San Diego Cycle TEAM

Greetings! Well, I discovered cycling via triathlons as a way to stay fit out of college and my world has never been the same! I spent some time racing on a national level in Colorado and have been enjoying all the cycling time available in SoCal. I look forward to my time spent with TeamLunaChix as a way to give back to the community.

Like many Californians, I love the out-of-doors and staying physically active. About four years ago, while looking for a fun way to exercise that is not seasonal and doesn’t require a gym membership, I learned of the Luna Chix group rides. There were other cycling groups for women, but Luna Chix had a philanthropic connection that resonated with me, the Breast Cancer Fund. I had long believed that there were environmental causes for breast cancer. I wanted to become active in BCF fundraising. Riding with Team Luna Chix has been both challenging and rewarding. The encouragement and support they extended boosted my confidence and helped me to achieve a level of fitness I hadn’t known in years. As a bonus, I have met some amazing women who share my enthusiasm for cycling and have developed some wonderful friendships. I look forward to each and every ride. Four seasons later, I am honored to be a member of Team Luna Chix. My goal as a member is to help provide a cycling experience that is safe, supportive and enjoyable for cyclists of all ability levels.

Growing up in San Diego gives you plenty of opportunity to get outside and play and I’ve done my best to make good use of that opportunity. I’ve been physically active all of my life; team sports, beach sports, running, weight lifting, and bicycling. Running was one of my favorite outdoor activities but it seems to come with an expiration date, at least for me it did. Not being able to run I turned to biking. It had been a while since I had ridden my bike and needed a little boost to get me going. I looked to my friend and LUNA Chix, Nadine, to help me get started. Nadine was gracious enough to ride with me the 15-miles to work so I could “break the ice” and have the confidence to make the commute on my own. It worked, and I commuted to work by bike three times a week for several years. Since then I’ve joined a local bike club, been biking in Italy, raced in a Time Trial at Fiesta Island (took the bronze) and enjoy biking as much if not more than running. I’m looking forward to being a LUNA Chix and hopefully help others “break the ice” and gain confidence in biking so they can enjoy the overall feeling of excitement and well-being biking provides.

I started long-distance cycling in the mid-90s, when I thought 60 miles was a long distance. Having ridden 9500 miles in 2012 (even with 11 weeks off the bike), my perception of distance riding is....different. I do not do triathlons. They require running. I enjoy being a Luna Chick because....well, if you want to know why, you'll just need to come on a ride and ask me.

I began riding my bike when I was very young. One of my favorite memories is when I was about 8 years old; my dad promised me my first pair of cycling gloves if I could make it up the biggest hill in the neighborhood without stopping. I practiced relentlessly until I met my goal. 5 years ago I began riding more regularly as part of triathlon training. Last year I moved to San Diego and was intimidated by the traffic and new roads. After several months off my bike, my first ride was with the LUNA Chix. As a result of that ride, I made an amazing network of friends who have truly made San Diego home for me. I am excited about the opportunity to encourage other women as I was encouraged by this great group.

This past summer I spent a gazillion dollars competing in Race Across America (3000 mile race). This photo was taken in the Qualcommm parking lot where we were training my RAAM crew to do bottle hand offs and support the rider (me) . Recently I received the official go ahead from the RAAM organization for RAQ (Race Around Qualcomm). This exciting new and economical ultra endurance race is 3000 laps around Qualcomm stadium and features an all new category for 'foldies' (bike in photo). RAAM hopes this will finally put its name into the American mainstream. During RAQ, if crews and spectators get bored, they can grab a dog and a beer and go watch a 'real' sport, baseball. This is a brilliant marketing strategy of piggybacking RAQ to a sport that Americans actually watch. Some are already speculating that RAQ riders will soon be offered multi million dollar contracts ...

I have always been "active", but several years ago discovered I could barely swim to the end of the pool or run a quarter of a mile! With a family history of heart disease, I found this alarming. I took up running then soon added cycling and swimming. At the time I couldn't imagine ever being fit enough to do a triathlon, but there I was, a month after my 50th birthday - competing. Soon after, I discovered the Luna Chix and the benefits of group rides. The Luna team was eager to share their knowledge and extend encouragement. I learned that riding in a group is also a great way to get stronger. Staying healthy and fit really enhances the quality of life. As a result, I've been able to enjoy cycling trips through Vermont, Tuscany, and New Zealand. I hope to inspire other women to discover they joy of cycling!

My love of cycling began after an ankle injury 7 years ago. I had always been active and enjoyed mountain biking, running, and hiking, but once I got on my first road bike, I was hooked. I loved that I could travel farther than I’d ever imagined, see amazing places, and meet other riders who shared this same passion. Cycling has been a great way to stay fit, enjoy San Diego’s ideal weather and diverse terrain, make friends, and support charitable organizations. But the main reason I ride is for fun and enjoyment…I love it! I am honored to be part of Team LUNA Chix. It’s going to be a great season.

I have been cycling for many years for fitness, fun, the social and meditative aspects, and the challenge of different rides and sometimes even the pain. Pain aside it is usually a wonderful experience all the way around and I became a Luna chix to share that experience with others looking to get involved in cycling. San Diego offers an amazing opportunity for riding from the coast all the way to the mountains and if you are interested in the pain segment you could go all the way to the desert.

"The human body (unfortunately) has limitations. The human spirit is boundless. Your mind, in other words, is your most important muscle. Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow!! What a ride!" - Dean Karnazes

A curious intrepid country girl at heart, who first handedly experienced the trials and tribulations of our healthcare system, Rebecca Hemenway is extremely passionate about personalized medicine and devoted to bringing the world novel health care approaches. Rebecca, much like LUNA, is particularly passionate about building the case for prevention and understanding how lifestyle factors such as staying active and nutrition effects health and health economics.

Rebecca firmly believes in both mental and physical challenges and that life is an evolution that should constantly be filled with learning and questioning. Carl Sagan said, “Our species needs, and deserves, a citizenry with minds wide awake and a basic understanding of how the world works.” Asking the right questions can be difficult, but we each owe it to ourselves. Having a greater understanding and respect to how our own body, mind and soul work together is a start. Athletics and competition have helped Rebecca develop a greater awareness and respect for the “boundless” human spirit Dean Karnazes speaks of.

Rebecca has competed in numerous sports her entire life at both the state, national and international level. She has also been a personal trainer, team captain and recently became a certified vinyasa yoga instructor. Rebecca believes these experiences have taught her a lot about discipline, strength, perseverance, teamwork, leadership, patience, health and most importantly how to have fun and appreciate every day for what it’s worth.

Aside from being on her bike in sunny southern California, Rebecca loves making people laugh and encouraging them to find their own inner leader.

LUNA Chix rings true to Rebecca’s motto of just getting out there, learning new things and most of all having fun! =)

Feel free to email me: rhem1224 - at - gmail - dot - com

Care about Breast Cancer prevention? Want to show your support?
Donate to: Rebecca's LUNA Chix Breast Cancer Foundation fundraising page

I rode a purple bike with a banana seat and a sissy bar when I was young in a very hilly neighborhood. The most trouble I ever got in was when I rode to the local convenience store with the neighborhood boys! It was about 2 miles from my house. My mom was livid! I took a long hiatus from bike riding and started again when I met my husband. We would ride around Mission Bay and then we took a trip to Napa Valley. I had no business riding on those roads, but we stopped at enough wineries so I could rest! Ha ha ! Anyway, then mountain bikes came along and I did my first race on 1995 and I was hooked. I raced XC pretty steady until 2005 in between having 2 small kids and getting my teaching credential! Great times! I dabbled in downhill and Super D and had a great time and worked with women who were just taking up mountain biking. I was on an all girl mountain bike team called Go Girl. My daughter was part of the team too, which was great fun! I took up road riding also and loved it. I led many women's only clinics and helped teach women and girls through Girl Scout biking events and camps. I love showing women how much fun and confidence they can gain on a bike!