Favorite Mountain Biking Area, Fort Ord, Designated National Monument

The former Fort Ord in Monterey, California, has been designated as a national monument. The 14,000-acre surprise came on April 20, 2012 with a resounding "yes" from the White House. 

The announcement came just three days after area officials made their latest rounds in Washington, D.C. to tout the former military base and open space in Monterey County as worthy of the designation. 

The president’s statement (see below) about the former base highlights exactly what area officials see as its value, calling it “a world-class destination for hikers, mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts who come to enjoy the area’s history and scenic landscapes.”

So proud of Henrietta Stern, my friend and former 24-hour mountain bike race team member, pictured here shaking hands with President Obama in March 2012.

Six locals, led by Henrietta Stern and Gordon Smith, were offered a few moments to make their pitch to the chief executive at a Department of Interior conference in Washington D.C. on Friday. Stern said the locals were offered a five-minute meet-and-greet, including the requisite handshakes and photos, with Obama and a few moments to put in a word on their project's behalf during the White House Conference on Conservation, dubbed "Growing America's Outdoor Heritage and Economy.

The new status and improvements to the land that are in store will undoubtedly be a boost to the region’s tourism and recreation economies. Tourists already flock to this area to sample the many recreational opportunities — and when doing so leave a few of their dollars behind. Fort Ord presents myriad opportunities!

Excerpted from: http://www.fortordsoldiersnationalmonument.org.

Henrietta Stern is also a talented mountain biker and loyal friend!

Posted on April 24, 2012 

From the San Jose Mercury News

Obama to designate Fort Ord as a new national monument

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Meghan

According to the San Jose Mercury News, Fort Ord will become America’s newest national monument on Friday!

President Barack Obama is scheduled to establish the new designation on Friday, April 20, making the sweeping former military base only the second national monument he has created since becoming president in 2009.

“Fort Ord’s dramatic landscape lives in the memories of thousands of veterans as their first taste of Army life, as a final stop before deploying to war, or as a home base during their military career,” Obama said in a statement late Thursday.

“This national monument will not only protect one of the crown jewels of California’s coast, but will honor the heroism and dedication of men and women who served our nation and fought in the major conflicts of the 20th century,” Obama said.


MORE INFO:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_20438035/obama-designate-fort-ord-new-national-monument

The Wharf to Wharf Race - The Biggest Little 6-mile race in Santa Cruz, California

Everyone chooses to run for his and her own reasons and goals.

Wharf to Wharf 2009 - Here are My Photos

I watched the 37th annual Wharf to Wharf Race in July from the comfort of the sidelines. For many years, I was a casual runner at this scenic six-mile classic that attracts 15,000 official racers and many more who tag along. I was deeply inspired watching the runners, walkers and joggers as they formed a mass of energy moving from the Santa Cruz Wharf to the Capitola Wharf. What makes this race really stand out is dozens of live bands along the way - everything from bag pipes, to drummers, to rock bands, to marching bands. I especially enjoyed one of the deejays!

You Go Girl!

If you are in the lead, then you don't have to deal with the crowds! These are the front runners early on.

Thousands of runners in the middle of the pack run over Murray Street Bridge.

Fortunately, it was an overcast morning so runners could stay cool.

The community spirit of the race makes it a joy to watch or participate.

I always find some of my favorite folks are at the end of the "race."

Tour d' Afrique bicycling video by filmmaker and friend Brian Vernor

"Four months on a bicycle between Cairo, Egypt and Cape Town South Africa is not your typical African safari. En route with the Tour d' Afrique, the world's longest bicycle race and expedition, the Zenga Bros. (CAN) and Brian Vernor (USA) make light of this physically daunting trip by sharing a universal love of the bicycle with Africa's roadside mechanics, sporting racers, and innumerable curious strangers." — Brian Vernor's website

I met Brian Vernor years ago here in his native Santa Cruz, California, through cyclocross bicycle racing. Since then, I have watched his filmmaking career take off! His world travels and passion for biking and filming inspired his latest project which came from his riding Tour d' Afrique, which traveled from Cairo to Capetown!

Check it out - this sneak peak video clocks in at just under 3 minutes and is inspirational with lively music and unique view of Africa by two wheels. Brian emailed:
"Friends and Family, I've been anxiously awaiting the day I could send you my
new film (trailer) called "Where Are You Go."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NpubbAzKSY

Photo Credit: Brian Vernor

I recently saw Brian's mom, Santa Cruz County Cycling Club member and dedicated volunteer Lilly Ann Popken, last weekend, when I was riding the 65-mile road bike course at Strawberry Fields Forever ride - with my cousins, Stephanie and Vincent, who live in Africa - Windhoek, Namibia. More on that ride soon!

From Brian's Website

Where Are You Go World Premier: Bicycle Film Festival 2009. NYC. June 17-21.

Traveling more than 70 miles per day, 50 racers and expedition riders experienced the boundless Nubian desert of Sudan, the great majesty of Victoria Falls, and finally the cold rush of the Atlantic Ocean. Where Are You Go captures the 7,000 mile expedition as a constant adventure full of playfulness and mysterious beauty, and is a testament to the endurance of human curiosity.

Behind the Scenes of Karen's TV Debut - Shots from filming preview of Amgen Tour of California

In less than a week, superstar cyclist Lance Armstrong and 135 world-class racers will race through Santa Cruz, California, during Stage 2 of the Tour of California, an 800-mile bike race with 9 stages. The biggest bike race in the U.S. starts Feb. 14 in Sacramento and ends Feb. 22 in Escondido in Southern California. The Tour stops in Santa Cruz (Monday, Feb. 16) for the first time in the event's 3-year history.

As a journalist who often reports on cycling, I have been involved in multiple media projects, including writing a cover story on the event for Good Times (where I worked 1994-96 as an editor); running a Facebook page on Stage 2 and most thrilling, participating in a TV show for Comcast cable, a 30-minute preview of the race.


Here I am at The Bicycle Trip in Santa Cruz with a Comcast cable cameraman (called a "shooter") talking about the Tour of California. I was nervous and needed more than one "take" to get it right. The show's producer, Paula Mahoney, reminded me to hold the microphone lower, at chest level, rather than up to my mouth, which is what felt more natural.

Maybe you have seen the Comcast Cable show I worked on - or heard me talk about it - because I have been excited to have my first TV project airing. I have posted the viewing schedule of the remaining week below the last photo on this page. (The show airs on regional cable on Monterey, Santa Cruz and Bay Area stations.)

Santa Cruz County is home to three racers who will compete in the prestigious Amgen Tour of California. Twins Andy and Ben Jacques-Maynes, pictured above on Bonny Doon Road, will race for Team Bissell. They frequently train together - five hours a day in the saddle! Brooke Miller, also of Santa Cruz, will defend her title as champion of the TOC's Women's Criterium. I interviewed Andy and Brooke for the TV show.

I also interviewed bike maker Paul Sadoff, of Rock Lobster, who has been in the cycling industry for 30 years. He designs and builds custom bike frames and is known especially for his cyclocross bikes. (I am lucky to own a gorgeous purple cross bike from him). Paul is pictured in his shop on the West Side of Santa Cruz.

It was a pleasure to work with veteran TV producer Paula Mahoney, who invited me to participate in this show. Paula provided excellent coaching for my broadcast debut (for example, NEVER surrender the microphone to your guest!)

A rare moment: Andy, left and twin brother, Ben, are standing still instead of riding their bikes! Won't see any of this leisure during the Tour of California!

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TOC Stage 2 on Comcast Cable TV - Show Schedule
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Live in Monterey, Santa Cruz or Bay Area?
Tune into Tour of CA sneak preview TV show on COMCAST CABLE and get stoked! Hear from pro cyclists and industry insiders from Giro, Fox Racing Shox and others. I got to interview some of these amazing cycling folks for the show.

CHANNEL 17:
(seen by Comcast viewers in all of Santa Cruz County, except Capitola and Watsonville):
Wednesday 2/11 at 6:00 and 10:00pm, Thursday 2/12 at 10:00pm, Friday 2/13 at 6:00 and 11:00pm, no Saturday airings, Sunday 2/15 at 4:00 and 10:00pm.

CHANNEL 34:
(seen by Comcast viewers in all of Santa Cruz County, including Capitola and Watsonville, as well as all of Salinas and Monterey)
beginning 2/2, 8pm, every night and running
until 2/15.

CHANNEL 104:
(seen by Comcast viewers in most of Northern California, including San Jose, Marin, San
Francisco, Santa Rosa, but excluding Santa Cruz and Stockton. Wednesday 2/11 at 7:00pm,
and Saturdays 2/14 at 12:30pm.