Colavita, Crit Nats, and Gossip!

So, this weekend I spent with the Colavita/Cooking Light team, ran by non other than Jim Williams, wrenched by Doug Nolastname, and housed by Angie and Husband, and two impecable sons!

The weekend started w/ a rought trip here...instead of arriving on my direct flight from Seattle at 4pm, I arrived via Denver at 12:30am....not so sweet.


The two guest riders, me and Allison Powers (one of the nicest, strongest riders I've met)

Sat we had the warm up 40min race...for the team we had the one and ONLY Tina Pic, and simply Sima Trapper, and Sarah doalltheraces Tilletson...and fellow guest powerhouse Allison Powers, and lil 'ol me.

Sat went as planned....poor Tina was chomping at the bit to race, but Jim kept a tight reighn on her for Sunday's main event...

Sunday, Criterium Nationals day...a 50k crit full w/ primes and excitement. We rode well, covered what we needed to, got into what we needed to...Tina won the 1/2 way prime of $500...w/ 6 laps to go I tried to move up a little too aggresively, dove into a corner, and got way squeezed and was forced to come to a complete stop, unclip...and lost contact w/ the group...and never caught back on....but Allison and Sarah did everything in thier power to help Tina...but Tina had the last lap down...was leading as she set up for the final turn..then WHAMO a huge bump, then weeee through the air....yup, crash...in the last corner...that sucked!! But thank heavens she's ok...

Later her great husband Chris was helping to tend to her wounds so she could get her shorts on for lunch....

Sarah and Sima are SO serious, it was almost boring to hang out w/ them (NOT). They are a HOOOT!

Tom Schueler (aaahhhgg, spelling?? Team Sports, you know) took all of us out to lunch...and we had time to chat and enjoy this great day!!



You're probably wondering what the 'Gossip' part was about...well this girl was riding around in a Monex kit on Sat with Roberto Gagmeoli, and we all thought it was Lynn...but no, this is, as he put it, "my new project"...and she was wearing her JUNIOR nationals jersey....good stuff

Lastley, I'd like to thank Jim Williams for the opportuinity to ride w/ such a great group of riders. I have for so long wanted to ride for Tina, what a dream come true. She is such a wonderful person, as much as she is a wonderful athlete! Doug took awesome care of me AND my disgustingly dirty bike...he definately went above and beyond, thanks so much Doug. Sima/Sarah/Tina/Jim/Doug all made me feel so welcomed, and comfortable...along w/ our awesome host housing who cooked for us, cleaned, took care of our every need....and riding w/ the Phenom of the season Allison Powers...what an awesome weekend....Pinch me!

Thanks all that were involved!!

Mike's First Track Race

Awww, how cute...Mike's on a track bike! Sweet, one more bike purchase coming right up!!!!

He raced really well, smart, aggressive....not like me! He got 2nd in the Miss N Out...raced the Points well...I'm super excited he enjoyed it! Now, I wonder how long until he's faster than me....hmm, I bet he already is....oh well, there are no losers in this family!! (just speaking of the nuclear family now...those 'other' murdin/shamatha/hulser/traffas/cook/pruits now they are a different story, nudge-a-nugde-a...)

Birthdays ROCK!

"Ja ma hon Leva"(Swedish Happy B-Day song) Mike singing...carrying a tray of Coffee/Juice/Toast/Cake...that's what I woke up to today..


What a great way to start my B-Day! So we ate, drank, and enjoyed some cake. Then we opened the gifts sent by his family and my family...Mike's B-Day is Aug 9th, and I was in Colo Springs...so he saved all his gifts so we could open them together!!
I got sweet new orange/red bowls from Sweden, and awesome Tea spoons...this cool Cog Tea Candleholder, and Leige Baston Leige light switch cover..and so so so much more....
(I removed the lued photo of Mike, by popular demand...Mostly Mike)

As I was headed downstairs after breakfast in bed, I noticed I had a new voicemail...it was Mom and the boys singing 'Happy Birthday'...Man, I'm a lucky girl...getting 'Happy Birthday' sung to me x2, in TWO different languages BEFORE 8am...this is gonna be a great day!!

Then at work they had a Pot Luck....

And an Awesome Cake...that's number 2 on the day!!

Woody Cox Sets A New World Record!!

How did I forget this??

Woody Cox 'rolled' (a new 'trackie' term I've picked up) a 2:24.439 in his 3K pursuit, setting a new National and World record as seen on USA Cycling:

Woody Cox (Redmond, Wash./Byrne Specialty Gas) 2:24.439 (WR) (NR)

Woody has been an awesome teacher for meat the last few races. He's got a great system, and a huge wealth of knowledge that he gladly shares with me (like, "it's a points race Kele you have to go for the Points"). I have benefited from what he's taught me greatly! Thanks Woody! Good things happen to Good People!! Congratulations, Well deserved!!

Yo Mama

Some of you die hard Kelekelebobelly fans may recognize this name from my comments list....it's my Mom


I had to BEG her to join me on top of the Podium...but it's because SHE is a major reason I made it up there. She was the typical single mother, who did it the A-typical way. She was a Montessori teacher (ie low low pay)...and although we met the requirements to receive government aide, she refused...and taught me about perseverance, work ethics, honesty, dedication, and respect...Thanks Mom!

Action Jackson was here

Ok, so I'm struggling to find cute, funny little titles to preview my next amazing entry....

So, on Sat we did 2 laps of our 30 lap Scratch race then it started raining...so we hid under our tents to wait it out...

But it only got worse...

And worse...



Annette and Debbie grabed anything they could for warmth...yes, those are helmets on Annettes lap...she was DESPERATE...

Day off on Friday means Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak!

So, Friday I had no races...I chose not to do the sprints. So, my Mom and brother Sam drove down from Wichita Kansas to watch my races Sat...so we took Friday to see the sight in beautiful Colo. Springs.

This is a Granite conglomerate....yea, I'm wicked smat (Boston Accent)...in the 'Garden'...well these Gods must not like colorful gardens, or they don't eat much cause this garden just has a bunch of huge rocks in it...hmmm, not the kind of garden I know....wierdos

"Dude, Sam, I"m SOO high right now...huhuhuhuhu", "I know Jess, I've NEVER been this high Man".....

It's alright everyone, EVERYBODY'S HIGH, we're on top of Pike's Peak!!!!!

Even MOM'S high....heeheehee

'Under the influence', Sam and I think we can conquer the world!

Absolutely BREATH-TAKING, literally....at over 14,000 feet we were dizzy and giddy. Mom struggled w/ the camera and cracked us all up...we nearly passed out!


To enter the park you pay the small fee of $30 to drive your own car up the part paved, part dirt road...and they give you a brochure w/ helpful tips about safety on your trip up this world know motion. One tip was that if you leave your car, always put a note on it on where you went and when you'll be back, in case something happens....So we did...

"Went to the Gift Shop, back in five minutes"

I wonder why no one else is following the rules. Maybe the meant in areas a little more desolate?? Well, we cracked ourselves up for quite a while on that one....damn I'm funny!

Man after all that sitting in the car, I had really worked up an appetite...mmmmmm dinner!

Thanks so much to Mom and Sam for taking the time (2x 8hr drive from Wichita, for a 15min Scratch race) to come watch me race. Having the love and support of my family gives me more strength than a million workouts (just don't tell Ryan!). I love you both, and am delighted to be able to share this new part of my life w/ you both...now you'll get my 'track lingo'...

More Seattlite's on the Poduim at Master Nats

Kenny Smokes the Points race...lapping the field, TWICE, I think! Wow, that's amazing!


Annabell takes a hard fought 3rd place in the Sprints!! Nice job! She's awesome ( a Nicole athlete, and friend from the San Fran area)


Kenny wins the 3K in an screamin' 3:26...Nice!


Annette wins 2K pursuit (and Kills me by .3 seconds, she rolled a 2:33.6, I did a 2:33.9...but who's counting??)...she is amazing to watch ride her bike...


Tracey Hubert (maybe?) takes 4th in her 2K pursuit, nice work!




Hey, I won a race that wasn't just ME...the Points race. Well, I actually got 2nd, but we had combined w/ another age group, so I was first in MY age group. It was a hard race, congrats to all the ladies here!!

Curtis took 5th in Sprints...WOW, he can go the distance AND sprint..neet-to!

Woody Cox got 4th in his Points race!

Not a bad day at the office for the Seattle/San Fran/Lewisville (Gosh, I honestly don't know how to spell that...its pronounced Lewy-ville, as in Kentucky, unless that person is from there then its lu-vul)!

Masters Track Women 30-34 2K Pursuit Podium

Pursuits are fun fun fun, especially when you win! Man, the world looks good from up here!

Master Track Nationals 2006

Here we are in goergous Colorado Springs, for the 2006 Masters Track National Championships. Oh, what a nice track! Wow, look at all these people! This is gonna be fun!

Leif Clarke get's a Bronze in the Kilo

Kenny wins his Kilo..su-prize, su-prize, su-prize

Dave Mann get's fifth in his Kilo

Debbie Preller get's a Silver in the 500m TT!!

Woody Cox get's third in his 500m TT!!

Man, I've got some fast friends! They have all been super helpful, nice, funny, and patient...so I'm having a blast! Masters racers know how to do it!

More from FSA...all about ME! (thanks to Wheels in Focus!)

So here's the classic open mouth, given' her all I've got look during my 3K effort...Annette got me by a little over a second...I rode a 4:05.6. If I want to make the time standard in October (3:49), I've got a LONG way to go...good thing I LOVE it!!


3K Pursuit Podium at 2006 FSA Grand Prix (Women, to be exact)

Man, I look like I'm gonna kill somebody...too bad my time was awful...next approach? Don't fight the bike, maybe??

Oh ho ho, Like that huh Jenny (as in Spankin' fast REED)??! Notice, she DOESN'T look like she's gonna kill somebody...but the killed all of us in this 200m TT...She's an awesome girl, and phenom racer!! What a treat to get smoked by her all weekend...Humble pie anyone??

Next lesson, Keirin (hmm spelling?). First heat, I got/held motor, then attacked as soon as it pulled off...and managed to squeeze out 2nd to move on to the Finals. But that one, not so successful...Annette asked and I gave up the motor...then going into last lap Jenny Reed came UNDER me on the red line (totally legal, just never happened to me before), I had Heather on my opposite shoulder (so I yell, "Holy Cow") and loose like 5 positions as the race unfolds ahead of me...Lesson? ALWAYS move forward when you feel fear....the rider moving forward is safer, and that's where the race is in FRONT of you!

Keirin podium, Jenny Reed (duh) 1st, Annette Hanson (duh) 2nd, and Maranda Duff (of course) 3rd...me? Oh I was butt last in the final, 6th...throwing a temper tantrum, because I KNEW what I did wrong, and that's frustrating...bet it doesn't happen again (don't worry Mom, I didn't really throw a temper tantrum, maybe ONE little cuz word, and didn't contest the final sprint)...

Everyone's favorite place to be, on the fastests' riders' wheel (hmm, grammar help? Fastest's?, sorry Grandmother, I'm a product of America's poor educational system). This is the Miss N Out

Hey look, Jen Tripplett joined us...because she's AWESOME! Annette about killed me though, I was supposed to be helpful, and I screwed up my job costing Annette 3rd...oopps, again Lesson? Don't panic, be aware of what is going on around you, help out your friends and they will return the favor!

Points race...this is the finish. This is the race you have multiple sprints throughout the race...it's becoming one of my favorites, if I could just learn how to be more efficient/patient...

Jenny Reed knows how to ride a points race...yea, she pretty much won EVERY single stikin' race...because she's heads and shoulders better than us...she deserves every cent she made!!

Oh Joy the Match Sprints (PUKE)...Heather Van Valkasomething schooled me, but this time she had to work a little harder than at Alpenrose 2 wks ago to beat me...my big accomplishment of this 2 lap race was I got around her..I started behind her, and it was my goal to get in front of her then move her up track...and I got around her then freaked out and so she got right back in front of me and easily took the sprint...baby steps!! Nice work Heather, someday, I'll make you break a sweat!!

That's it!! A great weekend of racing! Thanks so much to the MVA staff (Dave Mann, and Harley Sheffield, and others) who worked so hard to get this race together...all the sponsors, and athletes who made the trip! It's an awesome race, w/ good money for all trackies reading this...you should come next year!

This is how the Canadians celebrate a weekend of racing....break dancing in the beer garden after their races...dude they were a hoot!!
Also, thanks to Brad Huff and Mike Freedman for making the trip and raising the bar of competition...they were awesome to watch, super nice guys, and really animated the racing!!