by Dina Mishev | Nearly 3,000 miles pedaled (and pushed) up 200,000 vertical feet. Several broken chains and two replaced drivetrains. Ten candy bars a day. Too many ibuprofen to count. Bears, mountain lions, skunk and moose. Fifteen to 20 hours a day on the bike. Eighteen days in the saddle. One husband in front of her the entire time. Not everyone’s idea of a vacation, a mountain biking couple becomes the first tandem to finish the 2,745-mile Tour Divide race from Banff to the U.S./Mexican border…

with Kathleen Burke Jensen & Sage Rountree
Three virtual coaching sessionswith Sage Rountree were the key to Kathleen Burke Jensen successfully completing her first 100 mile bike ride as a member of Team Fatty in the LiveStrong Challenge on July 12th in San Jose, California. Sage coached Kathleen on all aspects of preparing her mind, body and bike for this challenge. Let’s join them as they review the ride…

Please join us in congratulating chi author Kathleen Burke Jensen on finishing her first century ride and Team Fat Cyclist for earning their place at the front of the starting line as the top fundraising team…

with Kathleen Burke Jensen & Sage Rountree
The countdown is on as Kathleen tapers in preparation for another personal first — a 100 mile bike ride as a member of Team Fatty in the LiveStrong Challenge. Let’s join her and coach Sage Rountree in their final session before the big day…

with Kathleen Burke Jensen & Sage Rountree
Let’s catch up on Part 2 of the virtual coaching sessions with Sage Rountree advising Kathleen Burke Jensen as she prepares to attempt a personal first—a 100 mile bike ride as a member of Team Fatty in the LiveStrong Challenge…

with Kathleen Burke Jensen & Sage Rountree
Last year Kathleen Burke Jensen left behind her life as a self-proclaimed non-athlete and joined the ranks of the first time triathlete with coach Morgan Filler guiding her through the challenges of open water swimming. For 2009, Kathleen is attempting another personal first—a 100 mile bike ride as a member of Team Fatty in the LiveStrong Challenge. This year we introduced Kathleen to Sage Rountree, USA Cycling certified coach. We invite Athleta Chi readers to eavesdrop on their conversation…

by Jennifer Yanazzo, Mountain Bike Racer
An amazing power we possess as human beings is the ability to inspire others. We are the only animal on the planet that has the brain capacity to influence others. How we choose to do this is one part learning experience, one part personality, one part strength and one part courage. People carry with them experiences both good and bad. I choose to believe that all experiences have the power to change us…

by Jennifer Yanazzo, Mountain Bike Racer
The keen ability to know when life has become unbalanced has always been a challenge for me as a teacher, wife and especially as an athlete. I have a history peppered with bouts of overtraining for mountain bike racing or triathlon, often compounded by work challenges, home life…

by Ashley, Team Athleta
We all tumbled out of the plane in that travel fog, groping for our passports at customs and pulling our monster bags off the carousels at baggage claim. We were in Italy! It was maybe 80 degrees and sunny. The air in Pisa had that burning wood smell that comes up off the countryside out there, like the whole thing is a Disney movie for all your senses. As we drove the 45 minutes south to Castagneto Carducci, we talked to the others around our seats. Flights. Italy. Food. Where we all lived. Who’s been to Italy before. How we all ended up on the trip. When we arrived at Campastrello Sport, we piled back out of the bus, met Colleen Cannon (who founded Women’s Quest after her career as a professional triathlete)…

by Ashley, Team Athleta
Today, we headed out fairly early for a ride to Monteverdi. I know the roads out there so I was tying to hold myself back from charging, but I’d slept really well (that deep deep sleep you only get after being up for most of 40 hours straight) and I wanted to ride my bike. I mean, come on — we’re in Tuscany…