Willa's Wheels

Kids hit the trail hard and raise significant funds:  About 40 kids took to the highline canal trail this past weekend for the 2^nd annual Willa’s Wheels’ Kids Ride and made their miles count, bringing in over $2700 to the Raymond Wentz Foundation. Several were recognized for extraordinary efforts.  Most Determined Rider: Sophie Ginosar for climbing back onto bike after spinning out on loose gravel to finish the course. Top Fundraisers: Ben Stevenson, Fiona Harris, and Tessa Manheim . Also, our appreciation goes out to Daniel Melmed who donated his Mitvah to the Raymond Wentz Foundation.

Summer Wrap-up Awards: Recipients received bike gear donated by Eric Sampson (See www.sampsonsports.com  and visit his shop for high quality bikes and gear) and also received gourmet dark chocolate bars (60% Cacao) and a choice of craft beer.

The Energizer (and Scientist): Ari Melmed created a duel of E.D. docs in the Leadville 100 Mtn bike and brought 3 other riders onto the Willa’s Wheels’ team. Ari applies a scientific rigor to diet, training, and race-day tactics that will leave the most fastidious of coaches feeling insecure.

Need No Gears….Well, maybe 1-gear Award: Jeff Carter took his biking to a new level finishing 3^rd in all of his events: Bailey Hundo (under 8 hours!), The Breck 100 (this race is a beast, towering over the Leadville 100), and the Breck Epic (6-day stage race).

Eye Blink Award: Stig Somme. True, he doesn’t wear sunglasses in his endurance mountain bike races, but this one’s  for his eye-blinking performances: 3^rd at Pierre’s Hole (mostly single track 100 miler with 16K climbing), 6^th at the Park City Point to Point (much single track with many elite riders), and 8^th at Leadville 100 in 6h 51m (nobody had broken 7 hours in this race until Dave Wiens won his 5^th title in 2007 in 6h 58m,  followed by Lance Armstrong the next year).

Top Fundraisers: Kristina Tocce/Adam Trosterman—tandem duo who have taken it to the top of Pike’s Peak, Mt. Evans, Mt. Washington, the Leadville 100, and Rwanda, all in the same year (over $6500);  Rachel Farrett—2^nd place at Leadville 50 two years running and Leadville 100 in just over 9 hours (over $5500); Adam Mackstaller was a machine finishing his first Leadville 100 in 23 and ½ hours in 36^th place (over $5000); Carolyn Feller/David Hammer, our passionate Durango bike riders, hard not to envy with beautiful single track out their back door; Max “Happy Buddha” Hagen, also our Anti-Doper recipient, who frequently undergoes phlebotomy by camping with mosquitoes the night before races. Hugely Helpful Volunteers: Leanna and Jamie Harris, Hill Harris and Jenn Gallaher, Josh Toplitsky, Eugene Chu, Meg Lemon, and Jackie Melmed.

Upcoming Events: Willa’s Wheels hits Namibia as David Lowrance leads a 4-man mtn bike team in the  340 Kilometer Desert Dash (check it out at: http://www.desertdashnamibia.com/ ).  Great scenery and occasional up-close wild-life encounters ( http://www.kare11.com/news/article/942159/333/Video-Mountain-bike-rider-hit-by-antelope ).  Join us for the Leadville Loppett Nordic or classic ski race on February 26^th.  There’s no place to hide in this discipline, and makes biking hills seem relatively easy.

Quote to Ponder:

“Discover your boundaries and then shatter them!”

-          Rebecca Rusch, 3-time Leadville 100 mtn bike champ

Stig at Park city Point to Point with elite pro's incuding Alex Grant and Tinker Juarez

Happy Buddha Max Hagen meets family at end of Leadville 100

Mary Blomquist and Kristin Riley-Lazo celebrate at end of Leadville 100

Bill and Tabor congratulating Rachel Farrett after Leadville 100

Rachel Farrett and Peter Riley finish together at Leadville 100 just over 9 hours

The Dark Cloud: Josh Blum is one of our best bike handlers and multi-recipient of the Compassionate Rider Award, most recently for stopping in the Leadville 50 Mtn Bike race to help another rider fix his chain (he still finished at 5 hours). In the Leadville 100, Josh began the Sugar Loaf descent, found his riding line encroached upon, and fell off the side of his bike square onto a rock. He broke his pelvis in multiple places and it was thanks to WW rider Todd Stevenson that help finally arrived. His Garmin Computer indicated a speed of 16 m.ph. at the time of the crash (not real fast) and 2 hours 12 minutes elapsed before he was transported out. We’ll ponder with race officials how to make rescue more safe and time efficient. All things considered, Josh’s spirits are good, and he will recover. Even for the cautious and the best of bike handlers, bike racing is a dangerous sport, and each must decide if it merits the risk.

Willa’s Runners take on the Leadville Trail 100. Which is tougher, the run or the bike? You only have to run a section of the course and then look at the race-time cut-offs, 30 hours versus 12 hours. Adam Mackstaller blazed to his first 100-miler in 23h 32m, taking 36th place. Bill Farrett has finished this race twice (previous 13th place), with Addison’s Disease (no stress hormones) and wisely knew when his body was telling him to stop this time around. John Rice, 2-time previous finisher, made it to mile 78 before intense foot pain kept him from continuing.

Good WW showing at Copper Triangle: 24 riders wore the WW jersey for this one and all finished this tough ride, including our 3 flatlanders, Bill Stanley, Mark Skirgaudas, and Pieter Cohen. The flatlanders exhibited various successful training approaches. Cohen navigated Boston traffic to get some biking miles to and from work; Stanley found “the hill” in Columbus Ohio and had been riding it continuously since June; and Skirgaudas took to 20-minute anaerobic rowing bursts in preparation for the Masters Championships (?and Copper Triangle). The Continuous Micro-Seat Adjustment Technique: Some were skeptical, but Cohen successfully employed this throughout the race: “….that way you keep using different muscles.” Consider this challenging event for WW next season (5800 feet of climbing over 78 miles).

Breckenridge Epic: Jeff Carter capped off a phenomenal 1-speed season (3rd place Bailey Hundo under 8 hours and 3rd place Breck 100) with this 6-day multi-stage Mountain bike race and, again, a podium finish. It requires a sizable “Hall Pass”, but this is one to consider for next year with sweet single track, lots of climbing, and tasty dining under the stars (go to: http://breckepic.com/).

How to go under 7 hours at Leadville 100? Stig Somme: 6 hours 51m and 8th place!! Clear your schedule—you need focus. This summer, Stig worked as a pediatric surgeon with frequent in-house overnight and weekend call, traveled to Europe twice, took classes towards his Public Health Masters, attended a wedding (his own)….and his wife Ruth is 7 months pregnant. Build the base. With no races this season and feeling the need to improve his fitness, Stig did Pierre’s Hole (100 mile Mtn Bike race, largely single track, with 16K of climbing)….7 days before Leadville! (4th place despite mechanical problems). Have a pre-race routine. The day before the Leadville 100, he rounded on his patients, attended a lecture, and drove up from Denver, squeaking into the registration line before the 10 a.m. cut-off. “You better get to sleep. It might be hard to fall asleep,” Stacy observed pre-race. Stig couldn’t comprehend the statement. “You know, with the race tomorrow….everybody’s pretty amped up.” Stig: “What? Not sleep?” 515 a.m. race day I pull out of the driveway and peer over at Stig’s camper which is dark and silent. Stig later wandered into the house and drank some coffee (he really is multi-talented on the bike), and made it to the start line in time to crawl into the back of his 250-person start corral. Real Quotes from Stig: “I almost DNF’d on St.Kevins….People were going so fast.” Looks like we were not alone on this line of thinking for the race’s first climb. “Sir Brentjens went ahead on the Powerline climb….really they call him Sir.” Dutch rider Bart Brentjens was deemed a “Sir” after winning a Olympic gold medal in mountain biking (finished 6th place, 5 minutes ahead of Stig). This caliber of this race has rocketed in recent years with 14 riders going under 7 hours in 2011 (none had done that until the 14th edition), 79 riders going under 8 hours (28 had done that in 2010) and the likes of David ‘Tinker’ Juarez finishing 15th place this year in 7h 2m. “I was pretty wimpy on the downhills.” The “W” on Stig’s jersey was flat-lined, as was my heart, as he flew downhill past me at 11600 feet on the columbine climb (Leadville is an out-and-back, with the turn-around at 12,500 feet). We all found Stig back at the finish-line, showered and post afternoon Latte. ….Is it Ok if we call you “Sir”?

The High-Maintenance Biker: Maybe it’s because I’ve done a handful of ultra Mountain Bike Races now, but I was remarkably relaxed for this year’s Leadville 100. You took your bike to Leadville’s Cycles of Life for yet another pre-race tune? It’s good luck to put their deft hands on the bike pre-race. And besides, they weren’t really that busy this summer (“Eat, work, sleep….Eat, work, sleep” since June). You slept approximately zero minutes the night before the race? It’s important to visualize the race….again,…and again,….and again. You positioned Stacy at 6 different spots to hand you up single bottles? Oh, Stacy finds the race really relaxing—it’s a stress reducer (“You should have gotten me a couple of ativan for tomorrow’s race.”) Friend Eugene Chu biked 3000 feet up the Columbine climb to give you a bottle that weighed 1.5 pounds (and turned down Tinker Juarez who asked him longingly if he had a drink)? You know Eugene—he wanted to do that. His Saturday would not have been complete without a good work-out. You achieved your under-8 hour goal by 1 minute and 47 seconds? Is this going to re-enforce this obsessive behavior? You know ,next year if Stacy runs a little faster alongside the bike for those hand-offs….

Great showing by WW in L100 Mtn Bike. 14 of 17 WW bikers finished under 12 hours. Ari Melmed was the energizer for Willa’s Wheels, starting with recruiting friend, and former Navy Seal, Brad Kolarov (10h 34m). He then brought in 2 other E.D. docs for a Leadville 100 intra-E.D. competition (Dave Kaleugher –10h42m and Ryan Patterson, strong effort all the way up Columbine) and Max Hagen (personal best 10h10m) brought in a fourth (Rick Henderson) . Ari rigorously analyzed training approaches, nutrition, and split times in a way that would have made the most fastidious of coaches insecure, and conquered the Leadville 100 in 9h 34 minutes. Shannon O’Grady took her 1×10 gearing under 11 hours in her first Leadville 100 (“I could have used a few more gears up Powerline and Sugar Loaf). Kristina Tocce and Adam Trosterman overcame an asthma attack at 12000 feet and took their tandem bike across the line under 12 hours. They have raised almost $5K. Rachel Farrett raised over 5K in 10 days and capped off a great season (2nd in Leadville 50 and 5th at Crested Butte) with a 9 hour 10 minute finish (despite a flat), crossing the line, arms raised, simultaneously with Peter Riley. Kristin Riley-Lazo took 1 hour 30 minutes off her previous best time, and Mary Blomquist stayed steady to finish solidly under 12 hours. Much, much thanks to many WW volunteers, including Leanna and Jamie Harris and Eugene Chu and Josh Toplitsky at Twin Lakes and Jenny Gallaher and Hill Harris at Pipeline.

Kids/Family Ride and Summer Wrap-up Party Sunday September 25th. Join us for kid and family-friendly rides along the highline canal of various distances, followed by a party at Arapahoe Tennis Club. We will provide various flavors of tasty goo as well as tasty sports nutrition drinks with added fat and protein, like perpetuem and accelerade (oh, and some beer, beverages, and actual real food). Awards will be given. Bring family, friends, a hungry stomach, and ideas for Willa’s Wheels as we ponder next season. Details and e-vite to come.

Jeff Carter on his way to 3rd place at Breck Epic

WW riders at top of Tennessee Pass Copper Triangle

Feisty Flatlanders conquered the triangle

Stig looking fresh in Leadville 100 at Twin Lakes

Rachel Farrett and Peter Riley finish Leadville 100 together 9h10m

Todd Stevenson lean at Twin Lakes in Leadville100

Max Hagen at Twin Lakes in Leadville 100

A fine Twin Lakes crew and pretty cool belt buckle Jamie Harris

A very fine crew at Twin Lakes

The high maintenance biker

Ari Melmed enjoying the Leadville 100?

Kristin feeling good at Twin Lakes Leadville 100

The Day After Leadville 100: Ari Melmed and Brad Kolarov

Another sweet podium finish for 1-speeder Jeff Carter at Breck Epic

Ryan Patterson, our top ED Doc fundraiser

Dave Kaleugher, riding fast and needing only 1 hand

Sprint to the Pole Position: Nothing worse for a biker than to go out for a jog, let alone a jog uphill. So, the Leadville 50 SilverRush mountain bike this past weekend started with an un-ridable ascent of Dutch Henry Hill. #59 Tim Waggoner-Luchinske pushed his bike to the front of the start line “Sorry man, but the run is my strength….I’m going to fly up this hill.”….Hmmm, this is an interesting one. We chatter nervously waiting for the start gun to finally go off and I learn that Tim raced for 15 years as a professional triathlete, finishing  12^th at the Hawaiian World IronMan championships, with a 4^th in the bike split.  Tim: “Then again, go anaerobic at the start and your race could be done.” Leadville series founder Ken Chlouber stared down from the top of Dutch Henry; the gun went off; and I tried to loop a hand around Tim’s repair kit as he disappeared ahead into the stampede’s dust cloud.

Don’t try to ride like they do in the movies: You’ve got 7 miles to go in the SilverRush and are having the race/ride of your life when the front tire goes flat. The Leadville 2009 mtn bike movie feeds your subconscious. You see Lance flatting at the end of the race. He looks desperately for his support vehicle, fiddles ineptly with the flat, and then rides it nonetheless back to the finish for victory. Your road-rashable body and Leadville Cycles of Life friends cringe as you make that bad decision. Besides, Lance didn’t really do that—it was just a movie.

Eat Right: Todd Stevenson may have found the magic formula with his wafer-thin pressed croissants filled with Nutella chocolate, cream cheese, and jam. But, #59 Tim pointed out the advantages of the steady absorption of the complex carbo’s in the endurance athlete….maybe that Snickers and Payday in the back pocket aren’t such a good idea.  But, you have to tip your hat to those crazy fast Bailey Hundo single speeders Jeff Carter and Brian Stevenson. They revealed their tightly kept secret:  bacon-peanut butter sandwiches. This either fueled them to the finish line, or just made them pedal faster to get to that delicious cheese burger and micro-brew finish-line spread.

Improve your power to weight ratio:  In Leadville 100 2009 Stig Somme (a pediatric surgeon who also rides a bike) road down the Columbine descent when a chain ring fell off his bike. He picked it up, coasted to the 60 mile aid station, bargained with a bystander to exchange bike parts, and was slowed to a 12^th place in 7h 45m (2010: 7h 7m and 10^th place with ‘minor’ mechanicals!). Stig’s secret? Bike with Stig and you’ll find that when he hits an uphill he goes really, really fast. Your strategy? Stig is super friendly and talkative. If you try to keep up with him for a bit of the climb, be ready to gasp out very pointed questions. Clearly Stig has an extraordinary power to weight ratio, as well as a cool head for bike races. Increase the power? Maybe a bit. Decrease the weight? Hmmm…..Do not do any push-ups , sit-ups, or curls. Ari Melmed is finally coming around to the Biceps Reduction Surgery which will shave 90 seconds from his Leadville 100 (see below for “before” photo).

Ride to the Beat: Wear the i-pod? Maybe allowed, maybe not. Seems Ok for the Bailey Hundo-ish, so Ari  put together a 9h30m track, ensuring his 9 hour finish…..

Be the Honey Badger: I have been referred to this video on several occasions (go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg ) Some have declared that it is completely disgusting and should never be viewed. Others point out that this is one of the most inspirational creatures who is un-phased by the most ghastly of insults. Either way, you have to admit that if you adapt the mindset of the honey badger, it will not matter that your chain is skipping, your running shoe is sloshy, your chain ring fell off, the aid station over-diluted the electrolyte drink , because….”Honey Badger don’t care”.

Special Mention: Kristin Riley-Lazo biked through mud and snow, checked up on a rider who careened off into a stream, and won the Firecracker 50 in her division! Mary Blomquist finished 4^th, separated by 9 seconds from 2^nd.  Rachel Farrett overcame adversity (she was delivered a Willa’s Wheels ‘kit’ consisting of 2 bike shorts) to finish 2^nd by less than 1 minute in the Women’s SilverRush division for the second year in a row. Micki Harris and Jeff Carter took on the Breck 100 mtn bike and Peter Riley the Breck 68. Peter took the podium with a 3^rd place finish.  Jeff finished 3^rd in this prestigious event in a stacked field of single speeders. In a post race interview with Cycling News Jeff described the Willa’s Wheels’ mission (check it out at: http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/national-ultra-endurance-nue-series-breckenridge-100-ne/results). Max ‘Happy Buddha’ anti-doped by car camping the night before the SilverRush amidst clouds of mosquitos that would have even rattled the honey badger.

Coming Soon: Bob Cook Memorial (Seth Gallaher decided to take this beast on for his first bike race), the Copper Triangle, Step up for Cancer (http://www.stepupforcancer.org/ –join the Raymond Wentz foundation Team on August 6^th) , the Leadville 100 bike/run, the Lookout Mountain Triathlon (Tom Mackenzie is taking  it on) the Southern Hemisphere series….

Why do we bike/run/triathlete? To get a bit more fit? To Breathe some fresh air? Because buying a really nice bike and training way too many hours is a ‘healthy’ mid-life crisis? Whatever the reason, why not turn the sweat towards supporting a great cause? Consider supporting a participant (superhuman Stig, Ari contemplating his biceps reduction surgery….) by going to “Donate” and then “Find a Rider (or runner)”. Or, create a fundraising page (take 5 minutes) and send an email to friends, family, and colleagues.  Some have raised over $1000 in a week. All money goes to the Raymond Wentz Foundation and helps people like Frank:

“Last year, The Raymond Wentz Foundation was pleased to become a partner in Frank’s Fight against Multiple Myeloma (bone marrow cancer) and kidney failure. A Vietnam Veteran, who had suffered the loss of his wife and his home before being diagnosed, Frank said, “You have no idea how much this gift means to me.” The Raymond Wentz Foundation grant helped Frank pay his mortgage.” Learn more at www.raymondwentz.org.

Kristin Riley-Lazo(1st place) and Mary Blomquist (4th) at Firecracker50

Micki Harris finishing strong in Firecracker50

Jeff Carter takes 3rd at the Breck 100 Single Speed

Rachel Farrett takes 2nd in SilverRush 50 by less than 1 minute

Mary Blomquist and the 'Happy Buddha' after SilverRush

Before Biceps Reduction Surgery: Ari Melmed Firecracker50 July 2011

The Perfect Father’s Day Gift: the Bailey Hundo: What could be better than wife Stacy committing to waking at 330 a.m., driving me and teammate Ari Melmed to the 6 a.m. start, and running around to various aid stations to give us tasty bites? It was 6:01 a.m. and riders huddled together at the start line in the 43F air temp wearing anything from tank-tops to full-metal jacket, and shivering. By 6:02 a.m. the sheriff had finished polishing the firetruck and the gun went off! The 7-mile undulating road arrived at the single track and just a few minutes later came the familiar “What up?” from behind, teammate Jeff Carter on his single speed. I contemplated going with a single speed but decided better when legs turned to lead on a 4-hour practice SS ride. It was a recurring theme: “Wow, good thing I’m not on a SS,” as the course turned flat or very steep, at which point Jeff, Andrew Carney (1^st SS), or Mike Thompson (2^nd SS) would suddenly appear, all the way up to the 60 mile mark. “How do these guys go so fast?”

Stoney Pass and Beyond: Nico Toutenhoofd and Jonathan Davis and 1 other rider helped form a pace line to bottom of Stoney Pass climb but then went a bit too fast. Soon after, a rider with Honey Stinger, Ryan Dorsey, stood stretching cramping calves at the side of the road. He road with me about 15 miles, pointing out the “Hundo-ish” course (96.2? 102.3?) and trading drafts. “The top of that steep crest is about half way to the top.” “Half?”. “This is where it turns Rolley-polley.” “Rolley-polley”. He was nice enough to put up with a riding partner with little more personality than a parakeet. Neither of us had watches or heart rate monitors. It was like a fun ride on a quiet Sunday morning. Well, OK the heart was pounding in the ears and the mere thought of one of those goos induced retching. Ryan pulled me all the way to the finish line (OK he actually crushed me the last 5 miles despite his having an off-day) finally getting me to break the 8 hour barrier in one of these 100-mile mountain bike races. Stacy says I can live to see another endurance bike race.

Teammate Ari Melmed received a tremendous hall pass from his wife Jackie to trade-in his 31.5 lb. mountain bike for a 23.5 lb. EMD Niner, as well as to actually do the training recommend by his Carmichael coach Daniel Matheny (11^th place). It showed as he finished just over 9 hours. True to form, Jeff Carter came to the finish line as I was still loosening my helmet strap, breaking 8 hours and finishing 3^rd in the single speed (see Shawn Gregory blog). Friend and fellow singles speeder Brian Stevenson finished 5 minutes later on his 1980’s full rigid. Josh Blum (sub-9 in Leadville 100) rode the whole way with friend Tony doing his first ultra mtn bike event, convincing him not to jump in that inviting air-conditioned car at mile 55. Josh is smiling in all 12 photos–he clearly enjoyed the 11h 15m ride from start to finish.

Join the Team—we need more participants! Willa’s Wheels honors the memory of our daughter Willa who died at age 4 of rhabdomyoscarcoma in June 2008. Team members pick a ride/race/run/triathlon, wear a jersey, and fundraise for the Raymond Wentz Foundation (www.raymondwentz.org) All money goes to RWF which supports people with cancer who, like Raymond, are having trouble with the basics. $250 helps pay for the gas, $500 helps pay for groceries, and $1000 helps them pay for the mortgage. We’re all affected by cancer. Give back to those struggling with cancer by making a donation or taking out a fundraising page (“Join Team”—it takes about 5 minutes) See some of the sample pages others have set up. RWF grants help people like Emily.

Emily was 3 years old in November 2009 when diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer that forms in nerve tissue. After her 9 month stay in the hospital, the Raymond Wentz Foundation (RWF) provided money to help Emily and her family stay at Brent’s Place, a sterile living apartment that helps kids stay free from infection while fighting cancer and other diseases.  Emily’s scans the end of January 2011 were cancer free and she returned to preschool at that time.

Jeff Carter takes "W" onto podium. How do those 1-speeders go so fast?

Ari Melmed at mile 55 with son Daniel

Josh Blum, Chris-Horner-like, smiled from start to finish

fun race, nice to be finished

screaming on podium. Did he really wear that?

Micki Harris hits the Desert Rat Classic in Fruita

Good Showings: A number of WW members took on the Bolder Boulder 10K (congratulations Team 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and to John Harris for running through a hamstring injury), the Iron Horse road (personal bests by David Hammer and Carolyn Feller (3h 0m 2s!—her cheering section distracted her for about 2.5s!) and a strong tandem bike ride by Kristina Tocce and Adam Trosterman) and Mountain Bike races (Carolyn Feller finished 1^st in her Mtn bike division! on dry, rocky, steep course), the Gunnison Growler (Rachel Farrett and Ari Melmed braved the ‘technical’ but beautiful terrain), and Elephant Rock (Congrats Eugene Chu on a 4^th place finish in the 24-hour—that’s right 24  hours!—team mtn bike event—1^st 3 teams were sponsored teams. Eugene ‘cooled down’ with the 100K road ride the next day).

Coming Soon: A handful of WW riders will take on the Bailey Hundo Mtn bike race June 18^th (lots of single track. Check it out at www.bailey100.com). Also coming up are the Firecracker 50, Leadville 50, Mt Evans Bob Cook Memorial Hill Climb and others. Please consider signing up for the “Step up for Cancer” at Dick’s Sporting Goods August 7^th for the Raymond Wentz Foundation (go to: http://www.stepupforcancer.org/register and sign up with the Raymond Wentz Foundation—goal  team of 40).

Record Fundraising! Kristina Tocce, Adam Trosterman raised almost $4000 in 3 weeks through a Willa’s Wheels fundraising ‘Athon’ page sponsoring their efforts at the Iron Horse road race. Andrew Lillie raised over $1300 in a couple of weeks through the Athon page and his Bolder Boulder run.

Join the Team—we need more participants! It takes about 5 minutes (go to: http://willaswheels.blacktie-athon.com ) See some of the sample pages others have set up. It does not have to be a 100 miler, nor a 24-hour event, it could be a 5K, a 10K,….Willa’s Wheels honors the memory of our daughter Willa and fundraises for the Raymond Wentz Foundation All money goes to the RWF which supports people with cancer who, like Raymond, are having trouble with the basics. $250 helps pay for the gas, $500 helps pay for groceries, and $1000 helps them pay for the mortgage. RWF grants help people like Jane.

“After being the caregiver for her husband who passed away from cancer she found herself battling the disease as well, diagnosed with rectal cancer.  Not only is Jane dealing with the costs of her husband’s illness she is now facing new costs for her treatment totaling at least $200,000 (even with health insurance).  She said that the Raymond Wentz Foundation’s financial gifthelped not only with her bills but also in her psychological cancer journey giving her a positive and proactive view to her challenge.”    Learn more at www.raymondwentz.org

Ned Fischer takes on the Iron Horse single track

Carolyn Feller descends "The Ramp" on 2nd lap on way to victory!

Matt Rawley with Susan and their friend Jean at Elephant Rock

Willa Riding in Style

Customizable Donor Pages Available:

Hello Willa’s Wheels riders. I am so excited to announce that we have an easy and extremely cool way to fund raise for the team this summer. We are asking each of our riders to raise at least $250.

1. We have an athon page!!!!!!!!! It is so cool, takes 5 minutes tops to set up. Copy this link: http://willaswheels.blacktie-athon.com  and then select JOIN THE TEAM. You will create a username and password and then can customize your page. Set your fundraising goal-be aggressive! You can do it. Note–you. do not have to select or create a team name–it will default to Willa’s Wheels
2. Then you can write to your friends, relations, and network and ask them to support your endeavors. You can draft your own email or copy and paste the one below.

 By joining the Willa’s Wheels team you are saying-I want to be part of something larger than myself. Make your miles matter.

Lookout Mountain Hill Climb April 30^th .Postponed until early August because of strong winds.  This is a classic switch back climb of 1200 feet over 4.5 miles. Do it and you’re climbing very well. Do it under 25 minutes and you are a fast climber. Do it under 20 minutes and you’re an elite climber. Do it in 16 minutes 1 second and you beat Tom Danielson’s record! Stig Somme is racing the Cat 1-2 category for Willa’s Wheels (he finished 10^th place in the 2010 Leadville 100 mtn bike in 7 hours 7 minutes!, a winning time in the majority of previous years!). Do it for a good training ride, or sign up for next weekend’s race at: http://303cycling.com/2011-Lookout-Mountain-Hill-Climb.

Bolder Boulder 10K for Willa’s Wheels: Wendee Gozansky is leading a Willa’s Wheels team on this 10K run Memorial Day Weekend. They currently have 9 runners registered in the FH wave but would love to have more folks join (FYI – this is a non-qualifying running wave – their goal is to finish in 1 hr, 1 min, and 1 sec - you can always join them and then choose to run or walk in a slower wave, you just can’t move forward to a faster wave). To register online, go to: http://www.bolderboulder.com/Register/registeronline/2011_Online_Registration.htm. Request to run with Danielle Notini FH107 to get into the Willa’s Wheels Wave . . . Then just show up on Monday, May 30th with your running shoes on, wearing Willa’s Wheels apparel if you’ve got it, and, if you don’t, then let Wendy know if you want to wear a Willa’s Wheels cape for the event!! (limited edition design in progress  . . . ). Wendee’s email: wsgozansky@gmail.com.

The Iron Horse: Nine Willa’s Wheels’ riders including the tandem team of Kristina Tocce and Adam Trosterman will race from Durango to Silverton Labor Day Weekend. Some will also take on the 25 mile mountain bike race for this 25th edition of the race (www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com).

Raymond Wentz Foundation Wine Tasting May 13^th: “For the Love of Raymond”. Join us for a silent and live auction, taste and purchase Primo Vino  wines (http://www.primovino.net/) , and support the Raymond Wentz Foundation. Sign up at: http://www.raymondwentz.org/events_winetasting.html.

The Willa’s Wheels Concept and where the money goes: Willa’sWheels honors the memory of our daughter Willa and fundraises for the Raymond Wentz Foundation (RWF, learn more at www.raymondwentz.org). Pick a ride, run, triathlon, race,….wear a jersey to increase awareness about RWF, and raise money through family friends and colleagues (goal of $250 per season). Coming soon by popular request, personal donor pages will be created so that Willa’s Wheels participants have a customizable page and can track their own fundraising. All money goes to the RWF which supports people with cancer who, like Raymond, are having trouble with the basics. $250 helps pay for the gas, $500 helps pay for groceries, and $1000 helps them pay for the mortgage. RWF grants help people like 7 year-old Kimberly who is battling lymphoma. Her family (including her five brothers and sisters) began to experience the financial burden caused by cancer, and her mother had to quit her job to be her daughter’s caregiver.  After receiving an RWF check, her father wrote:

“I write to express our sincerest gratitude for the financial assistance that your organization extended to us during this terrible time.  I cannot tell you how it has helped some of the monetary burden we’ve had hanging over our heads.  As you are well aware, cancer is a horror that no one should have to face and the numerous hurdles that come with it are far more than most can handle.  It is beyond words as to how this grant has helped.  On behalf of all of us, thank you.”

Willa Biking in Style

Time to Commit: It’s time…..to set a goal, and get in shape. Willa’s Wheels is a fundraising mechanism for Raymond Wentz. Our concept is pick an event (a walk, a run, a ride, triathlon, 5k, 10k, 100 miles, 24 hour endurance…..), wear a Willa’s Wheels jersey or running-T shirt, and raise $250 or more through friends, family, colleagues (or your own donation). Let us know your event through the “Contact Us” button above or email to fishmobill@aol.com.

Who does Raymond Wentz help? All money raised through Willa’s Wheels goes to Raymond Wentz. They have now given over $1 million to people and their families affected by cancer who are struggling to make ends meet. $250 will help grantees pay the gas to and from cancer-related appointments, $500 will help them pay for groceries, and $1000 helps pay for the rent. Emily was 3 years old in November 2009 when diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer that forms in nerve tissue. After her 9 month stay in the hospital, the Raymond Wentz Foundation (RWF) provided money to help Emily and her family stay at Brent’s Place, a sterile living apartment that helps kids stay free from infection while fighting cancer and other diseases.  Emily’s scans the end of January 2011 were cancer free and she returned to preschool at that time.  Learn about other RWF grantee stories at:  http://www.raymondwentz.org/stories.html

Willa’s Wheels 2011 apparel now available. To order, hit the Apparel Tab above.  Jerseys, running shirts, shells, arm warmers, leg warmers, and bike pants available (the apparel site only has image of the jersey, but all items available). The 2011 bike jersey has lighter colors than those in 2010 with some subtle changes (first names of Raymond Wentz Foundation grantees form the background of the jersey). We will submit the next order  April 15^th (6-8 week turn-around) and your apparel will be mailed to you. We sell the apparel at cost and Kit Order charges a 2.5% processing fee.

Our 2011 goals: We hope to have 90 participants, including 25 riders at the Copper Triangle, and raise over $60,000. The Copper Triangle is a challenging ride (not a race) that covers 78 miles and climbs over 5700 feet in beautiful mountain scenery. There are plenty of AID stations. Register now as the ride will fill up in the next couple months (www.coppertriangle.com).

2010 RECAP

Over 70 riders and runners participated in 24 different events, from 5K fun runs to the Leadville 100 to 12 hours of Snowmass to Triathlons to the Firecracker 50, raising over $45,000 for RWF.

Copper Triangle: 23 Willa’s Wheels’ riders challenged themselves on this 78 mile ride that climbs over 5700 feet.  Willa’s Wheels’ riders came from both coasts and as far away as Kigali Rwanda (“Le Chien”).

Leadville 100 Mountain Bike: 15 Riders hit the Leadville 100 with 11 finishing under 11 hours. Herb Bool did it on a single speed in 10 hours and 20 minutes.  Josh Blum was awarded the Big Belt Buckle for breaking 9 hours. And, our ladies rocked with two finishing on the podium: Rachel Farrett (3^rd in 40+ and 7^th overall) and Amy Harris (3^rd in the 50+).

1^st annual kids Willa’s Wheels’ ride: Some biked, some tricycled, some crawled, and some hitched a free ride, strapped to a parent’s chest. In the end, the kids raised $1600 +.

FALL EVENTS:                                                                                                                                                                              Roxanne and Ty Hall and David Bott finished second place in their 12 Hours of Snowmass division, just behind a a pro team sponsored by Honey Stinger. The picture belies their secret to how they manage to go so fast.

Sam Blum felt the Fall Cyclo-X season arriving, attacked it early at Copper Mountain’s event, and found himself on the podium.

Adam Trosterman and Kristina Tocce added one more mountain to their summer tandem bike series madness, conquering the longest sustained climb in Colorado, the first annual Pikes Peak Bike Ascent.

COMING SOON:

The Denver Marathon (Jen Gallagher, Jon Harris, Chelsea Mannheim, Kathy Erickson, Steve Erickson)

Levi Leipheimer’s Gran Fondo King Ridge, California (Matt Rawley)

Race Across the Sky (Nationwide premier of 90 minute film of 2010 Leadville 100 mountain bike): November 4^th. Willa’s Wheels checking it out at 16^th St. Pavillion Denver

Sampson Gear night: Stay tuned

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Over 70 riders and runners participated in 24 different events, from 5K fun runs to the Leadville 100 to 12 hours of Snowmass to Triathlons to the Firecracker 50.

Copper Triangle: 23 Willa’s Wheels’ riders challenged themselves on this 78 mile ride that climbs over 5700 feet.  Keep it in mind for next year—tough ride through classic Colorado scenery that will require you to be in shape. Willa’s Wheels’ riders came from both coasts and as far away as Kigali Rwanda (“Le Chien”)

Leadville 100 Mountain Bike: 15 Riders hit the Leadville 100 with 11 finishing under 11 hours. Herb Bool did it on a single speed in 10 hours and 20 minutes.  Josh Blum was awarded the Big Belt Buckle for breaking 9 hours. And, two ladies finished on the podium: Rachel Farrett (3^rd in 40+ and 7^th overall) and Amy Harris (3^rd in the 50+).

1^st annual kids Willa’s Wheels’ ride: Some biked, some tricycled, some crawled, and some hitched a free ride, strapped to a parent’s chest. In the end, the kids raised $1600 +.

The Lighter Side: Herb Bool took his single speed up the Leadville 100 3400 foot Columbine climb, ‘the beast’, performing  two Endo’s (head over handle bars)  while going uphill(!).…Sam Blum ‘accidentally’ turned off the 7-mile Elephant Rock course and took it to the finish line on the 25-mile course…..Ambien not recommended to get a few hours sleep before 530 am training ride: may (and did) cause disorientation (‘Is this the trail I’ve done 15 times before?’), paranoia (‘Am  I losing my mind?’) and loss of coordination (my first and only Endo of the season)…..Baby Milo likes biking (sneaks multiple hits from Gatorade bottle mom is holding as she supports multiple riders at Leadville 50 aid station)….Leadville 100 mtn bike craziness: Leanna Harris helps set up Willa’s Wheels’ aid station at Twin Lakes the night before—100’s of others are already out there milling about in the dark….

Fundraising Highs 2010: Over 70 Willa’s Wheel’s runners/riders participated this season and raised over $47,000 through 174 donors (listed on the supporters’ tab). Our top 10 fundraisers to date (in alphabetical order): Jon Boltax, Herb Bool, Eugene Chu, Carolyn Feller and David Hammer, Roxanne and Ty Hall, David Lowrance, Kristin Riley-Lazo and Peter Riley, Jeanne Rozwadowski, Jim Schechter , Jennifer and Chuck Tamblyn, Kristina Tocce and Adam Trosterman

THE COPPER TRIANGLE

The Setting: It was 38 F as About 4000 riders headed from Copper Mtn for a grueling ride that climbs almost 6000 feet over 78 miles…. A flat tire before getting on the bike?—that’s just not right….

Good WW turn-out: Some riders couldn’t make it happen, while others joined in at least minute with 23 sporting the Willa’s Wheels’ jersey, coming from hometowns spanning the coasts (Bay Area and NY state) and beyond (Kigali Rwanda—David “Le Chien” Lowrance—yes, he did beat me, “le chat”, to the finish).

Are you a morning person? Some began pedaling at 5 am (isn’t it dark then?) while others of us struggled to make it out by 7 a.m.

Do not stray from the Port-a-Potty! The guy on the loud speaker diligently identified to the crowds stray bikers who sought personalized potties in the bushes on Freemont Pass

Quote of the day: Calling it a day when cramps set in after climbing over 4000 feet in 65 miles, Hill speculated, “I think I climbed more than anyone else on chemotherapy today!”

True Love? Unsure whether I would hold true to my promise of riding alongside throughout, Stacy packed her ipod. We arrived at the finish without my ever being replaced by the ipod….

FIRST ANNUAL WILLA’S WHEELS KIDS RIDE

The First Annual Willa’s Wheels Kids’ Ride was a great success. Thanks to Sam and Cece Blum for spearheading the effort and browbeating their parents into action. We had toad-strangling rains which delayed our start, but our hardy riders took to the bikes and trikes with vigor and rode to 3 aid stations on the Highline Canal where gummy worms and lemonade were dispensed with glee. About 15 kids opened wide their piggy banks, shook down their grandparents and gathered pennies all to the tune of over $500 for needy cancer patients across the state. We’ll be back next year. Keep those trikes and bikes lubed and ready!

LEADVILLE 100 MOUNTAIN BIKE

The Setting: Over 1300 of the 1600+ entrants made it to the start line. Helicopters whirled about, 1000’s of fans cheered, and the media went crazy over a number of biking legends: Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack and Armstrong team-mate), 6-time champion Dave Wiens, Ned Overend (“The Lung”), Tinker Juarez (Mountain Bike Icon with flowing dread-locks), Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (“JHK”, elite X-country mountain biker felt to be the favorite by many), Armstrong Mtn bike training buddies (Len Zanni, Max Taam, Matt Shriver), and others that you would recognize if you spent way too much time reading VeloNews. 21 countries and 48 states were represented. 12 of our 13 male riders fell in the age 40-49 category along with 479 other entrants (? a healthy way to work through our mid-life crises?) Last minute pee? Good luck finding a port-a-potty and making it back through the masses in time. Are you cold in the initial 37F 3 mile-descent? Don’t worry, you’ll warm up at mile 6 on your first of many climbs (14000 ft total ascent). As Dave Wiens recently said, “It starts at 6th St and Harrison with 100 miles of hell in between!” Actually, it’s 102.5 miles, and those last 2.5 really hurt.

 The worst start ever: Already queasy stomachs turned side-ways at the site of 8 fried eggs cooked without oil or basic cooking skills (by me) at 4:20 a.m.

Kind of Hurts, but not too bad: Herb Bool wrestled his single speed up “the Beast” 3400 foot Columbine climb, performing 2 “en-do’s” (summersaults over handle bars).

A whole different physiology: Jeremy Hargan-Kobelski “JHK” followed closely by Levi Leipheimer hit the 125000 foot turn-around then come screaming down Columbine past you at 40+ m.p.h. slicing through the ruts and rocks …..Levi in 6 hours and 16 minutes? What?

Podium Finishes (Our Ladies Rock!): Rachel Farrett (9h 27m 7th overall and 3rd in the 40-49 age group). Amy Harris (9h 49m 15th overall and 3rd in the 50-59 age group).

“Big” belt buckle awarded: Josh Blum finished crushed the 9-hour mark in 8h 48m earning the sub-9 hour gold belt buckle sure to generate a few stares at his Denver Health clinic. “I’m not in great shape. It’s all the bike and a good start position.” Yeah? Looks like you’re in pretty good shape.

Other Sweet Finishes

Jon Boltax (9h 30m Shaved off 45 minutes from last year’s time)

Herb Bool (Did the Leadville 100 in 10h 23m on a single speed! 22nd place amongst the 88 single speeders)

Eugene Chu (Road honoring the memory of his daughter Karin. steady throughout. We know why he’s also an “Iron Man”)

Henry Fischer-me (32nd overall, 5th in age group, 8h 6m: for the strength and courage of friend Hill.)

Ned Fischer (Flat-lander in 10 h 31m without water the last 2 hours. Post-race day: “Never again!” 2 days post race has sites on Sub-9 hours in 2011)

Max Hagan (Broke 11 hours and is now a 5-time L100 finisher, 5 rides away from the 1000 mile “license plate” buckle)

Jamie Harris (10h 29m Improved last year’s time by 25 minutes. Seeking the Columbine Climb equivalent in England this next year.)

Michael McCeney (10h 27m taking 42 minutes off his time from 2009)

Not as planned: Our WW concept is to pick an event, challenge yourself, and put yourself on the line. It doesn’t always go according to plan. Four of our 15 riders had to turn-in before the finish because of cramps, nausea, or altitude (Bill Farrett, Peter Riley, Darryl Shockley, Todd Stevenson)

The Aftermath: Ned Fischer went missing during the day-after awards ceremony and was found taking his first of 3 naps in the bleachers. Is there a doctor in the house? No charges rendered for council on various forms and degrees of post-race GI distress, very oddly colored urine, and insatiable Lucky Charm cravings.

Willa’s Wheels in the Race Across the Sky? Film-maker took an interest in the Raymond Wentz/Willa’s Wheels story (thank you Leanna Harris). Shots of riders and brief interviews took place on course. It may or may not happen—let’s check it out at theaters around country on November 4th.

 Coming Soon: Pikes Peak Ascent (Kristina Tocce and Adam Trosterman), 12 hours of Steamboat (Roxanne Hall–finished Leadville 100 in 10h 25m and Ty Hall–finished Leadville 100 in 8h 11m in 40th place overall), Todd’s crazy fall X-bike adventure (Leadville over Hagerman pass to Basalt? To Carbondale? Over Independence Pass…..stay posted)

Fundraising goal—getting close: The unofficial tally is about 17K thanks to many generous donations. We’re shooting for 25K, so keep the momentum going.

Special Thanks: to many volunteers, Leanna and crew for awesome set-up at Twin Lakes and Carol for essential help at Pipeline. Also thanks to Cycles of Life Leadville for masterful help with bikes….and, to spouses and families of riders who now get many opera tickets/spa treatments….. until Spring 2011.

TANDEM BIKE MADNESS: Kristina Tocce and Adam Trosterman, current tandem record holders for the Mt. Evans Hill Climb, are taking the Willa’s Wheels’ jersey up Pike’s Peak for the first annual Pikes Peak Bike Ascent (August 29^th, sign up:http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=10578). Do they like climbing? Take a look at a few of their rides for 2010:

-Iron Horse (50 miles, 7K climbing)

-Death Valley Double Century (200 miles, 9k climbing)

-Borregor Ordeal Double Century (206 miles, 15k Climbing)

-Markleeville Death Ride (130miles, 15K climbing)

-Mt. Evans (28 miles, 7K climbing

-Pikes Peak (25 miles, 7K climbing)

-Mt. Washington Hill Climb (7 miles, 4K)

-Another 200 mile ‘double century’ in September TBD for attempt at California Triple Crown 2010 victory

Do they get along OK on these rides? They are known to hold a continuous conversation throughout their rides!

Adam and Kristina at 2009 Iron Horse

LEADVILLE 50 MILE SILVER RUSH (COMPLETED JULY 17 WEEKEND)

The 50 miler starts with a ‘sprint’ up Dutch Henry Hill, heart pounding, maxing out just 300 feet into the race….Only 49+ miles left!

“The Blur” noted by Willa’s Wheels’ rider David Hammer (59^th place overall)  was 50+ 2010 national marathon mtn bike champion Amy Harris (to ride with Willa’s Wheels in Leadville 100) flying down the last descent on her way to 1^st place in the Women’s division followed less than 1 minute later by 2^nd place finisher Willa’s Wheels rider Rachel Farrett (despite a wrong turn).

10 mtn bike finishers: Josh Blum, Bill Farrett, Rachel Farrett, Carolyn Feller, David Hammer, Jamie Harris, Henry (me), Micki Harris, Mike McCeney, Peter Riley

50-mile Runners: Adam Mackstaller (just over 9 hours in 24^th place overall), Ray Blum (4^th in division)

FURIOUS FINISHES

Triple Bypass finishers: Pat Brennan, Ken Hansen, Micki Harris, Jacqueline Melmed, John Perna

Ray Blum (4^th in division in Leadville 50 run)

Rachel Farrett (1^st place “Lap the Lake” competition Leadville Colorado, 2^nd place Leadville 50 mtn bike)

Bill Farrett kept Leadman quest (completing pretty much all Leadville 2010 competitions) alive by gutting out Leadville 50 mtn bike

Michelle Harris, 2^nd place in her division in Maumee Bay Triathlon

Laura Hurley 3^rd place in her division of Run the Rockies

Adam Mackstaller (24^th place in Leadville 50 run)

Peter Riley (18^th place overall in Leadville 50 mtn bike, despite 29 pound bike!)

Firecracker 50: Mary Blomquist, Jamie Harris, Kristin Riley-Lazo, Peter Riley

Henry (me) 5^th place overall Leadville 50 mtn bike, 1^st place in 40’s (for my courageous buddy Hill)

APPROACHING RIDES/RACES

Copper Triangle August 7^th (22 Willa’s Wheels’ Riders)

Leadville 100 mtn bike August 14^th (15 riders):

Josh Blum (just over 9 hours last year on 29 pound bike!)

Herb Bool (Master of the single speed and descent)

Jon Boltax (Top fundraiser 2009; promises to wear tight XS shorts next year if breaks 9 hours this year)

Eugene Chu (Seen biking through snow in April)

Bill Farrett (in quest of the “Leadman”)

Rachel Farrett (6^th place last year)

Me (Henry—family eagerly awaiting “the day after”, August 15^th)

Ned Fischer (has officially cut-out deserts until the evening of august 14^th)

Max Hagen (4x finisher of L100)

Amy Harris (1^st place in Leadville 50 and downhill descent national champion)

Jamie Harris (Has sported the “W” jersey in various challenging events this summer)

Michael McCeney “The Hammer”

Peter Riley (just over 9 hours last year on 29 pound bike!)

Darryl Shockley (Road bike master coaxed into this 14K climbing beast)

Todd Stevenson (ready to turn Adam and Kristina’s tandem into a Triple seater for the L100 climbs)

12 Hours of Steamboat: Roxanne and Ty Hall

Rowing Regalia: Jessica Weirmier

2010 Tally

Total Willa’s Wheels participants in 2010: 71

Fundraising goal: 25K

Thanks to everyone for pushing your limits, honoring Willa’s memory, and supporting a great cause.

Micki Harris at Leadville 50 finish with Wendee

Adam Mackstaller finishing the Leadville 50 run just over 9 hours

Peter Riley finishing 18th in Leadville 50 mtn bike