WWR Winners

The last three days were a whirlwind. I finally got to meet the other Women Who Ride winners as well as see the Mother Ship where all the Trek candy is made. First my jaw fell open when I walked in the front door and saw all of Lance's bikes on display. Like THE bikes that he raced up the mountain passes into history. What a joy that has to be for those people who actually worked on them to see their work not only propel a human to achieve his best but then to have the bikes back home and memorialized as a daily reminder of their own achievement. I know I was amazed.

Okay, so back to me. :) I got to meet the other 4 ladies and they are rock stars. In an earlier post I listed their descriptions but in person, they are far beyond; warm, giving, inviting and just crazy enthusiastic about riding bikes. They shared ideas and encouraged everyone. They're true representatives of the WWR mission. 

Monday was spent traveling and Tuesday was spent digging through our loot bags and getting our photos taken and touring the candy factory. The morning was like Christmas Day as they paraded our bikes into the room we were in. Three of the ladies got super sweet Madones, Mary got an Equinox TT bike and I'm the proud owner of a 9.8 WSD Top Fuel, the same one I rode all last week. Trek spoiled us good. We were given kits and gear and equipment...as if saying, okay, no excuses. Go ride! 

The photos shoot was interesting. Being in advertising I'm always on the other side of the camera but this time I was in the frame. Yikes. You'd think after countless photoshoots I'd be more original and loose. Nu-uh. I was stiff and nervous but we're our own worst critics. We were photographed individually and as a group. Stay tuned for images on Trek's website sometime in May.

The tour through the factory was enlightening. They mostly make the carbon bikes there now so we got to see those types of bikes in many stages of production. We weren't allowed in the super secret carbon room where all the geeky engineers conjure up the next great thing but they gave us free food and GOOD coffee (bikers rule), so we were okay with it. Later we were treated to dinner with about a dozen other divas who work at Trek. We met ladies who are in charge of everything from saddle design to advocacy. Most were from other back grounds and other states but they liked bikes and beer. We were instant friends.

Wednesday was spent riding bikes (unfortunately they had rainy weather so I couldn't ride the coveted Jim's Trails, the IMBA built trails across the street from the offices where they demo mountain bikes) so I got to ride someone's carbon madone (oh, darn) with the rest of the group. It was a great day and we enjoyed every second.

I'm proud and honored to be part of this group. Trek truly believes in the products they sell and it's pretty cool to see how dedicated they are to getting ladies and everyone else for that matter on a bike. They are going to the ends of the earth to do it. I hope I can help through this opportunity with WWR.

I'm off to Chicago, so I'll be unplugged this whole weekend. 

Next week I promise to upload our trip photos from all of my travels.

MIAGO!

A Visit to the Mother Ship

So, the latest news on the WWR gig is all the winners will be heading to Madison, WI for a few days. I don't have any other details but I'm assuming they'll do the photo shoot for the website (OMG I need to get my hair done, brows waxed... you know, girl stuff). Hopefully through the magic of photoshop, they'll give my winter white legs some tint! HA!

I'll be flying from Grand Junction because they want us to be out there on the same day I would have been traveling back from our desert vacation. So they graciously offered to fly me out of GJ to Madison. Now that is service. And they were stoked on the fact that I'll be racing the day before, so I hope I can bring back a win for "the girls". 

So, the next few weeks are going to get a little busy. I'm tellin' ya folks, don't bet on the day. You never know what can happen. Stay tuned!

Life is about to get interesting...

Well, I've never been good at tooting my own horn, so this is going to have to suffice. I've been chosen as one of five women to represent the Trek brand and be an advocate for other women to ride and live a healthy, fullfilling lifestyle. I'm proud and honored to have been chosen. This is one ride I most definitly won't forget.

Press release to go out Friday March 27

 

Trek Women is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Trek Women Who Ride contest.  Roxzanne Abbott, Caitlin Hollister, Rebecca Jensen, Amy King, and Mary Strupp will be given Trek WSD bicycles and Bontrager gear and will represent Trek Women by attending regional events and sharing cycling and life experiences in their blogs at http://www.trekbikes.com/women/.  Passing the torch are Trek’s previous Women Who Ride Stephanie Brodegard, Laura MacLean, Susan Mele, Jennifer Polo, and Marie Westrope, who represented Trek throughout 2007 and 2008. Trek’s Women Specific Product manager, Heather Henderson said “it was so difficult to choose only five women from the incredible pool of contestants, we wanted to include them all, but we’re excited these ladies will be on our bikes and representing Trek WSD!”

 

Trek introduced the Women Who Ride contest in 2007, asking entrants to submit an essay stating why they should represent Trek WSD and be given a new Trek WSD bicycle.  The 2009 contestants were asked “why do you ride?”  All submissions were read by a panel of judges, the winners ultimately passing four rounds of elimination.  Roxzanne, Caitlin, Rebecca, Amy, and Mary submitted compelling essays detailing their pleasure in encouraging other women to ride.  On being informed she was a winner, Roxzanne’s enthusiasm was clearly evident: “I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!!! WOOHOO!! THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. I'M STOKED AND JUST FLAT OUT OVER JOYED. CAN YOU TELL I'M SCREAMING???!!!!”

 

Trek runs the contest in their unending effort to include ever more women in cycling as part of a happy and healthy lifestyle.  It is their belief women can help and encourage other women by sharing their experiences, for better or worse, and eliminate potential barriers that block participation to the sport.  “The hope is that by sharing stories about real-world experiences, more women will feel comfortable getting on bikes because they better know what to expect while riding,” said Henderson.

 

 

 

The following bios will be featured in the new 2009 Ride Guide.

 

Amy King

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

 

Caitlin Hollister

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

 

Mary Strupp

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

 

Rebecca Jensen

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

 

Roxzanne Abbott

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