Big Bear Blog

These are exciting times for athletes on our mountain. Local child superstar Jordan Romero just left for his quest to climb Mt. Everest and the entire mountain community has rallied to support his efforts and send him off with our best wishes.
This will be his toughest challenge to date, but his preparation and training has been at the highest. I’m confident that we will soon see pictures of his bright smile standing proud at the summit.

My dreams of having a stage of the Amgen Tour of California in Big Bear will finally come true next month. We will witness the best bicycle racers in the world taking on one of the hardest stages of any race this year including the Tour de France! This will be one of the most beautiful stages of the Amgen Tour of California but it will also be a double edged sword that will rip the legs of even the strongest of climbers.

Then last Saturday I dropped by SkyHigh Fitness to watch Pro MMA fighter Tierry Sokoudjou train with Bob Antonacci. Sokoudjou a.k.a. the African Assassin is a member of Team Quest out of Oceanside, Ca. He is preparing for a big fight tournament in Japan. Part of his new training regimen is spending some time up here in Big Bear working with Bob to improve his cardio, and to kick his overall fitness up a notch.

It’s exciting for all of us that live and breathe the mountain athletic life, and witness these activities at such high levels. We’ve always preached the benefits of living and training in Big Bear and now we get to witness it first hand, that’s exciting!

spreading the excitement, rev  

If you can walk, you can snowshoe! If you can run, you can snowshoe faster! If one of your lame-ass resolutions was to try something new in 2010 then get up here for the first event of the decade and participate in Snowshoe the Bear!

This event has become a Big Bear favorite not only because it’s been so beautiful on race day in the past but because every age and athletic ability can do it. They call it a race but those of us who have been there know its more parade than competition. For sure there are some hard chargers (Ted and Heather DeVito!), but my group is more scenic strollers with brightly colored pajama’s over our winter gear and cameras at the ready anytime a break is necessary.

Get registered for Snowshoe the bear at www.openairbigbear.com. If you need snowshoes call Derek at Bear Valley Bikes a great new line of Red Feather snowshoes for rent or purchase. You can also contact Fred Goldsmith at Goldsmiths Boardhouse for the latest in Atlas Snowshoes. See you at the start!

spreading the snowshoe love, rev

All of us at Mountain Fitness Center wish you the best for the coming year and want you to know that your health is our business. We strive to keep up with the latest trends and techniques so we can provide the best workout for your particular goals.

My latest research has uncovered an amazing calorie burning workout system that works for everyone! It’s the Super Scooper 5000 fat burning machine. Statistics show that shoveling snow can burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories an hour! Many driveways in the Big Bear area are long and some are quite steep. These driveways provide a great workout right outside your door.

You can find these incredible machines at finer hardware or department stores and they come in different shapes and sizes but like most pieces of fitness equipment just owning it doesn’t burn calories. Nor does leaning on it while chatting with next door neighbors doesn’t burn fat. You’ve got to use it to lose it!

Try this simple routine…scoop, throw left…scoop throw right…repeat as necessary. So get out there! Shovel your butts off!…literally!

Spreading the love and the fitness, rev

Happy new decade everybody! 2010 is here and living and playing in the mountains of Big Bear is more fun than ever. I’ve lived here since 1999 and it was more than a pleasure to watch a decade come and go. With all the new events on the mountain, new friends I’ve made and new areas we’ve discovered, the next ten years should be even more exciting than the last. To top it all off I also have a new gig at Mountain Fitness Center helping people prepare themselves for all the skiing, boarding, snowshoeing, kayaking, biking, hiking, golfing, tennis, frisbee and ?

It really seems like our adventure community is growing fast and the general fitness of our population seems to be getting better and more aware of the super fun ways to stay fit and healthy. Once you take that first step toward being more active, the momentum of fun takes over and then you’re hooked. It’s kind of like a good virus that gets into your system and then you are contaminated forever! There’s a crazy sick energy on the mountain right now and it’s contagious, come on up and get infected, but trust me…there is no cure!

Spreading the love & the disease to get fit, Rev

I’m now working for Mountain Fitness Center and we’re proud to feature famed adventure sports author and world class athlete Roy Wallack for the first event in a series of interesting and informative lectures, clinics and book signings.

Roy will be presenting his latest book “Run for Life,” which compliments his manual for perfect cycling “Bike for Life.” Roy has competed in some of the most challenging running and cycling events in the world and will share the knowledge that he gained through his experiences and help make us better runner and riders. These books are more than just texts to help make you faster but also go into detail about longevity, injury prevention, and even athlete relationship issues.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a great speaker, pick up two great books at a great price, and get them autographed while you’re there. Hope to see you at Mountain Fitness Center.

Spreading the word, rev

Run the Bear - Big Bear Lake Marathon is just 19 days away. Two months ago I convinced myself I could reach the half marathon plateau of 13.1 miles, even if that meant crawling to the finish line. If I do complete the task of finishing the half marathon it qualifies as a checkmark on the ole bucket list. 

As of late I’ve racked up quite a few six and seven mile runs. I’m doing 9:40 miles, which means I would likely finish the feat in about two hours and change. That is an hour slower than Big Bear’s own Olympic stud Ryan Hall. However, I’m not out to compete for ribbons and bows, I just want to finish.

This week I need to buck up and accomplish a nine mile run. Once I get to the nine and 10 mile range, I will be content to run the half. This week it’s do or die in order to be ready for race day on Saturday, September 12. I don’t have a trainer or any knowledge of how to train properly, but one thing I know for certain is I have the heart, and I’m going for it. 

I just hope my Ipod doesn’t crap out on me. I rely heavily on music to get me through each and every mile. If not I hope the crowd cranks up KBHR 93.3 FM along the route. I understand the radio station plans to play an up tempo mix of songs to get the adrenaline pumping!

I also want to mention there are quite a few good deals on lodging for athletes and spectators who are traveling to participate in the marathon/half marathon. Check out http://www.bigbear.com/webmaster/marathon.php for lodging discounts.

Run the Bear if You Dare,

Daniel Pea

Big Bear is looking like an adventure town these days – non-stop opportunities to get outdoors. We’ve had back to back endurance tests - Paddlefest and Cal Multisport – to keep our competitive juices flowing. While we know there is plenty of adventure in Big Bear and a little weekday multisport is not far from the norm – from a stellar trail run and chill paddle to a cross-country mountain bike followed by a swim in the Lake – there is nothing like an official race to test your mettle.

The Cal Multisport this past Saturday was epic by all measures! Fiery heat, grueling climbs and fast descents only to find more up hills! With no forgiveness – racers had to climb a 12-foot tower of pain before crossing the finish line. Local Adventure Racers Paul Romero and Karen Lundgren put on the Multisport, attracting a bevy of professional athletes and some serious weekend warriors. It was cool to watch and cheer on the competitors as they tried to stay hydrated and focus on the challenges of the race. Plus there were many familiar faces in the field – Big Bear’s own Daniel Morello, Heather and Ted DeVito and Diane Bradley. They all did an awesome job as they continue on their pursuit to Conquer the Bear.

Being a part of a race with the kind of quality competition we witnessed this past weekend was inspiring. It made my Sunday much more fun and fueled me to put on a little multisport of my own – a long and challenging mountain bike following a quick trail run.

All in all, Big Bear and the weekend warrior lifestyle rock!

Glade Girl

A big happy birthday shout out to Rich “The Reverend” White a.k.a. Rev. It’s the BIG FIVE-O today. But who is counting candles? This legendary Big Bear icon is built like a 24 year old and has more passion about outdoor recreation in his right pinky than most will ever have in their entire body.

Rev flat out lives for the outdoors. Best of all his enthusiasm drives more and more people to get outside and play! Rev’s philosophy is to simply just have fun. Whether its trail running, cycling, snowshoeing, snowboarding, hiking or mountain biking Rev will show you a good time! In short Rev wants everyone to get excited about being outdoors.

For those of you who know Rev will agree his passion and ability to ride outweighs his actual age. Rev is built like a greyhound and it ready to conquer any mountain.
He is a role model for the fitness circuit and those who just want to experience recreational activities.

Today I ran three miles on the Pacific Crest Trail in honor of the legend’s 50th birthday. If you are not able to see Rev on his b-day be sure to send him a birthday wish by clicking on the comments link above, or better yet get outdoors and do something invigorating and have fun. I’ll guarantee that’s what Rev is doing. He’s either doing a 100 mile bike ride or climbing to the top of Mt. San Gorgonio. One think for certain is he is enjoying the great outdoors and he is definitely having fun!

Happy Birthday Rev,

Daniel Pea  

Last weekend was the 2nd annual Kahtoola’s Snowshoe the Bear.  The day before the event a storm rolled in, and dumped a fresh blanket of powder on the course. As the start time drew near the clouds parted and we got sunshine and blue skies the rest of the day.

As I ran around taking pictures and talking to friends I overheard quite a few people saying that not only was this their first event, but this was the first time they had ever put snowshoes on their feet! As far as I know, everyone who entered the race finished the race. More than one 5k participant pledged to come back next year  to do the 10k.

This year the organizers created a new category called “Conquer the Bear” for anyone who plans to compete in all the events that are listed on www.openairbigbear.com, which includes snowshoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, a multi-sport race, and the Big Bear Marathon. If you like adventure sports, want to have fun and challenge yourself at the same time, check out the site, pick an event (or all of them) and I’ll see you in Big Bear.

Spreading the love of adventure, rev

There’s a buzz around town, energy in the air, and snow in the forecast. Good friends are coming and new ones will certainly be made.

If you haven’t heard, this weekend is the 2nd Annual Kahtoola’s Snowshoe the Bear snow shoe race and expo. I can’t think of a better reason to get your friends and family up for a nice hike through the winter wonderland.

Before I moved to Big Bear Lake I’d never been snow shoeing. Nowadays, I can’t imagine not shoeing as soon as the powder hits the mountain. My friends and I have been looking forward to this year’s race because everyone had so much fun at last year’s race and party.

What makes it so fun is how easy it is really is. There is no need for lessons, shoe rentals and poles are inexpensive, and there are no complicated bindings to figure out. Just strap them onto your boots and off you go.

For more info on this weekend’s snowshoe race, log on to www.snowshoethebear.com, or if you’re interested in all the fun and exciting outdoor events in Big Bear happening this year log onto www.openairbigbear.com.

I’ll be at the race this weekend, and I look forward to shoeing with you!

Spreading the love on the mountain, Rev