On the Ranch

Just back from our Team Dude Girl Training Camp in Palm Springs. Amazing athletes — Dudes too!, great people, an out-n-back ride from La Quinta to Joshua Tree through a picturesque box canyon, topped off by a raging sandstorm, incredible “staff” of generous volunteers, and a humorous cast of characters (laughter is a requirement).

More to come on our growing cycling team. But, for the moment, here are a few pictures that tell the story.

Scharla's pre-ride fashion : Sparkly Uggs

Two Dude Girls on the road...

Kim's post-ride-through-raging-sandstorm face. Still smiling!

I love this bit on creating new habits by Leo Babauta at Zenhabits. Leo encourages us to forget the resolutions, which, for most people, are broken by March. Instead, create lasting habits that have the capacity to truly change your life for the better, for the rest of your life.

For those of you needing some extra encouragement to start and stick with a fitness program, please join us for a once-a-week morning run here in Truckee! Contact me if you are insterested : kim@dudegirl.com. All levels welcome.

I must admit that I have mixed emotions about being a clothing brand and retailer, especially during the overly commercialized Holidays. Look, we love sports. We love creating beautiful gear for the sports we love. We love when you play in our beautiful gear doing the sports you love. We need to sell our beautiful gear in order to keep making it for you. But we recognize the distasteful appetite in our culture for more stuff. More stuff. More stuff. More stuff. Do you ever walk into big box stores — even grocery stores — and marvel at just how much STUFF there is on the shelves, and then imagine it all being dumped into shopping carts of folks like you and me, and deposited onto shelves at home, and then into the trash, etc. I’m reminded of a Bay Area company’s recent advertising slogan, “Buy more stuff!” Doesn’t it make you just want to STOP shopping altogether? We are bombarded, every day, but an absurd amount of stuff.

There is a need to slow down. Buy less stuff. When you do shop, buy items that connect you to the joys of your heart, that connect you to your local economy, that last a long time. I’m still wearing and loving my Spur Pants and Flares that we made in 2007, our GiddyUp Thermals that we made in 2008, and our cycling shorts and jerseys from those same years. That’s 4+ years of use, and they’re still in great shape! I’ve heard others say, “Your stuff lasts forever!” We intend for every Dude Girl purchase to be in your closet for years, and not without tons of hard use in the studio or out on the trails! If you are looking for gifts this season, buy quality. You may pay a little more for it, but the value will be there years from now.

Most of all, we wish you the Joys of the Heart this Holiday season. Cherish the Sparkle!

SAMPLE SALE THIS WKEND in Truckee featuring the following brands: Dude Girl, Under Armour, Ouray, Level, Odlo, Dale of Norway, Native Sunglasses, and more!

Great Holiday Gifts — yes, I know it’s early, but with these deals you’ll want to shop! Dude Girl will be offering our regular items as well as samples — all sizes!

WHEN: Saturday October 1, 2011
WHERE: 10531 REGENCY CIRCLE, TRUCKEE, CA 96161(GLENSHIRE – off SOMERSET & COURTNAY)
TIME: 4 PM to  8PM
WHAT: GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS!

• Assorted Apparel: Under Armour, Ouray, Level, Odlo, Dude Girl
• Adult Skiwear: Under Armour, Dale of Norway, Ouray, Odlo, Dude Girl
• Accessories: Native Sunglasses, Ouray bb hats, Swany gloves, Eurosocks, Sol Sunguard products, misc bags, misc T shirts, Dude Girl Tees!
• Yoga:   Dude Girl – tons of our yoga bottoms and some tops!
• Cycling:   Dude Girl – summer and winter gear!
• Running:  Dude Girl – summer and winter gear!

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.