Thanks so much to Tom, Jill, Mia, and Jack for sharing their home and their pets with us while we race! (Thanks, too, for the laundry!!!  Two rainy races generated quite a mess!!!)  It’s people like you that make it possible for us to travel and race, pursuing our dreams and having LOTS of fun!

I was fortunate enough to be able to talk with Diane about one of my very favorite things: women’s cycling!  And Women’s Bike Talk, of course!  Check out my conversation with Diane tomorrow – Saturday, February 26 at 5:30 p.m. EST – http://www.wjcu.org/media/audio/shows/outspokencyclist

I also highly recommend that you check out some of Diane’s previous shows, as well.  If you have any remarks about how to improve Women’s Bike Talk or the sport of women’s cycling more broadly after listening to the show, feel free to comment on this post or contact us.

And last, but certainly not least, Women’s Bike Talk is made possible with the support of our sponsor Bike Shop Hub (which is run by my brother Josh Lipton, who is referenced throughout the interview).

Thanks and enjoy the ride!

I rode today with 2 paraplegic cyclists, not on the road, but on Trail 100… Yes, mountain hand bikes!  They were training for a race, just like me!  I’ll admit it and bite the political bullet and say that I was shocked. As I rode with them, my thoughts quickly turned into amazement as I watched them navigated tough terrain and conquer landscape that most mountain bikers can’t clean. WOW!!

It was once said that the sign of a true athlete is one who is dripping in sweat at the point of exhaustion when no one is watching!

This says to me that being an athlete is for the self, not for the crowd, not for the fame, not for the medal… it’s about a commitment to oneself; a determination to succeed and triumph beyond the ordinary – it’s when your body and mind are begging for mercy, screaming to stop- it’s when you dig deep and find exactly what you need to continue –determination and self-dedication prevail. It’s this unbridled dedication to succeed no matter what that allows you to overcome any physical or mental obstacle that life has placed in your path… it’s you saying, go ahead throw everything you got at me, place all the obstacles you can in my path, I’ll go around them, climb over them or hell-I’ll even move them out of the way. I will persevere!

The disabled athletes that I met embody this sentiment; they exude the very essence of what it means to be an athlete. They do not sit and stare into the past with a woe-is-me attitude; instead they gaze into the future excited about what they will overcome next – because the future is within their control.

Where language might fail us, poetry of competition brings clarity – observing the defeat of boundaries, breaking through limitations and finding a connection between mind and body is what I have learned from these athletes about life, about self!

This lesson is important for all of us because it so motivating, the athlete’s spirit, courage, and humility is contagious – I feel so fortunate to have befriended such a group of athletes and as a result I am a better athlete, a better person. They have left an impression!

Let’s ride!!

Kimmy

I got to know Carla a bit over the years through collegiate cycling.  Carla raced for the Lees McRae College, where she fueled her passion for the sport of cycling.  I vividly remember my first race against Carla.  She easily and smartly won the 2008 Collegiate National Road Race in Ft. Collins, CO, both outsmarting and outsprinting a pack of more seasoned riders.  She kept winning that particular race, in addition to many more, every year since then.

Here is Carla winning in 2008. Image credit: USA Cycling.

Over time, as I got to know her better, I was amazed by her ability to race her bike with incredible passion and tenacity, and then as soon as she got off the bike, she was very lighthearted, fun, easygoing, and enjoyable to be around.  She truly had an incredible love and talent for bike racing.  But more importantly, her incredible talent never went to her head.  She was always gracious, generous, and incredibly nice.  Carla had just signed a full-time contract to race with HTC-Highroad where she surely would have continued her upward progression in the sport of cycling.

Carla will be deeply missed by us all.  The sport of womens cycling, and cycling in general, is mourning a great loss.  As USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson said, “Words fail me at times like this, but I do know the world has lost a wonderful spirit and that she will be sorely missed. It is tragic and extremely sad when anyone’s life is cut short but particularly so when it is someone we know and with whom we shared her and her teammates’ success and joy at Collegiate Nationals.”

Those of us from the team at Women’s Bike Talk send our deepest condolences to her friends, family, and everyone who knew her.

If you would like to donate in memory of Carla, Lees McRae College has set up a scholarship fund to be awarded to a female cyclist each year who demonstrates a passion for cycling and promise in the sport:

The Carla Swart Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a female cyclist who demonstrates a love for the sport and exhibits great promise as a cyclist. Checks should be made out to Lees-McRae College (note Carla Swart Scholarship in the memo line) and mailed to the Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 128, Banner Elk, NC 28604.

Rest in Peace, Carla.

I’d like to bring your attention to a worthy cause here in Arizona. A young cyclist by the name of Thomas Jondall, with whom I’d had to pleasure to ride, is seeking support to race his bike in Europe with the US Junior National Team. Thomas is not only a very talented athlete, he’s a great kid with a lot of heart and potential. He’s worked very hard to earn the opportunity to race in Europe, but he needs a little dough to make it happen. I am personally going to contribute, and I’m sure he would appreciate any amount you can give, whether is $5 or $50. To learn more about Thomas, read on or visit the Thomas Jondall Donation Page. Thanks!

Hello,

My name is Thomas Jondall, I’m 18 years old and I race for Landis/Trek White Mountain Road Club. I’ve recently been selected to race in Europe with the US Junior National Team.The team will be racing some Kermesses in Belgium and then go to Italy for the Giro della Lunigiana UCI 2.1 and Giro di Basilicata UCI 2.1.It has been an exciting year for me and I’m looking forward to this new challenge.

After a lot of racing in AZ this spring I took part in the USA Cycling Regional Camp in Flagstaff AZ. I had a very good camp and in the end I was the #1 rider.Because of this result and a 3rd place at the U.S Junior National Time Trial Championship, Iwasselected to race with the U.S National team in the six-stage Tour de l’Abitibi in Canada.There I was able to help my teammate pick up the best young rider and sprint jerseys.Along with helping him I was the highest-placed rider for the US team in the overall classification in 6th place. Based on my teamwork and result at the Tour de l’Abitibi was invited on this European project.

This project will cost around $2.000 including airfare and incidentals.WMRC has helped me set up a PayPal account for donations at

WMRC will also cover the PayPal fees to enable the full donation to go to me.

Thank you very much and I appreciate any support.

Sincerely,

Thomas Jondall

More stories from this year about me can be found at:

USAC Development Wrap-up

Bicycling Magazine, August 2010, issue:

Scottsdale Cycling Festival Face book bio

Donations can also be made out to WMRC and mailed to:

Landis Cyclery

c/o Thomas Jondall fund

1006E. Warner Rd. Suite106

Tempe, AZ 85284

Thank you for supporting America’s developing cyclists!

2 Wheels 4 Hope is a non-profit in Arizona whose goal is to help cyclists in need. This year, their benefit MTB race and ride will go to help our teammate Heidi Clayton who was hit by a truck on a training ride in March. Heidi has since been on a long, hard road to recovery, so 100% of the proceeds from this benefit will go to help Heidi and her family.

Event Information

When: Saturday, June 5, 2010

Where: McDowell Mountain Park – Competitive Track (Fountain Hills, AZ)

Events – Sunset Time Trial & Moonlight Fun Ride:

• Time Trial – Starts at 7:15 pm @ 20 second intervals / Long loop ~ 9 miles/ Categories: Pro, Cat 1, 2, 3, SS, Masters, kids race/ Awards 3 deep/ USAC License Required / $5 One Day License Available / Helmets and lights required.
• Fun Ride – Starts at 7:00 pm / Short & Tech Loops Open / Long Loop opens after TT – approx 8:00-8:15

Registration: Closes Friday, June 4 at 5:00 pm ET / Bike Reg

Fees: $20 minimum donation for time trial (includes Fun Ride) / $15 minimum Fun Ride donation / 100% of proceeds go to benefit Heidi!

Event Website: 2 Wheels 4 Hope

Please do consider doing this event or simply making a donation. Heidi is a wonderful woman, and this is definitely a very tough time for her. Every little bit helps, and we are so grateful to you for your support!