I never realized when Trace introduced me to biking in 1986 just what an impact this sports activity would have on my family. Not only do Trace and I still love to bike, but I can honestly say that our 4 daughters, 4 son-in-laws and 1 grand-daughter enjoy biking as well. We have enjoyed biking vacations to Europe several times, biked several 'centuries' and 'double centuries' together and biked Seattle-to-Portland many times as well. We play musical bikes....a game where when we get a new bike, we give the old one to someone in the family. In that way we have provided bikes for 11 of us, with money changing hands only twice. The oldest bike belongs to grand-daughter Rachel and is called The Heggie, because of its longevity.
Jamie has started a biking club with her friends who love to ride together, especially in the all-woman ride in Cache Valley every spring called LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD. Sara, Lindsey and I ride it as well as my sister, Lee, and cousin Susan.
Trace and I are Cannondale fans, branching out to Trek, Scatante, Scirocco and to Felt once when we got a smoking deal.
Which brings me to Stacey. She started biking with us when she was 14. We had a HEAVY mountain bike that she rode for years. I would ride with her in Arizona and have to wait for many minutes for her to catch up, everywhere we rode. WELL LOOK WHO'S WAITING NOW. The girl is an animal. Just this week she is completing the assembly on an Ellsworth bike that Tony sold her at the cousin discount. Saaweet. You could say she loves biking more than life. But then you'd be lying, because she loves to run even more. (more than any of that she loves her family and the Lord) but I digress.
An Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 run, commonly known as a marathon. All at once. As in 'on the same day'. Help me Rhonda. When she crossed the finish line in 12 hours 8 minutes, she had her signature smile and unlike the countless comrades around us at the finish line, she wasn't falling to the ground, needing oxygen. She was in RaceCenter Magazine's Female Top 20 Northwest Finishers. Out of the 1761 who completed the race, she was 1376 out of the water, 827 on the bike, and 355 on the run. Obviously she is more a runner than a swimmer!
Even on a vacation to Thailand we had to rent bikes and ride in the jungles near Burma. Lindsey, Sara, Jamie and I were so far ahead of these guys, who kept stopping for photo ops every time we turned around:)
Which brings me to Stacey. She started biking with us when she was 14. We had a HEAVY mountain bike that she rode for years. I would ride with her in Arizona and have to wait for many minutes for her to catch up, everywhere we rode. WELL LOOK WHO'S WAITING NOW. The girl is an animal. Just this week she is completing the assembly on an Ellsworth bike that Tony sold her at the cousin discount. Saaweet. You could say she loves biking more than life. But then you'd be lying, because she loves to run even more. (more than any of that she loves her family and the Lord) but I digress.
After running many marathons and qualifying for the Boston Marathon, she decided to do the Ironman Triathalon in Coeur d' Alene Idaho, in 2005.
An Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 run, commonly known as a marathon. All at once. As in 'on the same day'. Help me Rhonda. When she crossed the finish line in 12 hours 8 minutes, she had her signature smile and unlike the countless comrades around us at the finish line, she wasn't falling to the ground, needing oxygen. She was in RaceCenter Magazine's Female Top 20 Northwest Finishers. Out of the 1761 who completed the race, she was 1376 out of the water, 827 on the bike, and 355 on the run. Obviously she is more a runner than a swimmer!
Even on a vacation to Thailand we had to rent bikes and ride in the jungles near Burma. Lindsey, Sara, Jamie and I were so far ahead of these guys, who kept stopping for photo ops every time we turned around:)
8 comments:
that is a great post. i love that your family has a shared passion. what an inspiration every one of you are! thanks for having it spill over to me and mike!
Wow I'm tired just reading about it. It is wonderful when the whole family all share a passion. The Skeens left their biking imprint on the Lehi 6th ward back in the day. I think I remember you guys saying something like biking was suppose to enhance your sex life. Boy that got everyone on board in a hurry. P.S. that dessert was to die for, thanks for the calories !
hey by the way I'm related to Ellsworths. That is acturally my Dad first name(named after his mothers maiden name)
Yes, I would say that Stacey is an animal. I was reading her blog and she has been posting her exercise habits...I could not believe that some days she does so much...how does she have the time??? Not to mention the 15 mile runs following swimming and other events that morning. You have raised a crazt woman! I love all your biking!
My bum hurts just thinking about it....but I'm totally blown out of the water that you do this!
whoopsie, now that I dsee this post I remembered I was supposed to get you a picture of me on a bike, sorry :) I love the Lance Armstrong picture of you. As much as I have biked in my life, I still can't ride with no hands :(
Those boys in our ward had nothing on you in your glory days :> How about a nice ride in the countryside when you come to visit? I'll ride my mt. bike :>
I loved reading this blog. I have always admired all your fun bike adventures and family fun. Actually Doug and I have been thinking that when I'm past this health challenge that we want to buy bikes and give it a try. I need you to educate me on what to buy and do.
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