Tim Bergsten's Posts - Pikes Peak Sports2024-03-29T11:35:37ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergstenhttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2797444191?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://pikespeaksports.us/profiles/blog/feed?user=3gijml2eixbo3&xn_auth=no2018 Flyathlon report: No fish, but I caught so much moretag:pikespeaksports.us,2018-09-21:5021591:BlogPost:8072692018-09-21T21:30:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806532804?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806532804?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400"></img></a> Fly fishing is not my first love, but it’s close. I’ve been fortunate to travel the state and catch lots of fish. Big fish, little fish, flashy, colorful, fighting fish.</p>
<p>On Saturday it felt good to trick a stealthy trout into taking my fly on the low-running Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, which must be close to the middle of nowhere. The occasion was the 2018…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806532804?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806532804?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-right"/></a>Fly fishing is not my first love, but it’s close. I’ve been fortunate to travel the state and catch lots of fish. Big fish, little fish, flashy, colorful, fighting fish.</p>
<p>On Saturday it felt good to trick a stealthy trout into taking my fly on the low-running Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, which must be close to the middle of nowhere. The occasion was the 2018 Flyathlon, a loose competition that involved running 10 miles up and down a beautiful river canyon, while also attempting to land, photograph, and release one of its shy, finny residents.</p>
<p>My old fly rod joined the dance as this trout surged in the current. The fishing had been difficult. Three shiny trout had earlier said hello and then disappeared into the blue-green water. But this one … I figured my luck had changed.</p>
<p>The Flyathlon is the creation of Andrew Todd, a fisherman and runner who manages the nonprofit Running Rivers, which serves to protect and grow Colorado’s wild greenback cutthroat trout population with river restoration projects and other important work that ensures clean-running water and creates healthy environments for all water-living creatures.. This year, the Lake Fork Flyathlon raised about $18,000, a record, I think. It felt good to be part of it. And I'm grateful for several friends who pitched in to contribute $470.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806536249?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806536249?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-left"/></a>At the start of the “race” each fisherman-runner is given a paper ruler printed with their names and the event logo. The idea is to place caught fish on the ruler and snap a photo, then release the fish. Bigger fish equal more time deducted from your overall run time. You can catch one, or stick around and try for more. But the clock is ticking.</p>
<p>Knowing that all the fish were a little stressed from the low water, I quickly prepared my ruler and turned on my cell phone camera while maintaining gentle pressure on my new friend darting about at the end of my line. I could tell this wasn’t the biggest fish in the river, but plenty good enough. And I knew he’d appreciate less time out of the water. With everything ready for the photo, I raised my rod to draw the fish near.</p>
<p>And then it was gone, slipping away like a falling aspen leaf. I wasn’t disappointed. That’s fly fishing, and we’d each performed our parts in this artistic collision. And so that’s how my Flyathlon ended. In some races, runners will earn a “DNF” … did not finish. I came home with a “CNF” … caught no fish.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806537744?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806537744?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-right"/></a>Of course, a guy can’t spend the day fishing without sharing fish stories with friends. We all retired to the home-base campground for a catered meal from Front Range Barbeque – man, they laid it out – plus some good craft beer (I don’t drink, but that left more for everyone else) and plenty of fish tales ... I’m talking BS like you’ve never heard, and lots of laughter that echoed off the hillsides.</p>
<p>From there I moseyed on to Ridgway and the Orvis Hot Springs where I feel comfortable with the naked hippies and old folks – I fit into both demographics, so …. The sunset and the warm water set my mind adrift like a dry fly on the riffles, and I bathed in the quiet.</p>
<p>The next day I drove over Red Mountain Pass with good coffee from Ouray and my camera at the ready to capture the fall colors.</p>
<p>Motored on to Durango where dear heart Valerie waved to me from across the park. We spent some soulful hours goofing around downtown, hitting more hot springs, working on a jigsaw puzzle, and playing guitar during the late-night quiet hours at a nearby campground. I expected either applause, or to be kicked out. Neither happened and we giggled like school kids beneath a million stars.</p>
<p>The drive home provided plenty of opportunity for reflection. Colorado had delivered again. And though I caught no fish, I arrived with a full heart and memories of river sounds, warm, soaking waters, and meaningful connections with reclusive trout and beautiful people.</p>Running in Reel Timetag:pikespeaksports.us,2015-06-13:5021591:BlogPost:6569512015-06-13T14:27:12.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p dir="ltr"><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2750617333?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2750617333?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="260"></img></a> Some running and fishing thoughts by Phil Goulding</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The first of the Triple Crown of Running races is coming up this weekend and as I was working on my taper by fishing on the Taylor River this morning I got thinking about the similarities between running and fishing. The water is really high so the fishing is tough, like the hills…</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2750617333?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="260" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2750617333?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="260" class="align-left"/></a>Some running and fishing thoughts by Phil Goulding</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The first of the Triple Crown of Running races is coming up this weekend and as I was working on my taper by fishing on the Taylor River this morning I got thinking about the similarities between running and fishing. The water is really high so the fishing is tough, like the hills in the Garden are tough. How you approach them is the same, it’s a mind game.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span><a href="http://corunco.com/" target="_blank"><img width="180" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2653383898?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="180" class="align-right"/></a>At the start of the race adrenaline is kicking in and the emotional thought is to stay with everyone around you. In fishing you want to get to that spot on the river where you have the best chance of catching “the big one.” However, if you fight the current and get to a tough place where you have to be right on, before you’ve loosened up, your cast might be poor and that fish you wanted is gone. In the Garden 10 miler the first ¾ mile is downhill so the temptation is to run as hard as possible. I have learned through experience that if I run a little faster than my desired pace, I’ll be able to maintain my effort throughout the race and finish with enough in the tank to cross the finish line.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>On the hills, I think about how hard I want to run for that particular stretch. Knowing the course helps. On the river, I’m always trying to think of what fly might be best given the depth, speed, and obstacles. What presentation do I make to the fish? Where on the water is the best place to cast my fly? In the Garden I’m going through the same thought process. Do I want to hang on the inside of every curve, even though the angle of the pavement might make it a little steeper or do I stay a little farther out so I’m running farther, but less steep?</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>When I get to the top of a hill in the Garden, do I want to really pick it up, or should I increase my effort just enough to not drop behind that person I’m always trying to stay with? When is the right time to strike? In fishing if you strike too early, the fish won’t have time to close its mouth and the fish swims off. In running if you strike too early you might not have the energy to maintain a good pace until the end. On the other hand, if you strike too late, the fish, or your fellow runner, is gone. Pacing and timing are important in both sports.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>If I maintain my awareness in both sports I’ll have a good day. In fishing if I keep my mind in the game, I’ll keep my fly out of the trees and other fly-grabbing obstacles. I’ll watch the water for insects and the changing currents. And as happened yesterday, I’ll see the big log coming down the river that could have swept me under had I not been aware. In the race, I stay aware of my speed as I’m going up the hills, and remember to increase my speed as I go down, but not too much. I watch as I enter the aid station to make sure I have a clear shot at a water cup and then catch up to my former position in the pack after drinking. It took me a long time to learn that lesson. I watch to see what the other runners are doing so I can stay with them, or pass them, or let them go. In the end I have to run my own race.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f54cda78-ed4b-ebe6-02f6-9ab239254c12"><span>My good day in fishing is to have fun, watch the incredible scenery around me, not lose too many flies, and if I do, lose them on big fish. I want to finish the day tired and invigorated. Even when I don’t catch anything if I have the sense that I did things right it was a good day of fishing. In the Garden of the Gods race I want to have seen the incredible scenery, even if just mere glances. I want to finish the race tired and invigorated without hurting. I will have thanked the volunteers as much as possible. If I place, that is value added but if I sense that I ran the race right I will have had a good race. What makes for a good race for you, or even a good day on the river? I’d love to know what others think.</span></span></p>Cash donations great way to help Black Forest Fire first responders, volunteers and those who lost everythingtag:pikespeaksports.us,2013-06-13:5021591:BlogPost:4567282013-06-13T20:00:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2653392841?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2653392841?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"></img></a> Doing some homework on ways to donate and contribute to the Black Forest Fire victims, first responders and volunteers.</p>
<p>First a quick digression: Did you ever slide cash into somebody's birthday card and mail it to them? It never felt right to me, as if I didn't take the time to consider the person, or shop for the perfect gift. But I can tell you that I'm always happy…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2653392841?profile=original"><img width="250" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2653392841?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"/></a>Doing some homework on ways to donate and contribute to the Black Forest Fire victims, first responders and volunteers.</p>
<p>First a quick digression: Did you ever slide cash into somebody's birthday card and mail it to them? It never felt right to me, as if I didn't take the time to consider the person, or shop for the perfect gift. But I can tell you that I'm always happy to receive cash because I can purchase anything I want with it, running shoes, a nice dinner, underwear or gasoline.</p>
<p>Back to the moment. The people fighting and those affected by the vicious Black Forest Fire, need that same flexibility. If you want to help, financial gifts are great.</p>
<p>Charitable agencies have strong buying power. And they act quickly, providing goods and resources when and where they're needed. An example: Care and Share can buy much more food with your $10 contribution than you can. Of course, it's a good idea to donate the non-perishable items Care and Share needs. But cash is king.</p>
<p>I learned this lesson first-hand three weeks ago when I delivered 500 pairs of running shoes to Oklahoma tornado victims. The shoe contributions were needed, of course, and the system for distributing the shoes was excellent. But the No. 1 need was cash.</p>
<p>Check out these websites for links and instructions on how to make donations.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ppcf.org/products/emergency-relief" target="_blank">The Pikes Peak Community Foundation Emergency Relief Fund:</a> From the website, "The Pikes Peak Community Foundation launched the Emergency Relief Fund for the Pikes Peak Region on Tuesday to benefit non-profits, first responders, and other agencies providing local disaster relief. The fund is modeled on last year’s Waldo Canyon Firefighters Fund, which received an outpouring of community support, but was limited to the Waldo Canyon fire. The Emergency Relief Fund for the Pikes Peak Region will have more flexibility to quickly respond to the community's needs."</p>
<p><a href="http://helpcoloradonow.com/" target="_blank">HelpColoradoNow.org:</a> From the website, "Financial support to voluntary agencies responding to the disasters is the most effective way to help." <a href="http://bit.ly/12qHJiT" target="_blank">Check out this video</a> to learn why your monetary gift works for people who need help.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hsppr.org/blackforestfire" target="_blank">The Pikes Peak Humane Society:</a> From the web, "Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region stands ready to assist in caring for animals during emergencies like the Black Forest Fire. At this time we are adequately equipped with resources and trained volunteers, but <a href="http://www.hsppr.org/disasterdonation">monetary donations</a> can help us cover extensive costs such as veterinary care and rescue missions. Thank you for your support!</p>
<p><a href="http://careandshare.org/" target="_blank">Care an Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado:</a> From the website, "Care and Share will host a collection drive for our neighbors in Southern Colorado that have been affected by the recent fires. Through Saturday, June 15 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., we will collect non-perishable food and financial donations at both of our Colorado Springs and Pueblo facilities. To make a text donation, text "Donate" to 41010 and a $10 donation will appear on your next phone bill."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.imsalvationarmy.org/" target="_blank">The Salvation Army:</a> From the website, "Yesterday, The Salvation Army provided 4,000 meals and 13,000 additional food and hydration items in response to requests for relief aid in multiple fires across Colorado. 200 Salvation Army volunteer hours were logged across wildfires."</p>
<p>If you know of other agencies in need of cash donations for the Black Forest Fire victims, first responders and volunteers, please e-mail tim.bergsten@gmail.com.</p>
<p>If we learn of material items that are needed, we'll pass that info along ASAP.</p>
<p>Check out this Facebook Page for specifics <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoBlackForestFire2013">https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoBlackForestFire2013</a>.</p>The Oklahoma Road Trip report: Shoes delivered ... thanks, Colorado Springs!tag:pikespeaksports.us,2013-05-27:5021591:BlogPost:4495452013-05-27T15:30:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806502095?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806502095?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="320"></img></a> I rolled down the window and cranked up the Rock ‘n’ Roll at 3:15 a.m. as Shawn Finley and I blasted out of Colorado Springs on Saturday morning.</p>
<p>Our destination: Moore, Okla., a green, tree-filled city raked by a killer tornado on May 20.</p>
<p>I pulled a U-Haul trailer full of new and used running shoes, all donated by the awesome folks in the Colorado Springs…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806502095?profile=original"><img width="320" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806502095?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="320"/></a>I rolled down the window and cranked up the Rock ‘n’ Roll at 3:15 a.m. as Shawn Finley and I blasted out of Colorado Springs on Saturday morning.</p>
<p>Our destination: Moore, Okla., a green, tree-filled city raked by a killer tornado on May 20.</p>
<p>I pulled a U-Haul trailer full of new and used running shoes, all donated by the awesome folks in the Colorado Springs running community. Shawn drove ahead, leading the way as we rocked it across southeastern Colorado and cruised down tornado alley in Oklahoma.</p>
<p>Gus Thompson, owner of the OK Runner store in Norman, Okla., next door to Moore, was there to greet us as we finished the 11-hour drive. Gus had set up the <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/267920576685893/?ref=22">Moore Tornado Shoe Fund Drive</a></strong>. He was amazed - but very grateful - that a running community so far from his home would gather and donate 500 pair (maybe more) of shoes.</p>
<p>Moore is Shawn’s hometown and he had some nervous moments on Monday as the tornado scraped the city. He didn't learn until Wednesday that his family and many friends were safe.</p>
<p>Shawn had called on Tuesday and explained his plans to make a quick trip south to help where needed. He mentioned that OK Runner was accepting shoes and we quickly formed a plan to alert Colorado Springs runners of the need. Within two hours we had our first 70 pair.</p>
<p>From that point it was "game on" for the Oklahoma Road Trip. All of the Colorado Springs-area stores eagerly agreed to serve as drop points for used shoe donations, which flowed in for three days. I thought we could fit all the shoes in my Toyota 4-Runner. That idea was short lived as I gathered three full loads by Thursday and more on Friday.</p>
<p>Gus had arranged for the shoes to be washed at a local cleaners and the first big load was drying as we arrived. He explained that the shoes would be distributed to school students first, and then to adults, then to anyone who needed them.</p>
<p>We also collected about $600 before we left Colorado Springs. One family donated $300. After renting the trailer, rigging up a hitch and buying gasoline, we had enough remaining to contribute $100 to the cause.</p>
<p>Moore was in full recovery mode Saturday afternoon. An army of Red Cross volunteers had set up emergency shelters. Hot meals were being served (I could smell the barbecue as we drove by), and tornado victims received assistance with things like insurance paperwork, cell phone service, mental health services, transportation, clean clothes ... you name it.</p>
<p>We drove by the tornado path and saw the destruction firsthand. We didn't stop, and we stayed clear of the devastated areas. The English language lacks adjectives that describe the work of a big tornado.</p>
<p>Shawn’s life-long friends helped us unload the trailer, then his dad bought dinner for everybody … Tex-Mex, Oklahoma style. Afterward, we found an inexpensive hotel and I slept the sleep of a baby.</p>
<p>On Sunday morning, Shawn and I shook hands and he helped me find my way out of the Oklahoma City area (a tangle of 4-lane Interstate and secondary highways.) He stayed behind in Norman to help where he could and said he planned to visit OK Runner to assist with shoe fitting.</p>
<p>With the 4-Runner pointed for home, I rolled across the oil fields of central Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle's irrigated farm land, and the immense grasslands of northern New Mexico.</p>
<p>The drive provided plenty of time for contemplating community. I'm so entrenched here in Colorado Springs that I forget there are other cities like ours blessed with strong and caring people. We all have so much in common. Whether we’re helping tornado victims, fighting forest fires, or grinding through our day-to-day routines, we work and play, live and love and try to do the right thing.</p>Cam Chambers: Sand Creek Sports creating the 'best' mountain bikerstag:pikespeaksports.us,2012-10-04:5021591:BlogPost:3757642012-10-04T15:00:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656420079?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656420079?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450"></img></a> By Cam Chambers</strong></p>
<p>This year I had the honor of being a part of the inaugural PikesPeakSports.us Sand Creek Cycling Team. Along with my teammate Tracy Thelen – I participated in the full season of the Ascent Cycling Series under the<br></br> direction of Andy Bohlmann and Sand Creek Sports.</p>
<p>Throughout the season I blogged often about the significance…</p>
<p><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656420079?profile=original"><img width="450" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656420079?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450"/></a>By Cam Chambers</strong></p>
<p>This year I had the honor of being a part of the inaugural PikesPeakSports.us Sand Creek Cycling Team. Along with my teammate Tracy Thelen – I participated in the full season of the Ascent Cycling Series under the<br/> direction of Andy Bohlmann and Sand Creek Sports.</p>
<p>Throughout the season I blogged often about the significance of a strong local series and as the year wraps up my views have only been polarized by the success of the 2012 season.</p>
<p>Mountain Biking can be a complicated sport, from your bike set up to trail conditions, from learning good routes to making the time to get away, it can all feel a bit impossible to fit into a busy work week and family life. Local racing like the Sand Creek Sports Series strips away many layers of complications and gets right to the heart of what drew so many of us to this great lifestyle to begin with. Get with a group of friends and ride as hard as you can, nice and simple.</p>
<p>This year’s series was a mix of five races at two separate and uniquely outstanding venues. Palmer Park was the host of two races and Bear Creek Park held three races. The turnouts were good for the series and we often saw repeat racers coming back for more. That is a good sign for further growth of the series because it means that people are enjoying the racing and they will be the best evangelists to convert others.</p>
<p>One of the unique components that the Sand Creek Series brings to the table is the ability to accommodate both the pro racer and the beginner mountain biker at the same event. So often you find races that can do one or the other but it is rare for both groups to feel at home and comfortable but yet challenged. This is an ideal scenario for everyone; sponsors, spectators, and racers.</p>
<p>One of the storylines that stands out to me is the progression of young riders that come through the series. Last season I watched Nick and Nolan Jenkins cutting their teeth in mountain bike racing. I remember Nick coming in from a race totally exhausted and having been worked over by some of the other juniors. He admitted it was hard and he wasn’t happy with how he finished but he told me he was going to train hard. And he did, not only did he take huge leaps forward racing locally but has expanded out and making an impact at races regionally.</p>
<p>Recently we had a contingent of Colorado Springs racers that travelled to Spearfish South Dakota for the Dakota 5-0. Not only did we take the top spots with myself winning and Daniel Matheny taking second in the Pro class, we swept the Junior Podium with Kyle Bloesser winning and the brothers Nick and Nolan Jenkins filling the next two steps. Nolan was the youngest finisher of the race and finished in the top 20 percent overall!</p>
<p>Our Sand Creek Sports series is a major part of the foundation that all of this success is built upon. This trio of juniors is headed in the same direction as local racer and current U23 National Champion Russell Finsterwald. The bar has been set high and the younger generation continues to exceed expectations.</p>
<p>For me personally I use the Series races to get in that midweek hard effort that you cannot do by yourself. My fitness grows much faster by adding in this hour-long super effort and you get the mental edge of going to the start line more times than your fellow competitors around the state.</p>
<p>I've often remarked in post race interviews how I will go to a big race in Colorado and win by<br/> minutes but have to fight tooth and nail to get second place in our Wednesday night races. It was a huge<br/> honor to win the series this year and even cooler that Tracy and I could both win the male and female<br/> Pro classes in the first season of our team.</p>
<p>Colorado Springs is a Mountain bike town. When I think up and down the Front Range, I think Fort Collins<br/> is 'Cyclocross,' Boulder is a 'Road Town,' and Colorado Springs represents mountain biking. The Sand Creek<br/> Sports Series does an outstanding job of upholding that status – catering to and creating the best<br/> mountain bikers in the best mountain bike state in the country.</p>Sign the petition and help protect Browns Canyontag:pikespeaksports.us,2012-02-20:5021591:BlogPost:2980732012-02-20T19:02:32.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495222?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495222?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="320"></img></a> <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/senator-mark-udall-provide-permanent-protection-of-the-browns-canyon-area" target="_blank">From Change.org</a></p>
<p>Places like Browns Canyon are an important part of many Coloradoans’ personal identity, and <br></br>attract and retain talented individuals to the region to enjoy a high quality of life. By preserving <br></br>this incredible…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495222?profile=original"><img width="320" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495222?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="320"/></a><a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/senator-mark-udall-provide-permanent-protection-of-the-browns-canyon-area" target="_blank">From Change.org</a></p>
<p>Places like Browns Canyon are an important part of many Coloradoans’ personal identity, and <br/>attract and retain talented individuals to the region to enjoy a high quality of life. By preserving <br/>this incredible landscape that surrounds the river, we can ensure that visitors continue to <br/>benefit from inspiring recreational experiences, and continue to sustain and grow our local and <br/>regional economy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/senator-mark-udall-provide-permanent-protection-of-the-browns-canyon-area" target="_blank">Click here to sign the petition</a></p>
<p>The Browns Canyon area is comprised of roughly 23,000 acres of Forest Service and BLM land <br/>and is renowned for offering a range of year-round opportunities for experiencing Colorado’s <br/>outdoors such as hiking, hunting, fishing, whitewater boating, wildlife viewing or simply enjoying <br/>the spectacular scenery. For over a decade, there have been bipartisan efforts to protect this <br/>unique area, and therefore I urge you today to work to finally ensure this area receives the <br/>protection it deserves.</p>
<p>Browns Canyon is a national treasure which deserves to be permanently protected to both <br/>ensure that the area will remain open to outdoor recreational pursuits and to preserve <br/>Colorado’s outdoor legacy for future generations. Our great state of Colorado benefits greatly <br/>from tourists that come to this area to visit unique places like Browns Canyon. I strongly <br/>support permanent protection of Browns Canyon.</p>City councilman Tim Leigh raising funds for proposed Tour of Colorado Springstag:pikespeaksports.us,2012-02-17:5021591:BlogPost:2980532012-02-17T17:02:42.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806499758?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806499758?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="240"></img></a> Colorado Springs City Councilman Tim Leigh has thrown his support behind the proposed Tour of Colorado Springs. Event organizer David Whitaker asked the city of Colorado Springs for $68,000 in in-kind support last week. Leigh is determined to raise private funds to make the event happen.</p>
<p>Here is an e-mail Leigh sent today</p>
<p>"I’m willing to put my money where my…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806499758?profile=original"><img width="240" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806499758?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="240"/></a>Colorado Springs City Councilman Tim Leigh has thrown his support behind the proposed Tour of Colorado Springs. Event organizer David Whitaker asked the city of Colorado Springs for $68,000 in in-kind support last week. Leigh is determined to raise private funds to make the event happen.</p>
<p>Here is an e-mail Leigh sent today</p>
<p>"I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is and to that end, I’ve already gotten 2 generous commitments – one from GE Johnson Construction for $10,000 and one from Hoff & Leigh, Inc. for $1,000 (consider order of magnitude - LOL!)</p>
<p>Furthermore, I’m committed to help raise the $68,000 that was requested at Council. Micro-market constituencies are the best way to form public/private partnerships. Those folks in a micro-market should be willing to do the heavy lifting in areas where they have real interest. To that end, (like we did with our successful Sharrow Project), I’m calling on all folks who are interested in cycling, the economic & cultural development of our city and sports in general to step forward and help me help the organizers. </p>
<p>Let’s make this event happen this year privately. While I’m not a lawyer, I’m going to guess that hosting this event privately should significantly lessen the city’s and county’s potential liability and should forge a pathway of entrepreneurialism without significant government interference.</p>
<p>I’m calling especially on those folks who would directly benefit from this event; bike shops, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and private citizens who are interested in the success of the city and this event, etc. Please forward this call for action to your private email lists. Let’s get a viral attack and get this race launched."</p>
<p>Council will vote on whether to provide the $68,000 at its Feb. 28 meeting. Whitaker is asking the cycling community to attend and speak in support the inaugural event.</p>UPDATE: 4-year-old Nevaeh Paredes loses fight with cancertag:pikespeaksports.us,2011-10-23:5021591:BlogPost:2681352011-10-23T04:30:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495803?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495803?profile=original" width="196"></img></a> <strong>UPDATE:</strong> PikesPeakSports.us has learned that Nevaeh Paredes passed away on Nov. 3. She was 4. We're sending our prayers to her family.<br></br> <br></br> <strong>PHOTOS:</strong> <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/heaven-can-wait-5k-run-walk" target="_blank">Heaven Can Wait 5K Run/walk…</a><br></br>
</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495803?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495803?profile=original" width="196"/></a><strong>UPDATE:</strong> PikesPeakSports.us has learned that Nevaeh Paredes passed away on Nov. 3. She was 4. We're sending our prayers to her family.<br/> <br/>
<strong>PHOTOS:</strong> <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/heaven-can-wait-5k-run-walk" target="_blank">Heaven Can Wait 5K Run/walk</a><br/>
<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2737848061?profile=original"></a><br/>
About 50 runners and walkers gathered around a flat screen on Saturday in the parking lot at Align for Life Chiropractic.</p>
<p>Organizers of the Heaven Can Wait 5K/Run walk had arranged a Skype connection with Brandon and Julie Paredes, parents of 4-year-old Nevaeh. They spoke about their daughter's courage, and their own determination to make her well. They expressed hope that she can recover from the inoperable brain tumor that threatens her life.</p>
<p>The runners had come to support the family. There were tears. There was laughter. And when Nevaeh's parents ended the conversation with encouraging words, there was applause for a brave family few of them knew. There was good reason to run, to have fun and celebrate life on a perfect blue and gold October day.</p>
<p>"This is the kind of event I like," said Jesse Grizzle who made quick work of the 5K. "In fact, when I found out it wasn't a race, that's why I showed up. These are good people who came out for a great cause, helping a family that needs it."</p>
<p>The event was organized by Align for Life co-owner Dr. Anthony Evans and supported by many area businesses. There was live music, prize drawings and plenty to eat and drink.</p>
<p>It was the kind of event that defines the Colorado Springs business and running communities. Evans said that one person made a donation of $1,000.</p>
<p>The Paredes family - unable to keep up with the towering health care costs - was so grateful.</p>
<p>"Thank you all for being there," said Brandon Paredes, who was awarded a Purple Heart after being injured while on deployment to the Middle East. "We wish we could be there. Please keep us in your prayers."</p>
<p><a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=nkbx4ohab&oeidk=a07e4tofiy9b973931b" target="_blank">Read more about Nevaeh and the Paredes family.</a></p>Shared experiencetag:pikespeaksports.us,2011-07-30:5021591:BlogPost:2026982011-07-30T12:44:43.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495371?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495371?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="280"></img></a> By Jen Shotwell<br></br> <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/page/the-pikespeaksportsus-triple?xg_source=activity" target="_blank">PikesPeakSports.us Triple Crown Runners race team</a></p>
<p>My hubby and I have different approaches for preparing for the Triple Crown of Running race events.</p>
<p>Mine involves running and the many activities I participate in during my work…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495371?profile=original"><img width="280" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495371?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="280"/></a>By Jen Shotwell<br/> <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/page/the-pikespeaksportsus-triple?xg_source=activity" target="_blank">PikesPeakSports.us Triple Crown Runners race team</a></p>
<p>My hubby and I have different approaches for preparing for the Triple Crown of Running race events.</p>
<p>Mine involves running and the many activities I participate in during my work week at the YMCA. His involves two wheels. That’s it for the most part…and it has served him well. I’ve entered several road races for speed training as part of my conditioning plan, I’ve always asked Chris if he would like to partake, but he respectfully declines and plans a bicycle/motorcycle centric activity.</p>
<p>Never have we participated in any kind of competitive event together, Chris dutifully participates in cyclocross racing every fall and I just started to enter triathlons and running races ... a year ago I never would have guessed that we would be jointly running the Triple Crown events.</p>
<p>Living where we do, the idea of racing to the top of Pikes Peak has always been one those activities that we’ve felt compelled to do, if we live here, we should do this. I had an easy in by qualifying under the prescribed time during a half marathon last summer, Chris had no option other than by committing to the Triple Crown.</p>
<p>Being total newbies at this sport, every event turns out to be a “personal best” and we’ve enjoyed our together time by running the Jack Quinn’s Running Club 5k every Tuesday night. It has been the one common “training” thing we do enjoy with any regularity.</p>
<p>The Summer Roundup was a fun race for the both of us. Chris showed his amazing hill climbing ability and lung capacity to finish in 1 hour, 11 minutes. I finished a little better than time I set for myself….but didn’t feel like I put in my best effort. I thoroughly enjoyed the race and felt truly in the moment taking in all the sounds, smells (thanks to the humidity), camaraderie with other runners on the uphill, and sights especially on the downhill thru Bear Creek Park.</p>
<p>But what made the day really special was the race recap with my husband over brunch at our favorite restaurant after the race. The shared experience is sweet, the good stuff. To cheer each other on at the turn-around and the finish line, these moments are the highlights of my summer.</p>
<p>So now the preparation intensifies as the date of the Pikes Peak Ascent draws near. We have become true weekend warriors upping the ante to include more challenging hill climbs on foot and mountain bikes sometimes together, sometimes with friends or solo.<br/>Whatever the outcome of the Ascent, chances are Chris will be ahead of me somewhere up the trail, just knowing he is there and cheering me on at the finish line will really help me endure the most challenging race I’ve ever attempted. And yes we will celebrate over brunch together sharing the experiences of the day.</p>Making peace with setbackstag:pikespeaksports.us,2011-06-14:5021591:BlogPost:1542622011-06-14T12:30:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8566584259181551"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494761?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494761?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="240"></img></a> <strong>By Jen Shotwell, PikesPeakSports.us Triple Crown Runners</strong></span></p>
<p><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8566584259181551">In yoga class, lying on my back on the mat, eyes closed, concentrating on breathing and letting go of the stresses of the day. My mind is resistant to settling down, I hear the…</span></p>
<p><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8566584259181551"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494761?profile=original"><img width="240" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494761?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="240"/></a><strong>By Jen Shotwell, PikesPeakSports.us Triple Crown Runners</strong></span></p>
<p><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8566584259181551">In yoga class, lying on my back on the mat, eyes closed, concentrating on breathing and letting go of the stresses of the day. My mind is resistant to settling down, I hear the teacher softly telling the class to “bring the puppy back to the paper” as a metaphor for focusing the mind in a gentle but you’re in charge kind of way. I smile to myself…this is the approach I need to get my running focus back in place.</span></p>
<p><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8566584259181551"></span>Lets just say that my training plan for May did not turn out like I planned. Kind of felt like the wheels come off as far as my running schedule goes. The many pitfalls included the normal obstacles that frequent all our lives: travel, studying, work, illness, weather and more studying. I did enjoy a few quality runs but not the quantity that I feel I really needed to prepare for the Garden of the Gods 10-Mile Run, the first Race in the Triple Crown.</p>
<p>So the plan was to simply get up, get dressed and tie up the new running shoes and head outside for a "be in the moment" run for pure the joy of it, letting go of expectations and regrets.</p>
<p>What a beautiful morning for the Garden of the Gods race. This was my first time running in this event and the Triple Crown series. I had a few pre-race jitters as I wove my way through the hoards of runners warming up and waiting in the pit stop line.</p>
<p>In a quest to pick up my Pikes Peak Sports singlet I must have passed by the PPS tent four times until I finally located my goal, it’s those pre-race nerves. At the starting line I was feeling pretty good, glad to have my husband there and well wishes from a few friends.</p>
<p>My strategy was to run a consistent pace, be aware of my running form and hydrate at the water stops. I hoped to finish in 1:45-1:50, a total guestimate since this was my first time on this course.</p>
<p>What a beautiful venue, blue skies, red rocks and the opportunity to enjoy the morning with a few thousand of your friends; all with many reasons for being there but all with the same goal. That is my view from the middle of the pack which was a spectacular view. See you at the Summer Roundup…or Jack Quinns….or on any trail..</p>The Skyrunner vs. the Wind Walker - Matt Carpenter meets a challenge 300 feet above Williams Canyontag:pikespeaksports.us,2011-04-12:5021591:BlogPost:1131052011-04-12T18:30:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656426744?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656426744?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="650"></img></a> <strong>Matt Carpenter makes his way across one of the narrow "elements" at the Wind Walker ropes course at Cave of the Winds. Below right, Brandi Lock, Cave of the Winds staff member, hangs out on the cantilever section of the Wind Walker. Below left, Kyla Carpenter, 8, Matt Carpenter's daughter, showed her dad how it's done.</strong> <br></br> <br></br> <strong>PHOTO…</strong></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656426744?profile=original"><img width="650" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656426744?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="650"/></a><strong>Matt Carpenter makes his way across one of the narrow "elements" at the Wind Walker ropes course at Cave of the Winds. Below right, Brandi Lock, Cave of the Winds staff member, hangs out on the cantilever section of the Wind Walker. Below left, Kyla Carpenter, 8, Matt Carpenter's daughter, showed her dad how it's done.</strong> <br/> <br/> <strong>PHOTO GALLERY:</strong> <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/hanging-out-with-matt" target="_blank">Hanging out with Matt Carpenter on the Wind Walker</a><br/> <br/> <strong>VIDEO:</strong> <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/video/cave-of-the-winds-supervisor" target="_blank">Cave of the Winds supervisor Don Weeks on the Wind Walker ropes course</a><br/> <strong>VIDEO:</strong> <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/video/how-pikespeaksportsus-site" target="_blank">How PikesPeakSports.us site manager Tim Bergsten's heartrate reached 170</a><br/> <strong>VIDEO:</strong> <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/video/matt-carpenter-crosses-a" target="_blank">Matt Carpenter negotiates a tricky "element" on the Wind Walker</a><br/> <br/>
<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2735759870?profile=original"><img width="280" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2735759870?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="280"/></a>Matt Carpenter - the "Skyrunner" who became famous for charging to the top of 14,000-foot mountains - met a challenge that shook him to the core on Monday at the Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs.<br/>It helped him to repeat some affirmations.<br/>"I can't fall, I can't fall, I can't fall," he said.<br/>Carpenter, who has 17 combined wins in the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon, was testing his nerve on a thrilling new ropes course - the Wind Walker - at Cave of the Winds.<br/>It was a classic battle - the Skyrunner vs. the Wind Walker.<br/>The Wind Walker may have gotten the upper hand, but Carpenter faced his fear and made some progress as he gingerly navigated some of the tougher "elements," 20-foot sections with tricky hand and foot holds.<br/>"I'm going to keep coming back until I get it," Carpenter said. "I'm hooked on this thing."<br/>The Wind Walker, which opened to the public last week, is a giant metal structure perched on the very edge of Williams Canyon. At its highest point, it stands about 40 feet above the Cave of the Winds parking lot.<br/>But the real thrills come when climbers take on the Wind Walker's cantilever section, which hangs over the canyon. The canyon floor lies about 300 feet below your shoes. The spring wind roars up the canyon wall, reminding adventurers of their precarious whereabouts.<br/>Carpenter freely admits he doesn't have the courage - yet - to go there. But he has a reason to make it happen. His 8-year-old daughter Kyla (below) has fearlessly scaled all parts of the Wind Walker. <br/><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806500332?profile=original"><img width="280" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806500332?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="280"/></a>"I couldn't believe it," Carpenter said. "I was scared to death. My daughter had more guts than me."<br/>It is impossible to fall from the Wind Walker. Customers gear-up in a climbing harness. A safety tether with a metal hooking device is then attached to metal railing that slides along the rail and leads to all of the elements. The hook can only be attached and removed at ground level.<br/>Cave of the Winds supervisor Don Weeks - who worked as a commercial tree trimmer for years - bounded around the ropes course with ease. Talk about a fun job. <br/>Weeks said the key is to go at your own pace.<br/>"You don't want to bend to peer pressure," he said. "But every time you go up there, you build momentum and you get a little farther."<br/>Weeks also said that the staff has an emergency "takedown plan" in case somebody freezes up.<br/>It costs $15 to climb on the Wind Walker, $10 if you also do a cave tour. Reservations are not needed. Weeks said that on slower days, climbers can spend as much time as they want on the Wind Walker. When the tourist season picks up, he said customers will be limited to about 20 minutes.<br/>For more information, call 719-685-5444. The <a href="http://www.caveofthewinds.com/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Cave of the Winds website</a> contains tons of information about the cave, though it is yet to be updated with Wind Walker info. Or, track down Carpenter on one of the area trails ... he can't stop talking about it.</p>
<p>"This thing is cool," he said. "I'm going to be up here all summer.</p>
<p> </p>Mike Mazzola and the crew at Mountain Equipment Recyclers working hard for the communitytag:pikespeaksports.us,2011-04-11:5021591:BlogPost:1123482011-04-11T16:42:35.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656401273?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656401273?profile=original" width="435"></img></a> Heal the Soul Dramatically (HTSD) Campaign combines three<br></br>things the community can get behind: food, music, and helping others.<br></br><br></br>Mountain Equipment Recyclers, Inc., is partnering with local restaurants to put on a<br></br>lunchtime concert series to benefit three Colorado Springs non-profits helping military<br></br>members. The HTSD Campaign hopes to change negative…
<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656401273?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656401273?profile=original" width="435"/></a>Heal the Soul Dramatically (HTSD) Campaign combines three<br/>things the community can get behind: food, music, and helping others.<br/><br/>Mountain Equipment Recyclers, Inc., is partnering with local restaurants to put on a<br/>lunchtime concert series to benefit three Colorado Springs non-profits helping military<br/>members. The HTSD Campaign hopes to change negative connotations of post-traumatic<br/>stress disorder (PTSD) and improve the lives of soldiers suffering from this and other<br/>health issues as they return from combat.<br/><br/>The first event in the HTSD Campaign is to be held on April 15 from 11:30 am to 1 pm at<br/>the Coffee Exchange, 526 S. Tejon. Cost is $15 and covers entry plus a selection of menu<br/>items. There will also be a raffle to win outdoor prizes. Proceeds will go to Aspen Pointe,<br/>The Home Front Cares, and LifeQuest Transitions.<br/><br/>“We’ve made it our mission to raise support and awareness for the physical and<br/>emotional trauma soldiers are dealing with as they return from overseas. Colorado<br/>Springs is a city very affected by our military influence, and our goal is to give back<br/>to this community through our partnerships with local non-profits. We have had great<br/>reception to our cause so far, and our hope is that the HTSD Campaign will further that<br/>success.”<br/><br/>Mountain Equipment Recyclers, Inc., is located at 1005 S. Tejon and is open<br/>10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. To learn more about the store, visit<br/><a href="http://www.merecyclers.com">www.merecyclers.com</a>. Contact Mike Mazzola at (719) 660-7958 to learn more about<br/>how to donate or consign used outdoor equipment.Gear Review: Eureka Apex 2XT ... win this tent!tag:pikespeaksports.us,2011-04-06:5021591:BlogPost:1088692011-04-06T19:20:19.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494148?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494148?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="340"></img></a> This comes from Robert Mitchell at the <a href="http://upadowna.com/" target="_blank">UpaDowna</a> website</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p><strong><em>MSRP: $129</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Weight: 6 lbs 5 oz</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Floor Size: 7′6″x 4′11″</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Eureka’s website says it…</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494148?profile=original"><img width="340" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494148?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="340"/></a>This comes from Robert Mitchell at the <a href="http://upadowna.com/" target="_blank">UpaDowna</a> website</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p><strong><em>MSRP: $129</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Weight: 6 lbs 5 oz</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Floor Size: 7′6″x 4′11″</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Eureka’s website says it best when describing their new <a href="http://store.eurekatent.com/products/347443/Apex_2XT_Tent">Apex 2XT</a>, “Versatile fiberglass 2 pole dome tents are ideal for those less demanding adventures.” Last Friday a few of us headed to <a href="http://www.tellerlinks.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=25">11 mile Canyon of Colorado</a> for a quick get away after work. When we arrived to our chosen campsite it was after dark. I was concerned in how technical the set up of this tent would be, since I’ve never used it before and I would now be setting it up with a head lamp.<span id="more-9662"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span id="more-9662"></span>This is a good spot for me to pause and recommend that you never assume that your gear is perfect just because it’s brand new. Before going out on an adventure open your new items inspect them and familiarize yourself with it’s set up and use. I didn’t do this, but I did bring a back up tent that I’m very familiar with.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Okay, back to the Apex 2XT. The set up was a synch! It is a basic 2 pole dome style layout, that also includes a color coordinated clip in system for the fly. Aside from the darkness the tent was up in a matter of minutes and the only worry now was gathering fire wood. I was very impressed with the overall space inside the tent, the interior height was amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever been in such a spacious 2 person tent before, and that’s important if you’re sharing a tent with me, and my pups. On the downside it did drop below freezing that night, and the tent wasn’t the warmest. All that extra head space came back to bite me in the ass. Another concern that you might notice from the picture above is the round cut out on the fly at the foot and head sides of the tent. You definitely feel the cold on your head and feet, and if you’re long enough to extend to both walls this could really be a downer for you. This is all goes back to using the right tool for the job as this tent is most definitely a mild 3 season set up. Would I use this tent again? Hell yes! Would I use it in below freezing temps, no. For more serious adventures Eureka has a <a href="http://store.eurekatent.com/category/347275/Backpacking_Tents">Backpacking</a> line, as well as an <a href="http://store.eurekatent.com/category/347409/Expedition_Tents">Expedition Series</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Features:</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li><em>4 interior corner pockets</em></li>
<li><em>Dome loft (attic storage)</em></li>
<li><em>Durable bathtub floor</em></li>
<li><em>Double entry</em></li>
<li><em>Fly provides two room vestibules for extra storage space</em></li>
</ul>
<p>Foot print not included.</p>
<p>If you’re doing some summer camping with a small family ( 2 adults, and a child), or maybe you have dogs, you will love and appreciate this tent’s space. Overall I like this tent and I’m looking forward to using it again in warmer conditions.</p>
<p><em><strong>Would you like to own a new Eureka Apex 2XT? The fine folks from Eureka have decided to give one of our lucky readers their very own brand new Apex 2XT. Comment back on this post<a href="http://upadowna.com/" target="_blank">by clicking here</a> tell us why you deserve this tent, and what kind of adventures you’ll take it on. This way we know it will be going to a good home. There will be only one winner, so get creative!</strong></em></p>Making Tracks: Picking up the pace with two training runs and a new running clubtag:pikespeaksports.us,2011-04-05:5021591:BlogPost:1082312011-04-05T00:00:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806496383?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806496383?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="330"></img></a> If you've been putting off your runs and need some motivation, this is a good week to get moving.</p>
<p>The Garden Training Runs, hosted by the Pikes Peak Road Runners, begin tomorrow (Tuesday, April 5) at 6 a.m. and will go each Tuesday and Thursday through June 9. The goal is to prepare for the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile Run on June 12.</p>
<p>On Thursday, the Incline Club…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806496383?profile=original"><img width="330" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806496383?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="330"/></a>If you've been putting off your runs and need some motivation, this is a good week to get moving.</p>
<p>The Garden Training Runs, hosted by the Pikes Peak Road Runners, begin tomorrow (Tuesday, April 5) at 6 a.m. and will go each Tuesday and Thursday through June 9. The goal is to prepare for the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile Run on June 12.</p>
<p>On Thursday, the Incline Club begins its Thursday night workouts, alternating its "1-on-1-off" workouts with tempo runs.</p>
<p>And there is a new running club in town. The UVC Running Club starts at 6 p.m. next Monday.</p>
<p>Here is the lowdown</p>
<p><strong>Garden Training Runs:</strong> If you enjoy the sunrise in the Garden of the Gods, you'll enjoy these runs. All are welcome to attend.</p>
<p>The group meets at the north parking lot in the Garden of the Gods at 6 a.m. Runners split up into smaller groups, based on pace per mile. There is a group for all levels, from elite level runners to the 15-minute-per mile folks. Don't worry if you have to walk. The Garden's hills get to everybody sooner or later.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656395636?profile=original"><img width="160" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656395636?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="160"/></a>There is also a trails group, if you have to get your single track fix. And dogs are welcome so long as you keep them on a leash and pick up after them.</p>
<p>The runs are fun and low-key with plenty of laughs to go around. Don't be late. The gang is punctual. The day begins with a couple of brief announcements and the run begins.</p>
<p>For more info, check out the <a href="http://www.pprrun.org/" target="_blank">Pikes Peak Road Runners website.</a></p>
<p><strong>Incline Club Thursday runs:</strong> The Incline Club is best known for its Sunday morning long runs on the trails west of Manitou Springs. But the Thursday evening workouts are also popular.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806497324?profile=original"><img width="180" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806497324?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="180"/></a>Meet at 5:45 p.m. at the corner of Ruxton and Hydro and get be ready for a short, but high intensity workout. This Thursday, the run will follow the "1 on, 1 off" plan, meaning you go hard for a minute then rest (but don't stop) for a minute for 30 minutes (or 15 intervals.) There will be tempo runs of 30 minutes mixed every other week.</p>
<p>Run up Ruxton to Barr Trail and keep going until the 30 minutes is complete. Turn around and enjoy a leisurely jog back to Hydro Street. Once there, the group does a series of hill repeats, sprinting for about 30 seconds, jogging or walking back and repeating the sprint.</p>
<p>The Incline Club encourages runners to park in Manitou Springs (avoid parking on Ruxton Ave.) and warming up with an easy jog to the starting point.</p>
<p>For more info, check out the <a href="http://www.inclineclub.com/home.htm" target="_blank">Incline Club website</a>.</p>
<p><strong>UVC Running Club:</strong> PikesPeakSports.us member <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/profile/JamieKratt" target="_blank">Jamie Kratt</a> is helping to organize a new running club that will go at 6 p.m. each Monday at University Village Colorado shopping center.This is from a post by Jamie:</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806497870?profile=original"><img width="170" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806497870?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="170"/></a>Looking for a regular weekly run? How about a run that you dictate how far and how fast you want to run...or walk? You decide!</p>
<p>UVC Running Club is a social running club that meets on Monday nights at 6 p.m. at University Village Colorado shopping center on N. Nevada Avenue (where Costco, Kohl's and Lowe's are). It has been organized to allow runners, joggers and walkers of all ability levels to gather in an exciting new atmosphere where you choose your intensity level and then choose where and how you want to socialize and have fun afterward.</p>
<p>From beer aficionados and multitasking moms to hardcore competitors or first time runners, UVC Running Club is for you!</p>
<p>Lace up your running/walking shoes and jump onto the Pikes Peak Greenway trail from University Village Colorado (UVC) shopping center. Head south for up to 6 miles out and back, or go north for up to 4 miles out and back. Mile markers are posted along the trail to give you the choice of how far you want to go. You create the run for you each and every week.</p>
<p>When you finish your run/walk, your only other decision is where you will enjoy food, beverage and spirits with new-found friends or your old buddies. UVC Running Club is fun, enjoyable and always full of camaraderie! Visit us at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.uvcrunningclub.com/">www.UVCrunningclub.com</a>!</p>Making Tracks: Registration for the Rock2Rock Adventure Race is Now Open!tag:pikespeaksports.us,2011-01-11:5021591:BlogPost:581152011-01-11T23:44:35.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494098?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494098?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"></img></a> Colorado Springs runners and riders, get ready for an all new kind of competition. Our new friends at Big Mountain Adventure Racing just posted this on their website.</p>
<h1><span class="font-size-3">Registration for the Rock2Rock Adventure Race is Now Open!</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Kick start your adrenaline reserves from the winter…</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494098?profile=original"><img width="300" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494098?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"/></a>Colorado Springs runners and riders, get ready for an all new kind of competition. Our new friends at Big Mountain Adventure Racing just posted this on their website.</p>
<h1><span class="font-size-3">Registration for the Rock2Rock Adventure Race is Now Open!</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Kick start your adrenaline reserves from the winter hibernation with the Rock2Rock adventure race in Colorado on April 23rd!</span> <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Mountain bike, trail run, and orienteer to ropes challenges including</span> rappelling, traversing, or zip lining and conquer special challenges along this adventure-filled 6-9 hour course. <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Grab your teammates or brave it solo; we have a number of categories to accommodate any size group.</span> Beginners through seasoned adventure racers can all enjoy! The race will go through some of the area’s nicest parks and trails from Monument to Colorado Springs. Winners of each division can look forward to a variety of exciting prizes, plus all racers will score a t-shirt and awesome swag… and of course some adrenaline induced memories! Share the excitement at our post race party with included food, beer, and a gear-filled prize raffle (thanks to our generous <a href="http://www.bigmountainar.com/sponsors.php" target="_blank">sponsors</a>!). Registration for Rock2Rock is open, cost is only $59/racer!</p>
<p>More Info: <a href="http://www.bigmountainar.com/Rock2RockAR2011.php" target="_blank">http://www.bigmountainar.com/Rock2RockAR2011.php</a></p>
Register Today: <a href="http://www.bigmountainar.com/register.php">http://www.bigmountainar.com/register.php</a>Tell us about your best ride or run and you'll be entered to win these Carmichael Training Systems Performance discstag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-12-06:5021591:BlogPost:518212010-12-06T17:30:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495887?profile=RESIZE_320x320" style="float: right;" width="200"></img> There is nothing like a great day on your bike, or a run on area trails to make you feel alive! Tell us about your best day of riding, running, hiking or racing and we'll enter your name in a drawing for the new Carmichael Training Systems Performance discs. Here's how you can win.<br></br><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Write a blog about your best cycling or running experience.</span> Tell us what happened, how did you feel, where did it all go down? Tell us what you'll always…
<img width="200" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495887?profile=RESIZE_320x320" alt="" style="float: right;"/>There is nothing like a great day on your bike, or a run on area trails to make you feel alive! Tell us about your best day of riding, running, hiking or racing and we'll enter your name in a drawing for the new Carmichael Training Systems Performance discs. Here's how you can win.<br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Write a blog about your best cycling or running experience.</span> Tell us what happened, how did you feel, where did it all go down? Tell us what you'll always remember about that day. Stories about racing, training, and recreational runs or rides will work great. Tell us about that running/riding experience that really made you feel 10 feet tall!<br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. We know you're not Ernest Hemingway, so don't sweat it.</span> A few paragraphs will work great! Include photos if possible ... they're worth 1,000 words you know....<br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. You have to register</span> with PikesPeakSports.us (it's free and easy) to post information. Just click "Sign Up" to get started.<br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Click</span> <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://pikespeaksports.ning.com/profiles/blog/list">"Blogs"</a> <span style="font-weight: bold;">to get started.</span> Then click <a href="http://pikespeaksports.ning.com/profiles/blog/new">"Add a Blog Post."<br/></a>These workouts designed by Chris Carmichael will challenge you, they'll make you sweat, but they'll make you fast and strong. They'll provide a great way to pass cold winter afternoons. And if you can't use them, somebody you know would love to find these under their Christmas tree.<br/>We can't wait to hear from you. Merry Christmas!<br/><br/>Making Tracks: A weekly roundup of running and riding in the Pikes Peak Regiontag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-10-04:5021591:BlogPost:373182010-10-04T22:30:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<br></br><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hey everyone! Welcome to "Making Tracks," my new blog about running and riding in Colorado Springs. I hope to include the names, faces and races that are important to all of us. I'll provide bits of news, photos, video and anything else I can round up. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">But I'll need your help.</span> As you know, the running and riding…</span></div>
</div>
<br/><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hey everyone! Welcome to "Making Tracks," my new blog about running and riding in Colorado Springs. I hope to include the names, faces and races that are important to all of us. I'll provide bits of news, photos, video and anything else I can round up. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">But I'll need your help.</span> As you know, the running and riding communities are huge and they're very active. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">If you have info you would like to share, please feel free to join pikespeaksports.us and post your info on this site. I'll share it on Facebook and in this blog. Or, you can e-mail it to me at</span> tim.bergsten@gmail.com. Any and all info will work.</span> Please feel free to comment below. The more discussion the better.<br/>Thanks!<br/>Tim<br/></div>
<br/><div style="text-align: left;"><img width="114" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494079?profile=RESIZE_180x180" alt="" style="float: left;"/><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Congrats to Colorado Running Company runner Ashlee Nelson</span> who clocked a 2:57:04 at the Twin Cities Marathon in Minnesota. It was Nelson's first marathon. She placed 213th out of 8,211 finishers, and was 29th woman to finish out of 3,394. Nelson is the 2010 women's overall winner in the Triple Crown of Running Series.<br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">Steve Bremner placed first in his age group (50-59) and 14th overall in the Blue Sky Marathon</span> at the Horsetooth Reservoir west of Fort Collins Colorado on Sunday. Full race results aren't available, yet.<br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">Boulder Running Company runner Kevin Morgan (left) captured the 10K title</span> at the Rim to Rim run on Saturday at the Royal Gorge. Morgan clocked 37:32. In the women's 10K, Colorado Springs runner Letitia Dusich won with a time of 44:24.3.<br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brooks Williams finished third overall in the Bear Chase 50-miler in Lakewood</span>. Williams clocked a personal-best time of 7:16.<br/></span><img width="160" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494379?profile=RESIZE_180x180" alt="" style="float: right;"/><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Boulder Marathon:</span> Hannah Green (right), 19, of Colorado Springs (she currently lives in Boulder) won the Boulder Marathon in 3:09:51. Colorado Springs runner Stacey Chaston, 40, finished second in the marathon with a time of 3:15:57.3. Jusin Chaston, 41, of Colorado Springs, won the Boulder 10K in 33:46.1.<br style="font-weight: normal;"/></span></div>
<font size="4"><br/>Great Pumpkin Run 5K and 10K<br/></font></div>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img width="460" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2735363425?profile=RESIZE_480x480" alt=""/></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/great-pumpkin-run-and-little">Click here for photo gallery</a> <br/><b><a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/video/great-pumpkin-run-and-little">Video of Race Start</a><br/><a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/video/great-pumpkin-kids-fun-run">Video kid's fun run</a></b> <br/>
The Pumpkins were safe, but several records in the 5K and 10K Great Pumpkin Runs were smashed to pieces Saturday at Venetucci Farm. Three of the overall course marks fell.<br/>
In the 10K, Pat McGuire of Colorado Springs charged to the finish line in 33:53, breaking the old record of 35:12 set by Gerald Romero in 2009.<br/>
In the women's 10K, Elizabeth Watkins set a new standard of 38:12, beating Stephanie Wurtz' record of 40:21.<br/>
In the 5K races, Cody Hill, co-owner and manager of the Boulder Running Company, won with a record time of 17:42, two seconds faster than the previous best set by Adolfo Carrillo last year.<br/>
And 5k women's winner Nancy Hobbs clocked a 50-59 age-group record of 22:47, crushing the old standard of 26:21 set last year by Eileen Wilfong.<br/>
The race was the final in the Grand Prix of Running Series. There were 497 finishers.<br/>
Proceeds went to Venetucci Farm's education programs.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><font size="4">Fall Series Race No. 1<br/></font></div>
<br/><p style="text-align: center;"><img width="460" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2735358346?profile=RESIZE_480x480" alt=""/></p>
<br/><br/><a href="../topics/fall-series-race-no-1-mens">Fall Series No. 1 Men's Results</a><br/><a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/group/roadtrailrunning/forum/topics/fall-series-race-no-1-womens">Fall Series No. 1 Women's Results</a><br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">VIDEO:</span> <a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/video/rochelle-persson-wins-fall">Rochelle Person wins women's race</a><br/><a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/fall-series-race-no-1">Fall Series Various Photos Gallery <br/></a>Plus...<a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/fall-series-i-photo-gallery-1">Photo Gallery 1</a>, and <a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/fall-series-i-photo-gallery-2">Gallery 2</a> , and <a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/fall-series-i-photo-gallery-3">Gallery 3</a>, <a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/fall-series-i-photo-gallery-4">Gallery 4</a> and <a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/fall-series-i-photo-gallery-5">Gallery 5</a><br/><br/>He's back ... but only for one race. Justin Ricks, the 2009 Fall Series champion, picked up where he left off with a victory on Sunday in the 2010 Fall Series opener at Monument Valley Park.<br/>
Ricks, 30, of Pueblo West, broke free from the pack in the first mile then held off a challenge by Logan Wealing as the runners slogged upstream through Monument Creek for about 3/4-mile.<br/>
Ricks, a former cross country runner at Wasson and at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, finished in 20:48, a time that becomes more impressive when considering the difficult course, and that he ran 14 miles before the race.<br/>
"I just jumped in here for fun," Ricks said.<br/>
He is training for the California International Marathon in December.<br/>
Wealing (29, Colorado Springs) eventually placed second, about 11 seconds behind Ricks. Peter Maksimow (31, Manitou Springs) was third in 21:41.<br/>
Rochelle Persson, 42, of Colorado Springs, won the women's race in 27:04. Lisa Czelatdko (40, Colorado Springs) was second in 28:28, followed by Nicole Rosa (50, Colorado Springs) and Molly McDaniel (27, Colorado Springs).<br/><br/><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Coming up:</span></font> There is a fun new cycling event on the schedule for Thursday. The first <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bike In Movie Night</span> at Front Range Barbeque is slated for Thursday, Oct. 7, at Front Range BBQ, 2330 W. Colorado Ave.
<p>The schedule works like this.</p>
Meet at 5:30 p.m. at Front Range for an easy group ride, then crank it back at about 6:30 for a cold one and a bite to eat. The movie - it's<br/>
free - starts at 7 p.m.<br/>
First up is "The Bicyclists" a story about a boy, a girl and their bikes. It's a romantic sort of thing. <a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/group/roadcycling/forum/topics/first-bike-in-movie-night-set?xg_source=activity">Read more here...</a><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cyclists who still feel the need to speed</span> can join a loose-knit crew at Carmichael Training Systems at 5:30 on Wednesday. They've planned a cyclocross race in Bear Creek Park. Jayson Middlemiss is organizing. <a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/events/cyclocross-at-cts">Read more.</a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: bold;">On Saturday, runners a couple of choices.</span> The Xterra Marathon, half marathon and 5K will go at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. <a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/events/xterra-marathon-of-trail-races-1">Read it here.</a> And the Colorado College Athletics Tiger Classic 5K is set for Monument Valley Park and Colorado College. <a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/events/colorado-college-athletics">More here.</a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sell out: The Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon is booked.</span> All 15,000 spots have been taken ... but race organizers say it's still possible to get in the race by registering through Team In Training or Determination. Check out this link ... <a href="http://denver.competitor.com/charity">http://denver.competitor.com/charity</a>.<br/></p>Tunnel repairs close Gold Camp Road to through traffictag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-10-01:5021591:BlogPost:354982010-10-01T15:00:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
One of the best routes for Aspen viewing, Gold Camp Road, is closed to through traffic. Workers are making mandatory safety improvements and historical improvements to one of Gold Camp's famous tunnels. The road was closed on Monday, Sept. 27, and will open in about six weeks.<br></br>Drivers and cyclists can still use Gold Camp, but those traveling westbound from Colorado Springs will have to turn around at FSR 376 (Seven Lakes Road). Eastbound traffic from the Cripple Creek/Victor area will be…
One of the best routes for Aspen viewing, Gold Camp Road, is closed to through traffic. Workers are making mandatory safety improvements and historical improvements to one of Gold Camp's famous tunnels. The road was closed on Monday, Sept. 27, and will open in about six weeks.<br/>Drivers and cyclists can still use Gold Camp, but those traveling westbound from Colorado Springs will have to turn around at FSR 376 (Seven Lakes Road). Eastbound traffic from the Cripple Creek/Victor area will be turned around at mile marker 6.7 (Cathedral Park). <br/><br/>Guess the winner of Leadville Trail 100, win a PikesPeakSports.us T-Shirttag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-08-10:5021591:BlogPost:238322010-08-10T18:30:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656398209?profile=RESIZE_320x320" style="float: right;" width="300"></img> <span style="font-weight: bold;">PikesPeakSports.us member Dean Blanchard, the only person to predict Levi Leipheimer as winner of the Leadville Traill 100, has won the PikesPeakSports.us shirt. Congrats Dean! Way to go, Levi!</span><br></br> OK, Lance Armstrong has announced he won't race in the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race on Saturday.<br></br>Bummer!<br></br><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">But now we have a race.</span> Who will win? Dave Wiens? Levi Leipheimer?…
<img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656398209?profile=RESIZE_320x320" alt="" style="float: right;"/><span style="font-weight: bold;">PikesPeakSports.us member Dean Blanchard, the only person to predict Levi Leipheimer as winner of the Leadville Traill 100, has won the PikesPeakSports.us shirt. Congrats Dean! Way to go, Levi!</span><br/> OK, Lance Armstrong has announced he won't race in the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race on Saturday.<br/>Bummer!<br/><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">But now we have a race.</span> Who will win? Dave Wiens? Levi Leipheimer? Perhaps it will be Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski or Matt Shriver? Or will it be the darkhorse, UltraRob? (Go Rob, Go!)<br/>Here's an idea. Why don't you tell us who you think will win the overall title? Give us a winning time, too. The person who guesses the winner and comes closest to the time will win a PikesPeakSports.us T-shirt.<br/>How to enter? It's easy.<br/>1. You have to be a registered member of PikesPeakSports.us. To regsiter, click "Sign Up" on the PikesPeakSports.us Main page. It's easy.<br/>2. Just leave a comment bellow with your prediction...overall winner and winning time ... along with any other silly commentary or wise cracks you can come up with.<br/>Have fun!<br/>A hint to help you out: Lance won last year in 6 hours, 28 minutes, 50 seconds. And that included a flat with a few miles to go.<br/>Last year's results on <a href="http://www.ultrarob.com/leadville_100_mtb/2009/leadville-100-results-2009.php">UltraRob's Blog here.</a><br/>Rained-out Freedom from Poverty event became an intimate community celebrationtag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-07-09:5021591:BlogPost:171282010-07-09T16:00:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2684548659?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="460"></img></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br></br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Above: Singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins played for about 100 volunteers after a rain-out of the Freedom From Poverty Community Celebration.…<br></br></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img width="460" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2684548659?profile=RESIZE_480x480" alt=""/></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br/></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Above: Singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins played for about 100 volunteers after a rain-out of the Freedom From Poverty Community Celebration.<br/></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br/></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/freedom-from-poverty-community">See photo gallery here.</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br/></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">They’d ridden 2,000 miles, crossed the Rocky Mountains, rolled through Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. The Cycling for Change team had climbed some of the toughest<br/>
mountain passes in the U.S. spreading its message along the way: Poverty in the<br/>
U.S. is out of control and it is time to do something about it.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">The team hit northwest Colorado earlier this week. On Thursday it pedaled toward Colorado Springs and was stopped cold by a torrential downpour.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">The rain caused the cancelation of the Freedom from Poverty Community event where the riders were to be welcomed by the citizens of Colorado Springs. But it didn’t stop the<br/>
celebration. The celebration rocked.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">The nonprofit Kids on Bikes kicked it all off at 1 p.m. and delivered several new bikes to under-privileged kids in the community.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">And the sky opened up and the rain came down.<br/></p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Rochelle Blaschke Schlortt, director of communications for Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs, which hosted the event, could only smile as the rain dripped<br/>
from her hair.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">“We did the best we could,” she said. “We put together a great event, but you can’t do anything about the rain.”</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">And then a little magic began to happen.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">As people scrambled to break down their tents, plans were being made to continue a small impromptu party at the the Marian House. Recording artists Shawn Mullins, who<br/>
was to have played at America the Beautiful Park, agreed to do a set for about<br/>
100 event volunteers and the Cycling for Change team.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Allen Beauchamp, local cycling advocate who had worked tirelessly for months to make the event happen, smiled and remained upbeat as volunteers arrived for pizza,<br/>
beer and music.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">“It’s working out exactly the way it’s supposed to,” Beauchamp said. “I think we’ve had a great event.”</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Mullins arrived and mingled with the crowd. Wearing jeans and a T-shirt, he talked with everyone and then sat down to play his music.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">He finished with his 1998 hit “Lullaby,” as the crowd helped out on the chorus.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">“Everything’s gonna be alright, rockabye.”</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Mullins said he was happy to play in a Colorado Springs soup kitchen.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">“I was psyched to be a part of it,” he said. “I know a lot of people worked hard to make it happen outside at the park, but I’m kind of glad it worked out like<br/>
this. I used to do this a lot. I played at a soup kitchen in Atlanta called the<br/>
Open Door Community. I get a lot out of it. It’s like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger,<br/>
even Dylan, would play in places like this. I just consider it as passing it<br/>
along.”</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Jason Christensen, CEO of Catholic Charities in Colorado Springs, is riding with the Cycling for Change team.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">“We’ve asked people along the way to get involved, whether it’s through Catholic Charities or the local food pantry, to help end the economic injustices in this society.”</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">He said his body feels good after 2,000 miles – with 3,000 to go. He was happy to be home with his friends and family, but his voice rang with excitement about the trip<br/>
and the people he has met.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">“I met a guy in Seattle, he had lived for 15 years on the street,” Christensen said. “But he talked about buying a bistro, and he had the wherewithal to do it,” Christensen<br/>
said. “There are so many like him who, when given a chance, can find success.”</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">He said people along the route are hearing the message about poverty. They are taking action.</p>
<br/>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">“There are so many quiet heroes out there doing the work,” he said.</p>Climber dies in fall on Little Beartag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-06-16:5021591:BlogPost:112522010-06-16T15:00:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
The following is the real-time reports from Travis, who was climbing with the hiker who fell and died while climbing on Little Bear. More links below. <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-25307-Colorado-Springs-Hiking-Examiner%7Ey2010m6d15-Breaking-News-Climber-falls-on-Little-Bear-Peak"><br></br></a>*<br></br>"Today me and Kevin8020 were hiking the hourglass just shy of the summit
of Little Bear Peak. The hourglass was completely iced over and was unpassible, we decided to take a ledge on the…
The following is the real-time reports from Travis, who was climbing with the hiker who fell and died while climbing on Little Bear. More links below. <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-25307-Colorado-Springs-Hiking-Examiner%7Ey2010m6d15-Breaking-News-Climber-falls-on-Little-Bear-Peak"><br/></a>*<br/>"Today me and Kevin8020 were hiking the hourglass just shy of the summit
of Little Bear Peak. The hourglass was completely iced over and was unpassible, we decided to take a ledge on the left side of the hourglass and decided to wait and see if the sun would help melt anything out. 30 seconds after this decision was made, Kevin's hand/foothold (i could not see all of him) broke lose and he fell several hundred yards down the mountain..<br/>When i got to him he was breathing heavily and
both him arms looked broken, both of our spot trackers malfunctioned at a terrible time. I waited 30 minutes by chance that the distress signal did go out, tried to comfort Kevin, and after no response from either Kevin or SaR. I made the hardest decision of my life and had to hike out, leaving my partner behind. <br/>I hiked from just below the
summit to the car parked on lake como road not far in at all, 1.4 miles. In just under 3 hours. Then did everything in my power to get to Alamosa and get contact with Sar, within thirty minutes they were contacting me and i provided everything i could. It's now been over 6 hours since i left him and there is one chopper team and one foot team on the way to Kevin. <br/>PLEASE, keep Kevin in your thoughts and
prayers."<br/><br/>Travis then posted this on 14ers.com...<br/>"It is with a heavy heart that i must confirm that Kevin has passed
away.. He died doing what he loved.<br/>He was a great man with an
incredible faith and i have no doubt he will enjoy celebrating with his<br/>
savior on the amazing peaks in Heaven.<br/>Eerily Kevin and I
ironically both promised each other 2 things should one of us die whilst<br/>
climbing. Buddy, i promise you i will do everything possible to fulfill<br/>
this. You are loved and will never be forgotten."<br/>*<br/>This comes from <a href="http://www.14ers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25206">14ers.com.</a>
Here is a link to story from the <a href="http://www.vaildaily.com/ARTICLE/20100616/NEWS/100619721/-1/RSS">Associated<br/>
Press</a>, which reports that the Chinook helicopter used in rescue<br/>
efforts was grounded when its rear tail rotor struck the ground.<br/>
Here is a report from Matt Payne of Colorado Springs, posted on <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-25307-Colorado-Springs-Hiking-Examiner%7Ey2010m6d15-Breaking-News-Climber-falls-on-Little-Bear-Peak">Examiner.com.</a><br/>Cycling for Change: Jason Christensen's stories from the roadtag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-06-02:5021591:BlogPost:76362010-06-02T00:30:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p>From time to time, PikesPeakSports will feature blog posts by Jason Christensen, CEO of Catholic Charities in Colorado Springs. Christensen is riding across the country this summer to help raise awareness about poverty in the U.S.<br></br> Read Christensen's <a href="http://cyclingforchange.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/day-3-memorial-day/">full blog</a> here.<br></br></p>
<p></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;">*<br></br></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;">Day 33</p>
<p><strong>Simple…</strong></p>
<p>From time to time, PikesPeakSports will feature blog posts by Jason Christensen, CEO of Catholic Charities in Colorado Springs. Christensen is riding across the country this summer to help raise awareness about poverty in the U.S.<br/> Read Christensen's <a href="http://cyclingforchange.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/day-3-memorial-day/">full blog</a> here.<br/></p>
<p></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;">*<br/></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;">Day 33</p>
<p><strong>Simple Prayers</strong></p>
<p>“God grant me the gift of wonder” is a personal favorite. It leaves you open to possibility and
appreciative of all circumstance.</p>
<p>While in places like the Tetons, Red Rocks, and some of the other majestic scenery of northwest Wyoming
where we ventured, the “Gift of Wonder” was granted in the form of our<br />
surroundings.</p>
<p>Central & Southern Wyoming is quite a bit different. In places like Jeffrey City with a population of about 50,
the main industry is uranium mining. It’s wide open….Dry….Desolate. It<br />
takes a strong constitution and a comfort in being practically alone in<br />
order to survive out here. “Wonder” takes on a whole new meaning.</p>
<p>There’s a reason why this particular area of the country is described as
“windswept.” Never have I experienced such powerful gusts.<br />
Unfortunately for all of the riders, the winds that we experienced<br />
during this stretch were headwinds and not tailwinds.</p>
<p>The wind is a mysterious element: It can give one the sensation of victory, but it
can also be vexing.</p>
<p>And isn’t life like that? Makes you wonder….</p>
<p>There are those who are fortunate enough to go through life as if the wind is
to their back. No struggles. Sadly, no challenges as well.</p>
<p>There are others who struggle day in and day out just to get by….Their lives
are a perpetual climb uphill and into a full force gale.</p>
<p>Here’s the rub: We cannot always control our circumstances much like we cannot
control the wind. If there’s one thing I wish I could accomplish in<br />
this ride it’s for people to understand that poverty is not always a<br />
“choice.”</p>
<p>Sure, it’s always good to have people live their lives with such confidence that they don’t always feel they’re a “victim of
circumstance.” At the same time, what do we say to the person whose<br />
child suffered a catastrophic illness and they have absolutely no<br />
coverage for their medical expenses? Do we tell them to just toughen<br />
up?</p>
<p>Try this one out: What about the young African-American man who is about to “age out” of foster care? His mother is deceased from
an overdose and his father is in prison. Will he have the same<br />
advantages in pursuing college and/or a job as I did? I mean, I’m white<br />
afterall and my parents had the means to put me through school. It’s<br />
intellectually dishonest to suggest that kid would have it better off<br />
than me.</p>
<p>Sometimes the wind is in your face….Sometimes it’s at your back.</p>
<p>As riders, we can “draft” behind another rider. By drafting — riding within a wheel’s length of the person in front of you —
a cyclist can preserve 25-33% of his/her power.</p>
<p>I think of places like Valor House in Missoula, MT that, provides transitional housing
for homeless veterans. A percentage of the veteran’s income is applied<br />
to rent and another percentage is required to be put away for savings.<br />
In a way, Valor House is a lead cyclist allowing its guests to “draft.”</p>
<p>Some might scoff and say that’s “freeloading.” Is it? Or is it just smart?</p>
<p>When it comes to poverty, often a person just needs to be pulled out of the
vortex they’re in so that they can stand on their own. It might be in<br />
the form of transitional housing, treatment for addiction, or even a<br />
job. Leaving someone on their own can be much like asking them to<br />
reach their destination by a certain time with substandard equipment and<br />
the wind to their face. It’s not always going to work. And sometimes<br />
you’re going to need help.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">My prayer for all is that the wind be to your back…most of the time. May
God also give us the occasional headwind to keep us strong and<br />
empathetic to those who do struggle in their daily lives.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">May He also continue to grant us the gift of wonder.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">From the road,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Jason</span></p>
<p>*</p>
<div class="snap_preview"><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 27: Making the Grade</span><br/></p>
<p>An average of 3%. Doesn’t seem like much. Especially if you’re talking chances of rain.</p>
<p>When it’s describing the grade of a road, that’s another matter.</p>
<p>Today’s effort was a 71 mile stretch from Ennis, MT to West Yellowstone, MT. Our challenge came in the form of a consistent 3% grade pushing into a head wind over the first 42 miles of the trip. A<br/>
steady uphill climb…into wind which culminated into an 8% climb over<br/>
Reynolds Pass on our way to lunch at Earthquake Lake made for some tired<br/>
and hungry riders.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">As we made that last ascent into our break, KTVM news out of Bozeman was capturing footage of the riders on the climb. Leading the pack and with the camera pointed on me I kept<br/>
telling myself, “Don’t look tired….Can’t let ‘em see you struggle!”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">But isn’t that one of our problems in our present-day culture? Sometimes we’re just too proud to let others see or know that we are facing difficulties.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">In our hyper-competitive, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses society even middle-class families are finding themselves on the brink. Poverty isn’t just for low-income<br/>
people. Loss of job, catastrophic health issues, burdensome debt can<br/>
all lead to a quick fall into poverty. And if not physical/economic<br/>
poverty, it can certainly lead to — or be a result of — spiritual<br/>
poverty.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">During my interview with the television reporter I was asked what we had hoped to accomplish with this ride. Of course we want to create public awareness about poverty<br/>
and to assist local Catholic Charities’ programs in raising monies for<br/>
their operations. But we also want to change hearts and minds when it<br/>
comes to understanding and acting on poverty. That includes dealing<br/>
with our pride and open ourselves up to asking for help. It also means<br/>
being open to reaching out and helping those in need.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">At the end of the day, we are all interdependent. As much as we promote “independence” and “rugged individualism” as an American ideal, we really need each other.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">If we’re to tackle poverty in America, we’ve got to be willing to help our brother and our sister. We’ve got to take the shame out of poverty and the shame in asking for<br/>
help.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Whether we struggle or look tired doesn’t matter. It’s all about making it up the hill.</span></p>
<p><strong><br/></strong></p>
<p><strong><br/></strong></p>
<p><strong>Day 23</strong></p>
<p><strong>An Open Letter to My Daughters</strong></p>
<p>To my Dearest Amelia & Anna:</p>
<p>Some days are easier than others. But everyday is a day that I miss you dearly.</p>
<p>Twenty-seven days ago — the day that you dropped me off at the airport — was one of the hardest days of my life. The tears that flowed down my cheeks caused great concern to the flight attendants as the<br/> plane lifted off for Seattle. I was missing you then and there’s an<br/>
ache in my heart that won’t go away until I get to see you again.</p>
<p>This cross-country journey has been exciting, exhausting, saddening, and uplifting. I am very blessed to see such beautiful areas of our great nation — places which I plan to take you to see.</p>
<p>I’ve also been blessed to meet some wonderful people. I’ve also seen some hurting people. I’ve met people who have very little; I’ve met people who have a lot. I’ve had it confirmed to me that “things” don’t<br/> always bring you happiness. I’ve also had it confirmed to me that a big<br/>
and grateful heart gets you a lot farther in life.</p>
<p>I’ve seen injustice. Veterans — soldiers who fought for our nation — are sleeping under bridges because they’ve either been hurt or they cant find work or have a home. Kids — boys and girls that are your ages<br/> — don’t get enough food to eat, have adequate clothing, or have the<br/>
supplies they need to go to school.</p>
<p>I’ve also seen kindness. There are many people who are so generous doing so many good things to help others. Unfortunately, we don’t always hear about them because it isn’t always “newsworthy.”</p>
<p>We live in a country with great resources and great opportunity. Sometimes our priorities are a little mixed up. But know this: Our country is the best place in the world to live and grow. But I hope it<br/> will be a better place for you and for others. Right now many of our<br/>
fellow Americans are hurting. We need to change that.</p>
<p>I want you to become the kind of women that will work to make the lives of others better. You have all the abilities. You’re smart and you’re caring. You also have parents that love you with all their<br/> hearts. You need to take those things and run with it. Go make the<br/>
world a better place!</p>
<div id="attachment_268" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px;"><a href="http://cyclingforchange.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/jdcwithgirls.jpg"><br/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Every day is a "Happy" Father's Day thanks to my girls.</p>
</div>
<p>You will have many choices in life. You will have rules to live by. That’s what life brings you. But there’s one important rule you need to know. It’s the “Greatest Commandment” that is given to all of us:<br/> ”Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul…and love your neighbor as<br/>
yourself.”</p>
<p>Love one another. It’s that simple.</p>
<p>Know that I love you. Know that I am so proud of you.</p>
<p>Know that Father’s Day and every day of the year is always a “Happy” Father’s Day for me because I have been blessed to be your Dad.</p>
<p>With all my love,</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Daddy</span></p>
</div>
<p>*<br/></p>
<p>Day 14-15 - In the Valley With St. Vincent de Paul<br/></p>
<p></p>
<div class="snap_preview"><p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<div id="attachment_209" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px;"><strong><a href="http://cyclingforchange.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/dsc00356.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-209" title="DSC00356" src="http://cyclingforchange.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/dsc00356.jpg?w=300&h=225" alt="" width="300" height="225"/></a></strong><p class="wp-caption-text"><strong>C4C riders helping out at the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Clarkston.</strong></p>
</div>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Hospitality & Helping Out</strong></p>
<p>After Mass at Holy Rosary parish in Pomeroy, WA we were feted with a BBQ at the home of some very generous parishioners.</p>
<p>Our hosts were a bit taken back by the appetites of calorie-consuming cyclists. As my grandmother would say: “We eat like birds….Vultures!”</p>
<p>The next day we would ride into Clarkston, WA and Lewiston, ID where we would stay on the Idaho side at Lewis & Clark State College. (Those Lewis & Clark guys are a big deal in this region!)</p>
<p>The following morning we were provided a great breakfast by parishioners at St. Stanislaus parish. As you may be observing, Catholic Hospitality has been superb.</p>
<p>We would then venture over the river back into Clarkston where “The Team” would help out with the local St. Vincent de Paul Society. SVDP Society provide food, clothing, and emergency assistance to anyone in<br/> need. The local chapter is run by a go-getter of a woman by the name of<br/> Ellen Dekan.</p>
<p>Ellen and a small group of core-volunteers make SVDP Society of Clarkston run. They serve the entire “Valley” which runs on both sides of the Snake River on the Washington & Idaho sides. The number of<br/> consumers has been sharply on the rise. Another startling fact is the<br/> growing number of homeless in the area. Many are sheltering under the<br/>
bridge. The more fortunate have been able to get temporary shelter in<br/>
local motels.</p>
<p>SVDP Society operates two warehouses. In one they have a large shop where customer can “purchase” household items and some of the finer donated clothes. All are available at incredibly discounted prices that<br/> makes it affordable for people on very limited incomes. Revenue<br/> generated in the shop goes for emergency assistance items such a rent,<br/>
utilities, prescription drugs, etc.</p>
<p>The other warehouse has all of the “exchange” items. Bring a can of non-perishable food to help stock the pantry and you can take as much clothing that you need. On this day C4C riders helped sort through a<br/> pile of donated clothes that was about 4 feet high by 12 feet wide.<br/> Because SVDP Society counts entirely on a small group of volunteers,<br/>
the sorting cannot keep up with the generosity of clothing items.</p>
<p>Riding an average of 67 miles a day can be a bit tiring and we appreciate as much down time as we can get. Yet, there was no grumbling about working on an off day because the actual riding is not what<br/> Cycling For Change is about. Helping out Ellen IS what C4C is about.</p>
<p>No task is too small or insignificant. Thus, I would encourage readers to consider giving an hour — or two — a week to an organization that works with our poor. Every bit counts.</p>
<p><strong>Rider’s Ramblings</strong></p>
<p>What a fantastic descent we had going into Clarkston. Hitting the curves on the downhill at 40 mph — speeds of the more daring riders — requires total concentration. The angels have been watching over us as<br/> no gravel or potholes have gotten in the way or caused any accidents.</p>
<p>The prayers of support and safety are appreciated and felt. Please keep ‘em coming!</p>
<p>From the road,</p>
<p>Jason</p>
</div>
<p><strong>*<br/></strong></p>
<p><strong>Day 11<br/></strong></p>
<p><strong>500 Miles….Now Pass Me The Chamois Butter.</strong></p>
<p><img width="220" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494765?profile=RESIZE_320x320" alt="" style="float: right;"/>Perhaps it’s a guy thing. We’re all about “accomplishing” a trip. We want to make so many miles in so much time, etc.</p>
<p>When you’re looking at a 5,000+ mile journey, things obviously don’t come as quickly on a bike as they do in a car. Thus, we take things one<br/> day — sometimes one mile — at a time. On this day, just outside of <br/> Hood River, OR we hit an important one: 500 miles. It occurred on this<br/> 11th day which is pretty darn good considering we had almost two whole <br/> days of non-cycling. We now have 10% of the trip completed.</p>
<p>Those are merely miles on a bike. Consider this: What if we had moved 10% of those Americans living in poverty out from the margins of <br/> our economy and back on their feet? 4 million Americans back at <br/> work….Living, not just surviving. Four million.</p>
<p>Now that would be an accomplishment.</p>
<p><strong><br/></strong></p>
<p><strong>Day 9<br/></strong></p>
<p><strong>With a Little Help From My Friends</strong></p>
<p>For 3 hours we only advanced 20 miles. That’s not a very good pace. A cold, steady downpour did not help as we snaked through side-streets,<br/> back-streets, trails and about everything in between leaving the city <br/> of Portland.</p>
<br/>
<p>We were cold. We were wet. Admittedly, we were discouraged. For the first time since the trip began, I wanted to throw my bike on the rack <br/> and ride in one of the vans. But I stuck it out and I’m glad I did for <br/> it gave me pause to think about situations that people find themselves <br/> in, how they react, and how others around them react.</p>
<p>In this particular case, I had a water-resistant jacket. (Note: There’s a difference between “water-resistant” and “water-proof’.”) My water-proof pants and shoe covers were working great; however, the cold rain was seeping into my jersey and soaking up in my shorts. Quickly I became cold and miserable.</p>
<p>Now some would say, “It’s you’re own fault, Jason. You should have been better prepared.” This is true. If I’d had the proper equipment I wouldn’t have found myself in that situation. But I didn’t.</p>
<p>Fortunately we were able to rendezvous with the SAG wagons under a gas station awning after about 90 minutes of the cold and rain. C4C rider Lissa, whose husband Tom (another C4C rider) was back in Kansas, offered me the use of Tom’s rain gear and a dry jersey. <span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">What a savior! I was able to get myself together and continue and ultimately finish the ride for the day.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">It’s a rather poor metaphor because one bad weather day is nothing to scraping and surviving while in poverty,but here’s my point: We all need a helping hand. ALL OF US.</span></p>
<br/>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">It’s frustrating to hear uninformed, prejudicial comments about the poor. Yes, sometimes people <br/> make poor choices. Maybe that’s because they don’t know any better. Does that mean we say “tough luck?”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">I’m grateful that one of my C4C teammates stepped up to help me. If they’d all said, “too bad for you, Jason. Figure it out on your own” I would’ve been a bit upset.</span> And sometimes people don’t have a choice in their circumstances. The 18 year old aging out of a foster care system has nowhere to go because his/her mother died of an overdose and his/her father is in prison.</p>
<p>Saying, “<em>Pick yourself up by the bootstraps</em>” is not going to be helpful to that child. The “rugged individualism” that characterizes much of our American mindset is admirable and all that….So long as we’renot forgetting those on the margins of our society.</p>
<p>So when we see the person sleeping on a park bench or the beggar outside the coffee shop, think before rushing to judgment. And if you’re daring enough, find out their situation. It may be something simple. It could very well be complicated. But who knows, you could be that warm dry clothing that could get that person down the road.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, it’s about relationships. It’s what gets us by in life. Don’t be afraid to have a relationship with the poor and the marginalized.</p>
<p>*<br/></p>
<p>June 3: Due to bad weather and a tight schedule the entire team SAG’d from Seattle to Tacoma for our visit and lunch to CCS’s Hospitality Center. The tour was incredible and the hospitality has been first class. <br/> Nonetheless, we were scheduled to ride from Tacoma to Lacey, WA. It was a great feeling to be back on the bike after having it in the shop overnight. We took rain for most of the 45+ mile ride, but the weather was warm enough and spirits high enough to sustain us.<br/> St. Martin University, a Catholic institution located in Lacey, WA is serving as our host tonight. Tomorrow we’ll ride the “STP” (Seattle to Portland) trail for about 75 miles before finishing up in Castle Rock , WA. Until then, I’ll see you<br/> From the road,<br/> Jason<br/> *<br/> June 1: A lesson in patience. About 15 miles into my ride my gear shift broke leaving me with usage of my higher gears only. I managed to make<br/>
it for another 10 miles; however, I was encouraged to SAG (Support<br/>
& Gear) — which means to jump in the van and ride — for a tough<br/>
stretch of hills. It was frustrating because I wasn’t injured; it was a<br/>
mechanical failure. I was able to bike the last 8 miles of today’s<br/>
route and it felt really good to get back on the bike after being in the<br/>
van for 30 miles. Could this cycling thing become addictive?</p>
<p>Fortunately we were able to get my bike into Greg’s Bike Shop in Seattle and I’ll be ready to go tomorrow log afternoon. If you’re ever in the Emerald City, this is the place to go for service. Outstanding shop<br/> and employees.</p>
<p>Tomorrow’s ride is a short ride to the Aloha Inn which is a transitional housing facility for the homeless that is operated by Catholic Community Services. We’ll meet with area legislators to<br/> discuss poverty issues. Will look forward to reporting about tomorrow’s<br/> activities.</p>
<p>From the road,</p>
<p>Jason</p>
<p>*</p>
<p></p>The British Invasion all over againtag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-05-01:5021591:BlogPost:36772010-05-01T03:00:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495776?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="520"></img></p>
<p></p>
<p>Snooping around on the Internet on the eve before the <a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/events/take-5-in-the-garden-5k-and-5">Take 5 in the Garden</a> road race.</p>
<p>For those of you who are into times and distances (I obsess about them) here are the records for the Take 5 race, according to the Pikes Peak Road Runners.</p>
<p>The Brits hold both the men's 5-mile and 5K records.</p>
<p>Kevin Sheppard, 26, of Abington, set the 5-mile…</p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img width="520" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806495776?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></p>
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<p>Snooping around on the Internet on the eve before the <a href="http://pikespeaksports.us/events/take-5-in-the-garden-5k-and-5">Take 5 in the Garden</a> road race.</p>
<p>For those of you who are into times and distances (I obsess about them) here are the records for the Take 5 race, according to the Pikes Peak Road Runners.</p>
<p>The Brits hold both the men's 5-mile and 5K records.</p>
<p>Kevin Sheppard, 26, of Abington, set the 5-mile record in 2005, ripping the hilly course in 25 minutes, 20 seconds.</p>
<p>Andrew Robinson, 25, of Sussex, set the 5K mark in 2003clocking 15:17.</p>
<p>In the women's races, local runners have dominated.</p>
<p>Stephanie Jones, of Colorado Springs is the queen in the 5-mile race. She set the record of 30:49 in 2007 at age 36.</p>
<p>At 5K, Allison McLaughlin (pictured) flew to a time of 18:18 in 2008. She was 17 and preparing for her senior year at Air Academy High School at the time. Last November, McLaughlin, who now runs for Colorado University, placed fifth in the NCAA cross country championships.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://pprrun.org/">more records here</a>. By the way, the Pikes Peak Road Runners' website rocks!</p>
<p></p>Women's Mountain Bike Association of Colorado Springs makes our day! Thanks ladies!tag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-04-29:5021591:BlogPost:36202010-04-29T18:30:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656396848?profile=RESIZE_180x180" style="FLOAT: right" width="144"></img> The guys at PikesPeakSports.us are extremely proud and very fortunate to have been included in the Women's Mountain Bike Association of Colorado Springs' e-newsletter for the month of May.</p>
<p>Thanks ladies! Here is to many great years of working together to build and support our outdoor community.</p>
<p><a href="http://wmbacos.org/">Learn more</a> about the Women's Mountain Bike Association of Colorado Springs.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Here is the story about…</p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><img width="144" style="FLOAT: right" alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656396848?profile=RESIZE_180x180"/>The guys at PikesPeakSports.us are extremely proud and very fortunate to have been included in the Women's Mountain Bike Association of Colorado Springs' e-newsletter for the month of May.</p>
<p>Thanks ladies! Here is to many great years of working together to build and support our outdoor community.</p>
<p><a href="http://wmbacos.org/">Learn more</a> about the Women's Mountain Bike Association of Colorado Springs.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Here is the story about PikesPeakSports.us that ran in the WMBACOS newsletter.</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>Among the many great things about living in Colorado Springs are the fitness<br/>opportunities we enjoy.<br/>We climb the Manitou Incline, we hike and race to the summit of Pikes Peak, we run and climb in the Garden of the Gods, we ride our amazing singletrack with the wind in our<br/>hair and smiles on our faces.<br/>We are fortunate people.<br/>For these reasons we have launched PikesPeakSports.us, a digital stomping ground for the outdoor community. It is a social network designed for you to share information,<br/>stories, blogs, photos about your fun and active lifestyle. It is a place to write about your<br/>adventures, to promote your favorite events, to connect with and make new friends. It’s a<br/>great place to have some fun.<br/>PikesPeakSports.us belongs to you, it is free to use, and it is meant to build community.<br/>Nobody can write about your passions as well as you. And when we read your words<br/>about your race, or your great evening ride in Red Rock Canyon, we’ll appreciate them<br/>because your experiences are ours as well. For that reason, your contributions to this site<br/>will make home feel a little more like home.<br/>Check it out. We hope to see you there.<br/>If you have questions or comments, please e-mail us at <a href="mailto:pikespeaksports@gmail.com">pikespeaksports@gmail.com</a> or<br/>call 963-1747.<br/>Tim Bergsten and Brian McCarrie<br/>PikesPeakSports.us<br/></p>
<p><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=12849b66b58fbec0&mt=application%2Fpdf&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmail.google.com%2Fmail%2F%3Fui%3D2%26ik%3D7218e8d2f8%26view%3Datt%26th%3D12849b66b58fbec0%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dattd%26zw&sig=AHIEtbTl_tqbO1nO1i4C60bYdF3xB-FKGA"></a></p>Walking the beat on Colorado's 14erstag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-04-28:5021591:BlogPost:35892010-04-28T19:30:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806497688?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450"></img></p>
<p class="style6">Awesome opportunity for folks who love - and who want to help protect - our beautiful mountains.</p>
<p class="style6">This comes from the <a href="http://www.14ers.org/Volunteer_Programs_Steward.php">Colorado Fourteeners Initiative Web site.</a></p>
<p class="style6">The activity of the Peak Stewards in 2009 was tremendous! Volunteer Peak Stewards performed almost 140 days, the most days per season to date!!! Check out the…</p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img width="450" alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806497688?profile=RESIZE_480x480"/></p>
<p class="style6">Awesome opportunity for folks who love - and who want to help protect - our beautiful mountains.</p>
<p class="style6">This comes from the <a href="http://www.14ers.org/Volunteer_Programs_Steward.php">Colorado Fourteeners Initiative Web site.</a></p>
<p class="style6">The activity of the Peak Stewards in 2009 was tremendous! Volunteer Peak Stewards performed almost 140 days, the most days per season to date!!! Check out the <a href="documents/CFIAccomplishmentsNarrative_2009_FINAL.pdf">Accomplishments Report</a> for details.</p>
<p><span class="style8">We have big aspirations to keep boosting the program by offering condensed trainings throughout the winter and spring. If you enjoy hiking Fourteeners and want to educate others while you are doing it,</span> <span class="style7"><strong>Please become involved!!</strong></span> See below:</p>
<p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px"><font face="">2010 Peak Steward Trainings will take a different form than they have in the past. We will still host a two day training in the beginning of June but we will also be hosting <strong>trainings throughout the winter and spring!!</strong> These trainings will focus on alpine ecology, mountain safety, environmental education techniques including using the “Authority of the Resource”, Forest Service regulations, Leave No Trace principles and practices, and the general tenets of environmental stewardship.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Training #4</span></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Saturday April 24th, 2010</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Colorado Mountain College - Leadville Colorado</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Training #5</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Sunday April 25th, 2010</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Location TBD - Salida</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Training #6</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Saturday May 22nd, 2010</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Glenwood Springs Community Center, Glenwood Springs CO</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Big Training</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Saturday June 12th-Sunday June 13th</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Alma Town Hall, Alma Colorado, Mtns Lincoln, Democrat, and Bross</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11px"><font face="">For more information call Brian at 303-278-7650 or email to</font> <a href="mailto:brian@14ers.org"><font face="">brian@14ers.org</font></a></span>and to register for the training download the <a href="documents/2010_RegistrationForm.doc"><strong>registration form</strong></a>. We're looking forward to hearing from you!</span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px"></p>Part-time Colorado Springs resident may be world's most athletic 79-year-oldtag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-04-27:5021591:BlogPost:35272010-04-27T18:53:32.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p>(Thanks to PikesPeakSports.us member Christi Keiser for alerting us to this link)</p>
<p>By Lynn DeBruin, Sports Media Exchange</p>
<p>Forget 60 being the new 40. Lyle Langlois makes 80 look like the new 40.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Truth is, the soon-to-be octogenarian has been running circles around men less than half his age for years.</p>
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<p></p>
<div class="mod-inline image image-right"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494715?profile=RESIZE_320x320" style="FLOAT: right" width="290"></img></div>
<div class="mod-inline image image-right">The retired computer professor…</div>
<p>(Thanks to PikesPeakSports.us member Christi Keiser for alerting us to this link)</p>
<p>By Lynn DeBruin, Sports Media Exchange</p>
<p>Forget 60 being the new 40. Lyle Langlois makes 80 look like the new 40.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Truth is, the soon-to-be octogenarian has been running circles around men less than half his age for years.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<div class="mod-inline image image-right"><img width="290" style="FLOAT: right" alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806494715?profile=RESIZE_320x320"/></div>
<div class="mod-inline image image-right">The retired computer professor (Glendale College) from Arizona, who has a second home in Colorado, has run a marathon in every state, completed an Ironman, bicycled across the country four times, and in mid-March attained yet another goal -- finishing 100 races between ages 70 and 80, including about 30 triathlons.</div>
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<p>He's already bicycled the circumference of New Zealand's South Island, run around the Sea of Galilee and ascended 14,110-foot Pikes Peak in Colorado seven times.</p>
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<p>That's where he'll celebrate the big 8-0 in June, ascending to a bed-and-breakfast at 10,200 feet with a legion of family and friends.</p>
<p><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=debruin/100326">Read more here...</a></p>Cycling for Change - Register now for the Freedom From Poverty Bike Ridetag:pikespeaksports.us,2010-04-26:5021591:BlogPost:34472010-04-26T22:00:00.000ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><strong>Information provided by <a href="http://ccharitiescs.org/c4c/">Cycling For Change</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Cycling for Change – The Ultimate Ride to Change America</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>One in eight Americans lives below the poverty line and the number is increasing. Cycling for Change is a nationwide endeavor to reduce poverty in the United States. Teams of inspired cyclists and community volunteers led by Fr. Matt Ruhl, SJ, pastor of a vibrant urban Kansas City parish, and…</p>
<p><strong>Information provided by <a href="http://ccharitiescs.org/c4c/">Cycling For Change</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Cycling for Change – The Ultimate Ride to Change America</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>One in eight Americans lives below the poverty line and the number is increasing. Cycling for Change is a nationwide endeavor to reduce poverty in the United States. Teams of inspired cyclists and community volunteers led by Fr. Matt Ruhl, SJ, pastor of a vibrant urban Kansas City parish, and including Jason Christensen, CEO of Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs, are already making a difference through their involvement with Cycling for Change.</p>
<p><img width="290" style="FLOAT: right" alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656395734?profile=RESIZE_320x320"/></p>
<p>In 100 days from May to September of 2010, the team will cycle from Cape Flattery, Washington, to Key West, Florida – a total of more than 5000 miles – to advocate for the poor.</p>
<p>Catholic Charities USA, the nation’s largest network of social service organizations, serving persons of all faiths, has initiated a multi-faceted approach to reduce poverty in the United States. The CCUSA Campaign to Reduce Poverty has an ambitious goal to decrease the number of families at or below the poverty line by 50% by 2020. The campaign stresses the need for businesses, faith-based organizations, government and individuals to work together to strategically address the systemic causes of poverty in our nation.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Freedom From Poverty Bike Ride</strong></p>
<p>In addition to the national Cycling for Change ride, Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs will be hosting the <span style="COLOR: #330099"><strong>“ Freedom from Poverty”</strong></span> ride, which will benefit those in our community who need help the most.</p>
<p>The local back-to-back metric century ride will take place over two days, originating at the Marian House in downtown Colorado Springs on July 7th, moving north to Castle Rock to meet the national team, then returning the next day, July 8th, to Colorado Springs with the National Cycling for Change team. Additionally, there will be a Kids Bike Rodeo & Family Fun ride on day two, where families can participate in a 2 – 5 mile family ride and have their children learn bike safety. On July 8th from 1 pm to 8 pm, the <strong><span style="COLOR: #330099">Freedom from Poverty Community Celebration</span></strong> will be held in America the Beautiful Park. There will be food and drink – <strong>Bristol Brewery</strong> will be there with beer and root beer, music from various artists, a bike valet for all who what to come to the event on their bikes, and much more. Check back for more detailed updates in the coming weeks.</p>
<h3>For those wanting to participate in the Freedom from Poverty two day bike ride, registration is available by clicking on the following link. <span style="COLOR: #000080">Registration is limited to 200 riders.</span></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.active.com/cycling/colorado-springs-co/cycling-for-change-freedom-from-poverty-ride-2010" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://www.active.com/assets/images/register-now.png"/></a></p>
<p><em><strong><a href="http://www.active.com/cycling/colorado-springs-co/cycling-for-change-freedom-from-poverty-ride-2010"><font color="#7A042A">click here to register for the</font></a> <span style="COLOR: #330099"><a href="http://www.active.com/cycling/colorado-springs-co/cycling-for-change-freedom-from-poverty-ride-2010"><font color="#7A042A">Freedom from Poverty Bike Ride</font></a></span></strong></em></p>
<p><strong><span style="COLOR: #000080">Cost is $195 before May 5, and includes</span></strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>a professional event jersey by Primal</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1335" title="jersey copy" alt="" src="http://ccharitiescs.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/jersey-copy-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150"/></p>
<ul>
<li>a Polar water bottle</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>three aid stations</li>
<li>overnight accommodations at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Event Center</li>
<li>Optional Mass & talk with the National C4C team</li>
<li>40 pounds of gear to be transported to Castle Rock</li>
<li>dinner & breakfast</li>
<li>SAG & mechanical support</li>
<li>tickets for beer or root beer from Bristol Brewery at the Freedom from Poverty Community Event</li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="COLOR: #000080">After May 5, registration is $150 and does not include a jersey. There may be an option to purchase one, but supplies will be limited.</span></h3>
<h3><span style="COLOR: #000080">Teams registering with 4+ people will receive a 15% discount off the registration and will be recognized at the event.</span></h3>
<p style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px"></p>
<p style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px"><em><strong>Click here for the entire Cycling for Change route:</strong></em></p>
<p style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px"><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><a href="http://www.cyclingforchange.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=48"><em><strong><font color="#7A042A">National C4C Route Detail</font></strong></em></a></span></p>
<p style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px"><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><span style="COLOR: #0000ff"><em><strong>Local Freedom from Poverty Route Detail</strong></em></span></span></p>
<p>Local funds raised will be used for the vital services of Marian House where:</p>
<ul>
<li>more than 600 meals are served most days in the soup kitchen to families, seniors, veterans and disabled persons on a fixed income, the working poor and the homeless</li>
<li>more than 2,800 individuals are seen in Client Services, receiving case management services, given access to a clothing closet and receive help with getting IDs and birth certificates</li>
<li>more than 21,700 adults and children receive support from Life Support Services with items such as baby food, formula, diapers and clothing</li>
<li>more than 350 families receive help with furniture, small appliances, food boxes and rental and utility assistance</li>
</ul>
<h2>Cycling for Change Exposure through Sponsorship</h2>
<p>Become a Sponsor!!</p>
<p><em><strong>Viral Marketing</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Web site</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>New Media: Facebook, Twitter. Rider Blogs<br/>Access to national Catholic Charities affiliates<br/>Support and Gear (SAG) vehicle wraps<br/>Official team apparel<br/>Official team products/services<br/>Sponsorship benefits</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>National Media Exposure<br/>Local and regional opportunities<br/>Newspapers and magazines<br/>Online articles</strong></em></p>
<h3>Click on the file below for details: local sponsorship levels rev</h3>
<h3>For these and other exciting opportunities, email rochelle@ccharitiescs.org or call 719.866.6443.</h3>
<div class="attachments"><h4>For your convenience, listed below is all files available for download on this page.</h4>
<dl class="attachments attachments-large">
<dt class="icon"><a title="local sponsorship levels rev" href="?aid=1313&pid=1229&sa=1"><img alt="" src="http://ccharitiescs.org/wp-content/plugins/eg-attachments/images/pdf.png" width="48" height="48"/></a></dt>
<dd class="caption"><strong>Title:</strong> <a title="local sponsorship levels rev" href="?aid=1313&pid=1229&sa=1"><font color="#7A042A">local sponsorship levels rev</font></a><br/><strong>File:</strong> local-sponsorship-levels-rev.pdf<br/><strong>Size:</strong> 141 kB</dd>
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<dt class="icon"><a title="C4C Route Detail" href="?aid=1249&pid=1229&sa=1"><img alt="" src="http://ccharitiescs.org/wp-content/plugins/eg-attachments/images/pdf.png" width="48" height="48"/></a></dt>
<dd class="caption"><strong>Title:</strong> <a title="C4C Route Detail" href="?aid=1249&pid=1229&sa=1"><font color="#7A042A">C4C Route Detail</font></a><br/><strong>File:</strong> route.pdf<br/><strong>Size:</strong> 62 kB</dd>
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