Local olympian Barb Buchan with legendary cycling coach Eddie B. IS IT SAFE TO RIDE
YOUR BIKE IN BEND?
Last week, I told my story of
being hit by a car while riding my bike. I don’t have the data to
statistically prove an epidemic, but it sure seems like one. Naturally,
I’ve now heard all sorts of other stories and just this past week there
were two new serious incidents in which cyclists were struck by cars. A
lot of the feedback to my article, and others, rants about the Bend
Police Department letting the automobile drivers off the hook.
Ironically, an off-duty police officer was one of the victims this
week, so we’ll see if striking close to home has any impact.
Sadly,
Bend is becoming a scary place to ride and I’d love to see our city
make a real effort to become more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly. I’m
jealous when I visit other cities that seem to care so much more about
this. In Ketchum this summer, I was impressed by their bike paths. When
I lived in Boulder and Palo Alto, I rode the dedicated bike paths all
the time. Even little things can make a difference. Can someone tell me
why the bike path up to Summit High, one of our rare segments of bike
path, does not have a curb cut to allow access? What excuse is there
for the lack of a pedestrian crosswalk across Galveston at the south
end of Drake Park? That crossing is officially considered part of the
River Trail. I’m hoping that we’ve reached the critical mass of
tragedies that makes this issue a priority.
COMEBACK INSPIRATION
Yesterday, I took the steri-strips off my skin and examined the 4-inch scar running vertically down my shoulder for the first time since surgery two weeks ago. With all the love and support I’ve received, I’m making great healing progress. But when I gingerly touched the painful incision and palpated the stainless steel plate below my skin, I sighed heavily, knowing that I’ve got a long road to recovery ahead of me. Like many of you, I’ve been here before, though-foot surgery, ACL reconstruction-and I know I can come back. Great comeback stories are wonderful inspiration as well…
LANCE
I was shocked, and not shocked at the same time, by Lance Armstrong’s recent announcement that he was un-retiring and returning to competitive bike racing with the 2009 Tour de France in his sights. Of course, Lance’s victory over testicular cancer, followed by seven Tour wins, is the ultimate comeback tale. In a past article, I discussed working as a sport scientist with Lance when he was a 19-year-old on the 1992 U.S. Olympic Cycling Team. My career crossed paths with Lance a second time when I was developing shoes at Nike. In 1996, I was working on a project with Lance to create a great cycling shoe. Nike had been historically fickle about its commitment to the sport of cycling. Ironically, in the midst of our project, Nike decided to drop its cycling line but, shortly afterward, Lance was diagnosed with cancer and the company upped its commitment to him, even though it would not have a cycling line to sell. Nike stuck with Lance throughout his ordeal and the loyalty on both sides of the relationship remains solid today. Lance’s legacy is so perfect as it stands, one has to wonder why he needs to add this chapter. I think he just loves bike racing too much not to do it. No matter what, Lance’s latest comeback will certainly be fascinating to follow.
BARB
Barb Buchan’s story may not be as famous as Lance’s, but it is no less inspirational. I had the opportunity to meet Barb, who lives in Bend, and ride with her a couple of times in the past. Just like Lance, Barb has bike racing in her blood. Barb had a horrific crash in a race 26 years ago and suffered serious head trauma, putting her in a coma for two months, followed by five brain surgeries and years of rehab. But she didn’t let that stop her from getting back on her bike and dedicating herself to her dream of a gold medal ever since. Barb, competing in her fifth Paralympic Games at the age of 52, finally won gold-two actually. She won both the 3,000-meter pursuit on the track and the individual time trial on the road in the Cerebral Palsy 3 division of the Paralympics in Beijing. Congratulations, Barb, and thank you for being such an inspiration!
XTERRA
Don’t forget to check out the XTERRA Trail Running National Championships here in Bend this weekend (www.xterratrailrun.com). There’s a run for everybody-the main event half-marathon, a 10K, a stroller-friendly 5K and a kids sprint. And I’ll see you at K9 Challenge with Sprocket, the Pocket Rocket. It’s my comeback race.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2008.
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I enjoyed your article- As a ‘Bendite’, and with a newly inspired appreciation for road cycling, I have a new appreciation for bikers along the roadside and for road conditions!
I also wanted to take this moment to introduce to you a newsworthy Central Oregon athletic event that is coming up on May 1-3 2008! Wild Horse Games will occur for the first time at Wildhorse Ranch outside of Antelope. (The old Rajaneesh property.) This high level team building event is sponsored by a non- profit in order to help raise funds for Young Life,and to inable the ability to send more kids to camp. This event will incorporate many facets; with teams of 10 each, you will compete in a Team Triathlon: 1/2 mile reservoir swim, 12.5 mile mtn. bike ride, and a 10k run. There is also a Geo Caching
Challenge on 66,000 acres of the property,and the Wild Horse Challenge the next day, which includes climbing the Ropes course, 3/4 mile long zipline to a swim with a BLob/Iceburg Climb, on to the Canyon Rope Swing. The last day incorporates the Creek to Peak Relay: a “Chariot” Race, Tube run, Lake Swim and a 1500ft. elevation run to the finish. High level team building competition with high level FUN!
Please view WILDHORSEGAMES.org to learn more or write to me at nancyjohack@yahoo.com
P.S. Mike Yonker – CEO @ Nike (Global Footwear) is
the Chairperson of the team that is spearheading this!