Recently, my friend Kenneth Walker put a shout out to the cycling community to ask for old cycling clothes that folks were willing to part with, so I sent him a few kits. I am so honored to report that my old kit from Dolce Vita Racing is currently making history:

From Kenneth Walker: Dedicated to my friend Angela, who is becoming the first black woman to race bicycles in Kansas City- What you are is symbolic of a woman's need to have power over her own body, as well as the ability to possess that power...you are going to solve a lot of problems for women in KC...and every time you make some guy taste his own lungs on a ride, a little bit more of the problem is solved! You go, girl...

Hey There Sweet Peeps!

What a blast we had at the Early Bird Races this weekend! 350+ racers, 25 Juniors, 50 women, a bunch of great teams represented. Awesome. Above is a shot of Cortney. She likes to race her bike, as you can tell.

A highlight of my day at the races yesterday was seeing the Cat. 4 Men duke it out, working to figure out which team was gonna do what. Some teams' plan was to watch what other teams did. Other teams had serious leadout plans, or attacks up their sleeve every lap. Either way, at the end of the day, it was all fun and games and nobody lost an eye.

Larry Nolan, Alan Atha, Laurie Fenech and myself make up the director's team to get the Early Birds going.. But, the 70 or so mentors who actually show up each week, are the backbone of the program. A huge thank you to all mentors who come out to help teach bike racing in Fremont every Sunday in January.

Back to the Present-Must Be Present to Win

Hello Cool Fans, Supporters, and Friends,

It's been awhile, I know. I've been a tiny bit distracted by fun and other stuff. The good news is that the Early Bird Women are soaring. We've got 19 women on the roster, and they all wanna bike race! Sweet!

We have been working our wings at the local Early Bird Racing Series, after which our team was named. There's some learning going on. There's also some fun being had.

We'd love to have you hang with us at the bike races, so see you there!

www.earlybirdwomen.com

Farewell Pablo.

What a good life you lived. I know you'll be here with us always, when we just listen, and pay attention. Thank you for blessing the lives of all of us for the time you were here.

Love, Laurel

R2D2 Loves Pablo

This note is for my friend Pablo. Pablo, you are one solid kid! I like the stories that your dad told me when we hung out for coffee. He raves about you. We know you're dealing with some silly something that's bugging you all inside. Well, I'm here to remind you, that you're beating it!!!

You're doing it! R2D2 is here to help too! He can project images of people through his special eyes, and he's projecting an image of you, Pablo... all BIG AND STRONG AND HEALTHY!!!

YUP! That's right! I can see it now!!

That's the picture I'm seeing:

YOU + R2D2 = BIG & STRONG & HEALTHY!!!

Happy New Year Pablo! I look forward to seeing you!!!

Love,
Laurel

A Cool Way to Make a Kid's Day!!!

Hey Laurel,

I am working on a project called the Wheels Can Take Me Places Project. I am training a class of twenty two 7th grade youth from a local charter school to participate in the 2009 Katy Trail Ride- 225 miles in one week. Fourteen of those 7th graders are girls. We presently have some used donated clothing for boys, but nothing for the girls. We are hoping that we can get some help from people wanting to support this project, and ask that if you have it, to donate some used clothing (or equipment) for the girls.

Please send clothing to:

Urban KC Community of Cycling

3008 Drury Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64128
(816) 326-7924

Thank you for your support.

Best Regards,

Kenneth Walker

www.UrbanKCcc.com

Community Cycling Representative for Urban Kansas City Community of Cycling

The Winter Solstice

A time of more light. A time of renewal. The season shifts to Winter for real, according to the seasonal calendar. While we go about our busy lives, let's remember to wear the rain coat, hug the ones we love, have compassion for the ones we can't tell we love, and have a real life. Make it real. You know, shift it up, make a difference. For you, for them, for anyone.

I was hanging with some friends in a restaurant tonight. Their family had three children in it. The youngest was 6. All she wanted to do was put the leaves at the end of the table UP and DOWN, all night. She thought it was fascinating how she could lift the leaf up, then prop it up , then hold it up with these little sliders that pulled out from under the table. Putting those table leaves up and down was all she wanted to think about. So, when she was at the end of the table where I was....she got to put those leaves UP and DOWN. She would tell me exactly where to hold it with my finger, while she pulled the little sliders out. It was so fun. Her parents were getting a little worried that she was having too much fun, but we handled them... the sweet ones that they are.

Parents are some of the most incredible people on the planet. Bless them deeply. They were children once, and are back for more by having some. I love it.

Thanks for reading.