A Toast to the Walking Cyclist

During this holiday season as you are tipping and toasting a few, I would ask that you remember the elderly gentleman (not that old) in the red cycling hat cleaning the shoulder of Metcalf between 199th and 209th on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 27th.  No doubt many of us ride and enjoy this section of Metcalf with it's generous shoulder - a tribute to the St. Lukes' doctor that was killed on a ride many years ago - but who would think to keep it clean for the rest of us?  This gentleman was actually walking along the shoulder kicking the rocks, bolts, nails, glass, road kill, fan belts, mud flaps, etc. into the ditch so that I could cruise along in my 53/11 with a tail wind and actually feel like a pro.  He's the Pro.  I didn't even turn around to get his name!  I did yell thanks at 30 something.

So the next time that you're toasting the joys of cycling, remember this kind gentleman and those like him.  And maybe the next time that it's too cold… too windy… too hot… too anything, maybe you'll call your pace line and walk a stretch of your favorite bike lane or shoulder that isn't maintained by a city. 


Happy Holidays!

-Ron Johnson

       Secretary, KanBikeWalk, Inc.

A View From Inside the 2009 El Tour de Tucson

Although he took 56 seconds off of last year's time, it was a rough go today for cycling legend John Howard at this year's El Tour.  I talked with him after the race and he sends us this:

El Tour all done.  60th place.  An inexperienced rider took me down and into a cactus bush!  The bike was damaged and so was my body, so I was dropped from the lead group just before the second wash.  Chased, caught, but the best I could do was the second group of about 60 riders.  With 20 miles to go I opened a gap solo, and brought it up to 1:04 to the end.   

Very disappointed that I could not do battle with the Mexican Division 1 pros who won again this year.  Still pulling cactus needles out of my skin and looking forward to my next challenge!

 - John Howard

       Cyclist, pincushion

       John Howard Performance Sports

Midwest CX and More Power at Mellow Johnny's

Last weekend's cyclocross races lucked out with great weather. A cool morning and damp grass handed us the first casualty during warm-ups at Veteran's Cross as a rider took an endo. A cracked helmet and bruised hip, he grabbed a spare lid and saddled up. That's 'cross!

This was one of many military flags displayed on the CX course by Race Director Roger Harrison.                      (Click photos to enlarge).

If you haven't been to Pedal Hard Training Center at Mellow Johnny's - GO! Kevin Livingston has created a peach of a facility where we positioned several cyclists on their road and triathlon bikes. Kevin got to see our PowerFiTTE technique, and I got to see his Pedal Hard technique. I was joined at Pedal Hard by Ralph Walker, CEO of John Howard Performance Sports, who took care of the business end of things as well as shooting the photos below. It was fun to do these bike positionings together and learn from each other, and the athletes felt pampered by getting so much attention.



Kevin Livingston observes as Gina evaluates a cyclist.
(Click photos to enlarge)

 

This cyclist has tight QL muscles so Gina implements Dynamic Motion Therapy (TM) to improve mobility.

 
Wednesday morning was Kevin's turn. Gina found a bit of muscle imbalance, so she got Kevin all straightened out with some table work and a BodyFiTTE session.



We're discussing more work together in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for that. If you'd like to be contacted directly about PowerFiTTE in Austin, TX or wherever you live, give me a shout.

Tailwinds!
Gina

The Subaroooo is coming to an event near you!

11/7:  Cyclocross Grand Prix HPT                                    -Topeka, KS

11/8:  Veteran's Cross Cyclocross                            -Leavenworth, KS

11/10-11:  Gina brings PowerFiTTE to Mellow Johnny's       -Austin, TX

A full weekend of cyclocross with officiating, coaching and the all-important pre/post-race soft tissue work on athletes.  I officiated both of these races last year, and they're very well produced.  The Grand Prix is directed by Topeka cyclist and anesthesiologist Jeff Unruh.  I recently officiated another one of his races, the Capital Cup, known for it's leg-shredding Mound of Mercy.

I am proud to sponsor this year's Veteran's Cross in Leavenworth.  This popular race is directed by Roger Harrison of Lanterne Rouge Racing. When we see that bright red van with the colorful graphics, we know we're in for a fun day and a top notch race experience.  Proceeds from Veteran's Cross benefits the Gold Star Mothers organization.  I'll have the treatment table set up for body work on athletes, and I'll do a bit of coaching. 

Then it's off to Austin by invitation from Kevin Livingston, 6-time Tour de France rider and founder of Pedal Hard Training, where I'll be introducing the PowerFiTTE bicycle positioning technique to Kevin and his staff at Mellow Johnny's.  Like many cyclists, I'm pretty excited to make my first visit to Mellow Johnny's.  I'll get to show off the PowerFiTTE technique while helping Texas cyclists improve their performance, and I'll get to learn more about Kevin's training center and philosophies.

Stay tuned for Twitters from the road, and additional updates here.