Biking Weekend Geared To Women
Sticks and stones may break some bones, but they don’t scare Anne Grabowski.
“I like the adventure of mountain biking,” she says, her face glowing with energy. “I like to push my limits.”
Jennifer Foster, on the other hand, admits a healthy fear of sticks, stones, roots and rocks.
“I’m not very competitive,” she says, wrinkling her nose. “I like to mountain-bike because of where you can get. But for me, there’s a strong fear factor.”
Despite their differing styles on the trails, the two Coeur d’Alene women ride for the same reasons: challenge, peace, release, strong legs.
To share the thrill, Anne and Jennifer have planned a mountain-bike weekend for women at Farragut State Park on June 8 and 9 - Skurtzendirt. They’ll teach women how to ride over logs and plunge downhill, clean their chains and change their tires.
“It’s worth it to go for the camaraderie, for the network of women riders,” Jennifer says. “For women at my level, it can be frustrating trying to find someone to ride with.”
Anne resurrected Skurtzendirt this year after a two-year hiatus. Previous organizers had held the camp in Washington for two years, then dropped it after 1994.
Anne loves negotiating back-country trails in the Panhandle, dodging ruts, charging up rocky hills, watching animals. Anne, 28, is in the expert elite class, a half-step from pro.
But she didn’t get into cycling to make money and doesn’t plan to take the last step. The sport is her escape from a noisy world and an outlet for her competitiveness - and that’s all she wants from it.
“I wanted something I could do the rest of my life,” she says, adding with a laugh, “And I always liked the way cyclists look with all their gear. So cool.”
Skurtzendirt is limited to 50 women. The $52 fee covers the overnight camping fee, two meals, supervised rides and workshops. For details, call 667-5503.
Techno-time
Even if your eyes are fine now, age (and computer screens) eventually will take a toll. So it’s worth a trip to the Coeur d’Alene Inn on Thursday afternoon to play with all the great devices available for people with failing eyesight.
There are talking computers and calculators, newspapers by phone, magnifiers and large-print everythings. The Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired set up the exhibit and is encouraging people to go touch, listen and play.
The exhibit is free and runs from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Happy grads
Bonners Ferry must emit some sort of magnetism. Donna Lannigan Robinson says all-school reunions there have lured up to 1,300 graduates, and she’s expecting a similar turnout at this year’s get-together. Her class of 1951 does more than party - it has awarded a $500 scholarship for the past 14 years.
Cataldo’s Jeannie and Mark Nordstrom and four highschool classmates started meeting this spring to plan their 20th reunion. The friends had so much fun that they’ve decided to keep meeting even though the work is done.
They were able to locate all their classmates except one - the guy who cheated classmates out of money at the 10th reunion. No loss there …
Talk spots
I like to talk over good coffee. But I’ve stopped going to some of my favorite spots because their espresso machines are so loud that they drown out conversation.
Where’s the best place for a meaty conversation in your community - you know, the places with great coffee, little noise and employees who instinctively know when or when not to interrupt? Name names for Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene 83814; or send a fax to 765-7149 or call 765-7128.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo