Seattle Luna Cycling

Yonina D.

2008-05-05T20:10:00.001-07:00

Yonina D.

Meet the rest of the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

Gabe D.

2008-05-05T20:09:00.001-07:00

Cycling is a sport to be enjoyed by everyone. I have been cycling for over 7 years and even competed in local events. Coming in the bottom of the pack, the experience of the race, the thrill of the crowd cheering you on just made it fun and ride more. So fun in fact that I entered the bicycle world of retail and service and volunteer my time to help others enjoy the cycling experience.

The majority cycling takes place with the male population, and not a huge focus on the great female riders of road, mountain and cycle-cross. In the future I would like to see more emphasis on women’s cycling as well as women just riding for fun and I hope that I can help push that experience.

Meet the rest of the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

Jennifer S.

2008-05-05T20:08:00.001-07:00

I’ve been told that I don’t know the difference between fun and exercise, and I believe that is true! The awesome thing about riding a bike is that it is great exercise - and what could be more fun that going out on a ride with a group of wonderful people.

Favorite motto: “hills are our friends”. Once you get to the top, it is always fun coasting down the other side.

Favorite Ride: Chilly Hilly Route on a warm beautiful day.

I joined the Luna Chix Team because I want to share my love of biking with other women. There is nothing better than riding your bike on a beautiful day and feeling the freedom and exhilaration that goes with it. I am also excited to be part of a group that is committed to helping to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

Meet the rest of the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

Renee D.

2008-05-05T20:07:00.001-07:00

I have been a part of the world of cycling for roughly 4 years now and I keep amazing myself everyday. I have learned throughout my time on my bike that process of setting goals and reaching them is the most amazing power I have. My hope is to encourage women to learn what they are capable of, then support them in reaching their goals. I am looking forward to being a part of team that can raise women's interest in the world of cycling and bring people out to enjoy new experiences.

Meet the rest of the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

Sara R.

2008-05-05T20:06:00.001-07:00

This is my first year as a LUNA Chix Ambassador and I am so proud and excited to be a part of this team. With a new found passion for riding, I can’t wait to share this with other women in Seattle.

Like many women, I was drawn into the sport of cycling by my boyfriend (now husband). After years of too many bumps and bruises off (not on!) the mountain bike, I finally decided to be a two-bike girl and hit the road.

In September 2007, I rode my first Century in the LIVESTRONG Challenge for the Lance Armstrong Foundation in honor and in memory of my family members with cancer. Their struggles and their memories propelled me to ride harder, faster, and longer than I ever had. I am pleased to support the Breast Cancer Fund through our LUNA Chix activities, in honor of my mom and my grandma who are both breast cancer survivors.

When I’m not on my bike, I work as a health education program manager and healthcare administrator, hoping to empower people to make healthy choices through education. This fuels my drive to practice what I preach and keep up with my workouts. My other-half is a semi-pro mountain bike racer so when we’re not riding around Seattle, we are traveling the US for races where I get to witness the LUNA Pro ladies rock the National Mountain Bike Series.

My favorite LUNA products are Peanut Butter LUNA Bars, LUNA Moons of any flavor and Berry Pomegranate Tea Cakes.

The best lesson I learned through my LIVESTRONG training: You are always capable of more than you think! Keep pushing yourself with new experiences and challenging goals.

Meet the rest of the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

Sarah R.

2008-05-05T20:06:00.000-07:00

This is my first year as a LUNA Chix Ambassador and I am so proud and excited to be a part of this team. With a new found passion for riding, I can’t wait to share this with other women in Seattle.

Like many women, I was drawn into the sport of cycling by my boyfriend (now husband). After years of too many bumps and bruises off (not on!) the mountain bike, I finally decided to be a two-bike girl and hit the road.

In September 2007, I rode my first Century in the LIVESTRONG Challenge for the Lance Armstrong Foundation in honor and in memory of my family members with cancer. Their struggles and their memories propelled me to ride harder, faster, and longer than I ever had. I am pleased to support the Breast Cancer Fund through our LUNA Chix activities, in honor of my mom and my grandma who are both breast cancer survivors.

When I’m not on my bike, I work as a health education program manager and healthcare administrator, hoping to empower people to make healthy choices through education. This fuels my drive to practice what I preach and keep up with my workouts. My other-half is a semi-pro mountain bike racer so when we’re not riding around Seattle, we are traveling the US for races where I get to witness the LUNA Pro ladies rock the National Mountain Bike Series.

My favorite LUNA products are Peanut Butter LUNA Bars, LUNA Moons of any flavor and Berry Pomegranate Tea Cakes.

The best lesson I learned through my LIVESTRONG training: You are always capable of more than you think! Keep pushing yourself with new experiences and challenging goals.

Meet the rest of the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

Charity M.

2008-05-05T20:05:00.000-07:00

This is my first year with the Luna Chix and I can’t wait for the season to start. When I was younger my parents couldn’t tear me away from my 10 speed…and then I turned 16 and learned to drive. It wasn’t until about five years ago that I was re-introduced to cycling by a friend who convinced me to do a triathlon. I remember how excited I was when I completed my first four mile ride with her, it had sounded so daunting. I have since participated in multiple triathlons, survived a nine day bike tour through Slovenia with my husband on our honeymoon, commuted by bike multiple times, and last year completed my first 200 mile organized cycling event; the STP. I would never have done any of it without my friend’s support and encouragement in the beginning and I can’t wait to help other women reach their cycling goals, whether they include a five mile trail ride or a century.

Beyond cycling and triathlons, I am an avid snowboarder, lacrosse player, and traveler. I look forward to meeting and riding with everyone this season while at the same time raising funds and awareness for the Breast Cancer Fund!

Meet the rest of the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

Daria K.

2008-05-05T20:04:00.002-07:00

I have known about and admired the LUNA Chix Triathlon Team for the past few years.

When I heard that there was a LUNA Chix Cycling Team, I knew immediately that I wanted to be part of it!

I am 47 years old. From my mid 20’s to mid 30’s, I was busy raising kids and spent little time exercising.

After moving to the Seattle area in 1996, I heard about the annual Seattle to Portland bike ride (STP). I have loved to ride a bike since I was a kid, so I decided to start riding again, making riding the STP my ultimate goal. I have now ridden STP eight times. I have done numerous other large group rides as well, including Chilly Hilly, Flying Wheels, RSVP, MS 150 and Trek Tri-Island as well as many smaller group rides.

I am very excited about sharing my passion for cycling with other women in a supporting and encouraging environment!

Meet the rest of the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

Amanda S.

2008-05-05T20:04:00.001-07:00

Meet the rest of the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

DiAnn B. - Team Captain

2008-05-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

What can I say? I L-O-V-E cycling!...and getting other people excited about the sport. I started cycling twelve years ago in part to help me thru a ‘break my heart’ divorce & swearing off men. The plan was to tour the world by bike. Well, as we all know...plans change. I met my current husband while on a training ride for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and while I was not interested in pursuing any romantic interest at that time, he persuaded me to go bike riding with him as a “let’s go for a ride-just as friends” style of pursuit. Darn, if I didn’t fall for it!!! He has supported me (and then some) in all my cycling adventures.

Prior to joining the LUNA Chix, I had the pleasure of coaching the cycling program for the Washington/Alaska chapter of the Leukemia Society for its Team & Training program. What a memorable experience this was for me, training riders of varying skill levels for their eventual participation in the 111 mile Tour de Tucson. I still get teary-eyed whenever I think about the obstacles that some of the riders overcame in order to participate in a century ride.

I was introduced to the LUNA Chix by a fellow cyclist & team leader for the Seattle LUNA Tri Team. She thought it might be a good fit. She was right! With there being such a need for this program, I feel privileged, and at the same time excited, to do my utmost to see the program succeed and reach as many women as possible. I cannot close without disclosing the most “duh” moment I’ve had so far in cycling - the year I did Chilly Hilly with a big group of friends. After we had parked and jumped out of the car to start gearing up for the ride I realized I didn’t have my bike shoes!!!! With only about 50 minutes left before the next ferry departed, my husband drove me home and back - about a 40 minute ordeal - and we made it back with my shoes with just minutes to spare! Sooooo, now we have a checklist with us whenever we have to drive to a cycling event!

Meet the rest of the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

Tamara T.

2008-05-05T20:02:00.000-07:00

As a child I fondly remember getting my first banana seat bike with a basket and tassels. I loved the feel of racing through the streets and pushing up the hills. After the birth of my daughter I decided that I needed to find a new sport to ignite the fires within! I needed a sport that let me escape, that made me feel like a kid again.

Supported by my husband (my mechanic) and brother (cycling coach), I started riding my trusty college bike, a mountain bike with skinny tires, on the road. After my 1st race I decided that I really needed a great road bike because this was it, I found something to be passionate about!! Unfortunately, my new bike does not have a banana seat or tassels, but I tell you it goes a heck of a lot faster!

It’s miraculous how such a seemingly small decision can change your life, I set out to look for a new sport and instead found an amazing community of women. People who are passionate about supporting women of all abilities and providing opportunities within the sport. From the instant I met this group of remarkable women I knew I wanted to be a part of the team. You see, I am a personal trainer by trade and my greatest satisfaction in life is supporting people so that they can reach their goals.. I am so excited to be a part of Team Luna Chix and can’t wait for the rides to start!

I ride for those special women in my life, my mom because it’s never too late and my daughter because it’s never too early to try something new. I ride to raise awareness and funds for a disease that needs to be eradicated, breast cancer touches far too many lives.

I ride for myself!

Personally, I am looking forward to a year of firsts. My first long ride over 50 miles, my first multi-day ride. Most of all my first year as a LUNA Chix.

Meet the rest of the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

About LUNA Chix

2008-02-27T08:17:00.000-08:00

As a national program, Team LUNA Chix(TLC) come together by the common interest of sport and activity, to inspire women to get outside and play, while making a difference in their community by raising funds and awareness for the Breast Cancer Fund – a nonprofit who seeks to identify and eliminate environmental and other preventable causes of this disease.

Meet the Seattle LUNA Chix Road Cycling team:

Photos by Jessica C Levine Photography

Tips for Stretching

2008-02-26T15:11:00.001-08:00

Pre-Ride Checklist

2008-02-26T15:09:00.000-08:00

RIDING TIPS

2008-02-26T15:07:00.000-08:00

**Always, Always, Always wear a helmet !!!!!

**Be a defensive cyclist. By scanning the road ahead & from side to side, you will be able to see what’s coming up. Be alert for driver-side car doors being opened, cars entering the road from driveways, & cars turning without using their turn signal. Make eye contact with drivers & expect them to do the unexpected. Pay attention.

**Watch for cracks in the road. If they run in the same direction as you are going, they can catch your wheel & down you’ll go. Ride over it at a 45-90 degree angle quickly & you should avoid a fall.

**Railroad tracks must be respected! Ride over them at an angle (90 degrees), cross ways. Sometimes you are able to ride directly over them by rising slightly out of the saddle & squaring yourself up to them. It is a good idea to ride slowly over tracks. They can be very rough & have gaps between them.

**Gravel or dirt can make your wheel slip & slide (like you were walking on marbles). It is not a good idea to make sharp turns or quick moves when there is debris on the road. This is another good reason to pay attention. Often times, there is gravel on the shoulder of a road where a side street or driveway exists. If riding on a shoulder or in a bike lane & you anticipate gravel or debris ahead, check the road behind you, signal, then move into the traffic lane until you are through the debris. It is better to have the cars going slowly behind you than to try & ride through it.

**When the road gets bumpy; try standing out of the saddle. Keep your knees & elbows bent to act as shock absorbers. It might take some time to develop this skill, but it is necessary to know, in order to learn more advanced cycling skills.

**HYDRATE! Find what is right for you & stick with it (do not try a new type of drink on the day of a “big ride”). This may take some time, as there are many sport drinks & juices on the market. Whatever it is you choose, start drinking before you get thirsty. Make it a habit to take a drink every 15 – 20 minutes you ride (more often if it's hot). If you have trouble remembering to drink, when someone else takes a drink, you do likewise.

**EAT! Like drinking, going without food when you ride can & most likely will cause you to BONK (become very fatigued). Your body burns approximately 300-800 calories an hour when cycling (depending on how heavy you are and how hard you're riding). This is a lot of calories over the course of a long ride. Any ride over 1 hr. in time should include something to munch on. Again, as with sport drinks, be aware of the contents of what “bars” or “gels” you are eating so as to avoid any unexpected consequences (i.e. allergic reactions).

PACE - What is it & How to find yours?

2008-02-26T15:05:00.000-08:00

When we talk about pace or pacing, we are really talking about how fast you are riding or your miles per hour. For those of you that are using a cycling computer on your bike, this is easy to determine.

So, why should this matter to you? When you know what pace you ride best at, you become more efficient & use energy wisely. When you ride above your pace, you tax your body more than necessary. There are times (when on a specific training program or working toward a specific goal) that you will ride above your pace to improve your speed.

For the most part, early in your training for STP, you should be riding at a comfortable pace. A good way to tell if you are riding at a good pace for you is: if you are able to talk in a normal manner using sentences of at least 10 words or more, you are riding at a good pace. If you find that you aren’t able to accomplish this, it’s time to slow down until you can. As your body adjusts to the increase of miles you ride, you will build strength in your muscles and in your cardio ability. You will increase your endurance level. This means that you should be able to increase the pace at which you ride.

For those more experienced rider’s, who have a built a good mileage base, the key to improving your pace is to have days where you tax your limits & ride harder than you normally would. This is not to say that you should ride hard every day. Just the opposite is true. Pick one day a week to ride above your normal ride pace, then be sure to allow time for your body to recover. It’s not necessary to ride more than one day a week above your normal pace in order to improve. Follow up a hard day with an easy day.

Many cyclists wear heart rate monitors to better gauge how their body is responding to how they are riding (more on that later).

Improving your pace takes time. Be patient, follow a plan and give your body time to adjust to the changes & challenges of your program. Knowing your pace and riding at your pace means you have a better chance of finishing a ride with energy leftover. Riding above you pace can mean not finishing a ride or having little or no energy at the end of your ride. Which would you choose???

LUNA Chix - Seattle Cycling, Contact Us

2008-02-04T14:13:00.000-08:00

We'd love to hear from you!

Join our group to receive event and clinic updates as well as ride notices by email.

Click to join seattlelunacycling

Or to send us an email, click here!