Bike Diva

Bike Diva Gift Shop

Bike Diva Logo
On July 22, I posted up that I was trying to finalize the design for my Bike Diva logo. The graphic image, shown at the top of this post, is my final decision. Besides printing up business cards and return address labels, I've been thinking about possibly selling t-shirts, tote bags, etc...with the Bike Diva logo.

Cafe Press Store
On Friday, I took the plunge and signed up for a Cafe Press store. Here's the link: www.cafepress.com/bikediva. I'm going to be placing an order through Cafe Press, just to see how smoothly their whole ordering process is. I also want to make sure the items look okay, and don't come out looking junky or cheesy.

Free Swag
Besides ordering a shirt or two for myself, I'll also be ordering a bunch of stickers, magnets and buttons. You can order single stickers, magnets and buttons on the Bike Diva Cafe Press store, but they are kind of pricey. If you happen to see me at a local ride, run or duathlon race, hit me up. I might just have a stash of Bike Diva stickers, magnets and buttons with me. FREE is always good.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva

Tweet My Ride Campaign

First Tweetmyride Global Campaign To Raise $1 Million For Charity Via Twitter

VANCOUVER, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- tweetmyride is a Twitter-driven global charity campaign, created to raise money for 10 charities around the world in the lead up to Vancouver-based Australian, Gavin Romanis, participating in the international mountain bike race, La Ruta de los Conquistadores in Costa Rica from November 11-14, 2009 (www.adventurerace.com) - known as one of the toughest on the planet.

Inspired by Ashton Kutcher and CNN's challenge to gain 1 million followers on Twitter, and fuelled by the vibrant biking community of Vancouver, Canada, the basis behind the tweetmyride global campaign is to encourage global giving to a variety of causes.

Co-founders Leoni Milano and Gavin Romanis integrated these ideas to create a campaign with global reach, utilizing Twitter to help achieve their goal to raise $1 million over the 4-month period that runs from July 30 - November 30, 2009.

"When I realised how gruelling La Ruta de los Conquistadores was going to be, I knew that I would need more than my own determination to get me through it - so the idea of doing it to help charities across the world seemed like the ideal inspiration" says Gavin Romanis, who has no prior experience in mountain bike racing, but was seduced by the challenge's combination of travel and outdoor adventure.

Milano and Romanis wanted to create something that would have a global impact - hence the campaign's tagline: "Twitter has no boundaries - neither should we". Tweetmyride will demonstrate the power of social networking and show that contributions - no matter how small - all help to build something incredibly worthwhile.

The participating charities (including twitter names) being supported in the campaign are:

 1.  charity: water, USA - www.twitter.com/charitywater
 2.  First United Church, Canada - www.twitter.com/fucm
 3.  Fred Hollows Foundation, Australia - www.twitter.com/FredHollows
 4.  M decins Sans Fronti res / Doctors Without Borders, Canada -
    www.twitter.com/MSF_canada
 5.  National Breast Cancer Foundation, Australia -
    www.twitter.com/NBCFAus
 6.  Oxfam Canada, Canada - www.twitter.com/oxfamcanada
 7.  Starlight Children's Foundation, Australia -
    www.twitter.com/Starlight_star
 8.  Team Fox for The Michael J. Fox Foundation, USA -
    www.twitter.com/TEAMFOX
 9.  The CREAR Association, Costa Rica - www.twitter.com/CostaRicaCREAR
 10. World Vision, UK - www.twitter.com/WVUKnews

"There are literally thousands of charities out there doing incredible work, and we're thrilled to have these carefully chosen charities on board. For some, this will be their first foray into experimenting with social networking and they have all embraced this unique style of fundraising and awareness with keen enthusiasm," says co-founder Le oni Milano.

Twitter allows each of the charities the opportunity to connect and communicate on a more tangible level with their followers, donors and supporters, which in turn helps develop relationships for a deeper impact. It gives the charities a voice that helps people connect on a personal level, rather than just being a donor.

The campaign's vision is to also encourage others to hold their own 'tweetmyride' biking events around the world and have family and friends donate (towards their rides) to the participating charities, which they can then tweet about.

Donors get to go online to the tweetmyride website and choose which charity they wish to support from those participating in the campaign. All donations will go directly to each charity. www.tweetmyride.com / www.twitter.com/tweetmyride

Source: Tweetmyride Charity Foundation

CONTACT: Nora Weber, Media Relations, Terracom Communications,
noraw@terracomgroup.net, (425) 418-4555; Leoni Milano, Co-founder,
tweetmyride, leoni@tweetmyride.com, (778) 237-7840

TheCircle.org Website

Just FYI; I am the Go Biking Mentor on TheCircle.org website. Here is a press release about the new site.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva

PRESS RELEASE

Fitness, Family, Finances, Relationships, Decorating, Career, Spirituality, Travel and More: TheCircle.org - a New Goal-Focused, Social Web Site Includes Blogs and Mentored Forums with Tips to Reach Personal Goals

PITTSBURGH, June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- In the first month since the beta launch, TheCircle.org has welcomed 12,000+ visits to their new web site (www.TheCircle.org). The site is designed to create an environment of guidance and discussion on a wide range of topics, with a primary focus on helping members to identify and reach personal goals. There is no charge for online visitors to register to join a Circle of members who have similar interests and goals. TheCircle.org launched with over forty unique Circles with topics ranging from Living Green to Caring for Aging Parents to Get Your Career on Track. A complete list of the Circles in the Beta Launch is below.

Each Circle features a relevant weekly blog by a mentor with experience on the Circle topic. TheCircle.org mentor blog brings real-life experience to their Circle communities. Each day, a TheCircle.org mentor will participate in each Circle by responding to member questions and participating in Forum discussion. TheCircle.org Forum discussions in each Circle allow members to exchange ideas, ask for advice and share experiences. Additionally, members are given a private page as a personal work-space within the site.

"We have seen a steady increase in visitors since we launched the Beta version of TheCircle.org," said Ruth Dilts, co-founder. "This site is different from other social networking sites in that we have mentors who will respond to member comments and questions. Members come together to achieve personal goals and find real, experienced people to offer advice. They also meet others who have the same goals or who have already reached those goals."

Mentor Blogs and Forums on the following topics are included in the Beta Launch:

Eat Healthy, Lose Weight, Run for Fitness, Go Swimming, Live Vegetarian, Practice Yoga, Go Biking, Go Hiking, Go Sailing, Long Distance Running, Train for a Triathlon, Swim Competitively, Explore the Visual Arts, Be a Photographer, Appreciate Classical Music, Learn to Sew, Woodcrafts by Hand, Improve Your Writing, Explore Different Faiths, Explore Unity Consciousness, Strengthen Your Catholic Faith, Change Bad Habits, Manage Your Stress, Organize Your Life, Dress for Success - Women, Dress for Success - Men, Improve Your Parenting, Cope with an Illness, Care for Aging Parents, Cope with Grief, Get Through a Divorce, Grow a Romance, Move on from a Breakup, Resolve Conflicts, Budget, Save and Eliminate Debt, Plan for Retirement, Get Your Career on Track, Become an Infopreneur, Plant a Flower Garden, Decorate Your Home, Live Green, How to Travel

About TheCircle.org

TheCircle.org is owned and operated by TheCircle.org LLC. It is a free public service that will be supported by corporate sponsorship.

Source: TheCircle.org

CONTACT: Ruth Dilts of TheCircle.org, +1-412-780-1875,
Ruth@TheCircle.org

Web Site: http://www.thecircle.org/

Women Talk Sports

The Bike Diva is proud to announce that the Bike Diva blog is now part of the Women Talk Sports Network. Content from Bike Diva will be syndicated to the Women Talk Sports Network. This should be a fantastic opportunity to find a new and larger audience for the Bike Diva blog.

About Women Talk Sports
According to the website: "The idea for WomenTalkSports.com came to co-founders Jane Schonberger, Ann Gaffigan and Megan Hueter in late 2008. As media professionals and athletes, the trio is keenly aware of the challenges facing women in sports. Visiting the myriad of (mostly male oriented) sports sites on the Web, it was clear that women needed a dedicated platform to celebrate their love of sports and the challenges they face. They (and the guys who love women's sports) also needed a forum to exchange ideas, to debate and engage one another."

My thanks and appreciation go out to Megan Hueter, Co-Founder and Marketing Director of Women Talk Sports. Megan discovered the Bike Diva blog, and emailed me asking if I'd like to become part of her network.

Social Networking
Women Talk Sports can be found on Twitter: twitter.com/womentalksports, Facebook and Linked-In. Visit the Women Talk Sports Network for additional information.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva

Biking Mentor on The Circle

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to let you know, TheCircle.org website went live on May 1. I am the Mentor for the Biking Circle. I will be posting up weekly blog posts and articles on TheCircle.org. Check it out when you get a chance. Visit our forums, read my latest blog posts and articles, ask a question, or just stop by to say hello!

Visit Biking Circle
http://www.thecircle.org/go-biking

Current Biking Circle Posts

1. Welcome to the Biking Circle
2. Sports Bloks and Beans for Endurance Athletes
3. Climbing Tips for Cyclists

About The Circle
TheCircle.org is owned by TheCircle.org LLC. The organization’s mission is to help others find the resources, inspiration and encouragement they need to achieve goals they have set for themselves and to help make their lives more fulfilling. It provides a free service to the public. Its business life is supported by corporate sponsorships and advertising revenues. The mentors who participate in the many circles presented on the site are individuals who are very passionate about their subject matter and who dedicate their time to educate others.

Outdoor Circles
The Biking Circle is one of 6 current outdoor circles. Other outdoor circles include sailing, competitive swimming, triathlon, long distance running and hiking. There are currently 43 active circles on TheCircle.org, with additional circles planned for the future.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva

Bike Diva Nominated for Cash, Sweat & Tears Award

I am pleased to announce that I was recently nominated for the Run Walk & Ride Fundraising Council's first annual Cash, Sweat & Tears Award, which recognizes outstanding volunteer participants in athletic event fundraising programs.

Sandra Sims, owner of Step by Step Fundraising, nominated me for this award. I was hired by Sandra in September, 2008 to be a feature writer on her Charity Mile website. Thank you for thinking of me Sandra. :)

Although I wasn't selected as the Cash, Sweat & Tears annual honoree, I was awarded a certificate to recognize my nomination. I also received a letter from David Hessekiel, the President of the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council.

I am also listed, along with all of the nominees, on the Cash, Sweat & Tears Hall of Fame on the Run Walk Ride site. Visit the Cash, Sweat & Tears Hall of Fame to see a complete listing of all the nominees, along with a profile of winner Barbara Jo Kirshbaum.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva

Cycling Nutz Online Community

I just found out about the CyclingNutz website in an email sent to me by Fluid. Fluid makes a protein recovery drink, and they are one of my sponsors for the 2009 race season. Fluid is one of the sponsors of the CyclingNutz community. Contents of CyclingNutz

• Event listings & reviews
• Blogs, forums & social community
• News headlines & articles
• Member photos & videos
• Health & fitness resources

CyclingNutz is a resource for all types of biking; mountain, cyclocross, track and road. I'd like to hear from anyone that is a member of CyclingNutz, or that plans on joining the site.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva

Bike Diva's 15 Minutes of Fame

Hello everyone,

I've got some very exciting news to report. A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Katy Widrick, Executive Producer of the Growing Bolder Media Group. Katy wanted to know if she could interview me for the Growing Bolder 5 Questions With... segment.

Katy just emailed me to let me know the article is online. Check it out - my 15 minutes of fame! Here is the link to the article: 5 Questions With Lynn Smythe. Kind of cool to be the interviewee for a change, rather than the interviewer.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva

Announcing Run Diva Blog

Hello everyone,

I have some exciting news.  My brand new Run Diva site is up and running. Bike Diva turned one year old, in January 2009, and a few months ago I started thinking about starting a Run Diva blog. After a 18 year hiatus from running, I decided to add running back into my fitness routine.

I decided I wanted to attempt a marathon, before I got too much older. On December 7, 2008 I competed in my first half marathon, at the Marathon of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. On January 25, 2009, I will be running the half at the ING Miami Marathon - wish me luck!

Marathons, half marathons, 5k, 10K, trail running and other running events will be covered on Run Diva. Multisport events which include running, such as duathlons, triathlons and Xterra events, will also be covered on Run Diva.

I will also be reviewing many running related products and gear on the Run Diva site. Go to the Product Endorsement page to see which products have already been reviewed, along with a listing of products that will be reviewed in the future.

I am trying to get my domain name, www.rundiva.net, to point to my Run Diva TypePad blog, but so far, no luck. I am definitely NOT a computer diva! So for now, the link to get to Run Diva is http://rundiva.typepad.com/run_diva/. Hopefully I'll get it figured out within the next few days.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva and now the Run Diva

Bike Diva on Facebook

Hello everyone,

I just added the Bike Diva blog to the Facebook Blog Network. Hopefully this will get the word out about Bike Diva, and help me find a few more readers. Here is the link: Bike Diva Facebook Blog. And here is the link to my personal page on Facebook: Lynn Smythe's Facebook Page.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva