About Pedal Dancer®

Contact Pedal Dancer:
Do you have ideas or comments for me, please email me at (remove the spaces) PedalDancerBlog @ gmail.com and also to PedalDancer @ comcast.net (if international, please use both emails in case our servers block email). Don't worry about commenting, people write me directly all the time. I answer every single email and am always happy to hear from you. If a rider or fan would like a photo I have taken of them, please write to me directly, I will be happy to send you a higher quality image for free. Thanks for visiting!

Pedal Dancer - Traveling to in 2013
2013 North American Handmade Bicycle Show 
2013 Amgen Tour of California 
2013 Copper Triangle
2013 Tour of Utah 
2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge


Pedal Dancer - recently Been There in 2012
2012 Tour of Flanders
2012 Paris-Roubaix
Stories from Belgium (and Italy)
2012 Amgen Tour of California
2012 Elephant Rock Century
2012 Ride the Rockies
2012 Tour de France
2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge 
2012 Interbike 
2012 Cross Vegas

Purpose of Pedal Dancer®

Interest, information and enthusiasm about cycling, traveling, bikes and riding a bike. Light on opinion, heavy on information and joy of the sport. Pedal Dancer is an online sport and travel guide for cycling enthusiasts, offering interest stories, race day planning, education, and encouragement to riders to get out and ride a bike in their back yard or travel to another country. I happily help you plan to watch or attend races and events. Whether traveling and riding the big rides yourself or cheering on friends or the pros, all that matters is that bikes and fun are in the mix. 

PedalDancer.com helps promote events, races and the sport of cycling to national and international audiences online. I intentionally drive traffic to news sources and services, equipment and events, so that cyclists may find the best information to learn and enjoy the sport. My focus is Colorado, France, the Grand Tours, Spring Classics, ATOC, USAPro, bike shows and equipment, local event rides and races in the western United States, and generalized cycling topics for fans and cyclists.

 

History of Pedal Dancer®

 

Pedal Dancer is created by Karen Rakestraw. I am the writer and main photographer, the one who pumps the tires, and the one who packs and unpacks the bags. A long time skier, kayaker, climber and mountaineer (and guitar player/singer), I turned to road cycling in 2001 after attending the Tour de France with my brother and sister-in-law (huge cycling fans). 

 

PedalDancer.com sprinted onto the scene on April 12, 2010. Inspired by the date of the Paris-Roubaix (one of my favorite races) and friends who where attending the race. I wanted to share my stories and what I had learned by chasing races for a decade.

 

At the race

 

I have been to the Tour de France 6 times, to the Critérium du Dauphiné, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Tour of California since it's beginning, and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Interbike, Cross Vegas, NAHBS, plus ridden many long distance event rides.

 
Climbs in France I have ridden on a bike:

Alpe d’Huez, Col d’Agnes, Col de l‘Aravis, Col d’Aspin, Col d’Aubisque, Col de Boderas, Col du Chaussy, Col du Columbiere, Col de la Core, Col du Croix Blanche, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col de Fer, Col du Galibier, Col d'Ichere, Col de l’Izoard, Col de Lauteret, Col de Latrape, Col de la Marie Blanc, Col de Murs, Col de Peyresourde, Col de Port, Col de’Portet d Aspet, Col d’Portillon, Col de Soudet, Col du Soulor, Col de Tamie, Col de Telegraphe, Col du Tourmalet, Col de Tramassel, Cormet de Roseland, Hautacam, Hourquette d’Ancizan, Lac d'Estaing, Lancets, Luz Ardiden, Mount Ventoux, Pla d’Adet. (Areas: Bordeaux, Cautarets, Cirque de Gavernie, Roussillon, Provence, Vercours, Pyrenees, Basque Country).  

Event rides I have participated in:

Triple Bypass, Etape du Tour, Bicycle Tour of Colorado, Ride the Rockies, MS 150, Ragbrai, Copper Triangle, Solvang Century, Elephant Rock, Santa Fe Century, Moab Century and many other century rides.

Hardest climb (for me) that I have ridden (yes even of the climbs in France and Colorado)

Mt Baldy, California

My favorite climbs

Col d' Soulor - Cirque du Litor - Col d' Aubisque, both directions, including the cafes on either side and both Cols. Mont Ventoux, France, which also has a couple cafes (I think I see a pattern here). Also the Hourquette d’Ancizan - Col d’Aspin loop in the Pyrenees. And along the wineries in Foxen Canyon near Solvang, CA.

My favorite places to ride a bike

Tuscany, Italy; Rocky Mountains, USA; Pyrenees, France 

Copyright and Trademark

Pedal Dancer® is a registered trademark for content and this website. My photography and original content is marked as © copyrighted. However I am happy to share with sites promoting cycling, please ask me prior to use or please credit my work with direct links to Created and Published © by Pedal Dancer® . My purpose is to compile and share information about the sport of cycling. In return I always include links and credit to photography and content of others if made available. I appreciate your help in spreading the word that PedalDancer.com is an excellent resource for the professional cycling fan. Thank you.

CONTRIBUTORS

Karen Rakestraw,  Writer/Photographer

About Karen

I ride a bike in Colorado and France as much as possible. I am an American and Irish citizen. I grew up on the beaches of southern California and now live in Denver, Colorado, to enjoy the mountains. I write an online information guide for cyclists who enjoy traveling on a bike or in an armchair. I have cycled or traveled to many countries (over 21), and lived overseas in SE Asia for 5 years. I enjoy nature, mountains, animals, music, food, French and NZ wines, Belgian beer, humor, good conversation and a beautiful view

I have carried media credentials beginning in 2011, which quite honestly I enjoy about 50% of the time. The 50% positive comes when I am able to share something of value. It's a lot of work, money and time spent to give someone else free advertising, but worth it if my tips help fans. Being media is most important so that I can learn the inside scoop and capture original photographs for posts that I write throughout the year and especially pre-race. 

I mostly like being a fan myself, encouraging others, getting my bike ready for it's next ride, and traveling. In 2013 I will be riding my bike a lot more and working my regular job, so expect less frequent posts from me.

2011 Tour of California, happy in Solvang

At the 2012 Tour de France on the Col d'Aubisque.  Photo by Monica for Pedal Dancer®

That's me singing with my instant Belgian friend at the 2012 Paris-Roubaix in the Trouée d'Arenberg.  Photo by Gregg Germer of The Chain Stay, Belgium

My dog Jack Denny and I chasing and photographing cyclocross races in Colorado in 2012-13.
©Photo by Annette at Mountain Moon Photography

Willie Reichenstein, contributing Photographer at Amgen Tour of California

Willie Reichenstein at the Tour de France (R)

An introduction by Willie's wife Liz

As an athlete and Coach originally from Scotland, Willie is a California transplant with a passion for most things competitive. As a long time avid bike rider and with a history of canoeing at the highest level, he stays active in these endeavors. For the last several years he has embraced photography, be it birds, landscapes or sports.

At the local high school where his son had attended, he is a constant figure capturing athletic events. Volunteering his time to create a website so that the school and parents can view and use his photos has introduced him to many new friends. 

Able to ride one amateur stage of The Tour of California last year, his interest was peaked. He is attending with a camera this year but will certainly understand the grimace of these amazing competitors. (meet Willie)

Laurie Valaer, contributing Photographer at USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Laurie Valaer

Laurie photographing cyclocross in Colorado  Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

In Laurie's own words:
Over the years, cycling has meant a variety of things to me. It’s been a means of exercise, a way to challenge myself to be better, a chance to socialize with friends and connect more deeply with my husband, and, perhaps most importantly to me, an opportunity to look within and learn more about myself and what I’m capable of – a mediation of sorts. That is the beauty of cycling….it can mean so many different things to different people.

And, that is also why I love to photograph the sport. As with all my photography, I try to capture my impressions of the world and give you a glimpse into it from a new perspective. When I capture the joy, pain, and determination of the riders; the encouragement, support, and revelry of the fans; and the overall passion, competition, and camaraderie of the events …. then I can give you that glimpse into the world of cycling and, perhaps, show you the possibilities of what cycling can mean to you.

Ron Long, contributing Photographer at USA Pro Cycling Challenge, 2012, and many photographs from France.

Ron   ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Other Contributing Photographers (and people who inspire):

Mike Rakestraw, Susan Benner, Kenny Rakestraw, Jason Maxwell, Brian Graves, Monica B., Duke Mike N., Katie Strausser.  Pedal Dancer Photographers
 

The image at the top of PedalDancer.com blog is the Cirque du Litor between the Col du Soulor and the Col d'Aubisque in the French Pyrenees. A place of special meaning to me, and a highly recommended ride! 

Read my list of Recommendations and Resources

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