Michelle LeBlanc
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Austin area links coming soon

Chicago area

Cycling, Triathlon & Cycling Clubs:
  • Naperville Bike Club
    • Great for beginners, trail, mountain bikers - as well as those who like to hammer if you have a Tue/Thur open in the summer you can join Blur for a fast hour of your time.
    • Been riding with them for years.
  • These two I have not been to, but I have friends who swear by them:
    • The Labs
    • Vision Quest
  • Joliet Bike Club
    • I have done the JBC century on the 4th of July with my NBC friends for years - always a great time and well supported.
  • Experience Triathlon
    • For those new to triathlon, I always recommend their open swim program because it is really important to know how to swim safely in a crowd of aggressive swimmers. My daughter did it when we did a relay as a family and I've sent several friends to it who all felt a great benefit.
    • Also has run club and bike club.
  • Endurit
    • Bought my Cervelo here and been to a BBQ ride and computrainer classes - always very helpful and a really strong set of athletes. Don't be intimidated by their rep - super friendly people and fine for beginners to super aggressive performance athletes as well.
  • Spokes
    • Bought my Specialized here ... Has a big bike club - some people do not like this store, but I've never had a problem here. Always do great tune ups for me and have been really helpful.
  • Aurora Bike Club
    • New start up bike club - met them at one of our open Naperville Bike Club gatherings... Movie night I believe at the Roundhouse.
Running & Gear:
  • The Running Company
    • Have pretty much always gotten my shoes here - even after shopping around, I just always come back here. A trusted source in shoe buying which is really important to me - especially for long runs and being someone with bad knees.
Climbing:
  • Vertical Endeavors
    • We started climbing here back in the early 2000's. We'd follow you anywhere, VE! Great staff, huge gym... biggest in the country as a matter of fact!
  • Brooklyn Boulders
    • Love this place! Easy to get to, great staff, colorful and met so many great climbers here. 
  • First Ascent
    • Ive only had a membership at the Avondale location. A little smaller than BKB, but stickier walls and more overhangs. Fabulous bouldering area. Love it!
Gear and other outdoorsy stuff:
  • ​REI
    • Just love this place plus I get a dividend check every year since it's a coop.
    • I've gotten rock climbing gear, ski gear (both nordic and alpine), hiking gear, out doors gear, camping gear, cycling clothes, my garmin ... reliable good gear.
  • Erewhon
    • Just opened but got my hiking Solomons before my Hawaii trip where I hiked the Kalalau trail all the way to Kalalau Beach and they were great - blister free is always good on a long hilly course. And I got a Solar phone charger - who could live without that.

Tracking apps for smart phones
  • Map my run
  • Map my ride
  • Strava
  • Endomondo
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Naperville Bike Club in New Glarus, Wisconsin for the annual New Glarus ride led by Larry Alvino!
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Leading the Whole Foods Ride - where we would also use the experimental kitchen to talk nutrition and try new recipes - Not to mention the beer!
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These aren't mine btw - stopped at an old timer's joint on the way to New Glarus, Wisconsin to get cycling pants for a friend of mine and this guy had the coolest old cycling stuff and built his own streamliner pod racing bike.
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Me and my sons at Warrior Dash :)

More About Me

Copyright 2018 Michelle LeBlanc 

  • My Journal
  • Yoga Mom Cookbook
  • Short Stories
  • Reads
  • Yoga
  • Art
  • Links