This
quarter we pay tribute to the one and only Trail Angel
legend, Anna
"Ethel" Flowers.
Here's
what her adoring fans have to say:
I
am so glad that you have chosen Anna as the Trail Angel
of the Month! I first met her
when she led the first of the ‘come and smell the cactus
rides’ on Sunday mornings at Whiting's Ranch. She was
so welcoming, friendly and funny and one of those people
that after just a short time of knowing her, you feel like
you have
known her forever! Her encouragement and advice give me such
confidence and I have improved 100% since riding with her.
I
wanted to send you a couple of photos taken a few weeks ago.
Anna got a
new pair of shoes and the cleats were a bit
tight. She was cycling up the last nasty bit of Mustard and
needed to stop but couldn’t get her feet out quick enough
and the inevitable happened!! Unfortunately I was not ready
with my camera at that precise moment but she was gracious
enough to re-enact the scene so I could record the event for
prosperity! The other picture is of Gima and myself with Anna – all
three Sunday morning regulars. I am certain there will be a
lot more when the weather starts to behave! Kind regards and thank you so much for the Trail Angels.
Nicky Down
P.S.
Anna has also become quite the hussy on the trails too, inviting
innocent
male passers by to look at her shoes whilst
bending toward them in a loose fitting top – ha, ha,
Actually, she was totally horrified when she realized!!
Back
to top
Anna
Bo Banna Be By Banana - ANNA!
Anna...
the jack of all trades, the one you want on your ride, and
one of the hardest working angels I know! If you need help...
ask Anna. If you need something
to get done and want it done right... ask Anna. And if you want to have endless
fun... invite Anna! Anna amazes us with her hard working energy, her mischievous
jokes, and her priceless honesty. This woman has guts! And she keeps us all
smiling. Her philosophy on life is right on, so... stop and
smell the cactus and join
Anna whenever you get a chance!
God
bless you, Anna! And if I ever get my bottom in gear, we'll
even go out and take some pictures!
Love
and Kisses - JODY
Back
to top
 I
remember about 3 years ago, I did the Thanksgiving ride
up to Main Divide with some
other Trail Angels. Other than trying to run interference
and stop traffic (it didn't work) for Karen so she could take
care of something we can't mention here, my other poignant
memory was that of Anna. What
a trooper, that's all I can say. Poor thing--she had
bike trouble and tire trouble and had to stop numerous times. As
we were heading back down from Main Divide we saw Anna, still
riding uphill, with this look of frustration on her face, but
still smiling, with a tube wrapped around her neck like a lei. (I
know someone (Jacke?) has that picture of her.) We invited
her to ride down with us, we made sure to stay with her in
case she had more technical difficulty. She got the "I'm
a trooper" award that day. 
The
other thing I enjoy about Anna is her crazy sense of humor.
For the
spoof "Trail Temptation" photo shoot, she went in
late to work that day so she could be part of the picture. She
showed cleavage and wore pink socks and stiletto high heels
which only added to the trashiness of the photo. She's
a kick in the pants and she adds yet another element of craziness
to this already-crazy group of girls! We love you,
Anna!
Yeeha Nancy
Back
to top
Anna,
You
have no idea that you were guided from our Lord the day you
met Tania Provost. I was praying for a few months, Lord is
there any way to meet more women out
there that likes to Mountain Bike Ride plus teach Mountain Bike Riding. (Oh
Boy, I had no idea how many women riders were being put together.)
He
had you in MIND to connect with Tania to ME. You have been
so very kind
with your cute Virginia accent. I always think of you when
we are coasting through Whiting and I can hear you sing
the Mr. Rogers songs.
Joy
that flows through you because you are out there. You carry
alot on
your plate as a mother, wife, daughter and all that you were
made to be.
Continue to ride out there on the trails and singing
through the neighborhoods.
You are much appreciated in all that you do. Because
of YOU I have friends in
the Trail Angels. Keep posting those rides! I'd be out there with you
but my church doesn't have Saturday service.
Your
Trail Angel Friend, Maribel
:))))))
Back
to top
 Anna I will never forget the first ride
we had together. It was only the second ride I had taken with
the Trail Angels and I was still very aprehensive. When you
came rolling up I knew that we would be fast friends.
Your
sense of humor and terrific way of looking at the world makes
everyone want to be with you. I laughed so hard that
first ride, we got stuck in all that sand down in Tijeras
Creek. You accused the seasoned riders of killing off the new
ladies
and swore you'd never be worthy of a TA jersey.
Well,
Anna, you help us all to remember that we need to"slow down and smell
the cactus." You have been such a great leader in this group. So many
of the ladies have rediscovered their inner child when they join one of your
rides.
 I
know you are wondering why I am being so nice..... Well,
are you ready
for the other shoe to fall???? Here it comes....
because of you we all know that
chamois butter has two uses and when we're done changing a flat tire we are
supposed to just hang the blown tube
around our necks for the rest of the ride. And if
we want to scare away the mountain lions we should sing, "It's a Beautiful
Day In the Neighborhood" at the top of our lungs, (in the wrong key of course!)
We have had some wild times together. I've pulled you out of cactu.
You've saved my life by noticing my wheel wasn't locked in before heading down
the single track at WOW. We've even fought of a "One-eyed, one-clawed
polar bear. Anna I love you and you will always be the Ethel to my Lucy.
Your Friend,
Deanna
Back
to top
I first met Anna on a ride
through Whiting Ranch. I will never forget the impression her
beautiful spirit left upon my heart.
Later she joined a women's
small group hosted in my home. We discovered yet another
gift the Lord gives us and the power
of praying for our husbands.
Anna takes her responsibility as a mother and
wife very seriously yet she finds time to humble herself before
our Father in Heaven.
She stepped out of her own comfort zone and hosted a small
group at her home through Saddleback Church and the Peace
Program. She
continues to step up to the plate as a humble servent and
lead the Sunday "Smell the Cactus Ride" I
couldn't think of a more perfect fit for the job.
Anna, your warm giving spirit and gift of laughter will always
make you a strong leader and one I choose to follow ..... Just
maybe not so close when you show up in high heels, bright red
lipstick and that foo foo scarf wrapped around your neck.
Keep it clean girlfriend,
Love
Ched
Back
to top
Who
doesn't love Anna Flowers? She is my ride buddy most times
and I am always thankful when she shows up. She has so much
energy and is always fun. But, the best part, is when Anna
sings, "It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood." Congratulations
to the new Trail Angel of the month!
Marla
Back
to top
 My fondest memory of Anna:
Last
summer I was teaching a downhill clinic at Women's Only Weekend
(WOW) and had the wonderful blessing in having a few of the
Trail Angels join the morning class. I've ridden with these
women for years and knew their riding abilities were awesome
and really didn't think there was much to be improved upon.
Anna, being the class clown that she is, joined us for the
sheer entertainment factor that was involved. It's all about
the fun, Eh? Well she was the entertainment. She soon threw
away any fear that she had to mentally deal with and rode the
toughest terrain imaginable. Her riding went from good to amazing.
Not just noticed by her instructors but by all who were there.
She was even riding stuff that her teachers were dabbing on.
This amazing transformation, along with her boisterous personality,
earned her the name of "THE DOWNHILL DIVA." So, at
the end of the day, she gained the most coveted and highly
sought after award and proudly adorned the crown (or boa) for
all to admire. I also have to add that on that day I gained
such immeasurable respect for this Beautiful Angel.
Thank you Anna for your inspiration.
Love,
Insane Elaine
Back
to top
Anna—
You
will always be the greatest flashlight tag partner!! I vow
to always
protect you from …THE ONE EYED, ONE CLAWED,
DRUNK, POLAR BEAR.
You have such a great perspective on life. Thanks for helping
me to slow down, talking and smelling the flowers when we ride. I
love how you “say things as it is” and
I always know where things stand with you. I admire all the
different
hats that you wear in your life, and how you face your challenges
with an optimistic attitude, looking at the bright side of
things.
You are an awesome lady and I am so blessed to know you.
Congratulations!
Kristen
Davis
Back
to top
 When
I first met Anna, I immediately took to her optimistic personality
and love for life! She started
filled the trails at O’Neil with her contagious laughter
and we talked about a family recipe from back east…have
you ever heard of Pepperoni Rolls?
Anna’s love for mountain biking continued even after
a fall on Modjeska that I still never hear the end of because
I couldn’t hear her yelling for help! She suggested that
maybe it was better for her to take up bowling that it was
much safer!
Well,
after many encouraging her that she was destined to be a
mountain biker,
her leadership skills kicked in and she
was inspired to lead groups on the weekend. One ride being
the
“Get
Your Bottom Out of Bed” ride and now the“Stop
and Smell the Cactus” ride on Sundays.
Thank you Anna for being an inspiration to our group, a bright
light and friend to us all! May God bless you and use you in
a mighty way in all you do even if you ever resort to becoming
a champion bowler!
Love You,
Jacke
Back
to top
 Who
doesn’t
love Anna Flowers? She is a fun loving person who is always
willing to try her best! I have known Anna for sometime now
and even though we don’t have the chance to ride often,
but when we do, it is always an adventure. She has a kind heart
and is there to help those new riders. She will always be a
special angel to all of us.
Xoxox,
Laura
Back
to top
 There
are soooo many memories, how does anyone pick just one??? I think
I will have to pick WOW 2002 as there were so many fun moments.
A weekend away from home, with a pack of friends, does it
get
any better? Every
time I see you in your "new" bike clothes I am truly blessed!!!
Nancy
|
