Willa's Wheels

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.

THE CHALLENGE Our goal is to raise $25,000 through Willa’s Wheels this year which would offer 25 individual grants through Raymond Wentz. We now have (details at Runners/Riders tab):

Total participants: 66

Copper Triangle Riders: 22

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

Leadville 50 runner: Adam Mackstaller

Leadville 100 runners: Bill Farrett

Leadville 50 Mtn Bike Riders (12 entrants): Josh Blum, Mike Brewer, Carolyn Feller, Bill Farrett, Rachel Farrett, Me (Henry), Ned Fischer, Micki Harris, David Hammer, Nancy Parker, Peter Riley, Todd Stevenson

Leadville 100 Mtn Bike Riders (13 entrants): Josh Blum, Jon Boltax, Herb Bool (single speed and bike handling master), Eugene Chu (“All-weatherman”), Bill Farrett (“Leadman” entrant), Rachel Farrett (6^th place last year in women’s!) , me (Henry), Ned Fischer (‘the missile’),  Jamie Harris, Michael ‘aka James’ McCesney, Peter Riley, Darryl Shockley, Todd Stevenson (married man seeking lean, wiry tandem partner)

Denver Marathon: Ray Blum, Kathy Erickson, Steve Erickson, Jen Gallaher, Chelsea Manheim

We are touched by everyone’s  participation as they pour some sweat into honoring Willa and helping those with cancer in need. Let me know if you are doing a race or ride and I have not listed you on the Riders/Runners tab. Let family and friends know about your race/ride. Feel free to send them links to Willas Wheels (you’re there) Raymond Wentz (www.raymondwentz.org), or our 3-minute  Willa’s Wheels’ video (http://orindaweb.com/willawp/?page_id=36). Please ask them to mention your name and Willa’s Wheels’ when they donate so we can track total donations.

WILLAS WHEELS RINGER AND ?CAREER SWITCH?.After announcing “I am going to win” at the beginning of the 7-mile Elephant Rock, 10-year old Sam Blum raced ahead of his mom Meg and sister Cece. He “accidentally” veered onto the 25-mile course and was tracked down 3 hours later by dad Josh. Offered a cushy seat in back of car at mile 21, Sam declared that he owned the 25-miler and went on to finish ahead of most participants. Look for his name in 2020 Leadville 100….Racing in the 50-mile Iron Horse (Durango to Silverton), trying to keep up with young pups in category (35 year olds), heart rate 95% max from the start, legs screaming, all-out cramps at mile 40, 2 hours 34 minutes later 10^th place by 7 seconds. Three weeks later, the $40 check arrives in the mail, recouping 1/3 of entry fee and I am wondering if it’s time to get serious, switch careers, and fully embrace endurance competition. To gain perspective on our between kids/work endurance battles, turn to Steevo and Amy (http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/5700021/

RIDE FOR WILLAS WHEELS AND SUPPORT RAYMOND WENTZ WITHOUT THE PAIN,….Are you looking for a way to ride/run/walk with Willa’s Wheels but don’t have a lot of time to train?  There are two great options to consider. First, the Denver Moonlight Classic is a 10-mile, non-competitive ride through historical neighborhoods on late Saturday evening July 17^th. It will start in 2 waves (1030 pm and 1130 pm) from Denver’s capitol building and tour new and old landmark: pleasant bike ride on vehicle-free streets.  Sign up at http://www.moonlight-classic.com/. Or, consider the “Step-up for Cancer” which takes place Sunday August 8^th at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Commerce City.  You can walk one step, or one row, or all 33 rows (1765 stairs). This event benefits a number of non-profit organizations, including Raymond Wentz. Need more pain? It’s still not too late to sign up for the Copper Triangle (warning—requires training—78 miles and about 5500 feet of climibing). We have 19 riders going for it (sign up at ttp://www.coppertriangle.com/reg.html).  At any of these events, wear a Willa’s Wheels’ jersey, answer to people’s question “Who’s Raymond”, and raise some funds for the Raymond Wentz Foundation through friends, family, colleagues.

It’s OK to walk….Wiens and Armstrong at top of Columbine Leadville 100 2008

1)      Ride for Willas Wheels and support Raymond Wentz, without the pain,….Are you looking for a way to ride/run/walk with Willa’s Wheels but don’t have a lot of time to train?  There are two great options to consider. First, the Denver Moonlight Classic is a 10-mile, non-competitive ride through historical neighborhoods on late Saturday evening July 17^th. It will start in 2 waves (1030 pm and 1130 pm) from Denver’s capitol building and tour new and old landmark: pleasant bike ride on vehicle-free streets.  Sign up at http://www.moonlight-classic.com/. Or, consider the “Step-up for Cancer” which takes place Sunday August 8^th at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Commerce City.  You can walk one step, or one row, or all 33 rows (1765 stairs). This event benefits a number of non-profit organizations, including Raymond Wentz. Need more pain? It’s still not too late to sign up for the Copper Triangle (warning—requires training—78 miles and about 5500 feet of climibing). We have about 20 riders going for it (sign up at http://www.coppertriangle.com/reg.html).  At any of these events, wear a Willa’s Wheels’ jersey, answer to people’s question “Who’s Raymond”, and raise some funds for the Raymond Wentz Foundation through friends, family, colleagues.

2) June Event—swim and bike—June 19th. Bring kids, friends, pets (short-haired Chihuahuas now allowed) to Anderson Pool Wheatride at 1030 am. Later, mountain bikers will leave at 1 pm from parking lot of Mt Falcon State Park for 2-3 hour ride.

3)      The Elements, Wise Words, and the Lighter Side: Yes, Colorado weather brings almost anything, anytime of year. Most passed on the late April 5-hour foothill ride, but Eugene Chu figured “hey, you never know what the conditions for the Leadville 100 will bring—let’s go for it.” . The onset up Rooney Road brought driving rain with 30 mile per hours head winds. Snow soon followed and then the sun peaked through at end of ride, with nature delivering some elk and deer in snowy meadows. Eugene wisely observed, “As long as your digits are intact the next day, everything’s OK.” Eugene has yet to unveil his toes, but we’re assuming everything came through OK….Eugene’s sparkling 21.5 pound full-suspension carbon-frame Gary Fisher Mountain Bike is sure to raise spousal anxiety and generate separate credit card accounts as mountain bike events approach.  It also entices those of us who cannot get enough of Josh’s home-baked bread at Todd’s In Season Local Market (and would rather cut pounds from the bike than from the waistline). Todd’s bread intake has gone directly to increasing his leg muscle-bulk and he is still offering up his thighs to support the conquering of the Leadville 100 by tandem bike

1)      Willa’s Wheels—the concept: Pick a ride, run, triathlon,…., be it a 5k or a 24 hour solo bike race, in Colorado or another state, whatever fits your life constraints.  The idea is to put yourself on the line, push your limits, honor Willa’s memory, and support the Raymond Wentz Foundation. We ask that you wear a Willa’s Wheels (WW)  jersey for the ride(s)/run(s) and set the goal of raising at least $250 through friends, family, colleagues. There is a sponsorship form that you can download from the WW website if you’d like to pass it along….Consider making a dedication in memory of someone or to a survivor or current battler of cancer. Bill Farrett raced his heart out last year in the daunting Leadman series for his friend Ric Haas who fought pancreatic cancer. I am dedicating this season to a friend and fellow biker recently diagnosed with colon cancer (and, as always, to Willa).  Please send me the ride(s) and/or run(s) that you’d like to do for Willa’s Wheels this year as well as any dedication. We will post 2010 WW participants on the website.Our goal is 75 participants this year.

2)      Leadville 100 Mountain Bike. My sincere apologies to the handful of WW riders who did not make it in. I was optimistic (overly), but director Ken noted 1000’s turned away—many with compelling reasons for entry (previous top finishers, multiple finishes, volunteers). Consider volunteering a day or two in this summer’s Leadville races (or night at the 100 run) to increase your chances and WW’s chances of entries next year. We are grateful for those that gained entry and, given the visibility and excitement surrounding the 100, have set a goal of raising $10,000, or about $1000 per rider this year.  Please try to recruit any L100 riders to Willa’s Wheels (we picked up 7 riders after the lottery last year).

 3)      2010 Rides. We will lead twice monthly our own rides around Denver, the foothills, and Leadville (when it warms) starting in April and will post the difficulty and map. Consider also joining us on some of Team Evergreen’s exellent training rides in the foothills, offered every weekend. Team Evergreen promotes cycling and runs the Triple Bypass and Bob Cook Memorial–please consider becoming a member for $30(www.teamevergreen.org) Join us at the Elephant Rock ride June 5^th, with options for shorter and longer rides (www.elephantrockride.com) –a number of us are doing the 62 mile option. We are shooting for a big turn-out at the copper triangle August 7^th (http://www.coppertriangle.com/reg.html). Best to sign up soon as the rides fill and to start training soon as it is a challenging (78 miles, 5800 feet of climbing) but doable ride.

 4)      “Fall up Independence Pass September 2010 2011”. We hope to create our own Willa’s Wheels/Raymond Wentz ride but think we need to first build our WW base to, at least, over 100. We hope we’re able to put together an official ride for 2011.

 5)      Apparel. Our jerseys, running T’s, shells, and vests are the same as last year. We will now have a club fit bike jersey at $44. We will also have arm and leg warmers (thank you Todd), as well as bibs/bike pants coming soon).  Pactimo is our supplier (www.pactimo.com). We are selling to you with a $5 surcharge over the Pactimo’s charge to us, to cover shipping expenses. Download an order form under the “Apparel” tab above (additionally specify if you would like arm/leg warmers or club fit jersey)

Josh finishing Leadville 100 just over 9 hrs, relieved, excited….delirious

Willa’s Wheels Concept  Emerges

It all clicked over Thanksgiving in northern California in 2008 amidst delicious bike rides and food and wine intervals: what better way to honor Willa’s memory than through biking and running and the support of the Raymond Wentz foundation. A small idea turned much bigger with others’ creative energies: bike jerseys (Todd Stevenson), a webpage (Ned Fischer), training rides (Josh Blum), sponsorship forms (Jon Manheim), and sacrifice (from the families of anyone who road in the Leadville 100).

Pushing the Limits

First Timers: Jon Manheim (marathon), many new bikers, and many trying out new rides like the Iron Horse, Bob Cook Memorial, Copper Trianle, Leadville 50, Leadville 100….

Squaw Peak 50 mile trail run: 2nd place!

Leadville 100: nine finishers  under 12 hours(Josh Blum, Jon Boltax, Bill and Rachel Farrett, me (Henry), Jason Lau, Felix Leung, Peter Riley, and Todd Stevenson) with a 7th place in the women’s! (Rachel F) and 35th in men’s

Turqoise Lap the Lake: 1st in women’s long course and 2nd in men’s short course

Leadville 50 Silver Rush: 4th in women’s and 11th in men’s

Bob Cook Memorial/Mt. Evans Hill Climb: 1st to top of mountain (citizen’s race)

The Darker Side

Part of the Willa’s Wheels’ concept is to put yourself on the line and push your limits. Things don’t always go as planned. So close to completing the daunting Leadman, Bill Farrett came up just short as the sun and heat beat-down in the Leadville 100 run. Kristin Riley-Lazo pushed it for 12 hours only to finish the Leadville100 mountain bike minutes beyond the 12-hour cut-off.  Ryn Kreidl battled a tumble in the Leadville 100 mountain bike followed by a broken chain.

The Lighter Side

After long training rides and much prep work, there’s nothing like arriving to the start line of the Leadville 50 when, one minute before the gun, the guy next to you says, “Hey man, you’re riding without a helmet today?” (Josh B). Luckily speedy wife Meg retrieved helmet and delayed his start by only 10 minutes…. No better way of conquering your fear of the Leadville 100 Power Line descent than practice a slow motion summersault over the handlebars (Todd S)—sidenote—toddlers fascinated by blood and scabs …. Careful with that last-minute bladder relief—you may face a massive struggle getting back to your bike at a crowded Leadville 100 start (me).

Honoring Willa and Supporting Raymond Wentz

Willa’s Wheels got off the ground;  inspired people to get in shape; honored sweet Willa’s memory; and raised over $10,ooo for Raymond Wentz, providing 10 grants to people fighting cancer. We look forward to expanding participation and, hopefully next season, creating our own Willa’s Wheels/Raymond Wentz ride.