Krosstoberfest!

(very muddy after a not-so-muddy race)

Headed down to San Dimas with my Bike Station teamie, Courtney. We had a fun adventure on the way down... drove through the middle of an airshow, saw a plane being followed by two helicopters, and we only got lost twice due to navigational neglect (we don't need to mention who was navigating).

We arrived a bit later than planned but kept with our agenda to check out the race course before going to our host house. The only problem was that the cross park was dark and the gates were closed. However, after a bit of searching for a parking spot and with a couple of flashlights in hand, we set out to scope the course -- nighttime cross!!! The course was very tricky in the dark and there were some added obstacles with all the critters running around. The bunnies didn't bother us so much, but when we encountered a skunk with it's tail up we decided to call it a night. We made our way over to our host house to be greeted by 3 seeing eye dog failures (super nice dogs... they just didn't make the cut) and two very nice hosts who set us up in their villa out back.

The rest of the weekend was spent hanging out at Krosstoberfest -- riding the course, cheering on family and friends, and racing! Both courses wound around on power sapping grass, with some twists and turns through the trees, and a stair step run-up. Saturday also had some gratuitous mud... just a pit of slop that made a mess but it wasn't really a muddy cross race. Both days were similar as far as the races went. Somehow I got the hole shot which was nice after having terrible starts at the USGP. I ended up leading most of the first lap but eventually ended up in second slot with a gap ahead and a gap behind. Two podiums and lots of UCI points! yay! Courtney also had a redundant weekend with two 7th place finishes (but oh so close to 6th on day 2) -- her first UCI points!! nice! My dad-n-law had the best weekend with two top podiums in the masters and C rocked the juniors and then had a nice showing in the 123's on day 2 despite some bike woes. All in all, a fun weekend of racing. It's nice that there is a promoter on the west coast who is willing to put on a UCI weekend. I know it is a lot of extra hassle and expense, but it brings out good competition and gives the west coast racers a chance to earn some points for a good starting spot at nationals. Thanks Dot!

(big rainbow)

The drive home was another adventure -- with rainbows, beautiful skies, crazy NC drivers, and a bit of panic... The gas was getting low as we hit the CA valley, but we decided to wait until the light turned on to minimize our stops... so we pass exit after exit. Meanwhile the light turns on, but the navigator is unaware of this turn of events so makes no mention of the big gas exit coming up. As we pass the turnoff with no gas for miles and miles ahead, it becomes clear that we made a big mistake! However, after a little detour, some drafting off semis, and a lot of panic (as the gas needle was below the lowest line) we made it! The rest of the drive home was smooth sailing with good tunes!

(pretty skies)

Mad Cross

(Super Fan Hill)

The first round of the USGP series took place in Madison, WI this weekend. I flew into Minneapolis to meet up with my brother and drive down for the race. We arrived to town Friday evening and had a chance to ride the course a bit before heading downtown for dinner. It was a fun and windy (both twisty and breezy) course. The twists are not my forte, but it was fun getting to practice them a bit and riding a well designed cross course is always a blast.

Saturday morning came fast and my brother's race was the first of the day. I let him use my bike as a pit bike, but made him promise not to crash on the first lap just so he could use it (my bike is a little nicer than his bike :). He got off to a great start and right as he was overtaking a guy for the lead, he was squished into the side posts and went down. he got back up and his handlebars were pointed sideways (not good). He was conveniently close to the pit and made a run for my bike (this almost seemed planned). I hurriedly fixed his bike and anxiously watched him race while hoping for no crashes. In the end, he lost a lot of spots with his crash so his plan to steal my bike did not work out so well for him, but he did gain quite a bit of ground back throughout the rest of the race!

My race came later in the day and I didn't have my best start or my best race, and I was kinda caught in no-man's land throughout most of the race. The Chicago and midwest fans were awesome and kept me motivated though -- I got a ton of support all around the race course! I think the crew on the U-turn hill was the best. They made me smile every time around. It was awesome!

Sunday brought similar race conditions, but a bit faster course which I liked. I ended up racing most of the race with phenom junior Katie A -- she is probably the tiniest racer out on the course while I am likely the tallest so it was a pretty funny matchup. Katie also has a big cheering section in the midwest so it drowned out some of my super support, but there was still great cheering all around the course... with some musical instruments too! We were riding back and forth most of the race until about 1.5 laps to go when i caught my handle bars on a post and went flying (the same place my bro crashed -- not good luck!). Then I was back in no-man's land to finish up the race. Missed out on the UCI points this weekend, but hoping to get some more next weekend when I head to San Dimas for Krosstoberfest! Fun Fun!

Want to throw out a big thanks to Becker Law Office for helping to fund my travel -- a great idea by the promoters and generous support from Becker Law to help get more women to the races. A lot of people focus on the prize money to attract bigger women's fields, but women also lack a lot of the travel and race support that men's teams provide, so it's really nice to see promoters helping out the women's field in a new and creative way! Thanks!

Cross is Here!

It's my absolutely all time favorite time of the year!

Cross always goes by quickly and then I spend months and months longing for it to start again and after waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting... it somehow sneaks up fast and woah -- it's cross season!!!

This year started off with a fun filled weekend up in Seattle for the Starcrossed and Rad Racing NATC races. The conditions were wet, muddy, and perfect for cyclocross! The weekend began with Starcrossed under the lights and surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd. I went into the race feeling a bit rusty and still a bit exhausted from the previous weeks (who knew weddings were so tiring?), but I was also very excited to be racing cross and energized to be back on the knobby tires. I was hoping to squeak into the top 10 and snag a UCI point or two and was shocked when I found myself racing for a top 5 spot. My body was a bit shocked too and by the last lap I faded into 6th, but I was happy with the finish in such a strong field of women.

The next day brought more mud, torrential downpours, and sand -- more cx fun! I got off to a much better start than the first race and was up in the top 5 from the very beginning. Even after a dive in the sand (this is not the ideal way to dismount) I was hanging in there near the front. I was also having a ton of fun getting muddy and being back on the cross bike! In the end I struggled to hang on in the last lap, but finished one place better in 5th! Overall a fun start to the cross season -- I can't wait for more!!

Next up, I'm headed to madison with my bro for the first USGP races -- Mad Cross always puts on a great race -- I can't wait!

Universities RR

Last weekend, the racing came to me! The race course consisted of riding up the campus hill at UCSC and back down many many many times.... this is the campus hill that I ride from home to my office several times a week (when i'm not lazy... on lazy days, i take the bus because there is no easy way to ride to the top of campus). The course passed right by my driveway again and again and again... there were times that I contemplated taking a turn for home and calling it a day as this hill is not meant to ride 14 times! But I hung in there and in the end had a good race.

I was ready for this race to be a bit of a letdown after a fun visit to Chicago where I had huge support lining the course. But it turns out, I have a great section of superfans here too! Our friends and families from the neighborhood came out and provided a super cheering section on the uphill which was supplemented with Bike Station support on the downhill (while only one person, she provided enough enthusiasm to earn the status of a full cheering squad!) I appreciated all the cheers, but I have to say the little fans were my favorite -- they made me smile every time up the hill (and it's not an easy feat to make one smile going up that hill again and again).

They even had signs!

Little fan with sign (and a very very little fan being held in the background)

Two little fans (one seems very excited about the sign!)

(Tired little fans -- it's not easy being a super cheer squad)

All in all, the race went well. About 4 laps in, Shelly from PB&co initiated a break and the two of us were off for the rest of the race. In the end, she had the punch to take the win -- it would have been more fun to end my road season with a win, but her win was well deserved.

Afterwards, Aspen and I had a little BBQ for the super fans and some racing buddies. It was a great way to end a hard, hot day on the bike.

Road racing is pretty much winding down for me now. This weekend, I am off to the great state of Ohio for the big event! Then Cyclocross season! Oh boy!!!

ChI-tOwN

Went back to Chicago for a week after being gone for almost a year. I got a few rides in on the lakefront path during my time back in chi-town. It's amazing how even after a year, the nooks and crannies along the path are all imprinted in my mind. I still remember the cracks and holes to watch out for (with some new ones of course:) and the curves of the path are so familiar I feel the bike just goes on autopilot. As much as I love the mountains and variety that I have at my new home, part of me really does miss the LFP. It is nice being able to ride along the city without worrying about cars, to have beautiful views of the city line and lake Michigan along the whole route, and best of all to see friendly faces. Every day I went out to the path I saw someone I knew... teammates, race competitors, and friends. It never feels lonely on the LFP.

(Chicago riding)

In between LFP rides I kept very busy all week with school and catching up with friends. By the time the weekend came I was exhausted, but also excited for some fun cycling...

Saturday was one of my favorite races -- The Glencoe Grand Prix! I have always enjoyed the course, the organization, and the fun atmosphere at the race. The race promoters are also very supportive of women's racing which is really nice to see. They ask for feedback on how to make it better and listen... they've built bigger purses, given the 3's a separate category, and even brought in clinics before the races. I think it is not always the purses that matter, but also offering good races and catering to the up and coming categories that will help women's cycling continue to grow. Anyway, I've always liked this race for many reasons... not just because I've had good luck at it the last couple years.

This year, the race was especially fun because it felt like I came back to my cycling home. I got to see my cycling family again and hearing all the cheers and support during the race was unreal. The finishing straight, the Tati corner... all along the course I heard a ton of cheers. I wish I would have had more than a day at the Chicago races because there are so many people that I would have liked to see more of (or people I didn't get to see) -- I really miss the great community.

I did not finish up as lucky as I had in past years... I've never actually felt good in the Glencoe races with the heat and humidity that always seems to come full on for the race... so I really do feel like I've gotten lucky in past years. This year, I was just lucky to be home. And lucky to have a strong team that finished on the podium!

Sunday was another fun riding day -- I left the chicago flatness and found the closest "hills" with two of my favorite riding buddies. Even though the hills were more like bumps compared to CA, they crushed me after an exhausting week. I was zonked! I refueled with frozen custard, my favorite pizza (Piece -- mmmm), and ice cream (this is different that custard).

(super riding buddies in super sweet kits)

(hi-tech ice cream -- mmm)

Then a little more hanging out with friends before heading back to the west coast. It was sad leaving my old home again... but I was also happy to return to my new home.

(home)

Above the Clouds

Not a lot of racing lately, but lots of good riding...

The other day I climbed Old La Honda early in the morning and found myself above the clouds!

(Clouds not Snow)

Today was another beautiful ride along the coast to a pretty view along the coastal cliffs:

(pretty pretty)

(Aspen is checking it out)

Santa Cruz Riding

The roads are smiling...

(on 1)

(on 9)

(on high)

I love the road art!