Witchy Fitchy!!

Man, I've been waitin' to write that for DAYS!! Great title, eh??

Ok, let's get down to buisnass...I'm here at Fitchburg, riding as a guest rider on the local team Gearworks Spin Arts...Riding w/ Anna Milkowski, Kami Tremblay, Rebbeca Wellons, Sarah Uhl, and Hiroko Shimada...yea, sweet team huh..and the best part is we are being taken EXTRA special care of by THE Tom Stevens!! What a treat! Sweet!! (cute rhyme huh, too bad I can't spell)

Ok...so I also need to mention our spectacular host housing couple Paul and Heather...cannot remember their last names, regardless they have done everything they can to make us comfortable and rested!! So now we have NO excuses right?!

Ok..first we had the time trial! Once again w/ a nice Lightning storm treat right before (you will remember the tormenta that hit us right before NV crit??)...but it was pretty much over when I started (thus the Witchy title). They changed the course this year, instead of an out and back...we now turn R at the turn around and ride the bottom part of the RR stage, then turn L to go to the Wachusett Mt Visitor center (pretty sure that's WRONG on the el nameo of the mountain..but it's close)...it's shorter 6.2mi...and has some nice rollers...I thought I liked it..but then I saw the results...Nice job to Heather LeBance of Team Advil...she smoked it and won by like 14sec to Meshy Holt (Colavita), then Smokin' Suz Weldon (TRIA...also from Seattle), then Gracey Fleury (Lipton..awesome girl), then Sarah Ohmar (oh god, not sure on the spelling here...but she's riding for Colavita also), then Tina Pic (Colavita), Sarah Tillitson (Colavita), Iona Winters (Coloavita), Laura Van Gilder (Lipton)...oops I'm not sure if that's EXACTLY right but I was 10th 47secs down...I think...and the awesome thing was 4 of our riders were 15-19...Sarah Uhl, Hiroko Shimada (first time on her Kona TT bike, WOW it's makin' her SO FAST), Anna Milkowski, and Rebecca Wellons all Gearwork Spin Arts..and all in a row in top 20...Kami had a strong ride as well, w/ a great attitude!

All the OTHER stuff from the race at Stillwater

Righteo...so much more happened besides getting dropped...

Ok, first of all...once again we had huge fans for the VB-K clan...no matter where we finished...which is AWESOME. There was someone ON the climb like 3/4 the way up who knew my name...and my method of climbing it was stand...die, sit....and as soon as I got to whomever knew my name I had to stand again till the top...so Thanks you!

We took some shots too

Here's the Tenace palace...which has been home for the last week. It's gonna be hard to go back to my Condo after a week in the King size bed, sweet TV, huge jetted tub, satellite TV, surround sound! The Tenace family completely opened thier arms, car, and home to us...showing us HUGE generosity, and trust! This was the hardest race of the year so far, and every detail counts...having such wonderful accommodations, and transportation made a HUGE HUGE difference! I cannot express my deepest gratitude enough Gino, Thank you! If it weren't for people like you, I wouldn't be here!!


Yea, the transportation was a Yukon....sweet eh?

Here's the smallest Bella warmin' up!!

Here's a shot w/ our awesome DS John Coleman...yea, he the one Jane is standing in front of...sweet picture! and that's Gino 15 (the Yukon)behind us

Here Mr. and Mrs. Coleman (John and Kate) have a little fun w/ camera duty...I have to again say how wonderful these people have been to us. This race was quite grilling...but the people were so awesome, the overall experience was fantastic! From the overgenerous John, to super helpful Margot rounding up every possible bottle/trainer/feeders, and Lyndsey and Carla (or was it Clara, sorry!!) for feeding, and Carla/clara was sick even!! Then Margots family for dinner...and Kate (John's wife) for cheering, and navigating in the caravan, and just supportive/kind words after hard days in the saddle...she was awesome! Then we also got to hang out w/ Eric (Margot's boyfriend) and thier sweed dog Atlas...we just felt so welcomed and relaxed... I LOVE THE MIDWEST!




After the race, Margot and Eric (a local bella that hooked us up w/ all the feeders...oh yea, Clara I forgot to send you a special thanks from Jen...you apparenlty were able to accomodate Jen's finakey (sp?) palate right in the middle of the feed zone yesterday, nice work under pressure!!)...anyway...Margot invited us over to her parents for a barbeque, Pontoon boat ride, swimming, and great R&R...it was a perfect way to end the week...Thanks to Margot and her family!

Ok, I'm such a dork..it's once again...OH MY GOD IT'S 1AM...the taxi is coming at 6:30, the alarm is set for 5:30....damnit!
Nitey nite!!

HILLwater...aka Stillwater Crit

Well, this shouldn't take long...

If you're not familiar w/ this course...it's got a climb w/ 27% grade, followed by a false flat, 2 corners...another short climb (which doesn't feel short when you're exhausted), then a decent w/ 5 corners and horrible pavement....back to the hill.

So, my approach today was...I'm gonna go as hard as I can for as long as I can...because that's what the front group is doing...and yea, I may only last a few laps, but that's the best way to learn, and get stronger...All I can do is ALL I can do...

So I think we had a little under 100 to start today...and it was a beautiful HOT and HUMID day...perfect for climbing. Luckily it's only a 50min race (if your lucky, or I guess strength has more to do w/ it than luck)

Ok, we start at the base of the hill, and on the first lap is a sprint at the top of the climb...so it goes fast...and I just go as hard as I can...it's just amazing how much faster SOO many women are than me, and I know how hard I'm workin'...these girls are awesome! So, I go from like 15th at the start to like 80th by the top (it's like 200m)...and then crawl through the string on all corners, and throughout the decent...

By the tired lap a definite split forms, and I bet you can guess which side of it I was on. It was kinda' cool though...as I came around the corner...the leaders we nearly to the top of the climb...and you can see the split at the base...

Every time up the climb was the finishing lap (in my head)...no holding back, race like Chrissy would...unfortnately, I had to keep going...but I was able to continue catching people...

Two of those people where my teammates...so we were in a group of like 6 or so...for a little bit...then got pulled...I had 27min on my computer when we were pulled...whew, made the time cut...or so I thought. I got a call from Eric Lynch from TRIA at 11PM saying we are all DNF'd...arrgghh, it's just salt in the wounds...cause I did complete enough per their standards for A time, maybe a shitty one but hey it took a lot of hard work to get that shitty time...oh well, I guess next year I just have to go faster!!

So, for those that did go faster...a group of 3 (Anne Snuf-a-luf-a-gus (just kidding, I just have NO IDEA how to spell her name...no offense, she's an awesome aggressive rider)Kristin Armstrong, and Sarah Ulmer (Jazz apple)...formed and stayed away till the last lap when they were caught by Cristine Thornberg (Webcore), followed by Kori Seehafer (Lipton) Alex Wrobleski (Biovale) Mara Abbott (Rio Grande)...so it was very exciting!

Kristin Armstrong took the overall, Kori Seehafer was second, and the rest is here
http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2006/jun06/naturevalley06/?id=results/naturevalley065

So that was the race...Again I have to comment on my sweet ride...this Kona Queen Zing full carbon is smooth as butta...I just wish I could make it go faster! And our Easton wheels are holding up tremendously w/ these rough roads, gravel, and sweet jumps we catch air on every day! Thanks to these and all our sweet sponsors for making this possible for all the Bella's here (Selle San Marcos, Crank Brothers, Cytomax, Cateye, Whipperman, Easton, Sidi, Hincapie, Pedros, Schawlbe, Zeal optics, and Giro) this dream would not be a reality without your support!! So, study that list if you are a cyclist and support those who support us!!

"Team Vello Bella-Kona"....it's the Mankato stage

86.5mi road race ...3 sprints, 3 QOMs, 2 feed zones, and lots of wind!! With four wonderful finishing circuits! That's what Mankato means!

Let's see...First we have the obligatory non-neutral roll out that lasts like 5 miles...I was lucky to get on the bumper of the Comm car...But I must say Rochell Gilmore has that down to a science, she even hit the bumper once!

After that, we picked up the pace and were hit w/ the now well known cross winds....and he dread of being guttered hit me like a ton of bricks..Luckily, I'd had a conversation w/ my teammate Jen about what I had learned on Fridays stage...that as soon as you are guttered IMMEDIATELY get out, put in your effort to move up to the 'bubble'...and that's what I did today..and it saved me, about 15 times! It's scary to do, because you think you are ok because you are on a wheel...but the reality is it's much better at the front behind multiple riders, it's hard to give up that wheel in the gutter and move into the wind in order to move up...but it saved me today for sure!

So, there I was focused very much on staying very close to the front. My goals for the day: be a part of the race, be aggressive, don't be intimidated, and put in ONE good attack.

After the first sprint, we were all together. Today we got to deal with heat and humidity along w/ strong cross winds! Yippee! So, I was trying to drink as much as possible...which ended up to be 8 bottles (2 from each feed, 2 from the car, and I started w/ 2)...that's how hot it was...oh and I drank 1/2 of one neutral feed in the feed zone and tossed it...

So, after the first feed zone...attacks started....oh wait...I attacked early...yea, it was STUPID...we had just turned a corner, into a head wind...and I felt a lull in the field...so I attacked...and after the inital jump, as soon as I sat to settle...I instantly realized 'this is ridiculous, it's WAY to windy'...so it was embarrassingly short...but hey, at least I tried...that's how you learn...and I felt more apart of the race...

Ok, now to like mile 38ish...after several attacks, being reeled in by Lipton over and over...I see a Lipton moving up on the left, and I get on her wheel...and end up in a group of 7...Gina Grain (Colavita), Kirsten Robbins (Victory), a rider from Jazz Apple (a New Zealand team), a Biovail rider, the Lipton rider..that's all I remember...it was a tough pace, the wind was strong, we were coming up on the next sprint...all of which Gina had been winning...and I may not be a genius...but I am learning when NOT to put in a strong effort...and that's when other big teams have everything to gain, and the gap is dropping...so I got an earfull from several riders...but you know what, that's racing...we've all got different agendas...and it's frustrating when ppl screw up YOURS...

So, we get caught after the sprint...that Gina wins. And now there has been a split in the field...Jane and Jen are caught in the back..this race is so tough..anyone who's been guttered knows when it's all strung out all you look at is the cassette in front of you, which makes it easy get caught behind gaps...then once you realize it...it's almost too late...so the girls had their work cut out for them....and they gave it all they had...I am proud of thier huge effort, they did awesome!

Our radios were a little fin-a-key...so Jane had no mic, and couldn't hear me, but she could hear John (in the car)...and Jen could talk, but couldn't hear me. John could here me, but couldn't understand me..so it was sweet! But, the phrase of the day was "Team Vello Bella-Kona"...which is how John would start every statment over the radio...He also put the cute messages on our handlebars...individualized for each of us...Jane's said "Go Pussycat", Jen's said "Where's Kele" (one goal of hers was to stay close to me), and mine said "F'in GO GO GO" perfect!

Ok, not much else happened in my race after the break..I just tried to stay mid pack to conserve everything for the last 4 laps. I cannot tell you how many times I had to convince myself I could make those circuits...probably my biggest challenges, are multiple laps w/ huge hills...so I had done some thinking on it before the race, and pre-programmed the lines to motivate myself...and I did survive...I have no idea how well, but I went hard, and buried it on the decents, then thought about 'keep the effort there', not to focus on speed going up, just the effort level...all the way to the finish!

My teammates gave the same effort w/ a little different finish...Jane did make it back after that split w/ the help of the CPT team, but cramped on the climbs after all her effort. Jen got caught behind more and more gaps, w/ little motivation of other riders to work...left her out in the wind...Literally!

Kristin Armstrong and her team worked their assess off today! Lipton was up front all day, holding it all together...then Kristin laid it out on the circuits to beat Christine...well, so did Kori Seehafer...nice job Lipton.

This has been such a brutal, awesome race. And, I'm sure tomorrow will be no different!

BTW...again we had unparalleled support from feeders (Margot and Lyndsey) in BOTH feed zones! Then in the follow car John and wife Kate...who kept John calculations in line....Oh, I just remembered, I fed from the car...I didn't want to loose my empty bottles, so I'm throwing them in the car, and pelted poor John twice in the face w/ empty bottles...this guy really is takin' it for the team!!

Man, I was wasted after this race. I should be asleep right now...but these race reports are getting SOO long!

Race ON!!

That's right...there's no stoppin' us man...storm SHmorm...we came to race...but now only 30 instead of 40min...and one less sprint.

The streets were still wet, but amazingly not flooded. Really, had we not seen the amazing storm that just passed, the conditions were simply...wet.

At the start line, it really dawns on me that we ARE going to race...and I remember, and contemplate the level of competition here, and start preparing myself for the task at hand...which was important, because for the last 45min I really didn't think this race was going to happen.

Gun goes...and I have a good start...ppl are taking corners reasonably, pace is high, but tolerable...first sprint (there are 3, at 7/14/22min in respectively...all for time) goes fine...the pack is totally strung out on every straight, slows and bubbles for corners...little moving around is happening. My focus is being aware of how many ppl pass me and to make it up in every corner...in order to hold my position.

Second sprint, I barely hear...which must indicate my moving farther back in the pack...but that doesn't register until NOW...I see Tina Pic being pushed back into the pack at some point...and she very nicely fills a gap in front of me...

The corners are not only wet, and have medal barriers surrounding them, the pavement has many cracks (which are nicely covered w/ water), and there are multiple man hole covers in most corners...it's remarkable there were no major crashes...because, at least on my end, it was a pretty fast race!!

Here's Jen Joynt, ferociously attacking those corners. For 4ft9inchs...this girl is tough, and one of the best corner-ers, and decenders I know!! We were joking before the race, that if the streets stayed flooded, she might drown...because she's so low to the ground...instead of yelling "Hold on Jen", we'd have to yell, "Just hold your breath till after the corner"....luckily the flooding receded, Jen was safe!

In the last 10min of the race, gaps were opening more and more...and there was THE one...and I told myself whatever girl I was behind was strong and would close it...so I hesitated, and waited...STUPID...the gap NEVER got smaller...so I jump around her, but w/ the wind and speed of the main group...I just ended up solo for 5 laps between groups...Lesson? Trust your gut, race YOUR race, don't wait for others to do your work. Why? Cause, that was MY race that went up the road...and if I was strong enough to solo for 5 flippin' laps, I was strong enough to be in the front group...ahhhhgggg, I KNOW THAT! Well, now I know it even BETTER!!

Jen rode super smart, gave all she had, got caught out alone...then swarmed...but is safe and sound for tomorrow. Jane was w/ a chase group safely tucked behind strong wheels. So, were resting, rechargin', and READY for Mankato tomorrow...86.5miles, and three hanious finishing circuits....BRING IT!

We had tons of fans cheering us on out there...and MAN does it help. It's so awesome to hear 'Go Velo Bella-Kona' 8 different times throughout the course...it's like 8 energy boosts along the way! Thanks so much guys...when I was alone, I thought about each voice, and 'just make it to the next VB-K fan'...and that's how I got through each lap!! REALLY!

And, oh yea...let's talk about Schawlbe??? Hells yea...yesterday dirt, today rain, hail, debris...and NO flats, no slidin' out..NADA damn thang, chicken wing!! That's what I'm talkin' about!
And w/ my full on carbon Queen Zing Kona...I didn't even know there were cracks in the road...someone had to tell me!!
Peaz out...it's late!

Minneapolis Pre-Race Thunder Thrills!!

Here we are pre warm up...just sittin' in the road...What? We paid the meter!!

Look, it's Kevin Bacon...naw, that's John Coleman...the infamous mechanic/director/hottie/married/all around great guy that's making this race SO much better w/ tons and tons of work (on his part, for OUR benefit...w/ ZERO complaints)..I swear this is the ONLY time he's sat down all week!

We started the usual warm-up, note the rain...and that's why we are centimeters apart...but wait, it get's MUCH better

Yea, that's right...STORMORAMA...my bike's the smart one...'Get down!' she's yelling to the others...

Now add HAIL...and we've got a good ol' midwestern STORM...hmmm, reminds me of last year's Mankato race...

Jane thinks it would be fun to get a picture in this huge typhoon...until she get's out there and realizes "Ouch, oh, ouch, hurry up Kele, this HURTS!"...thank god she had that helmet on!

The streets quickly filled w/ water...and this corner is on the course...but we still have 45min to start!

NV Stage 2: Cannon Falls Road Race

On the profile, and word on the street was this was a flat course....and for some stupid reason, we all take that as 'easier'....WRONG-aroma!

So the first QOH (yes, not to be confused w/ the QOM) was at mile 2.7, and a 2 mile gravel section at mile 14, the second QOM at mile 17.3....what I'm getting at was this was gonna start fast and furious...

Imagine 133 girls, fighting for position going into the first QOH, then descending super tight....and add huge cross winds....what does that spell??? CRASHFEST....aw yea, we were obliged to the first crash about mile 10 right at the front...causing a huge split, well the split wasn't that huge but in these cross winds the effort to close a gap like that was....then a few miles later we hit the dirt section. The radio said 'hardpacked', hmm I fishtailed pretty much the entire way, that sound 'loose' to me. It was 110%effort in that section, we had already been playing gutter-girl chasing after the crash, now it was powering through the gravel slush..lucky for me we ride Schawble tires NONE of us had flats, and many other teams were not as lucky...girls were sliding out left and right, but I managed to grab a good strong wheel, and made up several positions...by the time we came out of the gravel I could see the leaders about 100m...and knew my work had only begun...

We returned to the gutter-girl survival game...and I found Candice Blickem's wheel and was happy....then someone on the front caught sight of the leaders again...another acceleration...on the nose of the saddle, eyes glued to the cassette in front, 'keep fighting, keep fighting'...then it would ease up a little...short reprieve...then another acceleration...once w/ a corner, this time I cracked....dropped to the back of the group....Marissa Asplund (CPT) passes me and yell's "Come on Kele, you can do it, come on!!"...so I stand and get on her wheel....'hold on Kele' I tell myself. The hard effort is lasting a long time...once again I begin to drift back, I'm cracking, Kelly Bengamin (Cheerwine) offers another 'Come on Kele', I stand and go nowhere, rubber band is stretching again...Brooke Oraeda (CPT) yells, "You can do it Kele, come on'....my stand only lasted a few pedal strokes...the legs were cooked....

I'm alone, and hear Jen Joynt on the radio...'There's a big group coming up behind you'...and she was right...Jane and Jen w/ about 30 other riders...I'm saved, or so I thought....so I sit in and try to recover...which is going well, until the next acceleration...guttered again...and my body is revolting, legs ache, head throbbing....'stay in the moment, each pedal stroke, this is your race..', but the body wins, and I'm off the back again....

Jen J was an angle and wouldn't listen to my whinning...'just go Jen', 'No Kele, just recover and stay on my wheel'...she was great.

Jane stayed w/ what became the 2nd group....we were all excluded from the 3 finishing circuits....but that day goes down as the hardest yet of the season! Wish my fitness was better...I was in a great spot, just couldn't hold it...don't worry, I can smell success, and I'm a fighter!!

Thanks so much to our local riders who have hooked us up w/ great feeders, who did an awesome job, and gave me the fluids I needed! It's so awesome to be a part of this 'sisterhood'...all over the country we have 'family' and they alway treat us like old friends, going out of thier way to see we are taken care of!! Thanks Lindsey and Laurel's sister!!!!

We are also super greatful to our guest director/mechanic John Coleman....he has help us tremendiously....from driving us around, to getting discs, trainers, radios, coolers...he is a god send!! And one hell of a good mechanic....Thank you so much John! For an example of his exemplory help, yesterday he drives to our host house, works on the bikes, loads the car, drives us to the race, gets us radios, gets in the Caravan, after the race makes sure we have recovery, loads the car, drives us home, works on the bikes till almost midnight....Yea, WOW! Thanks, doesn't even come close!!

Tonight....the CRIT! Yee-haw!

Nature Valley TT

So this was the inaugural ride for my newest addition in to my beloved Kona family of bikes (I am the proud owner of the Queen Zing Road bike, recently purchased a custom Kona track bike, and now I'm riding the Kona TT bike)... The TT here is a short 4.5mi out and back, along Saint Paul's riverfront. There is one small roller, that feels like a mountain when you're racing it, and side winds are always a factor.

The field here is deep and strong this year. This is my third riding of the NV Grand Prix, and I must say the field is deeper than I remember! This is gonna be fun!!

The TT was 9min 45sec of 'Can you go ANY harder??'....but, my hardest would get me a 21st place finish...after the finish was a quick swap of wheels to my teammates Jane Ziegler, and Jen Joynt...sharing that aero love!! It was Jane's first time on try spoke....and she say's unfortunately, it was still hard! Jen Joynt gave it her all, as she learns each TT how to dig harder and harder....it was her first time using a disc! Laurel and Margot, two strong local riders joining us here at NV, respectively had solid rides....Margot enjoyed having a full TT set up!

Results showed Kristin Armstrong beating out Christine by 6.5seconds, w/ a time of 9:25. Allsion Powers was 3rd, 19sec back...Kori Seehafer, Rachael Heel, Erin Willock, Katie Mactier rounded out the next few places...They've set the bar high, tomorrow's a new day!!

Good times with Good friends!

After the race, I went to dinner w/ Chrissy and her 14million teammates, director, host family...it's quite the..(oh God, I hate spelling) ann-tor-augh, entourage?...whatever, a lot of freakin' people...see

Good old Chrissy! Actually, she's not that old....

Here she is takin' full advantage of some drunk guy buyin' all the girls drinks....she's got 2!! She's smarter than she looks fellas!! I know what you're thinkin'....that's sayin' A LOT, cause she looks like a Genius to me too!!

Chrissy, the Victory girls, Mike Tamayo (please God be the right way to spell that)...ended up at an Irish pub later...T-Mobile riders, Lipton riders, Colavita riders, Jittery Joe's riders, Heatlth Net riders, Kodak riders, Biovail riders, Austrailian riders, all enjoyed a little R&R....some MORE than others...Jesse was turning 21, I wonder if he remembers it?? Well, Jesse I was there, and yes you had a great time!!

Chrissy and I worked on sign language....that looked more like 3rd base coach signals...for 'save me', 'let's go', 'let's go to the bathroom', and 'he's a LOOSER' ....it was hilarious, especially because after spending several minutes perfecting the 'code'...when we tried to put it into action we'd just end up laughing cause neither one could remember which was which...Goofballs!!

The night ended w/ a pillow and a blanket on the floor at the Sheraton...sharing w/ the Victory girls..ooooh the high life!

Now I'm in Minneapolis....apparently everyone else in the cycling community is here too...I heard we have like 177 women registered...ahhhh! So, more about that later...

Beautiful Philadelphia!

So, for once I went sight seeing! Nicole's famous saying...'been everywhere, seen NOTHING' wasn't true today....so here's what I saw

We ride around this foutain during the race, and local kids use it as a swimming pool...it's pretty...and I'm sure has a name and lots of history tooo....huh..

The liberty building...they probably wrote the Constitution there

Hey look, they must have been the ones fighting...this was the only free exhibit I could find...freedom is EXPENSIVE...

Yea! Another important person of my countries history I know nothing about! My intent of this excursion was to learn some history...but you have to pay for every little thing...to see the liberty bell, to go into where they wrote the constitution, so hear lectures...so I'm just as dumb as when I started...but I got a good walk in!!

Philadelphia Liberty Classic!

This weekend I raced w/ the TRIA team at Liberty classic. Here we are: Nicky, Allison, me, Suz, and Shontell...gettin' ready for the pre-ride lead by the Sturdy Girls!


Here we are on Kelly Drive

Ms. Waynes-guard...it was great to race w/ her again!

The race was awesome! We had like 180 signed up...w/ about 168 who didn't chicken out!! There were riders from all over the world...the reigning World Champion, Regina...Australian National team members, New Zealand National team members, Neurberg, T-Mobile, a few other Europeans I don't know, and ALL the biggest teams from the US...it was great to be a part of it!

The race starts w/ like 8mi of flat wide roads...then narrows from 4 to 2 lanes, about 1 mi before the base of Mantiounk (yea, NO IDEA how to spell that one)...so inevitably it's super tense, tight, because this race is ALL about position...you cannot afford to waiver to mid pack....due to the shear numbers, the level of competition, the amt of money on the line, the fact the course goes from 4 to 2 lanes, then a 90degree R hand, then again, then 90degree L to the base of the climb...so it's impossible to move up after the R hand turn...so it's a fierce battle...

So, first lap...as it narrows there's a crash UP FRONT...like top 30 riders area...I was lucky to be in front of it, and not affected...then the next turn, another pile up..this time on my R, and I had to slow to avoid it...but was minimally affected...Unfortunately Alisha Lion was not as lucky, word has it she separated her shoulder (BTW Alisha, I cannot get in touch w/ you, speedy recovery girl!!)...

After the first time up the wall, I made it over w/ the main group...thank God...and now the pack has thinned out....I hear over the radio Nicky flatted, THEN was caught behind both crashes...and Suz and Allison also were caught behind the crashes....Shontell and Sharon were also but quickly made it back to the front group

The second lap is all chasing for Nicky, Suz, and Allison...this race is so tough when gaps open, if the ENTIRE chase group isn't 100% committed, it's almost impossible to catch...because after the wall (KOM at the top), there's a screaming decent, 2 rollers (small Lemmon, and Lemmon hill, KOM on Lemmon)...then the start finish (sprint point on the line), so it only slows on Kelly drive...

The second and third climb go ok for me...on the third time, a small gap opens, but I let my group help close it...and we get in...last lap it was fast, and I was too far back...and at the end of the decent we had like 50m to the main group, and it never closed...we ended like 20sec down....and ok, embarrassing moment 1,000,000,323....As we are coming into the finish we go around the fountain, and so I see the main group and I think to myself 'that's not 50ppl'...and I wanted to be in the money, so I jump at 1k...and later found out I was 52nd, so I sprinted for NOTHING...yea, so I was one of those lame riders sprinting for the laughing group prize...sorry girls, I thought I was sprinting for money I SWEAR!

Shontell was awesome w/ a 6th place finish...Sharon was 39th...Chrissy kept her eye on the front group in 46th...Oh, and Regina Won...Ina was second, and Tina was third!!

Trexlertown

Ok. So Thurs I flew to Philly (BTW, is it Phili, or Philly, or what)...a little early for Liberty because I wanted to race at Trexlertown track. The track bike is sweet, I'm so excited...it was a bit of a last minute deal to get it all built in time, but hey, that's bike racing!!

So, this is T-Town...probably the most well known track in the country...It has the deepest history in track racing anywhere in this country...comes w/ a full on restaurant, consession stand, TURN STYLES at the ticket counter. The in field has little divisions where each rider individually warms up...interesting...



I did not race...a combination of nerves, being late, and rain...but I broke the ice, and now I'm ready!!

Mike's Zen!

So I lost my I River MP3 at the Atlanta Twilight...so Mike uses that as a GREAT excuse to buy a new Zen...which has this sweet screen you can watch movies and TV shows on...and here he is testing it out right before he leaves for England again...five lonely weeks!

Hungry Dan??

So after one of the road stages at Mt. Hood we ate w/ the Recycled boys...and I was stunned at the amount of food these boys eat! Dan Harms and Adrian Hedgesomething had these massive plates of spaghetti....see, Dam paused for a photo...


Oh my dream...I wish I could eat like this....Go Dan Go!!

Mt Hood photos

First, I did some school talks at an Elementary school about bike racing w/ Doug O-shoot-I-cant-spell-his-name (Ol-ren-shaw-sounding)


Stage one..Dotsie wins...so that's what it looks like to go up hill fast..huh!



Next group arrives....


and next group....
Good job girls!

Here comes the crit!



Once again Allison's on top!!!

Enumclaw add-on

So there's a new post, from 5/22 I just now added pictures to....so if you're interested scroll down! If not...the Mt Hood pictures are coming soon, sit tight!

moab

First things first, Ab made T-shirts w/ our respective names...Mike is Ace (as in HOLE), Ab is Abinormal, Mom is Mz. Molly, Jeff is Jamba, and then there is Kelekelebobelly.



That's what I mean by family pyramid




Me and my bugger




rafting with family, oh so fun


Jeff's cooking up a storm!


Poison Spider rocks!


Oh yea, this Mtn biking's NOTHING!! Slickrock here I come!


Mike looks funny, so much for aero!!


Praire Dawg in da house!!

And I thought it was Porcupine Rim..


So intense!!

And the view is beautiful too!!

Mike can Mtn bike like a Pro!!

Jeff loves Mtn biking!!




Beautiful place to ride!!


Post ride activities!!


Mom and Ab perpair dinner!

Dinner is Yummy!!

One Year! Holly Moley we made it! Love Ya Dove Ya!!

Happy Birthday Mom!! I Love You!


Cranium, what fun!

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon!

Don't Jump!

Somebody save Abby!

Look sideways, I've got a bugger on my back!

Happy Birthday Jeff!!



Bye Bye Moab!!