PGR Connected May 2015

PGR CONNECTED

Monthly Newsletter 2015-May

PGR CONNECTEDMonthly Newsletter 2015-May

2

Newsletter Highlights

• Pregnancy and Biking... Steer Clear or Good to Go?• XC Race Season Kick Off!• Salty Dog Race• NDUB

Sponsored By:

PREGNANCY AND BIKING… STEER CLEAR OR GOOD TO GO?

by Katie Longhurst, DH Racer

Since becoming pregnant recently, I have learned that constant advice is one thing that expecting moms will receive in abundance. It seems as though there is some pregnancy related advice to be given concerning all topics, whether it comes from other moms, friends, family, coworkers, or doctors.

Although I do appreciate the sentiment of the free advice givers, much of the actual advice goes “in one ear and out the other” with me, unless it involves sports. More specifically, what activities can I still do while I am expecting, and can I still ride bikes? Now, I do have enough common sense to know that extreme sports and activities that involve high risks of falling and injury are out the question, so (obviously) I knew my downhill race season was out of the question. Other types of (easier) riding, however, seemed pretty low risk to me. When I mentioned it to my doctor, however, she was not as stoked about it. She said that any biking outdoors was “not recommended” as the risk of falling was too great. After some research, however, I have learned that many experienced cyclists continue to ride until their third trimester.

SUPPORTERS:


3

So, with all this advice being constantly thrown out there, how does one always know what the best course of action is?? The answer is simple: just do what you feel is safe for YOU, and listen to your body. Everyone is different and has their own limits (and not just during pregnancy). We all know our limits and abilities better than anyone else.

So (for now), I won’t be joining my team for group training rides on single track in the valley, but I do feel confident and comfortable enough to log a few kms on the paths once or twice a week.

So happy bike season all! Get out there and do some of your own riding, at whatever level or ability you enjoy best!

Me with my new 2015 Giant Anthem (thanks Western Cycle). Unfortunately, my new whip won’t get to be fully put to the test until next season – I can hardly wait!


4

xc race season kickoff!by Sara McCartney

Summer race season has officially begun! Prairie Girls Racing was down in Lethbridge the first weekend of May for the Coulee Cruiser, the first race of Alberta’s XC Cup Series. The race was held in the coulee ravine in central Lethbridge, right beside the Lethbridge College Campus. The coulees provided a beautiful, unique landscaping for the race. The race course was very fun, flowy and fast. It also included a new-to-me challenge of avoiding cactuses and the potential risk for a flat tires - cactus in Alberta! Who knew?!

The weekend was an excellent start to the race season. The Prairie Girls were presently surprised to have a six (6) racers in the Women’s Novice category. While women still made up a fraction of the number of the male racers it was the most novice women I have seen at an event yet and it was great to see female participants.

I would like to give a shout out to my teammates Nicole Barby and Melissa Elsliger who both had a fantastic race! Nicole made it onto the podium with her 2nd place finish in Novice Women category and Melissa completed her first every mountain bike race. I’m so proud of my teammates and am looking forward to the next race in the XC Cup series – the River Valley Rumble in PGR’s hometown of Edmonton. Hope to see many of you there!

Check out our sponsoring shop Western Cycle for all your biking needs!

Check out our sponsoring shop Western Cycle for all your biking needs!


5

Salty dog

On May 10, 2015 Kat and Nicole (XC Racers) participated in the much anticipated Salty Dog Enduro in Salmon Arm, BC. For a race that sold out in 24 hours the venue totally delivered. The grueling ups were totally worth the technical, rock faced, burmed descents. This was truly a venue of extreme all mountain and endurance skill. We can’t wait for next year! Thank you volunteers and organizers for an amazing event!

NDUB

The Northwest Cup (formally “NDub”) kicked off it’s 2015 season with it’s first race in Port Angeles, Washington. Also the first in the US ProGRT series, this race hosted a record turnout and some serious competition. As always, this is one of the most fun races of the year... the people and the vibe is just what downhill racing should be... relaxed and friendly, but competitive, with a strong and rowdy heckling contingency. The weather was unusually fair, no rain made for a fast and dry track... a rare occurrence for a Northwest race! Nevertheless, the track was perfect... steep and fast, with some large hucking-your-meat-to-flat hits, and point-and-shoot straightaways. I put together a clean and decently fast run, despite having to pass a rider and being a liiiiiiiittle bit over-cautious on a few tricky corners, and I was very happy with my performance, particularly my mental game. I made it onto the podium in 3rd, seconds off top spot, out of a whooping turn out of 20 ladies!!! The women’s representation at this race was strong, and that was great to see! I’m very much looking forward to representing the Prairie Girls Racing pride at the rest of the NW Cups this year! Here’s to seeing those checkers y’all! Much love, Allison “Yankee” Oliver.

PGR Connected May 2015

Documents

Transcript of PGR Connected May 2015