Athens Twilight

Wow that was a trip! There were 40BA-ZILLION drunk, smoking, smelly, college kids cheering on a bike race...haven't ever seen that before! It was awesome...I almost felt cool for a minute!

So, our race started at 7:45pm...and it was all barricaded ed off...making for sketchy corners...and narrow straights..but otherwise it was basically 4 corners..and a huge screen on the back side. It was pretty cool all the hub-ub...

It's funny, the course is so short we lapped people less than 1/2 way...and it's not that they were that far off the back...we just were strung out so far and the course was so short...it made for early departures for a few unfortunates...

There were multiple attacks and counters...but my job was to finish as best I could..and nothing stayed away....there were tons of primes w/ decent money so any team that could took turns gobbling up the cash!

I'm feeling really good right now...the race was fast, hard to move around in...but I was more comfortable than in the past up front...I did well staying up there...then on the last lap just didn't quite have the power on the 'hill' to come around as many as I needed to..and the winner went right before 2nd to last corner...and by that time I was too far back...but I made up a few spots in the 2nd to last corner...and in the last corner a few riders bobbled, causing hesitations..and more lost spots...what I could do better...is dig out that final sprint...and never let up...today it wouldn't have made much of a difference, but soon it will!! I need to practice that mentality now!

Wow, that like the most detailed race report I've done!! Sorry if I bored anyone...and no pictures, sorry....I was focused on other things! Ok, it's 12:15AM...MAYBE I should sleep....my body is still on West coast time...thank Jehovah the race isn't till 4pm tomorrow!

I am SO Mental!! You should be too!

I have to share with everyone, Carrie!! She has made such a HUGE impact on me and my racing this season, I must tell you about her. She is what I call a Sports psycho....aka a mental training coach. She helps her athletes train mentally for races....and I cannot tell you how much it has helped me! In the past I have done meditation, visualization, self-talk...but w/o any real guidance it lost a lot of it's potential...but now w/ the help of Carrie I have channeled that energy and am so EMPOWERED....it has been that difference!

Carrie Cheadle,
M.A.Sport Psychology ConsultantMental Skills Coach
(707) 338-0854
performingedge@mindspring.com

She's taking athletes!!

CLARIFICATION PLEASE!!

Ok..so I guess I should explain why I was De-Bella'ing this past weekend...and why I wasnt ridin' my favorite bike in the whole world....
Well, ya see My Zing is in route to Athens, GA for the crit this coming weekend....and when I'm home I like to support a rather new local women's team just to support the growth of this sport I love so much! So, I"m only a part time Starbucker...but full time BELLA! sorry for any corn-fusion!

So, on to these new sweet pics I stole....from wheels in motion

Here's some Bella Spirit....TT's, LOVE THEM!!!












Look Mom no hands!
Winning is Bliss, especially on a hilltop finish!














They call me BIG MOUTH for a reason!

Did someone say MONEY?

Amara takes the final sprint...Man she's fast...great race!

Ok, I REALLY have to go to work now....but Bloggin' is so much more fun....I hate being a grown up!!

Clean Sweep

This weekend racing took me to Walla Walla Washington (that's not a joke, it's the real name of a city...). Mike's team was racing this 2 day, 3 stage race...and I'd done it about 3yrs ago...fun race! Unfortunately, there is a new race in Oregon..Willamette this weekend...and so the field split up...thus much smaller fields than usual!

So, friday after a short work day...we loaded up and headed out the 5hrs to Walla Walla.....

First we had a 5mi TT...went well! Felt good, raced 100%, good focus...and WON! Sweet...on a small note my computer said I was ~30sec faster than the posted result...which would have ment I beat Mike....so OF COURSE, I protested (or at least asked them to review their math...) but to no avail...they found no mistakes! Don't worry, I'll beat him again!!

So, later that day we had a RR....but we had ~3hrs to kill...and this is what we did (Mostly all the guys from Mike's team Garage...)













Here are the Cat 4 contingent of the Starbuck's Women's team...and yes that is underwear on her head...apparenlty if you're lucky enough to be Lanton Roughe...you get the panties...and give rubs!













After the RR (which, BTW I won)...we went to the spaghetti feed! Yumma Yumma!!








The next stage was the Crit...and in order to avoid an embarrassing sprint finish ...I went out on my own....and had my first (and prob ONLY) experience of lapping the field!! Yea, won again! Man, this winning stuff is great!





These guys were awesome...they cheered me on in the RR and Crit...oh what fun!!





Yea, Yea...yadda yadda yadda...gimme the money Dude!!

I had a great weekend, it was awesome to race at 'home' and have so many friends around! In the background here is Heather Albert...a former teamate (now in a Cow jersey)..yet another treat to race w/ her...she's taught me so much!!

Mike's team, the Garage Boys rode their hearts out this weekend! I'm so proud of them! This year's Walla Walla's small feilds proved to be a tough, 'nowhere to hide' type race! Jason Bethel, Nathen Smith, Mike, Pete Grabbleouski knuckled down in the final crit...Flavio (again, that's a real name) crashed Sat, Neil and Jay got caught in a hellaciously wind LONG day (nearly 100mi) on Sat! But, they all rose to the occasion, sick/injuried/tired...and gave all they had...it was cool to be a part of....then they even had energy to make fun of my 'super tuck' cornering in the crit...thanks PETE!!

TST result

Ok so this was probably the coldest race I've ever done! The temp probably wasn't the coldest, but due to the torrential rain....you got soaked and then it was 35 degrees...and you're riding at 15-20mph....and nothing protects you!!

Quick recap of the race: Pouring, Suz sets tempo up first climb, we're all sitting on her wheel....then most that were gapped caught back on...and we rode very slowly, and everyone was painfully cold...1/2 the feild pulls out...a girl attacks when I'm not paying attention, gets a gap...I spend several minutes/miles trying to bridge...never make it...get caught at the base of the first significant hill, barely hang on to the now 'first chase' group (I thought alot about Chrissy...how would she ride in that situation, that's how I hung on)...so now we're much warmer, then we sit up because we know there is another significant hill in like 8 miles, and the girl off the front has gained time...on the last climb, I sit on another girl...and when we hit the rollers I realize we are alone...we work together, commited to staying away....Finally get to the sweet final decent...and 2mi from the finish I realize I have a rear flat...POOP-O-RAMA...but I decided it was worth a try to stay away....and lucky me I did....so 3rd on the day....
This is me finishing....no really, it's not a picture of me as a Cat 4...that's really what I wore in the race...and I was FROZEN

This one, Suz (Yellow helmet to my right) has a hilarious expression on her face...and Marni (Canadian) got the PSYCHO award for finishing w/o leg warmer!! That's one tough Canuck (spell check?)

Here's Mike (clear jacket, red/black helmet) Piping that poor guy at the line...no quitters here!!


And that's was that!!

Katchup....

Well, well how time flies...I just realized it's been almost a week since my last entry...hmmm, I must be home.....yup I am...So, let's recap

Sea Otter festivities...fun fun fun....love that multidimensional cycle-fest...w/ all those hot boys on bikes....yummy! Then the Mtn bike girls sucked it up like Champs in that crappy conditions...that was epic! Our circuit race went well...I was pleased w/ my race, lots of digin' deep...Nicole was again a miracle worker on those radios!! Jen and Jane had personal great races too...again may I add how awesome it is to watch ppl learn and grow on the bike at lightning speed....it's scary! Sunday, back in Santa Cruz riding...then home Monday...

Work, ride, eat, sleep...yup that about get's us caught up!! Well, last night I did a local weekly race (Seward park) w/ the boys...so fun!

Tomary, is a RR in a small town on the peninsula...it's a good hard Spring Classic, well known by anyone in the near area....TST! I'll fill ya in on it later!

Happy Spring, and candy, and colored egg day!!

Life is Good!

Best Photoshop EVER!

I cannot resist...I found these photos of Jed in the PBase that I mentioned...and I cannot help it....it's hilarious...apparently he was demonstrating how to take this decent....









and then some someone photoshoped it to this.....

More Photos for all to enjoy!

Ok, I obviously have too much time on my hands (don't tell Mike)...what is this 2 blogs a day for the last 2 days...what's wrong w/ me??

Anywho, I finally managed to sifer (psyifer, sigh-fer, hmm not sure) through some of the Velo Bella-Kona sites...a tough feet, and one only for those of us w/ ONE thing to do today (Kona Photoshoot...oh yea, wash my bike)...BUT I found the spot where they keep all the photos...now be ready for 3-84,345 clicks to get to this seasons photos...but stay focused and you will achieve your goal...It's http://www.pbase.com/sdukes/root (also linked on the side of my blog template)...there are more photos of the Original photoshoot, and that spledid crash of mine....plus photos throught the years of Velo Bella...it gives a really good sense of what these crazy girls are all about!

I also added the VB-Kona blog to the sidebar....seems it's a LITTLE more up to date on current VB-Kona activity...for example the latest entry is Wendy Simm's ad for Sella San Marcos (god I hope I spelled that right)...and it's super cute!

Ok, off to wash the bike!! Poor me, all this stress...I may have to pencil in a bubble bath to recover and prepair for the second task of the day...sigh!

Later Suckas at work surfin'....

The Duffy's know how to live!!

I am now in Monterey, getting ready for the arduous, epic, and exciting ONE DAY race that is Sea Otter (aka Otter Crest per Chrissy's Mom). Lucky for me, I'm once again staying with the Duffy's. They themselves are cycling enthusiasts, did the STP (Seattle-to-Portland) last year, and every Wed have a group ride that starts at their house..and after everyone hangs out and drinks wine and hour der ves (damn spell check can't fix that one, sorry)...I sure hope that's what I'm doing when I'm their age!




Here's my contribution (the one in the tupperwear). Lion's Mango Salsa...my first public debut...unfortunately no one tried it...except me...and I loved it!

MY LUCKY DAY!

Holy cow you guys, you will never believe what I just found in my backpack...

Yar, it's all about the Benjamin's baby! Saweet!




BTW, to all you computer junkies (as myself) there is Free Wi Fi at Laguna Seca...and I'm usin' it raght naw...in the van waitin' for Brent who's subbing for Alex who couldn't make the Mtn bike managers meeting...

Live a happy life (my new fav tee shirt says that....and so do I)

Veteran Tips from Nicole Freedman

So today I went for a ride w/ Nicole, and Dr. Beth McGilley...and got some great tips...



First we have the tin foil over the shoe, to create a water proof barrier....












To apply tear a sheet off approx size of your foot and fold over top of shoe, Nicole will demonstrate...











Second, if no port-a-potty's available, SQUAT...Beth will demonstrate.....









Third, proper standing form before that long winter ride is crucial, as Nicole can attest, here she is ready to ride...











Here's Nicole demonstrating how to suffer (otherwise known as climbing)..Beth seems much more comfortable w/ this idea....



Here's what rain gear I wear....I'm talking about the jacket....and yes my feet were wet and freezing....Nicole claimed to be warm the entire rainy ride...but how could she admit otherwise w/ that ridiculous tin foil on her feet!!

Did you notice the sweet Kona King Zing I'm standing behind...I don't know which is more beautiful me or the bike?? Especially in that sweet yellow Fred's jacket!!






Sorry Beth but this is the only angle I had of you...seeing as we were climbing together...It was great to spend a little time w/ my good friend Beth...she's the one squatting, if you don't remember...she's a great person, and super fun to be around, so full of positive energy! Lucky for me I get to see her again at the Gila...one year she was the topples girl (one of 2) who painted their chests after loosing a bet to the men who were racing (the bet was something like, 'If you guys win a stage, we'll go topples in the feed zone', and what do ya know...somebody won...and oh so many ppl got to reap (hmm, spelling on that??)the rewards!)

Egg Heads...R us

Ahh, how sweet...it's Easter Eggs! Jane demo's the correct way to add more than one color...I opted for the drop/crack technique....not as pretty but funnier!!

My favorite restaurant....

tee hee hee!











Look what I got today....mmmm, nothin' like a good long weekend of friction!!

Amgen race and recovery

Here I am spinning out my leg from the flight then drive, in our cheap hotel...check out our sweet view of a MATRESS in the window! Now you can't beat that in Cali!

So after recovering from the Weeble breakfast...we arrive over 2 hrs before the race...by the time the race started I was ready...I had to work hard not to think I was sick!

The race was fast, windy, and aggressive (if you were on the Victory team)...I chased too much, did not race smart, and therefore had no gas left for the finish! I hate 'learning'...Laura VanGilder won...again! Nice race to Lipton, and Victory!!

After the race we went to the beach and ate lunch see..

Something's REALLY been buggin' me..

And that's NO LIE! So here's the story...
I fly into San Jose on Friday, we drive 3 hrs to San Liouse Bilbo (something like that)...find this cheap hotel ($44 for 2 queens, and all the....well, you know)...then Sat morning, we go to this greasy spoon diner right next door for breakfast...I order the obligatory oatmeal...and I'm surprised by the bland metallic-y taste, but remember I make my oatmeal w/ soy milk, eggs, cinnamon, and flax...so I just ask for milk and raisins to spice it up and continue chompin down...then I noticed 'hey they put flax in their oatmeal too'....then, 'wait a minute...that flax has LEGS....AHHHHH IT'S A WEEBLE, and there are probably 100 in my bowl that I've been eating for about 5minutes...so I calmly (really Mom I was calm) and gave it back...and we got EVERYTHING for free...well, I guess there was a price but not monetary....And a long stop at a restroom later! Damn bugs!