August 8, 2008

TimesSports

Mike McGeough, Evergreen’s Ultra-Distance Cyclist

By Mike Coleman
Special to the Times

It’s a common sight to see bicyclists riding the streets and hills of the Evergreen area as well as on many bay area roads. From the number of cyclists that are seen riding every weekend, it is obvious that bicycling is a very popular activity.

Both Mike McGeough and his wife, Karen are avid bike riders.

One of our Evergreen residents who you are likely to see out on the roads is Mike McGeough. McGeough, a self-employed engineer, has lived in the Silver Creek Country Club for 13 years and has been riding since 1998. Both Mike and his wife, Karen are avid riders and met in an aerobics class 20 years ago. Their exercise routines changed due to some injuries and they dabbled in swimming and hiking before taking up bike riding.

In 2002, Mike got serious about riding and began to log about 1000 miles a month. He began to do ultra-distance races, including century and double-century rides (100 and 200 mile races). Mike has twice earned California’s Triple Crown Award for completing three double-century races in a year (he completed five).

Both Mike and Karen have completed the Furnace Creek 508 in Death Valley, a two-person relay where one person rides 275 miles and the other 240 miles. They have also done a cross-country tour with America by Bicycle where they averaged 85 miles a day to complete the 3,650-mile journey. In addition to training, touring and racing, Mike also routinely bikes to and from work, about a 30-mile ride.

Mike and Karen pose after having completed the Furnace Creek 508 in Death Valley.

While biking is an excellent form of exercise and an economical way to commute, it is not without its risks. Both Mike and Karen have sustained injuries while riding. Mike crashed on a 160-mile ride to Paso Robles when he lost concentration and took the fall to avoid hitting Karen and ended up with three broken ribs and a shoulder injury. Karen was hit by a car when a driver cut her off while she was riding in a bike lane and was not able to ride for four months.

When asked about bike safety, Mike has offered some excellent suggestions. He calls it “managing traffic,” by acting like you are another vehicle and observing the traffic rules. Using bike lanes when possible and hand signals to let drivers know where you are going is another suggestion. Often Mike sees bike riders traveling in the wrong direction with no helmet or lights and says this is a “disaster waiting to happen.” Mike uses a rear-view mirror and takes the middle of the lane when making a left turn or going straight and moving far right when making a right turn.

Mike belongs to the Almaden Cycle Touring Club (ACTC), which sponsors several rides a week for all level of riders from beginners to competitive riders. The ACTC also offers classes on everything from safety to technique and is open to everyone. Joining a bike club is a good way to meet other riders and learn about bay area rides. For information on ACTC, check out their Web site at www.actc.org. Some of the local Evergreen area rides that are among Mike’s favorites and are very popular among other local riders are the San Felipe, Metcalf and Silver Creek Valley Road loop as well as the Quimby, Mt. Hamilton and Clayton Rd. loop; both rides are 18 miles.

SPEED WITH HONOR: USA NATIONALS IN SAN JOSE.

Steven Mielich of San Jose sits at the front of the starting lineup for the Points Race competition at the Northern California/Nevada Championships held as the Hellyer Park Velodrome in San Jose on Aug. 3. He earned fifth place in that race, but will be hard-pressed to equal his efforts when the USA National Masters Track Championships are staged in San Jose next month—Sept 2 through 7--on the same one-third mile banked cement oval." To have such a big event in our own back yard is a pleasure," commented Mielich, 46, a Santa Teresa-area resident who earned the NorCal/Nevada's "Best All-Round Rider" award in 2006. He noted that he and his San Jose Bicycle Club teammates have been preparing for the USA Nationals for more than a year. Competition will begin at 9 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. each day except for the first and final days when the action begins at 10 a.m. For more information go online at www.ridethetrack.com. -- By Karl Laucher

RECYCLED AS HUSBAND AND WIFE

With their tandem bicycle appropriately placed as a centerpiece in their love affair, Karen Bishop and Bill Reisinger pose with their family and fellow members of the Almaden Cycle Touring Club following their “surprise” wedding at Canyon Creek Park overlooking Evergreen Valley. Karen, 66, and Bill, 74, widow and widower, met as ACTC riders and for nearly two years have been leading the weekly “Evergreen Explorer” rides together.

They did announce a “culmination of their engagement” would take place during the July 31 ride, but many of the ACTC riders admitted to the lack of familiarity with the exact definition of “culmination.” Both Karen and Bill did have non-riding family in attendance (each has four children; she has 10 grandchildren, he has five) as Karen’s son, Robert Calvo, (kneeling right) performed the wedding ceremony as a Special Commissioner for the County of Santa Clara.

The newlyweds say having their nuptials witnessed by their ACTC friends in day-glow cycling gear felt quite natural. Karen has been a member of the ACTC for some 17 years; Bill has been on board for about 13 years. “The bike club is like our family,” says Bill. “We live to cycle and cycle to live.”

The couple plans to honeymoon in Trinity County, and course will have their tandem at the ready. “If we can get along on a tandem we can get along anywhere,” quipped Bill. “It takes teamwork and trust by both of us.”

Bill, who retired after 30 years in insurance, and Karen, who worked in the dental industry after raising her family, will live in Karen’s Evergreen home. – By Karl Laucher; Photo by Jim Starr

Volunteers needed for Palomino World Series

San Jose Police Athletic League (PAL) will host the 2008 Palomino World Series in San Jose at Municipal Stadium. The Palomino World Series brings the top PONY baseball teams with players 17-19 years old to compete in a tournament culminating in the championship game on the last day. Teams come from all over the world including USA, China, Taipei, Mexico and Puerto Rico. More than 800 Major League Baseball players are graduates of PONY Baseball including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr., Ryan Howard, Mark McGwire, Cal Ripken Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Barry Zito, J.T. Snow and many more.

PAL needs 33 volunteers to serve as greeters, ushers and ticket takers. “I invite you to give just a couple hours of your time to make this event possible,” says Vice Mayor Dave Cortese. A PAL board member and baseball fan, Cortese added, “Who knows—you might even get a chance to witness the baseball legends of tomorrow! This would be a great opportunity for high school students as well as adults.”

Volunteers are needed for various four hour shifts on Saturday, Aug. 9, Sunday, Aug. 10 and Monday, Aug. 11. For more information, please contact Bryan Jarvis at (408) 891-2961 or sjpdpal@sbcglobal.net.

Sports Briefs

Youth basketball league begins September 12 at Chaboya Middle School
Open to boys and girls in the 6th thru 9th grade
Teen Basketball at Chaboya Middle School begins Friday, Sept. 12, for all interested boys and girls in grades 6th thru 9th regardless of the school they are attending. Sign-ups will continue until the 120 available slots are full (60 players in 2 divisions).

There will be two co-ed divisions of 6 teams and no more than ten players on each team. In this "funpetitive" league everyone plays equal time.

Practices are usually no more than once a week and we are looking for coaches (most practice right before their games). Cost for the league is $120, which includes a game jersey, nine games, personal basketball, participation medal, 1st and 2nd place trophies, facility use and officials.

For more information or to register, phone (408) 605-1513 or 410-3570 and ask for either Allen Ventura or John Franza. You can also stop by Chaboya, or e-mail E.A.S.Y. Hoops Basketball @ easyhoopsbasketball@yahoo.com to obtain a registration form.

This year's Fall league will be dedicated to Brian "BJ" Hom. BJ was a participant in our league and depicted the true essences for the love of the game of basketball before suddenly falling ill this past summer and passing away suddenly. "BJ" as he was called, will be a placed on each player's jersey.

Be a part of this exciting league every Friday afternoon and prepare yourself for your upcoming school and recreational leagues.

Go 4 Gold Soccer School
Go 4 Gold Soccer School presents its 2008 Summer Soccer Camps program. We offer week long, coed soccer camps for players age 5 - 16 in both San Jose and Los Gatos, coached by our staff of highly trained, certified professionals. Go 4 Gold also offers year round GoalKeeping & Field Player Academies every Sunday from 5 – 7 p.m.

For a camp schedule, locations or additional information, please call 997-7775 or visit www.go4goldsoccer.com.

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