SweatyShe | Go. Do. Be.

Sweaty Inspiration

Got sweaty inspiration? These Shes and Hes do! Check out how these awesome people are positively and creatively impacting the people and world around us. If you know someone who "fits" this description, please e-mail us with your recommendation and the highlights of their gift back to the community. Go.Do.Be.

Fred Huang | Richelle Lopez | more profiles to come soon!

Fred Huang: "The Fred Ride" -- Sacrificing for the Greater Good!

~Interview by: Kim Carlson

This month Sweaty She is tipping her hat to Sweaty “He” Fred Huang. Here is what was said about Fred on a recent bike ride:

"I knew I could count on Fred, he is always willing to sacrifice for the greater good of the Triathlon Community."

That triathlon community happens to be in Austin, Texas and every weekend you can count on Fred Huang calling a bike ride. Many have come to know it as the “Fred Ride”. Recently, I was fortunate enough to meet up with Fred and his ride. Here are the things that I learned through my experience:

1. Fred sends out an e-mail to everyone mid week which includes details of the ride - humor included.
2. The ride will start from Fred's house (i.e.: there is a bathroom and filtered water at the start).
3. There are a couple of distances and start times from which to choose - in order to accommodate a wide range of cyclists.
4. If it is cold weather, the ride will be adjusted to an indoor trainer session (i.e.: bring your own trainer to set up in Fred's heated garage, which also includes spin workouts or a fun movie via DVD and TV).
5. NO ONE will be dropped from the group and if you fall off the end, Fred will personally come pick you up and bring you back to the peloton. How do I know this? It happened to me - TWICE! I was thoroughly embarrassed, however, it really seemed that Fred didn't mind at all. He just wanted everyone to ride together and have a good time.

Well, from the SweatyShe perspective mission accomplished! A good time was had by all, so much so that I had to find out more about the beginnings of the Fred Ride:

SwShe: How did the Fred Ride get started?
Fred: It started off in 2000 just riding with a couple friends occasionally, and it became a weekly Saturday thing. They told two friends, who told two friends, and so on, and so on.
Sweaty She: Why do you think your ride is so popular?
Fred: First off- watching me ride will make you feel better about your own abilities.
SwShe: Nice Try Fred, but I KNOW you are an amazing cyclist!
Fred: But seriously, it's certainly not me that makes the ride popular. It's the people on the ride- it's a fun group of really nice folks, and nice folks attract other nice folks. Also, there's a broad range of abilities, so there is always someone your speed to ride with, and we always include a no-drop option, so no one gets left behind or is left riding on their own. Or maybe it's because we always get lunch together afterwards.
SwShe: Lunch is always a favorite of mine!

As you can see, Fred is that humble sort of guy that just knows how to DO. Good. And speaking of doing good, Fred also gives back the community by volunteering as Chairperson for the Ride for the Roses Bike Room during the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) Livestrong Challenge weekend in Austin, TX. Since 2007, Fred and his gang of volunteers have helped put together bikes for the folks who come to town to ride their bikes and raise money in the fight against cancer! In typical Fred fashion, he goes above and beyond the call of duty by holding bike mechanic clinics for his volunteers. Again, Fred wants everyone to feel comfortable and know the basics of how to put together a bike, so that the volunteers can give the bike to the real mechanics for it's final tune up!

SwShe: Are you planning on volunteering in the LAF Ride for the Roses Bike room again?
Fred: I am volunteering there again this year. It is without a doubt one of the best gigs within the Livestrong events. You'll meet some amazing people with truly inspiring stories.

So here's to you Fred - SweatyShe thinks you are truly inspiring and we thank you for sacrificing for the greater good in true Go.Do.Be fashion! We look forward to more Fred rides!

For more information on the Fred Ride or to sign up, click here.

Richelle Lopez: "Sweating it Forward" -- Helping New Triathletes in Austin, TX

~Interview by: Kim Carlson

RLopez Richelle Lopez recently started working with a group of women eager to participate in their first triathlon. Many of the women in this group are educators in the Texas School System and needed a little help "gearing up" for their first tri. Let's face it, those of you who participate in triathlon know how much gear you need to get through the swim, bike, and run. Richelle, a repeat Ironman finisher and Ultramarathon distance trail runner, got the idea to reach into her own closet and pull out her gently used tri clothing and gear and pass it on to the group. Realizing this wasn't enough to outfit this group of newbies, she reached out to her friends with the following request:

"Dear Friends, I went through all my tri clothing and pulled items I no longer use, whose only purpose was to take up precious room in my closet and dresser. Normally these items go in a stack for Goodwill, but this time I passed these items to my group of newbies, who were more than appreciative to have a little help. I have included each of you in this e-mail to ask you to consider doing the same. If you have any tri clothing or gear that you no longer need and have been planning to clean out, please consider passing these items on to me. I will be organizing a small event for these ladies so that they can have the opportunity to pick and choose from the items passed on by you, free of charge."

Richelle collected donated clothing, shoes, and gear from 10 women! Richelle kicked off the event with a swim clinic for the women at a local pool. After the swim clinic, they headed to Richelle's house to pick out their gear and clothing. One of the women exclaimed, "This is like Christmas! Richelle did have clothes left over and will be donating them to a local charity.

Richelle's event was so successful this year, she is toying with the idea of doing something like this every year to help new triathletes get started. Richelle reminds us, "We were all newbies at one point and I am sure each of us had an individual or a group who helped and encouraged us as we ventured into the sport of triathlon. It's our turn to help those who are getting into the sport!"

Thank you for your Sweaty Inspiration, Richelle! Go. Do. Be.