Carrie Cash-Life and Times of a Female Bike Racer

The Race is ON!!

2010-01-07T22:37:00.001-06:00

http://rollerraceforthecure.blogspot.com/

Rollin' for Charity! Alpine Shop Employees & Elite Cyclists Race 100 Miles Indoors for Charities

2010-01-06T20:45:00.004-06:00

My journey and support for a cure for breast cancer, begins now. I ride 100 miles against Chris Ploch via rollers indoors, this Saturday in honor of all people living with breast cancer, all who have conquered, and the families who have supported along the way.

Joining me? Heckling me? Supporting me?

http://alpineshop.com/rollin_for_charity.html

http://stlrevolution.com/teamrev/bbpress/topic.php?id=1294

More details tomorrow...

Garage Ebay-Saturday 11am-6pm

2009-08-07T17:00:00.004-05:00

Pictures of Bikes to come later tonight....

the Bad ones lead to the Good ones..

2009-08-01T17:37:00.007-05:00

Week 2 I raced Evanston, Whitnall Park RR, Whitnall Park Crit (Podium finish), Kenosha, Racine. All on no clearance from the Doc. (don't tell). I quickly tried to sling myself into the sprint competition.

Okay, short catch up from Superweek.
By the last day I race, with 2 races left in the series, I sat 5th in the sprint competition and only able to take over 4th at most. I opted out of the Humboldt Park Race and prepped my legs for Sundays Chicago Crit offering 7 Grand to the Ladies.
I enjoyed the race at Chicago and took a 5th place to some very talented elite and pro riders.

The race was kept active by scattered attempts to stay away by various riders and a pleasing amount of primes, of which I gave a go at the second one hundred dollars.

Oh....Joelle took it, skating my wheel for the last 275 meters and coming around me at 20 meters.

Sooo, I guess I have some explaining to do about my lack of performance the first day at Elk Grove(16th). The field was small, and we have some good primes. I went for the second, and looking between my legs to see Joelle(Team Kenda-Chicago Crit Winner) sitting pretty. I jumped hard at 200 and took a gamble....can you picture the outcome? Kuddos to her.
I gave it a go for the midrace prime, this time I had news for Joelle, I sat on her...tooo long. I was reactive racing.
At 200 meters I see Kristen Meshberg flying by, and Laura Van Gilder coming off my wheel madly screaming to the line. I say to myself "You bloomin' idiot, what opera song were you listening to in your head at 300 meters....what were you waiting on, your a sprinter, did you see 200 meters?!!"
I covered numerous gaps in the rain. My reluctancy to barrel through the corners in the wet conditions (still thinking of my collarbone crash),cost me precious gas. To top it off, I had changed my saddle for medical reasons and had fine tuned as much as possible yesterday without testing full on 30+min. efforts.

NO GO legs with low saddle. "I can't do it, Cappin'".

I felt great, strong, just not able to peg potential power, just lost contact after all the work.

Tomorrow!!! IS ON!!

Superweek Kicks Off

2009-07-11T10:10:00.003-05:00

Okay,
So I won't be racing but...I WILL be reporting.
So heres a view of the course today...best I can remember from 2 years ago, flat, long straights and long finish.

Should be a dynamic start to the series, 60K, $850 on the line today. 1 hour easy spin will be in order for me today...still mending.

What as the teams keep the break in check to ensure a finale' in the last 2 laps to the line. :) My heartrate just went up 5 beats thinking about it....GAME ON!!!
Updates tonight...race time is 3:35 CST.
Later
Cash

Tulsa Tough Day 3

2009-06-26T08:08:00.004-05:00

Keep Pushing On!!
I awake after a long slumber full of careful tossing a turning. Up and at'em!!! I slowly change my clothes with a little help from my peeps, and off to Mickey D's I go to fetch some chow for the troops. Going into today, I had put no expectations upon myself to race, however, I needed to make sure my mental game was still in tact.
After everyone's breakfast was delivered, I decided to mount up to see what was in store for me today...trainer ride or the road(via Riverside crit).
I walk my bike to the elevator, down and out the revolving doors and mount up. "Not to bad", I thought. Just have to remember to keep my left elbow closer to my ribcage to lessen the pain twinge.

I roll over to the course. I know the course pretty well in terms of what it takes to stay hooked with the main group. It was going to be a tough feat, but I gave the course a couple of ride bys. The course had a short sharp pitch up turn one with a continued false flat and rollers to the steep downhill into the last turn.
The body felt great, the collarbone was "holding"(in hind sight, only muscle), and I kicked it the second time up the hill to see what it felt like.
This was a go...just remember to not jack your arm out too far to the side while torquing on the climb.

We would all line up and away we would go. I would match the pace for the first few times around the course, then...
As crash on the uphill would create a gap and I would need a big effort to reattach to the group I belonged to. I couldn't give it at the time. I would find a small group that I would motor with and finish my effort around 32 minutes into the crit.

I do not promote anyone riding on a broken collarbone, much less racing on one.
So, do as I say, not as I do.

On to surgery, a plate and 5 screws...and 6 weeks of recovery.
Patience is a virtue.

Healing well, however, and will return hungrier than before.

Tulsa Tough

2009-06-26T08:08:00.000-05:00

The Toughest Day I've Ever Had

2009-06-17T20:24:00.007-05:00

Day 2 of Tulsa Tough had historically been a great day for me, with results always in top 10. I felt great about the day and was ready to rumble. I had no idea what that would eventually mean.
Chris and I would roll out to warm up, on what would be a very steamy and hot, humid day.http://www.teamrevcycling.org/
We would revisit the same stretch of road that we pounded in preparation to yesterdays race.
Fast Forward to 5 minutes before game time. We all wait patiently crammed up against the barricades to enter the course at the finish line. After all is said and done, I find myself on the left (inside) and in the rear of the start. yay!!!
Off we go...2-3 laps would go by pretty uneventful. It seemed as if we had all agreed to slowly acclimate to the heat and sort out our positions in the near future laps.
This is what is sooo mind boggling. I patiently move my way up and some 10 minutes find myself comfortably among the players that I wanted to keep my eye on. As we round the course one more time at around the 11-12 minute mark we hit turn 6 heading to the finish line. Just as we run under the start/finish banner at approx. 25 or 26, fanned out across the road, I had decided some 4-5 seconds earlier to take a clean path up the right along the barricade and found a nice spot with clean road ahead of me, so I could filter in around the top 12 or so, that oh so familiar sound of a nearby oops came across the air waves to my left ear.

Another black and red bike comes dominoing in front of me. I knew that there was no way out of this one today. I would be running over her rear wheel. I lift a slight bit and start, WHAM, a snag, I am launched forward, hit the pavement on my left shoulder and slide some 6 feet, my wheel ends up in the barrier and my Zipp blows, it sounds like a gun shot. Not sure if the combo of running over her wheel and a possible rear end aided in my propulsion, but this was one time that I had no time to think.

"What the World?", I thought. OUCH. A big bump and like someone was holding a large heavy object on my left shoulder/collarbone. I tried lifting my arm, ohhh, that didn't feel pleasant. As the race was neutralized, with over 25 people affected, I roll my bike to Jose in the SRAM tent and proceed to be a bit out of it. I had hurt my pinkie finger on my right hand, and had some road rash, but I was trying to focus on my thoughts and ability of covering attacks, and sprinting.

"How do I feel? Your okay, just a bit dazed and your heartrate just needs to come down", "No, what if it's not okay?" "Go to the med tent", "No, your tough, walk it off", "Okay, I think I have to go just get an opinion, what will it hurt...I have 5-10 minutes before we restart."

As you can see, I desperately wanted to be okay, but I knew I wasn't, but I wouldn't totally admit it. At the med tent I would find a fellow racer, Monique Hanley(Team Type 1), with a collar on, and being cared for with caution. I was worried for her. I asked them to look at my shoulder to see what they thought. Jamie and Teresa were awesome, as they ran to the van to get me a blanket so I could lay down. I felt nauseous, then it hurt like I cannot explain, then I would go through the same dialog over and over again.

The EMT would look at my collarbone, feel my back..."Your not broken". I could move my arm up over my head, to my side etc. etc. but, I could not move it across my body without being in excruciating pain. As the tent was visited by two other fellow riders, I would surrender my promising day, and hope that I would be better tomorrow.

With some Ibuprofen, and a good adult beverage, I would mask the pain...at least until tomorrow.

Thanks also to The Sound Pony for great Libations!!!

We shall see what is in store for me tomorrow.

Tougher Times after Tulsa

2009-06-16T10:10:00.005-05:00

Maybe I have been saving it up to write, however, as I have waited, my attitude has been here, there, and everywhere. As a racer, I yo-yo, fight, defeat, and reason with the voices in my head. Positive self-talk replaces Negative self-thought.
Tulsa Tough was our destination on May 29th. We set out in our handy dandy Suzybaru, and picked up our fellow bike racer friend Ben along the way. In dire need of coffee, or else someones head was going to be torn off...we grabbed the nearest Starbucks...whew, that was close.
Boogie, we did. 75-80 all the way with a slight crosswind, some drafting and a little friendly vehicle speed banter, we roll into Joplin for a little "detour" and some MO's Southwest Grill. Yeah Buddy...good pre-race love.

As we pull into our hotel in Tulsa, we say hello to LVG and Rebecca Larson, who are enjoying a wonderful "cup of tea" (nice English accent here) on the parkbench outside the hotel. Unload, chill and then head to the course. Oh the Blue Dome Crit feeling. The crowd, the dusk, the speed. This would be my third year, one year with rain, one year with dim lighting, and this year, which would bring warmer temps, and a full NRC boat.
Teresa and Jamie would be joining us later in the evening, after their later departure.
Ben would race before us, as we warmed up on the nice road North of the course.

Game Time? You betcha...We all stand at 50 meters from the line, like a retaining wall on each side of the flat stretch. Michelle Jensen would graciously offer me a good chunk of ice that I put in my sports bra to keep me cool(this chunk would be a small pebble at the end of the race).

We roll up to the start, I find myself in the thirdish row and on the high side of the first turn. No worries. I jet off the line and drilled it to the first 15. There would be early attempts for breaks, but nothing was making it. No one team tried to dominate, or should I say, actually accomplished, staying away. The pace was some 1-1.5 mph avg slower than I had been used to in the USA Crit Series we had done just a few short weeks prior. Add this to a 30% increase in field size and welll.....you get some carnage. One, Two, then yes three crashes that I knew of. the first was behind me. The second was in the last turn, where Virginia (Vanderkitten) acquired a broken collarbone and 2 broken ribs. The last and I am not sure what happened, or who was hurt, was just before the 5th turn at the figure 8, I hear metal on metal to my left, and easily start oozing to the right, then BAM, I see red and black back coming up at me and fast. It was like I was the Kung Fu Panda, I say the spokes, the wheels, all in slow motion, but moving very fast. The left(front wheel) just as I would have tagged i, turned. I poked my bars forward in the smallest whole to daylight and off I went. I couldn't believe this. With 3 to go, we head toward turn 7 and the pace slows incredibly all of the sudden. LVG and I are stacked on each other on the inside of the turn, and I say ever so softly, "come on girls, let's go", while LVG says "This is so uncool". We make it through, but the pace yo-yo is so disturbiing. With 2 to go, I motor and away we go. I find my spot..7th hole, in the last 1/3rd of that lap. Not sure what happened at turn 4 to 5, of the last lap, but I knew I was in trouble. I had been pushed out and had to dig. I found Tiffany Pezzulo (Dft P/b Treads), wheel and held tight. The last turn was smooth, but not as fast as I would have liked it. Shannon Koch, came high and then faded left across me....no worries, I say...I hit the accelerator to make up as much time as possible. Whew...Okay, I would take 13th. I should have put the pedal to the metal 2 turns earlier, but hindsight is just "ass"anine!!!

Day 2---Brady District to come...this is a good one!!!

Renovation

2009-06-08T15:50:00.004-05:00

Hey all...I will be updating everyone on my last couple of weeks happenings during my time of:
"Renovation" and "Restoration".

Got to remember to practice my bunny hopping technique. I was a little rusty.
:)

Quad Cities Recap

2009-05-26T21:51:00.007-05:00

Photo by John Greenwood

Even Iowa knows how to report a good thing when they see one.
I take a look back into the weekend with a huge smile. The company of racers was solid and talent was well represented among the teams present.
After the snake had reared its ugly head at all of us, the tired legs showed slightly at Weed Park for the second day of racing. With lap one of the Muscatine race, we saw the attacks start. Up the hill, Amanda Miller(LipSmackers) would test the water to see who was willing to play. We gave her a bit of air, but knew she had to come home. Meredith Miller(Tibco) would soon echo the attempt, and four of us would fall in line to try to set up a charge off the front. Into the chicane, I would find my wheel upseat and roll my tire off the rim about a quarter of an inch, which would send my crank arm flying around and tagging the ground like a tripod.

Popping back under me, I would save it and round the turn some bike length off where I had started. Riding on a lump, I knew this was a bad sign. I reached down to feel the surface of my tire and knew it would not last. 'Round the first turn, down the hill, I stood and quickly sat with care, over the speed bump....10 pedal strokes(approx.) up the hill...BAM!!!! Like a gunshot. Blown.

I would ride the rest of the hill on a flat and change the wheel at the top-NO FREE LAPS.

First year in a few that I would not stand on the podium at this race.
On to tomorrow...

Monday, cage match. Quad Cities Criterium.
Right from the start, harsh winds, attacks, break attempts, shattered legs, sprinters shed....I found myself trying everything I could to make a second attempt after losing contact with the move.
Kristen Wentworth would find me isolated and attack into turn 7 with one rider in tow.
At second wheel some 20 yards to the left, I would set up for what would certainly be a field sprint for 10th.
Chris would find her way to the front and drill the last 2/3rds of the last lap with me in tow. Into turn 7 I would go, jumping off her wheel into the last turn toward home. This was my gig, I just missed the boat some 10 laps earlier.

All in all, What a weekend!!!!
Great Racing by All!!
Now on to the Tulsa Tough.

Snake Alley Bites

2009-05-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

One year later I had forgotten how the feeling I get halfway through the power climbing challenge. Apparently I have not been doing enough mountain biking :) With a front row seat, I got to see Amanda Miller(Lipsmackers)bust it off the line like a rocket to the moon. I quickly hit it and went second wheel, some 3-4 bike lengths away from her. We went hard and fast up the climb....over the top...down, down, down. Going into lap 2, I had now drifted some 40 meters(ish) behind Amanda and joiners were on the hunt.
Lap 3 yanked me backwards as a group of riders engulfed me across the 2 & 3rd switchback. I stayed steady and tried to organize with Catherine Walberg(Kenda)and Toni Bradshaw(Lip Smackers). Soon, Aldefer rider Bri Kovac would be upon my wheel and challenging the last 3-4 money spots. We yo-yo'd back and forth up the climb for 2 laps. With 3 to go, Bri hit it on the last switchback, I thought..."okay, catch her on the last climb", however, the lap card would turn to 1 to go, as Amanda would lap the field and see us finish on the same lap. I did not have enough real estate left to catch 10th hole. I found Kristen Meshberg(Team BH) on the last lap she placed herself nicely on my wheel for the last 2 turns. I challenged the line and we ate up two riders on the way. Fun stuff!!! Kuddos to all the gals in the main group pounding the pavement up the road!!!

I have left out how this race actually feels. The next time you are at a football field or a high school that has a large stair run...stand at the bottom and say GO!!!
Now sprint to the top and then run around for 45 seconds at a very uncomforable pace and then sprint up the stairs again!!! Nice!!

Congratulations to Amanda. What an athlete and standup individual!!!

Weed Park..Sunday 12:15

So Non-Pro

2009-05-21T22:49:00.000-05:00

As I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I thought I would put a few short words to the screen.
Okay, so I have been thinking about how cool it would be to be a paid Pro. Well, I can't actually imagine because I am soooo Non Pro...
Chris told me just recently on our trip to Speedweek that you know you are Non-Pro when you find it weird to be racing for 5 grand on a WEEKDAY, or your hands are still stained from cleaning your bike last night.

Other things came to mind as we made our journey across 3 states.
First thought 1) Massages are great..
so let me share with you a little bit of our pre-race preparation.

More Non-Pro content later..and the reason you see us at the laundry mat.

Sucking It Up

2009-05-11T21:34:00.000-05:00

It has been six days since my last blog...I know, how lame!!!

After returning home from some great racing in the southern states, I jump right back into the fire of our local scene. Not to race with the gals, not to race with the 3's, but to put both feet into the Men's 1/2 race on a slightly-hilly, challenging course. Well, only one single part of the freakin' course was sapping, but the rest just shear strung out power. I apparently hadn't been up enough days in a row to be as strung out and tweaked on the flat, after the climbs as these boys. I found myself working on my TT and threshold intervals after a quarter of the race.

Let me confess that I am a tough love individual and feel as if you quit, you might as well have stayed on the grassy hillside and planted your ass in a lawn chair for a spectator's view. You start hard and you finish the effort unless told otherwise. You teach yourself to suffer as long as possible for the reason at hand. My reason after the quarter mark, was to sustain and teach myself that...."it would have been better if you could have stayed on, now work on it!!! More less...'drop and give me 20...20 more laps up the finishing climb!!!'. I cussed my coach when I squeaked off the back of the mens field. I had sat comfortably in the top ten while I was aboard, however, well....I ...I just didn't stay. I said "what the $#@*?? I could have done the men's 3's and done well....what is this going to do for me....

Well, the truth is that this is what it takes.

When we start as a beginner, riding with individuals that are far superior to our ability, who push our tolerance, is what drives our performance and our fitness to the next level. I would train with confidence, with pride, with dedication, as I swam in the deep end with the big boys.
I would pay my dues with no concellation, much the same way as my friends of the Cat. 4's race do each and every time they enter a race.

Sucking It Up is what paying your dues is all about. No quitting, no whining, no regrets...only the next level in sight.
I have ridden to my potential at each stop along the way and I will face each challenge that lies before me on my final 200 meters toward a winning future.
To each and every one of the people who have influenced me, coached me, mentored me, or just plain PUT UP WITH me....I thank you. You are what every one needs to be successful. Everything else lies between the two temples. Believing and learning to challenge one's mind is the toughest training I have ever done and continue to do.

'til tomorrow....

Team Type 1

2009-05-05T15:08:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone!!! I can't believe I forgot to mention TT1 in my below blog. Kori Seehafer took the crit hands down on Sunday. The team displayed great tenacity all week. Jen McRae revisited the series on the weekend to help round out the gunshow on the front end.
Anywho....A very bad oversight on my part. I do apologize TT1.

Home, Home on the Range...

2009-05-05T09:29:00.000-05:00

So I finally have made it home to DEFINITE internet. Typing a blog on my iPhone is no small task and I do apologize for the delay, for those of you who take the time to read my blurps.
Whoa...I just realized that I need to recap 3 crits in a matter of a few short paragraphs. Crit #5, stop Spartanburg, SC...I took 13th. The course was fun, fast, windy, and a shrapnel fest for the first half. Julie would present herself off the front for a prime and a break attempt with 3 other riders. The last turn found me blocked in by 2 riders and I remained poised for the door to open and it did.....boom, free and clear for the sprint. I knew that that break attempt early on with Tibco was not going to treat me well. Prime, Prime, Prime...every other lap...All in all a really fun race....Mellow Mushroom hear we come.

Crit#6- A day drive to Anniston, Alabama(Thank you Chris for driving...you Rock!!). A travel day. A quick spin on the rollers upon our arrival and a Subway sandwich, led me to my daily nap. The library found us on a short couch, hunched over each arm for a short cat nap. Up and at'em!!! Race time is approaching. Warm up and GO!!! A break was determined to stay today and chase was the game...with an uphill finish and a downhill backside, the race had relentless primes, and a fantastic 25mph avg. The break finally came back as Colovita had slain themselves to ensure LVG would not go up the road. Tina would take her chances at the line. A slight jump of a rear wheel by Miller would be a close call and a photo finish at the line....Tina Pic(Colavita/Sutter Home) would hold Laura Van Gilder(Mellow Mushroom) off to take 2nd. Brooke Miller(Tibco) with another win. Me??? Whew...I humped it and missed the front end of the train going through the last corner, but made up some ground in the last 200 meters to hold out a money hole of 19th. Back to Atlanta we drive.

Crit#7-Final Day...the best and toughest course yet. Lots of turns, speed, and a final right hand turn taking you up the dragstrip. I think the final turn was barely 200 meters if that. The race was to the last turn.
You could tell that everyone was feeling the 6 races and 2 travel days in their legs.
The teams were representing what would be their fighting line. Some larger(Tibco), some smaller(Colavita), as the week went. Vanderkitten had been clawing toward the team podium ever since their race in Beaufort. I knew that there would be break attempts today, however, the pace was slower than the previous day, only 23 ish. The pack did split and we found ourselves with 5 to go, 4 to go, 3 to go....Giddy UP!!! The race was thinning out. With one lap to go...I was surely in redline territory..."Suck it up...It's Gametime" I told myself. Bumping, people's frustrations at the high pace and their position into the turns...
I would find myself hauling ass into the last 2 turns and beating the pavement uphill for a 12th place finish. The last turn would take Meredith Miller(Tibco) down as she faded from her leadout as an Altarum rider with her head down, would run smack dab into her...OUCH!

Overall....Sad that I am home, happy that I am home, glad to be healthy, had a blast with all the girls racing. Kuddos to Colavita for the tremendous effort each and everyone of the girls displayed this past week, day in and day out! Full respect for their abilities, sportsmanship, and all in all, humble and positive, professional attitudes!!!

It was fun racing with Vanderkitten and I appreciate the ability for them to ride at the front, covering and attacking to gather as much moss during the race as possible.

Tibco has shown to be a strong force with great organization. Strength in numbers and numbers with strength=solid, predictable, consistant, results.

As squads start to gel and dynamics improve, I believe Tibco will be looking at more great competition in the near future.

Let's Get it ON!!! Good Job to everyone at the Gila!!! Good luck at Joe Martin.

As for me....back to the training. 'Oh What a beautiful feeling.....'

Out
Cash
Photos and videos to follow.

My Apologies

2009-05-02T23:10:00.000-05:00

I am behind, however, we have arrived at our hotel at midnight and I promise, now that we have Internet to catch you up on the last 2 days, tomorrow.
Later

Catching Up

2009-04-30T17:45:00.001-05:00

I would love to post more photos of us and the race, but there is not a photographer here really covering that area. All I have for you now are screen shots of results & prep. Here in Spartanburg, SC after our 3 hour drive, a spin and course preview, and some early dinner. I am really sleepy and tired. I could easily close my eyes and take a nap, but I will fill you in on the happenings up to this point.
We are quietly nestled into our host housing and finally have web access so I can update you.

Last nights race was really smooth and fast.
We averaged 25.1 mph, a total of 23.7 miles, 56.32 minutes, and I had a max of 32.8.
I felt great and was looking to go with a break about 1/3 of the way through the race, however, I think Vanderkitten was not represented and we quickly came back. Up to the halfway point there were consistent attacks by TT1, Vanderkitten, Jittery Joes, and Tibco. Colovita would try to preserve their crew by covering and setting up for the sprint.

A finishing stretch crash found Tina Pic on the ground around 1/2 way through the race. No apparent reason other than the touching of wheels, she would return to take 2nd. Primes were plentiful and I just sat on my heels thinking that I had the finish to look forward to.
With 3 to go, TT1 animated the pack and quickly sent a rider off the front. She would be reeled in and away we would go...for 2 more laps.

Let me tell you a little about the course. You start and some 25 meters you bank a left, then a right and into the first real right hand turn. For half a block you motor, in or out of saddle, depending on where you were in the pack. You then hang an open bank to the right and it opens up to an approx. 3 block street that we ripped at 27-30 mph into a right hand constricted turn. Much like an alleyway, it was sprint out of that corner and wait to see who slams on their brakes at the last turn. The best possible position was no further back than 6th or 7th hole. The last turn came at you like a sneeze and the barriers broke your speed if you found someone pushing you to the outside. Out of the last turn was always out of the saddle effort.

So...3 laps to go..the calm before the storm. With 2 laps to go it seemed as if the teams were organizing. Tibco had set their sites on the front end and the pace hit the fan..I had missed the necessary moved this lap to put myself in the fire and play with the speed on the front end and the two last turns.

Okay...I HAVE guts and nerve, but for once, I think I choked. It took me a split second to think twice about it and guess what, I didn't have to worry about it because my ass was on fire trying to make up ground after a pinched corner. "Now Carrie", I say to myself, "why are you here when you know you belong up there?" No wonder you are hoofing it for the last 2 turns. With no recourse, I hit the last two turns with all I could, in the position I was in, from there. 21st.
Hmmm, pull it out? Yeah. What I thought.

It takes longer to catch up from behind than it does to think about making others catch up. I am catching up on all this from the inside out perspective.
All in all, I felt great, held great position the whole race and would love a rematch.

Who's that Spartan in my TeePee?

Don't Stop..Get It, Get It.

2009-04-29T07:59:00.000-05:00

We parked next to a cute little bed and breakfast at the corner of Canton and Newstead in Beaufort, SC. As we are getting our bikes unloaded and gear on, a lady leans over the railing and comments on our saddles and then the conversation of the race begins.
We love it when we get the chance to educate the community about the sport we love so much.

The little town was being transformed into a fast and furious little crit course

in the matter of a half hour. The Swagger crew does their job and they do it well. Thanks to all the hands and to Ashley for making for such a great venue.

I climb aboard my trusty CAT, okay so this one, to go retrieve my number from registration and a new Rudy helmet that Colovita would be kind enough to give me to protect my noggin. Thank you Iona and girls. The fact that you cared not only to notice, but to also offer a solution. Indeed my Bell Sweep was looking a little weather beaten in the back, from the hours of bag travel.

The Race...yes, yes...It was a crap shoot to the first turn, sprint and stay hooked. Small, bottle necked, left turn into a alley sized street, 2 blocks long. Out of the saddle and strung out from the very first turn, I beared down for a what would be a very active and brisk race. The race averaged 24.3 for 1:11 minutes and 28.92 miles. My max was only 31.8, which would explain my placing or the fact that I lost the mid race prime to Laura Van Gilder.
I have to hand it to Laura, alone and on the defensive at all times, she definitely sticks her neck out there to keep it real.

Early attack attempts by Laura Bowles(Vanderkitten), Melissa Sanborn(Vanderkitten) Jennifer Rassmussen(LifeSport) and Nicki Waansgard(Colovita) eventually would come back. I only thought to myself once about going with Jen and Nicki, but felt sitting sheltered and motoring was a better plan for these legs today.

As we neared the final 3 laps I jocked for my last position to hold. 2 laps to go...a quick brush between Melissa Sandborn(Vanderkitten) and Rebecca Larson(Jittery Joes), I held spot. One lap to go and I buried my sites on noone passing for the 3/4 of the lap left until the 200 meter finish. The line, the line!!! I jumped off of the few ahead of me and found to my right a very tall, Altarum racer that was closing the hole that I was headed toward. I regrouped and made my last jump. I made up a couple of spots and thrilled to poke myself into the top ten.

The dynamics that were shown by Vanderkitten and TT1 were amazing, however, I have to say, it is a pleasure to see the strategy and execution of "game" demonstrated by Colovita/Sutter Home for the win.

Our hosts, The Flemings, were the fantastic Team Supporters for the fast race. Thank you for cheering and the wonderful shrimp and chicken pesto pasta for dinner. We enjoyed sharing a piece of our world and hearing about yours.

We hope to have more photos to post, but the photographers were hiding I think.
In the car and on to Walterboro...

Roswell Redemption

2009-04-27T09:08:00.001-05:00

So I missed my big break...or THE break. However, the race was smooth (only 2 crashes, one of which impeded both other Team Rev riders). Averaging 25mph, the primes were plentiful and the action consistent. Once the break was established the field settled in for a few laps to gather their thoughts. I maintained position at around 6-10th hole, keeping my eye on the accelerations and counter attempts. With Tibco, Colovita, and TT1 all represented in the break, any attacks were quickly shut down.
I hear the announcer(Dave Towle)....or did I?...
"$200 prime on the next lap"
As I crossed the line ahead of the pack, for what I thought was a nice stipend to the day, I hear him say something garbled about a prime on the next lap....."are you kidding?, I am off the front, just went for a prime that really wasn't there and now they shout out the correct lap" All of this my fault I know, but nonetheless frustrating.

The dynamic of the race was great and fun to catch how well the Tibco and Colovita squads maneuver for positioning. Somewhat like a nice game of NASCAR. In and out at will, up and back...attack, attack. Team Type 1 delivered great prescence in both the break(Jen McRae and Kori Seehaefer) and the pack.

With 4 laps to go, I ready myself for the final effort of the day. The work at hand. Somewhere between 3 and 2 laps to go...I have a bit of a flurry and miss my move up. Going into turn 3 on the last lap, I shoot up the right side and tag onto the lead 10 riders. The last turn opens up and the 300 meters to the slightly downhill finish is upon me...I jump and take 10th in the field sprint. Not stellar, but I will take 19th today with a smile. I rode well to stay atop of all the mess and came out with a little cash to boot.
For an old lady with 2 kids(Gavin & Aubrey),
a parttime day job, and a passion for racing, I am happy to be here and enjoying some great racing with my teammate and companion, Chris Roettger.

Athen Twilight--Giddy Up!

2009-04-26T11:34:00.000-05:00

So the "real" season starts off, not like a gunshot, but more like a cannon.
Last nights race was a real humbling experience for me. I have raced with these girls, against these teams, etc. etc. this past year and held my own and mixed it up at times, but...I just didn't have the mustard that was necessary at the defining moment.

The image does not contain me....bt shows the grit on everyones faces.
It all began with position, position, position. From staging, to call ups, and the to the starting airhorn. As we jetted off the line, a pinch of a Kenda rider was just to my front, and I know it cost me some 10 spots at least into the first corner, when I was already looking at some needed ground to make up from where I started.

Strung out, sprints on the backstretch hill and the finish side hill, my Aerocat and I dug and put ourselves in the moment. The corners were not my problem, only the constant interval, after interval sprinting up the backside hill. I eventually eased off the back when Jenn "JennX" Reither (Vanderkitten) slipped from my grasp and I was on the defensive thereafter.

I eventually was joined by a 3 other riders to try to close the gap. at 28 minutes, I could feel the follow moto breathing down our necks.

He would eventually retire me from the race. Sometimes you have a bad day...between Pollen and temp changes...I will take away that I gave it what I had and came up short.
Next stop....