UCI racing in the Bubble

Did anyone see the amazing photographer out there this weekend at the Redline and Boulder Cup? Her name is Heather and she's as sunny as was yestaday's weather. She's helping me keep my bloggin' pictures updated...

Barbarella and me:

Klunkster Tasha:Tiara Tilley:THE Barb:Mo Hein:Miss Best Coach and me:It was an epic weekend of racing in Boulder, with two UCI races put on by DBC Events - Saturday at the Boulder Reservoir and Sunday at Fairview High school. The Velo Bella crew represented! Barb flew in from CA, and our Boulder team was in full force with Tash, Jen, and Monique. I think both days we had four of us in the top 15...not too shabby! My legs didn't feel too great on Saturday. I had a good first lap, but couldn't hold onto the pace. It was my maiden voyage on the bling Easton wheels, and my first time riding tubulars. It was definitely different, and will take some time to get used to. I kept thinking I was rolling off the rim on the corners because the sidewalls are so supple, I guess? Sunday was much better, my legs are coming back. I did have a rough start, which concerned me a bit, and a few bobbles on the first lap. Taking a corner a little too hot, I crashed and my bike landed on my head and I went through some of the fencing. You can see in the above picture that my left shifter is fairly broken. Luckily I have a single front chain ring, so I don't need it to shift, but the brake doesn't work (is that a bad thing?) After getting an ugly first lap out of the way, I was cruising. Barb and I got to work together a bit, which doesn't happen too often in cross. It was so great to race in Boulder and have friends cheering my name, instead of the girl's names in front of and behind me. It was a very fun weekend. Thanks to Missy, Brother Dan, and Challenge Tires for your help in the pit!

In other news, I was listening to E-town last night. They give an "E-chievement" award out to nominated people who are trying to make a difference in the lives of others, in the environment, etc. Tonight it went to a man at Yellowstone National Park. He has been the force behind installing 5 bio-diesel pumps around the park. In the hotel rooms he has switched all the bulbs to energy efficient fluorescent bulbs. Not too shabby...

Click here, here, or here for more pictures
Wondering where one of your favorite socks has disappeared to? Sherlock Holmes found the guilty sock monster and made her cry!

Party kitten

J Dubbs and Fred
Deviled eggs like cherry tomatoes

Cher busts a move

Kermit and Miss Piggy awaiting the sweets

What happens when you mix margs and Twister?

The sock monster has no problem placing left sock on green

Fred and Velma...so hot right now

Making good use of the Kona tent

The naughty nurse getting close with Sharon the Hammer the soccer player

Dwight Shrute hits on the doll

80's B-ball playas

Salt and Pepper shakers, the naughty nurse, the witch

Halloween Hoedown...

...on the eve of Halloween.The Devil and Queen Bee make their getaway (Tim and Chellie)

Super Dave with the Globetrotters (Jen, Dave, Tasha)

Another little devil.

VELMA!!!! Fred (Brett) and me, a deviled egg. Get it??

louaville USGP #2

Well, the racing didn’t go as I had hoped. I was happy with my racing on Saturday, despite the flat tire. My legs just weren’t there on Sunday though. I could roll along at an ok pace but couldn’t find the powa. Velo Bellas were dressed for Halloween. We went to another awesome Cajun restaurant for dinner. Then we went to a local coffee shop called Heine Brothers for dessert. In Louisville I think they have one dessert shop for every two restaurants. Not a bad thing.

It was another great course, and similar to Saturday’s. The laps were shorter and seemed to be less technical. Saturday’s course had a lot of snakey turns around trees, so you couldn’t get the speed too hot before setting up for a technical section. Sunday’s course had turns that you could hold and carry your speed through. The team had a good weekend. We probably won the most style points, if there was a competition for that, but both days I think we had 3-4 in the top 20. The field was stacked and deep. Looking at the list of girls, top 20 was a good result. It was great to race with those girls but UCI points were hard to come by.

Katie is at a whole different level right now. On the first lap she already had 27 seconds on second place. She pulled a second place at a World Cup with jet lag. She’ll be flying home to Colorado Springs from Italy with the rainbow jersey in just a couple months. Boulderite Kerry B was right up there both days. Georgia crushed on Saturday, moving her way up to second place from a rough start position on the second line. She was crowned Sram’s most aggressive rider on Saturday, while Kelli Emmet claimed it on Sunday.

Rocket booster

Yesterday's race was a ton of fun, despite my flat. It was an awesome course with many technical aspects. It never really felt like you could put your head down and hammer, as there were a few twisty-turny sections, some slippery muddy to pavement parts, sandpits, and a bridge run-up called the Green Monster. Before the race I ate one of those Expresso gels by Clif with 100mg of caffeine. Those little silver packets are like rocket jets! I was also able to borrow our Manager, Alex's Zipp 404's, which were bling-bling until I flatted on the second lap. While warming up I kept letting more and more air out and pushed it a little too far - it would have been amazing if I hadn't flatted. I think I was getting cocky with the tire pressure because I haven't flatted yet this season. Oh well, another day today.

After playing soccer mom and picking up and dropping off my teammates, we went to J. Gumbo's, a Cajun restaurant in town which ended up being mighty tasty and cheap. Then we went to Walgreen's for flare. It's the Halloween race, so apparently we need to dress up for the race today. I think it was written in the Velo Bella contract. Hopefully I'll get some pictures.

When will I learn...

that running 20 psi in clinchers is a recipe for getting flats?

Gettin' Lucky in Kentucky

It's real pretty here. Sorry I can't post pictures because my camera bit the dust. We pre-rode the course today and on the way to the venue, took a road with Halloween decorations galore. I think the street probably has some annual competition for who has the most gruesomely decorated front lawn. If I could still trick or treat, that's where I would go. Height wise, I would probably still pass for a 10 year old. I can only imagine what Christmas looks like on Hillcrest Rd. That's all for me. Megan Monroe and I are staying at Rolf Eisinger's house in Louisville, and apparently he has cable television. I can't remember the last time I've sat down to watch TV and I'm feeling kind of brain dead right now, so that's what I'll do. Post-race updates tomorrow...

Vermont is the greenest state in the US!!

Burkie can't wait until January 20th, 2009.
Heather and Alan bought him a little Bush cat toy. There is a note on his back that says "If found return me to the White House". In his back pocket is a book titled "English as a Second Language". And in his hand is a book titled "EZ Guide to Being Prez". Then Burkie crashed. He has two speeds - one is a complete spaz, and this is the second speed.

Burkie meets Arliss. They are the bestest of friends.

Can anyone top this helmet hair?!?

i'm so happy it's a tadpole

Two Big Thompsons in two big days is a lot of big and I'm finding it hard to function.

SIL and I at Carter Lake.

The view at the top of Big Thompson Canyon, before descending into Estes Park.

Brother Dan enjoying his little slice of heaven: an apricot Clif bar.

Elk Days in Estes.

Chellie, Natasha and I in front of this awesome purple house in Glen Haven. Alan took the picture. We were lucky to have him on the ride, not only for amusement purposes, but also to help with a couple mechanical issues.

Oktoberfest

"A three-legged dachshund named Longfellow runs to the finish line to win a race at the Annual Savannah Wiener Dawg Races Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, in Savannah, Ga. Longfellow missed last year's races after being hit by a car and losing one of his hind legs. After recovering for the year, Longfellow joined more than 175 dachshunds from around the South to compete for prizes during races at the Oktoberfest Festival on the Historic River Street Waterfront." (AP Photo/Photo Stephen Morton)

Enough said.

I heart my blog.

Thanks to Super Dave: Click this

A Few Fumbles in Frigid Frisco

I had two days of racing in Frisco, CO this weekend. I was able to build up Queen Ann with Tiara Tilley's parts from her second bike. Thanks! I was thrilled with the bike - freakishly light!

However, I struggled a bit on Saturday. I was rusty with the barriers; tripping on one, and totally botching a couple mounts. Then I dropped my chain and my shakey hands were no aid in getting it back on. It was nice to have a more technical course, as opposed to the power course in Vegas, which resembled a crit on grass. The legs were still feeling flat, but I think Saturday blew a lot of the junk out for a stronger ride today. The competition was good - Emmett, Trombley, Starr, Monroe, then me rounding out the top 5.

Today was better - but everything seems better when you win. Everyone who out-crossed me on Saturday didn't show today, so from the start it was an individual time-trial off the front. The legs were feelin' good man. I was much smoother throughout the entire course, with the exception of one crash on a sandy corner. It was colder today and snowflakes began falling on the final lap. For the most part, the ugly and frigid weather that was predicted for the weekend held off, making for another sunny weekend of racing in Colorado, void of mud. Nice for fair-weather riders, like myself!!

Kitzah

Nicoleee and I went to the Boulder Humane Society today,

and didn't come out empty handed.

He was named William, but I think I may change it.

He's 3 months old.

He was the first one we met and we were hooked.

That's Dinner

My teammate, Natasha Cowie has been staying with me until she moves into a new place. Sadly, she will be leaving me tomorrow. She's quite the cook. I lived on her home-made granola while in Vegas. It was the best granola I have ever had, and I have tried my fair share. Tonight Natasha is making potato and kale soup - also ridiculously delicious. The little guy in the picture above will dive right into the kettle and contribute to the tastiness.