The current Health Care Reform debate is starting to really piss me off. About all we’re hearing from our brainless leaders in Washington and the news media is straight party line stuff. What I want to hear from these lame brain jackals is why we don’t make 6:00 am Physical Training sessions mandatory for the general population to help solve the Obesity Crisis. The estimated cost of obesity in the US for the current year is 147 billion dollars (that’s a bunch of Big Macs and Slurpees!). Read more in my 9/19 rant that was published in the San Angelo Standard Times .

On the flip side, I am constantly impressed by both the quantity and quality of amateur athletes that we have here in San Angelo. You expect to see fast cyclists, runners, and triathletes in Austin or Boulder, but here in the West Texas desert?? As an example, take a look at the list below. These folks finished the 2009 Air Force Marathon or half marathon today in Dayton, Ohio, Good job, folks!

Brandon Bowers San Angelo, TX 24 M 4:56:15
Michael Buck San Angelo, TX 49 M 3:30:10
Gloria Interrante San Angelo, TX 23 F 4:39:07
Ruthie Kreuzer San Angelo, TX 28 F 3:57:54
Nathan Parker San Angelo, TX 25 M 3:04:45
Benjamin Passons San Angelo TX 37 M 3:42:39
Georgette Young San Angelo, TX 46 F 5:34:24
Paula Lasley San Angelo, TX 24 F 2:13:56
Gabriel Manlutac San Angelo, TX 28 M 2:24:13
Jennifer Manlutac San Angelo, TX 25 F 2:24:14
Jeanice Smith San Angelo, TX 24 F 2:38:11


Rumor has it that more people are starting to use the Spillway Hill and Twin Buttes trails instead of the State Park, due to poor trail maintenance and other issues at the State Park. If you’re not familiar with the Spillway area, take a look at the map on the right or drop me a message and I’ll fill you in. Spillway is a great place to take the mountain bike or to get in a good trail run. One project that I’m working on is a proposal for a “Volunteer Work Pass” for the Middle Concho/Spillway area. Mountain bikeer Ty Johnson suggested this, and it’s a great idea. The concept would that people who volunteer their time to work on trail or perform other volunteer tasks in that area would be rewarded by the city with free pass to the Middle Concho area during the times when they are collecting gate fees. This would encourage volunteerism, and also provide a good partnership between the city of San Angelo and the local bike/run community. One of my daughters manages an Outdoor Volunteer program in Northern Colorado that could be a great model (on a smaller scale) – read about her program here: http://www.berthoudrecorder.com/News/2009/sep/3/variety/outdoors-near-your-backdo . More on this later when the proposal is finished and submitted.

The ASUFit activities for 2009-2010 are about to kick off. ASUFit is a Fitness and Wellness program for university employees and students, but many of the activities are open to the regional community. Things will kick off on October 14 with a Health Fair and Brown Bag Luncheon. Other planned activities include a Fall Fitness Challenge, several 5K runs on campus, monthly speakers, mountain bike clinics for students and staff, and possibly on on-campus short course mountain bike race (dirt crit). For more information on ASUFit, contact Katherine Garrison at 486-6244 or e-mail katherine.garrison@angelo.edu.

Final note, again): Both the cycling and running clubs are looking for a few good people to step forward and serve as club officers for next year. If you are interested in serving, contact the appropiate club president to self-nominate yourself for an office.

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 19-20: Fort Davis Cyclefest, http://www.pbbatx.com/Documents/2009%20Tour%20Flyer.pdf
September 26 (rescheduled): Hot Dog Run, http://www.roadlizards.org%20/
October 3: Shannon Pink Ribbon Run, 10K/5K, http://www.roadlizards.org/Upcoming%20Races/Shannon.pdf
October 10-11: Texas Road Cycling Championships, Copperas Cove, http://www.txbra.org/db/events/2009FortHoodClassicV4.pdf
October 18: West Texas Series mountain bike race, Concho Bike (San Angelo), http://www.wtcycling.com/wforum/viewtopic.php?t=2887
November 1: West Texas Series mountain bike race, Abilene, http://www.wtcycling.com/wforum/viewtopic.php?t=2887
Dec. 10-13: Cyclocross National Championships, Bend, OR, http://www.visitbend.com/Bend_Oregon_Activities_Recreation/National-Championships/Cyclo-cross/default.aspx