London, Here I Come - for Summer Olympics 2012!

The Olympics would not usually be on my radar now, but I have joined a group, Journey to the Games, to go to London for the 2012 Summer Games, so the countdown is ON! Just 700+ more days...

Background - Going to the Olympics is on my Bucket List
I have been interested in attending the Olympics as a spectator and/or sports journalist for many years. I came very close to making that happen at the 2010 Winter Games held in Vancouver, British Columbia,  on the west coast of Canada - only a few hours' flight from me in Santa Cruz, California.  Ultimately, I decided I didn't want to deal with the cold weather and housing logistics by myself so I did not go. But I have many friends who went. I enjoyed reading their updates and resolved to go the next chance I had.

As a freelance sports and travel journalist, I  visited Olympic venues in Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond a year prior to the opening of the 2010 Winter Games. I wrote some Olympics preview stories, too. In addition to making me want to learn to curl and ski jump, my trip made me determined to go see an Olympic Games - it's on my bucket list.

 Ready, aim, fire! Then, jump on your cross country skis!  I got to take a shot at biathlon in British Columbia before the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond. Here, an instructor guides me on the basics of shooting.

My 2012 Olympics Tour Group and Guide
After witnessing the many talents and great charisma of Merritt Hopper, an organizer of my Costa Rica running trip with The Coastal Experiences in October 2009, I decided to join him and his crew for the Olympics in 2012. He has rented a youth hostel in London and I have paid a deposit to join his group - (which is now full). I feel lucky to be part of the gang.

Words of Wisdom from Olympics Veteran Merritt Hopper
"I know it's tough to get excited for a big trip like this so far out, but trust me, it's worth this much build up!" wrote Merritt in a recent email.  "Our trip to London will mark the first summer Olympics where more than 8 of us will be going on the journey overseas.  [For past Olympics group trips] we had 3 in Salt Lake, 4 in Athens, 8 in Torino, 7 in Beijing, 80 in Vancouver and now we're matching that 80 mark in London!"

Merritt Hopper leads the pack of runners during our Costa Rica 2009 running vacation.

Photo Credit: Karen Kefauver

Resources for the 2012 London Olympics - courtesy of Merritt
* www.london2012.com - official site
Start getting the lay of the land.  See what venues are hosting what events.  The more of a variety you have in terms of venues, the better.  The architecture alone is always something special.
* www.cosport.com  - If you haven't already registered to get ticket info, DO IT!  You could miss the boat on the first phase of ticket sales if you don't.  Sign up to receive their newsletter.
* * www.journeytothegames.com - Merritt's site for his 2012 London Olympic group


More Helpful Hints from Merritt
*   Will Call vs. Mailing tickets to your home - Will Call is for suckers.  Don't do it.
*   Airline tickets - If you're planning to use miles, GOOD LUCK!  It's doable but you'll need to be on the ball exactly 331 days before your departure and again 331 days before your return.  That is the first time airlines allow you to utilize frequent flyer miles.  Phones light up at redemption centers when it's 331 days before a global event in a certain city.  Mileage will be somewhere between 50,000 and 90,000, so if you're two decades behind the time, it's probably time you got a credit card affiliated with an airline that flies to Europe.  You could start building your point base now, get bonus points for signing up for the card, fly with that airline a few times, and potentially hit the required mile number 13 months from now.

Try ziplining in San Francisco for free in April!

In April, San Francisco visitors have a chance to experience free urban zipline fun that will bring them flying over 600 feet across Embarcadero Square. This unique event will let visitors experience the thrill and exhilaration of ziplining – brought to prominence in North America by Ziptrek Ecotours’ flagship operation in Whistler, British Columbia.

During the Winter Olympics, thousands of visitors enjoyed a similar urban zipline in downtown Vancouver  — it was one of the most popular public activities during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Now ziplining is coming to San Francisco as part of The British Columbia Experience, an 11-day celebration kicking off on April 8 in Justin Herman Plaza. The event spans April 8-18. The event will also feature free public dance performances by the world-renowned Aboriginal dance group the Le-La-La Dancers, an interactive video display, a 3D art installation, and more.

On April 8, The British Columbia Experience launches with the special appearance by two gold medal winning Olympians, US Speed Skater Shani Davis and Canadian Ski Cross Racer Ashleigh McIvor. They will be among the first to try out the zipline and participate in a public autograph signing on April 8th.

When:			Thursday, April 8 - Sunday, April 18th
			10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
What:			The British Columbia Experience, featuring:
			- Free 600 ft. Urban Zipline: Open to the Public
			Note: There are no age restrictions, but guests must weigh more than 65 pounds and no more than a maximum of 275 pounds. The ride will be free of charge.
			- Interactive Video Display, 3D Art Installation and more
Who:			- Launch event on April 8th from 12:30-2:00 featuring a public meet and greet with 2010 Olympic Gold Medalists Shani Davis (US Speed Skating Team) and Ashleigh McIvor (Canadian Freestyle Team – Ski Cross)
			- Performances by the world renowned Aboriginal dance group the Le-La-La Dancers (April 8th - April 11th at 12:00pm and 5:00pm)
Where:			Justin Herman Plaza at Embarcadero Square, San Francisco, California

British Columbia Stays in Spotlight as Paralympic Games Launch March 12-21, 2010

British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province, rolls out the red carpet for the Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler,  March 12 - 21, 2010.  After two weeks of the amazing 2010 Olympic Winter Games, disabled athletes from around the world will compete for medals in five winter sport disciplines. When you are not watching events, there's plenty to do in Whistler and Vancouver - here are two stories that I wrote about my trip there in 2009!
• Olympics Aside, There’s Lots of Cool Stuff To Do in Whistler This Winter
• The Last-Minute Guide to Olympic Fun in Whistler/Vancouver Three Adventure Activities That Will Get You Moving

I took the three snow photos, below!

Visitors and spectators will visit hotspots, including the British Columbia Canada Pavilion at the Vancouver Art Gallery. And  LiveCity Sites in Vancouver and Whistler will come alive again with free music and entertainment.

Tickets to Paralympic sporting events are available and affordable!
To purchase tickets to the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Accommodation can be found at a variety of price points in Vancouver and Whistler as well as around the province with spring promotions and other special offers.

For travel information and to book accommodation and activity packages in British Columbia, visit www.hellobc.com. More information on the Paralympics can also be found on the blog of Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick, the talent behind World Footprints (formerly Travel'n On Radio) headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Trek Dirt Series mountain bike clinics - registration now open for 2010 co-ed and women-only mountain bike camps

The 2010 Trek Dirt Series opened registration for all its mountain bike camps in Canada and the United States on February 1. This year marks some exciting changes for the series, including Trek signing on as as the title sponsor. And within Santa Cruz, the hot new shop in town, Epicenter Cycling, will host the clinic (they are a Trek dealer) instead of the venerable Bicycle Trip. The Dirt Series also just added a new Facebook page!

Safety first! A rider gets a helmet adjustment at the 2009 camp in Santa Cruz. 

Photo credit: Karen Kefauver

  In under 24 hours, all the spots for the Santa Cruz weekend clinic sold out! Good thing I have done it two years in a row already. I learned a lot and had a blast, but would still like to learn to bunny hop and clear logs on the trails. I will ask if I can volunteer to help out since all the official slots are filled and the waiting list is growing.

Candace Shadley, far right, is the founder of the Dirt Series. She's pictured here with some of the amazing instructors from the clinic in 2008 in Santa Cruz. 

Photo credit: Karen Kefauver

In addition to returning to favorite locations, the Dirt Series is expanding its women's only camps it British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, Washington, Oregon, California, Utah and Colorado, as well as an additional two co-ed camps in our home base of Whistler, British Columbia. Here's a look at the schedule for 2010. Below is a selection of my photos from 2008 and 2009 Dirt Series camps in Santa Cruz. Visit http://www.dirtseries.com for details.

 

We stretch and limber up before our skills clinics.

Photo credit: Karen Kefauver

   

Learning downhill cornering is a great basic skill.

Photo credit: Karen Kefauver

   

It was awesome to see so many women in the advanced jump clinic, pictured here. I hope to be in this group one day.

Photo credit: Karen Kefauver

   

Have a question for a bike mechanic? Now is your time to ask. Clinics include time in the shop to learn about your bike.

Photo credit: Karen Kefauver

   

We work hard in camp, but we also have time to rest and relax!

Photo credit: Karen Kefauver

2010 Travel Plans, Winter Olympics and 2009 Highlights

Happy New Year!

A sports and travel highlight of 2009 was a 7-day trip to Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond in British Columbia, Canada, to visit the cities and venues that will host the Winter Olympics next month.  The Games take place February 12-28, 2010, and the Paralympics, March 12-21, 2010.

The Inukshuk, pronounced "in ook shook," is the image of a man that was originally created by the Inuit people to act as a compass or a guide. The stone monument is unique to the Canadian Arctic region. It is the symbol of the 2010 Winter Olympics. I took this photo in Whistler in Feb. '09.

Photo by Karen Kefauver

Another highlight of 2009 was my running vacation with 70 other runners from around the world with The Coastal Experiences in Costa Rica! Check out my photos and story on that trip!

I'm excited about my 2010 travel line-up:

January

Florida. I'm headed to  Orlando for a Society of American Travel Writers workshop and then to see family in Naples.

February

Winter Olympics!

Please help me with my bid for the Olympics - not to compete, just to attend.  I don't have a travel ticket or accomodations YET, but  I am going to make this happen! Any tips appreciated!

The Games will be held February 12-28 and the Paralympic Winter Games will be held March 12-21 in the following Host Venue Cities:

• Vancouver
• Whistler
• Richmond

  Photo by Karen Kefauver

March

Ecuador tops the list! Jorge Perez, of Tierra del Volcan, whom I met through the Adventure Travel Trade Association, has convinced me that Ecuador is the country to check out for amazing mountain bike adventures. In 2008, I sampled the amazing mountain biking in Peru, and now I'm ready to tackle Ecuador.

October

Scotland- The Adventure Travel Trade Association will host their annual world summit in Aviemore, Scotland, October 4-7. I have attended the past Summits in 2006, 2007 and 2008, in Seattle, Whistler and Sao Paolo, Brazil. They were spectacular experiences and it was an honor to be selected as a speaker there in 2007 and 2008 on media panels. I missed 2009 in Quebec, so hope to return in 2010 with an active role there.

Riding in the  Peak 2 Peak Gondola at Whistler Blackcomb in February 2009, I'm smiling at the stunning view during the 11-minute journey over the peaks. It's the longest continuous lift system in the world. 

What adventures do you have lined up for 2010?