BettyGoHard Women Action Sports Blog

The only way down is down - what will I learn about myself on the way?

Here I am at 2000m, sitting on my behind on Whistler Peak. It is a stunning bluebird day and in front of me is an untracked powder field. The catch? To get there I have to navigate a gnarly entrance which I have never done before. I have to edge down an icy, exposed chute and halfway down I will have to let go and slide over a rock slab - no edge engaged, nothing to hold on to.

Just quietly, being exposed on the side of a mountain like this freaks the hell out of me. I grew up in outback Queensland, Australia where the ground is FLAT. Stick me on the side of a snow covered cliff and I feel like I am going to fall into space. It is a hard fear to overcome and I have had a few horrible experiences in the past on steep sections.

But today there are people lining up behind me - I don't have time to think about freaking out, only to act. I focus on getting down that chute then riding the heck out of the powder before anyone else can. For those few precious minutes I am completely in the moment, whooping with delight the whole way down. At the bottom I turn and look back up to the peak I have just come from and feel an immense sense of achievement. Today, I overcame that fear!

This story is a neat metaphor for how I want to live my life - I want to live in the moment, face my fears and achieve my full potential at everything I do. Participating in actions sports has taught me valuable life lessons and is one of the reasons I feel as strong and healthy as I do today.

Taking up mountain biking and snowboarding in my 20s has been a huge challenge. Physically I have had to become much fitter, and much more aware of how my brain and body work together.  Mentally, I have had to learn how to de-stress, how to overcome my internal dialogue and really focus what is important (I can either worry about money and life choices and world peace in my head OR bomb a technical section of trail well - not both!). Socially, it has helped me connect to new communities that value healthy minds and bodies and worship the great outdoors over the almighty dollar.

I support women’s involvement in actions sports because every girl, lass and lady out there deserves to be all that they can be.

Ladies, what has participating in action sports taught you? How would you persuade other women to get involved?

ASPworldtour.com

BettyGoHard will soon be streaming a podcast of videos of the Betty girls ripping it up.  As well as incorporating video analysis into our camps and clinics for those that want it.  Before we put this into action we are looking for the perfect camera.

Revised schedule of events - noting that there are two DH shuttles and that one leaves from Sacred Ride. Registration forms are available at Sacred Ride and Gerick's, as are volunteer sign up sheets. Check back for on-line registration too. Remember to register early to save money, as registrations after August 25th are $5 more. For more info please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Schedule of Events:
Friday Night:
XC “no drop” group rides
- Beginner – Evening Ridge, Shasta, Expresso
- Intermediate – Log Jam, Frog Jam
- Meet at Mountain Station at 5pm


DH Rides – free shuttles courtesy of Dirt Tours to Giveout Creek Trails

- 4:00 Shuttle leaving from Sacred Ride

- 5:30 Shuttle leaving from Gerick's

- First come, first Served


Fat Tire Kick Off Party: Starting at 7:30pm at Jackson’s Hole and Grill, enjoy food and drink specials and good times!


Saturday:
Rosemont Events: kids XC, Dirt Jump Jam, BBQ, kids activities, trials demos
10:00 sign in/registration (available for all events)
10:30 2-5 year olds race; awards
11:00 6-8 year olds race; awards
11:30 9-12 year olds race; awards
12- 2 Dirt Jump Jam
11- 2 BBQ hosted by the Kootenay Lake Outdoor Skateboard Park Society; Kids Activities – bike decorating, face painting, activities courtesy of the NDCC
Downtown Events
5:00 Parade Gathering: meet in front of Gerick’s Cycle with decorated bikes
5:15 Parade Start – to Sacred Ride
5:45 Crit starts: 2-5 year olds
5:55 6-8 year olds
6:10 9-12 year olds
6:20 13-17 year olds
6:45 Women
7:10 Men
7:45 Clunker Crit – it’s free! Bring your funkiest bike and join in!
8:00 Awards (teens and adults)

Post Race party @ the Royal - they will be offering food specials and have donated prizes for the crit...even the crowd can win, so don't forget to come down and watch!




Sunday: Morning Mountain
8:00 sign-in/ registration
8:45 race instructions (@ start)
9:00 race start
11:30 race end
11:00 DH Sign on and practice runs
1:00 DH race start

We've got a kids tent and activities, so if Mom and Dad want to participate in an event, the kids will be occupied. And if you are worried about being hungry, don't be - we've got food vendors (BBQ, wraps, gelato!).

It was my birthday last week and totally contrary to my personality instead of heading out and hitting the trails I just hung out and took a day off.  It was awesome to sit back and relax with the knowledge of a weekend of biking just on the horizon.  This weekend past was the annual Silver Mtn Brewsfest.  Silver mountain is in Kellogg, Idaho and a great place to go downhill.  The Brewsfest is a super cool event; for less than the price of a regular lift ticket you get to ride the mountain bike trails, try out beers from 30 different breweries and listen to cool music. 

It is not the most extensive bike park you'll ever visit but the trails are fun and super long.  From the top of the world's longest single pole gondola back to the base you drop 2,200 ft, its a long way down!  Three runs and I was revved up and loving life but the body was tired and ready to eat some food and drink some beer.  The runs are a little bumpy but have fun flow, a few challenging sections and lots of smiles at the bottom.  The gondola ride gives the legs and arms time to recover then downhill we go.  To make it a full weekend you can stay on mountain and enjoy the water park too where they have the Flowrider so surfing and biking in one day is possible at Silver Mountain.  This is the second year I've attended and it is definitely an annual event; check it out next year we will be there!!  The more friends the more fun to be had!

After the weekend I was a little jaded, slightly stiff and in need of some yoga.  BettyGoHard and Kerry Yoga had our first Hiking and Yoga event on Monday night - what a way to start the week off on the right foot!  We hiked to the top of Raven Rock trail to the lookout overlooking the the town of Trail and the Columbia river - what a view!!  Overlooking the Columbia, Agathe led us through a half hour gentle yoga practice; normally I have trouble stilling my mind and really getting into my practice but with the wind blowing gently and the view of the mountains it was the best yoga I have done for as long as I can remember.  Thank you to the ladies that joined us and the cute guy at the bottom with the amazing quinoa fruit parfait it was the perfect way to end a perfect experience.  Next week we will be doing Elder Trail high above the Columbia on the other side of Trail.  Maybe I will see you there.

Have a great week

Betty

 

It was Australia’s day today at the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games Jucy Snowboard Cross with reigning snowboard cross world champion and X Games competitor, Alex Pullin taking out the men’s competition and Belle Brockhof taking gold in the women’s competition.

Mother nature cooperated providing blue skies and light winds; the athletes provided the entertainment in this fast paced competition that, for spectators, is similar to watching a motocross event.

“It was great to be out here today competing against some of the world’s best,” said Pullin.  “The Winter Games is fantastic in that it provides another major competition during the Southern Hemisphere season.  It’s critical to our training and to being in top form for the Northern Hemisphere season.  I’ll definitely be back.”

Pullin went on to comment on his teammates Cameron Bolton and Andy Fischer who placed second and fourth respectively.  “We’ve been working hard to bring these two developing athletes up and it was fantastic to see them step it up for this competition.  All around it was an amazing day, the weather was great, the course was great and we’re all happy to be here.”

In third was America’s Chris Mahaney the second highest ranked competitor in today’s field.

Six nations were represented in the men’s field with 31 riders competing.  New Zealand’s top ranked snowboard cross rider Philip Dominick was the top placing kiwi today finishing in sixth place with Cody Logan coming in just behind him in eighth.

The women’s results today proved that in snowboard cross being at the top doesn’t guarantee the win; one small mistake can see a title slipping away.  In the semifinals, top ranked rider, 2010 Olympian and X Games silver medalist Callan Chythlook-Sifsof (USA) slid out while overtaking Amanda Taylor (AUS) who launched over Chythlook.  This small error cost Cythlook her shot in the finals and in the end the win went to Brockhof with teammate Alexandra Lockie taking second and Japan’s Karen Iwadare rounding out the podium.

Brockhof was pleased with her result, “This is my third race back after a two year break.”  Brokhof took the break after a year of too many close calls and for a time changed her focus to Slalom and Parallel Giant Slalom.  “When I stopped competing I was ranked 32nd in the world; it feels good to be making a comeback.  I knew with Callan in the field I needed to go flat out.  I was hungry for the win today.”

There are two stages to each snowboard cross competition. The first stage sees riders taking on the course against the clock to decide in which order they race. Then riders race in heats of four where they fly down the same course at the same time as three other competitors. The first two to cross the line move to the next stage of the competition.

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Olympic gold medallist, Justyna Kowalczyk confirms her spot at next weekend’s Winter Triathlon

 

Olympic gold medallist, Justyna Kowalczyk has confirmed her spot at next weekend’s 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games Winter Triathlon joining a field of local athletes that also includes New Zealand Olympic biathlete, Sarah Murphy.

Featuring a 6.8km run, 12km bike and 9.5km cross country ski, all on a hard-packed snow course at Snow Farm, the event is also open to age group athletes. The sport is new to Winter Games NZ, having been a demonstration sport at the 2009 event. Winter triathlons are an exciting sport and great for low impact, high intensity training over the cold winter months attracting a broad spectrum of athletes, from multi-sporters to triathletes.

“The winter tri adds a new dimension to triathlon,” said Winter Games NZ CEO, Arthur Klap. “It’s quite novel to be biking and running on snow, all at altitude and is great fitness and a lot of fun. It’s great for spectators as well with a few thrills and spills!”

The event is part of the ITU Oceania Championships and athletes can enter at www.wintergamesnz.com/accounts/register

Keep up to date with all of tomorrow's action on Twitter/Facebook

Keep up to date with the action as it happens on the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games Facebook and Twitter pages.

www.facebook.com/WinterGamesNZ

http://twitter.com/#!/wintergamesnz

With the sport on the brink of being included in the Paralympics, 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games today its first WSF Para-Snowboard World Cup at Cardrona Alpine Resort, featuring a strong international field from both sides of the world.

It was an all-American victory with world number one, Amy Purdy, taking out the women's in a combined best of 202.69 and Evan Strong, also world number one, taking out the men's in 148.25.

"I'm surprised at how fast I went in my first run as I was taking it easy and just wanted to stay upright. My second run I somehow lost time in the middle section but it was my final run that was the quickest. It's great to see an improvement overall and that's what feels good, to know that you can improve and do better all the time. You're always racing against yourself."

Amy said the athletes were just waiting to see if snowboard cross would be included in the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi. "It's not a Paralympic sport at the moment but we're due to find out any day. I think to bring a sport that a lot of our generation relates to will definitely benefit the Paralympics and it will really blur the line between able bodied and adaptive sport. We all raced really well here today and showed the sport has the ability to be included at Paralympic level."

The men's race was incredibly close between X Games gold medallist, Evan Strong and Carl Murphy (NZL), world number two, who took silver.
"That was one of the most fun World Cups this season," said Strong. "It was nerve wracking in the morning with low visibility and the practice was rough as we couldn't see very well. But the sun came out, softened up the course and made it way faster. It was fun racing with Carl, he's an amazing snowboarder. On the first run he had 4/10 of a second on me so I had some pressure to push through. The second run put me in the lead by 2/10 of second but I know Carl is a fast racer and that he could easily take that up so I had to make sure I made my last run count and pushed through to take the win."

Both athletes agreed Cardrona's World Cup course was the best they'd ridden for an adaptive competition.

"The course was built beautifully, probably the best the world cup snowboard cross course we've ridden," said Purdy. "It was perfect for all abilities - having prosthetics on both legs I don't compress very well but once you get on long berms it's fun to ride. It was a perfect mix and open enough for us all to ride well, no matter what your strength."

As well as the competitive World Cup competition, today's race also included the demonstration sport of sit ski on the gravity cross course. Corie Peters (NZL) clocked the fastest time in 190.97 after just three weeks in a sit ski. In the women's Gemma Fletcher taook first in 222.40.

The snowboard cross competition continues tomorrow with the FIS Continental Cup snowboard cross at Cardrona Alpine Resort from 9.00am.

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (August 18, 2011) – American’s Gus Kenworthy and Devin Logan repeated their success at Winter Games NZ taking out back to back victories in both yesterday’s freeski halfpipe and today’s freeski slopestyle.

The Air New Zealand Freeski Slopestyle course at Snow Park NZ included an urban rail set with three rail options for the first platform followed by a jib jump platform with a pole jam, tractor tyres and a 45 foot jump, next a 55/45 jump, a 65/55 jump and then finally the Air New Zealand Lily Pad at the bottom.

The women’s field of ten elected to go straight to a three run final with AFP’s overall champion Logan topping the podium for the second day in a row having won yesterday’s halfpipe competition.  

“Her run today was solid,” said Beattie.  “The cork seven was a stand out trick.”

Logan started her run with a lip slide to switchout on the downrail, then frontside to two seventy out on the up cannon box and then a switch five to cork seven to a straight on 360 out of the last feature and scored 79.75 points. 

An amped Logan was thrilled with her win, “It was great to win again today as I have my sights set on both both the halfpipe and slopestyle disciplines at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.”

In second, it was Kim Lamarre , the top ranked slopestyle skier in today’s competition.  Lamarre was tight on the heels of Logan with less than one point separating them. Her run which oozed with style included a lipslide to switch on the downrail and then switch on to switch out of the cannon rail to a switch five safety to a big five forty mute to switch one in to a one eighty out on the bottom lily pad.   She ended with 79.25 points just .5 off of Logan’s top score.

In third place was Canadian Dara Howell finishing her day with 70.5 points.

New Zealand’s up and coming skier Rose Battersby just missed the podium, skiing strongly and hitting the big side of the jumps with a big seven twenty on the final jump.  She’s someone to watch out for in the future.

Those seeking full results can log on to http://wintergamesnz.com/results/.

100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games continues tomorrow (August 19) with Snowboard Cross at Cardrona beginning at 9am and Ice Hockey at the Dunedin Ice Stadium from 7pm.

 

I am about to give you the key to speed. One phrase. Are you ready?

 

Don't use the brakes.

 

Don't look so disappointed. What were you expecting, Magic? I don't mean to not use them at all, just use them less.

 

One of the best ways to improve your riding is to go with someone that is faster than you. Not way faster, so that you get discouraged, but a bit faster, so you really have to work to keep up. Once you've found someone that fits the bill, try following them through some downhill singletrack. Notice how the gap keeps getting bigger? You're not doing much pedaling so it's not likely a strength issue. What could it be? I'll tell you, the faster rider is using their brakes less.

 

Have you ever been on a ride when, for some reason, you had no brakes, or a lot less than you wanted? Maybe a cable broke or your rims iced up or something. I know it was scary. Careening downhill, unable to slowdown to a comfortable speed, you thought you were going to die. But you survived, and you went down that hill a lot faster than you otherwise would have. If you want to go faster every ride you need to harness a bit of that experience and apply it in a more controlled manner.

 

Moving out of our comfort zone can make us apprehensive. To try to calm the fears of your rational mind have your irrational mind tell it this: Speed is our friend; Speed brings stability; Stability is good. The wheels underneath do more than just hold us up. They also act as gyroscopes, like those spinny things you may have played with as a kid. They're also the things that keep spacecraft stable in the vacuum of space. The faster a gyroscope spins, the more rigidity it has. This means the faster your wheels are turning the more they will fight to stay upright and pointed straight ahead, just what we want. Now you know why sometimes when you get anxious and slow down you biff, but if you stay fast and ride it out you make out okay and look like a hero.

 

The hard part is knowing how fast is really too fast and when to say whoa. You can set yourself up with an exercise to explore these limits. Find a section of downhill singletrack steep enough that you won't have to pedal much and fast enough that you definitely have to brake for the corners. (Keep IMBA happy and make sure you won't encounter any hikers or horses on the way down). Make your first run at your normal blistering speed. Try to note where you apply the brakes for each corner. On the next run, each time you reach for the brakes fight the impulse for one second. Remember that every bit of speed that you can carry through the turn is speed you don't have to gain back on the next straight. And that's energy in the bank, my friend, better than money. A little bit saved every corner can really add up over the course of a trail.

 

In all your subsequent training runs try to brake just a tick later than the time before. It is super important to ensure that you are only using one or two fingers on your brakes - no three, four or five fingers - what are you holding on with?  Although some might suggest that a tip to avoid the temptation to brake too early or when you really don't need to is to ride with all eight fingers wrapped around the bars. I personnally subscribe to the theory that you should always be brake ready including uphill climbs. 

 

The key to pushing the envelope is to do it gradually, in small increments. Riding a downhill with your front brake disconnected may make teach you how to go really fast. More likely, it'll teach you just how brittle collarbones really are. Even though improvements may seem small one corner at a time, it will add up and it will make a difference. You worked way too hard for that speed to just turn it into heat for no good reason.

Good luck and stay safe!

Thanks to Dirtworld.com Staff for more tips and biking information visit them at www.dirtworld.com

LA GRANDE PLAGE, Biarritz/France (Friday, July 15, 2011) – Carissa Moore (HAW), 18, has just made ASP history as the youngest ever ASP Women’s World Champion, clinching her maiden title today at the Roxy Pro Biarritz.

“I dreamed of surfing at this level my whole life since I was a little kid and I don’t think you can ever expect or anticipate the feeling,” Moore said. “It is amazing. There is no place I would rather be right now.”

The clinching came when then-reigning four-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 23, dispatched of the remaining title contender Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 20, in the Semifinals of competition.

“I’m not really feeling anything right now I am just so happy,” Moore said. “It was really stressful watching that last heat and I was trying to just listen to my songs and zone out. It is kind of weird to win on the beach. I have always visualized and imagined winning the Final or a heat and coming in and winning but I’m so happy and excited. I have been thinking about this for a long time since I was a little girl and just to be here right now and being world champ is pretty crazy.”

In only her second year competing amongst the world’s best, Moore has had a stellar run, making the Finals in every event thus far and scalping three wins along the way.

“I have had this goal written on my door and it has been waiting there for a long time to be ticked off so I can’t wait to go home and cross it out,” Moore said.

2011 ASP Women’s World Tour Results:
Roxy Pro Gold Coast: WIN
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach: Runner-Up
Subaru Pro TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival New Zealand: Runner-Up
Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic: WIN
Billabong Rio Pro: WIN
Roxy Pro Biarritz: Runner-Up
Nike US Open of Surfing: TBD

This year’s stellar run set another record for the youngster as the only ASP World Champion in history to make the Finals in every event this season, and sees Moore as the first Hawaiian ASP Women’s World Champion since Margo Oberg (HAW) in 1981.

“I definitely first and foremost want to thank my little sister Cayla, thank you so much,” Moore said. “I wouldn’t be here without you. There are way too many people to thank but my Dad, he has been here every step of the way and I could not have done this without him. It is so much sweeter having him part of my team. I want to thank my sponsors Nike, Target and Red Bull I couldn’t do it without them. My family, my uncles and aunts and my grandparents.”

The next and final stop on the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title season will be the Nike US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach from August 1 – 6, 2011.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

The 6th annual Heritage Gromtest presented by Quiksilver is gearing up once again and taking place on Sunday, August 21st at 37th street beach Sea Isle City, New Jersey. Top surfers have always come out of this region and with Brian Heritage at the helm its sure to be a great Gromtest/Slamfest. Following the Gromtest, don’t miss out on a fun filled evening with a Quiksilver Movie Premiere “Moments” which will be held on the south side of Heritage Surf & Sport 3700 Landis Ave. Sea Isle City, NJ. “Heritage Surf & Sport has always been proactive in cultivating young talent in the region, “owner Brian Heritage states. “Along with Quiksilver’s support we will continue to offer a platform for young up and coming surfers to test their mettle and see what they’re made of. This allows companies like Quiksilver and our stores to keep an eye out for future prospects while providing a really fun contest atmosphere.”

If you’re 18 and under, be sure to sign up at the Heritage website

Limited to 64 entries!

Juniors 16-18. Boys 13-15. Runtz 12 & Under. Girls 18 & under – Sponsored by Roxy.

To check on your entry after you submitted, call Heritage Gromtest Hotline (609) 263-3033 ext. 4

Get after it Grom’s! Don’t be late to sign up!

For more information on Heritage Surf & Sport and the incredible story of this family business see http://heritagesurf.com/about

 

Skiers and boarders rise to the challenge in an action packed day of competition

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (July 17th, 2011) – A quality field of skiers and snowboarders turned out for the BASE Triple Comp yesterday at Treble Cone to showcase their speed, creativity and precision over three events in one day.

Vanessa Aadland of Washington was the female champion of the day producing some top level skiing keeping the men on their toes.

“What an awesome day and a great start to the season. There was a great vibe amongst all the competitors with a great local turnout for the first event of the season,” said Brent Harridge, Managing Director of BASE Wanaka.

The POW Banked Slalom took place in the Lower Gunbarrel offering steep natural walls and heaps of snow for the competitors to negotiate their way through. The Dreamweaver played host to the Rossignol Expression Session offering the perfect playground for competitors to show off their skills and creativity. The BERN Downhill took place in Treble Cone’s popular Powder Bowl where competitors demonstrated style and speed over the full length of the piste.

The day was drawn to a close with a prize giving at Mint Bar in Wanaka which saw all competitors rewarded for their efforts and winners revelling in their achievements.

This week Treble Cone stages the ABSOLUT Ice Competition (Tuesday 19) and celebrates TC Cat’s birthday (Thursday 21 July).

Visit www.treblecone.com

A shakedown in women’s surfing is happening now..we’re shakin’ people, Sally Fitzgibbons and Carissa Moore are battling out points in a race to the finish of the Women’s World Tour. With only 2 events left on the schedule the competition is heating up! In all five event’s of the Women’s Tour this year it has been either Fitzgibbons or Moore that have taken the event title. The two girls have met each other in three Finals so far, and Sally has taken Carissa out on two of those occasions. Total event win tally this season: Carissa: 3, Sally: 2.
The Battle now moves on to the Roxy Pro Biarritz, France and one of the biggest stories in modern women’s surfing will again be at the forefront of surfing news. If Sally can manage to hold Carissa off the winner’s podium, the race will end in 2 weeks at the last stop in Huntington Beach, California. GO SALLY!!

Here is the breakdown of possible outcomes:

If Carissa gets 1st in France, she clinches the World Title.
If Carissa gets 2nd or 3rd in France, Sally needs to win to still be in the running and World Title in Huntington Beach
If Sally gets 2nd she is still in the running for a World Title
If Carissa gets 5th in France, Sally needs a 2nd or better to still be in the running.
If Carissa gets 9th in France, the title decision goes to the US Open.

Tune in to the Roxy Pro Biarritz event live on Monday to CHEER ON SALLY!!!
www.RoxyLive.com

To follow Sally find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Read her bio HERE.

Ladies. BettyGoHard and Off Road Divas together with Phoenix Health and Fitness have created a weekend mountain biking and trail running camp jam packed full of skills, information, confidence and fun for those of you wanting to get more skills and confidence off the pavement.

Over the past few years triathlons have become an incredibly popular sporting event for people of all ages and abilities. The nature of a triathlon requiring participants to have the skills to do three different sports all in one event that can be anywhere from an hour to 12 hours long not only gives people something to strive for but is also incredibly rewarding when you get to the end. As the popularity of these sports has increased so have the level of the athletes involved, once you get good at triathlons short of running the iron man every year where do you go for more challenge with similar rewards? It seems that an answer to that question is off road. Just a few years ago no one really knew what an Xterra event was, however as triathlon’s started to increase in popularity so too did their off road counterparts. Triathletes looking for more challenge and off road junkies looking for a fix are flocking to this new sport and loving it.

What about the adventure races? The first time I heard about adventure racing I thought that it was insane – four days of slogging through forests, rafting rivers, climbing mountains, running and biking. However, these too are becoming increasingly popular the shear will power that it takes to train and then compete in these races is incredible and such a measure of our strength in so many different ways.

In saying all of this how does the average person who loves to swim, bike and run get off the pavement to join this off road, adventure racing group of athletes? It can be a little intimidating to say the least and let’s be honest even more intimidating if you are looking to get into adventure racing where your shortest race is at least 48 hours of intense activity.

Spokes and Laces is a ladies only mountain biking and trail running camp for women who want to get the skills and confidence they need to leave the pavement behind. We will be focusing on increasing your mountain biking skills and talking about racing techniques for those that are interested in participating in any off road events. Additionally, we will be breaking down trail running; the biomechanics, tips and techniques to not only make you more effective on the trail but stay injury free and have lots of fun.

Finally, it is recognized that taking on these challenges puts a lot of stress on the body; when starting a new training program not only do you need the skills to do the sport safely, you need to train properly, eat appropriately and do the exercises to ensure you acquire the fitness that you need to participate at your best otherwise there can be a lot of frustration, pain and burn out. With this in mind we have designed a personal training workshop that will enable you to identify specific needs to develop a training and nutritional programs that will help you reach YOUR goals.

Spokes & Laces Mountain Bike and Trail Running Camp
May 13, 14 & 15^th, 2011
Kelowna, BC
Cost $189 plus tax

What inspires you?  what is it that gets you out of bed in the morning and planning your next adventure.  It is amazing who you meet along the way and the stories they have of their adventures.  Keep posted to the betty blog for inspiring stories about Betties just like you getting out and having fun.

Clinics/Camps:

·         Rossland

o   May 8^th – Mothers Day Ride Clinic

o   May 27-29 - Cindy Devine Skills Camp

o   June 4^th –Ladies Introduction to Off-Road Riding

o   June 5^th – Ladies Park Clinic

·         Trail

o   June 4^th – Ladies Introduction to Off-Road Riding

·         Nelson – Working with Gerricks Cycle to create clinics for Nelson

·         Kelowna

o   May 13–15 - Ladies Off-road Tri Clinic –focus on running and biking

o   June 11^th - Ladies Intro to off road riding Clinic

·         Vernon

o   June 12^th - Ladies Intro to off road riding Clinic

Weekend Retreats

·         Silver Star

o   July 15,16&17 – Fourth Annual BettyGoHard Loeka Silver Star Biking Weekend

Local Summer Camps

·         Rossland

o   July 5,6&7 – Rossland beg/int – 8-13yrs Girls

o   July 11,12&13 – Rossland int – 10-15yrs Girls

·         Trail

o   July 18,19&20 – Trail beg/int – 8-13yrs Girls

o   July 21&22 – Trail beg/int – 8-13yrs Boys

·         Castlegar

o   August 15&16 – Castlegar beg/int – 8-13 Girls

o   August 22&23 – Castlegar beg/int – 8-13 Boys

·         Working with Grand Forks Recreation & Gerricks Nelson to develop camps for Grand Forks and Nelson

Local Ride Series

·         Trail

o   April 6^th – 27^th  – Four Week XC Biking and Chocolate – strengthening and conditioning

o   May 11^th – June 1^st – Four Week XC Biking and Chocolate

·         Rossland

o   May 23^rd - 13^th – Four Week XC Biking and Chocolate

o   May 24^th – 14^th – Four Week Beginner Downhill Biking and Chocolate

o   May 26^th – 16^th - Four Week Intermediate Downhill Biking and Chocolate

Local Hiking Series

·         Trail

o   April 21^st – 12^th – Four Week Hiking Series

·         Rossland

o   April 19^th – 10^th – Four Week Hiking Series

·         Renata

o   August 13^th & 14^th – Camping retreat: Hike to the Natural Arch and Dogwood Falls on the Arrow Lake just North of Castlegar

As humans we expect a lot of ourselves.  Regardless of what you do, striving to be the best you can be has its highs and lows.  I find it humbling to be put in a position where I do not perform to the level I expect of myself.  Regardless of the situation I have high expectations of my abilities and when I don’t meet those expectations I get discouraged.  A fun ride with friends can quickly turn into a competition of me against the world; it’s not that I am comparing myself to my friends so much as comparing myself to my unreasonable expectations.  Quickly that little voice in my head starts to berate me on not being good enough, fit enough, fast enough, ballsy enough whatever fits the particular situation.  Instead of giving up I have started to embrace these feelings of discomfort and use them to propel me to the next level.  It is also great to know how it feels to be left behind, without these experiences where is the motivation to keep getting better?

I don’t think it matters what level you are at, this happens to the best of us and as a beginner don’t forget that everyone starts somewhere, and for most there is always someone better.  It is important not to hold yourself back by thinking you are not good enough; honestly how are you going to get better?  If someone wants to get out and have fun with you that is what they want to do.  I have found time and time again that people will decline an invitation to get out stating that they are not good enough and they don’t want to hold me up.  That is not a good enough excuse.  So take on the challenge, embrace the discomfort and use it to your advantage.  One of the things I love about the BettyGoHard participants is the way they feed off of each other; all of them turn up thinking they will be the weakest member of the group.  Pushing those boundaries and challenging those assumptions is as easy as seeing another at the same level as you do something you never thought you would do.  That same competitive spark flares up and the rules of the game change.  Suddenly, things not imagined become possible and new doors open.  I dare you to feel uncomfortable and love it!    

It’s the end of the season and many of us are heading off for our summer jobs, spring vacations or new adventures.  I find at this time of the year I am always amazed at how fast the season fly’s by.  One day I am saying hi to old friends in Ferraros the next I am saying goodbyes.  Some will come back and others won’t, such are the hazards of living in a town like Rossland.  In the past few years Ian and I have headed off to the USA Snowboard Association nationals, however due to Ian’s recent injury while competing at the X Games we are staying put this spring and I am reminiscing over last year’s trip.  It was one of the best trips I have ever had; my girlfriend and I headed down to Moab, Utah in her Westfalia Camper for some biking.  I spent my days riding with old friends and making new ones, enjoying every moment of girl energy on and off the trails.  Moab is a beautiful place to bike, hike and be outside.  It was three weeks of biking, with a couple of days of snowboarding in the middle to mix it up, all my favorite things in one trip.  It was a great way to kick start my biking season.   I learnt that’s what I need; puts me in shape, and gets my head in the game as well as my body and gets me so amped I have to go every day for the rest of summer!

Now the bike season is here it is time to step it up a notch and I have started to see the pleasure and benefits in a good spin class.  Nothing can beat the real thing though, even if I can’t get out on the trails just being on a real bike outside is invaluable.  For the past few years BettyGoHard has been offering a strengthening and conditioning ride series, we are doing the same again this year so check out the schedule online or get in touch with us to find out more.   

Another fun week playing in the snow.  Betty got out Cross Country Skiing with the ladies day trip and with friends.  As well as meeting Anna Segal, World Slopestyle Freeski Champ and ending at the BCSA Snowcross event at Red Mountain Resort.

Ski Bum – the musical.  Wow what talent we have in our little community.  The script, the cast, the music it was fabulous!  My friend commented ‘it’s like watching a show about my life’ and yes it was.  We all know the characters in the show; the ski patroller, ski instructor, newbie and of course the quintessential ski bum.  Whether you are talking about a mountain town or beach town any culture that centers on a source of fun has their version of these characters.  Even better was sitting in amongst my fellow ski bums, those characters and personalities that make up our own ‘Big Snow Peak’. 

One thing I took from the show was what is important to the enthusiasts in this world.  Many a newbie has shown up at the mountain, the beach or wherever the addicted live to try it out for a season, it changes lives.  Like any junkie their perception of life is changed.  Suddenly their horizons expand and the things that seemed important in their previous reality slip away all things becoming second to the equivalent of a ski bums 30cm powder day.

Some of us take the well beaten path; school, job, house, kids, others make their own trail.  Life is hard off the beaten trail, but can be so rewarding.  Years ago I was driving up to Rossland wondering at the many jobs and craziness of my life and what it was all for.  I looked up at the mountain and saw the first snow of the season, it’s an addiction, not always the easiest addiction to maintain but worth everything. 

For me I will always be a ‘betty’.  Whether I am on a mountain or at the beach, life to me is not about how important I am at my job but how much I enjoyed the last powder day.  As the curtain drops at ‘Big Snow Peak’ the cast bow for a standing ovation, a great performance by a talented cast, thanks for summing up what is important to us and the culture we love being a part of. 

Bettygohard has one last Cross Country ski day trip this coming Saturday.  Explore the trails around the summit and then finish with lunch at a cabin.  Beginner to intermediate skiers welcome.  Check out www.bettygohard.com for more info.