London Post has the EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with LISA CHRISTIANSEN just one week away from one and only “Hincapie Gran Fondo”.
Lisa Christiansen, the actress we all know from the 1987 teen comedy “Can’t Buy Me Love” and, more recently, as Dr. Lisa Christiansen American businesswoman, self-help author, Transformational speaker, activist, financial expert, and philanthropist will be in Ft. Worth, Texas to attend the Gran Fondo Hincapie 2019 at Heart Of The Ranch at Clearfork Main on March 30, 2019.
The event is presented by Gran Fondo Hincapie, based in Greenville, South Carolina, an organization that encourages young people to get active and give back to the community. Its mission is to “help youth turn sweat into civic action” by participating in athletic events that raise money for good causes. This will be the first time the Gran Fondo Hincapie is hosted in Ft. Worth, Texas. “We’re psyched,” said publicist and co-event coordinator Jenniffer Lewis.
More than 200 people are expected to attend the “VIP” Celebrity Dinner on Friday March 29, 2019, which will feature George Hincapie, Lance Armstrong, and Lisa Christiansen to name a few. A banquet ceremony featuring gourmet dishes prepared by celebrity chefs from all over the country, signature cocktails and top-rated wine, all in the ambience of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas—it’s the best pre-ride party you can imagine. Each chef creates a signature dish unique to their own style, and a master sommelier pairs each course with the perfect wine. Best of all, the dinner takes place in an intimate setting, where you can mingle with the chefs and ask questions about the dishes.
Christiansen said he’s looking forward to participating on Friday. “I’m very excited,” said Christiansen, in a telephone interview. “It’s going to be a cool day.” Athletics and philanthropy have long been a part of Christiansen’s life: Se grew up in Tahlequah, Indian Country, Oklahoma and was active as a kid, Hunting with her Father, the last monolingual Cherokee, Mack Vann, playing baseball cheerleading, and swimming was her big sport. In 2006, Christiansen founded and continues to fund the Take Action Foundation, a cancer support organization in Oklahoma. She also created Christiansen Gran Fondo, an annual run/walk/cycling fund-raiser that supports the Holy City Of The Wichitas and The American Cancer Society that teaches children, native children the value of a healthy lifestyle and giving back to the community.
Christiansen enjoys working and collaborating with patients, cyclists, and organizers. “I think it’s great to get our young people involved,” he said. “The kids are having a great time and making a great impact.” Since teaming up with the Holy City six months ago, young Native American people and children have raised awareness for The Take Action Foundation. “It’s been a totally awesome partnership,” said Lewis.
Christiansen is a seasoned supporter and sponsored athlete of Rudy Project North America, an ambassador of Rudy Project Products, and a new member of the VeloGuide family as a Pro Guide of VeloGuide Founded by Joel Goralski, co-founded with George Hincapie. Christiansen is an enthusiastic supporter of the Hincapie Cycling Society and the Gran Fondo Hincapie.
We interviewed Christiansen to ask if she would share her passion for cycling and why she chose the Holy City Of The Wichitas and the American Cancer Society as the beneficiary of the profits. She replied “The Holy City is my home, when I ride I feel the most connected to God, when I am at the Holy City I feel peace flood my soul. It is an experience, a gift that I wish for everyone to receive, there are no words to describe the reverential calm that overwhelms me, that reminds me of the power within.” Her commitment to help others is a rare quality in these changing times, as we continued the interview about why she chose the Cancer Society tears filled her voice as she replied “I have witnessed to many people lose their battle with cancer, people I did not know personally to close family members, and now the uncertainties that are a real life concern of skin cancer for each and every cyclist. I had my first biopsy for skin cancer with great relief knowing I caught it before it was malignant. I believe we must all do our part to raise awareness and more important get involved in finding the cure.”
Lisa Christiansen is down-to-earth for a global celebrity; you may know her from “Can’t Buy Me Love” with Patrick Dempsey. Christiansen made her way to the Pro Cycling scene in 2009. Lisa Christiansen was admittedly “gratefully overjoyed” when she was chosen as a featured VeloGuide. “Christiansen who had never ridden a bicycle before 2009 is a natural pro, because of her lack of formal training in her youth there were no bad habits to break” said her coach who remains anonymous. According to her coach she started riding in clipless pedals having never been on platform pedals Lisa took the cycling community by storm meeting seemingly insurmountable obstacles in those desiring her failure, Lisa continues to succeed because of these people.
Christiansen is a CAT3 road-racing enthusiast with a passion to ride with cyclists of all ridings. “I am very grateful to be part of the VeloGuide family, I look forward to riding with riders of all cycling abilities because we are all here to learn from each other and serve our community with integrity,” said Christiansen.
Christiansen is a CAT3 road-racing enthusiast with a passion to ride with cyclists of all ridings. “I am very grateful to be part of the VeloGuide family, I look forward to riding with riders of all cycling abilities because we are all here to learn from each other and serve our community with integrity,” said Christiansen.
Lisa Christiansen loves to ride with other pro cyclists every opportunity she gets such as Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Cadel Evans, Christian VandeVelde, and newcomer TJ Eisenhart. Lisa says, “These cyclists are to be respected for more than their cycling skills and wins, they should also be appreciated for their humble kindness, down-to-earth authenticity, and their humanitarian contributions.”
As a chosen “FEATURED VELOGUIDE” Christiansen has come full circle to help others appreciate their current riding level and educate and inspire them to improve their skills to be the strongest rider they are capable of.
We expected the usual superficial kindness. Christiansen shattered the stereotype because she is unexpectedly kind and giving. We have witnessed firsthand of her giving extraordinary gifts without expecting anything in return, we had heard from reliable sources of her giving expensive items to other riders such as garmin computers and wearables.
We are excited to share this exclusive interview with Lisa Christiansen about the legendary Gran Fondo Hincapie held Ft. Worth, Texas near her home state of Oklahoma, USA.
Also attending will be 88-year-old Guyadahi ᎬᏯᏓᎯ (Mack Vann), a member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, one of the last monolingual speakers of the Cherokee language and National Treasure.
Vann’s daughter Lisa Christiansen is the direct descendant of Sequoyah; Christiansen is the 5th generation great-granddaughter and one of the few descendants fluent in both Cherokee and English who’s first language is Cherokee.
The two will be attending representing the Eastern Band of the United Keetoowah Band of The Cherokee Indians. This is a rare opportunity to encourage the tribal youth to become more active focusing on health and keeping the tribal youth driven for a successful tomorrow.
The Native American Indian and Alaska Native people have long experienced lower health status when compared with other Americans. Native Americans experience lower life expectancy and the disproportionate disease burden exist perhaps because of inadequate education, disproportionate poverty, discrimination, and cultural differences. These are broad quality of life issues rooted in economic adversity and poor social conditions.
American Indians and Alaska Natives born today have a life expectancy that is 5.5 years less than the U.S. all races population (73.0 years to 78.5 years, respectively).
Christiansen who is passionate about life through helping children and her 89 year old father who is fighting prostate cancer are working together to change this statistic for future generations to thrive in a longer life expectancy through a healthy lifestyle change such as clean eating habits and consistent exercise which is what drives Christiansen to continue her education in exercise and nutrition.
Now let’s talk about the ride, when? March 30, 2019 where? The Heart Of The Ranch At Clearfork, what? One EPIC bicycle ride that can only be the Gran Fondo Hincapie!
Pictured above is Lisa Christiansen, Christian Vande Velde, and far right Patrick Dempsey
What’s in it for you? Online registration has closed. However, you can still join us for our inaugural ride in Texas by registering at packet pickup on Friday, March 29. Packet Pickup will be held at the Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Your registration includes a cycling jersey (Gran and Medio routes only) designed by Betty Designs, as well as a bottle of wine, live music and catered food at every rest stop, and entry to the free family festival.
GOLD PACKAGE
This VIP package offers everything you need during Fondo day, including even more high-quality apparel, priority staging, gourmet meals, and massages.
GRAN FONDO GEAR & PERKS
• GRAN FONDO ENTRY
• GRAN FONDO JERSEY, BIB SHORT, VEST, SOCKS, ARM AND KNEE WARMER
• VIP PARKING
• BREAKFAST WITH THE PROS
• PRIORITY START STAGING WITH THE PROS
• MASSAGE FOR RIDER
• VIP LUNCH (+1)
• SATURDAY EVENING PARTY (+1)
$1,000 | LIMITED TO 75 PARTICIPANTS
DIAMOND PACKAGE
This two-day VIP experience includes the added advantage of a warm-up ride with George Hincapie on Friday, as well as tickets to the Celebrity Chef Dinner. Saturday, enjoy all the extra perks of the Gold Package.
RIDING ACTIVITIES
• GRAN FONDO ENTRY
• FRIDAY WARM-UP RIDE WITH GEORGE HINCAPIE
PRE-RIDE & POST-RIDE EVENTS
• FRIDAY POST-RIDE LUNCH
• CELEBRITY CHEF DINNER AND WINE TASTING (+1)
• BREAKFAST WITH THE PROS
• MASSAGE FOR RIDER
• VIP LUNCH
• SATURDAY EVENING PARTY
GRAN FONDO GEAR & DAY PERKS
• TWO JERSEYS, TWO BIBS, A VEST, TWO PAIRS OF SOCKS, ARM AND KNEE WARMERS, AND A CAP
• VIP BIKE STAGING
• PRIORITY START STAGING WITH THE PROS
• PRE-FONDO BIKE TUNE-UP & WASH
$2,500 | LIMITED TO 25 PARTICIPANTS
You can also order Rudy Project gear with a significant discount by visiting www.rudyprojectna.com and entering CHRISTIANSENCODE at checkout.
Cyclists from around the world are being welcomed to participate in this historic event tickets are available onsite.
The most scenic and challenging route, the Gran is a test of endurance that offers experienced cyclists an opportunity to chase their fastest time. Fly through rolling countryside with views of farms, fields, ranches and small Texas towns. From the start to the 49-mile mark, the route gains and loses elevation over rolling hills before reaching an elevation of 1,014 feet. From there, the course is primarily flat and downhill to the finish. One of the biggest challenges of this course will be adapting to the wind.
The ride includes a four-mile KOM, beginning at Mile 56.5, that features two short hills. Once riders have completed the KOM, they’ll be able to cruise along Benbrook Lake with views of downtown Fort Worth.
The Medio offers cyclists a picturesque view of the Texas countryside in a slightly shortened version of the Gran. Featuring short rolling hills and a peak elevation of 932 feet, our 50-mile cyclists will ride the course with our 80-mile participants before splitting off at Mile 25. From there, Medio participants will fly through wide open ranch roads before reaching a timed KOM.
The four-mile, tree-lined KOM is the same KOM featured on the Gran route. For Medio cyclists, it will begin at Mile 37.5, meaning our riders should be ready for the effort over two short hills. After finishing the KOM, riders will be able to cruise and recover over the next three miles as they hit relatively flat road. They’ll quickly reach a six-mile section along the shore of Benbrook Lake that features views of downtown Fort Worth. The final descent should lead to a fast finish.
The Piccolo follows an easy path through the urban landscape. Riding with our Gran and Medio participants over the first six miles, Piccolo cyclists will reach their turnaround point and rest stop at the eight-mile mark. Here, Piccolo riders can relax and enjoy the festivities before heading toward the finish line.
After taking a break, Piccolo riders can push the pace to the finish on a course that is primarily downhill and flat to the finish line. The ride will include a four-mile stretch through Memorial Oak Park and Dutch Branch Park, where riders will get views of Benbrook Lake and the Fort Worth skyline.
