Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour lands Feb. 24-25 in Santa Cruz, California

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour will exhilarate you with thrilling, moving and inspiring stories told on film. I have gone every year for nearly 20 years here in my town of Santa Cruz, California. (See the list of films in Santa Cruz, below). There are screenings in the U.S., Canada and dozens of other locations. Here's the Banff worldwide tour schedule. Journey to exotic locations, paddle the wildest waters, and climb the highest peaks. It's a wonderful way to be taken away to the most captivating places on earth!

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour stops in Santa Cruz Feb. 24-25.
Photo credit: Tom Malecha

The 2011/2012 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, presented by National Geographic, The North Face & Parks Canada, brings films from the 36th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival to about 390 communities around the world. From an exploration of remote landscapes and mountain cultures to adrenaline-fueled action sports, films in this year’s world tour are sure to captivate and amaze the explorer within you.

What: Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
When: February 24 & 25, 2012 @ 7 p.m.
Where: Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz
Sponsor: UCSC Recreation
Tickets: $13 Students & $16 general
Local Coordinator: Kathy O'Hara Ferraro, Recreation Supervisor UCSC
Details: Tickets available in person at:
 •UCSC Recreation (831) 459-2806
• Pacific Edge (831) 454-9254
• Bicycle Trip (831) 427-2580
And online at santacruztickets.com
Proceeds benefit the UCSC Wilderness Orientation Scholarship Fund

Local Sponsors: Bay Tree Bookstore, Bicycle Trip, Pacific Edge Climbing Gym, Kayak Connection, Seahorse Swim School, Ryan Brandt M.D. & Family, New Leaf, the Buttery, Ocean Honda, Allterra Environmental, Santa Cruz Weekly, Adventure Sports Journal

Friday, Feburary 24 @ 7pm

Reel Rock: Origins – Obe & Ashima 
A superbly gifted young climber from New York City heads outdoors to the bouldering mecca of Hueco Tanks with her inspiring coach in Origins – Obe & Ashima. 

Ski Bums Never Die 
An unusual and inspiring band of senior skiers in the Kootenay region of British Columbia shows us that Ski Bums Never Die. 

Kadoma 
Kadoma takes us on a suspenseful, haunting and ultimately tragic paddling expedition deep into the heart of Africa’s wildest rivers. 

All.I.Can: The Short Cut 
Stunning time-lapse sequences, creative visuals and imaginative skiing are highlights of All.I.Can. This excerpt from the award-winning feature film looks at both the backcountry and the back alley. 

Blue Obsession 
Beautiful and ever-changing icefalls of Alaskan glaciers provide a stunning setting for some unusual ice climbing adventures in Blue Obsession. 

On the Trail of Genghis Khan: The Last Frontier 
Australian Tim Cope travels by horse overland 10,000 km from Mongolia to Hungary.The Last Frontier captures the culmination of his stunning three-year journey, the crossing of the Carpathian Mountains. 

Total time – 132 minutes

Saturday, February 25 @ 7 pm

The Freedom Chair 
The Freedom Chair follows charismatic Paralympic skier Josh Dueck’s transition from the world of competitive sit-skiing to the thrills of the backcountry. 

On Assignment: Jimmy Chin 
On Assignment: Jimmy Chin is a brief portrait of an athlete who excels at his two passions – climbing and photography. 

The Trail Collector 
People collect all kinds of things: stamps, coins, art. This is The Trail Collector’scollection. 

SPOIL 
In SPOIL, photographers head to British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest to capture images of the mythical spirit bear. They aim to showcase the area’s natural beauty, and halt its industrial development. 

Cold 
Cold takes us to the top of Gasherbrum II in the midst of a deep, dark winter. Isolated, full of doubt and extremely exposed, these alpinists achieve the first winter ascent on one of the world’s most challenging peaks. 

Seasons: Fall 
Seasons: Fall takes paddler Kate Wagner into deep canyons with steep, spring-fed creeks for a soulful autumn river session. 

Chasing Water 
In Chasing Water, a photographer travels the length of the Colorado River, from his family’s ranch to the sea. Along the way, he realizes his personal story is actually a tale of the lifeblood of the American West. 

Towers of the Ennedi 
The Towers of the Ennedi are in a hot, sand-scoured and unfriendly corner of Africa. A veteran climber and two young stars explore its untouched landscapes. 

C.A.R.C.A 
C.A.R.C.A. follows one man's quest to revolutionize the world of animal avalanche rescue. 

In Transit! Santa Cruz to San Francisco to Beijing

It's strange to think that on September 11, 2011, I'll be on the Great Wall of China, for the somber 10-year marker of the 9-11 attacks. For now, though I am focused on getting to Beijing. I'm at San Francisco Airport now.

My trip so far, by the numbers:

2:30 a.m. - Time I went to sleep

5:00 a.m. - Time I got up

1 stop - at Emily's Bakery for pumpkin muffins and sandwiches for the plane ride

8 a.m. - Time Saskia got me to San Francisco Airport

33 pounds - weight of my 1 checked suitcase! (with 50 pound allowance)

40 minutes - time to get thru security line

1 - thing I forgot so far: hairbrush

1 - thing I miss already but deliberately left at home: my cell phone

12 hours - flight time directly from San Francisco to Beijing (United)

133 - number of yuan, Chinese currency that I have (thanks Bobby!) About $20

16 hours - China is 16 hours ahead of Santa Cruz time - it's tomorrow there already!

My Paddleboarding Debut - Tips & Resources for Standup Paddle boarding - SUP!

I am a land-loving cyclist, for the most part. But through the years, I have enjoyed a variety of water sports, including surfing (long boarding), ocean swimming, and even river boarding (outside Seattle - brrrr!). Plus, I have kayaked and canoed many times! Finally, this fall, I got to sample stand-up paddle boarding, better known as SUP, or just paddle boarding, thanks to my friend here in Santa Cruz, Max Montgomery.

Here I am: virgin paddleboarder at Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz on a sunny Saturday in September. Max Montgomery generously volunteered to be my instructor and loan me his paddle board. It's so big, it;s like a small boat. Yet, I was still a bit wobbly standing on it even in flat surf conditions.

Max and I drove to the beach and hauled two big, heavy boards down from the parking lot to the surf. Actually there was no "surf," the ocean, which is technically, the Monterey Bay here in Santa Cruz, was smooth as glass, ideal, flat conditions to venture out into the water for a tranquil paddle. There was a little tiny bit of shore break. Max pointed out that is the most dangerous part; entering and exiting the water with the huge board, so he kindly managed that part for me!

Max provided three excellent pieces of advice for a beginner paddle boarder:

1. Use your knees! The first position to get onto the board after bellyflopping onto it, is to rise to your knees, just kneel on it, before standing up. Then, once standing, be sure to have your knees gently bent, not locked for optimum balance.

2. Momentum is your friend. A gently, steady glide is the best way to maneuver about because it's much harder to maintain your balance standing up, even on a flat ocean, if you are at a dead stop. So keep on gliding along, using your paddle on alternating sides.

3. Paddle using your core muscle group at the center of your body, not just your arms. This was the hardest part for me! I worked on the concept but will have to try again to get the paddling right so my arms and shoulders are less fatigued.

Max Montgomery has been a surfer for 30+ plus years and is a world-traveled Santa Cruzer. He says that he also loves stand-up paddle boarding because it's a calmer way to appreciate the amazing Monterey Bay!

It's impossible to mention Max Montgomery without talking about the group he co-founded with Brooks Lamber and passionately maintains: Best Day Foundation, www.bestdayfoundation.org, which helps children with special needs build confidence and self-esteem through safe, fun, adventure activities like surfing.

Max is also on the board of Ride a Wave - Creating Special Days for Kids with Special Needs. I deeply admire his dedication to giving disabled children and adults the chance to experience riding a wave and enjoying the ocean. Check out photos of past events and become a a sponsors at www.rideawave.org.

For more information about stand-up paddle boarding in Santa Cruz, here are a few (of many) options to visit:

1. Covewater - Stand Up Paddleboards, Santa Cruz, owned by Scott and Leslie Ruble
They offer paddle board classes, lessons, rentals, boards and accessories.
www.covewatersup.com.

2. Neil Pearlberg, the freelance surfing columnist for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, offers private classes on stand-up paddle boarding. Check out his website! He also wrote about how the well-established Santa Cruz company Caution Kites is manufacturing paddle boards in addition to their signature wind and kite surfing boards.

3. Inflate your SUP!  Can't stand to drive your car to a stand-up paddle board session? You will have a heckuva time hauling the typical 11 to 1- foot, 30-inch wide, 30-pound board on your bike or your back to the beach, so check out the inflatable paddle boards (iSUPs). Pete Gauvin, Editor of Adventure Sports Journal, suggests checking out surftech.com's inflatable model.

A disadvantage of paddleboarding is that they are so huge you really can't put it on your bike to get to the beach; meaning a need to drive there then haul the heavy boards to the beach. Max did the heavy lifting - thank you!

North Dakota Here I Come: Mountain Biking the Maah Daah Hey Trail with Western Spirit!

I launch my five-day mountain bike and camping tour with Western Spirit in North Dakota on Monday. I'm here in Bismarck, North Dakota's capital, thanks to a gal named Gnat. Yes, gnat, like the fly.  I will ask her why she chose that name while our group of 8 guests and three guides pedals our fat tires along the Maah Daah Hey trail. If you are headed to North Dakota, here's the office of tourism contact!

It was Gnat's hot pink hair that I noticed in the expo area of the Sea Otter Classic, a bike festival held in Monterey (an hour south of me in Santa Cruz) in April. With that stand-out hair, I assumed it was the same cyclist I had met briefly at a women's mountain bike skills clinic, the Dirt Series, in Santa Cruz, a year ago. I went to say hi.

Gnat learns about bicycle fit during the 2009 Dirt Series, a mountain bike clinic for women.

Turned out neither of us planned to return to the two-day mountain bike skills camp in 2010 though it had been excellent. Instead, Gnat told me about a bike tour she had signed up for in North Dakota.  Mountain biking in North Dakota had never crossed my mind.  I was intrigued. When she said the tour outfitter, Western Spirit, was the host of the trip, it sounded like a good match for me.

I had gone on a Colorado mountain bike tour (Colorado Singletrack) with Western Spirit several years ago and it had been a great experience - and an incredible challenge to mountain bike at high altitude. Here's the story I wrote about that trip for Singletrack Magazine.

My tour starts Monday with a drive from Bismarck to the town of  Medora and ends Friday. I am stoked to mountain bike by day and camp by night - though a bit nervous that I am renting a bike and camping gear here rather than schlep mine on the airplane.

Here are the details of our itinerary. Thankfully, other than a hefty load of water on my back, all my gear will be packed in a truck. Will be fun. Stay tuned!

I used my laptop's built-in camera to snap this photo while I was stretching in Denver Airport. I arrived in Bismarck this afternoon.

Amgen Tour of California 2010 - Stage 3 in Santa Cruz Race Report

Cycling Fans Celebrate Stage 3 Finish Under Sunny Skies
By Karen Kefauver

At the finish line in front of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, spectators crowded ten deep to watch the climactic ending of Stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of the California, an 8-day, 810-mile professional bike race that ends Sunday in Thousand Oaks. The most fanatical of cycling fans had staked out their spots hours before the racers were expected. The crowds leaned over the orange fencing, cameras in hand, striving to record the excitement of the best pro racers in the world sprinting for the win. There were no umbrellas in sight.

“I am so glad the rain stopped after last night,” said Bart Coddington, a member of the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club and a Tour of California volunteer. “It’s so much better with the sun,” he said, recollecting the drenching rain that greeted fans and racers last February, the first time the Tour of California came through Santa Cruz. Despite a light rain Monday night, the weather cooperated on race day and organizers were pleased that the roads dried in time for safer cycling for the athletes.

The 113.3-mile Stage 3 race started in San Francisco yesterday morning and blasted down West Cliff Drive after the peloton’s tough seven-mile climb up Bonny Doon Road. David Zabriskie of Garmin Transitions captured the victory with a time of 4:26:10. Competitors Michael Rogers (HTC-Columbia) and Levi Leipheimer (Radioshack) were only a hair behind. Peter Sagan followed in fourth place. The rest of the peloton charged into the finish area with equally deafening cheering and cowbells clanging moments later.

“This is so thrilling!” said Mary Alsip, decked out in a golden feather boa. The coordinator of the Peloton Club, a booster club for Stage 3, Alsip said she thought finish line frenzy was even greater than last year. “Cycling fans are out in force,” she noted.

In addition to the ideal weather, there was race drama when the three overall favorites broke away together on the critical Bonny Doon climb. The trio pushed full force towards the finish line as a driven pack closed to within a handful of seconds of them.

“It was an amazing finish,” said Nils Tikkanen, a competitive cyclist who races with Team Bicycle Trip. He managed to squeeze in his own training ride before watching the race from the Peloton Club. As a racer, he appreciated the work required to charge over the finish line.

Zabriskie, the reigning national time trial champion, attacked the others with less than a kilometer to go and held them off. He captured the win and a 10-second bonus that put him into the overall lead, displacing Brett Lancaster (Cervelo TestTeam). At the press conference afterwards, a visibly drained Zabriskie said, “This is my favorite race on the calendar,” he said, Then, he added with a smile, “I won the surf board!” The board was a special Santa Cruz prize awarded to the winner of Stage 3.

“It’s iconic of Santa Cruz,” said Matt Twisselman, noting that designer Judi Oyama and shaper Doug Haut had put a lot effort into the custom surfboard’s design and creation.
At the finish line, Cindy Jewell summed it up, “The crowds were loud and had a blast- what a great day for Santa Cruz!

The fifth annual Tour of California continues to day with Stage 4, a 121.5-mile race from San Jose to Modesto. For more information visit: www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

Karen Kefauver, www.karenkefauver.com, is a freelance sports and travel journalist based in Santa Cruz and an avid cyclist. Visit her Sentinel cycling blog at www.santacruzlive.com/blogs/outside.

Bike Theft - The Stolen Bike To Do List and My Condolences

It's been nearly a week since my beloved blue Diamondback cruiser was snatched at night from the side of my house. The frenzy to find it has subsided and I intend to replace it. It was my fourth bicycle stolen during 17 years living in Santa Cruz, California. This latest incident led me to reflect on my stolen bikes, how to prevent future theft and the wonderful nature of fellow cyclists. If you have had your bike stolen, first, let me say, I am so sorry. It can be a heartbreaking experience.

Friends, acquaintances, even strangers rallied around me and my stolen bike tale of woe with an outpouring of generosity, sympathy and offers ranging from becoming my personal body guard to pursuing vigilante-style justice for the thief. One gal offered to host a neighborhood gathering led by a non-violent communications facilitator.  To my fellow cyclists, one and all, thank you!

For those of you wanting to protect your bikes, some tips
In three out of four cases of my stolen bikes (two cruisers and two mountain bikes), I had left them unlocked in daytime for a period of mere minutes or hours; they were snatched by people trespassing onto my deck or yard. No matter the circumstances, with each theft, I felt angry, violated and mad at myself that I had not taken steps to better protect my personal property.

 Don't mess with me! I took this self- portrait with a new, hardcore bike lock to show I mean business in protecting my bicycles after my latest bike theft!

Homeland Security
Also as a result of the crimes, I felt more vulnerable. After the most recent theft of my Diamondback cruiser from outside my house last Thursday night, I had sensor lights installed and am vigilant about leaving two porch lights on to illuminate the whole area at dusk and night time.

Steps to Protect Bike
1. Photograph all bikes, taking note of make, model, brand, serial number and accessories.
2. *** Register each bike with the police. See detailed procedure on how to do this in Santa Cruz.
For your city, I suggest you contact your local police department to find out the steps to take.
3. Lock your bike(s) at all times. Surprisingly, this can become a hassle, but it's necessary - inside and outside - lock them! That includes when they are:
On your bike rack on the car, inside your car, in your storage unit, in your garage, in your shed, on your porch, in your kitchen!


If your bike gets stolen, report it immediately:
1. To the police. Some places, like Santa Cruz, have a handy online police report to fill out. After I submitted the form, I received an email response that included a case number. I reported it even tho I had never registered it with police (my oversight).
I hope you won't need to file a stolen bike report but if you do, here's the website.  http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/index.aspx?page=68
2. Online. Immediately alert your family, friends and bike shops in the area. Ideally, post photos of the bike if you have some.
3. Renter's Insurance/Lock Guarantee. If your bike lock was broken, some companies, like Kyrptonite, have replacement offers. You must register your lock/keys when you purchase the bike lock. Your renter's or homeowner's insurance may cover the theft, as well.

If You Want to Search
Many friends had suffered bike thefts too, and suggested searching for the bike in these places.
I did not pursue this route, in part, because the value of my bike was quite low, and also not sure how a confrontation with a thief or supsected thief, would play out. I would want police backup.
• Craigslist (under bikes for sale)
• Local flea market
• Used bicycle shops - sometimes the frame or parts will surface there

On the bright side - YES, there was one
I was reminded of what a warm, wonderful bike community I belong to.
I welcome your thoughts and resources on how to protect your bicycle!

Bike Licenses in Santa Cruz, California
10.68.110 BICYCLE LICENSE REQUIREMENT It is unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle on any public street or sidewalk, or upon any public path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, unless such bicycle, as defined in this section, has been licensed under the provisions of this chapter or under licensing provisions of another public agency.

A “bicycle,” defined for licensing requirements under this section, is any device upon which a person may ride, propelled by human power through a belt, chain, or gears, and having either two or three wheels in tandem or tricycle arrangement, and which has wheels at least twenty inches in diameter and a frame of at least fourteen inches; or any motorized bicycle as defined by the State Vehicle Code.

You can obtain a license through the City Finance Department
Call 831-420-5050
I called and learned:
Each bike costs $3 to register. Make sure you come in with the basic info for each bike, including, serial number, frame size, wheel size, company that made it, etc. You'll need to come the office in person and pay cash or check made out to City of Santa Cruz.
Office: 809 Center Street, Room 101
Hours: Monday- Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Amazing Bicycling Bonanza in April and my Sea Otter Classic mountain bike race!

Karen By Kris Suta Pederson KrisCanXS

I am wrapping up an amazing weekend of bicycling adventures that included the 20th annual Sea Otter Classic at the Laguna Seca Recreation area in Monterey; a talk by Jim Sayer, Executive Director of Adventure Cycling Association Friday night in Santa Cruz about the new 2,400 mile Sierra Cascades Bicycle Route; and the Santa Cruz Classic Criterium, an action-packed bike race with top notch talent that happened here in Beach Hill in downtown Santa Cruz on Sunday.



Here are the stories I wrote about the Sea Otter Classic:

• Ned Overend, part time Santa Cruz resident and full-time mountain bike legend, helps Sea Otter celebrate its 20th anniversary

•Sea Otter Classic: A down and dirty mountain bike race report from cross country course by Karen Kefauver

• Spin City: Santa Cruz cyclists prep for major events despite April showers

• Spin City Namedropping - Sea Otter Classic Day 1 Report

• Adventure Sports Journal - March/April 2010 Sea Otter Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

Missed Maverick's this weekend? Here's a report from the world's biggest wave contest!

Where in the world are the biggest waves? 

Surfers claim some of the biggest waves ever rolled through Northern California's Pillar Point area on Saturday, February 13, 2010,  the day that an elite group of surfers decided to hold the infamous Maverick's surf contest. This was the first time the contest had been held in two years and a $150,000 prize purse, the biggest ever, was at stake for the world's best surfers who were invited to join the competition.

 I could have jumped in my car and driven from Santa Cruz about an hour north to Pillar Point, a little north of Half Moon Bay. Instead, I asked my well-traveled friend and neighbor, Shannon Armstrong, to describe her experience watching the monster waves that towered 40 to 50 feet tall.

Here's a photo, below,  from the New York Times' Bay Area slide show.

After I told Shannon that I joined 54,000 others viewing Maverick's live online, she said:

"You definitely would have a better view of the surfers riding the waves and the standings by watching the internet stream at home. But there's nothing like the perspective of seeing the enormity of the wave from sea level and seeing how small the surfers are in comparison.
Mavericks was awesome!"

Here's the rest of Shannon Armstrong's report from that epic afternoon of surfing big waves:

Getting there
We parked about 5 miles from the action and rode our bikes to the view point, whizzing past the cars inching their way toward Pillar Point. Fire engines and ambulances were leaving the scene when we arrived (carting off the 15 people injured earlier by the high tide rogue wave that swept onto the beach). It was packed, but we were still able to weave our bikes through the pedestrians.


Viewing spots
You could view from up top the bluff, but we heard you could only see the surefers waiting for the waves on the backside and then missed all the action once they took off. So we hoofed it over to the announcer stand on the beach where people had been swept away earlier. Thank god we weren't there then!

We arrived around 1:30 p.m. - just in time to see the finalists set out from the beach. About 10 police  were guarding the barricades they'd put up to keep people off the beach below the cliff, even though it was now low tide and no real danger of being swept away.

There was no announcing we could hear and luckily we brought binoculars. It was bright, warm and sunny enough to need sunblock (it was so foggy the entire drive  up that we could barely even see the shore!)

The waves were HUGE
I overheard one pro surfer saying that this was the best Mavs contest ever! These mountains of water kept rolling toward us, stopped by a barrier of craggy rocks that looked like an eagle taking flight. People lined the beach and up the cliff, peering at the surfers bobbing above the wave as it broke in front of us. We always knew when someone caught one because there would be cheers from the viewers on the cliff. It was thrilling to see someone have the guts to fly down the face of the monster wave.

It was interesting to see how locals paddled out to the wave. I'm certain I would have perished in the 45-minute paddle to  the wave, should I ever lose my head and decide it seemed like a good idea to paddle out and give it a go.

Best of all
we were right there as the pros came to shore after the contest to see all their broken boards, exhausted bodies & big smiles when congratulating each other on a great day on the wave. The winner was Chris Bertish, a mid-thirties (one of the younger contestants, I think) humble south african with short sandy curls and a bit of blood on his chin, drawing attention to the fat lip he got when the wave pushed his board into his face on one ride. He was taking pictures with a bunch of people & doing interviews & only after he walked back to talk to his buddies in the roped off area did he realize he'd won. He said "nobody told me!" It was fun seeing his reaction when he found out. It was already posted to the internet...he was the last to know!

The cherry on top 
was riding a spectacular bike path along the ocean bluff back to our car...all 5 miles. Some high clouds were rolling in and the wind was cool, but the sunset colors were beautiful. We stopped on a cliff bench to enjoy it for a bit.

Yes, the New York Times Bay Area edition covered it here:
http://bayarea.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/mavericks-surf-contest-2010-a-lesson-in-natures-power

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

Learn to mountain bike or improve your riding with skills clinics - coed and women-only mountain bike camps

I'm always on a quest to become a better cyclist, especially when it comes to riding singletrack trails on my mountain bike! For the past two years, I have signed up for the women-only Dirt Series clinic, a two-day skills intensive which has come to my town of Santa Cruz, California. The Dirt Series rolls out again in 2010, with a new title sponsor of Trek Bicycles. The Santa Cruz clinic sold out all its spots within 24 hours, but fortunately, there are Trek Dirt Series camps offered around the U.S. and Canada that still have space. They offer women-only camps as well as co-ed options. I'll write more about my great experience with them in my next blog post.

Another way to get better on the bike is to sign up for a mountain bike camp with Alison Dunlap, two-time Olympian and former national and world champion in mountain biking.

I still haven't ridden in Moab, Utah! I must change that!

 I have taken afternoon clinics with Alison Dunlap and had the opportunity to interview her as a journalist at Sea Otter Classic and other major bicycling races.  She is a great teacher - fun, patient, encouraging and of course, a master at her craft. Here's the scoop on the Moab, Utah, camps with Alison.

Alison says:
"After running skills clinics for the past five years, we have decided to take a break, and instead focus our energy on expanding our Moab Camps."

April 27-May 1, 2010   Novice/Intermediate
We are introducing a new Beginner/Interm 5-day Moab Skills Camp

"For those of you that have come before, we have a new Intermediate/Adv Ride Camp."
May 11-15, 2010   Intermediate/Advanced
Sept 28-Oct 2, 2010   Intermediate/Advanced
Cost:
$1985:  All inclusive
$1595:  Without lodging and massage

More about Alison
She's a  USA Cycling certified Level II coach, a United States Anti-Doping Association Athlete Ambassador, a member of the USA Cycling Olympic Selection Committee, and a certified Wilderness First Responder.

If you have taken one of Alison Dunlap's camps or had her coaching, please leave a comment here on this blog and let me know what you thought!

Santa Cruz Cyclist sets off on 4,000-mile cross country bike tour - and I joined him - for 15 miles!

What inspired Bart Coddington, 65, to ride his fully loaded bicycle across the U.S. from his hometown of Santa Cruz, California, to his 47th high school reunion in Rye, New York?

I aim to answer that question and share Bart's passion for bicycling in two blog posts for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. I was so impressed with his endeavor that I got up at 6 a.m. today to see him off on his ride. (Many of you know that is not my shining hour). Now the rest is up to Bart!

To find out more, visit my cycling blog, Spin City: http://www.santacruzlive.com/blogs/outside/

Bart Coddington, the president of the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club, sets off with four loaded bike bags and three friends on Wednesday, July 1. He is pictured here, on Highway 1, near Davenport, about 19 miles into the 4,000-mile ride. Though one friend will ride with him for the first days, it is a solo journey.
Photo Credit: Karen Kefauver

Bicycling on the Brain - Tour of Calfornia + more two-wheeled updates

FULL SPEED AHEAD for this busy sports/travel writer! In this blog entry, I report on my Tour of California (TOC) projects for TV - Comcast, print - Good Times, Adventure Sports Journal and my pet project, Facebook TOC group.

I biked to a Tour of California press conference in Santa Cruz with my Apple laptop.

• The 2009 Amgen Tour of California, Feb. 14-22.
For the first time, the Tour of California (TOC), will include Santa Cruz, my city, on the route! World class bike racers - including Lance - will cross the finish line in downtown Santa Cruz on Monday, Feb. 16, President's Day.

- This professional stage race, the largest of its kind in the Unites States attracts the best road cyclists in the world - some of whom live right here in Santa Cruz.
- Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France champion (who is returning to racing after a three-year retirement) will compete in this grueling race.
- The international field will ride more than 800 miles - nearly the length of California, from Sacramento in the north, to Escondido in the South.

Professional cyclist Ben Jacques-Maynes, a Santa Cruz County resident, will race the Tour of California, more than 800 miles, Feb. 14-22. I interviewed him yesterday.

Santa Cruz will witness a dramatic sprint finish of Stage 2 of the race. Thousands of spectators will line the streets of downtown Santa Cruz, along with international media. The scenic Stage 2 starts that morning in Sausalito and will travel south over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and then head down Highway 1 to Santa Cruz! I am thrilled to have such a prestigious event coming to Santa Cruz.

Pro cyclist and defending champion in the Amgen Women's TOC race, Brooke Miller was a former collegiate volleyball player before she found success in bicycle road racing.

I'm involved in multiple TOC media projects:
• Comcast cable television show on TOC - A 30-minute segment produced by veteran newswoman Paula Mahoney will focus on Santa Cruz County as a hub of the cycling industry and Stage 2 of TOC. I am serving as "the talent," which means I am conducting a series of interviews with local bike industry leaders and pro cyclists over the course of January. Learning a lot about broadcasting. The show will begin airing Feb. 1. I will provide the schedule in advance.

I have enjoyed interviewing Santa Cruz bicycle frame builder Paul Sadoff of Rock Lobster and Santa Cruz-based pro cyclists and twins Ben Jacques-Maynes and Andy Jacques-Maynes. Teammates on Team Bissell, the pair will race TOC. I was also very inspired interviewing Brooke Miller, of Team Tibco. She's the current national champion in road and crit racing! She will compete in the Amgen's Women Tour of California.

Paul Sadoff builds custom bike frames for his company Rock Lobster, in Santa Cruz. He has been in the cycling industry 30 years. I interviewed him last week.

• Good Times newspaper cover story on TOC
I am conducting interviews with pro cyclists and city folks to write a preview of the race.

NOTE: One of my first jobs in Santa Cruz was working at Good Times weekly newspaper, 1994-96. I started as the calendar editor, publishing hundreds of listings for local events. It was a wonderful way to learn about everything Santa Cruz had to offer! I worked my way up the editorial ladder to Arts and Entertainment Editor. By the time I left, I was writing cover stories, managing writers and loving my job. I left Good Times to launch my freelance journalism career. To this day, I have dear friends whom I met at the paper.

* Facebook Group - Tour of California group
My enthusiasm for Tour of California needed a social media outlet, so I created and maintain a Facebook group page called 2009 Amgen Tour of California - Stage 2. I spend hours updating lists of events, answering people's questions and sharing my love of Santa Cruz and cycling.

Mark "Howie" Howland meets author and former pro cyclist Joe Parkin at a Tour of CA event in Santa Cruz at The Bicycle Trip.

* Adventure Sports Journal
My feature story on TOC has been published in the Winter issue. Here's a copy of the story, online. The publication is available in Northern California only.


MORE STORIES I'm working on about 2008 trips:
• ROW Adventures raft trip in Idaho
• Montana bike tour with Adventure Cycling Association
• Tips for people new to speaking on camera for t.v
• Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Holidays. I'm pitching stories about my 11-day mountain bike in Peru's Sacred Valley this fall with the Canadian-based company. Run by Mike Brcic, Sacred Rides was recently named one of the world's best bike expedition companies by National Geographic Adventure magazine. I have amazing high-res digital Peru photos from this singletrack cross country adventure that I'm saving for exclusive publication! If you know of a website, magazine or newspaper that's a good fit for my story, email me: karen@karenkefauver.com.

State of the Media: Newspapers, Magazines, Television - A downhill slide in 2008 with staff cuts and closures - List of recent losses

I have been back home in Santa Cruz, California, for nearly three weeks now after my trip to Brazil and Peru in September and October. As a freelance journalist, it's part of my job to keep up with industry trends. I read dozens of publications both online and in print, so it's no surprise that media jobs are vanishing as the economy suffers and technology shifts.
But the recent landslide of deep cuts in media staffing and publications is stunning!

Here is a grim sampling from November reports from two of my favorite sources which compile industry news from a variety of sources: Mediabistro.com (Newsfeed) and Wooden Horse Publications. In my next blog entry, I will write about some GOOD NEWS that comes with these changes!

• Christian Science Monitor to Go Web-Only
The Christian Science Monitor plans major changes in April 2009 that are expected to make it the first newspaper with a national audience to shift from a daily print format to an online publication that is updated continuously each day. The changes at the Monitor will include enhancing the content on CSMonitor.com, starting weekly print and daily e-mail editions, and discontinuing the current daily print format. WaPo: "Everyone who grew up with print, and everyone who worked in print like me, you feel a little sad," editor John Yemma said in an interview. But he said the Church of Christ, Scientist, which has heavily subsidized the $26 million annual cost of running the Boston-based paper, wants to stem the flow of red ink.

Forbes: While other print publications have folded in favor of online in recent years, the Monitor's change is perhaps the most poignant acknowledgment thus far of the radical transformation in the newspaper business.

• Gannett Will Cut 10 Percent of Newspaper Jobs (Reuters)
Gannett Co Inc, the largest U.S. newspaper publisher, is planning to cut about 10 percent of jobs at its local papers as it fights advertising declines made worse by the global financial crisis. It is the second round of layoffs that Gannett has planned in the past two months. In August, Gannett said it would eliminate 1,000 newspaper jobs, with 600 being laid off.

• Rodale has confirmed that they are laying off 111 employees or approximately 10% of the company and eliminating or consolidating positions in other divisions. No word yet on which magazines will be affected specifically -- Rodale publishes Runner's World, Men's Health, and Bicycling, among others.

• Tribune D.C. Staffers Bracing For Cuts, Consolidation
With word spreading that the Tribune Washington, D.C., bureau is headed for some major cutbacks and consolidation, staffers there are concerned but not surprised that such changes are in the works. Although Tribune Co. offered no official word about the cutbacks, which are expected to hit the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times D.C. outlets the hardest, those in the bureau are bracing for the worst

• News Corp. Cancels Annual Holiday Bash (TVNewser)
News Corp. is canceling its extravagant holiday bash normally held at the Hilton in midtown Manhattan. The annual party is for all News Corp. employees, including Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, the New York Post, the TV stations division, 20th Television, etc., etc. Expect this to be just the first of many holiday party cancellations due to the ailing economy.

• The Seattle Times Co. announced more cutbacks yesterday, including a reduction of 130 to 150 staff positions through a combination of buyouts and layoffs.

• Washington Post Co.'s third quarter income plummets 85%. Although newspapers were hit the hardest, the company's magazine division reported an operating loss of $27 million for the first nine months of 2008, compared to an operating income of $14 million for the first nine months of 2007. NEWSWEEK's ad pages fell 17% through the first 9 months, according to Publishers Information Bureau.

• At Conde Nast more than 100 people will be out of work in a one-day bloodbath that is unprecedented in the history of the company. As many as 60 people will lose their jobs at MEN'S VOGUE*, which is being cut back to two issues a year from ten and will now be a standalone supplement to VOGUE*. PORTFOLIO* is being downsized by 20% and, in a strange move, the 35 people on the online team were stripped to five. The print magazine had its frequency cut from 12 to ten.

• Revenue at Meredith's publishing unit (BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS*, LADIES' HOME JOURNAL*, MORE*) dropped 9% in the last year, to $300 million. But ad revenues fell much more steeply, dropping 18% to $148 million. And the operating profit plummeted 40%, to $33 million.

• American Express Publishing (TRAVEL + LEISURE*, FOOD & WINE*), is eliminating 22 jobs across departments. Ad pages fell 3.6% in the first half of the year, according to minonline.com.

• Wenner Media (ROLLING STONE*, US WEEKLY*, MEN'S JOURNAL*) let go at least seven employees (2% of its 400 full-time employees) in the past week. The flagship magazine Rolling Stone faces an 18% decline in ad pages this year through Oct 16; Us Weekly declined 5% through its Oct 27 issue, per the MEDIAWEEK* Monitor.

• Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's publishing division posted $122 million in revenue year-to-date, down 9% from $134 million during the same period last year. The company attributed Q3 publishing declines to "lower advertising pages, a shift in timing of special issues and the absence of BLUEPRINT", which folded late last year. But digital ad revenue increased 35% year-over-year, the company said.

• McGraw-Hill Companies (BUSINESSWEEK*, AVIATION WEEK*) said it eliminated 270 jobs company-wide in an effort to "contain costs and mitigate the impact of the current and expected future economic conditions." More than half of the cuts - 140 - came from its media and information division.

• Time Inc. Plans About 600 Layoffs (NYT)
Time Inc., the world's largest magazine publisher, plans to cut 6 percent of its work force -- more than 600 positions -- and will revamp the organization in a way that could radically alter the culture at the company.

5 Ways I know I am back in the USA and Santa Cruz, California

This is a fat costume for a Halloween bike race. It is no joke that many Americans really do look like this!

Back here in the United States, I notice:

1. People walk a lot faster.
2. They wear darker colors; I miss the bright, traditional Peruvian clothing.
3. The country is in a presidential election frenzy!
4. People complain about their stock portfolios.
5. How I know I am back in Santa Cruz, Calfornia, specifically -

• A visitor from New York commented, "Every day is Halloween in Santa Cruz." He made this observation after walking down our main drag, Pacific Avenue. He noticed that anything goes, fashion-wise, in this liberal, little seaside university town.

• At the Farmer's Market, the first person I bumped into there was an acquaintance from Burning Man 2007. He offered me a bag of fresh green peas. He told me to pick one pea, crack open the pod and he would look inside it and tell me my fortune. My future looks bright!

* I was invited to a Halloween party with the theme CEOs and Hos. Within a few hours, several people were semi-naked on the dance floor. (Not I!)


Before the Halloween party, I met with friends Marilyn and Caroline.

Best of all about being home: Where else can I attend a Halloween costume bike race?!


Yep, that's me in the black wig and red helmet!

The joy of mountain biking trails at Wilder State Park in Santa Cruz

Last Saturday, on a group ride with the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz, I finally conquered a technical part of a trail that I had attempted for years. Thanks to Mark Woodhead for capturing it on film (on a small camera with hi def video) and thanks also for recommending good gearing for that tough uphill cornering. The video clip contains two portions of my typically enthusiastic - and vocal - riding style. It's the second ascent that was my triumph! Too bad it is hard to tell what a steep turn this is and how big, thick roots jut out making in extremely difficult not to dismount.

National Dance Week 2008 Kick-off in Santa Cruz, Thursday, May 1

Tru School Hip Hop, above, and Raizes do Brazil demonstrate capoeira. 

National Dance Week Santa Cruz -

was off to a brilliant start on Thursday, May 1, with free performances at three outdoor locations on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. I attended four solid hours of shows (5 p.m.-9 p.m.) and was amazed by the caliber of dancing and captivated by the topnotch choreography. SLIDESHOW! I saw a sampling of dance from:

• Gravity Girls
• Marsea Marquis and Tropicalismo
• Contact Improvisation
• John and Nancy Lingemann
• Tru School Hip Hop
• Mir & A Company

Here are free dances classes May 1-8!

The events are sponsored by the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz.

Nocturnal Sunshine Fire Performance Troupe, above, and Te Hau Nui Dance.

Visit my PHOTO GALLERY for more dance photos from this event.