Martin Clan
Hey folks, I'm just a parent and I'm not from the Eugene area, but I do know
that Karissa Whitsel has been working for several years to reach her cycling
goals and now she's in need of our help.
It is understandable that there may not be just one individual willing
and/or able to take the time and put in the effort required to help Karissa
meet her specific goals. However, although somewhat awkward in the
beginning, a fairly athletic cyclist can learn to pilot a tandem at training
ride speeds with competence. And, that's what Karissa is in need of
most--TRAINING PARTNERS! Ordinary and extraordinary people: diehard
cyclists, triathletes, strong recreational cyclists, and commuters, willing
to take the time to help her put on the miles.
Obviously, like most athletes Karissa needs to have a dependable schedule.
But, I should think that a club could find two or three capable riders who
would be willing to pilot once or twice a month for a good cause. And, as
for training, imagine the resistance and possible strength development
(Carmichael's Stomp intervals anyone?) that such an opportunity would
provide, not to mention the impact that having a group to ride with would
have on Karissa.
As for the racing end of it, I know that there are dozens of dedicated
tandem riders in this state, including the teams that raced at this year's
TT. Since Karissa's goal is focused on being fit and capable to race in
this year's Paralympic trials the end of April, would any of the folks
already known to race tandems be willing to spend just one weekend day
helping Karissa develop her skills to race at speed? If your names on this
list, you're a candidate: Chauncey & Darien, Mitch and Mark or Steve? Or
how about you Lynn, Pippi, or Peter? Dave and Brent sound like good
prospects. What about Tom or Robert or John Forbes, I know all of you guys
have been willing to give some of your time in the past; And, last but not
least, Martha, Michelle and Diane...
Karissa's no slacker and she's definitely not looking for sympathy, but she,
like any true racer, needs to put in the miles. With your help, the "Oregon
Village's" help, she'll be able to develop the fitness needed to ride with
her eventual partner, whomever that may be.
The countdown's already begun. That's 12-weeks or at least 24 training ride
commitments needed to help her reach her goal. Among tandem riders from
Oregon's TT alone there are eight "known" pilots, several of which (stokers
included) might be competent enough to help her work on her pursuit skills
on the track? If each committed to just one weekend ride that would leave
16 spots to fill. Surely there's a group of "some ones" or a team in Eugene
who would be willing to take the challenge even if it's just for one, two,
or three rides between now and then.
Please contact her coach Mike Rosenberg ASAP at, Micro-@aol.com to
sign-up to do your part,
Thanks in advance,
Bonnie Rider-Martin
-----Original Message-----
From: Candi Murray [mailto:cmur-@teleport.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2000 2:27 PM
To: ob-@topica.com
Subject: FW: Paralympics
-----Original Message-----
From: Micro-@aol.com [mailto:Micro-@aol.com]
Karissa Whitsel is in need of an extremely fast pilot for the Paralympics.
Preferably a pursuit/40 K tt kind of rider, but a sprinter/kilo guy may
also
work. It is going to be extremely difficult to make the team this year. Who
are the top guys around these days? I t is a big commitment. No flakes! I
would really appreciate any input you have.
Mike Rosenberg