Working Dawgs Training Camp 2025, Part B

[Jeffrey Rasch]

Bonsoir mes amis,

I hope this email finds you all healthy and happy.  The committee was very sorry for the horrible  weather during the May training camp. Kudos to those who got out and braved the elements, you are real Working Dawgs. We, the committee are pleased to announce the much awaited, hoped for and promised part B of the 2025 training camp. It will run from July 14th-17th or 18th. I will not be available to lead the ride on the 18th because I will be working. If anybody is willing to step up and be the ride leader, I will happily handle email duties etc...

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION:

As always, the rides will start at 5:30AM, we will meet in the alley between Owenhouse Cycling and Rockford Coffee Company. We will ride the Working Dawgs training loop. There is gravel on this loop, so come prepared, it is rideable on a road bike. There are many places to cut this loop short and return to town early if work, family or life are interfering with your training. We are usually back in town around 8:15-8:30.  Although this is not a no-drop ride, we do stop 3 times to let dropped riders catch back up and to regroup. The link below is for the traditional loop.

What are peoples thoughts on us riding the loop backwards? The traffic is becoming heavier every year coming back to town on Cameron Bridge around the time we are riding. I do think the traffic will be lighter out that way earlier and likely not much different on the rest of the route. Please respond to this email(please just to me) if you have thoughts one way or the other.

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/282300477

Due to the horrible weather conditions during the May Camp, We didn't really emphasize the charity part of the training camp. Again the committee apologizes and will try to ensure better climactic activity, but we also really want to raise money for Family Promise. If you donated during the May Camp, fantastic, consider yourself off the hook. If you didn't please do consider contributing. Along those lines Lucian and Jurgita Hand have stepped up again with a $1000 matching donation. There is also an additional anonymous $1000 matching donation. The committee wishes to thank Lucian and Jurgita and our anonymous donor for their generosity. This means if we can raise collectively at least $1000 Family Promise will get $3000 total. I know we can do this because we have far exceeded this in the past. 

The committee is pleased to announce that Family Promise is our local charity for fundraising this year. This is an organization that helps many families in the Gallatin Valley in their very important mission.\

Please read below for a summary of their mission and goals 

https://www.familypromisegv.org

Our vision is  to end homelessness in the Gallatin Valley, one family at a time. 

Our mission to empower families experiencing housing insecurities to secure a safe, affordable home, a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future for their children

Louella Jane Holter is a Working Dawg. Are you a working Dawg? Louella is an old friend of mine from your humble domestique's salad days in Flagstaff AZ. She has been riding and racing bikes for a long time, including a few Ironhorse Classic wins, numerous state and national championships, and a top 10 in the Coors Classic. Oh many receiving this email, will like this, she is a really good Nordic skier too. I believe she has a Masters world's to her name too.  She is the one in her trademark braids in the photos. She sent this description of her start in cycling

"Got my first road bike in 1969 when I graduated from high school and went to California, Traded the VW bus for a bike. Then after a year I upgraded to a Gitane Interclub with Mafac Racer brakes and Simplex derailleurs. And tubulars. Then in early 1972 the man who owned Cupertino Bike Shop helped me order a Cinelli and I picked it up in Milano in June, at the factory. My first Campy groupo. Awesome!"

I saw her at the Ironhorse Classic, where she did not race but did the ride. Still Durango to Silverton, 50 miles 6000 feet of climbing at 74. The committee salutes you Louella!!!

This is her Wall of Fame

Ladies, come ride the camp!!!

I hope to see you all July 14th at 5:30 am

Your humble domestique

Jeff

until then I'm dreaming

https://youtu.be/TU3-lS_Gryk?si=BAR___l7LgGFgb5O

watch the drummer Clem Burke, he's going anaerobic!!!