"trekwomen" BLOG is now UP!

In March, I was selected as 1 of 5 women to represent Trek in the Trek Women Who Ride program. Since then, I've visited Trek headquarters, gone sailing on my Trek Madone 5.1 and gone touring on my Trek 520 across the country. And now {trumpet fanfare!}, we're blogging!

Click HERE to visit the blog and HERE to learn about the ladies.

MORE "Women Who Ride"

So, awhile ago, I was selected as one of five "Women Who Ride" to represent Trek's women's program. Well, I may be one of five women who "OFFICIALLY" ride (for Trek).. but there are all sorts of 'women who ride'! ..and I think that's the point of Trek's program. So here are just a few that I know or have recently met:

JULIANA
Juliana has world champion stripes and national champion stars to her name. She's burned rubber on the velodrome (banked cycling track) when cycling, much less sports, were "unusual" for women to do. This has made Juliana ONE TOUGH (not to mention fast) WOMAN. These days, she's still sets course records (such as on an off-road full Ironman course) and has taken to mentoring young women athletes.

We stayed with Juliana in Eugene, where she not only fed, housed us and let us borrow her car-- but we were also invited to dig through a pile of her "back in the day" spandex that included such prizes as her rubber USA Cycling Team skinsuit and other champion jerseys. Most jerseys we put aside were for juniors on my junior cycling team or new Whitman cyclists without much gear, but I put one aside for myself: a So Cal Women's Kilo Champion jersey. It reminds me to be thankful for what women like Juliana have done for women like me today. And it reminds me to continue to stand up for women athletes everywhere. Thank you, Juliana!

BEV
Bev is one example of a woman athlete who doesn't rest on her laurels. Bev owns and runs Bella Main Street Market in Baker City, OR. She and her shop of delectables support the local 3-day cycling stage race, Elkhorn Cycling Classic. At the finish you'll find an organic spread of fruits and bars and chocolate milk. That's totally awesome and well-appreciated after a 100 mile final stage, but what's REALLY cool is that her shop MATCHES the prize money of the men for the women! That's right. At Elkhorn Cycling Classic, the women get the SAME prize money as the men. This is, unfortunately, highly unusual, even (or especially) on a professional level. Thank you Bella! I bought a Bella cycling wind vest to spread the cool news on you gals.

MARE
Okay, so I've talked about women who go zip-zip on their bicycles-- but that's not the only form of bicycling out there, you know. Sometimes going cruise-cruise is just the way we want to ride. Mare goes for night cruiser rides with her lady friends and sometimes even the dogs go with. The pace is far from hot, but the company is great. If you've read this blog for awhile, you'd know that I've even started a ride like this called Bike Thyme. We pedaled around town, brought picnic lunches and stopped by local farms for snacks and tours! Oh, it was lovely.

We are currently taking a rest day at Mare's beautiful place in Idaho and we have been seriously pampered and loved. Since we've been here, we've enjoyed root beer floats, a salt soak, a full massage, sushi at the new sushi bar, and a night of laughs among rhubarb pie and sweet whiskey sippers. We've been looking forward to staying with Mare since before we ever pedaled a stroke on this trip, because Mare is just such a deeply creative, sharply intelligent and warmly compassionate woman. She inspires me to grab onto my life and take it for a ride, rather than passively watching it slip away. Thank you, Mare!

Bicycle Tour Clothing Packing List

In less than two weeks, I will be bicycle touring across the U.S. My best friend and I will hit some seriously varied terrain: 

• Oregon Coast
• Eastern Oregon, Idaho
• Missoula, MT
• Yellowstone, WY
• Rockies of CO
• Eastern CO, Kansas
• Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia

Even though I'm touring in the summer (May31-end of August), the greatly varied terrain requires that I be prepared for both hot and cold. High elevation and rain storms are two good reasons to pull on a long sleeve mid-weight wool jersey or a rain jacket. The barren sections of Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming are good reasons to take almost everything off! At the same time, I've tried to be as "reasonably" lightweight as possible and choose items that work both on and off the bike or are flexible for another reason (such as arm warmers, which are small and can quickly change your warmth).

Alright. Too much, too little, just right? There are only a few 'unresolved issues' left: hands and rain paints. 

To me, this looks like a fairly scant list, with a few luxury items: 

• arm skins (weigh nothing and take zero space)
• a jersey (I gotta represent Trek WWR! Holla!)
• cycling cap or beanie (this is arguably a bit redundant)
• the visor (this cools me way off in hot weather)
• too many socks (but I like to be nice to my feet). 
• One luxury item I recently kicked off the list was my Patagonia synthetic down vest that's thin and packs way down (for a down vest). I had thought of it as my "emergency layer for guaranteed warmth," but I can layer up under my rain jacket or just get into my sleeping bag if it's that cold up in the mountains. The vest could make a comeback, though. I'm rather fond of it.
  

Okay, here it is!:

TOPS

• 2 sports bras
  
• a synthetic shirt
  
• a thin wool shirt (cool even in hot weather)
  
• a WWR jersey
  
• ..kinda tempted to bring a tank top, too. You know-- for the tan.
• arm skins (SPF protection and COOLS you off rather than keep you warm)
  
• arm warmers
  
• long sleeve wool jersey, medium weight
  
• wind jacket
  
• rain jacket
  

BOTTOMS

• 3 pairs of underwear
  
• two pairs of cycling shorts
  
• gym shorts
  
• synthetic knickers
  
• knee warmers
  
• 50/50 wool/poly long john/tights
  
• Probably not rain pants.. but MAYBE some quick-drying MUSA pants.

HANDS

• shortie bike gloves
  
• and.. a windproof? a liner AND windproof?
  

HEAD

• helmet. duh.
  
• cycling cap-- keeps rain out of eyes
  
• beanie-- keeps whole body warm and a back up for a wet cycling cap
  
• visor > I love this visor in hot sunny weather, so it's coming!
  
• sunglasses, with a light and dark lens set

FEET

• 2 thin short cycling socks, hot weather
  
• 1 thin tall wool socks, cool weather
  
• 1 thicker tall wool socks, cold weather and post-rain ride
  
• cycling shoes
  
• booties
  
• Keen sandals
  

Hello, Trek 520

Well-- I'm not only the zippy sort, you know! One more reason I write this blog is to show that one person can enjoy many types of cycling. There's no need to take sides and toss our noses up in the air! Sometimes I like a hot rotating pace line and sometimes

I like a stroll.

His name is Bennington. 

Trustworthy, 

honest, 

adventurous, 

humble, 

practical

and strong.

Hello, Trek Madone 5.1

If you haven't heard already, I was chosen as one of Trek's Women Who Ride. This is a really awesome program by Trek because it recognizes not just elite cyclists, as cycling companies usually do-- but it recognizes real, everyday cyclists that love to ride. And if you're a woman who is thinking about getting into cycling-- being able to ask questions of a woman who you can relate to is so much less intimidating. So I am excited not only for myself and the opportunities (and gear.. AND NEW BIKE) that have been given to me, but I am excited for Trek and their approach to women's cycling.

NOW. Without further ado.. I introduce, Mr.Madone:

..this picture is currently on my desktop. :)

The Lovely Trek WOMEN WHO RIDE

Okay, I have to admit-- my biggest fear before going to Wisconsin was that I wasn't going to be as ridiculously cool as the other ladies and I would respond by being unusually shy or intimidated. I'm often THE most enthusiastic bike nut in a group, so what would it be like to be with 4 other nuts? Well, I did discover that every lady is absolutely amazing, inspiring but-- most importantly, approachable. I hope we cross paths again. I'd love to spend more time with these gals.

My Visit to TREK!

Why haven't I been posting for a week? I'VE BEEN IN WISCONSIN!

I wrote earlier that I had been selected as one of five TREK Women Who Ride. Being a WWR means that not only do I get a BEAUTIFUL, FAST and SMOoooOTH new bike and other fabulous gear from Trek-- but I also get to share my experiences on a blog that has a fairly large audience and help get more women on bikes. 

Getting people, particularly women,

on bikes is a primary life goal of mine--

and now Trek has a wonderful program

that I will be able to utilize

to further realize this goal.

THANK YOU, TREK!!

And before you ask-- the new WWR aren't yet posted on the Trek website. Check again in a week or two.

What did we do in Wisconsin? WELL. Let me tell you.

We got all sorts of cool WOMEN'S CYCLING GEAR!



We got FITTED to our amazing BICYCLES!




We LEARNED about all sorts of things.

Here's Heather talking about

how women's bikes are different!

We got to RIDE

with a bunch of COOL WOMEN that work at TREK!

Oh, and there was a PHOTO SHOOT, some tasty DINNERS, the most amazing cafeteria, a factory TOUR, lots of chatting and meeting all the wonderful women that work at Trek!

Meet the Women!

Meet the new 5 Trek Women Who Ride!

Amy King
Amy is a former elementary school teacher turned stay-at-home mom who wants her kids to know the thrill of cycling. When she's not visiting the zoo, cleaning up toys, or hosting a playgroup, she can usually be found out on a ride. Amy commutes to work by bike, rides centuries, competes in triathlons, and adores singletrack. Amy also enjoys snowboarding and hiking (with and without children). She also likes to pretend she's a domestic goddess by attempting to bake, try various crafts, and not kill the plants in her garden.

Caitlin Hollister
A Boston native, Caitlin teaches third grade in the city, enjoying early morning bike rides to school. Her summers are spent mostly touring on her bike, including trips through the Canadian Rockies and along the West Coast. Newly married, Caitlin and her husband David were engaged on a bike ride to their favorite swimming hole. When she's not cycling, Caitlin loves to run and ski with David and their chocolate lab, Mocha. She's always eager to bring friends along for new adventures both in the city and the backcountry. Caitlin volunteers with the Appalachian Mountain Club's Youth Opportunities Program, training youth workers to lead outdoors trips with kids.

Mary Strupp
Mary got her first new bike at age 44, completed her first triathlon at age 54, and started a new business opportunity at 64. A Milwaukee native, Mary has lived in eight states, is a mother of two, and a grandmother of four. She has been a medical researcher, a teacher, marketing director for shopping centers, sales and marketing director for a plastics company, and owner of a different plastics company. In addition to outdoor sports she enjoys reading and crafts like knitting, sewing, and quilting. Her motto for tackling just about anything is be there; be involved; be positive; be happy.

Rebecca Jensen (that's me!)
Rebecca is a self-proclaimed anti-snob, pro-fun cyclist. Rebecca’s love for cycling began after knee injuries side-lined her from soccer and running. Riding for her college cycling team at Whitman College, as her fitness increased, so did her cycling prowess, winning five Collegiate National Champion jerseys. After graduating she began working for the Walla Walla Community Center for Youth, coaching a junior cycling team and teaching bike repair. She believes the best way to help people, which she finds immensely rewarding, is through contagious enthusiasm.

Roxzanne Abbott
At almost 40 years young, Roxy tries to make the most of each day; every day is a gift and do I love opening presents! Roxy has ridden and raced mountain bikes for ten years when not busy with her fourteen-year career at an advertising firm. She plans to marry her soul-mate this year, but only after a full bike season of riding, racing, traveling and trail building is over. They direct their local mountain bike racing series in and around Omaha, Nebraska, volunteering extensively with the local trail care organization. Work hard, play hard. It's all about finding balance and living life to its fullest.

Yep, goin' to Wisconsin!

You may have noticed that posts I had written about the Trek Women Who Ride contest mysteriously disappeared. Well, I sorta jumped the gun in my excitement. However, NOW I may OFFICIALLY announce: I'm going to Wisconsin!!

Here is my original post..


I am very excited to announce that I have been selected as one of the 

Trek Women Who Ride!!

and THIS is how I feel about it.

From a new blog at trekbikes.com, I will be sharing my stories and encouraging women to get out there and RIDE in whatever form tickles them. I will also be flying to Waterloo, WI to visit the Trek Headquarters, get outfitted in Trek Women's Specific Design (WSD) gear and a WSD BIKE! No, I don't know which bike yet. I will let you know.

And now, in celebration, I am going to eat ice cream..