JOIN THE PACK

Bicycling Magazine: "Motoring along in a paceline doesn't just save you energy, group workouts also fuel motivation. A 2012 study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that cyclists who worked out as a team exercised twice as long as those who pedaled alone. "We're social animals," says Nike's Treasure. "There's a performance benefit to training in a group, but it also feeds a part of you that needs to be connected to others, "he says. No local group rides? Download an app like Strava or Map My Ride, which help solitary cyclists ride with a virtual pack.

I couldn't agree more with this article. I couldn't imagine not having my weekly Latte Rides with my Ladies. All, I can say for myself is that each of these ladies have made such a positive impact in my life. Over these rides we have not only grown stronger as riders, but have become stronger women. Life is Crazy and our Conversations over Coffee help us feel we aren't the only one going through stressful times at work or stressful times raising our kids.

What I LOVE about our Shop is that we realize the importance of group rides. Be it from our Tour de After

work rides, Hump Day Rides, Legacy Ladies Latte Rides, Family Rides, Tacky Sweater ride, or Yearly group rides. We are building friendships, staying in shape, building up future cyclist!! It is a beautiful thing!!

As for Strava, it  not only connects you with your friends, but with other riders. You can follow PRO cyclists and they can follow you. You can track your progress and track where you are in comparison to other cyclist. Let's just say I think that Strava segments come up daily in conversation at the bike shop.

Moral of the Story is Find a Local group of people to ride with. Check with your Local Shop, Local Bike Club, or just post on your Social Media you are going out for a ride and invite others to come along:) Happy Riding!!!

Living the Dream

Hey, fellow cycling peeps. I wanted to take the time to share about a pretty AMAZING lady I have had the opportunity to meet, because of this great sport and also because of Specialized Bikes. Her name is Marissa Herold.

 I first met Marissa via the world wide web when I organized my second National Women's Day Ride. She was the lead coordinator of the National event. Marissa, in my mind has a pretty amazing Job, but decided a little over a month ago to take a leave of absence from her job to check something pretty big off her bucket list and ride from Washington State to the Keys of Florida. You heard right across Country. She went through 11 states and road 3900 miles in 42 days on her beautiful S-Works Amira. We were so lucky that Marissa decided to crash for the night in Sebring and come visit us at Legacy Bicycles. We spent dinner talking about cycling of course. Loved that her Dad was her SAG support across Country. 

What I love is that Marissa was living the dream and taking a dream and making it a reality. My goal is to turn some of my Dreams into reality before the end of the year. Granted I can't take 42 days off of work or away from being a Mom, but Marissa checking off a huge Bucket list item inspired me to go after some pretty BIG scary dreams and goals. "We need to live for Today, Because we aren't Promised tomorrow". Happy Cycling!!!

Alfia Classic 2015

Sorry, it has been so long since my first blog post. It has been almost two weeks since the Alfia Classic and all I can say WOW!!! What Fun! Legacy Ladies ROCKED the trails yet again this year. I am so blessed to have such great Friends who have decided to take the Challenge with me for the past two years. We also beat our Son's team, but thinking this might be the last year we beat them. lol!

I think what I love most about this ride is we get to spend the day with our close friends bonding and talking about our adventures on the trails. After each loop the adventures get greater and more exciting to hear. Not going to lie it is pretty Cool to be out there with my husband and son, hoping maybe in the future Hannah might grow to love mountain biking, but not going to push it to much, because as you know it took me 12 years to even try it again.

There is talk of Father-Son teams next year, that so warms my heart!! I think that idea is SUPER RAD!! What memories in the making!If anything I can share is that not only is Cycling an Amazing sport/activity but you build great friendships and memories in the process!! Can't wait to share more Adventures and Tips!! Happy Cycling:)

Don't be Afraid!!!!

This weekend I am embarking on another Adventure!!! Which still seems funny and odd to me, considering just two short years ago the idea of getting on a Mountain bike and riding the trails was way off my radar.

You see my husband like many guys thought 18 years ago it would be AWESOME to take his then girlfriend on a Mountain Bike trip with the guys. He was wrong!!!! We didn't ride any of the Easy trails, because guys don't do that it is either Blue or Black trails or go HOME!!! Home is where I was wanting to be the whole time on the trail, white knuckles and all. I swore that day I would NEVER go Mountain biking again. 

Well, Fast forward 16 years and then my husband says honey a bunch of families are going Mountain biking do you want to go??? I am thinking is he crazy doesn't he know I swore never to Mountain bike again. But he ensured me it would be Easy trails, but I was still worried since my last encounter I never knew there was a thing as a easy trail. 

So, I went still skeptical of what I had gotten myself into!!! Crazy thing was there were EASY trails I had a Complete Blast!!! I enjoyed the Nature around me, because I wasn't scared to death. Since that Family ride, I have tried Trails that I thought I would never try, I did a 6 hour Mountain bike race with my two Legacy Ladies and friends to which again was sold to me as a EASY course, Correction not Easy but did it!!! 

And this Coming Sunday I am doing it again, but this Time I can't WAIT!!! I am so EXCITED to race, and so the moral of this story is Don't be Afraid!! And start with the EASY trails and move up from there. I have made so many memories have grown as a person and athlete trying this great Sport. If you love to road bike, the skills you use on the Mountain bike will help you on the road. I can't wait to share with you about my Adventures on the bike this Sunday.