Gears Girls Update - Week of June 27th

Hey Girls.

 

For those of you who did Tour of Waterloo today, hope it went well. Weather is/was great so it looks like you had ideal riding conditions. Yesterday turned out to be a great day weather-wise as well - looked like rain in the morning but with the exception of a bit of wind the weather turned out to be great. We did a really nice 100km ride up Snake Road hitting a few good hills on the ride back east. Awesome ride girls! And congrats Katherine for hitting the 100km mark and still looking fresh at the end of the ride .

 

With the long weekend approaching and ride leader availability, there will be a couple changes to the rides this week, please review the details below carefully:

 

Monday - regular Monday night ride - approximate distance: 40 to 45kms; approximate pace: 26-28kms/hr - Tuesday and Wednesday riders are encouraged to attend as there won't be any organized rides on those nights

Tuesday - no organized ride - anyone wanting to ride on Tuesday is encouraged to post a message to the Gears Girls FB page

Wednesday - no organized ride - anyone wanting to ride on Wednesday is encouraged to post a message to the Gears Girls FB page

Thursday - regular Thursday night ride - approximate distance: 40 to 45kms; approximate pace: 26-28kms/hr. Alice and her husband Joe will be leading the Thursday ride. Thanks to both of you!

Saturday - no organized ride due to the long weekend - Saturday riders are encouraged to either email one another or post something to the Gears Girls FB page if they want to ride.

 

Drop me a line if you have any questions regarding the above. Otherwise, hope to see some of you on Monday.

 

Mel

 

 

Mel Crosby
Gears Girls Women's Road Cycling Group
http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com

Tonight's Gears Girls Ride Cancelled due to rain

Hi Girls.
 
In light of the current weather (don't know what it's doing around you but it was just pouring in south Oakville...and isn't looking like it's getting any better) tonight's Gears Girls ride is cancelled :(
 
See you soon!
 
Mel
 


http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Gears Girls Ride

Hey Girls.

 

For those of you riding tomorrow night (Wednesday) - neither Tim nor myself will be at the ride because of work commitments. I know you'll be fine without me . Take care of one another, ride safe and have a great ride. As of right now the weather doesn't look promising for the next couple of days; as usual, I will update the blog (and try to send an email) if the ride is cancelled due to rain.

 

See you all soon!

 

 

Mel Crosby
Gears Girls Women's Road Cycling Group
http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com

Important Gears Girls Safety Information - Please read!

Hi Girls.
 
I was just told by one of the Gears staff members that last week one of the staff at Gears witnessed a cyclist in a Gears Girls kit running several stop lights while on her bike. Please note that this is totally unacceptable behaviour and is not condoned by the club or by Gears Bike Shop.  It's hard enough to get drivers to take road cyclists seriously and treat them with respect while on the road...it doesn't help having our own club members disregarding the rules of the road and further aggravating a large group of already aggravated drivers.  This also reflects very badly on the club and on Gears Bike Shop. Remember...you're highly visible on the road when wearing a Gears Girls kit and you're representing not only the club but also Gears Bike Shop.
 
Myself, along with all of the Gears staff and club supporters make safety the number one priority on ALL Gears Girls and Gears club rides. Members that continue to blatantly disregard the rules of the road may be asked to leave the club.

If you have any questions regarding road safetly, rules of the road, etc. please don't hesitate to ask me, the other ride leaders or any of the Gears Bike Shop staff.
 
Thanks for your attention.
 
Mel

http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com/

Gears Girls Update - Week of June 20th

Hey Girls.
 
Another great week of riding!
 
All rides are a go this week unless of course there are rain cancellations - as usual, check the blog http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com for updates.
 
A couple things to note and consider:
 
Gears Girls Jerseys and Jackets:
 
There are still a few remaining jerseys and jackets that need to be picked up from Gears. Drop by Gears anytime during business hours to pick your clothing up.
 
Gears Girls Sleeveless Jerseys:
Per my email end of last week, Gears Girls sleeveless jerseys are available for purchase for $60 including HST. Fit will be comparable to the new Gears Girls jerseys. Available sizes are XXS through to XL. The sleeveless jerseys are great - same fabric and design as the new Gears Girls jerseys and three pockets in the back...something you don't always find on women's sleeveless jerseys! Orders and payment must be received no later than end of day Friday, June 24th. I apologize for the quick time frame but in order to get the jerseys back to us by mid-July we need to place the order quickly. See attached for a jpg of the jersey as well as the order form. How to pay: bring your completed order form and payment in to Gears before end of day Friday, June 24th OR if you are unable to get into Gears by the 24th, you can send me an online bank transfer using this email address: m.crosby@sympatico.ca. Please make the answer to the security question gearsgirls. Please indicate in the message section your full name and size.

 

Tour de Waterloo:

I know that a number of you are thinking about doing the Tour de Waterloo this weekend: http://www.tourdewaterloo.com/. Not sure how many or who will be there but if you're interested, post something to the Gears Girls FB page to see if you can hook up with other GG members. Sounds like a great, hilly route! I won't be there but it sounds like there could be a good sized group of girls riding.

 

Canadian Road Nationals:

We're fortunate to have the Canadian Road Championships in our own backyard this year - events will be taking place in Burlington, Georgetown and Waterdown from June 23rd through to July 3rd...some cool opportunities to watch some really challenging races. Clara Hughes will be racing...can't wait to see a Canadian icon in action! Here's a link to the schedule of events: http://www.midweekclub.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=18. Hope you can make it out to watch a couple of the races!

 

See you guys out on the road. Drop me a line if you have any questions.

 

Mel

 

http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com/

Gears Girls Sleeveless Jerseys - place your order quickly!

Hey Girls.

Many of you have asked about sleeveless Gears Girls jerseys. Well, here they are. My friends at Niko Apparel as usual did a great job with the designs - thanks go out to Joe, Claudia, Ching and Brandon for getting the designs done so quickly! I have attached a picture of the jerseys along with an order form.  Price is $60 each including HST. Fit will be comparable to the new Gears Girls jerseys. Available sizes are XXS through to XL. The sleeveless jerseys are great - same fabric and design as the new Gears Girls jerseys and three pockets in the back...something you don't always find on women's sleeveless jerseys!

Orders and payment must be received no later than end of day Friday, June 24th. I apologize for the quick time frame but in order to get the jerseys back to us by mid-July we need to place the order quickly.

How to pay: bring your completed order form and payment in to Gears before end of day Friday, June 24th OR if you are unable to get into Gears by the 24th, you can send me an online bank transfer using this email address: m.crosby@sympatico.ca. Please make the answer to the security question gearsgirls. Please indicate in the message section your full name and size.

If you have any questions let me know.

Mel

Tonight's GG ride

Hi Girls.
 
It's overcast but not raining (yet). I'll wait until 5:30 to make a weather call but as of right now consider the ride a go. I won't have computer access once I leave work in about 5 minutes so please check the blog http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com for ride cancellations. NB, I'll only update the blog if the ride is cancelled.
 
Hope to see you soon!
 
Mel

http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com/

Gears Girls Update - Week of June 13th

Hi Girls.

 

Another great week of riding! Pace and skill levels of all groups continue to improve week by week - awesome work ladies!

 

All rides will proceed as normal this week. Average distance for all rides this week will be between 40 and 45kms. Average pace has increased significantly since the beginning of the season and is more or less dictated by the pace and comfort of the majority of the group: average pace Mondays and Thursdays (depending on which group you ride with either of the nights) is typically between 24 and 27kms/hr. Tuesdays are also dictated by the pace and comfort of the majority of the group and has been between 26 and 28kms/hr.  Wednesdays and Saturdays depend largely on who comes out, distance and terrain but pace is typically around 27 or 28kms/hr.  If you are riding consistently and regularly each week you will find that your pace and skills naturally improve.  If you are unable to keep up with the group, don't be discouraged but do know that regular and consistent saddle time is the only way a new or less experienced cyclist will see improvement. For that matter, even experienced cyclists will quickly lose fitness if they're not on their bikes on a regular and consistent basis.   Don't forget that you can also post messages to the Gears Girls Facebook page looking for other members to ride with over and above the regular club rides!

 

Weather looks good this week and next so hopefully lots of opportunities for you to get out on your bikes.

 

See you out there!

 

Mel Crosby
Gears Girls Women's Road Cycling Group
http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com

Saturday Gears Girls Ride

Hi Girls.
 
Due to a last minute work committment I won't be at the ride tomorrow (Saturday) morning. If you normally ride on Saturday's and were planning on riding tomorrow, I would recommend posting something to the Gears Girls FB page to see who else is riding. Alternately, if you were planning on riding tomorrow feel free to drop me a line and I'll put you in touch with anyone else who has told me the would be riding. The regular Saturday riders know the usual route and are more than capable to lead the ride without me there - although I'm sure you'll all miss me :).  Pace and distance will be similar to previous Saturdays.
 
Weather tomorrow is supposed to be wet and rainy all day. I will send out an email and update the blog tomorrow morning by 7am if the ride is cancelled.
 
See you all next week!
 
Mel
 
 
http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com/

Gears Girls update - week of June 6th

Hey Girls.

Some great rides this week! I'm really impressed how much the pace and general skill level has picked up just in the past month. Kudos to those of you who have been coming out regularly and working hard!

All groups will continue to ride at a pace that is comfortable for the majority of riders. While we have been splitting the Monday, Tuesday and Thursday groups up (due to size), even the slower pace groups (within the Monday and Thursday groups) have been averaging around 24kms/hr and the faster pace groups around 26 or 27kms/hr. Please remember that these rides are meant to challenge you; if you find the pace too slow or two fast don't feel obligated to remain with the group for the remainder of the ride. If, after heading out with the group you would like to ride on your own or with another member, please let one of the ride leaders know you are heading back or riding on your own. We ride a similar route most weeknights so all members should have a good sense of where in Mississauga or Oakville we are.

All rides will proceed as planned this week. Check the blog http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com for weather updates and ride cancellations.

For those of you interested in the Saturday Midweek ladies only ride, the ride organizer - Michelle Payne - has informed me that the cost for the season is $50. Check the GG blog for details as I posted information earlier this week or send me an email and I'll put you in touch with Michelle.

See you put there!

Mel

Midweek Cycling Club's Ladies Ride - Saturday, June 4

Hi Girls.
 
See below re Michelle Payne of Midweek Cycling Club's "ladies only ride" taking place tomorrow (Saturday) at 8:30am. Michelle's ride sounds like a great option for women looking for a shorter distance ride and a more relaxed pace.  For additional information, contact Michelle at michip@sympatico.ca.
 
Mel
 
Good Morning Ladies!
 
I will be guiding our "Ladies only" club ride tomorrow, rain or shine.  We will be departing the RONA parking lot (NE corner of Winston Churchill & Eglington Ave) at 8:30, please arrive with plenty of time to gear up prior to the departure time.  We will ber riding for approximately 50kms at an easy pace.  This is a ride for the joy of riding, not killing ourselves out there.  No one gets dropped.  Please be sure to bring your water, food, gels and whatever accessories you will need for the ride.
 
Melina, please forward this message onto your Gears Girls.
 
PLEASE NOTE: Next Saturday June 11th, I will NOT be guiding the ride due to participating in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.
 
See you all tomorrow morning!

 
Michelle Payne
Midweek Cycling Club