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| Laurie "Wo" Smith |
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In her own words, "I was an avid
non-cycling, smoking, couch potato until May of 1999, when
I agreed to help Mom and started creating [ERRC] magazine
with the information she provided me. I caught
the bug."
Laurie got her first Tour Easy in May of
1999. In September of that year, she set a new Vancouver
Women's Bike Club 10 Mile Time Trial record at
28 minutes 6 seconds, averaging 21.35 mph. She smashed her
own record in the same event with an average speed of 23.42
mph riding her Ti-Rush on July 5th, 2001.
In 2000, Laurie was a nominee for the Bicycle
Transportation Alliance's Alice
B. Toeclips award for outstanding effort in cycling advocacy.
On June 30th, 2001, Laurie rode in the first
Phil Hohstein Classic Criterium to included recumbent
bikes. Although both men and women were were invited to compete,
Laurie was the only woman who raced. She'd end up capturing
third place overall!
She is still the editor of ERRC
(Easy Riders Recumbent Club) Magazine, a tri-annual
publication for
all Easy Racers owners and recumbent enthusiasts. Laurie
puts hundreds of hours into the production. She receives
no money for her efforts and all funds from subscriptions
go into directly back to the publishing of the magazine.
She does it all out of a love for cycling.
From couch potato to BTA recognized, race
winning, cycling goddess. Laurie inspires and encourages
us with her achievements. Easy Racers applauds her efforts
and is proud to call Laurie one of our own. GO "WO,"
GO! |
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| Recumbent Activism! |
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Connie McAyeal's
passion for recumbent bicycles has led her to becoming
one of the foremost spokeswomen for the 'bent community.
This North Plains, Oregon resident was the first editor
of ERRC Magazine, which was originally planned as merely
a "small
flyer."
Under Connie's guidance, it quickly became a more comprehensive
and complete publication, and a must have for
owners of Easy Racers bikes.
When Tri-Met and MAX, the
local mass transit in North Plains, declared that bicycles
and all other manner of wheeled vehicles were allowed on
board, except for recumbents, Connie went to work. She organized
her friends and family, set up photo shoots, distributed
posters and flyers, and alerted area newspapers and government
officials. Her dedication and perseverance paid off when
the ban was lifted and recumbents were finally allowed
on Tri-Met and MAX. In 2002, Connie received an Alice
B. Toeclips award
for outstanding efforts in bicycle advocacy.
Photo courtesy of Michael
Berry
Easy Racers salutes Connie McAyeal for all she's done to
make it a little better for all of us. She shows us that one
person can make a difference. |
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| World's Fastest Kids |
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Despite a near miss
with an airplane, 13 year olds, Tanya Markham and
Macky Martin became the fastest kids in the world on May
31st, 2000. Tanya and Macky, pedaled a streamlined
tandem bicycle to 43.56 mph, capturing the junior world record.
The kids made their
record attempt at the 36th Annual Watsonville Fly-In
and Airshow (which takes place right next door to our factory).
Their first attempt ended in a crash when pilot Tanya had
to dump the bike just as a taxiing plane pulled out in front
of them. The bike is completely
enclosed so neither rider is able to put their
feet on the ground until the shell is removed. The only way
to stop without a catcher is go down. Apparently, the out-of-place
airplane had no radio and the pilot had not heard the calls
to clear the runway.
Fortunately however, Tanya and Macky were
not hurt. After being picked up and started again, they off on
their successful second run; during which they shattered
the previous record of 33.47 mph, by more than 10 mph. It
was a great day for Easy Racers, and despite the mishap,
the kids had a blast. |
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