LOTS to ponder in the New Year

You can spend your time, waste your time, or invest your time. It's your choice.

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When the end of one year meets the beginning of a new year, it can be a powerful trigger for both reflecting and planning.

A friend of a friend died in 2008 while skydiving while another friend died of a heart attack on his bike during his final training ride.

And, during one of the marathons that I ran last year a man about my age who finished just ahead of me, died of ‘undiagnosed heart disease’ just after crossing the finish line.

Stories like these make many folks cringe and reevaluate their life plan.

Then there’s the man whom Democritus (circa 400 BC) observed dying while on a casual walk near his home. Democritus and other bystanders witnessed an eagle who mistook his bald head for a rock. The eagle proceeded to drop a large turtle on the “rock” to crack open the shell so it could enjoy its meal.

We are each given the opportunity to live a lifetime here on earth. How we define "live" determines what we do with our lifetime. Many people believe this life is all there is while others believe this life is merely the conveyance to eternity. Regardless, we are each required to choose how we are going to live. We can choose to spend our lifetime safely at home on easy street far from the bad things that we believe threaten to end our lives. Or we can choose to go out and live by spending our lifetime loving, laughing and doing the things that prove we are truly alive, come what may.

Regardless of your New Year's fitness, diet, financial and lifestyle resolutions, I hope to see as many of you as possible this next year. And I hope to see each of you eager to live your life whether it is on a track bike, running a marathon or soaring under a parachute.

Happy New Year Everyone!

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Host Housing Needed ~ There is an 18 year old boy moving to So Cal from Wisconsin to race for a local team called Liquid Fitness. He has his own car. He is driving out here with his father and will be arriving around January 26th. He is looking for a place to stay while he is looking for a permanent place to live.

In an email from Mitch......some facts about Mitch:
18 years old.
3.7 gpa through high school.
don't drink/smoke of course.
church boy.
loves to cook.
very neat and clean.

If you are interested in helping him out or know anyone who may be interested, please let me know.

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Sat Jan 17th 1:00-3:00 ~ Encino Velodrome Ladies Only Madison School ~ There is no better time than the present to learn a new skill and to prepare for the track racing season! The LOTS Madison Training Sessions are open to Cat 3 Track Women of all ages. Ladies, please plan to attend the next session on Sat Jan 17th at the Encino Velodrome for just $10 per session. This will be Session #4 in the 6 session series. Due to the skill, technical, and awareness requirements of the Madison ALL participants must meet the following requirements:

1) Riders Must possess a valid annual USAC Race License.
2) Riders Must be a Track Category 3 or higher.
3) Bring ALL of your own equipment including 2 matching Jerseys.
4) Bring a Friend or Teammate. This is a “team” event.

Please let me know if a) you plan to participate but can not meet one or more of the requirements or b) you have any questions or concerns!!
The remaining LOTS Madison School Session dates are as follows:
Jan 17th 1-3PM
Jan 24th 1-3PM
Feb 7th 1-3PM

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Sat Jan 17th 3-4PM ~ The Primary goal of the LOTS program is to introduce and educate as many women as possible in the exciting sport of track cycling. Both new and experienced riders are encouraged to join us at the Encino Velodrome on Saturday January 17th and February 7th for the next 2 Ladies Only Track Sessions. As always, riders will need to bring their own Helmet, Pedals & Shoes. Rental bikes are available for use.

Please Note: Encino’s dismissal times are open ended and can be flexible depending on available daylight, however the start times are firm! Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early so we can start early or on time!

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Sat Jan 24th ~ The LAVRA Winter Cup (track) Omnium will be held at the LA Velodrome. The morning race session begins at 9AM and provides race events for Masters (Men & Women) and older Juniors. The afternoon race session begins at 3PM and provides Elite race events for Category racers and young Juniors.

Race Day Registration increases +$5 per event so be sure to Pre-register on-line!

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Looking to Buy ~ Junior sized road bike ~ One of the local ladies is looking to buy a race ready Junior sized road bike for an 8 yr old. Please let me know if you have anything like this for sale.

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Host Housing ~ The Encino Velodrome plans on making 2009's Far West Championships the biggest in years, and we need your help. Encino would like to offer host housing for racers coming from outside Southern California. We've all had fun meeting racers at other tracks, so here's a way to bring that fun home, and help spread the word about racing at the Encino Velodrome. As some of you may know, the Encino Velodrome is moving the Far West Championships from its traditional Labor Day Weekend dates to Memorial Day weekend for 2009.

So if you have room in your home and would like to help the Encino Velodrome, let Al Nash know by return e-mail aeniii@earthlink.net

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Attn Women’s Race Teams ~ Ready or not…the So Cal bike racing season is about to start! Now is a great time to plan a Track Cycling Clinic for your women’s team! Not only is track cycling fun but it teaches you many valuable skills that are essential for all cycling abilities and disciplines. Please contact me for more information!

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Ladies Only Tshirts ~ They are here! At the request of many of you we have designed a really nifty LOTS Tshirt to help celebrate the 2 year Anniversary of the LOTS Program. This fundraiser will bring some much needed finances into the program allowing us to grow LOTS into 2009. The Tshirts are slightly fitted and nicely feminine in a high quality fabric. Sizes will range from S-Lg. If you go to my blog you will see the new LOTS Logo on the right hand side. This logo will be displayed on the center front of the shirts (approx 6in diam). The Tshirts are a pretty “buttercup” yellow.
Order yours now for just $20! Send me an email and I’ll process your order! (We now have Pay-Pal to facilitate your payment!)

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The next LOTS Sessions:
LA Velodrome ~ Next LOTS date is still TBD.
Encino Velodrome ~ Saturday January 17th @ 3-4PM

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Friday Nights 6-9PM ~ Ladies, you are invited to join us for Friday evening Open Training at the LA Velodrome. Friday nights at ADT are lightly attended and we provide a lightly structured workout designed to improve your track skills. If you are looking to gain confidence, develop specific track (training & racing) skills and improve your overall fitness without the intimidation of a more crowded session, then consider joining us on Friday nights at 6PM.
Please note: LAVRA has announced 12 Friday Night Racing sessions at ADT beginning in January. Please see their Calendar for additional information.

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Do you Twitter? ~ Both the LA Velodrome and the Encino Velodrome do. How ’bout you? Find out what’s happening when it happens. Twitter keeps you up to date!

ADT Training & Racing Calendar

Items to Note: Sunday’s Open session has been permanently pushed back to 2-5PM with Open Madison Training from 4-5PM.
Also ~ Friday Night Racing begins on January 9th at ADT. Look for more info on LA Velodrome’s website.

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Have you seen USA Cycling's Web article featuring the LOTS program? If you, your employer or anyone you know, is interested in sponsoring the LOTS program, please contact me. The LOTS program is dedicated to introducing women to the exciting sport of track cycling and we intend to grow this program far into the future and to take it to as many tracks as possible!

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LOTS of Sponsors ~ All of us appreciate the roll that financial and equipment sponsors play in the sport of cycling. Without their support, most of what we do would be impossible!!

The LOTS program has acquired the support and sponsorship of the following companies:

Serfas & Serfas Optics ~ For all of your equipment and optical needs, please visit their websites. Headquartered in South Orange County, Serfas is proud to be our neighbor! If any of the LOTS participants would like to purchase items from Serfas, please email me and I will send you the info that you need.

Clif Bar ~ Food matters. We like food. Natural and organic foods aren’t just good for your body; they're good for the planet. Please visit their website for a complete review of all their products. Clif Bar is proud to provide the LOTS participants with their products. Look for them at the races in 2009!

Louis Garneau ~ Known for their Aero Helmets on the road and on the track, Louis Garneau has generously provided LOTS with a supply of Aero Helmets. Please email me for more information or see me at the races!

Please take the time to thank these sponsors for their generosity!

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The 2009 USAC Athlete Waiver is available on-line.

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The 2009 SCNCA Racing Calendar is available on line.

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The 2008 USAC Rule book is available on-line.

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Happy New Year!!

Julia Cross