PGR CONNECTED

Monthly Newsletter 2014-October

PGR CONNECTEDMonthly Newsletter 2014-October

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The power of words and pedal strokesby Vanessa Mertz (DH Racer) “Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t do.”

The power of words can positively or negatively affect an athlete’s vision or desire of reaching their goals. Our minds have been created to be imaginative so we can excel in our interests. By utilizing the power of our thoughts and actions, it will determine our motives and how we see value in one’s self. To gain trust with yourself and others, it is important to focus on your desire, passion, and intentions. By keeping these three aspects in mind during your training or leisure rides it will capture and ignite your ambitions so you can excel and not worry about what others think.

Knowing your DESIRE is understanding your purpose in life. You are the channel of your choices and decisions. It is important to reflect on what makes you feel valuable, joyful, and balanced.

PASSIONS generate motivation. It is the willingness to push through great lengths in order to pursue greatness and reach your goals.

Being INTENTIONAL means doing something with purpose. Your choice of words dictates how you see yourself, which then determines the progression in your sport.

You need to become your own leader and focus on your passions desires and intentions of being the best version of yourself no matter what others think.

Newsletter Highlights

• The Power of Words and Pedal Strokes• A DH Thanksgiving• Introducing our New Bike Shop Sponsor• Experiences at Western Cycle• Dakine

Sponsored By:

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partners

A DH Thanksgiving

The downhill prairie girls have been taking advantage of the beautiful Alberta fall weather and taking trips down to Moose Mountain in Bragg Creek. The weather has been perfect and the trails are hard packed for thanksgiving. While we are all of course thankful for friends, family, biking and booze, don’t forget to be thankful for your local trail builders! The crew from the Moose Mountain Bike Trail Society have put together an amazing set of trails where the prairie girls have been honing their skills this October. You can find more information, gain membership and support the trail system at www.mmbts.com.

PGR CONNECTEDMonthly Newsletter 2014-October

introducing our new bike shop sponsor PGR is happy to announce our sponsorship with Western Cycle Ltd. in Edmonton! Western has stepped up their game to support women in the cycling community with more women’s specific bikes, clothing and accessories! PGR will be working with western to provide more services and resources to the women’s cycling community including group rides and community events. Join our group rides page at “Prairie Girls Racing (PGR) Group Rides” to stay in the loop and check out www.westerncycle.com for your cycling needs!

experiences at western cycle

“I moved to Edmonton about 2.5 years ago when I re-discovered biking. While originally looking to spend $200-300 on a bike at Costco or Wal-Mart, my friends convinced me to go to a bike shop and buy a quality mountain bike. I went to every shop in Edmonton, at least 3 times, to find the perfect bike. Western was certainly my favorite with a huge selection and welcoming and knowledgeable staff. I bought my first bike, the Duke XP from Dylan in 2012 (I walked into the store again in 2014 when I bumped into Dylan who still remembered the bike I purchased - that was awesome). Since my Duke XP, I bought my downhill race bike and a second XC bike from Western, and my fatbike order is in the works.” - Darlene Paranaque, DH Racer

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Dar with her bloody DH Race Bike “Gloria” from Western Cycle.

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“Western Cycle is where it’s at to get fantastic service for whatever your biking needs are. I have been shopping there for years and have bought a variety of bikes and parts from Western Cycle over the years. Most recently, I purchased a Giant Faith from Robynn. It is an amazing bike and Robynn was excellent to deal with and made my experience purchasing a new bike very awesome! She knew what she was talking about and that was fantastic! I hate going to a shop where all the sales person cares about is the sale. She was just about as excited for me to ride and enjoy my new bike as I was! That to me was awesome! Again; very nice to not just have a person talk about stuff they don’t know about. Would I deal with Western Cycle again? Absolutely! Amazing store, selection and staff! Thanks for making my bike shopping experience one to remember! - Angie Loewen, DH Racer

Angie finishing the race with her Faith from Western Cycle.

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DAKINEBy Katie Longhurst (DH Racer)

Long before I started biking with PGR, this brand was one of my favs – for snowboarding, biking, and lifestyle products. The quality of their sport specific luggage is unmatched by its competitors – which is probably why it dominates the market.

I have purchased many backpacks, duffels, clothes, hats, accessories and gear from Dakine over the years, so I won’t get into rating each product (making this blog a novel’s length). I will, however, highlight a couple bike related items which I will never cease to recommend to others:

• Dakinepickuppads

This is (in my opinion) a MUST HAVE for any pickup truck owner who transports bikes on a regular basis. I currently own two – a black one, and a camo one. At any given time during riding season, there is a Dakine pad on the tailgate of my F-150, enduring my abuse and the elements like a champ, and obviously looking awesome in the process. Before I owned one, I used to just put my bike over the tailgate with no protection, until I found a huge scratch in the beautiful fire engine red paint of my tailgate. Now, with my Dakine pad, I can haul multiple bikes safely and securely in the box of my truck, without taking any of them apart, and without damaging my truck. The Dakine pad never comes off the tailgate, even when I’m not just hauling bikes – it definitely stands up to the abuse! There is no better investment to protect both your bike(s) and your truck during transport.

To the left: Hauling “the rig” – 4 DH bikes and the travel trailer to a race. Dakine pad gettin’ put to the test (it passed with flying colors!)

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• DakineSession8LBackpack

If you’re like me and ride with a pack containing the trail essentials (ie. WATER, cliff bars, multi-tools, extra rims, etc.), this pack (or any of the Dakine packs) is perfect for the job! It is literally everything you want in a riding pack – lightweight, hydration reservoir compatible, and looks totally sick! If you don’t have a piece of Dakine luggage or a technical pack – go buy one. You won’t regret it.

So in summary, Dakine products absolutely rock! Now go buy some sweet gear!

http://ca.dakine.com/

Thanks Dakine!!

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To the left: Katie rockin’ her Session 8L pack at the Whistler bike park.

New PGR tee designs. Check them out at prairiegirlsracing.ca

HUGE thank you to all our sponsors this bike season! PGR sponsorship support goes a long way in motivating and engaging women in the cycling community. This organization wouldn’t

be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. For more information on

sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at admin@prairiegirlsracing.ca

Prairie Girls Racing (PGR) is like racing with training wheels - we want to provide women with the necessary supports to race with confidence, push their limits, and exceed their mountain biking goals.

We are an Alberta-based women’s cross-country and downhill race team that aims to grow the presence of lady-shredders in the race community. We have a variety of women from first-time racers to international medalists; some with 1 year of mountain biking experience and others with over 10!

Check out our website at prairiegirlsracing.ca or contact us at admin@prairiegirlsracing.ca for more information. Like us on facebook at “Prairie Girls Racing - PGR” for updates and upcoming events!

interested in racing

but you don't know where to start?

check out www.prairiegirlsracing.ca