On the Ranch

Fall is upon us in Truckee. We still have beautiful warm days near the 80′s, but nights and mornings are harkening winter’s chill. Got out on the bike with some friends this weekend to enjoy the ride up over Donner Summit, down to Cisco Grove and back — a lovely Sunday that followed a Saturday afternoon run up Shirley Canyon and a hike down. The creek is gorgeous and the wildflowers wildly punctuating the beauty all around. There’s still time to see the splendor!

Now is the time to get yourself a pair of our GiddyUp Knickers and a pair of GiddyUp Armwarmers for cooler riding temps. These are two of our favorite items, not only because of the gorgeous design, but because their great fit and function.

Hope we see you riding in your Fall GiddyUp very soon!

Ever been to Truckee Thursdays? Join us in downtown Truckee every Thursday through end of August 5 – 9 PM. A fun street scene with local merchants, artists, music, great food, drinks and friends. We’ll be offering new items each Thursday, select t-shirts for $22.00, along with details for upcoming runs and rides. Come see us and introduce yourselves and join the fun!

30-80% OFF! Dude Girl, Horny Toad, Merrell, Oiselle and others. Friends and Family get first pick on Thursday Night 5-8 PM. Visit www.besportswise.com for more details! Location: Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood at 716 N 34th Street. Hope to see you all there!

I ran and helped mark the race course on Sunday morning before The Dirty Dude Girl Trail 5k and 10k races. I stood course-side and watched and cheered as all the runners passed through the 5 k mark. To be sure, there were some accomplished runners and impressive performances! But I am moved by those who who battle with the state of their health, weight, ability and self-confidence, and who are brave enough to first, sign up, and then to wake up early on a Sunday and get to the start line. And then take off down the trail, cross creeks, climb the hills and sweat it out for 3.1 long, dirty miles to the finish line.

You are all heroes.

Each year I witness a Up and Running cater to the needs of its community and help fulfill what may be, at first, a secret desire of someone overweight or lacking self-confidence to get healthy, to overcome a lifelong battle, or make a fresh start when “life just overtook me, and suddenly I looked in the mirror, and…”

Make your fresh start, wherever you are, right now. And find a store like Up & Running who will support you when your typical local environment won’t. You deserve it. Your body deserves it. Your mind and spirit deserve it. If you are lucky enough to be in Dayton, OH, make a stop to meet Susie and her crew at Up and Running.

Join us Sunday, June 12, for a high time on Dayton Trails! Thank you Up & Running for all you do for Dude Girl and for hosting this amazing women’s-only event!

Jockey Eddie Arcaro lost his first 45 races. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. You will not be remembered for the number of times you failed in the beginning, but for the number of times you succeeded in the end. — Dan Zadra

Eddie Arcaro was an AmericanThoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey who won more American Classic Races than any other jockey in history and is the only rider to have won the U.S. Triple Crown twice. He is widely regarded as the greatest jockey in the history of American Thoroughbred horse racing.

Weekend before last, I tested the fit and function of a new jersey we’re offering for 2012 in the Sierra’s outside of Bishop — a little out-n-back up toward Lake Sabrina. This descent is rated as one of the Top 10 Descents in America by Bicycling Magazine (4,577 feet over 15.39 miles). I wondered why. It’s long and steep enough to fly but gradual enough with big sweeping turns to relax and enjoy the speed. Plus, looking down into the grand desert valley below with the White Mountains in full view is spectacular. Breathtaking.

I wore our Dude Girl GiddyUp Knickers, Armwarmers and Vest and found both perfect for our ride. I kept my GiddyUp Armwarmers and Vest in my back pockets most of the time, but it’s nice to have them if you need them and there is almost no reason not to carry them, as they are small and light. We have a new shipment of black GiddyUp Knickers and our GiddyUp Armwarmers ready for the taking but in limited supply. Now is the time to get yours — they won’t last long.

Post ride, we found ourselves at Schat’s Bakery, and meant business when we tore our first hunk of Jalapeno Cheese Bread. Moist, chewy, hefty. Wish it was organic, but the way they tout the Bishop water used in all their baking, you’d think Schaat’s bread will cure your ills! We felt pretty good.

Oh, and don’t miss a dunk in the hot springs — there are many throughout Owen’s Valley. Go hunting for your favorite. After graduating college, I learned of these on numerous climbing trips with my good friend and climbing partner, Hugh Driscoll. Whenever I pass through the area, I always try to soak. The grandeur surrounding my favorite rustic tub is immeasurable. Dramatic. All seems right from the vantage point of the Tub.

All my worries washed away while out on the XC ski trails today. After an hour skate, as I sat back down behind the wheel of my car and reached for my crackberry, I realized that for the entire time I was out gliding — water streaming from my eyes, and peals of laughter bursting from my belly — there was not a moment that I thought about what I had to do at the office. It was a little slice of heaven that rejuvenated my soul. And I found inspiration and re-ignited passion for my work once back in the office. Over the past several years, I’ve missed so many of these simple but profound opportunities for joy. Don’t.

Amazing 3 days at Yoga Journal Conference San Francisco! If you’ve not taken yoga classes from a Master teacher before, make it a priority this year. It’s like the experience of drinking a cup of Peet’s Coffee after drinking Folger’s all your life, or dining at French Laundry after eating at McDonalds. Don’t get me wrong, there are lots of great teachers in the world who you will gain much from, but 1 class from a Master teacher can really shift your perspective and practice in a huge way.

I took classes from David Life and Gary Kraftsow for the first time. Amazing… so far, my favorites are Sarah Powers and Seane Corn. Beautiful, life changing classes. I’ll be blogging and emailing about upcoming workshops and study programs in case any of you would like to join me for an informal, mini weekend retreat somewhere. So much to learn and discover.