOnf-ZTD1Dx-ru2ughjZAZsqfnAMfbGGT_n1rFxnvokSIGP9T-foqtLi3U0D6zV-GsflaUTyjQJOlhI4cqqrbOfaUTpo-AQzG9vTwf_9ubM0IaraHYc/s200/Rayhw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400651974740615634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Tamara Peloquin is a pro gravity ripper and Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park regular. She was lucky enough to play at Ray's over Halloween and was kind enough to share her exploits with us:</span><br /><br />Usually when we feel the cold breeze across our face and see the bright orange and red leaves fall from the trees, it makes us sad inside as it signals the end of the riding season. But now that we have Ray’s Indoor MTB Park in Cleveland, OH, you can turn that frown upside-down! The weather is always nice inside, and the riding is always epic--no matter what your riding pleasure: from XC to BMX, downhill to dirt jumping. All riders are welcome at Ray’s, especially on Halloween, when riders appeared at the massive warehouse facility dressed up, dressed down, dressed like a lizard, and even a clown! <span style="font-style: italic;">(Editor's note: it is never acceptable to dress like a clown, I don't care what day of the year it is.)</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lqs_id7n2MZRRwSnlXJTMOe1jLpl1r_sdAKxv_IV5sYtJ0m_nPhCb4xoAFM4n05WwWE_3DIEsSZXPO1dsPl4Q0vufpRTQeHFd85V6jERDLn1d41wZMzDgOsaA99FhCl37GmFRsXRgcg/s1600-h/rayshw3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lqs_id7n2MZRRwSnlXJTMOe1jLpl1r_sdAKxv_IV5sYtJ0m_nPhCb4xoAFM4n05WwWE_3DIEsSZXPO1dsPl4Q0vufpRTQeHFd85V6jERDLn1d41wZMzDgOsaA99FhCl37GmFRsXRgcg/s200/rayshw3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400652104670919922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was great to see so many ladies riding the park over the weekend. Several local female riders were there, as well as some from as far away as Colorado. Well known Rays’ ripper Nadia Steinbrecher, flew out from Denver on Thursday night with her bike packed in a hockey bag. Within 24hrs Nadia went from blizzard to tricking off the GT box and hitting up the new Rhythm Room. What does she love most about riding at Ray's? "Ray's has always been such a great place for both beginners and seasoned pros, and with the new addition of the Rhythm Room, it only adds to the countless riding possibilities of the park. Where else can cross country riders improve their jumping skills, freeriders get a workout on the XC course, and BMXers ride see-saws?! This park is truly phenomenal, and I am so excited for the upcoming season, especially Women's Weekend."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcHlMhdwZYzhTEfTkJoZI5q5qoY85NUcL5AEerg8CCudWwej_Sa3J0cfGIRbgW4kRIRvT_GpETyxOHeFb8eYimK2nPnXyjXpdZ7aHVbx8Y5C3kJMBza718uka4RY6q9pq3UPCPImIDoU/s1600-h/Rayhw2.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcHlMhdwZYzhTEfTkJoZI5q5qoY85NUcL5AEerg8CCudWwej_Sa3J0cfGIRbgW4kRIRvT_GpETyxOHeFb8eYimK2nPnXyjXpdZ7aHVbx8Y5C3kJMBza718uka4RY6q9pq3UPCPImIDoU/s200/Rayhw2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400652321300181426" border="0" /></a>I also caught up with one of Rays regular female BMX riders, Michele Chiesa."This year Ray has once again outdone himself offering riders a new challenge at every turn. The re-designed pump track gave me a new meaning for the phrase, 'Hang on and enjoy the ride!' It is also a great place to find new friends that share your same passion for bike riding."<br /><br />This weekend (November 6-8) is Ray’s 2009 Opening Bash and he has an all-star lineup of riders in the house, including female gravity pro Darcy Turenne, an autograph session, and free food. Another weekend you won't to want to miss is the Ray’s Angels 2010 Ladies Weekend scheduled for February 19th. Save the date and set your travel plans now. This event just keeps getting better and better with the some of the best female riders and coaches in the sport, big time sponsors, loads schwag, and even a PBR after party! Keep an eye on <a href="http://www.raysmtb.com/">www.raysmtb.com</a> for event updates and make sure you sign up to be a Ray’s Angel at <a href="http://www.factoryriders.com/">www.factoryriders.com</a>. See you at Ray’s!<br /><br />Tamara Peloquin<br />MMR Mountain Bike Instruction & Certification<br /><a href="http://www.madmarchracing.com/">www.madmarchracing.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.marinbikes.com/">www.marinbikes.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-87404925466199673952009-11-02T08:32:00.011-07:002009-11-02T10:09:29.344-07:00November's Featured Rider: Jacqueline Harmony<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1TnOhqa-FkWxLzrZxhyi_UQGMrs34xVo7vQ8GtD2TD5BxCTrskr3YTzfcYXp-Qo1pufTRXHssnib_AQhXyI35ndY3L_7C3DAknQxHU6eV2_GqLLWbkJqeJnjjYu3q1SUluidk4Fh6_4/s1600-h/JHFace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1TnOhqa-FkWxLzrZxhyi_UQGMrs34xVo7vQ8GtD2TD5BxCTrskr3YTzfcYXp-Qo1pufTRXHssnib_AQhXyI35ndY3L_7C3DAknQxHU6eV2_GqLLWbkJqeJnjjYu3q1SUluidk4Fh6_4/s320/JHFace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399553018675893810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">We couldn't have picked a better time to highlight Jacqueline Harmony's riding talent. The girl has been on a tear lately. She's an all-around solid racer who's as comfortable on tight and techy trails as she is boosting 40-foot gaps. And she's as strong at racing mountaincross and dual slalom as she is at downhill. She raced at the World Championships in 2006, and is always standing on the podium at the US National Championships and Mountain States Cup races (she's won too many MSC downhill races to list, and she </span><span style="font-style: italic;">won the 2009 MSC Gravity Series). </span><span style="font-style: italic;">This fall, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">she won the Fall Tilt in Telluride 12-Hour DH </span><span style="font-style: italic;">race, Red Bull Burner 12-Hour DH race, and both events at the Bittersweet gravity races in Bootleg Canyon.--FF</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Name:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>Jacqueline Harmony<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >H</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >ome:</span> Tucson, AZ<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Age: </span>31<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Favorite type of riding:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>Downhill, but I love all types of riding.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why you ride:</span> It is so much fun, it makes me relaxed after a hard days work, I learn something new every time I ride, I can experience all new trails and places with each ride.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Sponsors: </span>Vixen Racing, Hayes, Loeka, All Mountain Cyclery, Manitou, Sun Ringle, Answer, MRP, Von Zipper, Schwalbe, Atomlab<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleSs-be-v9JJ8hO02YuXqFohHnnOVrk8d_jhGmgVfEu5bRDqj-YSg2P-M2pL2huXXPzeyA6ZMxpsl960tiSKwKxwoP0dskfYHXRDLCu4o4Tup-sXMlh6xrDDZOOEMHC7vVjiiIMWfseM/s1600-h/JHBH.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleSs-be-v9JJ8hO02YuXqFohHnnOVrk8d_jhGmgVfEu5bRDqj-YSg2P-M2pL2huXXPzeyA6ZMxpsl960tiSKwKxwoP0dskfYHXRDLCu4o4Tup-sXMlh6xrDDZOOEMHC7vVjiiIMWfseM/s200/JHBH.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399553158560167714" border="0" /></a>As a kid, I always had a bike. My first bike was a blue Schwinn with an awesome sparkly blue banana seat. When I was a little older I got a mountain bike, but I did not ride it for long because I moved to Tucson and did not have anywhere to ride there. I grew up running cross country, so this was my sport and I did not have a need for a bike. It was not until I met my husband that I starting riding again. Dante and I borrowed his parents Magna mountain bikes and rode some off-road trail on Reddington Pass in Tucson. I was very scared and used a lot of brakes. I look back at this trail now and it is probably one of the easiest trails you could ever ride. After riding this trail I definitely wanted more.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIqlMWzps-X4fpjmzHOUW82GH71kVEldWSTTYLe0XEYTQH6VyRKw8qxDCiRWlw_k-wbeQjl5JerrGbTJSv8BiPds80HOu1hHqFKT2mwwgE5PSDCyUujwVhAWurMOJ0iQXn77pIv9TRRQ/s1600-h/Chile+Challenge+080076.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIqlMWzps-X4fpjmzHOUW82GH71kVEldWSTTYLe0XEYTQH6VyRKw8qxDCiRWlw_k-wbeQjl5JerrGbTJSv8BiPds80HOu1hHqFKT2mwwgE5PSDCyUujwVhAWurMOJ0iQXn77pIv9TRRQ/s200/Chile+Challenge+080076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399553346115077362" border="0" /></a><br />Dante purchased a Specialized FSR which he rode for a short period of time before he upgraded to a Trek VRX. This gave me the opportunity to have my very own bike, his Specialized FSR. After riding a lot of cross country trails with this bike I wanted to start racing cross country and wanted a different bike. I moved on to a Jamis Dakar Comp and raced cross country for a year. I could not understand why I was not very good at the uphills, but seemed to pass all the girls on the downhills. I think I have always liked the downhill part of any ride more than the uphills. This pushed me into downhill racing, which also gave me an excuse to get another bike, a Giant DH Comp.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxlOWNzeMO_bF1cJcdj8RD7_QX3jeLb2X51FvDSjIXGaP2sEbBrKvh3LO59w8YLUepV6Cxr96iRP27SWGjXxQagAgr2VpN-Q48xKeLzOVsdqkkGxSEeVr48QXLGwR01YcU-NRjNVFM3Q/s1600-h/JHJump.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxlOWNzeMO_bF1cJcdj8RD7_QX3jeLb2X51FvDSjIXGaP2sEbBrKvh3LO59w8YLUepV6Cxr96iRP27SWGjXxQagAgr2VpN-Q48xKeLzOVsdqkkGxSEeVr48QXLGwR01YcU-NRjNVFM3Q/s200/JHJump.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399553696171989346" border="0" /></a>I have been racing downhill for about 8 years and have been able to travel all over the world, from Canada to Hawaii to France and New Zealand. I love to race, as part of me wants to compete and be the best, but it definitely gives me the excuse to ride my bike in new places all over the world. Bikes have made it possible for me to explore different terrain and end up in the middle of nowhere and sometimes get lost. Any mountain with chairlift access usually has some really cool downhill trails and lift-accessed trails are definitely my favorites.<br /><br />Out of all the different things I have learned from riding, the skill that I'm most proud of conquering is jumping. Any gap jump used to scare the life out of me. I would always look at the gap and think that is where I was <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1hGeofq333SJL05SHPIG-s1KL9bwl7kiribyk3ASTRFJZCI9uki7ViFZ8Qz0tbTjoF-SsH7MXc1TK7EzBHWCkGPAznWklWB47Fh9915jrVGo5ssWcLPCZXIEwTphVA2Ks1C24GwL_RA/s1600-h/JHSV.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1hGeofq333SJL05SHPIG-s1KL9bwl7kiribyk3ASTRFJZCI9uki7ViFZ8Qz0tbTjoF-SsH7MXc1TK7EzBHWCkGPAznWklWB47Fh9915jrVGo5ssWcLPCZXIEwTphVA2Ks1C24GwL_RA/s200/JHSV.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399553886942394034" border="0" /></a>going to land or crash. Over years of trying to hit all sorts of jumps from doubles to step downs, I have managed to overcome my fear of them and see how to jump and land them. It is such a great feeling to be floating in the air, and I suppose that is the reason I enjoy it so much.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510594128984814950.post-7300802321007781272009-10-27T08:44:00.003-06:002009-10-27T08:56:44.750-06:00Bittersweet DH and Super D ResultsGravity racer Francine Johnson promoted the Bittersweet Downhill and Super D races at Bootleg Canyon, NV October 17-18. The race has gotten rave reviews, so we're excited to see more events from her! Jackie Harmony stole the show again, winning the pro women's Super D and downhill races. Special congrats to Nancy Harris for winning her downhill race on her birthday!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Downhill</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pro Women</span><br />1. Jackie Harmony<br />2. Jennifer Wolf<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advanced/Intermediate Women</span><br />1. Nancy Harris<br />2. Kathleen Kingman<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Super D</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pro Women</span><br />1. Jackie Harmony<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advanced/Intermediate Women</span><br />1. Erica Dimitrov<br />2. Kathleen KingmanUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0