Dig in Cari!
Clare is just as excited.
Nice hat!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Photos from Grafton finish
Kate chasing the break in the last couple last.
Dig in Cari!
Clare is just as excited.
Nice hat!
Dig in Cari!
Clare is just as excited.
Nice hat!
Sheboygan and the Giro de Grafton!
Hi All! Last week we extended our stay in the midwest so we could participate in a couple races in Southeastern Wisconsin. The Giro de Grafton and Sheboygan are some of my favorite local crits from last year and I was pleased when I found that I was able to make it this year!
The city of Grafton really put on a good show- with a couple of bands in the middle of the course and an excellent team of people doing some announcing. The woman's field was not huge, but it was a very competitive field for it's size. We had a full cowgirl team-- Clare, Anna, Cari, Becx and I-- I must note that it was Rebecca's first race of the year... and her first bout of 'speedwork' for the season. We worked well together-- the race was very active. There were plenty of attacks and small breaks, but nothing was able to stick. With 4 to go, there was a lul in the race and the pace slowed a bit. We used the next couple laps to get the pink leadout train ready to roll. With one to go, one woman attacked so I covered it- now it was up to Clare to fight the crowd and get Cari up to the line!
All was excellent. Cari took the WIN and we were stoked. After the race, we hung out for some extended chamois time and passed out about 200 lip smackers and some little tubes of Udderly Smooth... I met some cool women who were interested in the entire process of racing and had more questions about riding, etc--- they were excited to get some lip smackers.
Next after the race, we made our way to the Comfort Suites in Sheboygan. It was cozy in one room with 4 people and 7 bikes. I don't know how, but it worked. :)
Sheboygan had a beautiful day last Sunday. The weather report stated that there was a 30% chance of thunderstorms. Like Grafton, Sheboygan had bands rockin' their town square all day. It seemed like a pretty cool town event. Anna, Cari, Clare and I had some hours to hang out and lounge. Our race began at 3... just in time for the rain to strike. The course was the shape of a rectangle... wide open 4 corners, the wind being a factor on the back stretch. As all the ladies went to the line, the rain came down harder... I had to shake my head a bit to remember where I was.... flashbacks from Nature Valley! The race began on time, people were taking the corners pretty easy. There were some feeble attacks, but everything was brought back. I happened to be on Kristin Wentworth's wheel when she gave a good hard effort to get away from the field. For me, it was easy to take a few pedal strokes and get on her wheel. Soon enough, we had a group of 5 and a pretty big gap. We worked it for a while and the break stayed away. (Don't forget it was still raining).
With about 6 to go, I was taking my turn around the last corner- my wheel slipped out about 8 inches... I was able to hold it out, but it was a close call. This hung in the back of my mind for the rest of the race! 2 more laps went by and we lapped the field. There were a couple minor attacks from some of the riders in the break to get away from the field, but nothing stuck. Cari told me to get on her wheel and she got on Clare's... Clare ramped up the speed and eventually peeled off the front. In the first corner of the last lap, the back of the field went down... including Anna! :( We kept the pace high and Cari led me out for the last stretch and the other girls in the break began to sprint as well. I went to hop on a faster wheel, but I was entirely way over geared-- pushing a huge gear while everyone spun behind me. Bummer! I ended up 5th, but I learned a ton!! The race was hard and Super fun... especially with such stellar teammates!
Anna made it back to Madison, Cari and Clare drove through the night back to Boulder, I hitched a ride to my friend Chris's house in Milwaukee--- Thanks to all of those who gave me rides!!! Dave and Evan, Scotty P., Dave E, Dr. Doug from Ceaderburg, junior racers from the Baraboo Sharks-- Chris S. Thanks for letting me use your rollers AND also to Wheaton-Fransician for letting us hang in your tent at both races!
Someone will post pictures soon-- I didn't get any photos! :(
Clare and I are off to Estes today for a nice long ride!
~~
kate
The city of Grafton really put on a good show- with a couple of bands in the middle of the course and an excellent team of people doing some announcing. The woman's field was not huge, but it was a very competitive field for it's size. We had a full cowgirl team-- Clare, Anna, Cari, Becx and I-- I must note that it was Rebecca's first race of the year... and her first bout of 'speedwork' for the season. We worked well together-- the race was very active. There were plenty of attacks and small breaks, but nothing was able to stick. With 4 to go, there was a lul in the race and the pace slowed a bit. We used the next couple laps to get the pink leadout train ready to roll. With one to go, one woman attacked so I covered it- now it was up to Clare to fight the crowd and get Cari up to the line!
All was excellent. Cari took the WIN and we were stoked. After the race, we hung out for some extended chamois time and passed out about 200 lip smackers and some little tubes of Udderly Smooth... I met some cool women who were interested in the entire process of racing and had more questions about riding, etc--- they were excited to get some lip smackers.
Next after the race, we made our way to the Comfort Suites in Sheboygan. It was cozy in one room with 4 people and 7 bikes. I don't know how, but it worked. :)
Sheboygan had a beautiful day last Sunday. The weather report stated that there was a 30% chance of thunderstorms. Like Grafton, Sheboygan had bands rockin' their town square all day. It seemed like a pretty cool town event. Anna, Cari, Clare and I had some hours to hang out and lounge. Our race began at 3... just in time for the rain to strike. The course was the shape of a rectangle... wide open 4 corners, the wind being a factor on the back stretch. As all the ladies went to the line, the rain came down harder... I had to shake my head a bit to remember where I was.... flashbacks from Nature Valley! The race began on time, people were taking the corners pretty easy. There were some feeble attacks, but everything was brought back. I happened to be on Kristin Wentworth's wheel when she gave a good hard effort to get away from the field. For me, it was easy to take a few pedal strokes and get on her wheel. Soon enough, we had a group of 5 and a pretty big gap. We worked it for a while and the break stayed away. (Don't forget it was still raining).
With about 6 to go, I was taking my turn around the last corner- my wheel slipped out about 8 inches... I was able to hold it out, but it was a close call. This hung in the back of my mind for the rest of the race! 2 more laps went by and we lapped the field. There were a couple minor attacks from some of the riders in the break to get away from the field, but nothing stuck. Cari told me to get on her wheel and she got on Clare's... Clare ramped up the speed and eventually peeled off the front. In the first corner of the last lap, the back of the field went down... including Anna! :( We kept the pace high and Cari led me out for the last stretch and the other girls in the break began to sprint as well. I went to hop on a faster wheel, but I was entirely way over geared-- pushing a huge gear while everyone spun behind me. Bummer! I ended up 5th, but I learned a ton!! The race was hard and Super fun... especially with such stellar teammates!
Anna made it back to Madison, Cari and Clare drove through the night back to Boulder, I hitched a ride to my friend Chris's house in Milwaukee--- Thanks to all of those who gave me rides!!! Dave and Evan, Scotty P., Dave E, Dr. Doug from Ceaderburg, junior racers from the Baraboo Sharks-- Chris S. Thanks for letting me use your rollers AND also to Wheaton-Fransician for letting us hang in your tent at both races!
Someone will post pictures soon-- I didn't get any photos! :(
Clare and I are off to Estes today for a nice long ride!
~~
kate
Friday, June 27, 2008
Frosted Shreaded Wheat.
Clare just informed me that she really wants some frosted shreaded wheat. She says she "really misses it."
hmm.....
hmm.....
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Motherland.
Gabe and my Dad came out on Father'd day to the Stillwater Crit to support the cowgirls. This Crit had a Massive climb that averaged 18%... and topped out at 22% at one point in the climb. Thanks to my Pa for some good photos!
Cari and Clare looked pretty good considering they both like climbing as much as Clare likes eating the skin on peaches... The girls did well on a tough course-- with no surprise, Kristin Armstrong rode away from the uber strong field that was assembled at Nature Valley this year. I am pretty sure she finished every race except for the Minneapolis Crit alone, at the front... uncontested. Fascinating.
Here is a true PF (pain face). He looked like this EVERY time up that climb. Ouch. He is probably still sleeping today...
This guy truly has too much energy left for the end of this Criterium. 12+ times up this climb and he can still do a wheelie. The first thing I thought of was this "I need to practice." Crazy. 
Big shout out to Max-- THANKS FOR HELPING US!!! He wrenched for us this weekend, keeping our bikes in excellent condition for the races! This photo was taken at the Minneapolis Crit, with his wife! She is awesome-- when it rained during our warm up, she held up an umbrella for me! Last but not least... I'm in Platteville, WI right now hanging out at Badger Brothers. If y'all didn't know you can actually get beans w/ our pictures on it. Today when I walked in, I saw a little display with the "revolution blend-- Team America's Dairyland" Coffee!!!
You can order your own Revolution Blend HERE!!!
Just wait for more news from The motherland.
~~ until then~~
Kate.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Catch up...
We are lame and have no pictures... yet! I actually have pictures but don't have the cord to connect the camera to the computer. ugh
Day 2 NVGP:
Weather was much better, thank goodness. It was a 60+ mile RR with a circuit finish. Our "neutral" start was a joke. First, the officials led us the wrong way and over some wooden bridge where we are promptly slammed on the brakes when the officials learned we were going the wrong way. Turn around.... and sprint for a better position. Then the officials car needed to get thru all of us and almost crashed into the Toyota United team's RV. Things didn't calm down from there for the remaining 1.5 miles of neutral start :) After neutral was over, it was on because QOM points were 2+ miles in. The pace was high and it never let up- the rest of the race.
Once we hit the dirt road and circuit, the field blew up. OUCH!
Day 3 NVGP:
The day started with a short TT along the river and ended up this killer hill. Funny thing about today was that some people decided to save their legs and "roll it." Well, there are time cuts in every race including the TT. So, if you are 120% outside of the winner, your race is over. A lot of top girls did not make the cut this morning. Wow!
I guess the officials extended that limit to 125% based on the fact that 1/3 of what remained in the field would have been cut in the TT. Even then, a lot of girls missed the mark. Kristin Armstrong killed the TT and won by about 45 seconds. She is like that smart kid in class that totally messes up the curve and gets a 100% on the test. She is ramping up for Beijing and looking real good!
That night we had a downtown Minneapolis crit. Fast, fast, fast. 25 laps of a fun, flat crit. Thank goodness the weather held out and we had no rain for this crit. The field kept together and it ended in a sprint finish. Brooke Miller won in a super big sprint- she is smart and powerful. I have to say too that she has one of the best lead out girls in the country- Lauren Franges. Those girls are good- they were patient and conservative while they sat in with Cheerwine's lead out train. Lauren got in a good position in the last lap and Brooke took the win. (P.S. Brooke was real close to not making the time cut this morning. Lucky girl!)
Day 4 NVGP:
A RR today- about 90 miles that finished on a circuit. The wind was a larger factor today then on Thursday so positioning was everything. Nobody managed to get away until the circuit and Kristin Armstrong once again proved her dominance. 90 miles made for a long day so we were forced to end the night tonight with some Culver's ice cream. I think that is the only reason I am still awake right now- sugar overload!
Clare, Kate, and I are all learning a ton and growing as cyclists. Sometimes it is hard to put it all in perspective when you feel so out numbered and, frankly, weaker the the others. But, we do realize that this field is the strongest this country has to offer. Every team in the US brought their full squads. It is still a good day when you can end it with ice cream and a couple good laughs.
More tomorrow!
Cari
Day 2 NVGP:
Weather was much better, thank goodness. It was a 60+ mile RR with a circuit finish. Our "neutral" start was a joke. First, the officials led us the wrong way and over some wooden bridge where we are promptly slammed on the brakes when the officials learned we were going the wrong way. Turn around.... and sprint for a better position. Then the officials car needed to get thru all of us and almost crashed into the Toyota United team's RV. Things didn't calm down from there for the remaining 1.5 miles of neutral start :) After neutral was over, it was on because QOM points were 2+ miles in. The pace was high and it never let up- the rest of the race.
Once we hit the dirt road and circuit, the field blew up. OUCH!
Day 3 NVGP:
The day started with a short TT along the river and ended up this killer hill. Funny thing about today was that some people decided to save their legs and "roll it." Well, there are time cuts in every race including the TT. So, if you are 120% outside of the winner, your race is over. A lot of top girls did not make the cut this morning. Wow!
I guess the officials extended that limit to 125% based on the fact that 1/3 of what remained in the field would have been cut in the TT. Even then, a lot of girls missed the mark. Kristin Armstrong killed the TT and won by about 45 seconds. She is like that smart kid in class that totally messes up the curve and gets a 100% on the test. She is ramping up for Beijing and looking real good!
That night we had a downtown Minneapolis crit. Fast, fast, fast. 25 laps of a fun, flat crit. Thank goodness the weather held out and we had no rain for this crit. The field kept together and it ended in a sprint finish. Brooke Miller won in a super big sprint- she is smart and powerful. I have to say too that she has one of the best lead out girls in the country- Lauren Franges. Those girls are good- they were patient and conservative while they sat in with Cheerwine's lead out train. Lauren got in a good position in the last lap and Brooke took the win. (P.S. Brooke was real close to not making the time cut this morning. Lucky girl!)
Day 4 NVGP:
A RR today- about 90 miles that finished on a circuit. The wind was a larger factor today then on Thursday so positioning was everything. Nobody managed to get away until the circuit and Kristin Armstrong once again proved her dominance. 90 miles made for a long day so we were forced to end the night tonight with some Culver's ice cream. I think that is the only reason I am still awake right now- sugar overload!
Clare, Kate, and I are all learning a ton and growing as cyclists. Sometimes it is hard to put it all in perspective when you feel so out numbered and, frankly, weaker the the others. But, we do realize that this field is the strongest this country has to offer. Every team in the US brought their full squads. It is still a good day when you can end it with ice cream and a couple good laughs.
More tomorrow!
Cari
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
It is a mess!
The weather and the race.
This morning it started raining and then pouring. It let up slightly before we raced but started again when we were all freezing and waiting at the start line. The race starts and immediately the field splits and spreads. Crashes. And then the mayhem... yes, it had not quite started yet.
The course was super small (1k) and we had 140 (maybe 150) participants. Add in the rain and the metal manholes on every part of the course... mayhem. People were being pulled.... people were crashing... people weren't listening to the officials... people were crashing more. Basically, the short story, it that it seems like the whole race will be nullified. The results won't count towards GC and everyone will start tomorrow. We think. Let's put it this way- I think there were only about 30 people who finished the race for real. (Some people were told to quit but kept going... I know because they were in my group.... we were all pulled.)
So, super strong Kristin Armstrong made everyone look silly tonight. Shoot- if I had the strength and stamina to ride away from all 140+ people, I would do it too. It must have been way safer up there by herself.
The men's race was called early because the motor ref crashed. Yep, the motor crashed because of the super slick roads. I could only stand to watch the men's race for 5 minutes and I saw 6 crashes. NASCAR on bikes!
Crossing our fingers for better weather tomorrow!
This morning it started raining and then pouring. It let up slightly before we raced but started again when we were all freezing and waiting at the start line. The race starts and immediately the field splits and spreads. Crashes. And then the mayhem... yes, it had not quite started yet.
The course was super small (1k) and we had 140 (maybe 150) participants. Add in the rain and the metal manholes on every part of the course... mayhem. People were being pulled.... people were crashing... people weren't listening to the officials... people were crashing more. Basically, the short story, it that it seems like the whole race will be nullified. The results won't count towards GC and everyone will start tomorrow. We think. Let's put it this way- I think there were only about 30 people who finished the race for real. (Some people were told to quit but kept going... I know because they were in my group.... we were all pulled.)
So, super strong Kristin Armstrong made everyone look silly tonight. Shoot- if I had the strength and stamina to ride away from all 140+ people, I would do it too. It must have been way safer up there by herself.
The men's race was called early because the motor ref crashed. Yep, the motor crashed because of the super slick roads. I could only stand to watch the men's race for 5 minutes and I saw 6 crashes. NASCAR on bikes!
Crossing our fingers for better weather tomorrow!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Minneasota Fixed Gear Classic
This year, the promoter of Nature Valley (which is now called Great River Energy Bicycle Festival... whatever) decided to include 2 days of track racing to the total event. What a cool idea!
Clare and I went straight from Tulsa up to Minnesota on Monday, stayed with our friend Neal until Friday, and then on to the National Sports Center for the weekend of racing. What a great event! The racing was fun, the weather treated us nicely, the crowd was impressive, and we had good results. I want this weekend again... every weekend!
A view from the infield.
Race? What race? Clare and Chiappa. Ya, he is fast.
Flowers for the ladies!
A minor crash in the Miss and Out. I was able to complete the rest of the night's racing but screwed up my chance at winning the overall. ugh! Now, I just get better before the road races start... tomorrow!
Cari
Clare and I went straight from Tulsa up to Minnesota on Monday, stayed with our friend Neal until Friday, and then on to the National Sports Center for the weekend of racing. What a great event! The racing was fun, the weather treated us nicely, the crowd was impressive, and we had good results. I want this weekend again... every weekend!
A view from the infield.
Race? What race? Clare and Chiappa. Ya, he is fast.
Flowers for the ladies!
A minor crash in the Miss and Out. I was able to complete the rest of the night's racing but screwed up my chance at winning the overall. ugh! Now, I just get better before the road races start... tomorrow!
Cari
Saturday, June 7, 2008
More Tulsa...
Good luck to the Girls racing on the track this weekend! TEAR IT UP!!! I'm can't wait to hear how it went!
Here are more photos from our tulsa tough weekend:
Missy and I went crusin' around during and after the storm-- total carnage! The city of Tulsa banded together to put our race on-- ON TIME!! Seriously, after how the weather was that morning after Anna's race, I didn't think we would race. Trees and powerlines down, power out, dirt, sticks, leaves, powerlines littered the course. Luckily with a quick re-route the course was up and going and we got to race! Awesome-- Thank you Tulsa!
Here are more photos from our tulsa tough weekend:
Missy and I went crusin' around during and after the storm-- total carnage! The city of Tulsa banded together to put our race on-- ON TIME!! Seriously, after how the weather was that morning after Anna's race, I didn't think we would race. Trees and powerlines down, power out, dirt, sticks, leaves, powerlines littered the course. Luckily with a quick re-route the course was up and going and we got to race! Awesome-- Thank you Tulsa!
Riverside Crit Pro men's race-- Missy, Cari, Anna and I found a drive way to sit on at the top of the major climb- There was a huge party going on... another announcer who offered crowd primes and cheeseburger primes. Totally fun place to chill at.
Anna was almost sat on. We saved her...
You may have thought this guy was straight from the Tour de France-- under his Mexican blanket he was wearing a pair of black breifs... hilarious. He definitely knew I was taking a picture of him... even though I was trying to be incognito. hmm...
Santa even showed up. This guy was pretty cool. He rode this crazy cruiser around with a sign that read "will dance naked for $1" AND from what I have heard from the Tulsa locals... it is true.
Up next-- Fixed Gear Fever for Cari and Clare and Tour le Ubikes for Kate... THEN-- Nature Valley!
Until then, keep it real.
-Kate
Friday, June 6, 2008
Tulsa Tough and Beyond!
We are HORRIBLE about updating the blog in a timely manner. I am making a new promise to the blog stalkers... we are going to be better. Now that Anna reminded me of the username and password, it should be easier. :)
Tulsa was great- great races, great host housing, great fun, and bad weather. When it was scary bad storms, it was humidity so thick you could eat it with a spoon. Not to mention the heat!
Three crits- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They were fast and fun! We had some decent results as a team I don't have pictures but Anna will post some soon.
Oh, I should mention that this weekend was made more enjoyable with the addition of one of our junior riders- Anna Young. What a fun teammate she is... oh to be 17 again!
If you ever wonder what we do in our free time while we travel... this is it.
This is Anna being goofy while Cari searches the iPhone for something important.
This is Kate being goofy while Missy uses the iPhone for something important.
This is Missy being very important on the iPhone.
This is Cari finding something very unreal on the iPhone... back off Anna.
Do you guys get the theme? Anyone with iPhones is entertained while the others are left to entertain themselves. Speaking of entertaining themselves... where is Clare?
Cari
P.S.- check back soon because we have more to post!
Tulsa was great- great races, great host housing, great fun, and bad weather. When it was scary bad storms, it was humidity so thick you could eat it with a spoon. Not to mention the heat!
Three crits- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They were fast and fun! We had some decent results as a team I don't have pictures but Anna will post some soon.
Oh, I should mention that this weekend was made more enjoyable with the addition of one of our junior riders- Anna Young. What a fun teammate she is... oh to be 17 again!
If you ever wonder what we do in our free time while we travel... this is it.
This is Anna being goofy while Cari searches the iPhone for something important.
This is Kate being goofy while Missy uses the iPhone for something important.
This is Missy being very important on the iPhone.
This is Cari finding something very unreal on the iPhone... back off Anna.
Do you guys get the theme? Anyone with iPhones is entertained while the others are left to entertain themselves. Speaking of entertaining themselves... where is Clare?
Cari
P.S.- check back soon because we have more to post!
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