Meet the Robinsons!

We've had a great host family! They have shown us great generosity, hospitality, and the comforts of a beautiful home! It has really made all the difference in the world! Unfortunately, I cannot download the pictures we have of dinner, and sight seeing!

But, we did see a Opossum. Which are like the Aussie's version of raccoon. But, oh so cute! Look at her little tongue! She was nibbling on some fruit with us at dinner!

This is my bedroom. Wrapped in pink, I have had great sleep. I haven't struggled sleeping at all!

This is Milley, their awesome cat! She get's on well with the Opossums!

Race ON!

Let's get it on! Here is the infeild! Remember there are record numbers here in Sydney. It's so awesome to see all the teams from around the world!





Here are the girls in Heat 3 of the Scratch race. In yellow is Neva Day behind Cheatley of New Zealand, then 3 riders back is Shelley!

Niki gives Shelley her last sip of water before race time!
Here's Viggo refreshing Neva too!
And it's on!! There were 18 riders in each heat!

G'day Mate!

We made it, it was quite an adventure for all, but we made it!

Our gracious host, Doug Robinson, met us at the airport and escorted us to his home. Met his beautiful wife and daughter, Sue and Victoria. We freshened up, and hit the track.

Wow, the track is great. A great spacious building, with toilets inside. The straights are a little shorter, and the corners are taller. It's always awesome to see the other national teams. Today China, New Zealand, Netherlands, Philippians, Italy, and of course multiple US Pro teams. It was so exciting to see everyone!

Of the Americans, I saw Teresa Cliff-Ryan, and her teammate Jess, and husband. Dotsie is sporting a new Momentum kit. Liz Reep and Becky Quinn sporting the national team garb. Sarah Hammer looked splendid in her Ouch kit. SWV has Christen King and Neva Day here! Cody Racing had Backford and Kenny Williams on deck. Des and Vigo are here w/ the national team.

The adventuer begins!

yeah, I finally tracked down my Proman package! Look at my new kit!! Not at my awkward pose!

Jeremy told me I need to find that animal hunger for the sprints. Here I am working on it! Not as good as Shontell's tiger, more like a blinded Wombat (are they fast?)...dork!
So, today's the day. We got the car pack early, so Mike suggested we have breakfast at Panera. A place we frequented in College in Wichita, Kansas.
I had to get a shot of our matching sweatshirts from the Wichita State Rowing team, 1996. I think it's hilarious we both still wear them!

Killin' time in the airport in Seattle

Bye Babe! I'll miss you! Thanks for hanging out with me in the airport!

Now I"m sitting in the Van cover, BC airport awaiting my flight to Honolulu, then on to Sydney. It was a very convoluted process of customs, because I came from the US, and I"m going to the US (Honolulu)...but I'm in Canada...crazy!

Have you ridden a Kona lately??

Check out my sweet new ride! I love Kona's. The ride, the feel, the look. And such an awesome group of guys (and gals) that run the company!

They have ALL kinds bikes, from full Carbon fiber road, cross bikes, to tricked out Mtn cross country and Downhill, to BMX, to single speeds. Anything your addicted little heart desires.

Check them out: Konaworld.com

I love new Kona bikes!

Isn't there an easier way??

The Traveling Blues
In preparation for my upcoming trip to Sydney and Beijing, I have once again been faced with the never-ending struggle of traveling with all this equipment. The list of gear necessary for track racing is insane. Check it out:
  Two bikes. A road bike for warm up and cool down on the rollers (because track bike gears doesn't allow for that light spin we need pre/post racing).
  Four to six wheels. One set for that road bike, one set of race wheels, then possibly a front disc (if riding Pursuit, or team Pursuit), and possibly a spare track wheel just in case.
  Rollers, regular helmet, TT helmet, tools, track sack spare parts.
  Cycling clothing. Multiple long and short sleeve skinsuits for racing. A jersey and shorts for training. All the accessories; arm warmers, leg warmers, jacket, long/short fingered gloves, glasses, shoe covers, HR monitor, & undershirts.

Oh, and what about street clothes. For the upcoming Sydney and Beijing trip we get the experience of the Southern Hemisphere who are enjoying early summer heat. Then we go directly to the Northern Hemisphere of early winter in China. So, the key here is to pack versatile clothes sparsely.

Keeping in mind all this must be packed into bags that may not exceed fifty pounds each. And yes, that includes the bike bag or bags. Which brings up the points, 'How the heck can I pack 2 bikes and wheels under 50 pounds'. As I began this dreaded process, I wondered how others dealt with the same issues. So, I asked around to others in the same situation, in hopes someone had discovered some great system that makes traveling easy, simple, and quick.
Probably the most common bag used in my survey (8-10 riders headed to Sydney, or other international track races) was the double Bike Pro bag. The nice thing about that bag is you can usually fit wheels in it. But, with two bikes, and wheels, this bag is dangerously heavy, so one rider took the metal frame out because it apparently weights 17 pounds.

Others use two smaller soft bags (like Pica, Sci Con, Blue, etc), with one bike and a set of wheels in both. With two bags, riders run the risk of getting charged twice for oversized baggage (seeing as several airlines no longer offer the free international oversized baggage anymore).

A final option is cardboard. The beauty of cardboard is the weight, very light. With lightweight comes a lack of protection for the bikes, and if left in the rain can be destroyed. Often when using cardboard, the rider must pack the wheels in a separate bag due to lack of space.

The Tri All hard shell wheel bag is commonly used for wheels (it holds 3). Of note, Iona Winters had a heart-wrenching story involving the hard-shelled wheel bag. She borrowed a hard-shelled wheel bag and a disc for Continental Championships one year. And when she arrived she found a hole in each disc. She was not aware of the need to remove the axles of each wheel, to avoid puncturing the discs. Now, you have been warned.

Other companies offer a soft case for wheels (Zipp, Sci Con, Trek, all make ones). These bags must be checked, and this can be problematic because now you only have one other bag to check.
Basically, the answer is, 'There is no easy way!'

My decision is to use a wide cardboard back that fits two bikes. I recently purchased a hard-shelled wheel bag (and am taking the wheels in today to learn how to remove/replace the axle's) for the wheels. I built up a single speed bike from my old track bike (cause it's really light, and this way there's no derailures, cassette, and I can use the wheels as a spare track wheel if needed).

Next time you are sighing as you are faced with packing up bikes for a trip. Take comfort in the fact we ALL deal with the same frustrations. It's just a part of this great sport we all can't get away from!

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Silliness again!

Still awaiting my new Proman kit, I decided to ride incognito in the Gargage kit....see, you'd never know it was me.....

Until I step outside...but still it's hard to make out my face w/ those HUGE glasses, and sweet cap.
I feel so disguised I can act a fool and no one will know it's me!! TeeHeeHee.

This is Mike at a Cross race. He's been doing the local series all fall. He's tearin' it up on the dirt! He got a new cross bike and is all jazzed!

Pictures from Burnaby Track race

This is the bubble! Which encloses' the beloved track!

This is what's inside the bubble...Look at all the riders. Remember it's beginning of November. Who's fit in early November? Well, we're about to find out!! If you look closely, you'll see Rachael Canning on her rollers and just to the right of her is the circle of Seattlites. Annette, Kenny, Iona, Iona's husband...they've high jacked an ottoman and created a nice cosy area for the weekend.
Here's Steff Rouda (aahh, I know that's wrong, but she's the one standing) the current reigning Canadian Points Race National Champion. And on the TRAINER, is the lovely Jenelle Casserly, the World Class Downhill Mtn biker who I have come to know very well over the last few months. Watch out, she's got the drive and determination, and years of bike racing in her legs!!

We need your help! (an article from Proman's Blog)

We need your help!The Proman UCI Track Racing Team is set to embark on it's first journey overseas to enter into international competition! As we continue to finalize our travel arrangements and accomodations for this two week journey, we are faced with the inevitable challenge of racing abroad - financial support. Recently we were dealt a blow, finding out that we would not be able to stay in the athlete housing facility in Beijing, as expected. We were able to secure a hotel room, but as one can imagine, this greatly increases the cost of our stay in Beijing. Needless to say, we are extremely grateful for the host housing we will have in Sydney! We have been so fortunate to have already received generous donations from our supporters, which have covered our flight expenses, but PROMAN still needs of your help! The team is doing everything we can to work within our budget and keep costs down. Donations are greatly and thankfully accepted. We are excited to announce a fundraising event as well, to take place at the Hellyer Velodrome - food, drinks, and fun racing for all! For details, please visit our website at http://www.ridetheworldcups.com/
It is overwhelming and exciting to think that we will be racing in Australia and China in less than 2 weeks! This maiden voyage is one that we will never forget, one that we are approaching with great humility, respect, and passion. On behalf of the PROMAN Track Racing Team, we would like to thank everyone who has supported us thus far. Over the next 2 weeks we hope to see continued support of our journey.

Burnaby Velodrome Challenge Race Report

Burnaby Velodrome Challenge Nov 9-11 2007:
"Hold on to your hat's boys, this is gonna be a wild ride!!"

That's what they should have said. Cause it was fast and furious all weekend. And I mean all weekend. The weekend began on Fri for an evening session, with three races each. Then Sat morning session was sprints and C racers each riding three races. Saturday afternoon offered a Madison Cup (for the B's we did multiple Points races and Elimination), and Women's races. Saturday evening we had another three races each. Sunday morning again gave us three opportunities to race our brains out! Whew, and Ahhh…great racing, great prep for the upcoming World Cup races!!

The racing drew a strong field in all categories (A, B, C, New Racer, Women, and New Women Racer).
In the A's, among others, there was Kirk Obee, Kenny Williams, Dan Harm, Cody Cambell, Jeff Ain, Mike McCorkell. The As field had a total of 21 riders, not bad for a mid-November race, with a UCI track limit on a 200 of 20!! They raced 3 Points races, Scratch race, Snowball, Tempo, Unknown Distance, Miss N Out, 200, 3 Madison, Kerin, and Sprints.

In the B's, we had Steff Roorda (Current Canadian National Point Champ), Iona Lavern Winter Parks (racing for Jamaica for the Sydney and Beijing), Mandy Poitras (also going to Sydney an Beijing for the Canadian national team), Tara Whitten (who also is going to Sydney and Beijing for the Canadian National team, focusing on the Pursuit), and Jason Manning (made us hurt all weekend, damn junior rode AWESOME, got second in Omnium even though he crashed and missed all races on Sunday). We had 25 riders in our field. Our races included 3 Points races, 2 Scratch race, Snowball, Tempo, Unknown Distance, 2 Miss N Out, 200, Kerin, and Sprints.


The Cs shined with the likes of Jenelle Cassely (good friend, 2x top 20 World Downhill Championships, and BMX punk extrordonaire, and designer of the Burnaby Velodrome Club November Challenge Championship Jerseys, provided by ATAC.), Curtis Jung, and Mike Sidick also were in attendance. They had 20 riders in their field! Their races included 2 Scratch races, Points race, Miss N Out, Unknown Distance, Tempo, and 200.

The Women only field drew Jennifer Tripplett and Annette Hansen from Seattle. As well as many other women from the B, and Cs field. We had 13 women in our field. We had a Scratch, Miss N Out, and Points race.

THEN, there was a New Racer category with 17 riders, they had Points, Scratch, Snowball, Miss N Out, and 200. And a New Women Racer category with 8 women, they had a Points race and a Snowball.
That's 104 riders! WOW!! That's awesome! And the racing was superb!! Just what I needed to sharpen up my skills for Sydney!

you heard it first

(we put the MAN in PROMAN - just for UCI track team!)

PROMAN Racing Team UCI

PROMAN racing is proud to announce their 2007/2008 UCI Track Team. The roster is headed by current National Scratch Race Champion David McCook. McCook has been racing on the professional circuit since 1993 and has consistently been one of the most dominant field sprinters in the U.S for the last fifteen years, riding most recently for Kelly Benefit Strategies.

Representing the women's team will be 2007 breakout rider Shelley Olds who recently achieved 2 podium spots at U.S Track Nationals including bronze in the team pursuit and fifth place in the points race. She was also awarded Fixed Gear Fever's 'Most Exciting Rider to Watch', Olds is one of the founding members of the PROMAN Women's Team and is noted for her sprinting abilites on the road and has gone from a beginner road racer to a World Cup competitor in less than three years she intends to focus on track racing in pursuit of her Olympic dream.

Shelley will be joined by time trial/endurance specialist Kele Murdin. (Ultralink) Kele scored a bronze medal in the team pursuit along with Olds and Heather Albert and finished a stellar 5th place in the individual pursuit at Track Nationals. Murdin's focus will be the Individual pursuit and will also compete in points and scratch race. Kele recently attended a training camp at Burnaby, British Columbia as part of her preparation for Sydney. Olds and Murdin will both race with the PROMAN road squad.

Roman Kilun (Healthnet) will primarily focus on individual pursuit but will also be compete in both the points and scratch race in L.A New to track racing, Roman posted a silver medal in the team pursuit with a composite team consisting of McCook, Jacques Maynes & Danesh and and a ninth place in the Individual pursuit.

Both McCook and Murdin have been National Team members and will offer experience to the newer riders. McCook is a natural at coaching and is working closely with Roman and Shelley with their World Cup preparation which includes 3 weekly training sessions at the recently revamped Hellyer Velodrome in San Jose. McCook says 'I am extremely happy to be racing for the PROMAN team and to have the opportunity to compete in World Cup events, I am also enjoying coaching my team mates for international racing'
David McCook, one of the most consistant sprinters in the US is looking to sign with a road team for the 2008 season.

Nicola Cranmer, founder/manager of the PROMAN Team, will oversee logistics and will travel with the team to the World Cup events. Cranmer intends to gain valuable experience so she can ensure the longevity of the UCI track team.It is exciting to see fixed gear riding is a rapidly growing segment of the bike industry and there has been a significant increase in participation in beginner classes, clinics and races at the teams local velodrome. Many road specific athletes are realizing the value of training on the track to compliment road racing, its great training for power and bike handling skills. As a beginner, track racing is a relatively inexpensive sport to participate it, most velodromes rent bikes and offer clinics. Cranmer was introduced to track racing by her team mate, multi time State Champion Lorraine Jarvis who will lead the Masters Division of the PROMAN Women's Team to Nationals and Worlds in 2008 where she will be joined by Emily Zell, Tracey Ford, Kelly Barthlomew, Helene Drumm and Nicola Cranmer.

The PROMAN Racing Team will begin competing next month at the first World Cup race in Sydney, Australia followed by the Official Olympic Test Event, Beijing China, L.A in January and in February, Denmark. The World Championships will be held in Manchester UK in March

The squad will also be heading to 6 day racing at Burnaby in December. http://www.burnabyvelodrome.ca/

Training camps will be held both at Hellyer Velodrome, San Jose, CA and Home Depot Velodrome, Carson, CA.

PROMAN Racing Team is looking forward to gaining international exposure for its sponsors.
Including race clothing by Voler and casual clothing by Capo Forma
The team is finalizing equipment sponsors.

Roster

David McCook (USA)

Shelley Olds (USA)

Roman Kilun (USA)

Kele Murdin (USA)

Team manager - Nicola Cranmer (GBR)

News on the exciting new PROMAN womens road team program is pending release.

Nicola Cranmer - Manager
PROMAN Professional Track Team - UCI
PROMAN Women's Cycling Team
http://www.promanracing.com/
http://www.proman-paradigm.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/promanracing

November Fundraising update

17917 80^th Ave NE, #B-5
Kenmore, WA 98028
November 1, 2007

Dear Friends,
I wanted to send everyone an update to my fundraising efforts. I have been so overwhelmed by everyone's generosity! Thank you to everyone for your donations. I have raised $2955 thus far! I am so grateful for everyone's support.
With these funds I have purchased my ticket to Sydney and Beijing ($2500), and covered my expenses accrued at Nationals (ticket for coach $406, rental car $200, hotel $140, bike fee $160, my ticket $275). It's amazing how fast the money is spent. Today is the beginning of a new month, I hope to reach my goal of $3000* again this month.

I'm so excited to share with you all that I recently signed Proman, a Professional UCI Track Team. They have given me the opportunity to attend all four World Cup races (Sydney Australia, Nov 30-Dec2, Beijing, China, Dec 7-9, LA, US, Jan 18-20, Copenhagen, Denmark, Feb 15-17). Isn't that awesome!
So, what have I been doing? How's training going? Well, here's what I'm doing this week:
Monday: AM trainer wkt. Flew back from Flagstaff after visiting my sister
Tues: Worked, Lifted at the Y, and went to Yoga, rode the rollers
Wed: Drove up to Burnaby, B.C. (3-4hr drive) to train from 1-4pm (did 3x 10 min behind the electric bike, then 3-4x take a lap) with my coach Jeremy Storie, and several other riders. I will stay in Fort Langely, B.C. at my coaches' house until Sat.
Thurs: AM track session (6 laps on 6 laps off, x6, x3), afternoon lift at gym, PM rollers
Fri: 1-4 track session (working on pacing), 7-9pm Friday Night Racing at Burnaby.
Sat: 3hr Road ride, PM track session working on skills (riding a line, how slow can you go, being comfortable riding close to people, etc). Drive back to Seattle
Sunday: 2 hr road ride, lift at Y. Work 1/2 day.

That's my life in a nutshell. Sydney is only four weeks away! Thank you all for the means to get there! This is my dream, without your help, it would not be possible!

Kele Murdin

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