Thursday, July 28, 2011

Tonight's Gears Girls Ride - weather update

Hi girls.
 
A number of you have emailed to ask if tonight's ride is still on. It's not raining in Oakville but it looks very overcast and like it may start raining soon - doesn't call for rain tonight but who knows. I'm not going to cancel tonight's ride because it may turn out just fine but we may have to make a last minute call on the ride or turn around early.
 
I'm leaving work so will no longer have access to a computer in case the weather changes. I'm heading to Gears so may see you guys out there. If nothing else, I'm dropping off the newly arrived sleeveless jerseys - which look great!
 
I'll leave it up to everyone to decide re the weather. One never knows these days.
 
Remember - no rides Saturday or Monday because of the long weekend! Have a great long weekend everyone!
 
Mel

http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com/

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Gears Girls Update for the week of July 25th

Hi Girls.
 
All rides will proceed as planned this week - check the blog http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com for weather updates if necessary. Remember, there are no longer organized GG rides on Wednesday evenings - all other evening rides will proceed as normal. 
 
With the approaching long weekend, there will NOT be organized rides on Saturday, July 30th or Monday, August 1st - if you would like to ride on either of those days and are looking for other interested members post something to the Gears Girls Facebook page.
 
Looks like the week ahead may bring slightly cooler temperatures - let's hope anyway Smile emoticon.
 
See you out there!
 
Mel
 
 
Mel Crosby
Gears Girls Women's Road Cycling Group
http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Gears Girls - update re Thursday's GG ride

Hi Girls.
 
Further to my weekly update, I have not been able to find anyone to lead the Thursday GG ride.  As I mentioned in my update, I will not be cancelling the ride - anyone that wants to ride should plan on showing up at Gears as usual for 6:30pm and enjoy a "leaderless" ride Smile emoticon. Alternately, post a message to the Gears Girls FB page to see who will be riding.
 
Hope you had a great ride last night!
 
Mel
 
Mel Crosby
Gears Girls Women's Road Cycling Group
http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Gears Girls Update for the Week of July 18th

Hey Girls.
 
Hope everyone is well and getting some good rides in. With the hot weather we've been having remember how important it is to stay well hydrated - before, during and after the ride!
 
Tim and I will be out for the ride tomorrow (Monday), but won't be around Tuesday or Thursday as we're both on vacation. I still need a couple people willing to help out with both the Tuesday and Thursday rides. If you are able to commit to helping with either (or both) of the nights, please let me know as soon as possible. Michaela has kindly offered to help on Tuesday - if I could get one more person to assist that would be great. Same with Thursday. If I'm unable to get people to help lead rides this week, then the rides will still go on as planned but without ride leaders - I know you're all fine to ride without me or without a ride leader Smile emoticon.
 
Gears Girls Sleeveless Jerseys
 
I know you would have all liked to have had your sleeveless jerseys this weekend but all good things come to those who wait. Jerseys should be available for pick up for those who ordered them on Saturday from Gears. I'll send an email out towards the end of the week confirming that they're at Gears and ready for pick up!
 
Team RACE/Tour 4 Kids Fundraiser
 

If you're looking for a great time think about joining Team RACE on Wednesday, July 20th from 6pm to 10pm at The Oakville Club (www.oakvilleclub.com) for a Surf & Turf Dinner to raise funds and awareness for  kids living with and beyond cancer through support of Tour for Kids. Only 150 ticket are available; funds raised go towards the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation (www.ctcacf.org) and Tour for Kids (www.tourforkids.com).  For tickets and additional information, check out the Team RACE website at http://www.teamrace.com/

 

See you out there!
 
Mel
 
Mel Crosby
Gears Girls Women's Road Cycling Group
http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com

Monday, July 11, 2011

Gears Girls Update for the Week of July 11th

Hi girls.
 
Hope you're all well and taking advantage of the good (but hot) weather and getting out there on your bikes.
 
When it's this hot and humid I can't stress how important it is to hydrate well both during the day in anticipation of riding as well as during the ride. When it's this hot, you should have 2 full water bottles for evening rides - be sure to use a high quality electrolyte powder in at least one of the bottles. Good, high quality options include e-Load, Nuun (both are available at Gears) and my personal favourite Vega Sport Performance Optimizer Pre-Workout Beverage (An all-natural, plant-based electrolyte powder available from most health food stores, Organic Garage, Planet Organic, some Loblaws', etc.). Gatorade and other similar products taste good but are full of sugar and are apt to lead to stomach upset in many people...and even worse, the sugar contained in the powder makes an awful mess of bike frames, derailleurs, cables, etc!
 
EVENING RIDES
 
With the exception of Wednesdays, all other evening rides have been extremely well attended. Mondays will remain the "slowest" of the three nights - average pace is approximately 25kms/hr; distance is between 40 and 45kms. Tuesdays and Thursdays - based on who's been coming out regularly, will continue to have an average pace of approximately 26-28kms/hr; distance is between 40 and 50kms.  If you have not yet ridden with the group, or if you have not been riding regularly and are not comfortable riding in a single and double paceline, with the pace, or with the general skill level, definitely check out one of the clinics starting next week at Gears: http://www.gearsbikeshop.com/Clinic.html 
 
WEDNESDAY EVENING RIDES - Important!
 
Wednesday evening rides were always intended for the more advanced, faster members looking for an opportunity to ride fast and hard and continue to see advancement.  The intention has always been that members riding Wednesdays be consistent so that the group could advance together in both pace and skill level. The season started well but unfortunately turnout to Wednesday rides has been extremely poor - there have been several occasions when it has been me plus one other member (the rides have been lovely but when there's only two of you it's not really a group ride) - there has also been a Wednesday ride or two in which no one but me has shown up! I have spoken to most of the women who have in the past ridden on Wednesdays and for the most part, all seem happy to ride on other nights. If Wednesday night riders want to email me suggestions regarding the Wednesday rides I'm happy to review them, but otherwise, as of now, I am cancelling Wednesday night rides due to extremely low turnout. With three other evening rides to choose from, it does not make sense for the club to offer a ride that no one shows up to.  People wanting to ride on Wednesdays are, as always, encouraged to post a message to Facebook - as advanced level cyclists you certainly don't need me there to lead the ride. Alternately, if somone else would like to commit to leading a ride every Wednesday for the advanced group please let me know as soon as possible.  I apologize if this inconveniences anyone...please definitely join us for one of the other three weeknight rides.
 
TOUR 4 KIDS/TEAM RACE FUNDRAISER
 
As many of you know, members of Team Race (the club that Tim and several other spouses ride with) have been extremely supportive of Gears Girls over the past three years. Team Race members have assisted with many, many of our rides - I don't know how many flats they've changed over the years, how many GG members they've pushed up hills, how many intersections they've cleared, etc. but suffice it to say, they've been awesome. Now we have a chance to help their club out! Team Race has been instrumental in the creation of the Coast to Coast Foundation and Tour for Kids - please consider attending their event on Wednesday, July 20th to help raise funds for Tour 4 Kids and the Coast to Coast Foundation:
 

Surf'n Turf at the Oakville Club
This event is in full swing. We have a great night planned, live music, great food and auction items. If there is something you or your company could perhaps contribute for the auction let Mark Thompson or Freddy know about it (or Mel Crosby).
Buy your ticket for single, couple or booking of ten here
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/startup.aspx?eventid=74043 or at teamrace.com home page. Hope to see you and your gang there!

Location: Oakville Club, 56 Water St. Oakville
Date: Wednesday July 20, 2011
Time: 6:30 – 10ish

 
See you out there!
 
Mel

http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com/

Monday, July 4, 2011

Gears Girls Update for the Week of July 4, 2011

Hi Girls.
 
Sorry about the delay in this week's update! Tim and I were on vacation all week and we only just got back. Rode pretty much every day. Found some awesome new routes. Ate and drank too much. Now back to work I suppose!
 
All rides will proceed as normal this week. As always, check the blog http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com for updates regarding ride cancellations due to rain or inclement weather. Distance for all rides except Saturday will be approximately 40 to 45kms. Pace will be consistent with previous weeks and will be dependant on who shows up at the rides. I'll send Saturday ride details out in the next day or two.
 
We're now officially half way through the Gears Girls season. We've gotten loads of rides in (even with the rain at the start of the season) and there's been a huge improvement in terms of skill level, pace and comfort of the group as a whole. If you have not yet ridden with the club or if you have not been coming out on a regular basis, and if you feel that the pace and/or skill level of the various ride nights are too fast or too advanced for you, consider signing up for the one of the upcoming Gears clinics: the beginner clinic,  which covers skills such as starting and stopping, cornering, shifting, shoulder checking, road rules, equipment choices, etc. begins Thursday, July 14th at 6:30pm.  The advanced/master's clinic, which covers skills such as how to climb efficiently, emergency maneuvers, riding comfortably in a group environment, shoulder checking without swerving, etc. begins Saturday, July 16th at 8am. For additional information about the clinics check the Gears website at http://www.gearsbikeshop.com/index.html or send an email to clinics@gearsbikeshop.com.  
 
Drop me a line if you have any questions re the above. Otherwise, I'll see you out there!
 
Mel
 


http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com/