I just had to...
OUCH...what's that black strap?
goood stuff...Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Nature Valley
Day 1: Rainy crit, that got nullified...a million crashes...~50 women dug super deep to hang on to a very fast pace, fighting the natural urge to exit such a dangerous course....only to find out it was to NO avail! And, of course the the men didn't have to race (softies!!)
Day 2: Cannon Falls road race that was pretty mild, until the last 5 finishing circuits of ~2mi each. Of note our teammate Andrea Luebby got 2nd on a QOM!! The circuits was basically a crit, w/ sprints, and speed! About 75ppl came into the circuits, just after a dirt section followed by the worst pavement on a wet decent ever...Tina Pic took the win, closely followed by Joanne Kiesanowski, and Laura Van Gilder...followed by my ex-teammate Shelly Olds!
Day 3: TT in the AM. Mostly perfect TT course, w/ a 1K climb to finish it off. Kat Carroll smoked a 2nd place, behind Kristin Armstong. Shelly had a great TT in 6th! Chrissy w/o any TT stuff pulled of 14th!
Crit in PM: Downtown Minneapolis. This year it was dry!! It was a fun course, stayed together pretty much. There was a lot of wind on the course making it hard for any solo riders. A good real crit! Brooke Miller surprised us w/ a strong win!
Day 4: 91mi Mankato RR. Lots of wind and teams trying to attack Kristin Armstrong made it a very active race. Then came the killer finishing circuits w/ this steep climb on it we had to do 4 times...and it all shattered. And, guess who won?? Kristin Armstrong, that's who!
Day 5: Stillwater cirt. The word crit is a misnomer...it's a 12 time climb, then power course. This course has a like 45sec 18-21% climb on each lap, and the laps was 1.3mi course. A fun course, minus the hill. And Kristin was on fire again, she won by over a minute! Chrissy attached up the last climb and was perched for 2nd, then got passed close to the top..damn, I was so excited for her...nice try! Kat was in that group too!
Day 2: Cannon Falls road race that was pretty mild, until the last 5 finishing circuits of ~2mi each. Of note our teammate Andrea Luebby got 2nd on a QOM!! The circuits was basically a crit, w/ sprints, and speed! About 75ppl came into the circuits, just after a dirt section followed by the worst pavement on a wet decent ever...Tina Pic took the win, closely followed by Joanne Kiesanowski, and Laura Van Gilder...followed by my ex-teammate Shelly Olds!
Day 3: TT in the AM. Mostly perfect TT course, w/ a 1K climb to finish it off. Kat Carroll smoked a 2nd place, behind Kristin Armstong. Shelly had a great TT in 6th! Chrissy w/o any TT stuff pulled of 14th!
Crit in PM: Downtown Minneapolis. This year it was dry!! It was a fun course, stayed together pretty much. There was a lot of wind on the course making it hard for any solo riders. A good real crit! Brooke Miller surprised us w/ a strong win!
Day 4: 91mi Mankato RR. Lots of wind and teams trying to attack Kristin Armstrong made it a very active race. Then came the killer finishing circuits w/ this steep climb on it we had to do 4 times...and it all shattered. And, guess who won?? Kristin Armstrong, that's who!
Day 5: Stillwater cirt. The word crit is a misnomer...it's a 12 time climb, then power course. This course has a like 45sec 18-21% climb on each lap, and the laps was 1.3mi course. A fun course, minus the hill. And Kristin was on fire again, she won by over a minute! Chrissy attached up the last climb and was perched for 2nd, then got passed close to the top..damn, I was so excited for her...nice try! Kat was in that group too!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Liberty Classic
I was a day to remember. Beginning w/ the 98deg temp w/ 96% humidity. All the streets barricaded, huge screen for fans to watch the (MEN'S) race, stands, fans a plenty on both 'The Wall' and "Lemmon Hill", and ~100 women, and ~200men.
This race has such a historic feel to me. I think its due to the Philly overall feel, rich pride in their history! Our race is 4 laps, and w/ in those laps we have 2 Queen of the Mountain sprints, the Manyunk wall (800m steep climb, up to 20%), and Lemmon Hill (short, don't even know why it's considered a QOM, as far as QOMs though, it's my favorite!). These spots ramp up the pace, as well as the Start/Finish (which is about 500m from the feed zone...talk about Fast Food....hee hee)...which always seems to stretch things out. All and all this course requires you to stay attentive at all times. This year we had an additional challenge of a construction zone, where Onone Woods (ahhh, spelling??) crashed due to the slick pavement, and had black oil all down her left side.
So, major part of this race is POSITION. It's a challenge to stay up front, but well worth the effort. Lots of grates on Kelly drive, make moving up on the outside dangerous, the road goes from 4 to 1 lane, and add in an S curve...and that spells...someones-gonna-eat-it....
Luckily, our team stayed out of any mayhem. Tina Pic had her taste of it. On the first lap after the steep climb, there is a fast technical section where she hit a pot hole and lost control of her bike in a corner and slammed into a barrier. The rest of the day she rode w/ her brake lever 90deg from it's normal position. She NEVER ceases to amaze me. I heard later she had been sick all week, w/ flu like symptoms. She was dry heaving IN the race, and then CRASHED, then finished top 10! Now that's heart, and grit. And, she's so humble about the whole thing! I wish her all the best!!
Ok, so first lap Kristin Armstrong get like 2min on us after the first climb. Then another group of like 5 break off the front, then it all comes back together...then I flatted coming off Lemmon Hill and never got back on. The group stayed together for the next two laps (there was another small group that got some time on the 3rd lap, but was absorbed). Chrissy attacked on the last lap, but was caught soon after or on the last climb...good try Chris!
We had Jess, Trish, and Casey in the front group on the last lap before the climb. Then there was a crash w/ like 200m to go, but Shontell from Highroads won w/ an attack on Lemmon from a small group. Brooke Miller stole 2nd from Ina, and Ina took third. Steph Orouda (representing Jeremy Storie, and Vancouver, BC) took 9th in her first Liberty...great job Steph!
Casey won the American U23, and got money and a podium! How awesome is that? Nice work!
I'm very disappointed w/ flatting, but hey that's racing! Now I look forward to Nature Valley!
This race has such a historic feel to me. I think its due to the Philly overall feel, rich pride in their history! Our race is 4 laps, and w/ in those laps we have 2 Queen of the Mountain sprints, the Manyunk wall (800m steep climb, up to 20%), and Lemmon Hill (short, don't even know why it's considered a QOM, as far as QOMs though, it's my favorite!). These spots ramp up the pace, as well as the Start/Finish (which is about 500m from the feed zone...talk about Fast Food....hee hee)...which always seems to stretch things out. All and all this course requires you to stay attentive at all times. This year we had an additional challenge of a construction zone, where Onone Woods (ahhh, spelling??) crashed due to the slick pavement, and had black oil all down her left side.
So, major part of this race is POSITION. It's a challenge to stay up front, but well worth the effort. Lots of grates on Kelly drive, make moving up on the outside dangerous, the road goes from 4 to 1 lane, and add in an S curve...and that spells...someones-gonna-eat-it....
Luckily, our team stayed out of any mayhem. Tina Pic had her taste of it. On the first lap after the steep climb, there is a fast technical section where she hit a pot hole and lost control of her bike in a corner and slammed into a barrier. The rest of the day she rode w/ her brake lever 90deg from it's normal position. She NEVER ceases to amaze me. I heard later she had been sick all week, w/ flu like symptoms. She was dry heaving IN the race, and then CRASHED, then finished top 10! Now that's heart, and grit. And, she's so humble about the whole thing! I wish her all the best!!
Ok, so first lap Kristin Armstrong get like 2min on us after the first climb. Then another group of like 5 break off the front, then it all comes back together...then I flatted coming off Lemmon Hill and never got back on. The group stayed together for the next two laps (there was another small group that got some time on the 3rd lap, but was absorbed). Chrissy attacked on the last lap, but was caught soon after or on the last climb...good try Chris!
We had Jess, Trish, and Casey in the front group on the last lap before the climb. Then there was a crash w/ like 200m to go, but Shontell from Highroads won w/ an attack on Lemmon from a small group. Brooke Miller stole 2nd from Ina, and Ina took third. Steph Orouda (representing Jeremy Storie, and Vancouver, BC) took 9th in her first Liberty...great job Steph!
Casey won the American U23, and got money and a podium! How awesome is that? Nice work!
I'm very disappointed w/ flatting, but hey that's racing! Now I look forward to Nature Valley!
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Pre Philly ridin' and R&R
Hey Chrissy, what tha??? God you never cease to make me fall over laughing!! I miss you so much!!
See, everybody else was paying attention to the, "Ok guys, over here"..
There she is, all cleaned up!
Here's the crew! From the left...Phil (owner), Theresa (T-Bird), Jess (Rocket), Doofus, Casey (what she lacks in height, she make up for w/ volume), and Gary (manager extraordinaire)
Here's T-Bird trying out riding w/ the cast....she HAD to know it wasn't possible....she's such a trouper...but after this ride, she realized it was too risky for others around her....she, I'm sure would endure the pain, but she doesn't want to put anyone else at risk...therefore, she's chosen not to ride. A HUGE disappointment for her, this was a major race for her. We love ya T-Bird!! Now attach your healing, like you do EVERYTHING else in your life!! And, we'll be just fine!
The rest of the kids on our ride...Phil, Jess, Theresa, and Casey...Gary got nixed out of this one...he's riding a track bike w/o breaks...
Jess and I baked banana bread, and apple crisp yesterday! Perfect for light, nimbely climbing....right??
The rest of the kids on our ride...Phil, Jess, Theresa, and Casey...Gary got nixed out of this one...he's riding a track bike w/o breaks...
Jess and I baked banana bread, and apple crisp yesterday! Perfect for light, nimbely climbing....right??
Philly week (CSC, Allentown, Reading)
This has been a week of acclimatising. A new team, house, heat, humidity, as well as the usual bike racing chaos that is standard.
And it's been good. I think I am getting used to sweating as I sleep (thank Jehovah for my fan)! The team is coming together well. It always takes a little time to familiarize yourself with a new format, and style, and we are ahead of the curve!!
CSC was down in Arlington Virgina. Whew, it was hot-o-rama. Thank Ali our race was at like 10am! I can't remember too much about the race, except the results were all screwed up. They did NOT pull lapped riders and this caused havoc at the finish. Theresa finished 7th, a good first race back. I almost took her straight into a barrier at 2 to go...as I was trying to take her to the front, and my opening suddenly closed...yeah, that was AWESOME!
Allentown, again super hot. The course had a stupid kicker hill, and was a long 1mi course. Not the best team race, but good lessons learned, to build on for Reading and Philly!!
Reading, not as hot. Team really made good adjustments from what we experienced on Tues, and rode much better. Unfortunately, Theresa crashed and sustained a spiral fracture of her 5th Metacarpal (the long bone on the side of your palm, under you pinky). She's so tough, she tried to get back in, and ride...but after near missing ANOTHER crash, she saw the writing on the wall and called it a day. She's had a hard time ever since she's got back to the states! Hang in there girl, it can ONLY get better!!
Today is the day before Philly. We rode a little this AM. Man on Man it's SOO hot. I love this race. It pushes you in so many ways...the huge number of riders, the challenge of getting good position, THE WALL, the false flat after the wall (where it's flying because the front riders are now on the decent...and this is where gaps open..), Strawberry hill burns, Lemmon is over before you know it, then you have to fight to get a bottle because NO ONE slows for the feed zone. My biggest challenge is keeping a positive head on the 3 min section of the wall and the false flat over....it's a little overwhelming...all the build up...people talk about 'the wall' and just having a name makes it more scary....but it's just power!! And that I know how to handle.
This race makes me love being a bike racer! At least today, I wonder how I'll feel tomorrow.
And it's been good. I think I am getting used to sweating as I sleep (thank Jehovah for my fan)! The team is coming together well. It always takes a little time to familiarize yourself with a new format, and style, and we are ahead of the curve!!
CSC was down in Arlington Virgina. Whew, it was hot-o-rama. Thank Ali our race was at like 10am! I can't remember too much about the race, except the results were all screwed up. They did NOT pull lapped riders and this caused havoc at the finish. Theresa finished 7th, a good first race back. I almost took her straight into a barrier at 2 to go...as I was trying to take her to the front, and my opening suddenly closed...yeah, that was AWESOME!
Allentown, again super hot. The course had a stupid kicker hill, and was a long 1mi course. Not the best team race, but good lessons learned, to build on for Reading and Philly!!
Reading, not as hot. Team really made good adjustments from what we experienced on Tues, and rode much better. Unfortunately, Theresa crashed and sustained a spiral fracture of her 5th Metacarpal (the long bone on the side of your palm, under you pinky). She's so tough, she tried to get back in, and ride...but after near missing ANOTHER crash, she saw the writing on the wall and called it a day. She's had a hard time ever since she's got back to the states! Hang in there girl, it can ONLY get better!!
Today is the day before Philly. We rode a little this AM. Man on Man it's SOO hot. I love this race. It pushes you in so many ways...the huge number of riders, the challenge of getting good position, THE WALL, the false flat after the wall (where it's flying because the front riders are now on the decent...and this is where gaps open..), Strawberry hill burns, Lemmon is over before you know it, then you have to fight to get a bottle because NO ONE slows for the feed zone. My biggest challenge is keeping a positive head on the 3 min section of the wall and the false flat over....it's a little overwhelming...all the build up...people talk about 'the wall' and just having a name makes it more scary....but it's just power!! And that I know how to handle.
This race makes me love being a bike racer! At least today, I wonder how I'll feel tomorrow.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Home in Philly
Check, Check, it out....The Verducci team house..
With a sweet custom bike rack to boot out front!
this is the MONSTER upstairs bathroom....
awesome kitchen...
the living room/dining room..that's Jess and Theresa returning from their ride....
I live in 'Heaven'...because it's on the third floor...
Gary and Theresa's suite...
Jess's bed, room....pretty much the same thing...And that's about it....we are about 2.5mi from Center City...so close to everything! Thanks so Joe Wentzel for making this possible for us!!
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