Monday, August 31, 2009

Gears Girls Update - August 31 to September 5

Hey Girls.

Glad so many of you could make it out to pick up your kits. They look awesome!

Gears Girls Kit Information:
There are about 10 kits that still need to be picked up. For those of you who couldn't make it out, you can pick them up at Gears whenever it's convenient. Vests are still available for $90. Additional kit items can be purchased for the following prices:

Evolution Custom Jersey $110
Evolution Custom Shorts $100
Matrix Custom Arm Warmers $45
Matrix Custom Knee Warmers $45
Shift Vest $90

NOTL Trip - October 3-4:
For those of you who are interested in the October 3 - 4 Niagara on the Falls trip (refer to the blog for details: http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com/2009/08/niagara-on-lake-gears-girls-fall.html) - be sure to book your hotel rooms early. Rooms can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance so better to book now in order to avoid disappointment. Hotel information is available on the blog.

Spinning:
With daylight becoming a premium, it's time to start thinking about how to stay fit over the coming winter months. If you're thinking about spinning, Gears has offered one free class to all Gears Girls members who purchase a multiple class spin card.

Here's the update for the upcoming week:

Wednesday, September 2, 2009:

Meet at Gears at 6:15pm, ride at 6:30pm. NB: we're losing evening light quickly. We can either start meeting earlier at 6pm, or for those interested, Neil teaches a great spin class on Wednesday's from 7pm to 8pm.

Friday, September 4, 2009:

Meet at Gears at 9:15am, ride at 9:30am.

Saturday, September 5, 2009:

Meet at Gears at 8am, ride at 8:15am. As it's the long weekend, I'm wondering if many of you will be out-of-town. If you plan on riding on Saturday, send me an email so I know how many to expect. For those interested, I'm proposing coffee and/or breakfast after the ride...a nice way to start the long weekend!

Hope to see some of you out for the ride on Wednesday!

Ride with you all soon!!!

Mel

Monday, August 24, 2009

Gears Girls Kit pick-up information

Hey Girls.

The Gears Girls kits are here and they look awesome!!! Check out the posting below!

Your kit includes a customized Gears Girls jersey, shorts, arm warmers, and leg/knee warmers. We have also ordered a limited number of vests (great for the Fall - there's a couple pics of the vest on the blog) that can be purchased at Gears for $90.

Kits can be picked up Wednesday, August 26th and Thursday, August 27th - between 6pm and 8pm both nights. If you are unable to pick up your kits on either of those days, alternate dates and times will be available once we see how many kits are remaining after the 27th - I will keep you posted with details.

Many, many thanks to Lucinda Wallace and Anne Guzman for designing the kits and to Ira for organizing absolutely everything with Sugoi (and of course for putting up with me - never an easy task) - we couldn't have done it without you guys .

Can't wait to see everyone out riding in their new kits!

Ride with you soon!!

Mel

Kits are here!!!! Check them out!

Jersey and Shorts - view from the back

Jersey and Shorts - side view
Jersey and Shorts - front view

Full kit with vest - side view

Full kit with vest - front view




Friday, August 21, 2009

Niagara-on-the-Lake Gears Girls Fall Getaway October 3-4‏

Hi Girls!

Lots of you have emailed or told me that you're interested in the Niagara on the Lake trip I proposed for the Fall so I went ahead and made some initial inquiries. The majority of you seem to be available the weekend of October 3rd, so with that in mind, here's some information to consider:

Where: Niagara on the Lake

When: Saturday, October 3rd to Sunday, October 4th

Who: All Gears Girls members, spouses, partners, and Gears staff are invited!

What: Fun times with the Gears Girls in Niagara on the Lake! Arrive in Niagara on the Lake (time to be decided) on Saturday October 3rd. Ride from the hotel to downtown NOTL to the Falls (approx. 75km return) Saturday. Dinner and drinks somewhere in NOTL Saturday night. Breakfast at the hotel (good pre-cycing buffet breakfast!) Sunday morning. Ride around wine country, Jordan, Welland Canal, etc. (route to be determined) Sunday. NB: I've ridden from NOTL to Port Credit/Gears - it's approximately 120km (but truthfully, not the most exciting route). If some of the guys (Mark, Eric, Tim...you know who you are!) come out that weekend, I suspect they might want to do the ride back - that would work too.

Hotel info: Hilton Garden Inn, Niagara-on-the-Lake: http://www.hiltongardenniagara.com/ - Toll Free: 1-866-777-9877. Rates compared to all the other Niagara on the Lake hotels are very reasonable. Rooms with two queens or 1 king are generally $150 to $160 - I booked a room for $159 but you might be able to get something cheaper online or with certain memberships. The hotel is located directly off the QEW (across from the White Oaks Resort) - lots of free parking, easy access to cycling routes, pool, hot tub, etc. Plus you can bring your bikes to your room!

If you're interested (or even thinking about it), I would suggest booking your room now - you can cancel up until 24 hours prior to arrival. If you're a Hilton Honors member you'll get free breakfast included with the room - if you're not a member, let them know when you book the room that you would like the bed and breakfast deal and I believe they'll add an $8 charge on to your room.

Let me know if you'll be joining us and whether or not you've booked a room at the hotel. We can finalize arrangements and itinerary as it gets closer to October 3rd. I think this will be a lot of fun!

Mel

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Gears Girls Update - Week of August 17th to August 22nd

Hi Girls.

Hope you're all well and getting some good riding in!

Here's the update for this week. I've added a note at the bottom with regards to a weekend trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake I'm proposing for the Fall. Let me know what you all think!

Keep in mind that this week is going to be hot and humid so be sure to bring two bottles of water on every ride - preferably with a good quality electrolyte powder in one of them. Also be sure to pack a high energy snack or gel - you definitely need extra fluids in this type of heat!

Wednesday, August 19th:

Meet at Gears for 6:15pm, ride at 6:30pm.

Friday, August 21st:

Meet at Gears at 9:15am, ride at 9:30am.

Saturday, August 22nd:

This ride will start and end at Dundas and Walkers Line in Burlington. Meet at the Longo's Plaza (southwest corner of Dundas and Walkers Line - park behind Tim Horton's, in front of Longo's) for 8:30am.

Here's a link to google maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Dundas+St+%26+Walkers+Line,+Burlington,+Halton+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario,+Canada&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=50.37814,113.994141&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FWEclgIdAPw9-w&split=0&ll=43.392949,-79.818914&spn=0.011382,0.027831&z=16&iwloc=A

The ride will be approximately 60km - we can increase the distance depending on what the group would like to do and what the weather is like. The route we're planning is towards the Escarpment so will be challenging, but nice - I think you'll all enjoy it! We'll see about making a stop in Carlisle for coffee or a cold drink so be sure to bring some money. As with all rides, bring two bottles of water, a high energy snack, a spare tube, and a CO2 cartridge. Let me know if you're going to join us on Saturday or if you'd like more info.

Trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake:

Would anyone be interested in doing an overnight trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake in the Fall? I'm thinking late September, early to mid October. Arrive Saturday early afternoon - do a ride somewhere in the area, go for dinner, spend the night (very reasonable rates at the Hilton Garden Inn, just off the QEW), then do another ride on Sunday.

Spouses/partners/friends/Gears staff are more than welcome - they can ride with us and/or just enjoy the area. If the group is interested, I'll start investigating group rates at various hotels, and maybe even a trip to a winery or two :). Let me know what you all think!!!

Ride with you soon!

Mel

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Gears Girls Update - Week of August to August 10 to August 16

Hey Girls.

Here's the latest Gears Girls update.

The weather is supposed to be hot and humid all week - with that in mind, be sure to bring water on all rides and a high energy snack or gel. NB: I've included a ride option for Sunday that a couple of us are doing. Let me know if you're interested in joining us - and feel free to bring a friend, spouse, etc.

Wednesday, August 12th:

Meet at Gears at 6:15pm, ride at 6:30pm.

Friday, August 14th:

Meet at Gears at 9:15am, ride at 9:30am.

Saturday, August 15th:

Meet at Gears at 8:00am, ride at 8:15am. We had a great Saturday ride this past weekend with a great route - I liked it so much we might do it again with a few small changes! Great work to all those who road on Saturday...everyone did great!

Sunday, August 16th:

A couple of us are doing the Fit for Heart Ride in Niagara on Sunday, August 16th. We're going to do the 60km route. There are various distances to choose from but the 60km route seems like a good distance for everyone in the group. I did the ride last year and it was nice - hilly - but nice. Check out the link to see if you're interested: http://secure.heartandstroke.ca/faf/help/helpEventInfo.asp?ievent=315785&lis=1&kntae315785=145C993B3F4A4DEAB81A7D49673BC6C7. The registration fee is $30 - no minimum donation required. Plus you get lunch at the end of the ride :) If you're interested in doing the ride let me know - feel free to invite friends and/or spouses!

Hope to see you all soon!