Queen Zing!

Here I am Flar-tabulously giving my new Queen Zing Kona it's first test ride!!



My evolution into Bellahood is progressing well....soon I'll even have shorts...

Mercy Me Merced!!

Sunday was a Crit in Merced. It was about 45min, 3 90 turns, and a little cha-cane in the middle...no big deal right? Yea, but add the fact that it started raining about 10min into our race...and it was a crash fest...with the prize going to Webcor for everyone of their rider going down, but still managing to get in the break, and take second!!


Here are some shots...click on the X in the corner to see the picture




Here's Niki Wangsgard (sorry Nik I know that's not the right spelling of your last name....I'm an idiot)...I think she's singing in the rain!










So, are you feelin' it? Kinda' slick....



I'm lookin' Hot in my mixed up kit...YUCK!






I have a little mud on my face!










My pathetic final sprint!!

KeleKelebo'Bella'...

Today was my first 'Bella' race...that is, a race as a Velo-Bella-Kona rider! It was in Smelling, I mean Snelling...the course was 5 laps of a open, basically flat circuit w/ a few rollers. We had 7 'Bellas' in the 1/2 field (this is what you call any Velo Bella club/team member..'Bella')...Jane Z, Jen C, Jen Joynt, Monica, Andy, Kele (yea that's me), and Erika. I was impressed w/ the instant cohesiveness of our new team...there were many attacks and counter-attacks...and the 'Bellas' were well represented in the breaks (Jen Chapman, and Jane Zeigler both spent several laps out front). But, in the end it was all together and I botched the sprint...I still need to work on that part.

I felt good and strong in the race. I did eat one of Jen Chapman's home made energy bars (Most parts Peanut Butter, ground oatmeal, sweet stuff, coconut) and got caught w/ a huge chunk of this bar stuffed in my mouth...as some attack went off and there I was drooling Peanut Butter for several minutes...you know when you have too much in your mouth you can hardly chew...yea it was hot! I think I'll try breaking it up into pieces next time!

We had great support from a long time 'Bella' supporter 'Miss Mary' (you'll notice a lot of 'quotes' when referringring to people surrounding this team cause there are many nicknames, as they are a pretty tight group of women...it's great) Apparently she comes to most of the road races in the area to help in feed zones, and has a spread of food set up after the race....It was awesome...and all she asks for in return is for women to come out to support/race cross in the fall...Isn't that incredible!! I stayed with her and Anastasio (her boyfriend) at her mothers' house after the race also!

I'm learning quickly how this team is built on this great foundation of 'community'...the Velo Bella team was created by Sabine Dukes...here in the San Francisco area...because she wanted a cute Kit w/ black shorts...she was tired of the ugliness of cycling kits...viola, the kitty sportin' girlified kits were born, then came the 'Flare' which is the added glitter, sequence, and pink fluff that has become the 'Bella' trademark! (I can't wait to see how Nicole adapts this Flare)...But more deeply, I see that there is this HUGE community of women (and Women ONLY) that are a part of this club (190 racers all over the country)...what a great way to spread the love of cycling! All it takes is buying a Kit (and for all you non cyclist, a Kit is our jersey and shorts, aka 'costumes', 'outfits', 'uniforms', 'spandex', and many other things I cannot repeat...Kit just sounds much cooler..try to remember that one MOM!!).

I am SO sorry I don't have pictures....soon!

Chrissy is hilarious!!

Dude, I just read Chrissy's latest entry and had to poach it...she cracks me up!






me and myself... me was half wheeling myself at this point in the ride. I kept trying to get next to me but I just couldn't do it...

King Kelly!

Sean Kelly was in town last weekend. In addition to that sweet ride, the Bike Expo, and the Bike swap....we went to a Q&A with Sean Kelly.


First we heard some great stories from Davis Finney...who now is fighting Parkinsons and has a foundation to help find a cure..http://www.davisphinneyfoundation.com/

It was exciting to see Sean Kelly. He was very reserved, but patiently answered all our questions. He's a powerful presence. I'm glad to hear he's got a new junior team...we'll have to keep our eyes on them....I can't remember the name sorry!

Oh Sat ridin'

Last Sat was one of those great Pacific NW days!! We went for a great group ride with the Garage boys....wanna see their sweet site?? http://www.garagebilliards.com/racing/









We rode up to this Golf course, and luckily I had my camera! So, I took a few shots!! In the background you see lake washington, and the Seattle skyline...it was a beautiful day!


Later, at the coffee shop, we were invaded by a massive group of recumbant riders...and here is a shot of their fearless leader of the Deathstar...






I honestly think he MADE this bike...and the helmet w/ the night vision goggles...Ironically, we saw him several more times that weekend! He was at the bike Swap the following day. I think he's one of those genius's that is just odd...don't ya think??

It takes all kinds to make the world go around!

Bike Swap 06

My first Bike Swap...where you sell all your old stuff...for NOTHING...so we had to get things ready...







Mike polished up my frame.....









This is/was my first REAL mtn bike...








The saddle had been smashed into garage doors, and car ports about 4xs but, I really liked it anyway....








At the bike swap, amid all our junk, w/ fellow teammate Nathan Smith...









As we put all the price tags on our merchandise, Mike got one too...and it stayed there all day (I crack myself up!)





It was a fun way to get rid of some old stuff! And great practice in Haggeling...

the story behind the patch

Ok, so I was diagnosed w/ a sty (or maybe stie, or Sti...Chrissy what do you think?). Anyway, the treatment for my eye aliment is hot packs...so I rigged this contraption up to keep the hot pack on my eye....that's all....

But it's fun to talk like a pirate!

What say ye, ya scurvy dog??

As ye all can se I be havin' a slight problem wi' me eye. I t might sema like me brain be affected but me apperance has effected me speach.
What I really need be a wee teasure maps an' a ship an' I would be set.

the Murdin Reunion!!

Look who's back!! Just in time for Valentines day!







Welcome home Mike! You were missed!

Rice Pudding

My all time favorite dessert is Mike's mother's home made rice pudding!! And here's a shot of Mike about to enjoy enough for both of us! He was in Sweden for 3 days after working in England for five weeks....as I'm sure you remember me complaining about...

The Grand Finale

Ok, so officially my time was 2:32.30 (time standard 2:34.4) and my 500 was 34.2 (time standard 34.08)...basically I came off the first lap screamin' fast (literally) and then scarred myself so I backed off for the second lap and apparently .12 too much...but I am overall extremely pleased....We also did a standing 500m I rode a 41.98 (not so good, the top US sprinter can do high 30s...like 37-38)...

Yea, so that little LOCAL race...oh my Goddness...the first one was stupid easy...but the second was stupid HARD..we rode behind this electric motor bike...and it was a 160 lap race (that is NOT a miss-print it was one hundred sixty laps)...and basically it was pretty much from 85%-110% the entire race...I got popped x2 (I couldn't hang on) so since it was a 'training' race we were allowed to rest and jump back in...so that's what I did...it was GREAT training (Grace Fleury was a rock star and hung on the motor the entire race)...I've learned this week I need to work on my finesse (high cadence, high speed) because I have gotten this far just on strength..and if I can put strength/finesse together I will do well!





So, at these races we got these sweet, 'So-Pro' helmet covers....don't we look intimidating??




After racing we went to dinner...from Left w/ her tongue out is Haley Bean, then Grace 'the fury' Fluery, Ulrich DeYoung, Alex Welsh (who was in the front group along w/ Colby the entire 160laps), Winston David (has fastest mens 3k time..I think 3:52?? Sorry Winston if that's wrong), and THE ONE AND ONLY Colby Pearce (I'm pretty sure that's the correct spelling)...

I'd like to thank Colby again for running a great camp....he shared so much of his time, knowledge, humor, talent, tactics, and joy of bike racing to all of us, I don't think there is one person here that will NOT continue racing the track! Thanks Colby! And Jim Miller! And Justin Koch for busting his butt this AM and changing his flight plans in order to be able to help...VERY knowledgeable guy, and fun to have around!

Ok, I'm watching speed skating..it's 11pm, I have to be in the lobby at 4:20AM to load the truck...so I should go to bed!

Life is good!

With Grace and Fury

Grace and I both made the 2K qualifying times today. I don't know exact times...we both were 2:32something, but neither made the 500 time.


All the girls put out great efforts, it was so awesome to be able to watch everyone learn so much so fast!

I will give details as I learn them!

Now we have a points and scratch race to attend w/ some locals...we'll see if I have anything left...

Easy Peasy

Today was our off/recovery day...because tomorrow we do a trial run of the flying 2K (women), 3K (men). So we just did one drill of riding the rail (that scary part, and highest) for EVER, I mean 30 min...which felt like forever. Then I tried unsuccessfully to learn how do to a track stand, or ride backwards.


First random picture of us hanging out...I was trying to get a shot of Justin and Autumn (the only ones not wearing cycling kits, just a hint)...our mechanic and sounier for the week...both did fantastic work, with great attitudes...deeply appreciated!! Thanks guys!!






Here is a picture of all the girls taking pictures...WOW!!








Then I lucked out and got to do 3 starts w/ the bike holder thingy..see



Here we have some future super stars..in the front left is Alex Welsh, next to him is Ryan Keels, and sucking their wheel is Winston David (yes, Winston is his FIRST name)...some crazy fast U23 men...keep your eye on them...

And we didn't ride in the afternoon...I tried to update my website...all I think I was successful in is screwing it up...I need to keep reading that Dreamweaver for Dummies book.

I'll let you know how the TTs go tomorrow

Getting STARTed

Today we practiced standing starts x6, after our 20 min super exciting warm up, and ride to the track. As seen here, by the one and ONLY Coly Pierce (hmmm I hope that's how you spell it)

I would like to show you a few of the girls here working on their starts...





First we have Lara Downy







Next we have Haley Bean





Then comes Kathy Sherwin





And then Liza Rachetto





the others (Kathleen Billington, and Grace Fluery) were so fast I couldn't get their picture.






Here's Me starting....no wait, that's just what I think I look like (as in strong, and powerful...not as a MAN)





Here are the boys practicing the Madison....





Later we went on a group ride..This time we split up a little. Our group had a great ride w/ one hard hill, but the day was magnificent, we made it a point to take time to smell the roses (and pee on them)...








We rode by the water again, it's so nice to be in Cali




That night we didn't get home till 5:30...cleaned up, grocery shopping, massage, food, bed!!

Let's fly

Day 2 of Track Camp:

Today we did flying starts...which means you take ~3 laps at the highest (and scariest) part of the track to get up to speed, then come flying down the track to the start line...the idea is that once you cross the start line you are already going Max speed so you don't use any of the actual lap to accelerate.






It was great fun, and tough on the legs.










The boys practiced the Madison...and a few of us girls too





The air in the velodrome is quite dry, in addition to the air quality here...everyone's eyes are really bothering them...Grace though dismissed that theory and said she'd been "Smokin' Reefer in the bathroom"...see



Our afternoon ride was awesome...we rode along the beach..which one? Hmm I think south of Hunington somewhere...it was pretty...






Liza Rachetto saw a golden opportunity to practice holding onto team cars in races, as we passed a local on a motorized skateboard thing, and she grabbed on for a ride...





Then Grace had a flat...perfectly timed at a Starbucks....so we all took the opportunity to sit and relax for a while before returning home






The boys really got pumped about it....







That's all 4 2day...c'ya tomary!!