Sunsets are beautiful!

Today...actually yesterday... was the Sunset RR (circuit race more like it 9 stupid laps)...it's a tough course..but it's surviving the first lap that makes all the difference...and what do ya know...I was in a small group by the top of the first climb after Amber Neben attacked...hmmm, this feels familiar (last year Ina attacked, w/ the same result, a completely shreaded feild).

The difference for me is this is the 4th time I've experienced this certain pain...and I know how hard it is mentally to see no one around you, and feel like your race is over after 10min....so I kept the hammer down and got on my horse....not literally...then on like the 2nd lap Michelle Beltran (who I think was a Pitbull in her former life...I say that because she NEVER gives up, and I mean that in a very positive way...although I complained during the race cause she made me suffer...) comes flying up and pulled us up the climb, and I pulled us down...till we caught the next group of ~8 on the 4th lap....then I got a breather for a while...blaa blaaa we ended up being the last group to make the race, yipee!

Alisha made the first chase group in an very elite group of riders (Kim Baldwin, Kim Anderson, Dotsie...I think that's all)...chasing Amber who stayed away all day...then the first main group had Kristin Danielson (a fellow Bella on the Mtn side) and ~20 other riders...then us...

My other teamates had their first taste of Sunset, and learned a lot.....worked hard, and finished strong! These girls are tough, and are making more progress than they are capable of seeing...lucky for me I get to watch them grow!! Great job Velo Bella-Kona girls!

I must take this time to plug my new bike...I absolutely LOVE my King Zing (cleverly painted Queen Zing for the 'women's team'). It a full carbon frame, and it's flawless! The geometry is perfect, I've never felt so comfortable w/ a bike fit, as I do on this. The ride is the smoothest ever...yet surprizingly responsive. I cannot say enough great things about this bike...I really really love it! Thank so much Kona...who you may know better for Mtn/Cross bikes...but try a road bike...I'm tellin' ya it's SAWEET!!

BTW: Chrissy and I had our own QOM competition going on a speed bump in the course...although I had to keep reminding her what the score was because she had trouble counting on her fingers....we tied!! So we each will be wearing the Orange speed bump QOM jerseys next year on Sunset...

Redlands Crit

Whew...made it safe and sound! Redlands is historically one of the fastest crits of the year. It's shaped like a squished figure 8...so lots of hard corners, some sweeping, always some wind, and a very deep strong field...

The race started fast, and stayed fast...but the team raced great, each rider rode beyond their expectations...died trying, gave 110%, it was great to be a part of! Nicole was phenomenal on the radios...she gave me the courage to attack at one point of the race...and kept me in the 'game' mentally...she was great!

It seemed like there was a prime every lap...between cash, watches, vintage comic book, and time bonuses....I heard the bell a million times...keeping the race fast.

The race was crash free until the last 4 laps...when someone hit the barriers on the left...and after the race I heard/saw a Webcore rider still down, but don't remember her being down in the race...but I wish her the best, and hope she is ok...I hate that part of racing! Speedy recovery to you Amber!!

Tina Pic won, out sprinting (by choosing the perfect line in the last 2 corners forcing Ina to take them wide) Ina...wow! I love Tina Pic...she's such an awesome person, and make such an awesome racer!

Also...I love it when Mountain bikers who I've NEVER seen in a cirt before, hit me on my hip after I out corner them safely like we RODIES know how...and screems a colorful bouquet of swear words at me to hold my line...funny huh?? Takes some gaul, and it was toward the end, and I was at pretty much the worst place I'd been the entire race, which meant she'd been there all day...
I think what she meant to say was "Geez this is hard, and I"m tired, please don't make me do any extra work...I'm just a Moutain biker and don't know how to corner" No names mentioned...but I'll tell ya if you ask me!

For today, I did what I set out to do...now it's time for SUNSET (dun...dun...dun...daa, you know Beethoven)

Uphill time trial at Redlands

Let's see....the 5k TT was tough, like all TTs....and the riders who dominate, did...I'm dissappointed w/ my result, but look forward to today's Crit! Our team was lead by Kristin Danielson 43, then Jane Ziggly 44, Jen Joynt 54, Me 61, and Nicole finished! To see all results....see the racing tab on my website to check all results (plug, plug)!

or just click her...http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/?id=2006/mar06/redlands06/redlands061

Top of the world

Here I am w/ Chrissy and Kat...at the top of the TT course for Redlands...I smoke 'em on the warm up...

They all agreed to let me win tomorrow....I'm stoaked I've never won an uphill TT before!

We had this sweet backdrop.....and across the street was beautiful moutains...but we thought if we stood in front of the moutains, people wouldn't look at us as much.... 

the three stew-d-giz up here

and it was chilly on the way down

This is the Balmy California weather we've been having. This is at the top of Oak Glen, I was so disappointed we don't get to climb it this year...there's great pie at the top!

Namas Dae...Buddist for 'Peace out ya'll'...check out my sweet socks. We did some Yoga in San Dimas

Happy St. Patty's day! See the lep-ra-con behind me?

geez louise...you'd think I could keep up by now...

Mike never believes me when I say, "I've been busy all day"...when all I did was ride...but I swear it's true..What with checking my MILLIONS of IMPORTANT emails, scrollling through cyclists blogs, perousing the latest Cycling news gossip, drinking coffee, trying not to eat, there just isn't enough time in one day, I tell ya!

So, whatever...waaa waaa waaaa Kele, I know that's what Mike always says!

The point is...ya'll need to see my latest shots....so let's get to it...
Jane C made this bread, I supplied the recipe, and guidance...it had sprouted wheet berries (recipe by Jon Owens)..and yea, I spelt wheat wrong to be funny...sweet, wheet!







Alisha introduced me to Spirutina..or something like that...it's protien shake stuff...and I put Buckwheat in w/ it and cinnamon...then heated it ....it tasted SO much better than it looks...PROMISE





This is what Alisha ate instead!!









Well, there's alot more but blogger wont upload them, even when I hit the keys REALLY hard...so, I'll add them later...good night

Thug Luv!!

Yeea, Beaches! What up now?? This is how we do photoshoots Bella Style, dawg!!

And look closely, that's a V and a B w/ my hands....for Velo Bella....

Hol-lah!

Chrissy's newest delema....

In the ongoing support of our great friend Chrissy Ruiter....I recieved the below message, from Katherine Carroll (is that 2 Rs and 2Ls).

kele-Chrissy's computer died today. she can't update her website and can't get to any of her files. i thoughtit might be nice to start a support group on your blog. let me know what i can do to help. we are having a hard time, but i think we'll make it through. i am sure she would appreciate a call, as she ishaving a tough time. you can go to our team's websiteguestbook for updates.

Let's welcome her to My-Computer-Died Anonomous....the first step is admitting there is a problem Chrissy and accepting you are powerless....LITERALLY heehee....

More power to ya girl....

Santa Cruzin'

This morning, I'm preparing for my next journey to some other part of California! First, let's look back at where I have been this last week...Santa Cruz.

There is this super cute amusement park on the water, and the gate was open so we looked around....


The next day we rode in the mountains...








So, my impression of Santa Cruz....LAID BACK, communal, earthy, liberal, Californians! And the city is right at the base of the mountains....which are breathtaking!

On to Pomona/San Dimas/Pasadena area...

LET'S HOOK CHRISSY UP!!

I just want to put out the APB that Chrissy Ruiter needs to get hooked up (she's the cute blonde on the far left...oh wait she's the ONLY blonde)!

She's twenty something, but eternally young at heart! I think anyone who has met Chrissy would agree that she is the sweetest, most generous, selfless, hilarious, and gifted rider that they have ever met!! And it's so sad to see such wonderful person not getting hooked up!! We all know how much fun that is!! So...she'll be so glad to hear I'm helping her with this...

Her Profile
Ht: 5'8
Wt: perfect
Body type: very small face and big sunglasses(as previously featured), huge smile, and shapely giggle
Personality type: infectious great attitude in ANY situation
Sign: whatever your favorite one is....and the same as her sister
Hobbies: watching boys ride bikes, wearing all the cycling clothes she owns on cold days...then slowly peeling off the layers and stuffing each piece into some random spot, so by the end of the ride she's got clothes hanging everywhere (and inevitably end up wrapped in her derailure)
Hometown: Home is where the heart is, and she's always on the move...so she's at home wherever she is!! But her parents live in Bend, OR.


Here she is at the Gila Crit last year...sexy huh? That's right boys...












Here she is at Nationals RR in her super aero tuck for the corner...she really nose how to stay out of the wind!!












This one is from the Gila 2004, her pig tails are smaller now...they resemble snowballs here (as in the dessert)...










Here we are again at the Gila 2005 puttin' our heads together to come up w/ some funny stuff for our sweet websites...









All joking aside, she IS one tough bird....well, actually she's a person, but eats like a bird...which makes for cheap dates boys (keep that one in mind!!)










She also has sweet paddle-board on the beach skills...she and Kat set the record at way too many to count...here in Bermuda last year







I know she's a Professional Cyclist, but you'd never know it by the way she carries herself and her sharp sense of fashion!!















Note again her savvy fashion, a blend of cotton and lycra, and just socks...THAT'S HOT!! (she's on the far right in the blue shirt)








Here she's demonstrating the Chrissy pantented storage method for..oh whatever, in your shorts....note the sunglasses, arm warmer flopping around her butt....now imagine it's 35 degrees, and she started w/ 2 jackets, and a vest....then got hot during the ride...she's been known to have a train of clothing hangin at or near her rear derailure throughout most the winter!

So, hopefully this trip down memory lane has spurned some intrest SOMEWHERE...I'd happily give out any personal info, because there just isn't anything bad to say....so let's get this single girl on the love boat to happinesss!!

You are still single right Chrissy????

Commentor friendly...thanks Brent Chapman

ANYONE AND EVERYONE CAN NOW POST COMMENTS...so Bring it on....

Be gentle Jed!! And Hernando-go-lightly...wierdos

Picture mish-mash

Ok, so I have some random shots for the last week...


First, we have the apt Nicole and I stayed at in Berkeley...





Then the ride we went on that was awesome....




Then the RVs that became our home for the Central Valley Classic. Thanks to Denise and Jimmy Rameriez for letting the entire VB-Kona team to crash their place!

That about get's up caught up w/ photos..

Oh, the crit...we finished! No crashes, good effort!

Commentors Shout Out!!

Hey to all you that leave comments!! I understand that it's a major pain in the rear, and if you are a non-blogger...impossible. Which is sad, but I have ZERO skills to change that...and I also have yet to figure out how to comment on a comment...because if it requires more than 3 clicks I loose patience and give up! But I LOV getting messages/comments so thanks to all that do!!

Hoof and Mouth...that's what I got today!!

Today's race was reduced to 5 laps/75mi...due to rain/hail and freezing temps. And the course took us around multiple orchards, fields, pastures, and farms....which means lots of manure...and seeing as there were 4million attacks, and I was gasping for breath the entire race...my mouth was WIDE open...as seen in 90% of the shots taken of me on my bike. So, I'm looking forward to contracting some new disease, I just can't wait to see what I get!!

The race somehow stayed together after Webcore tried 3.8million attacks, and Lipton countered most, and Victory was very active as well. But, today was not the day for a break....Unfortunately, because I was really hoping for one, and therefore chased WAY TOO much...oh well!

In the finish it was all together and Nicole had just rejoined the pack after chasing for a lap and 1/2 after a crash...and she tried to tell me to attack 500m from the last corner...but I couldn't understand her...and I didn't hold my position in the last 1K...and finished in the who cares Zone!

Cudos to Hiroko who took me to the front in the last 2k, a huge move for her! And Nicole rode like a champion, burying herself to get back to the pack and THEN going straight to the front, communicating w/ all her teammates, then became our highest finisher (makes me feel like a wuss)! Jen Joynt again was aggressive early and covered a bunch and positioned well, and gave me a lift to the front 2x, she continues to make leaps and bounds of improvement at each race. Jane Z was great helping me to the front, and staying attentive at the front until unfortunately was taken out in the same crash as Nicole. Alisha, always rides smart and is amazing w/ position....I learned from her today the value in being more patient w/ the multitude of attacks!

Tomorrow's a crit...we'll see what happens!

IN THE SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP AND FAIR PLAY!!

That was the 'Memo' we all recived yesterday on the annoucement that our 6.5mile uphill time trial was changed to a 16mi flat time trial....The request was for people NOT to use aero equiptment as many teams did NOT bring equiptment thinking it was all uphill and not necessary!

So, competitiveness won...and those who had them used them....reminds me of that line from some movie "Smoke em if you got em!!", but, of course, completely different...But those who did use the equiptment (TT Bike, helmet, disc wheels, deep dish front wheels) did smoke the rest of us.

So, it was an excellent opportunity for me to work on letting go of what my finish was, and focus on MY RACE. Which I felt was really good. It was a tough head wind for 12 mi, then side wind for 5.2. And I did NOT think about the equiptment, all I thought about was power, and confidence...and I felt good.

Now, after the results were posted....well, let's say it got harder not to get down on myself....my ego is stubborn! But, hey 'my legs don't know the difference' as I always say!
If you'd like to see the actual breakdown...like most of us:

Central Valley TT Results


The team rode well, gave 100% in a tough situation. 4 of our riders were really looking forward to that uphill TT (yea, that would be all EXCEPT ME!)...but they did a great job of regrouping and staying positive!

After the race Alisha and I did an excellent job of getting lost trying to ride home from the course....and ended up riding like 2.5hrs AFTER the race...perfect recovery!!

Today, we have a 90mi flat race...sounds long...I wonder how it will pan out

More Team Dinner Photos!

<
Cheers Velo Bella-Kona!!


Jane Z is so fast she only rides with one eye open!!


Dinner Chit Chat with Kristin and Jen C!


Check out our sweet rack!

Natural Habitat

Anyone who has spent time w/ Nicole will recognize these positions which are pretty much the ONLY ones other than riding a bike that she has....


Wait, maybe I'm wrong!!

ASSSSSStounding!

Yea, that's pretty much what I think of this shot! Thanks guys, funny funny...the sad part is there are about 10 shots MORE of this OH SO flattering angle of me, and my tiny teammates...could you guess a MAN took these shots??? No female would ever do such a thing, RIGHT ladies!!

'I get knocked down, but I get up again' at McClane

(remember to click on the picture and it get's bigger...wink, wink)






So, this is what happens when you try to take a 90degree turn w/ a front flat....I'm the one UNDER the girl in Red flying through the air...




Now, Jen Chapman tries to kick me while I'm down....she's the other girl in Blue/Black flying in the air, I'm the one on the ground





Now, I may have been the first one down, but I"m also the first one up..and look it's Chrissy..squeezing through on the inside, LUCKY!...(say that w/ a Napoleon Dinomite voice)...she's got on blue tights, and blue/white jersey (yea, I know it's weird, but we all have to get used to it...)(now, I mean weird in a good way, like a new wierd, like I'm just used to seeing Chrissy in ORANGE)

I'm fine and so are all my teammates...at least from that crash!

History in the making!

I have to dedicate an entire entry just to commemorate the day that Nicole Freedman got a makeover!!


After trying to nap through it, we finally tracked her down...and KJ and I tried to prep her w/ a little base make up to avoid the total onslaught of the stage makeup artists awating her in the kitchen, that had the potential to scar little Nicole for life...



It's ok Nicole, No you don't pinch people w/ it, it's for your eyelashes....




There you go, see it's not so bad....Now let's see if we've done enough to avoid further makeup torture....

Nope, they need to do more....sorry Nicole....




Now don't bite her Nicole, she comes in peace!




This will only hurt for a minute....





At least you're a good sport about it!!



"This IS the real me!!!!!"

This one time at Band camp...

So, let's get caught up...last post was my first ride on my new bike (that went straight to my head...wink wink). Then last Tues we drove to a different part of California (Jed Peter's house, our PR rep/legal advisor extraordinare) for 'camp'.


This is SOOO Jed!!
And notice, who's doing actual work (Brent Chapman, our Director). This is the garage of grandeur....all our bike stuff is here...HURRAY!!







Velo-Bella Camp Day 1:
Dr. Max Testa's test--Lactate threshold test, body fat, resting EKG, bike fit, and analysis of test results from Dr. Testa...honestly what stuck in my head the most was that is my body fat it too high, and I'm powerful! Dr. Testa said not to even worry about those long climbs, get my teammates to the bottom and go at LT the whole way up...kinda reminds me of what Ina does....But, I don't really want to throw in the towel yet, there's a climber here somewhere...

After Dr. Testa's testing, I went to Myke Berna's shop for a more thorough bike fit, more specific to my TT/pursuit position. And the skinny on that was my saddle was really far back which mimics a climbers position (emphasizing the Hamstring/gluts more)....and we all know that ain't me...so he brought it forward...


Myke's bike fitting skills



This is what I do when I go for evening rides alone....I'm still a goof!





VB Kona Camp Day 2:
We had a group ride w/ Myke and Brent in the car...Beautiful day....got to know each other a little. Team lunch!


Jen's closest to the camera, then it's Hiroko, Nicole in her yellow rain jacket and Basis shorts, Jen Joynt is hidden (because she's tiny), and Jane is ridin' caboose!








Here again is Jen and Jane, but I think Hiroko has a bee in her ear!!









That evening we had a beautiful spread, put on by Suzie Peters (Jed's wife, and one of the founding Velo Bella's). The Mtn bike team was there...it was great to meet everyone...and Kristin Danielson was there (my former teammate, and good friend). It was a great meal, and good time!

VB Kona Camp Day 3:
I think we rode again, had logistical/tactic meeting...but all I really remember was the photoshoot....

It was an epic 5-6hr event...complete w/ makeup artists, props, stalettoes, mini skirts, and fans (as in wind)...When I get the photos I'll show you...think 'Bella'....


And that was that....racing starts tomorrow!