Rebecca's Blog

2010-12-31T01:07:00.000-05:00

You can find me here:

http://www.rebeccawellons.com/Tempo_Rubato/Blog/Blog.html

Coming soon...

2008-12-20T11:26:00.001-05:00

Ok, Facebook has stolen all my blog time. But I have resolved to update and refresh my blog shortly! Stay tuned...

Gloucester Day 1

2008-10-11T20:34:00.002-04:00

I'm off to bed now, and don't want to get caught staying up late writing a blog, but if by chance anyone reads this who is going to Gloucester tomorrow, can you do me a favor? Your cheers were awesome and inspiring today, but could you shout at me when it's the last lap, so I know when the finish is? (duh, right?) I can't believe I thought we had one more to go today..... Not smart on my part. It's kind of, um, important to know when your finish is in a race, no?

(Now that I've written that, I'm afraid I shouldn't have publicly admitted to it, and I am really regretting that I said anything to the reporters post-race.... )

Okay, I'm psyched for more Gloucester tomorrow! I'm feeling pretty good, although not in top form yet. I felt like I had a sort of "governor' on the gas pedal today. I will race well tomorrow.

Racing My Body

2008-09-14T20:45:00.007-04:00

Today was the Amesbury, MA cyclocross race! Today was the season opener before next week's season opener at Suckerbrook. The morning's heavy rain let up by our 2 pm start, so the mucky spots on the course grew tacky as the race progressed. Lots of damp tree roots lurked in the woodsy sections. No big mud, which I regard with mild disappointment. I need mud practice and the warm rain felt good. I really enjoyed the course, it had a good variety of terrain and challenge, and good "flow," too. It was great to see so many friends and acquaintances again, once of the reasons I love this sport so much.

At the start, Mo and Amy jumped out ahead. I had no snap in my legs to get a good jump, but I wasn't worried about being in third position. Mo basically rode away. She appears strong and poised for a

great season. I wasn't worried about staying with her because I knew that today I was out to ride my own race. Amy and I stayed together for at least the first lap. But like I said, I wasn't really racing against them today. Today I was racing [against] my body. I finished second, and I don't think I have ever been happier to finish second. I was happy just to be riding my bike at all.

As I pushed and suffered around the course, I heard so many voices cheering me on. Riding past them, I thought about how none of them knew that just 7 days prior, I was lying in a hospital bed, unable to eat or even drink. I had a food blockage last weekend, a result of my Crohn's, but indirectly so. I did not eat for 4 days and lost 5-6 pounds. I have had 6 surgeries in the last 10 years, resulting in a lot of scar tissue in between and around my intestine. My intestines are now catching on this scarring, and kinking, causing complete blockage and enough

damage to the tissue that I could perforate the bowel. There is no warning that the kinking might occur.

So my competition on the course today came from within. I would be insincere if I were to deny that I harbor a certain amount of anger against my body. Today my legs felt incredibly weak, and my own body is the cause. Before last weekend, I felt very strong and in a good "groove" with my training and mental focus. I worked hard for that, and I feel robbed. I'm determined to get all my strength back and more. This isn't a ploy for sympathy, or to say that I am deserving of any special treatment - almost everyone has something they have to deal with, emotionally or physically.

I just wanted to tell my story.

See you at the races next weekend.

Thanks to Geoff Martin for the fabulous pictures!

New Ride

2008-07-09T18:31:00.002-04:00

I've discovered an easier way to bike to class!

Ward and his dad have matching 1980 Hondas. Its got a little 125cc engine, 4-spds, and I got it up to 45mph on the way home on Mystic today. Although there's no clutch, you do have to shift with your left foot. I've got my motorcycle permit, so I'm legal, and I rode to class today. I loved cruising over the Mass Ave bridge with the sun out, the boats on the water, the wind blowing me. The bike needs a tune-up, though. It kept stalling on me when idling, so I had to keep the throttle on while stopped in neutral to keep it going. It died on me probably 8 times on Mass Ave in the traffic/lights between Porter and Comm Ave in Boston, and I had to KICK START it right there in traffic to get it going again, no pressure. It was a lot to handle my first day riding the bike, but alls well that ends well, I made it home JUST before the thunderstorm. So forget about new bikes... now I want my own motorcycle! ;-)

My Commute

2008-07-08T23:03:00.002-04:00

So in another attempt to make riding to TBC with my saxophone possible, I discovered that my soft leather sax case fits INSIDE my backpack with a little creative help from some caribeeners. I think the pack weighed around 30 lbs, but after almost an hour of riding, I think it grew to around 100 lbs!

Ooga-booga!!! Me strong!! Look out busses, trucks, pedestrians, car doors, dogs, potholes, sewer grates, road construction, skateboarders, and anything else that gets in my way!!

Fitchburg Criterium

2008-07-06T19:55:00.003-04:00

Here we are: Team NEBC!

The crit: my favorite day! I woke up pretty groggy after a poor night's sleep. Despite being tired and having a headache last night, I just couldn't fall asleep. My mind wouldn't stop churning even though my body was exhausted. Tossing and turning, sleepless by 12:15 am, I was fed up. I took a melatonin and a Tylenol PM. Yeah, after midnight. And yes, I did finally fall asleep, but you can imagine how I felt in the morning....

To counteract this before the crit, I drank a Dr. Pepper. You know I mean serious business when I down a whole one of those! First of all, I don't drink soda, and second of all, I don't drink caffiene. So one 16 oz Dr. P and I am ready to rock! If you think I'm usually a little uh, energetic, let's say, you should come say 'hi' when I've had some high-fructose corn syrup and caffiene.

So check this photo out. Where does this piece belong? Hmm... While we were staging, I pushed my shifter to put my chain on the big ring and SNAP! It flew off and almost hit another racer in the face! Crazy, but whatever - who would have needed anything but the 53 today anyway? This is why I love Campy, I can replace that part and rebuild the shifter. I can't wait to see how many years I can get out of my equipment. 2 seasons so far, and hopefully one or two more!

Ok, so I'll admit, my first couple of laps were not pretty. The crew cheering for me at the tavern around the first turn definitely sounded nervous. "Go, Rebecca... Move UP!" I'd hear them urging me. Of course, they were right, and I had no intention of staying there any longer. In a 50-rider field like this sometimes I get complacent because it's usually pretty easy to move up. But you miss all the fun being at the back!

So the plan: I'll tell you, but then I might have to dispose of you. After Cheerwine or Kenda wrapped up the sprint points, our team was hoping to get Sally into a break with Dale from HUB Racing. Dale is a New Zealand TT champ, and Sally has an awesome motor, too, so we were thinking without either being a GC threat, it just might have a chance. Although, of course we realized that Colavita and Cheerwine would both be looking for the W. But it was well worth a shot. So I moved up and surfed near the front for awhile, going with some moves, but nothing got away. Then came the bell for a $20 preme. Peter had told me he was going to put this preme up, and he wanted me to sprint. Bless you, Peter. So, I hear Brooke shout from the sideline, "That's your preme, Rebecca, go get it!" Ok, I moved up the right going into the first turn and got into line about 6th wheel - it got fast, and we were strung out. Luckily, things stayed fast into the last turn. I think since there were no points on the line, less people were interested in this one. I was 5th wheel or so at the 200 meter mark, and I moved up the right of the train and jumped to take the preme, which had ballooned into $50 from crowd donations during the course of the lap. I felt like I was uncontested for it. I felt no-one around me. Passing the pit, I heard Brooke yell to go, so I quickly glanced back to see if I had a gap and if anyone was with me. Well, I had a big gap, and unfortunately, I was all alone. All alone with 15 to go. I'd like to imagine that I was just so fast that nobody could follow me. 15 to go? Yikes. Well, I thought I might as well follow through.

I had about :13 on the field for 2 laps, from what I heard from friends in the crowd yelling at me, and knew there was no chance lonesome me would hold this for 13 or 14 more laps. I got some raceweek sprint points, which meant nothing to me, but that meant Verge green jersey sprint was coming next lap. I actually felt relieved - I knew they'd speed up and catch me next lap. I didn't want to waste any more energy out there! As they caught me, I hopped in near the front and tried to stay up there for the sprint because I didn't want to miss any move that might counter if it looked like a good move. I'm not sure I could have gone again right then - I was feeling good, but not spectacular because I haven't had any consistency in my life or training for a few weeks now, and that's something that tends to affect me a lot. After nothing went, I had to sit in a rest for a lap or two.

As I sat in, Sally ended up off the front solo. I saw no NEBCers up at the front from where I was so I hauled myself back up the front to "patrol" - I don't like to call it "blocking," that sounds really passive and negative to me. Mary got up there with me. Sally also stayed away for 2 laps, but HUB wasn't with her, I'm not sure what happened there. Let's see what happened next? There's more in there, but it's all hazy now.

I remember hearing 2 to go and moving up the right side before the first turn, all the way to Tina's wheel and the sea of Cheerwine and Colavita jerseys. I stayed up there nicely through the lap and into the bell lap. Coming around the first turn in the last lap I was positioned right where I wanted to be about 5th wheel, behind Tina, and alongside Laura, who wanted the same wheel. We went down the backside, and I was psyched for it to be really fast, but it just wasn't. I heard Tina yell "GO GO!!" to her leadout train, but it just wasn't fast enough. Then the swarm came on both sides. I don't know at what moment I lost her wheel. I do know that I should not have stayed on it, I should have moved left and up alongside the Colavita girls and pushed the swarm left as it was coming on my left. I didn't for whatever reason, and hind-sight is 20/20. Wait!! Time OUT! I want a DO-OVER!! I lost my super awesome position and went through the turn maybe 15th or even 20th. I wish I had seen how Tina got out, because I know she was stuck in the middle. Freakin' Houdini. So I accelerated out of the corner and passed a bunch of girls in the straightaway, whoop-dee-do sprinting for a pack finish. I had a good sprint that I didn't get to use. I don't know how I finished yet - maybe 23rd??? (See my previous post.)

So, back to life. I've got lots of reading a schoolwork that I neglected the past 4 days for class tomorrow, so time to get to it. I can't believe how many people were cheering for me. I almost felt famous today. :) Thanks.

Fitchburg Circuit Race

2008-07-05T19:36:00.000-04:00

Hard to believe, but I was 23rd in the circuit race, RR, and TT. I was also born on the 23rd, but not in July. I was hoping to hop in a break today, but the break that stuck went early and I just didn't suspect that it would be the one! I didn't think it had the right mix of riders for Colavita and Cheerwine to let it go, especially with sprint points on the line. So, I was just in the field the whole time. The New England Raceweek Sprint Points were offered every other lap with stage race sprint points, so the tempo stayed pretty high. (We can talk later about how I feel about "NE Raceweek" and its yellow jersey even though only 3 of the 5 raceweek races had women's races!!! Or maybe we don't need to talk and you can just guess how I feel about it.) Back to the circuit race...

The hill on the course is really a great hill for me, and I enjoyed powering up it each lap. Good for the legs! Going into the downhill on the last lap, I wanted the outside line into the corner, so I moved up the left side. My teammates Mary and Sally were on the left, so I went by them and they grabbed my wheel. I pedaled up next to Tina and her Colavita leadout train with Sally and Mary on my wheel. I churned into the hill but lost juice about 1/2 way up since I had been out in the wind grinding on the whole descent. Sally finished 7th, Mary not far behind that, and I was - of course - 23rd. Good day, but always looking for better. My legs and lungs are still opening up, and I will feel even better tomorrow.

Fitchburg RR

2008-07-04T21:18:00.004-04:00

I hate to say I think of this race as the "necessary evil." Gosh, what I'll do just to get to race a crit. The first time through the feed zone I was almost certain I would not finish the race. I led into the climb because I was unsure how I'd feel. I found out the devil was in my legs. I could not believe how much it hurt, and for goodness sakes, I am a bike racer and I am used to pain! I had to push through to the other side. Would I find the other side, or would I be dropped and DNF? The devil was whispering very negative thoughts into my ear through the first 3 laps. Very naughty, negative thoughts. But I knew it was going to hurt, and for some reason, each lap I seemed to feel better. I could see and feel many girls around me suffer more each lap up that torturous climb through Princeton, but I could feel myself getting stronger and stronger. Heh heh! The tables turned on the devil! I shoved him off my shoulder. By the last lap, I was finally able to respond to tempo changes up the hills and though to the feed zone. Colavita put the hammer down, and caused a split. I was too far back to make the first group, but I stayed very comfortably in the second group. I must have found Jesus' draft! I saw the first group not too far ahead and even thought, "I can bridge that! Go!" but thank goodness wisdom took over for my "eyes are too big for my stomach" ambition. That would have been suicide with the final climb looming. We accelerated into the Wachusett access road. We were moving fast toward the point where I have never "raced" beyond: the left-hand turn into the "down" road. I was still there, and still had enough juice to stay with other riders. I was together with my teammates Mary and Sally, which felt so comforting. I couldn't believe it, this was going to be my best ascent of Fitchburg yet. Boy did I want more gears, though! I wish Campy made a 27. Even ONE more cog would really have been nice. The soles of my feet were burning as I was churning over the 39x26. But I was still able to turn it. Finally, the right-hand turn into the last 200 meters came, and I got out of the saddle and cranked through burning legs to the line. I made it! I hope I am opened up now and back to feeling like a bicycle racer. Thank you, Jesus! ;-)

Thanks to everyone cheering for me out there! It was awesome to hear my name all around the course.

Fitchburg TT

2008-07-03T22:17:00.003-04:00

Today was the opening stage, the TT. What a tough course. Only 6.55 miles but I found it just impossible to get into a rhythm. The course rolls uphill almost immediately, and is a series of rollers with some short flat and downhill sections and a downhill last 2 K into a flat finish. The pavement is awful, so if you aren't jumping left and right to dodge potholes and seek out smoother pavement, then you're shifting and trying not to get bogged down on the hills. I didn't expect to ride well since I haven't been feeling good on the bike after just getting over Crohn's issues, a virus, and starting my new program at school has me unable to train effectively, at least until I settle into my schedule better and can better make time for it. I finished 23rd with a 20:41, which was actually :19 seconds better than I did last year. Unexpected, given that my "opener" ride yesterday consisted of dodging traffic and pedestrians through Central, Harvard, and Davis Squares with a 20-lb backpack on my back and a saxophone hanging off my neck... but I do feel I am riding with more power this year than last. Congrats to Silke who finished 6th with a stellar ride - you are riding so strong this year!!

So I had one bad snafu today which left me really in a foul mood after the race - sorry to those around me when I discovered that I had destroyed my expensive and beloved Specialized Ruby carbon handlebars by clamping my stupid aerobars too tight!!! I KNEW better! I was very afraid to clamp them. Last time I used them for the Charlie Baker, they took a nick out of the clear coat of the finish, so I wrapped electrical tape around them thinking I was protecting them. But that was really stupid because that made the bars slip, which encouraged me to tighten them more, and then I crimped them! No body to blame but myself for that one. Ugh. Not cool, especially since I am now a poor college student with no paychecks...

Anyways, I'm all fixed up with new bars (albeit cheap aluminum ones) and ready to give it my best on the hardest stage tomorrow. I always get to the spot up the mountain after the left turn entrance to the park, after passing under the chairlift, and then just approaching the left-hand turn up the summit ascent, where I turn into a pumpkin, race over for me. I hope to make it further this year. But if not, oh well! I'm really looking forward to the circuit race and the crit!!! Those are good events for me and I will have fun playing!

Okay, okay!

2008-07-01T09:56:00.003-04:00

I can't believe how many people have commented about what a deadbeat blogger I am.

So here's the scoop:

School ended and I began classes at Boston Conservatory just 2 or 3 days later in an intensive summer program. I have been adjusting to a new schedule with a commute to Boston and lots of work to do! I haven't figured out how to train, get to class, get my assignments done and eat well all, and get to bed before midnight all in the same day yet.

First I was bummed that there was no women's race at the Cox Crit this year, then I was bummed that the women's race was cut at Boloco on Sunday, last night I was bummed that I missed the race in CT, and I am now bummed that I can't make it to Exeter tonight. I've got class in Boston until 4:35, so there's no way I can make a 6 pm race in NH. And the Wompatuck training race tonight was cancelled, so guess I'm on my own for an opener for Fitchburg. Really, I hate to say this, but it's true. Cycling is actually on the back burner right now. Yikes! That's why I have been such a deadbeat blogger. My program ends at the end of the first week in August, though, so then I will be able to get racing hard again. (Why can't Superweek be in August! Boo, hoo. But I will be mackin' it for cross with all this taking it easy in July!!)

Ok, I'd write more, but I really have got to get some work done before class.....

Wilmington and Long Island

2008-05-18T19:14:00.003-04:00

Time to update this puppy again! Wish I had some pictures for you, I didn't think to pack my camera this weekend.

Lessons learned from the weekend (most of which I already knew but clearly I need reminding):
1. Never eat spaghetti while wearing a white t-shirt.
2. My Look pedals don't clip in the same as my Eggbeater 'cross pedals.... (DOH!)
3. I can't react to attacks in the race when I'm sitting on the front for no good purpose.
4. Be top 3-5 into the last corner of a crit.
5. If I'm not moving up, I'm falling back.
6. When times are bad, and you feel like crap, it's just a valley, and the high hills aren't far ahead.

Here I am in the passenger seat of our Element, somewhere in CT, on the way home. Ward is a rockstar for driving. I luck out when he just kind of naturally goes for the drivers' seat. Usually a couple of miles down the road he'll say, "Wait - why am I driving again?" Lucky for me we can't switch seats while driving 75 down the highway.

Saturday was the Bank of America crit in Wilmington, DE. I'd never done this race before, and I think it was only in its second year, maybe first with NRC status. It was a big clockwise rectangle with the finish line being about 3/4 of the way up the uphill, long side. It was about a 3% steady grade the whole way, but with a tailwind. The backside was downhill screaming fast but with a strong blow-you-off-your-line headwind. At first look at the course I'll admit, I was a little nervous about doing that fast 3rd corner in a pack, but once we got going and things strung out, I felt comfortable and loved how I could shoot around people on the left by taking a wider line and better anticipating shifting down before the hill so I could save my momentum.

The usual race to staging took place 15 minutes before the start. As usual, I didn't care to partake in the pushing and the attitude, and just sat at the back and used those minutes for a final trip to the potty. So, I'm at the back, and the anouncer (Joe Jefferson - calls most of the big Mid-Atlantic races) starts calling up riders in no-such order I could distinguish. I wasn't really paying attention, I was at the back and just thinking about the race and when I'd be able to move up. Then I heard "Rebecca Wellmans" called - or some such variation on my name. Huh? How did I earn a call-up at my first NRC race of the season? Well, whatever. Sweet - I'll take it. Anna joked with me afterwards that she was waiting for him to say "winner of SUCKERBROOK cross race" like Fries did to me for a year after winning that in 2006. Ha! So I took the last really available spot on the front line, but then Laura VanGuilder got called.... hmm... think maybe she deserved a front row start? We made room.

Well, I was thankful for the call-up, but looked so amazingly NOT pro when the whistle blew! I had been running through mental imagery about flipping and clicking in my Look pedal (right always, I have to start with my left already in) fast and clean, but must have been nervous and for some crazy reason when the whistle blew, I tried to step in the pedal like my Eggbeater 'cross pedals, and I slid right off the pedal and landed my crotch painfully hard on the nose of my saddle! I went from the front row to the back before the first corner, and I couldn't sit properly on the saddle for the first two laps! I was still sore in my race today, too. Ugh. Not exactly the way I wanted to start the season, but I'll recover.

As usual, I did too much in the race, and spent time at the front for no real purpose. Then I missed being able to follw Jen McRae when she attacked first. My immediate thought was "Where is Laura?" And my next immediate action should have been to get my behind off the front and find her wheel. But of course I didn't, and I missed the opportunity to follow her when she went, too. I was actually kicking myself (quite the feat while pedaling). Then I got upset at myself and tried bridging because they were only about 5-10 seconds away at one point, and without full teams in the field to chase, it was clearly going to stick, but I couldn't take the downhill fast enough in the wind. All 128 pounds of me was getting blown all over the place. It was really a wall of wind.

There was a split in the field, and about 8-10 of us became a chase group. A Juice Plus rider made it with them, and right now I can't remember how or when she got there, but she ended up winning, I hear she is an accomplished track racer. I just don't know some of the riders and teams yet this year. Our chase group eventually slowed and we got caught by a big group of riders that included a bunch of lapped riders and created some confusion in the final laps. I should have just sat at the front into the last corner, but not wanting to be in the wind too early, I ended up maybe 10th through the last corners and had to slow up, so I missed going with the two girls who took the front of the field sprint. I felt great but had to settle for third in the field sprint. I was happy that I felt great during the race and finished 6th with more juice left in my tank, certainly a good solid result. Good for my confidence to see that I am strong.

Sunday we raced on Long Island, sort of on the way home from Wilmington, and a nice change of scenery. Sam, Brooke, and I lined up for the open women's field with about 20 women, and some strong local riders, including AnnMarie Miller. The race was a loop in a park with a 270-degree left-hander and a short rise on the back side before the last turns into the finish straight with a tail-wind. After sitting in for 10 of the 20 laps, they rang the preme bell, and Brooke and I attacked up the right side as the road curved left into the headwind. We got a small gap, and won the preme, but the break was not to be. With about 5 to go, Sam attacked up the left, the pack chased, Brooke countered up the right when she was caught, and the field was strung out. I attacked 1/2 a lap later, through the start/finish, to get a gap going into the 270-degree turn. I got a gap, and AnnMarie and another local rider went with me. Perfect! I buried myself for a lap, then AnnMarie came around and took a short pull, but seemed pretty spent. I had to drive it again. I had to goad the other rider into taking a pull bacause I was pretty maxed. We had to work hard for a few laps because we didn't have a huge gap, CRCA was chasing, I think. Sam and Brooke helped control things at the front. Finally with 2 to go, it seemed certain we wouldn't be caught, and I tried to work a little less. I ended up on front up the little hill the last time, which I didn't really want, so before the final turn into the finish straight, I pulled off right and sat up fast, hoping to force the others to the front. AnnMarie seemed to want to lead it out from there. I got on her wheel and then came around for the win. I was in my 53x12! Felt great.

I didn't get a cool-down in because the men's race started immediately after, and Brooke and I were racing again. And naturally, it started to pour after just a few laps. It was a rather slow race, I thought, and kind of boring but good speed work to just sit in. Frustrating to be stuck around guys cornering slow in the 270 and having to sprint out of that corner every lap to close gaps! I have never spent so much time in my 53x12! It was fun except for the poor visibility in the rain and eating road sand. I had a muddy goatee at the finish. I just rolled in with the lead group, kind of disappointed that I didn't get my butt to the front and sprint it out with the boys - I'll bet I would have beaten a bunch of them, and I need the practice.

Well, we're almost home now, I can't believe how long it takes me to write entries! No time to proofread, I can't wait to curl up in the covers and fall asleep.

Wompatuck and Spring Cleaning

2008-04-24T11:30:00.005-04:00

Tuesday night = Wompi Time! Ward and I headed south to Wompatuck State Park for a fun Tuesday night training race. I felt pretty good, but when I tried bridging to a break at one point in the race, it became painfully obvious to me that I have a ways to go in building my stamina.
I love training races with the guys. So much fun: tons of attacks, bridging, chasing, sprinting, all the good stuff in bike racing, and all in the spirit of good competition. None of the negative racing New England women have to suffer through so often. (I guess men have to deal with it sometimes, too: I heard the men's P/1/2 at Myles Standish last weekend was pretty much the bottom of the barrel negative New England racing.) So that is why I love training races.
Looking forward to Wells again this Sunday.

So I've been spring cleaning this week! What amazing weather! And now a clean house to go along with it. Time to head out for a few hours on the bike, and then I have a late afternoon/evening audition and interview at the Boston Conservatory. Wish me luck!

Check this blog out: http://flandidiot.blogspot.com/
Some cool reports from the spring classics - I miss Belgium! I'd love to be there in spring.

Rocky Road

2008-04-21T10:52:00.006-04:00

Finally, yesterday was the first time I've felt good on a bike yet this year. It's been a harder struggle this year getting though the transition from 'cross to base training and working towards race form, which hopefully will be coming along soon. Fatigue and low motivation plagued me, Crohn's hit me while I was down. A diagnosis of anemia along with a Crohn's flare at least gave me some concrete biology behind my fatigue and really feeling like I'd never pedaled a bicycle before. I got dropped multiple times in local training races with the guys. Every day felt like that first ride out for the year when you are spinning squares and have no juice. Like the bike beneath you is a foreign object, not an extension of your body. My coach encouraged me to keep going and I'd get through and feel good soon.

I saw a light in the distance yesterday at Wells Ave. Just an ordinary combined A/B training race with the guys, but most of my teammates were there: Brooke, Sam, Susanne, Sally, and Nat. A CCB woman and Harvard's Anna McLoon were also there, too. Our team intended to use the B race to practice some team tactics, but the A & B fields were combined because Battenkill and Miles Standish provided other race options for people, and although Brooke gave me a great lead-out for the women's preme, we weren't really able to send off attacks and counter at the high speed the race maintained.

I thought Sunday would be a bad day for me on the bike. It was supposed to be a rest day. Saturday's Battenkill was tough, and I didn't get home until 9:30 pm after a long day of racing and driving. I enjoyed Battenkill in the sense that it was good training for me. Other than the hill ride I did Wednesday, it was the first time I'd seen any hills this year. The course was beautiful, and I tried to take it all in, especially after I was left in a chase group after last long, dirt climb.

I don't know how I would have done if I had had more gears. I rode my usual 12x25 cassette that I always ride for races with hills (I have a 39x53 up front). There was one dirt climb that I came close to having to walk, but my stubborn pride forced the cranks over in an agonizing grind reminiscent of a struggle through thick mud in cyclocross. I must have been doing 10 or 15 rpms in the loose dirt. Really. Well, the girls in front were clearly turning their pedals over much faster than I, so despite the unbelievable effort I was able to muster, I got separated from the group. Luckily, I caught on at the bottom. I made a questionable tactical move on the rollers that followed after Sally bridged to a duo off the front and brought an Advil rider with her. Okay, I admit, chasing was a mistake, and I feel really sheepish about it. And in making this mistake I also wasted a bunch of energy in the wind and put myself in the red heading right into another climb. Not knowing the course, I didn't know the climb was there. Again, I chased back onto the field.

The biggest climb was long and the soft dirt made it tough. I just popped about 1/2 way up when again, I could barely turn the cranks over. Luckily, I can always count on my self-preserving stubborn ego not to stop pushing with everything I have inside. I think it was a multi-step climb of several miles, but it's a little hazy in my memory. I felt pretty certain most of the field was up the road at the top. There were lots of tough rollers following. We eventually formed a group of 5, my teammate Sally included, and worked together and rotated the whole rest of the way. I thought we were maybe racing for 20th place, so really, I just wanted to get it over with and go home. Enjoy the ride and some scenery along the way. I had no idea we were really racing for 9th - still in the money! There was my next mistake of the day.

The last dirt section might have been the hardest part of the day. Loose dirt with only one or two clear packed down lines to ride on, dropped stragglers from earlier fields to dodge, the junior field pace car wizzing by us and then the field passing us in a blinding cloud of dust, hard vibrations on the rocks and dirt causing my feet to go numb, legs aching, and lungs coughing up muddy phlem. I love to ride off-road, but if I'm not on a mountain bike, I want my 32mm tubbies with less than 35 lbs of pressure in them! I was last in my group of 5 through this section. I had slipped from the harder-packed line at one point trying to avoid a dropped rider, and almost washed out my wheel. I ended up last in the group. If my brain had been in "race" mode, I would have gotten on front at the start of the dirt, just as if it were a cross race. Dumb move to end up at the back. We hammered, and it was all my stubborn pride that kept me glued to the wheel in front of me. I made it though to pavement again.

I didn't know where the finish would be. How much further? I could gauge only generally because I had recognized part of the course from our drive into town earlier that morning. I imagined only a couple of miles. Now how to play the sprint? I figured 20th place really made no difference. I thought about either Sally or me attacking from about 750 meters out and forcing the others to chase then the other counter-attacking and taking the finish. But we didn't know when that was going to be. I kept looking for markings. I saw a banner - I guessed 1 K to go, but there was no distance marked on it. Decoration or 1K banner? I had no idea. Finally, I saw people and the white official's tent up the road. Why didn't I attack? Complacency, maybe. I don't know. My pride checked out at an important moment, maybe. Then there were the train tracks. Once we crossed those, the sprint began, and I was 5th wheel about 300 meters out. Not cool. I could not come around, and I think I remained last in the group. So much for my first sprint of the season! Oh well, it can only get better from here.
Congrats to Anna for winning such a tough race!

Oh! I've digressed! My stream of consciousness has meandered. I was talking about Wells Ave yesterday and how I felt good on a bike for the first time this year! So back to it. I thought I would be exhausted from Battenkill and a lack of sleep. I got up at 7:30 and left with Sam at 8:30 to ride to Wells. When we got there, I actually dozed off in the grass waiting for the race to start! The race began fast, and it took me a few laps to get going, but I had a blast racing. I was able to be active in the race, bridging across to breaks a couple of times (sometimes with the help of the amazing draft offered by Skip Foley's wheel - great to see him back on a bike!). I found myself hurting but still able to actually race, not just sit in and roll around in circles suffering, which is what I had been resigned to up until yesterday. I made it up into the breakaway with one to go, but we got swarmed around the last turn into the final straightaway. I had lots of fun! I love it. I honestly think I could be happy just racing Wells and Wompatuck for fun. And it always feels good to be out in front of the field in a break and have a guy look over his shoulder and blink with surprise when he sees a girl on his wheel.

Rest today - Wompi tomorrow!

Genes

2008-03-26T10:10:00.001-04:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/sports/othersports/26cycling.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=th

Thought of the day:
In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. -Abraham Lincoln

Back in the Spin of Things

2008-03-24T16:32:00.003-04:00

Wow. It's really been two months since I've updated! After recent prodding from my dedicated readership (guess that's you, Dave) I'm finally updating. Really, though, how many blog entries about me snowboarding and tele skiing could you all handle?? I'm sure I have some pics to post... I'll have to hook up my camera and see what's on there.

I did my first training races this weekend, Charge Pond on Saturday, and Wells Ave on Sunday. What a shock to the system! I was really happy to just be out there again, though, and now my motivation is back and firing again. Teammates Mary and Sam were there with me in the A race on Saturday, and Ward rode with me to Wells on Sunday. How wonderful to see friends again at the race! Finally, this decent weather is elevating my motivation. I'm a little behind where I've been in recent years in terms of training, but a couple of weeks and I'll be back. Although the process of building is rewarding, and just being at the races is fun, isn't it just that much more enjoyable to ride when you feel really strong? Much of what keeps me going is remembering those moments when I've felt really strong and imagining those moments while training. I tend to daydream a lot while I'm riding by myself. I'm looking forward to the days coming soon when I don't have to imagine anymore.

Lots has been going on outside of cycling for me, though. I've found out I'll be hunting for a job for next year. Since I don't have my master's degree yet, my school won't hire me back again. How's that, huh? 8 years of solid teaching to positive reviews and a degree from one of the best music schools in the country and it means nothing now, at least in the state of Massachusetts. I swear, "No Child Left Behind" is really "No Teacher Left Standing." So, if anyone knows of any jobs out there give me a call. On the optimistic side, I'm thinking that maybe I can turn this into my chance to race as much as I've wanted to for years now! Since I've never had the guts to quit my job to race, now I'm being thrust out. We'll see how this goes.

Speaking of guts, my Crohn's Disease has been causing me some trouble again. I was happily in remission for years now, but the sleeping beast awoke, and I've been wrestling with it while trying to get back into a rhythm with my training. Ah, who needs to be able to eat? As long as I can pedal...

Limbo

2008-01-22T17:08:00.001-05:00

Feels like I'm in limbo. Cross season is still on for those lucky enough to still be racing. My roadie friends and teammates have of course already been training for asphalt. Me? I'm sitting on the couch eating pie, hoping I don't get fat, and wondering when I'll be "chomping at the bit" to begin training again for road. I feel guilt that I'm not riding, but I don't think that's appropriate motivation on which to base my training plan.

Went cross country skiing at Waterville on Saturday. A hard first ski of the season - 2.5 hours and a good amount of climbing. Sunday I did less. Went on a short snowshoe in the morning, then took some turns on the snowboard at Black Mtn in Jackson, NH. Uninspired by the conditions at the small ski area and feeling it wasn't worth the long, slow chairlift ride in the single digit air, Ward and I left. He and Sven did a big backcountry adventure beginning early Saturday, skinning up Wildcat in tele gear and skiing down the backside on the Wildcat Valley trail down in to Jackson. I wanted to join, but didn't have appropriate gear and I wasn't sure I had the skills. I got lucky and picked up some tele boots on consignment in the bargain basement of the Rugged Mtn shop in North Conway. Now I can tele ski this weekend!

Blauberg in My Dreams

2008-01-18T22:29:00.000-05:00

I dreamed last night that I had the chance to head back to Belgium, and of course I went! Then I was back in Blauberg, but was upset that I couldn't stay long, and then I was late for the airport and had forgotten to pack my two bikes, and OH NO: I was going to be late for work.

A BIG part of me wishes I was still there racing. I want to go back, and for longer than 10 days.

I've been thinking about everyone over there still racing, and I hope you're enjoying.
I will probably think about Belgium at least for a little while tomorrow while I'm gliding over the trails at Waterville Valley on my skate skis tomorrow.

What's a Cyclist to Do These Days??

2008-01-16T16:53:00.000-05:00

Sunday was an amazing day for a hike in Franconia Notch! Temps at the summit of Mt. Lafayette rose above freezing with the sun out until clouds finally rolled in mid-afternoon. Bill, Charlie, Gene, Loraine, Ward, and I met at Einstein's bagels up in Concord and carpooled up to the notch, where we parked at the Canon Mtn tram lot and found the Greenleaf trailhead for the Lafaytette ascent. We wisely brought crampons. The snow was hardpack after the warm weather and there was a good amount of ice above treeline. The trail was steep and somewhat challenging (for a cyclist) and well worth every step!

So after 10 months of doing pretty much nothing but cycling, I decided to join some friends in ascending a 5,200 ft peak. I'm young and fit, no problem, right? Ha! Lesson in sport-specificity. It's now Wednesday, and I can still barely walk. I cannot begin to describe the muscle pain in my legs. I can't even cross my legs while sitting because the weight of one leg atop the other hurts too badly. I am young and reasonably fit, right?? Yeah, fit for cycling, not for hiking. Well, I'll have to do several more big hikes and some weightlifting to get my tendons and muscles stronger. It can't be good to go without good weight-bearing exercise for so long.

Ward and I will be up north again this weekend, probably skiing or snowboarding, but maybe a hike if I can lift my legs one in front of the other.

Thanks to Loraine for that great shot of such a rare clear day on Mt. Washington (the first pic in the post).

The ridgeline from Lincoln to Lafayette as seen from below.

I-93 cuts south through the wilderness.

Canon Mtn had to blow snow after the recent sad streak of warm weather.

In the final half mile above the treeline.

Sunlight through the trees.. follow the light.

There is a radio tower on a hill outside of Littleton. It's visible in this pic if you enlarge it. At the base of that tower lies Ward's 6 acres, and hopefully, the future site of a house!

Back to Life

2008-01-07T19:58:00.001-05:00

I'm back in the swing of things, work and play, although isn't it hard after a particularly good vacation? Not only did vacation end, but so did my race season and 10 months of training and racing. If I weren't exhausted, I might feel depressed, but I don't think I even have the energy for such self-absorption. Life feels flipped on end.

Ward and I bought a new car, a Honda Element, picked it up Friday afternoon and promptly stuffed it full of ski and snowboard equipment and headed north to the mountains. Might as well test its versatility in our lifestyle immediately. We visited his parents, our friends Matt and Martha and their cute new baby, then went night snowboarding at Bretton Woods Sat night and spent all of Sunday on the mountain. So, I am left with a dilemna: do I prefer skiing or snowboarding? (Life is tough, eh?) I think it comes down to the conditions, really. Powder = ride. Firmer = ski (I like the "comfort" of two edges on ice.) Packed groomers = either! The snow was great at Bretton Woods this weekend, and I split my time between one board and two. I've got a pair of used tele skis on loan (before purchase) so all I need is some boots, and I'll be good to go. Talk about strength building: doing lunges on skis all day. Look out for my sprint this road season!

The season's over, but every night, bike racing somehow infiltrates my dreams. Last night, my dream had to do with getting my bike assembled before a 4 pm race start, and I needed a part for the threaded headset. One of my collegues at work said confidently they could fix it, but he ended up ripping it apart with a huge adjustable wrench, and then I feared I would miss my start. (Strange from many angles, and when was the last time I rode a bike with a threaded headset??) Somehow, and for some reason, cycling is a part of my dreams every night. I think I seriously need to unwind and release and have some fun for awhile. Time to ski and eat! I plan to spend at least another week off the bike, although I'm getting nervous since I've relaxed a little bit (ok, more than a little bit) in my eating habits and have gained a few pounds.

I made a new dish tonight, it's called Tzimmes. I found it in a cookbook, and it is savory! Sweet potatoes, white potatoes, and carrots, simmered with prunes, cinnamon, ginger, orange zest, and brown sugar. The cookbook said it is a traditional Jewish dish, usually served on the New Year. It's going in my book of favorites. I'll send you the recipe if you'd like.

I never write much about work, after all, this is supposed to be a bike racer blog, but I'm starting something new at work that might be worth mentioning. I'm teaching world percussion to my 6th grade music classes. We have a whole set of percussion including congas, talking drums, hand drums, shakeres, agonkua bells (I know I spelled that wrong), and other goodies. It's going to be a fun new challenge, and it'll liven things up in the work end of my life. (As if teaching 5th and 6th grade music wasn't "lively" enough!) I'm enjoying it so far, and I think I might even attend a monthly drum circle for extra fun.

Last Thoughts

2007-12-29T15:37:00.000-05:00

I am sad to leave this place. I love the simplicity of my life while here. I love walking to the bakery for fresh bread and pasteries. I love hopping on my bike to explore new roads in the beautiful countryside here. I enjoy the cute brick homes, modest-sized cars, farmland and the roads that lead from village to village. There are so many roads to explore! And of course, the racing is incredible.

I had fun being the only American in a house of three Canadians, and being helped by Jos and Tim, who are British. It lent a nice international flair to my trip, but without a language barrier. (Well, once I got past hearing "eh?" all the time!) Thanks to Vicki, Mark, Shaun, Jos, and Tim for helping me so much! If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be looking for registration at Scheldecross... if I ever found the race!

Sadly, I have several regrets about my time here. Maybe I shouldn't say "regret," that's probably too strong a word, but there are a few things I wish I had done while here. First, I can't believe I'm leaving without ever having had a beer. It's tough to fit in a leisurely drink when you're racing and staying with racers who are racing just about every day. And I wasn't about to go out for beers before racing in a World Cup! There's a tavern near the bakery, across from the church, and I saw three road bikes leaning up against the front this afternoon. It would have been nice to stop in for a beer after a ride with friends, something we don't get to do enough in our fast and exhausting world as racers.

My second "regret" is that I never really went out to eat, and for the same reasons as I didn't get to have a beer. You get home, wash, clean and lube your bikes, wash your clothes, wash youself, cook dinner, eat, and then get packed for tomorrow's race. There was neither time nor energy for dining out. I would like to have learned more about the food culture here than chocolate and frites. We went out once, to the Sultan in Herselt, on a rest day, and there I had some meat (not sure what kind since I could hardly read a word on the menu) fried with mushrooms, peppers, and onions with half a plate of frites and my choice of sauce - curried ketchup. Delicious, but possibly not the best pre-race meal....

Finally, I would have liked to stay longer and to have shared the experience with Ward. It's hard to share everything through emails and Skype calls, and I would have loved to have had his support and shared the whole experience together.

I have left myself wanting more, and I hope to be back again in the future. I'll miss Belgium!

In the town of Westerlo.

The beer aisle in the nearby Carrefour, a big store with everything from clothing to electronics to books to groceries. Most of the left side consists of specialty beers like Trappist ales (although I spot some Corona there).

The road back into Blauberg on my ride today. The surrounding forest had lots of trails that would be great for cross or mountain bikes. I saw lots of riders out on this beautiful day. It was 7 degrees (about 45 F) and partly-cloudy today. I really lucked out on the weather while here!

A road leading out of Blauberg.

Azencross - No Fight Left In This Dog

2007-12-28T14:03:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for my name in the results, I might save you a moment by telling you to start your search at the bottom of the results page - assuming they list finishers that deep. A last race of a long season, and I had nothing at all left for this one. I lost my heart rate monitor over a month ago, but had I worn it today, I can assure you it would never have registered much above my easy zone. I was going so slow it felt like warm-up pace, and every time I got out of the saddle, I slowed up more. I just had nothing to give, and I wouldn't have raced if it weren't my last chance over here. Oh, and I really wanted to try those whoop-dee-doos!

The start was crazy. As I was taking my leg-warmers off at the start, I heard my name paged to report to the start/finish area to sign in. I knew nothing about it - when have you ever had to sign-in at the start/finish for a cross race? Apparently, I missed some sort of rider presentation. I had been off searching desperately for a porta-john. They do not make that easy here. I missed most of my warm-up time weaving through massive crowds of people on my bike looking for the plastic thrones. Eureka - right next to the open outdoor public urinals. (Well, there's at least one thing about Belgium I won't miss.)

Fast forward to 1:30 pm. We were staged, I was bare-legged, the official gave the "une minute," and then said, "Wait for the light." Huh? Light? A few seconds later, everyone jumped. Then I noticed the traffic light ahead above the road. Green. Aah. That light.

It was another crazy start on a very long stretch of road into a right hand turn. I didn't have a good start, mostly because my legs had no jump. There was an enormous mud field that probably nobody rode, even the amazing Hanka. It was a long slog of a run for me through deep mud and up a fly-over. I could barely run up the ramp due to fatigue. The whoop-dee-do section was at the end of the lap, and would have been much more fun if I could have taken it with more speed!
Check out the men's leaders through that section:

I rode around hoping not to get lapped. I thought about pulling out, but I just wanted to get to the bumps again to see if I could ride them faster! It's hard to end my season at the bottom of a long slide in my performance, but I know it's all about the experience for me and I have a lot of racing ahead in my career. It was absolutely worth coming here to Belgium, even though I didn't perform my best. I hope to return next year with my 'A game.' I love it here, the country is beautiful, the racing is intense.

* * *

Here is my favorite picture I took today. Bart! If only the light were better - the sun is so low at almost 4 pm.

It's hard to explain how many people were at this race!

Jeremy Powers had an awesome race today! He is so strong. Here's a really poor video of him through the bumps (sorry, I was doing my best through hordes of fans):

I have one more full day here. I may do the Begijnendijk ride for the experience, otherwise certainly I could do without riding tomorrow! Maybe Sven will be there... I heard he joined the ride the other day several kilometers after it passed our house.

Begijnendijk Ride

2007-12-27T07:38:00.000-05:00

So I was sitting here at the table, eating my lunch of a ham and brie on fresh bakery whole grain bread and tomato soup with Marscapone cheese, when Mark alerted me that the Begijnendijk group ride would be coming by momentarily. I dropped my sandwich, grabbed my camera, and ran to the door. This local ride passes our house on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The clip is actually only of half the group. There are two groups of 50 riders each, and the second group followed a minute after (but I had returned to my sandwich).

This is just a typical group ride here. On the way home from a trip to a bike shop this morning, we saw a group ride of about 25 older people, not racers, just normal people, out together on their cruisers enjoying the day. I love this country!

My First World Cup!

2007-12-26T13:37:00.000-05:00

Hofstade!

I have to tell you that it's going to be really difficult to put this experience in words. This World Cup in Belgium existed on a bigger scale than I even imagined. I could hardly believe the whole scene, and my pictures simply don't do it justice. Beyond that, while watching the men's elite race, I was amazed to discover perspective on just how good the Belgians are at their sport. It really is unbelievable how fast Sven, Lars, and Bart were riding. Watching gave me goosebumps. Feeling the intensity of the crowd screaming for their heroes as they flew by honestly almost brought tears to my eyes. I love this sport. They made this course look so easy, this same course where I had lost a lung, my legs, and very possibly a year off my life just an hour earlier. Watching my "hometown heroes" such as Tim and Jeremy get lapped by the three leaders racing at double the speed (well, at the moment they were lapped, anyway) has altered my whole perception of cyclocross.

After watching today's race, I am officially a Bart Wellens fan. Nys displayed amazing power and fluidity. Bart also has incredible power, but just seemed to have more heart and deep determination. (While pre-riding the course today and making my way through the end of the first long sand section, lots of people started shouting all around me. I knew immediately that a Belgian hero was coming up behind: it was Wellens. As if my heart wasn't pounding from grinding through the sand, now it was in my throat! "Make it through the sand, make it through, don't crash in front of Bart!" I made it and continued up the next rise, flat, turn around the tree, run up the stairs, and he was still there. "Ah! Bart Wellens is on my wheel!" Well, it was an exciting moment. I entered the sand again, and he disappeared. He was gone. Or maybe he passed me, for some reason I can't remember. I will be sure to take home some Bart merchandise as a souvenir, and I am hoping to get Bart to sign my "Bart Wellens Kickboxing Academy" t-shirt or to get a photo with him wearing it. We'll see if I can work up the nerve for that!

Okay, so on to my race. At staging, the announcer called my name: "From the United States, numero vignt-deux, Rebecca Wellons." Then he made some comment en francais demonstrating how my last name is pronounced slightly differently than "WellEns" (which it isn't). But the crowd and myself at least got a chuckle out of it. I rolled up to a spot in the third row. But really the second, because I played the game of jamming myself up as far forward as possible. I was right next to Christine and diagonally behind Lyne. Several other North Americans were nearby, and I felt strangely comfortable. I jammed my wheel right on up so my hands were basically on the butts of the two euro girls in front of me, and when the gun shot, I did not hesitate. I successfully started the race without being sketched out. I held my own in what was a decent start, not excellent, but a big improvement on the past 3 races. After the first corner, the track was all muddy and slick, and went into a muddy and chewed up hill that would prove to be unridable for me and most others (even the men) all race. So, there was the first dismount, and there was another short steep hill soon after that I had to run because the girls in front of me couldn't ride it. I headed into the sand, and did my best to keep my weight back. I find it difficult to drop into the sand with good speed and keep my weight back at the same time. I tend to be quite far forward like a roadie a lot when I'm trying to keep speed. I will have to work on my position for next season. The sand was hit or miss for me, and I say that to mean I would often hit or be hit by someone (and consequently crash) or I might miss riding into the woman in front of me (often going slower) and pass several others. Alone while pre-riding, I could clear it pretty consistently, but as everyone knows who has raced cross, all that pretty much flies out the window in traffic during a race.

I went down many times. One time I fell running in the sand, and I didn't trip. A Belgian woman rode into me from behind as I was running the end of the first long sand section. I have her chainring imprint in my left achilles. I was pissed and got up and ran past her and put myself right in front of her. Then a French woman dove into the next corner inside me and caused me to dab. That made me mad, too, and I wanted to catch her and give it back in a bad way, but I just had no legs today. I had absolutely no power, and such is the story of my last month. I rode the first lap okay, but that was all my legs had in them. If I had a powermeter, I'd bet it would show numbers lower than my first training rides last February. I would stand, but just couldn't pump. I am cooked, and know it. (I was actually able to fall asleep in the car, in the parking lot, 2 hours and 15 min before my _WC_ race today... not a good sign.) Regardless, this is still all an amazing experience for me, and I'm so glad I'm here. I know inside that I could have been racing 10 places higher. I know that it's possible for me. Those are just words, but I intend to make it happen in the future.

I spent the last couple of laps battling with the Japanese national champion and the Belgian woman whose chainrings are my body's souvenir. I would often gain time on them in the sand, which I rode pretty well when in less traffic. I could also consistently outrun the Japanese woman. But my power was uncharacteristically poor on the flats and pavement, and I could not match the Belgian woman today. I finished 34th in the hardest cyclocross race I have ever done, and I'm very happy to have had the experience.

I wish I could stay, rest for a week - well, I may need two, then continue racing. If I could race here more, I believe I would improve dramatically as a 'crosser. But I have only one more race here - Loenhout on Friday - and then I'm home for New Year's and back to work and reality. I'm really looking forward to Friday, it's got those washboard-like BMX style bumps where you have to push and pull your bike and you gain speed as you go through the section! I can't wait to try it.

Some pics of the race:

So many people that it was hard to see the racers go by! Some people got creative and built sand mounds to prop themselves up higher.

Powers rocks through the end of the second time through the beach where many could not ride.

Tim runs the same section this lap.

There were lots of Ridleys at the race.
Here's mine all happy after the sand:

I still haven't had any beer. It sure wasn't in the cards while doing 4 races in the past 6 days, but I'd like to have one before I leave. I haven had lots of chocolate, though! After a huge dinner tonight, I treated myself to crepes filled with Meli, which is the delicious chocolate and honey spread I am now addicted to. I think there's half a pastry waiting for me in the fridge, too....

Pretije Kerstmis!

2007-12-25T05:35:00.000-05:00

We all went to the town church service last night. It was great to see some people riding their bikes to church at night! Blauberg is a small country town, and it seemed like everyone attended. For me, the highlight was the band. They sang in nice harmony and kept everyone engaged in the service. The bow ties and suspenders were charming. After the service, everyone stayed and drank cups of warm wine, soup, or cecemel, a drink similar to chocolate milk. We wanted to talk to people, but the language barrier is difficult. You can't just go up to someone and start speaking in English! Vicki knows how to count to ten and name the days of the week in Dutch, but those aren't exactly good conversation starters.

There were lots of fireworks right after midnight, but I didn't pull myself out from under my warm covers to check out what was going on. Celebration, I'm sure.

This morning, Shaun and I walked down to the bakery for some bread and treats. The place was packed! I think everyone in town went to the bakery this morning for fresh bread and pasteries and chocolate treats. The bread here is delicious! There is no Pepperidge Farm preservative-filled crap you can buy in any store in the US that sits on the shelf for weeks without molding. This is real bread, fresh baked, sliced for you when you buy it, and delicious. I am really going to miss the bakery when I go home. Oh, and the pasteries! Here is Shaun enjoying one. I am still not sure how it is possible that Belgians are not fat.

Well, I've got to go do some bike maintenance. Then this afternoon I'm off for Hofstade, the site of tomorrow's World Cup race, to preview the course and pick up my race number. I am so nervous and excited! I hope I will be able to sleep tonight!

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Eve and a Day Off

2007-12-24T14:07:00.001-05:00

It's getting late... I decided to post pics and write tomorrow. These were all taken today on my ride or at the church service tonight that we attended in town. Merry Christmas!

Zeddam

2007-12-23T13:56:00.000-05:00

Did you know that cyclocross is a full-on contact sport? I didn't, either. But it is over here. I was determined to start more aggressively today, so I could show I am better than pack fodder, but it was a similar story to yesterday through the first few turns. It doesn't matter where you get called up here, girls jam themselves in between you, those in the 3rd row jam themselves up in between and onto Daphny's wheel, so everyone starts pretty much touching each other. Elbows are out. When the gun goes off, it's mad. Girls take all sorts of risks like a mob in a crowded burning opera house. They'll do anything, cut you off, elbow you, push you, pull you, whatever to get in front of you, then they are completely out of control and take themselves out right in front of you and cause a pile up. If you're not in front of it, you're out of luck. In the second pile-up of the first 1/4 lap today, I had to pull some girl's pedal from my spokes, and I basically came to a stand still for several seconds as bikes and bodies were all around me and we were trying to navigate a 180-degree turn. The first 20-25 places got far away up the road. Then we had a long, fast descent that transitioned into a very long stair climb - 100 stairs!! Again, I came to a stand still, since the first 2/3 of the stairs were narrow and single file, and the wankers in front of me were going so slow. It was like frantically trying to walk up a crowded escalator at the mall on Christmas Eve. I lost so much more time. Apparently, part of the traffic jam was caused by an actual fight somewhere on a stair up ahead of me. Review sentence one.

I rode reasonably well in similar fashion to the past two days: picking off riders in front of me, one by one. I have noticed a strange paradox in race behavior here. In the first lap, everyone's out for blood, but when you pass someone later in the race, they don't even seem to attempt to challenge you. Maybe it's because I have been stuck at the back with riders compared to whom I am significantly stronger, and I pass them with enough speed that it crushes their spirit. Maybe that's wishful thinking. I ended up 18th, I don't know how many starters. I know without doubt I am stronger than that result shows, but the start is so important, and I have to learn to add anger, aggression, and fearlessness to my bag of tactics. Honestly, I think maybe those things are not in my nature. But frustration is building, and it may tip the scales of my temperment.

Zeddam was another incredibly fun course. Apparently it was a totally different course than when World's was held there in 2005. Not overly technical, lots of power sections, a 100-stair leg busting run-up, and grassy turns. I loved it. Even though I was not riding further up where I wanted to be, I was having a blast on the course. I can't wait to do it again next year, because I want another try!

Post-race, I decided to play avid fan. I watched the men's race, took some pictures, ate my first frites with mayo, and talked to some spectators. This trip is about racing, but it's also my vacation! The scene is fun. The crowd is much quieter than I expected. They watch you intensely, but don't shout often - well, unless you mess up! Just like inebriated Nascar fans, they are definitely excited by race carnage.

Erwin!

The race pits. Notice how low the sun is on the horizon? It's about 2:30 pm in this shot, and the sun never got much higher. It sort of skims the treetops then sets. It also likes to sleep in, taking until 8:45 to rise.

The band and the frites!

Snapped this on the way home. Anyone want 98 octane? The cheapest octane is about 1.20 Euro/liter. There are 3.8 liters in a gallon. That's a little over 4 Euros/gallon, and one Euro is about $1.65. You can do the rest of the math.
Well, today marked three races in a row. The legs are now tired, as is the rest of me. I am really looking forward to sleeping in and having a rest day tomorrow. I think we're going to visit the second largest bike shop in all of Europe tomorrow afternoon! I might bring my camera, but I think I'd better leave my wallet at home.

Oh, does this adventure and the racing ever have to end?!? I am loving this so much. And I am already excited just thinking about all the training and preparation I'm going to do to be faster and stronger next season!

Huijbergen

2007-12-22T12:54:00.001-05:00

Off to Huijbergen, Holland today to race. I think Huijbergen must be the cutest little town on the planet! Cute and tidy little brick houses line the streets, plants growing in most windows, all-brick layed streets fashioned with geometric designs and bike paths. Loved it. I wish I had time to explore it and take some pictures to share. But I was otherwise occupied with racing!

Huijbergen proved to be a very technical course. To me, it felt like a mountain bike race. Or what I imagine a mountain bike race would be like, that is. It's been many ages since I tried one. I am beginning to think that I really need to race mountain bikes to improve my 'cross skills, so you may see my on the fat tires a bit this summer. How I'll fit that into a big road season, I'm not quite sure yet. Anyways, after pre-riding the course, I was a little nervous to be racing on it. I wasn't nervous to just be riding around on it medium-slow, but to actually be trying to go fast would prove to be quite another story. There were two tricky descents, and the ground was frozen solid, making the cow-trodden field hard bumps to ricochet off, and several corners were slick. There were two run-ups, one dirt, one sand.

I am no psychologist or biologist, but cycling has led me to believe there to be a certain survival instinct based on self-preservation. For example, when you sense danger in speed, you instinctively pull the brakes. When you sense danger in a corner, you might unclip your inner foot. Well, I have figured it out: I am simply evolutionarily superior to most other racers. I have the self-preservation instinct down-pat. I will live longer and healthier than my daredevil competitors and bear more off-spring. Well, great, but it's not helping me one bit in cyclocross!

The whole race I was trying to coax myself into letting go. Letting go of the brakes, letting go of fear. My body has so much more inside, but I am caging it. If I could let go and trust myself I could fly. I suppose that's what sport is about for so many of us - wrestling with our demons, conquering our selves. Every lap I tried to go smoother and faster. I believe I did as the race went on, at least I relaxed a bit and had some fun on an awesome course.

There was this super steep sandy descent with a 90-degree right hander. Boy, was it a disaster on the first lap in traffic! I did improve on it every lap, and was having enough fun by the last lap that when I almost bit it, I actually laughed, and the surrounding spectators laughed along with me. Well, I prefer to see it that way - only they know whether they were laughing with me or at me, but it seemed in good spirit.

Speaking of laps, I had no idea how many laps we were doing! There were no lap cards, and the race seemed incredibly long. Every time I came through the finish straight, I had no idea if it was the end! I don't speak Dutch, but I now know that 'ronde' means 'lap.' Of course, I don't know numbers in Dutch, so that really wouldn't have helped much. Finally, when I came through again, the announcer took pity on my ignorant American soul and said in a thick accent "Rebecca Wellons, this is your last lap." It was the only English I heard him say over the speaker the whole race.

The start was ridiculous. The girls over here have none of that aforementioned "self-preservation" instinct. None at all! I do a lot of crit racing and have never seen anything like this. I thought I might actually eat pavement in a 'cross race. The starting chute began straight and flat for 150-200 meters, then took a had 90-degree corner. I was the last woman called up to the front row and was stuck with the spot furthest right. Not the one I wanted. I should have declined the first row and taken the left side second row. But I figured I'm a good starter, so I can maybe get ahead of most. The gun shot off and we charged. I tried to move left as we went up the road in one big pack, but some girl shot through where there really wasn't space to put herself, bumped me on the left side pretty hard and unexpectedly, charged in front of me right at the corner on the inside. She did a full-on powerslide into the first corner and almost took out the first 5 riders, cramming in maybe second wheel. I was totally stunned. Honestly, I want to race hard, I'm not afraid of an elbow or asserting myself if need be, but that was f'ing ridiculous. And it didn't stop there. Girls swam around chomping like sharks at blood. I felt like a guppy. Someone went down in the next corner into the woods and we all piled up. I was now at the back, and rode the whole race trying to pick off riders in front of me. The same lonely game I played yesterday.

Sounds disappointing, but really just being here was fun! Riding these courses will improve me. I need to learn to start more aggressively. I need to let go. I have the legs to be there, but I have to strip away this instinct limiter.

I was in the pits for Shaun in the elite race today, and I have to say it was exciting to feel a part of the race as Bart, Sven, and others shot by. I got to the finish in time to snap this shot of the finish from a spectator point-of-view.

Bart Aernouts wins!

A pep band livened things up!

Bart comes through with one to go.

The two Barts and Sven come through, taken from my vantage point in the pit.

End of the first woods section. Very single-tracky-mountainbikeish.

Standing in the pits, the good elevation difference to the first hill and descent was very noticable.
Check out all the press for the men's race!! No, the women got nowhere near the amount of press or spectators.

Check out this crazy tree-shrub hedge I saw on road outside Huijbergen on the way back into Belgium. Does someone trim this??

I really want to race Zeddam tomorrow. I am on the start list. Iwant another shot at this! I am having too much fun to miss one, but I am unsure if I can get a ride there. Nobody has room to take me! I'm hoping the friendly Northwest duo of Sue and Wendy can pick me up and bring me....

Scheldecross!

2007-12-21T13:42:00.000-05:00

Scheldecross is in Antwerp, just across the canal from the beautiful city. The sun poked through the frozen fog after the race and I was able to snap this shot with frozen fingers.

We were late getting there due to an accident on the highway, so I had little time to acquaint myself with the course and surroundings or to do a proper warm-up. I was pretty nervous and sort of "deer in the headlights" at the start, and I was not aggressive at all in the first few turns. Many girls passed me who were not as strong as me, and they opened litle gaps I had to close. But I rode okay after the first nervous lap, and picked off several in front of me. I got better at the sand each lap, and just had lots of fun on the course. Mark, the guy in the pit for me, had to yell at me to stop smiling and start racing! :) It was a good leg-opener and good to get my feet wet and get some nerves out about my first race over here. I did not race aggressively and still ended up 16th, so I know I will be fine. Tomorrow I will be more aggressive in the start and first lap. Did I mention how cold it was??? -4. And snowing! Frozen legs didn't help. Another thing I will help fix with a better warm-up. I had a great experience today, bottom line.

So let me tell you about my very first experience today at my first race here in Belgium: I got to registration, and Shaun and I waited in line. My name was not on the start list, and I was a little nervous about trying to talk to the men working registration, since they did not seem to know much English. Who walks in and gets in line right behind me? Bart Wellens.
What would you say to Bart Wellens if he was standing right behind you in line? Yeah, I couldn't think of anything, either. I wished I had my "Bart Wellens Kickboxing Academy" t-shirt on. I will be wearing it tomorrow in case I get the chance again! Although I couldn't understand a word he was saying to his buddies in Flemish, I could definitely tell he was not happy about being stuck behind us in line. Eventually, one of the registration workers took him ahead of me, and I didn't even get the chance to tell the registration worker that my last name was Wellons while Bart was clearly in earshot. I wonder if he would have raised an eyebrow.
Did anyone read that column at the back page of the most recent issue of VeloNews, about the guys who met Vervecken in the locker room at Southampton?

Another thought to share: it was odd to be racing without being able to understand the race announcer or what the spectators were yelling. All I could hear was the announcer's voice pipped through the many sets speakers all over the course "blah blah blah blah blah Hanka Kupernagel blah blah blah Daphny van den Brand blah blah blah Helen Wyman blah blah..."

My race shots aren't that great, but here are some:

A good way to cross the course and to view with a bird's eye view.

Bird's eye view.

Sven supporters.

Erwin!

This is REAL Pro.

A REAL flyover! This was taken after the men's race. See the podium on the big screeen tv?

Sorry I don't have any pics of me! Jos took some, I'm working on getting them. Will post soon.

Gotta get to bed now. Tired! Racing in Huijbergen, Holland tomorrow!

Foggy Frost

2007-12-20T13:59:00.001-05:00

Feeling unbelivably fatigued last night, I went to bed by 10. It should have been earlier. I slept almost 12 hours! I yanked myself out of bed to experience my first full day here in Blauberg. Today was quite cold, about -3 (C). Everything was coated with white frost and the air was think with fog. The frost looked a bit like snow, but was not, it really was a thick frost. (Check out the pic below of the spider web coated in frost on the backside of a sign.) I rode for 2 hours and found a long bike path that traversed the country side. The bike paths are all labeled with numbered routes, and they have a system that cris-crosses the country and goes into Holland. You can see the signage in some of the below pictures. The albino bunny is for you, Ward, because I know you love bunnies. You would have lifted this one over the fence and taken him home with you.

We visited a bike shop tonight, the Van Eycke shop, and I was blown away. I could not believe the stock they had on the floor! Hundreds of bikes, sometimes every size of each model, with none of the steerer tubes cut, to ensure perfect sizing for the customer. I bought some of those seal skins waterproof socks lined with merino wool, and a craft windproof base layer that I've been looking for in an x-small for ages. I'm ready!

My first race, Scheldecross, is tomorrow. It's really nearby, about an hour away in Antwerp, I think. I'm a little nervous that the conditions might be a lot like Kansas on Sunday, frozen mud ruts and holes with a slick slime on top. I guess the practice would be good for me! I know it is going to be incredibly technical and hard compared to what I'm used to, but I hope it will make me a stronger and better racer.

Okay, I am out of time for blogging! Must get sandwiches ready for tomorrow and make sure I pack the right clothes.

Um.... I'm Not in Kansas Anymore!

2007-12-19T11:16:00.000-05:00

Here I am in Belgium! My cyclocross pilgrimage. I feel as though I've stepped back in time. On my ride today, I saw no strip malls, no McMansions, no SUVs, no billboards, no McDonald's. Of course, I've only been here one day, so there's still time to have my hopes dashed. But I rode through small towns like villages with people biking or driving small cars to visit the boulangerie, the bakery, the market. Shops owned by local shopkeepers who usually live above or behind their shops. I saw a train gliding into the station swift, fast, and quietly, making MBTA trains into growling behemoths. There are bike paths lining both sides of most every road - in fact, you're not supposed to ride on the road unless you have a group of 7 riders or more. It feels a bit like riding on the sidewalk, but it's safe. On my ride today, I found the drivers to be very courteous and respectful of cyclists. One even backed up while waiting for me to pass so as to make sure his bumper was out of my way in the bike path. I also think I got a few looks from both drivers and other pedestrians in my full Ridley kit and bike today. Apparently, the factory is only about 20 minutes away, and I hear it's certainly the most popular bike around here. I hear that Neils Albert and Sven Nys are also nearby - I would love to run into them!

There is a market right next door, so I went over and walked through to look for food for dinner as well as soap, shampoo, and toothpaste. I was surprised to see all US brands of these items on the shelves. I could get the same items here as in any CVS at home. I even saw many packaged foods made by Kraft - but in different guises. The language here is Flemish. Most speak at least a little English, and maybe understand some French, but definitely don't want to speak that. I feel badly that I didn't try to find the time to learn some simple phrases in Flemish before coming here, but I will try to pick some up quickly. I know the word for "bike shop" anyway, and while trying to tell the shopkeeper at the market (who did not speak English) which vegetables I wanted I learned how to say "sprout," "garlic," "mushrooms," and "onion." I had to have Brussels Sprouts tonight. And the mushrooms were delicious and incredibly fresh. The owners of the market were very friendly. I told the woman who helped me that I was visiting from Boston in the US to race cyclocross. She said I must be strong like Lance Armstrong, thinking he must be one of my heros. I chuckled and and said, "No, like Sven Nys." She laughed, knowing exactly who I was talking about. I think he is a household name here. At the airport, while waiting to go through customs, the woman beside me saw my helmet and asked if I would be racing in the "big race" next week (meaning the Hofstade WC). She said she was going to watch!

I can't wait to explore more and I'm sure the races will be eye-opening to say the least. I'm completely exhausted from the events of the past few days: a weekend in Kansas, the party after Nats, travel back to Boston, repacking for the trip, and heading right off to the airport after a day of work and an overnight flight. I will sleep well tonight and dream of cross in my temporary Belgian home.

Always a Bridesmaid...

2007-11-05T20:39:00.000-05:00

In the time since I've last written in this woefully neglected soapbox, I've had four second place finishes. Happy with that? Yes. Definitely. Satisfied? No... but if I have to lose to someone, I find it ok to lose to a gifted and amazing athlete like Lyne. (Did you know she has her own Wikipedia page? ) I will keep training hard and racing with all my heart and soul, and maybe one day I will catch you, Lyne!

I love the Farmington/Northampton race weekend. The Farmington sand pit is my favorite all season - I love ripping through it like surfing a wave of sand. It was there that I laid to rest the battle with Mo for second on Saturday. I had a moment of genius. It's rare, but I actually reacted on instinct, and made a good move. I knew I wanted to come out of the sand pit first, so I could lead into the pavement, since sprinting is a strength of mine. I attacked through the sand by accelerating into it. Mo took the left line, I entered just to her right and aimed at an angle through to exit at the right corner. I sliced through the sand like a shark fin through the choppy sea, and with this shorter line, I gained 2-3 bike lengths and a silver medal.

Sunday rocked. I love the Northampton course. Except the loose, 30% grade run up. That's awful. But the rest is super fun! When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was race BMX. I think I watched the movie "Rad" about a million times. But other than myself and the neighborhood kids hucking ourselves off homemade jumps on our KMart Huffys and pedaling through all the mud and puddles we could find in the woods, I was never able to realize my BMX dreams. But, there are moments in 'cross racing when I feel like I'm living my childhood dream! Maybe I was destined to someday find cyclocross.

I got the holeshot in all of 75 meters of pavement before the first gravel 90-degree turn on Sunday. It lasted until the grassy straight heading towards the sand when Lyne passed me, Mo in tow. I got on Mo's wheel. We got to the sand. We exited the sand. Lyne pulled away. I was overgeared exiting the sand (careless error, and one I did not repeat during the race) and lost precious moments. Moments that turned into seconds... slowly but fast, it feels like slow motion as I watch it happen every race, bye-bye Lyne. In the end, Mo and I rode a majority of the race together, attacking each other back and forth, each trying to make the other faulter. It was painful but so much fun.

The Kentucky USGPs did not go as I hoped. In retrospect, I was really tired. I did not perform up to my ability. I felt like I was pushing as hard as I could, but was going nowhere. I felt like I had a governor on my motor, and I couldn't get out of my own way, despite feeling like I was flooring it. My legs were trash. I left very disappointed, hoping to prove myself in the field of "big girls." I will get another chance in NJ next weekend.

Granogue, DE & Wissahickon, PA. More great races. Granogue has the most elevation change in any course all fall. Hard. I rode relatively well, clawing my way back to second after a less-than-stellar start. Great to see family and friends and fans there cheering me on! Wissahickon, 2nd place won in a sprint. Again, awesome to have more family and friends there cheering! My aunt and uncle came and saw their first cyclocross race and loved it!

And no worries, Honey, the title of this blog isn't directed toward you....

Thanks, Dave McElwaine, for use of your great pictures!

Gloucester - Day Two

2007-10-15T20:53:00.001-04:00

If you look ever so closely at the rear wheel in this awesome shot by Dave McElwaine, you will notice it looks a little flat. Really flat. As in "no air in there" flat. Not cool in the third lap of a race when you're sitting in 3rd and just settling in, feeing good, and amped to fight for another podium result. You will notice it's a clincher, not my usual tubbie, too. I pinched on a rock on the first fast gravel road section by the water. Rode it to the pit, but very gingerly, as it was my good road race wheel and I can't afford a replacement if I wreck it - it needs to last me through the summer! (That front wheel has lasted 2 road and 3 cross seasons!) I fell back to 14th or 15th place, but got my pit bike for 1/2 a lap, then luckily Mavic was there to throw a spare wheel on and I got back on my Supercross. (Thanks Matt Roy for your pit help!)

The hunt was on. I picked off riders, got some help from my Ridley teammate Rebecca Much to chase down a group in the wind, and then brought myself back into 8th, only :55 back from the podium. If I had another lap or two, I think I might have caught another couple of riders. I was certainly disappointed, but I still got to put in a hard effort for a second day in a row. If only I could have pulled a Tim Johnson and gone from 35th to 2nd after a flat! But if I even had that depth and ability in me, I'd need more than the few laps I had left to do it.

Awesome job Anna and Natasha for riding an excellent race. And congrats to Anna for pulling it all together to recover from yesterday and get a great result!

Coming this weekend... Granogue, DE, and Wissahickon, PA. Granogue is held on the DuPont estate, and is one of the most challenging and demanding courses of the East Coast UCI calendar, imho. Without Lyne and Katie there, the field looks wide open - I'll be there ready to rock!

Gloucester - Day One

2007-10-14T09:35:00.001-04:00

It couldn't have been a more beautiful day at Stage Fort Park. Sunny skies and a dry course with few difficult technical sections made for a super fast course. We started up the road, and Amy Wallace was quickly out front with one of her characteristic leg-burning fast starts. But the hill stretch was long, and I came around Amy and found myself out front with the hole shot, able to take whatever line I chose through the first two corners. There was a short decent into a 180-degree left hander, and then a short rise to the next right turn; this short uphill was where Lyne first passed me. I knew it was going to happen, just didn't know where. She took the next couple of turns with more speed than I could. On top of the fact that she has great cornering skills, her "warm-up" racing the men's 2/3 race probably helped her be more comfortable taking the first turns at warp speed. A small gap opened, and I had to make a decision to try to jump to her or let her go. I had to admit, I was pretty maxed from the start. I thought I might blow up if I jumped again and went all out to get on her wheel. Ideally, I wanted someone to pass me and pull me up to her, but that wasn't to happen. There was a strong wind on the course in the power sections, and I didn't want to be alone in the wind trying to ride faster than Lyne to catch her. I chose to be conservative. Part of me felt disappointed in myself for conceding victory so early without a fight, but mostly I was excited to ride in a group and practice tactics. Too often I ride alone in no-(wo)man's land, trying to suffer through 45 minutes as deeply as possible, striving to close the gap to some rider head (who is doing the same) and desperately trying to stay ahead of the lone woman behind hunting me down (ie, doing the same thing I'm doing). My greatest accomplishment today was that I rode a smart race. I stayed out of the wind when I needed to, attacked when I needed to, followed when I needed to, and had a good kick for the finish sprint. It felt like a crit, and the race went by so fast! It was an amazing feeling to be on the podium at Gloucester. I have dreamed of this day since I first got lapped by Alison Dunlap and the Clif Bar girls here in my first season racing 'cross in 2003. No, it wasn't a USGP race, but there was a great field from all over the country and Canada. I rode a smart race in front of so many spectators, including my dad, cheering for me. It felt amazing, thanks for the support!

I love Chucks... and my new Ridley!
How can I mount some cleats on these shoes?

Southampton!

2007-10-08T20:38:00.000-04:00

Photo from Dave Chiu, super-photographer! Now, if only I could work on improving my expression....
No time to write in-depth tonight, need to sleep, but wanted to post SOMETHING.

I love cross. The people are awesome. Friends, teammates, cross nuts who fly over from BELGIUM to see their main man race (they LOVED the Bart Wellens kickboxing t-shirt!), kind people who give me feeds (thank you, Eric!) and give me bike exchanges even though I have nobody in the pit for me (thank you, Mark)!

Had lots of fun this weekend in Southampton despite my first-lap flat on Saturday. Flatted HERE. Wah! I know, I'm complaining - it's cross, and this stuff happens. It was actually the first time I've EVER flatted in a cross race, so really, I am very lucky. I just wish it didn't happen in the race with the biggest women's prize purse in North America!! (Okay, I'll put away my violin.) The courses were fast and dry and dusty and the racing was HARD. And I can hardly believe how fast Katie and Lyne are this year!

I dragged my tired butt out of bed this rainy morning to head to Jamestown to race the men's P/1/2/3 road race. Good training, and I think I beat a few guys even though I was at the back at the start of the final climb.

See ya in Middleboro tomorrow night for more 'cross fun???

Anxious for the weekend!

2007-10-04T22:06:00.000-04:00

I have been ridiculously busy the past two weeks with work, training, planning race travel, and putting more momentum into our Ridley grassroots program. We still have room for riders (until we run out of bikes), so if you're interested, contact me.

I'd love to post some pics of the races the past two weekends, but it'll have to wait. I checked out a new Tuesday night training race in Middleboro this week and had a great time.

I can't wait to see the rainbow jersey racing on US soil this weekend!!
Hope to see you all there, too!

It's Coming...

2007-09-21T21:51:00.000-04:00

Only one more day to say I'm in my twenties.
A coworker gave me a funny card today...
it had a shark fin on the front and the words, "It's coming...."
When I opened it up, it played JAWS.
Why does that thumping chromatic ostinato and those piercing tritone flute dissonances elicit the terror of being hunted and slashed with sharp, pointy teeth?
Aaaahh! I can't swim fast enough!!!....

Vervecken Racing in US!

2007-09-19T16:03:00.000-04:00

http://cyclocrossnewsnet.blogspot.com/
Apparently Erwin Vervecken will be racing in the Hamptons on Oct 6 & 7! I can't wait to watch!!!
The women's field should be awesome with the biggest payout of any women's race in the country! Sweet.

Great Vibes, Short Drives

2007-09-17T20:55:00.000-04:00

This weekend highlighted how lucky we are to live in the wonderful region of New England, or New Belgium, as the Hup 'crossers would call it. We had several awesome race options to choose from, all of which had great vibes and short drives.

First: York Beach Criterium.
A short drive up to Maine on a Friday afternoon and you get
this looking in one direction:

And this looking in the other:

It was a windy race, and it didn't seem likely that a break away could stick, but Megan Guariner of Terry Precision rocked it. She was super-strong, the pack let her go, and a lack of a organized chase sealed it for her. I tried bridging several times, but didn't have the "long haul effort" legs, especially in that wind. (I think she was riding awfully close behind the pace car, but that's just an observation that someone brought to my attention... hmm.) Maybe our team should have all gotten to the front to reel her in, but then we would have just hauled everyone else up with us, and we would have been wrecked for the end, so I just tried to bridge multiple times. In the end, it was too slow in the final 2 laps, so it became nothing more than a cluster through the corners. I find nothing more irritating than when it's so slow in the local races in the final laps. I wasn't up far enough going through the final back stretch so I threw in a last ditch attack, thinking if I went hard and early, well, you never know, but it might be better than the crappy finish I was destined for near the back. I got a gap but going through the final corner, Marianne shot past me on the inside like a runaway freight train. I got mobbed and finished 7th. Oh well, it was worth a shot. You'll never win if you never risk losing. But at least the payout was great and I was still in the coin.

Next up:
SUCKERBROOK CROSS
Check out the size of the fields at 9 am!!! And lots of women and juniors, and the best of all: junior women. :) Almost nothing warms my heart more than seeing 9 year-old-girls line up to race on real cross bikes.

Jack and Justin put on a great race. The course was sweet. Red and yellow tape lined the course neatly, the new stairs looked great, neutral support stocked the pits, and the vibe was great. I arrived around 7:30 (yikes!! the best reason to upgrade is for later start times - really!) I wanted to put on a clinic for the beginner women, and that meant early. We had a great crew! I think about 15 women, including two 9 year-old-girls, joined in. Since I wanted to be sensitive to the fact that everyone needed to warm-up for the race, we pre-rode the course and talked about techniques specific to the course obstacles along the way. Like how to do the dismount for the stairs, how to take certain corners, how to ride the sand. After the race, several gals joined me for a dismount/remount pow-wow and to watch the masters race. I met some great cross-lovers whose enthusiasm was contagious. It was so cool to cheer on and help some women in their first race. One woman had just bought her bike the night before and showed up all gung-ho! It was awesome. It's what 'cross is all about, and I really enjoyed being there, helping, and talking 'cross.
Oh! And Jack gave me this awesome t-shirt!
On the front it says "BART WELLENS KICKBOXING ACADEMY."
And if you don't know what that means... watch this video.
(And no, I'm not condoning such behavior, but damn that is amazing how he managed that kick and never missed a beat going into that descent!)

Sadly, I didn't get to race Suckerbrook, but for a happy reason: the Portsmouth Crit!! So, after just a half-hour drive to the coast, I arrived at one of my favorite New England Crits. How lucky we are in New England! Two great races so close. If only the elite women's fields of both races didn't both start at exactly the same time, I would have raced both for sure!

So I showed up at registration in my Bart Wellens t-shirt, and who was the person there to check me in but Jonathan Page's sister! Well, she didn't like the shirt, and almost didn't let me race. But after asserting my support for her brother over the poor-sportsman, she gave me my number.

Suzanne Delaney, my teammate, did an awesome job promoting this race. The prizes were amazing, Megan won an Aegis frame for taking the women's race, and Marta won a watch from a local jeweler's for second! The course was impeccably marshalled, the expo was packed with people, and thousands lined the streets screaming as we rode by. It felt a bit like a cross race without mud and cowbells. :) I have never seen so many kids race! Check out the training wheel division! Kids are the best.

Peter and his wife, Lori, of Jenness Farms gave all the women racers handmade goats milk soaps, muscle balms, and lip balms in our schwag bags!! They like to support women's racing and put up preme money, too! (They did the same at the Yarmouth Clam Fest race back in July, too!) So buy stuff from them. It's awesome soap, I've been using it since July. Oh, and I love their root beer lip balm. :)

After a tough race in which I attacked after a good prime and went solo for several laps, I finished third and got this sweet Bailey Works duffel bag with a picture by a local artist printed on it. (Not sure how I'm gonna split that with the team yet!...) Nothing like winning good stuff to ease the heartache of missing out on racing Suckerbrook. :) I somehow ended up 2nd in the Seacoast Race Series, too, and got a beautifully framed picture that matches the one on the bag. Very classy.

And this last shot I'm really including for Mandy. I think she would appreciate my awesome hair in this picture. Miss ya, Mandy, can't wait to rumble with ya at the races.

It's all 'cross from here on out!

For the upcoming weekend...
'cross in Plymouth, MA, on Saturday and 'cross just 10 miles away from my house in bedford, MA, on my birthday.... More awesome races so near home.

I love New England, I mean, New Belgium.

Milford Cyclocross

2007-09-10T16:05:00.000-04:00

Have I mentioned how much I love cross?
Let me count the ways....
I love:
1. How anything can happen.
2. How the weather itself can be a competitor each racer has to battle.
3. The beautiful mix of competition and camraderie.
4. The feeling of executing a clean dismount and carry.
5. Mud in my teeth. (okay, not really, but it makes for great photos...)
6. The feeling that no matter who's lined up at the start, I'm always racing primarily against myself... striving for self-improvement, strength and smoothness, and the ability to push harder.
7. The feeling of a long-sleeved skinsuit against my skin.
8. Powering through a ridable sandpit.
9. Any beach run! Okay, any run at all, as long as my bike is on my shoulder!
10. Feeling the pounding of my heart at the start line, anxious and ready to give it all.
11. Getting to do my favorite part of the race - the sprint - first!!
12. Cold air in my lungs.
13. The novelty of it all. I mean, it's really nuts, isn't it??
14. Coasting into a dismount with my left foot resting on the pedal and my right leg swung through, ready to touch down on the ground. (As in pic right)
15. The cacophony of screaming voices and clanging cowbells urging you through the pain.
16. Grinding up a (short) steep hill.
17. Training hard with friends on Wednesdays!
17. Seeing friends every weekend!

Admittedly, in every good relationship you have to take the good with the bad, so I will be fair and mention things about cross that I do not necessarily love:
1. Nasty laundry.
2. Being frozen on the start line, shivering to the bone.
3. Cleaning my bike (but in all fairness, I really don't like cleaning anything).
4. Having to wait 5 DAYS until the following weekend to race again!!!

Photos by Paul (crap, that corner was slick!!) Weiss.

I'm so happy my new copy of Burney's Cyclocross arrived in the mail today. I just enjoyed reading Richard Fries's introduction, it conjured goosebumps and made my heart pump for cross! I hope you get to read it.

Rest Week

2007-08-23T22:08:00.000-04:00

This has been a much needed rest week. I feel like my body is really tired, but maybe without good enough reason. Well, maybe I'm being unjust - my last real rest was when I needed a break after Fitchburg, and I was sick during that time, too. It's definitely time.

I have been really low-energy all week. I laid down this afternoon to try for a catnap, but just couldn't unwind enough to fall asleep. I felt like my heart was pounding, I often feel this, and that kind of internal bodily-awareness is sort of unsettling. At least when all is calm and quiet, and I'm trying to sleep. I don't usually lie on my left side for long because it feels like my heart is beating right up against my ribs, and it's uncomfortable. I felt this again while desperately seeking my catnap this afternoon. I felt my pulse quicken slightly with a deep breath and slow with a long exhale. Lying there attempting to fall asleep, my heart would quicken as I thought about certain things -- and get your mind out of the gutter, it was all bike porn! I contemplated about what drivetrain I want for my new cross bike! Anyways, guessing my pulse was higher than usual, I decided to count beats. It was 40! Strange how askew my perception can be.... Maybe I really am rested and this week has been good.

I didn't write much about [Hell]towns, but basically, it all came down to salad. Or rather, what I ate for dinner after Wednesday's Witches Cup. I waited WAY TOO LONG to replenish after the race, and several hours post-race, dinner was a beer and a salad. The salad had fish in it, but this still was not the best choice for recovery. I needed more carbs, and not empty ones like beer. I also didn't sleep well that night. I was truly exhausted by Friday, and considered not racing. But naturally, I went anyway. I stayed with the leaders most of the way up Hawley Rd, but got bogged down and needed another gear or two at the steep right hand bend near the top. When my cadence drops that low, I know it's over for me and climbing. I know that several of the women in the break had compacts, which allowed them to sit longer than me. (Note to self.)

After madly chasing with rapidly deteriorating legs, we were diverted off course due to a downed tree/powerline, and we did this crazy 20-minute single-lane dirt road/gravel descent!! Crazy! You should have seen us plow through there like a circus: pace car, police car, Merlin in the red SRAM volvo behind us! Just comical. It was wild. A few cars trying to actually drive UP the road while we were descending found themselves in ditches, and one irate driver apparently threatened Merlin's life, and the cop car had to go back up in his defense!! Circus! Then there was no more dirt. We just stopped at the end of the road. Pace car stopped, the officals got out. They had no idea where we were! Merlin recognized a landmark, a car for sale in the grass on the side of the road he saw on his drive to the race, and said we should take a right. Ha!

Now for the abbreviated conclusion: I got dropped from the break because of the aforementioned salad. I was just empty. My legs felt unbelievably awful. The wind was relentless and blew the determination right out of me. I rode a really, really, long way alone uphill to the finish, bonked, lonely, exhausted, and ravaged by steady 20+ mph winds. I almost stopped at a BBQ on the roadside, since I knew the whole field was god knows where off course and nobody would be catching me, but decided just to try to get it all over with asap. I only finished 8:40 back from the lead group of 7 who pacelined all those uphill miles that I struggled through! So I was still 8th. But no more salad. At least not as a major post-race meal 3 hours post-race!

My teammates and I stopped in Northampton on the way home and I had the most awesome, most enormous cone of ICE CREAM I think I've ever had!! A big, chocolate-dipped Heath Bar candy waffle cone with mudslide icecream (coffee with hydrox cookie crumbles and fudge swirl) and REAL CHOCOLATE jimmies!!! It was just heavenly bliss. I LOVE ice cream, which is awfully convenient, because it makes much better recovery food than salad. :)

Ridley Factory Team

2007-08-22T15:54:00.000-04:00

My new colors for cross season! I'll be riding for the Ridley Factory Team. I've been training hard and can't wait for the season to start.

Also, I'm running a beginner women's 'cross clinic the morning of the Suckerbrook race. Come on out and refresh your skills or learn new ones!

It's only 2 1/2 weeks until the cx race in Milford, NH...
Now that's a psychocross smiley if I've ever seen one!!

Take Me Away and Love Me!

2007-08-20T13:03:00.000-04:00

(Not me, silly, the bike.)

I get attached to my bicycles and hate to part with them, but poverty grabs hold with its smothering hand....
So, behold, my Voodoo Wazoo cyclocross steed, yours for the taking.

Specs:
53 cm c-c, 54.5 top tube C-C
853 steel frame and fork
Ultegra shifters & front and rear derailleur (9 spd)
Froglegs brakes
FSA Octalink crank, 38x48
Bontrager X-Lite Wheels, tubular
Time ATAC pedals
Grifo Challenge tires (32) front worn but ok, but rear has plenty of wear left
King headset!
Thompson seatpost
3rd eye chain watcher

Today's Voodoos are made in Taiwan, but I believe this one is old enough that it was made in California. It's got great elbow and shoulder clearance and way more character than an out-of-the-box special. The parts on it are 'cross-specific and alone are worth a lot. It is in good condition, just some usual scratches and a couple of chips in the paint from use. Ridden in quite a few USGP and Verge series races. This rig is ready to race!

$700 firm. I would prefer not to ship, if possible, I can deliver to races in New England, and the bike is available for your viewing and test-riding pleasure in Woburn, MA.
email: rjwellons@yahoo.com

It has a skull on it! What more could you want??

Also for sale:

A new set of brakes. Brand new, in box Shimano 550 brakeset. $50

Specialized Helix Sunglasses. Brand new in box. Blue, adaptalite lenses, scratchproof. $100

Witches Cup

2007-08-16T21:44:00.000-04:00

What a cool race! The Witches Cup revived bike racing around the common in Salem, Mass. I wanted to sport a big black witch hat for this one, but didn't get it affixed to my helmet in time!
What fun to be racing a short drive from home on a warm Wednesday night. We parked close to Willow Park, and the beautiful evening sun glistened off the water and all the moored sailboats. What a great setting for the race.

After the atmosphere, the next best thing about this race for me was the field! New England favorite Anna Milkowski resurfaced on the tail end of her summer pro road campaign, and Lyne Bessette was called up to the line! My NEBC teammates Cris, Tami, Nat, Sam, Amy, and Cathy were all there, and Brooke handed her beautiful baby off to dutiful husband, Jim, and continued to be an inspiration to us all.

So Anna's rumored reputation as a "go from the gun" racer is fully substantiated. No sooner did Richard Fries say "go" than Anna shot off like a bullet and stretched the field out behind her leaving riders missing their pedals in surprise panic. Great start practice for 'cross season, huh? Although I did, in fact, get into my pedal fast, I immediately found myself about 2/3 of the way back, forced to close gaps with stiff legs. Man, I really kicked myself for running the previous day! (But it's almost 'cross, and isn't that why everyone is racing in August, anyway? Training for 'cross! ;-) Well, things soon snapped up front and Anna, Lyne, and another rider who at the moment I can't remember (sorry) got a gap. And I was still closing gaps and moving up. I tried to stay relaxed and just move up to where I could actually do some racing. My rockstar teammates pulled like mad. It looked like Anna and the other rider popped, and we advanced on them. All alone, Lyne now had a gap of maybe 8 seconds. I sat about 5th wheel as Tami was about to make the catch, and the field was tired and strung out. Perfect timing. I launched up the right side of the start/finish straight and set my sights on Lyne. I caught her in maybe 2 laps. From there we worked together, each taking pulls. Our gap on the field grew, especially after the half-way $150 preme, which I did not contest. Maybe my rationalle was askew, but I feared she might attack me right after the prime if I went really hard. There was a lot of racing left, and I wanted to save all my matches, so I simply stayed glued to her wheel as she sprinted. To be honest, I was a little sore that I let her get $150 richer so easily, and I sat on her the next lap, but that was of little consequence.

At some point after the prime, we had around 42 seconds on the field. Darcy was out there screaming time splits to everyone - thanks! The course had the added challenge for us that the field could see us all the way around. The common was a flat, grassy park, and a break would never be out of sight unless its riders were close to lapping the field on the triangle-shaped course. However, the converse also was true - we could see them, and this helped us gauge our effort. We felt safe and let up for awhile, but the pack chased and cut the gap back down to 22 seconds with only 5 laps to go. Clearly time to boogie, we shared the work of picking up the pace.
On front with 2 to go, I thought I'd be taking my last pull. Well, no dice. As we came through and heard the bell, Lyne simply said she would not pull through again, and she let up behind me. Great. Super. Really, folks, what would you do in the last lap of a crit with this woman on your wheel and the charging pack only 20 seconds behind you?? Better think fast. The corners were wide and fast (although a bit bumpy), and the distance from the last corner to the line felt short, maybe 175 meters max. I was a little short in the experience corner here, having never been in the position of trying to outfox potentially the best female road cyclist in North America. I could only think of one thing to attempt, which (I'll spare you the suspense) did not work in the slightest. I jumped very early, but as a bluff to see if I could get her to start the sprint too early. Well, that was useless. So, it felt like fate took over: there came the final corner, and right after she jumped around me. I got on her wheel, but there was not enough time to come around her again, and certainly not in the ridiculous monster gear I selected for such an endeavour. Why did I not just jump hard before the last corner and charge for the line with every muscle fiber in my body? Besides swerving and slamming on my brakes, gunning it really was the best bet. Well, I certainly wasn't the first to lose to Lyne Bessette, so I am happy with second place. And on top of that, I actually learned a lot, too!

Anna won the field sprint for third! I hope this is a foreshadowing of a spectacular cyclocross season!!!

Mad props to Paul Boudreau and Dan Shuman for reviving the Witches Cup!

Super-duper photo results from Velocity are here!

Thanks to Cathy Rowell for the photos ;-), and congrats to Mike Rowell for his win in the 4/5's!!

I Have the Urge to Learn Danish

2007-08-14T16:50:00.000-04:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16nine/sets/72157594364767108/

I've been thinking about learning Dutch for awhile now, but these photo sets make me yearn for Copenhagen! Never been there, but it sure sounds nice.
Every time I get honked at rudely and almost side-swiped by some angry driver on a beautifully sunny Sunday afternoon on a totally deserted country road 40 miles outside of the city, I imagine there must be better places in the world to live.

The Tease of Cool Air

2007-08-13T11:56:00.000-04:00

That cool air we had Saturday night into Sunday morning just screamed of fall and CYCLOCROSS! I got so excited until I realized it's still weeks away. Oh! But I need to get my equipment squared away! I have no money right now, so get ready to see some "for sale" ads from me soon.

I raced Saturday in Nashua, NH, at the Race for the Gate Crit. The race looped around Holman Stadium and included a short climb and a fast downhill to the finish.
We had an unfortunate crash in our race, which sent Leslie to the hospital, and decimated our field. Leslie looked BAD after going down and hitting a cement post that was part of the fencing that lined the inside of the course in that section. (Said fencing is visible in the pic to the right.)
I hope she recovers fast.

The field was neutral for several laps while the ambulance was on the course, then there were only around 5 laps to go after that point. Our team practiced the lead-out, with Sam on front with 2 to go, then me taking Susanne around the last corner. We got 5th and all had a good learning experience.

Our team leader Brooke RACED just 6 weeks after delivering her baby!!!! And it didn't look like she missed a beat. Unbelievable. What inspiration!

After our team meeting, I decided to hop in the men's P1/2/3 race. It was a good course to do this on, not too technical, a loop with a hill and a chicane, and the field wasn't too intimidating to me. After racing Wompatuck with the guys for a few weeks, I know I can stay with them, even be competitive. I wasn't feeling good, though, so I thought I'd get shelled quickly. Not so. Oh, and I got a call up. Skip Foley in his stars-and-stripes was called up to the line first, muscles bulging and everything. Ok, a little intimidating. Then little ol' me. Ha! I thought Richard was going to tell that story about how I won SUCKERBROOK 'cross 2 years ago, but he refrained, watering it down to "winner of several cyclocross races." Oh yeah, I belonged on the front line. The best part was Ward was called up next, and I got to stand on the line and share a kiss with my sweetheart before the race. I wonder if someone got that on film - I would LOVE to have that picture.

So the first couple of laps I spent at the front, even ON the front once. Ward said he was hurting with the blistering pace I was setting of over 26 mph, but I think he was just trying to make me feel good! A break of 8 got away, and that was that. The race was slow. I just sat in to finish. As soon as it was over, and I saw that the field sprint wasn't out of my reach, I wished I had moved up and contested the finish. I actually think I might have gotten in the money! Ward won the field sprint on a day when he felt AWFUL on the bike. That's my man. :) He started a new job in pharmaceutical sales this week, and it's like "bye-bye bike, bye-bye life as we know it." But we will work through this and find a way for him to train with all his traveling and eating out and working, and he will be Captain America again soon.

On Sunday, Ward and I made a last minute choice to just do a long ride. We drove out to my parent's house in Maynard and rode from there out to the Wachusett summit and back. Only 4 hours ride time, but LOTS of climbing. We brought my dad's canoe back with us (part of the reason we drove there to begin with) and hope to get it out on the pond soon!

Thoughts go out to Kimberly Geist

2007-08-11T21:58:00.000-04:00

...and her loved ones.
Let's hope she can recover fully.
Horrific.
See the last news feed.

Back to Racing

2007-08-10T12:42:00.000-04:00

Last weekend was NHCC's Concord Crit and our team's Central New Hampshire Road Race. Brooke and her beautiful new baby, Claire, were there to help direct us. We kept the race hard, sending attack after attack, but nothing stuck much longer than a lap. I think I attacked 6 or 7 times in the 20-lap (20-mile) course, and launched a counter after one of my teammates was caught just before 2 laps to go. I wanted to keep everything strung out into the finish, to avoid the typical group cluster sprint. It worked, and Susanne did a nice job finishing 4th. I had a pretty good workout, and it is always fun to race with the team! Check out the red-white-and-blue NEBC train with Amy on front stringing out the field!

Sunday was HARD. The course was changed due to construction on a good part of the old loop. Now the course included a tough climb right from the start, the hardest climb of the course, then a short decent allowing hardly any recovery before beginning the long grind into the nasty QOM hill. The course was 4 laps of just over 10 miles a lap. There was no flat, it went either up or down, offering little time for rest. In a nutshell, I ended up riding 30 miles alone, often within sight of Mary from IBC, the woman in 1st place. The climber-extraordinaire was about 30 seconds ahead of me the whole race! I left my chase group in the dust, thinking I could catch her, then road a long, nasty, TT. At least the weather was beautiful and the course was good training. My teammates will no longer accept my "but I'm not a climber" excuse, even though I'm still not convinced. :) Tami threw down an awesome finish sprint to hold off the field for 4th! I wish I had a video of it!

I hit Wompi on Tuesday, but drove there. I was tired, and in retrospect, probably should have skipped it. I wanted to just sit in and focus on practicing the finish, but when a break went from the gun... how could I not jump on it? I sat up after 30 minutes over threshold with hardly any warm-up, burning from the blistering pace of the break. I decided to wait for the field and sit in for awhile, but the hard charging field was going even faster than the break at this point and my tired body quickly got gapped off and dropped from the strung out wheels. Not the most successful Wompi for me, but good training again, if it didn't wear me out.
All in the name of CYCLOCROSS!!!!

Thanks!

2007-08-03T11:06:00.000-04:00

I can't believe how many people responded to my last entry, either through comments or directly emailing me. I got so many long and thoughtful responses, encouragement, advice, and even just sympathetic "I know how you feel" emails. I love the bike community! Thanks for keeping me rolling.

I've been having lots of fun again on the bike. Doing training races is like tricking myself into training because it's social, I enjoy it so much, and I push myself much harder than I would alone. I've done the Wompatuck training race the past two Tuesday nights, and Wells Ave training race on Sunday. I really enjoy racing with men, especially those at these races, who tend to be experienced masters racers. Ward and I met with some guys at Landry's on Comm Ave in Boston and rode down to Wompi. It took about 2 hours to get there! After the race, we bummed a ride home, but still got a solid 76 miles in. Sunday we rode to Wells Ave, raced, then did a short errand in Lexington on the way home, so that was another 75-mile day with a 30+ mile training race. Yesterday, after our hour easy spin, Ward revved up the motorcycle and we headed down to Mystic so I could practice motorpacing. Fun! We thought it might be illegal, so we were a little worried since a lot of cops patrol the area, but we got passed by 3 black-and-whites, and none of them seemed to care that I was glued to a roller on the back of an old Honda pedaling 32 mph with relative ease. Judging from all the crazy looks people shot our way, I guess we were quite a spectacle. I'll bet everyone was simply admiring my long hair, which must have been unfurled behind me at that speed. Today I need to go get my motorcycle permit so I can return the favor and pace Ward. We also need to find a good, long stretch of road to do it on. Roads like that are scarce around here.

This morning, after dropping Ward off at Logan airport at dawn (he's off for Charlotte for the Presbyterian Healthcare Crit - a.k.a. Bank of America - show me the money, Babe!) I met Caroline (NEBCer and trombone player extraordinaire) and a friend of hers for an easy mountain bike at the Fells. Wow, I miss mountain biking!! I will definitely be doing more in the next month or two.
How much fun can a girl have in a week?

Well, I'm going to tell you. I also stripped and refinished this table, which was nasty old cracked white over spraypainted army green color. Now it looks super-cute as an end table in our living room and matches my favorite candles. I am so Martha Stewart. Ward and I are also working on refinishing a dining table we got at the Crate and Barrel outlet for ridiculously cheap. Really ridiculously cheap. A $550 table for $19. No kidding. So, it was a little scratched, but a very solid table, so we sanded down the top, and we're in the process of staining/polying it now. Fun! I've been back into my jewelry-making again, too. I'm particularly proud of a necklace and matching drop earring set I made to wear to an anniversary dinner for Ward's parents, a dinner cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH. (see pic)
I might quietly mention that my cross bike has seen the light of day again, too, as have my running sneaks... (shh!!)
I'm also working on my next blog post, which will be a spotlight on our basement, or more interestingly, the 12 bicycles that inhabit it. :)

The Greatest Rewards

2007-07-27T16:30:00.000-04:00

Okay, so where have I been? I've been home and dealing with the existential dilemna of how racing fits in my life. For a short few weeks, cycling just wasn't fun anymore, and I simply had no idea what to write in my blog that would be beneficial for others to read. So I decided silence was best until I figured out what was eating at me. I think I found some answers, and in turn, am having fun again on two wheels.

After a couple weeks of reflection, I believe I raced this whole season from the wrong mental perspective, and it "did me in." I look back to earlier in the spring, when I was chomping at the bit to race and to go out and prove myself. I had not gotten onto a "pro" team, but knew that was my continued dream and goal for next year. At some point early into my season, I read a short write-up on cyclingnews about the Women's Cycling Development Program, run by Mike Engleman. I figured that there could be nothing wrong in finding out if I could take advantage of any sage words of advice or guidance in reaching my dream, so I got up the nerve to send an inquiry email and included a brief race resume. I now believe the response I got set the tone for the psychological mistakes I made this season. He basically said that to get on a team I needed results, which I did not have. No, this was not a news flash to me, but it showed me that all of the New England results that I've worked very hard to achieve probably mean little to anyone beyond the local scene. Okay, so this wasn't divine revelation, either, but it hurt to hear and made me crazy to prove myself.

Then the frustration built because I have relatively few opportunities to prove myself. The rest of the pro's can race starting in March with Redlands and crits in California. Sea Otter and the Southeast crit series is in April. With a full-time job, I'm resigned to gluing myself to cyclingnews and various racer's blogs to read about race reports and see pictures in between classes at work. Doing this was really bad for me. I was so jealous of those racers that I began to resent my job because I saw it as keeping me away from my dream of racing. I really wanted to be at those races, not at cafeteria duty at 7:30 am, or superivising detention with a bunch of 12 year old boys. Gila and Joe Martin happen in May when the New England local scene is just getting going, and then I finally get my chance to race NRC during the BikeJam/Somerville weekend. I spent every weekend from Memorial Day until end of June driving to the mid-Atlantic to race NRC crits and the Liberty Classic, wearing myself out leaving Friday afternoon and making it back to work for 7:30 Monday morning. I wanted very much to race Nature Valley, but besides the fact that I didn't have the cash for the plane ticket, it was the last week of school, and I couldn't ask for that off. The frustration and fatigue built. I got sick after Philly, raced at less than 100%, and now I still feel run-down.

Why run around like this? Because I only have so many races where I can get a result, and none of them are in New England! Since Fitchburg lost its NRC status, the national road scene doesn't visit New England. I have only raced five NRC events so far this season. Chris Thater will be next and last unless I can get out to crit nats, and I don't know if that's worth it for me at this point. I put pressure on myself to show up, race hard, and get a result because that's what I believe I need to achieve my dream of racing professionally. Every race I have been so close. I am absolutely strong enough to race in national level fields, not just sit in hanging on for dear life. I often am too active in the race, sometimes burning matches I should save for the finish, but most of the time when the last few laps come I feel great but I blow the finish every time. Sometimes I just haven't been aggressive enough to put myself where I need to be. I'm sure I've made bad tactical errors. I only race with the big girls a handful of times a season, and I just need more practice to get it right!! But the frustration of feeling like I screwed up again and again and lost my chances for a result at the end of every race eventually left me feeling negative even before the race began. "Here we go, another chance for you to screw it up, Wellons" I'd think on the start line. How's that for self-fulfilling prophecy? After the race, I would re-live mistakes over and over, wishing I could have this or that moment back, drilling myself with what I did wrong. I began to doubt that I could ever be good at this sport, and felt my dream dying. Enjoyment was snuffed out in this downward spiral. Eventually, around Fitchburg time, I felt I never wanted to ride or race a bike again. In a case of incredibly poor timing, I also got very sick after Fitchburg, forcing me off the bike on a physical level, too. I missed nationals and Superweek, but was in no shape, physically or emotionally, to race anyway. So I didn't ride for two weeks.

Maybe this time off was a blessing in disguise. It gave me plenty of time for reflection. In hindsight it seems so clear, but it wasn't while I was a tangle of frustration and denegration. Racing just for a "result" was not why I should have been racing. Nothing made this clearer to me than crying while reading this diary entry by Mara Abbott. Her theory 'That when I find pure joy in what I am doing, amazing things will follow' hit me hard and made me realize I'd been crippling myself with my own mind. I believed joy on the bike would be in the finish line result, not the race to get there. I too often spend time comparing myself to others and minimizing my own accomplishments. I am definitely my harshest critic. These things do not foster joy on the bike or in life. I can mentally push myself to sacrifice and train hard and push myself to my limits. My same strong mind can be used against myself. I wish I could understand why my mind works this way, but it needs to change.

I realize I'm not the only racer with a day job. I wonder how others make it work, especially for stage racing. I've finally decided that I am unhappy with my job regardless of my passion for cycling. It's just not the right school/situation for me, and I need to make some changes soon. Cycling has been a scapegoat, not the cause of my angst.

I'm sharing all this because maybe some of you out there struggle with the same challenges
and reading my story can help you sort through it. Cycling is such a difficult sport on so many levels. We put everything on the line as we push our bodies through hell and often neglect what that can do to our psyche. Our powerful minds can be our greatest asset and our greatest limiter.

Now I'm in the process of picking up the pieces and building a new framework for my life and racing. I feel like my road campaign, short as it was, is pretty much over for this year. Although I'm still racing on the road with my team, much of that racing will serve as training for my deepest passion... CYCLOCROSS. I'm working on changing my approaches to racing and adjusting my goals to reflect a healthy and positive mindset. I still dream of racing road as a "pro," but the moments on the journey there must be enjoyed to make it worth it.
From happiness will come the greatest rewards.

Pushing the Limits

2007-06-13T20:05:00.000-04:00

Liberty Classic went well. I joined the BMW-Bianchi girls for the weekend. They were awesome! Made me feel right at home with them from the moment we all met.

I admit I was nervous about this race. It was a crashfest last year, and my rear Zipp 303 fell victim to the carnage. Luckily, my body remained intact, but my race was effectively over before we ever hit Manayunk. This year was much better! The field was smaller and perhaps more select, although it was far from crash-free.

I was so excited to climb with the field each time up the wall. It wasn't really as bad as I thought it would be. I mean, it hurt, don't get me wrong. 17% hurts. And the worst part is the last block after the really steep section. It flattens, but is still a few % grade, and it's just a grind. But Manayunk really is a short climb, and I was never in any danger of being dropped. In fact, I think I moved up on the hill each lap. The really hard part was over the crest, though!! The right hand turn when it flattens out and the decent over the next couple of miles are all-out as hard as you can go. The whole pack strings out into a whip, and you'll get caught closing gaps if you aren't near the front. I chose to use my 12-25 cassette for the hill, so I only had a 12 for the descent, and I completely spun it out. I really needed an 11. I didn't really need the 25 up the hill, I think I used it on the last lap, maybe I got tired. If you're in a 25, you're going too slow!
I found it relatively easy to move up in the pack, but staying up there was difficult. It took serious guts. Everyone was so aggressive. I am embarrassed to admit that I let some German Nuremburger rider push me aside at one point. I'm just not used to the aggressiveness. I can only imagine what a World Cup race would be like! I took a drink at one point and fell all the way to the back of the pack in a matter of seconds! Every moment had to be spent working on moving up, finding a hole, pushing myself in a spot, or else I was moving back. I found it really mentally tiring, much more than I was expecting. By the last lap, to be honest, my head just wasn't in it anymore. It was clearly going to be a pack finish. I got complacent, and sat towards the back. I underestimated how fast the race would be in the final kilometers over Lemon Hill. Everyone got very aggressive looking for good position leading into Lemon Hill the last lap, and I just lost my focus. I didn't want to take the risks some of the other girls seemed to be making to move up. I thought I'd be able to move up on the flat and wide roads in the last kilometers. My legs felt good. I totally misjudged. I went into Lemon Hill at the back, and scrambled trying to get through everyone. Everyone strung into a line and gaps opened in front of me. BIG gaps that I motored through to find the pack. I knew what a big mistake I had made, but hoped I would still have something left for the sprint. At 1.5K to go, I was just catching back on and there was a crash to my left. Iona Wynter-Parks went down with Brenda Lyons. This for some reason, maybe because I stopped pedaling for just a moment, maybe because the pack accelerated as they heard the crash, made it impossible for me to catch on. The pack was literally 30 feet in front of me. I just buried my head and chased all the way to the line, hoping nobody would come around me. What wasted effort! If I had simply kept my head in the game and been in better position up Lemon Hill, I have no doubt that I had the legs to be top 25 on the day. Another lesson learned. The strength I have. I need to work on my aggressiveness in the pack and holding my position. The rest will come.

I pushed my limits a little too far, though. All this working Mon through Fri then traveling to PA, DC, Baltimore, etc on the weekends caught up with me. I drove home alone and exhausted Sunday night. I awoke at 3:30 in the morning with my throat so sore and swollen I could not swallow. I went to work and felt pretty bad all day. Tuesday I got myself up and went to work even though I felt awful (because I feel so horribly guilty about calling in sick -and I had two private lesson students after school that I was really looking forward to seeing). But I didn't make it though the day. The nurse took my temperature and I went home with a fever like I was one of the kids. Today I called in sick. The aches and pains and nasal drainage and pressure are now turning into a cough. It has happened every time I've had a cold since I was a little girl. Getting a cold = bronchial infection. And the same pattern is happening again.

I hope to race with my NEBC teammates at Crystal City (Arlington, VA) on Saturday and the RFK Crit (also in Arlington, I think) on Sunday. We'll see. Another long drive after work on Friday, another late return home Sunday night, another day of work Monday. This will be my fourth weekend in a row driving to DC/Baltimore/Philly. And will I race well?? I obviously won't have ridden this week....

(And yes, lest you are about to suggest it, at this point I am very seriously considing MOVING to the Mid-Atlantic region!! I don't understand why there is no elite road racing in New England!! Plenty of regional races, but not a SINGLE NRC or ProTour race!! The cross scene is great. But it's also good in the Mid-Atlantic, and I travel to DE, PA, and NJ for UCI cross races in the fall, too.)

Okay, time for some TheraFlu and beddy-bye. School will be over a week from tomorrow, and then I can play PRO BIKE RACER for the summer!! I live for it!! Yay!

Philly!

2007-06-08T16:01:00.000-04:00

I'll be racing in the BMW-Bianchi colors this Sunday at the Liberty Classic in Philadelphia! Thanks so much to Missy and Laura for letting me have a spot on their team!

Overview (from race website)
Over 100 elite, international women cyclists will compete in the 14th annual Liberty Classic. The 57.6-mile race consists of four laps of a 14.4-mile circuit through Philadelphia with 4 steep climbs up the grueling Manayunk Wall. The Liberty Classic is the final leg of the 2007 Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling for women and is held during the men’s International Championship on the same course.

Race Date
Sunday, June 10, 2007

Official Start Time
9:10 a.m.

Course Description
The course begins and ends on the fast and flat Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and makes its way along scenic Kelly Drive to Manayunk where riders must face the infamous, and steep 17% grade Manayunk Wall each lap.

Purse
$26,000

Distance
56 miles

I crashed before Manayunk last year, was forced to chase, and finally just got pulled. I felt awesome and had great legs that day, but a successful race also sometimes takes a little luck. Right now I don't really have the fitness I had last year. I started training a few weeks later and as a result, have only done 2 base cycles and one short intensity cycle. I've only done 2 weeks of interval training. I've also only done 4 elite level races! (Well, that's because I have a job and can't take time off to travel to races, nor can I afford it, but not because of a lack of training. ;-) It may take more than a little luck for me to have a good result, but if I can put myself in the right position, perhaps anything's possible.

Time to clean and check my bike and wheels, pack the car and prepare for a very early morning departure!

Check out some of J. S. McElvery's race pics from last year to tide you over. :)

CSC/Lancaster

2007-06-04T20:18:00.000-04:00

Boy, do I have a lot of catching up to do!

I have a lot to tell about the weekend. I had two good races, but failed to convert in the end both days.... I'm knocking on the door, I can feel it....

CSC

FAST. HARD. My favorite crit. a short 1K course with 6 corners and a 250 meter finish straight out of the last corner. Oh, and thousands of screaming spectators! I have to find the balance of being active and sitting in. I decided to conserve and sit in and wait for the finish. I did too much last year and spent myself for the finish. Only a few laps in, Laura Van Guilder and Rebecca Larson got off the front and the field seemed content with that - the chase wasn't organized, much to the dismay of Colavita and Brenda Lyons of Lipton, who was racing with no teammates. I was right up there top 10 with 3 to go and 2 to go.... pack swarmed around from the left, I didn't defend my position well enough, and it was so fast it was too hard to move back up in the last lap. I ended up 25th (not Rebecca Much, as the results list on BikeReg - I guess they confused us - I was 25th, at least that's what they told me when I checked posted results) and disappointed, since I had a lot more in my legs. I'm trying to feel out how much to do in a race. Last year I did too much and then was spent for the finish, I'm trying to sit in more and work on my positioning every race.

Lancaster

This was the first of the Triple Crown series which includes another crit in Reading Thursday afternoon and the big circuit race in Philly on Sunday. The field was a little smaller than last year, with the World Cup in Montreal conflicting. Ina Teutenberg was there, though, so it was going to be FAST. The course is a basic rectangle, but with a hill on the third side, and the pavement was so bumpy it was almost dangerous. I lost both water bottles and even rebroke my cage that I had epoxied back together after Somerville. (Some of you saw it snap.) So I had nothing to drink in the race! Anyways, I started too far back, and played the miserable "closing gaps" game for the first few laps because it started out wikkid fast and moving up was excruicatingly hard, especially when I had to close gaps before I could move up all while dodging ripped up pavement and flying water bottles. The pack let up momentarily, after the inital several-lap flurry of attacks, and I moved up all the way to the front. I decided that I was going to race with my gut today - to try and be smart, but also not tell myself I couldn't chase or bridge or be active. Laura VG attacked on the back side and got a gap immediately. I jumped to her wheel. She looked over her shoulder and looked a little confused -- who the heck was this? I'm sure she was expecting Ina. Although this may not have been tactically correct, she wanted me to take a pull, and I did. A short one, leading into the start of the hill. Then Ina caught us and attacked up the left side on the hill, and I followed. Laura and I were right on her wheel. We had a gap (I could't believe I was with Ina and Laura and we had a gap on the field!! My heart was pounding, and not just from the hard effort!) Then single riders from other teams joined us. Yes! Cat Powers (Aarons), Sarah Tillotson (Colavita), someone from Targetraining (Robin?), Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Verducci, national crit champion), maybe one more I'm not sure. I couldn't believe it. I was pretty certain the break would stick because Aarons & Cheerwine would control the field. I was unsure what Colavita would do because Tina Pic was not there (at world cup), Mackenze was their sprinter for the day, and she didn't get into the break. I later heard that the HUB team chased like mad.

I couldn't believe it. I was so excited and having so much fun riding with those women. I could ride hard and smooth through the corners, and Richard Fries was announcing, so you know I got some mic time. ;-) It was a very exciting moment for me. But they clearly did not want me there. I felt like Ina did not want me there. (But why would she care?) I was nervous being at the back of the 7 riders because I felt any one of the riders could gap me off the back to get rid of me. I wanted to actually rotate through so I could stay in the mix, but I didn't want to take any hard pulls. I was on Laura's wheel and she pulled off and flicked her wrist for me to pull through. I did, trying to maintain pace but not expend much energy, we turned left into the hill, and I swung just a little wide so that I could get off the front. Big mistake. Ina attacked from a couple of riders back and went up the left side, away from me, just as I was allowing the rider behind to pass me. I tried so hard, with everything I had to hold onto the break. She passed me going quite a bit faster, and I just couldn't hold onto the last wheel. Maybe she was trying to get away from Laura, but the timing right after my pull made it feel like it was to get rid of me. The break strung out for a minute. I dangled just seconds behind them for the whole next lap, but i just popped, couldn't catch the wheel. I couldn't believe it. I was going to finish top 6!!!! (Targetraining flatted so 6 were left) I was going to get to try to sprint it out with the best!!! And it was all slipping away! No!! I rode another lap in no-man's land, with the pack only 5-10 seconds or so behind me, so I had no choice to let them catch me and and try for the sprint, but it was speeding up, and I was dead. I stayed top 5ish for the next 2 laps, but with one to go, I simply didn't have the juice to defend my position as it got ugly in the corners and the rough pavement, and I slipped back. I finished 21st in the pack, and naturally, the money went 20 deep. From the highest high to low in one race. I wanted to stick my head in the sand. I got dropped from that break - I felt I had failed. But then something even more important happened, and put it all back into perspective for me.

Richard Fries congratulated me after the race, said I rode an awesome race, and then said, "There's someone I'd like to meet.... come here." So I did. He introduced me to a 12-year-old girl and her father. She had just been diagnosed wtih Colitis (often accompanies Crohn's). She was so excited to meet me. She was so excited to see that someone with Crohn's/Colitis could race like that. So was her father. Her dad was also a middle school teacher like me, and the girl, Molly, had a bike. They wanted to know how I dealt with some symptoms of the disease and still competed at such a high level. Her dad took a picture of the two of us together. I hope that seeing the race inspired her to pursue sports and physical activity (maybe even cycling) to keep strong and that if she has hard times and feels sick in the future, she can look at that picture of us and know that she can get through it and be strong. I go through day to day thinking of myself as an ordinary person. I hadn't imagined that I might inspire others in this way. I learned lessons during the race, but I think talking with Molly was the most important part of my day.

***

On Saturday night, Ward's team and I stayed at our friend Greg's place in Pennsylvania. I really enjoy staying at Greg's! He's working on remodeling his house, and I can't believe how cool his bathroom is going to be!!! Check out this tile job he designed and finished himself!! Greg is also quite the bicycle lover... he's got a bike from about 1897, in amazing condition, and he plans to ride it 100 miles someday soon.

To top it all off, I got to sleep and wake to the birds chirping and the fresh air of the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside.

Much Needed Rest Week

2007-05-09T10:26:00.000-04:00

It was so clear to me at Jiminy that I was in need of rest. I probably shouldn't have been racing. Well, I don't know if I'd call what I did "racing." It was more like lethargic self-preservation. Earlier in the week, all I could think about was riding aggressively and attacking the hill hard at the end of the first lap to try and instigate a break. But Wednesday I had a hard workout that I didn't recover well from, so by Friday I couldn't even do my sprint workout. (And yes, I've been doing sprint workouts on Friday, I'm still in base training, not race mode yet.) So by the time I got to the race Saturday, my legs felt so heavy and my resting pulse was pretty elevated, so I was unsure if I should even be there. With my whole team there, I would have been more aggressive, since if I didn't finish well, it wouldn't have mattered if I had teammates feeling good that day. It's a hard time of the year! I'm just finishing my second base cycle, have done no vomax-type interval workouts yet, but of course I want to finish well every weekend. Should I have just attacked and tried to instigate more "racing" in our race Sunday, or did I do the right thing by sitting in and hedging my bets for the finish? I don't know.
Well, I was second after KL up the climb after the first lap, but unless my perception fails me, I don't think we were climbing very hard at all. At least it didn't feel hard to me. Nobody even attacked except KL gave a good surge at the top. But the second time up (our finish) things felt different to me. The climbing didn't feel hard or fast, but my legs were very heavy. I was in good position coming up through the feed zone, probably 5th or 6th wheel, and still, it didn't feel like we were riding that fast. I even believed I could win. Then came the final sprint, and I was yelling at my legs, "go! go! now!! SPRINT!!! HARD!!!!" and well, that just seemed to get no response from my waist down. I just had nothing in the legs. So, 10th for me as I watched the winners so close in front of me but oh so far away and I just rolled over the line. In my last moments before the finish, I did think, "You have to pass her to get a mug, get there, get there!!" But even desire for the coveted mug elicited no response from my legs. Honestly, I was tired and I don't think my heart was in it. The "racing" was less than inspired that day, and when I felt I had no real legs to attack or make something happen, I got disheartened and just rolled around with everyone else, all the way to the line.

Sunday I had a great ride with my teammate Tami. We went out with no real aganda planned, and ended up heading out to the hills in Harvard to enjoy the countryside and the gorgeous blossing apple trees. 4.5 hours of riding without looking at my heart rate monitor felt great. Just out for the pure enjoyment of being on two wheels in the fresh spring air.

So it's rest week. I have two concerts and lots of private lesson students and a music boosters meeting and MCAS practice tests to score and.... so much for rest. I rode to school today - what awesome weather! I'm really looking forward to this weekend. After Sterling, I'm off to to NY to race Bear Mtn! I love that course. Looking forward to it! I hope to bring my legs this time. :)
Packing list:
jersey
helmet
shoes
shorts
license
LEGS

Sturbridge RR

2007-05-02T20:14:00.000-04:00

Sorry this has taken me so long to post, life's been a bit hectic. Here we go...
In retrospect, I shouldn't have raced Saturday. I had a crazy week with ups and downs. Medical testing on Tuesday meant 36 hours without food (don't worry - just a check up - and the results turned out very positive!) then Tuesady, Wednesday, Thurs, Fri, and Saturday nights I had rehearsals and performances for the musical 42nd Street, in which I performed on FOUR instruments. Yes, four: flute, clarinet, soprano and alto saxes. It was lots of fun, especially because I played beside some of my former students who are awesome girls getting ready to graduate and head off to college. :) I really wanted to get a picture at the last performance to post on my blog, but when I went to take the pic, I discovered I had left the memory card at home!! Oh, I hate when I do that. So, I'm left with a Kodak moment in my mind and none to share. (Sorry, Dad, I know you hate those Kodak references, since you've worked for Polaroid for as long as I've been alive.) Anyways, so crazy me, in the midst of all this and working, I did not miss a workout on the bike. Even while in calorie defecit from the fasting for medical testing. Ok, I didn't complete all my sprints that day, the anesthesia still had me a little loopy, so I went easy and just did some jumps and spinners. But I rode. Friday night I had only 6 hours of sleep, then I headed off to the race with my awesome temamate Susanne for a 10:15 am start in Sturbridge.

It was only my third race this year, but so far all three times lining up at the start has seemed so surreal. Like I'm on Mars. I feel like I hardly know anybody! There are so many new faces, new kits, new bikes. There's a lot of new blood in the pack. This is a great thing, except when some of these new riders are very strong but wild on a bike. There were some super sketchy bike handling maneuvers during this race. I was truly frightened a couple of times. One girl LITERALLY went across the entire field from the right to the left side on a decent (when we were spaced a little more liberally) without even looking over her shoulder! The majority of the pack was left hitting our brakes while dropping our jaws in astonishment. The same girl locked it up in the 270-degree right hand turn and almost took herself out, and she also took me out of contention in the final sprint with a crazy swerving and slowing up move in the final 150 meters. I was left with no choice but to let up on the pedals and veer to the side, almost crashing and taking out others behind me, like one of my favorite girls, Marianne, who had quite a lot to say after that fiasco. Look, if it's not common sense to hold a reasonably straight line when you're accelerating to 30+ mph on bikes with bodies all around you and nothing separating the skin on your ass from the asphalt except a thin layer of stretchy fabric then you could do us all a favor and at least READ the USCF rulebook, which spells it out for you! Grr.
Under "General Racing Rules" page 35, articles 106 & 107:
1O6. No rider may make an abrupt motion so as to
interfere with the forward progress of another rider, either
intentionally or by accident [relegation or disqualification;
possible 20 days suspension if a crash results].
1O7. Dangerous Rider. Any rider who appears to present a
danger to the other competitors may be disqualified by the
Chief Referee, either before or during a race.
This is from section 4 of the rulebook, which refers to stage racing, but same concept:
4H8 Sprints
(a) Failure to maintain line during a sprint or other
irregularities
First offense: $35 fine and relegated to
back of group
Second offense: $70 fine, relegated to back of
group, and 1 minute
penalty
Third offense: $140 fine and
disqualification
(b) Extremely dangerous behavior in a sprint
$140 fine and disqualification

I finally just looked at the results for that race... turns out her teammate won! Ha! What do you bet she was trying to BLOCK me in the final sprint, since I had outsprinted said teammate for the win last weekend, and I was in good position to win again!?!?! Yes, you've made me mad. Intentionally threatening my safety and that of all the women around me over the finish of the Sturbridge RR? Really sad.
Like I said, lots of new blood this year....

(more to post on Sunday's race, coming soon)

New Team, New Season

2007-04-23T17:54:00.000-04:00

Meet my awesome new team for this summer! I'm racing for the new NEBC Elite Women's Team. (Dave Chiu's doing an awesome job with the website!) I'm very happy to have such wonderful teammates this year. And thanks to Dave and Roy from the men's squad for your cheers and support, especially on Saturday. Congrats, Roy, on your win!

Sunday:
We made our first team appearance Sunday at the Miles Standish Grand Prix in Plymouth, Mass. As we lined up for the start of the P/1/2/3 women's race, the announcer said, "Wow, NEBC has a huge team this year!" There we were, all 7 of us, in our red, white, and blue on the line with Brooke there to direct. (Alie, lucky girl, is off vacationing in California, so we'll have to wait for next weekend to race as a complete squad.) We learned so much as a team on Sunday. Everyone attacked, everyone contributed, and we came away with the win. Learning to race as a team will make this a fun and rewarding season!

Although held in the same Miles Standish State Park as the Adelphia Grand Prix in years past, the course was changed to remove the bumpy descent and left hand turn into the downhill finish. This year, the 5-mile loop went around clockwise (the opposite direction), still included the same hill, but also some roads out by the pond. The finish came past the registration/parking area on the right and had a slight rise to the line. I enjoyed the course, but it was hard to get away in the rolling terrain, bumpy roads, and wind. All of us we were active, Amy attacked first and got the pace high in the first lap, then Natalie went off the front with a great move. Neither move stuck, but every effort kept the other teams working and chasing. Both IBC and the Anthem/Blue Cross teams made attacks, and Tami, Suzanne, Ashley, and Cris worked to reel them in. Two Harvard racers and and IBC racer (Sam for IBC, I think... sorry I don't have names, Anna and maybe Eve for Harvard... I will definitely be learning these names this season!) Got a good gap off the front for a couple of miles. I eventually bridged up, but the break was doomed to fail, since we were neutralized when the junior field passed us. This caused the slowest part of our race. Things settled down, and I sat in to rest for the finish. Sitting in is difficult for me, since I love to attack and chase, but I knew my team was working for me, and I had to come through for them. The pace picked up through the rollers a couple of miles to go to the finish. Our team was well set up near the front of the field, with Cris and Natalie lined up in front of me. Then, a Harvard rider went off the front (maybe Eve?) with a hard attack. Our train "broke" and I surfed different wheels as we caught her and the pace increased. An IBC rider (Sam) started the sprint with a very hard jump, and I jumped to her wheel. It was maybe 400 meters out... I stayed on her wheel until the last 50-75 meters or so, then shot past her for the win. We've got some things to work on as a team, but this was a great beginning. I felt much more relaxed and comfortable racing with teammates around me, knowing that they were there to help me (for that race, anyways). I know this is the start of a great season to come!

Saturday:
Saturday at the Turtle Pond Circuit Race in New Hampshire, I raced with my two teammates, Tami and Natalie. Turtle Pond is an 11-mile rolling circuit with a 1 K climb to the finish line each lap. The climb has a "step" in the middle and then flattens out a bit at the top, with a hard drag to the finish line. I like this hill because it's a sprinters hill! And I know if I can get to the flatter section at the top at the front, I have a good sprint to beat others to the line.

The weather was awesome. Upper 60's and sunny! No leg warmers, no arm warmers. I thought the sudden heat might actually play a factor during the race, I was baking before the start, so I made sure to hydrate well before the start (naturally, this strategy led to a bursting bladder by the time we got to the finish). Tami had a mechanical at the end of the first lap, just at the start of the hill, and was left to chase for most of that lap. She didn't give up, but chased hard and rejoined the pack. The third lap, 4-5 of us had a little gap going up the hill, but any thoughts of a breakaway were squelched when the pace car slowed down and honked at us to neutralize at the top of the climb! Oh, how frustrating!! I felt so good up the hill. But I decided I would certainly feel good again the next lap, and I knew I could rail it to the finish line. Tami did a lot of work keeping the pace high for the last lap, since we were neutralized several times during the race and things got slower each lap. With maybe 2-3 miles to go, an IBC/Wachovia girl (I think it was Sam) launched a very effective attack. IBC was all stacked up at the front. I was up there, too, and so was Tami. Nat was on my wheel. Sam got a big gap, but I didn't have to decide to risk it to go after her so close to the finish climb, because Tami was awesome. She got on front and reeled things back together before the final right hand corner before the climb. Whew! I started the climb in the second row, center, on Suzanna's (UNH) wheel. She accelerated a little just before the first step, and it opened up enough of a gap for me to get out to the front of the group. Anna (Harvard) attacked from behind me at the step and opened up a gap. I had to chase. I caught her near the top, where the road flattens out, shifted up, and sprinted past her for the win. Natalie held on for 7th, and Tami, spent when she hit the climb from all the work she did, rolled in at 18th. Yay!

I would like to add one more comment on the weekend....
Anyone want to guess how much moola the winner of the P/1/2/3 women's field earned for her team at Miles Standish on Sunday?? Just venture a guess....

Yes, It's true

2007-04-20T10:05:00.000-04:00

Oh, no! It can't be true!

Not the steel-loving, frame pump using, fender-happy, still training on Rolf wheels from 2001 Rebecca that I know....

Oh, but my love, it IS true.

It's ready.
I'm ready.
The new rocketship. Aboard this I'll propel myself through space and time.

Let's race!

Intro to Race Weekend

2007-04-09T20:01:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was an "Intro to Race" weekend on two fronts: teaching at a clinic on Saturday and riding a training race on Sunday, which served as my first race attempt this year. On Saturday, I instructed at this year's installment of NEBC's annual "Intro to Race" clinic. Almost half of the participants were women this year, 22 in total! Helped by teammates Ashley and Janet, I got to work with a group of 7 women, bringing them through the basics of pacelining, rotating pacelines, bike handling topics, and other skills. I found it to be a really fun experience! It's amazing how much we take for granted on the bike. I mean, there was a time when knowing to put your inside pedal "up" into a corner was a new concept. When riding within 2 feet of someone's wheel was terrifying, and when the smallest descent made you feel you were flying. (Ok, well, sometimes I still get that last feeling. :) Sharing my love of cycling with new aspring and eager racers felt great. Seeing their faces light up with a smile when they felt something new on the bike renewed my love for cycling, and reminded me once again why I love the bike.

Sunday was another freezing cold day. Ward and I rode from home to the Wells Ave training race, then rode back home. On the way there, we thought we might be late, especially if they combined the A and B fields due to lower attendance (it was Easter, after all, and cold and incredibly windy, too), so we hauled ass out there. In strict adherence to Murphy's Law, we got there much earlier than desired. This left us soaked though with sweat and waiting outside in windy, snow-flurrying, 30-degree temperatures. By the time we started, I felt borderline hypothermic! I had on my lobster gloves, heavy tights (I still have not ridden this year without tights and booties), neoprene booties with woolie-boolies, balaclava and windblock headband, Craft base layer, thick fleece mid-layer, and a Verge Warsaw jacket (okay you get the idea) and I DID NOT overheat during this race. Never even unzipped the jacket.

I was chatting at the back of the pack at the start, and I didn't hear the official say "roll off" to start the race. I swear it was a cyclocross start! A few guys went all out from the proverbial gun, got away, and stayed away the whole 40 laps. Crazy. Me on the other hand... not such a spectacular display. My frozen, stiff legs averaged 350 watts for 30 seconds into the headwind around the first turn and I felt like the kid left on the sideline at gym class who nobody picked for the team. I was warming the pine in this ballgame. I sat up and waited for the pack to come around again. Dropped in the first lap at Wells Ave in April. This was quite the awakening. I got back in and stayed in for half the race, completely pegged riding mostly at the back, getting whipped off the back and chasing back on every lap for 20 laps. Then I popped momentarily. I actually began hyperventilating. I kept gasping but couldn't breathe. Freaky stuff. Luckily, it's a training race for a reason, and I caught my breath and recovered while waiting for the pack to come around. I stayed in the rest of the race, but played much the same game at the back with legs that felt like cement blocks.

I felt disappointed, but I definitely have to look at this in context: Sunday was the very last day in my first 5-week training block, and I was wrecked. I had ridden hard the day before after teaching outside for hours in the cold, sprints on Friday, and power work on Wednesday. Oh, and I forgot to mention one more thing... I also did not sleep Saturday night. Wicked insomnia. I awoke at 1:30 am and just laid there ALL NIGHT, counting my heart beats, listening to Chopin nocturnes on my iPod, and doing deep breathing exercises. I finally dozed when the sun rose. (By the way, I've found listening to music does not put me to sleep. Quite the opposite! I get excited by various colors, poignant chords, rubato, and other elements of affect in the piece, and my heart rate increases slightly.) Anyways, after all this, I feel a scratchy throat, so for fear of getting sick, I'm going to play it really safe the next few days, take lots of Emergen'C and enjoy some late afternoon naps!

more sax, please

2007-04-05T21:53:00.000-04:00

Okay, can it be spring now, please?

Despite my complaints, I actually had a good workout on my trainer yesterday. Ward and I have a neat little sunroom with 7 windows around, sort of like a 4-season porch, and it provides a great indoor training space. Lots of light, snowy views of the yard, carpet to absorb the hum of the trainer, and it's cooler than the rest of the house, which is good when doing lots of intervals and threshold work. I pumped up the tunes and spun away as the cars and sanders slushed by on the street.

I just got home from rehearsal... I'm playing in the pit orchestra for our high school musical, 42nd Street. I decided to do it because I miss playing so much! My head was spinning with key changes and doubling on three instruments (plus transposing the soprano sax part on the fly since I only own an alto and a tenor), flute, clarinet, and alto sax. Years ago, just out of college, I would have sightread the whole thing flawlessly, but well, I'm a little rusty. Especially when switching between playing in the key of C# on alto then a mess of flats on flute while in cut time at 120+ beats per minute. Aah. Show music. But it feels good to play again. I hope I will continue to play more, even when the show's done. I've always thought it would be sweet to perform the national anthem at the start of a big race, then roll up to the start line, ready to put the hurt on. :)

I am so excited that I get tomorrow (Good Friday) off!! I think this might be one of the perks of teaching in a predominantly Catholic town! I can't wait to sleep in....

Yes, Folks, It's April in Boston

2007-04-04T16:08:00.000-04:00

It's a little after 4 pm. I just got home from school, ate my after school snack, and now I'm ready to train. There's just this one small problem.....

IT'S SNOWING!!!! And it's only 32 degrees!

Relegated to the trainer again.

Waaaaahhhhhh!

Live footage of the accumulating snow... :(

Bicycle Commuter Act

2007-03-23T09:45:00.000-04:00

The Bicycle Commuter Act (H.R.807, S.2635) is before the U.S. congress right now.
Here's how it'll work if passed into law: The bill provides a tax benefit to employers who offer cash reimbursements to employees to defray costs of riding to work. All it requires is an amendment to the Transportation Fringe Benefit of the taxcode to extend the definition of "transportation" to include bicycles. Employers are given the flexibility to set their level of benefit payments, and the bike commuter can use the money to pay for a bicycle, accessories, safety equipment, insurance, and locker or shower fees. If you like this concept, click http://capwiz. com/lab/issues/ alert/?alertid= 8647031. Then put in your zip code and the page will generate e-mails to all your congress people. Just sign and click send!

Sweater

2007-03-16T22:37:00.000-04:00

Yay! I finally finished it! Once I started training, the sweater fell by the wayside. It sat in pieces, sadly waiting to be seamed for weeks. It's not perfect, the back of the neck hangs too low, but for my first finished sweater, it's just fine.

Joke's On Us

2007-03-16T22:29:00.000-04:00

What a tease!

Not only did daylight savings time come early this year, disrupting our sleep patterns and granting us that extra lovely hour of daylight in which to train, but then came Wednesday! I couldn’t believe it was almost 70 degrees, even though it was overcast! In disbelief, I still rode in booties, wool socks, tights, hat, trusty Craft base layer, etc.

I should have known that as soon as I hung up my skis and snowshoes Mother Nature would laugh. As soon as I started to get into the rhythm of training, she would remind me that I live in New England.

Burning jealously heats me as I read reports of fast chicks racing in places like California and El Salvador. If only it would melt this snow.

From snow to bike!

2007-03-11T20:48:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I know this blog has been neglected far too long. It needs to be totally revamped. Stay tuned, I'll get to it soon...

I'm off the ski slopes and hiking trails now, and on the bike everyday. I have a great cycling team this year, and my motivation to train is back in a big way.

Here are some pics from a few weeks ago. Snowshoeing from the top of Cannon Mtn down past Lonesome Lake. What a dumping of snow!!

Ward taught me to telemark, too. Forget weightlifting... try lunging on skis all day! Holy crap! I was soooo sore for the next few days!

Okay, off to bed....

A Weekend on Skis!

2007-02-01T20:16:00.000-05:00

We couldn 't wait any longer for the snow to come! Early Saturday morning we left for Great Glen, hoping the conditions would be better than expected. The skiing wasn't actually too bad, considering Mother Nature has been less than generous on their excellent trail system. We tried out the tubing, too, then headed to Jackson for a fun evening at the Shannon Door pub.

Saturday night it snowed. Just a couple of fluffy inches, but enough to provide the perfect topping to the well-groomed trails at the Balsams. The conditions were great, and the skiing was incredibly challenging. I think we're headed back this weekend. I'd still rather be skiing than riding outside in the freezing cold right now. But most of all, I wish I was CROSS RACING!!!! I miss it. Our season is too short. I think I've been a bit depressed since the end of the season, and I've hardly touched the bike. (It's hard to feel supermotivated after an exciting cross season to do 3-4 hour road rides in 20-degree weather.) Anyways, congrats to the amazing performances of Katie Compton (oh! to lose by only 1 second), Jonathan Page, Danny Summerhill, and the whole National Team on their World Cup finshes! Sweet ride for unsung hero Rhonda Mazza in 11th place!!!

Recent Moments of Fame

2007-01-14T11:14:00.000-05:00

Aah. Nats. The best minute and a half racing I've ever had. :) Okay, kidding about that, I have had lots of great race moments, but it was really exciting to be up there with Katie and Georgia. I stayed in third until the road section on top, when I realized (thanks to AHM yelling at me) that I would blow up trying to maintain that pace for the whole race. I let the chase group behind me catch, and the rest is history. Thanks for all your cheers and support. It was incredible to hear so many people cheering my name at the races like partners in my suffering.

Check it out!!
I had a great time at the NEBRA banquet last night.
I was honored to receive both the road race champion and cyclocross champion jerseys!
David Manibal, the President of the 2007 Montreal-Boston Tour was on hand to whet our appetites for the new tour! Sounds awesome. I wish I were a man so I could race it! (Let's not read too much into that one, k?)
So, any ideas on how I can get the time off work so I can race the Montreal World Cup this year?? Or Nature Valley?? Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for July and August. Few people have the flexibility teachers do to race during the summer. But "waaaaaaah!!!" There is so much good racing in June! To redesign my life... to devote to cycling...
oh, I so want to.

Où étions-nous ??

2007-01-02T20:51:00.000-05:00

Où étions-nous ??

Nous avons recherché l'hiver et l'avons trouvé au Québec !

We went on a little vacation with Ward's parents the day after Christmas. We stayed just a block from the touristy but still charming Vieux Quebec, had some great meals, and found some snow, too! We cross country skiied at Mont Sainte Anne, where despite a poor snow year so far, the conditions were easily better than mid-season in New Hampshire. I now have the impression that Canadians are all great at skiing and skating! The green-circle "easy" trails at the ski touring center were more difficult than most intermediate trails I've been on in N.E., and there were parents pulling babies and toddlers in trailers skiing faster than I could believe. I guess when you grow up in that climate, you ski and skate from an early age!

I had fun trying to speak French. I could hardly believe that when I used the language I was actually understood. (I kind of assumed my pronunciation would make words indistinguishable.) Unfortunately, I guess I sounded good enough that whoever I spoke to usually responded speaking so fast that I had no hope of understanding! Repetez, s'il-vous plait!!

One true "highlight" from the trip: in a French-Canadian provence, eating in a touristy Italian restaurant called "Parmesan" with everyone around speaking French, and an accordianist singing "La Bamba" with a French accent!

And you thought you might read about cross nats on my blog! Well, you will. I'm sure you've seen all the pics and videos by now, and maybe it's a long-distant memory for you. But I'll soon post a few thoughts and favorite pics, if anyone's still reading!

Thanksgiving

2006-11-29T18:23:00.000-05:00

As I was sitting and eating my reheated turkey, candied yams, and brussel sprouts tonight, I realized that I never posted anything about my spectacular Thanksgiving!

Ward and I had been excited about hosting our families for Thanksgiving ever since we first walked through our new empty apartment together in August. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, due to the sentiment evoked on the day and naturally, the food. It would be wonderful to share this day together with both our families.

I was nervous about cooking for 12 people, although I've had a little bit of practice cooking for a crew at our Tuesday night "workout-pigout" training nights. This was a bit different, since cooking for friends is one thing, but pleasing two moms simultaneously is truly another. :)

We managed to fit everyone at the table with a borrowed folding table and all the chairs we could gather. IKEA afforded us the possibility of matching tableware and servingware for cheap, and my brother's boss gifted him a 23 lb turkey for the meal!

Ward did a great job stuffing and roasting his first turkey with delicious giblet gravy. I made candied yams, mashed root vegetables with buttermilk and chives, brussel sprouts with lemon-walnut dressing, green beans with toasted hazelnut-butter, gingered cranberry-raspberry relish, and whole wheat rolls. The moms brought homemade pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies, indian pudding, and brownies. Naturally, Dad brought many bottles of wine. Greg brought some beers and sang us some tunes at the end of the night. And a wonderful day was had by all! It may have been the best Thanksgiving ever!
:)

that which is possible with clear lungs and a day off before a race

2006-11-27T20:23:00.000-05:00

After a fun and successful weekend of local races in Plymouth and Lowell, Mass, I was looking forward to UCI competition again. So naturally, I got a nasty cold again. Maybe it was the same illness continued... I don't even know anymore. Phlem-filled fun from Tuesday through, well, even today. I was feeling a little better by the weekend, but should I have raced? Perhaps you would argue that I shouldn't have. But I'm so glad I did! With Gearworks Cyclery and my coach sponsoring the race, I really wanted to have a good showing. Plus, there was no mud and no tape in the course, so I had no excuses. :)
I didn't have the greatest start. Just didn't seem to have a hard enough jump right away. Probably chose the wrong start position, too, and got pinched. I ended up around 5th or 6th around the track and up the hill, then made sure I ramped up my chase on the flat section after I got over the horse jump. Now comes the amazing part: I don't know exactly where my energy came from, but I could always "go" during the race. Usually I experience a "lull" in the middle of the race, slowing up a lot in the third lap, but not this time. Ward was taking lap times, and I gained over 10 seconds on Lyne that lap. (Of course, she could afford to slow up.) I could still push the accelerator. (Wish I had had a better start!!) I think that despite my cold I was relatively rested since I didn't travel to North Carolina or the USGP the previous weekend. (Of course, hosting Thanksgiving was pretty tiring!) I had Friday off work, which allowed me to decompress after the week and the holiday. Have you ever had the experience of being so focused that only the present moment exists? Musicians call it "in the pocket" when you're smack in the groove. Maybe athletes refer to it as "in the zone." Whatever you call it, I was there. I felt very focused. It was me and the ground beneath my tires, ahead of me, smooth corners, the barrier, the gravel, the hill. Later in the race, when the course doubled back and Lyne would pass by, I found myself thinking, "She's ahead of me, but not by as much as I expected! What's she doing, knitting a sweater up there?" While I would certainly never wish for success through an opponent's misfortune, anything can happen in cross, and I found some dark region of my brain imagining how a flat tire might shrink that lead.... Can you ever be "comfortably in the lead" in cyclocross? A mechanical could always happen. A crash. Anything. You always ride on hard. Although I was "comfortably in the lead" at Plymouth, I visualized having to run half a lap to the finish with a mechanical... would I still come out up top? It kept me riding hard.
As I hit the pavement the last time, Lyne was finishing. 26 seconds later, a solid second place finish was quite a thrill. Now I know I can ride that hard, and I hope I can push myself there again.

These photos of the podium above and us below are from Dave M's site.
Check it out!

This photo by Paul Weiss on Cyclingnews is a bit disconcerting.... and how come Mo's smiling??

Ahh. What to do this weekend?? I WANT to race UCI in Reston. But a weekend trip to D.C. for a Sunday race is crazy when I have to be back at work at 7:30 am Monday and the sad reality is that the bald tires on my car probably won't make it that far........

Please Pray for Rain so I can Practice in the Mud!

2006-11-13T21:15:00.000-05:00

(Damn it I have a lot of hair. When'd that happen? ) This pic's from TrueSport.com... some great race pics on there.

I felt better on Friday and decided to make the insane, long drive down to Harrisburg, PA for the Lower Allen Classic. Weather was stellar and the competition super fun. The race began with a "prologue" loop around the ball field, around a tree, down a chute to the loose gravel staging/start area, and up the road. I had a good start, first couple into the field. I came around Wallace hoping to be the first into the right-hand turn around the ball field, looked up and saw... tape across the course! This was rather unexpected, and in that confused, split-second decision making moment, I made the wrong one. I should have just plowed over it, but thinking about the whole pack barreling down on me, the prospect of potential carnage if I became ensnarled in tape frightened me into a fast dismount and jump. In that moment, I went from first to 12th with no momentum going into the soft grass section. Everyone passed me! Well, almost everyone. It took me 3/4 of a lap to regain 3rd or 4th place, and Mandy and I battled it out for awhile until she picked up the pace and shed me. I put it all out in the last lap, and almost caught her, but it was "too little, too late." Fun race, though.

Sunday it was MUDDY. I felt good warming up, but I think my warm-up laps might have been faster than I rode during the race. The first half of the course killed me. I rode the mucky grass section then the run around the trees then remounting and climbing the hill just killed me, especially on the first lap. Maybe I didn't warm up enough. Maybe I rode the course too many times before the race and sapped some of my energy. I don't know. But I died. And that compunded with the changing course conditions as it began to pour mid-race. It got slippery, and there were lots of slick off-cambre corners. I had no juice, then I made mistakes and it cost me my confidence. I felt like a fish out of water. I managed to hold off a charging and frighteningly strong Mega for 10th. Please pray for rain because I need practice in the mud!

It was great to see prices like this in NJ!! I think I put 40,000 miles on my car over the past year. Notice the 100K mark. I wonder how many hours I've spent sitting in my red rollerskate.... would be awfully depressing to know!!

So I'm still wheezing and coughing a little, but looks like I'm on the up and up. If only it's not to late to build for nats...

The Breathing Chronicles

2006-11-08T18:49:00.000-05:00

Today was my biggest effort yet towards getting well. I rested all day. Napped, read, knitted a little. I can't take being sick anymore! Too bad Saturday's race in PA is pre-reg only.... I have to decide on making the trip by noon tomorrow. I really want to race.

A pic I meant to share 2 weekends ago... I was sitting sadly in my papazan chair, knitting by the window in our sunroom, missing out on the excitement of racing Canton, when Mr. Squirrel appeared climbing on the screen. Kind of cool to be able to climb all over the side of houses and stuff.

Wow, I wish I had something better to write about.

Frustration

2006-11-07T21:10:00.000-05:00

Another doctor's visit. Finally a chest x-ray. The doc says the x-rays look fine. She listens to my chest. "Sounds clear," she says. (Ok, come listen at 3 am when I awake wheezing and coughing.) Apparently, I just need to drink fluids and get some rest. (There's a new idea.) And I certainly should not be doing any kind of aerobic exercise, she says. Training is a distant memory to me. And I feel no worse after racing this past weekend than I did before. Feeling crappy with a massive post-nasal drip and and coughing is just status quo now. Sorry I am so frustrated. I just want to feel healthy again. And I just want to ride my bike!!

See the pics from Colorado? Damn it looks beautiful there.

What a Weekend

2006-11-06T18:42:00.000-05:00

I sure can't complain about this past weekend. (But I will complain about my health!) All logic pointed to rest; after two rounds of antibiotics, I still have a massive post-nasal drip, chest congestion which causes me to wheeze and cough all night, and a general fatigue. But I LOVE the Chainbiter and CycleSmart races, and I was feeling so pent-up I just couldn't resist.

So I arrived at Farmington without really having ridden since the race in Ludwig's corner, PA. I tried a workout 2 Wednesdays ago, but just felt like crap and got sicker afterwards. I was a little bit worried about racing, but I had similar situation going into Gloucester and decided just to go have some fun and try to hack the rest of the phlem out of my lungs. I had a good start. Amy and I hit the curb first, and she performed a pretty spectacular endo, allowing me to continue on out front. Mackenzie passed me going into the first sand section, which I completely expected. What I didn't expect was to see Amy on my wheel at the end of the first lap! What a come back! I just didn't have the extra juice to catch them; I almost caught on several times, especially up the hill, coming within just a few seconds, but I just couldn't make it. It was torture to see them right there, 5-11 seconds ahead for almost the entire race, but my legs felt totally flat and I just couldn't push that extra. I will not complain about my first Verge podium ever. :)

Sunday the legs were tired and the lungs were wheezy, but I was psyched to race! Mackenzie went out hard as always. I didn't want to be out in the wind too early so I stayed 4th wheel at the start, but moved up before the sand. I felt like I was closing on Mackenzie in the second lap and in my excitement went into the barriers a little hotter than I thought... I think my front wheel didn't clear the first barrier, whipping me off balance and sending me headplanting into the second barrier. I cracked my helmet and bashed my right shifter. Cyclocrossworld's race report said I "cartwheeled," and I appreciate the graceful assumption, but I can assure you it was nowhere near that nice. I managed to get up as fast as possible and assess the damage to the bike. By some luck, Ward had run over to this section of the course to cheer me on and saw the whole thing. He came running over thinking I had surely broken bones, so I could yell "PIT!!" to him when I saw my shifter. It was bent in making my rear brake and shifter almost completely inaccessible. I couldn't afford to try and bend it back stading there, I had just been passed and had fallen to 4th place with 5th coming up fast. He B-lined for the pit, grabbing Matt to help. I rode in the drops to the pit with my helmet flopping on my head. I wouldn't feel my neck and back aching until much later.... I grabbed my heavier-than-hell Voodoo and went after Amy and Betsy. After catching them, I rode past, knowing I would pit again to get my lighter Stevens bike back the next time through. I got passed again when I took the Stevens back, but when I hit the road section the next time, attacked as if it were a crit, wishing I could make it up to Mackenzie for the last lap. I rode clean and fast the rest of the race. I wish there was one more lap!! But I am very happy to have finished second place, and only 16 seconds back- not too far considering my crash and two bike exchanges. Thanks so much, Matt for helping out in the pit!! And best wishes to Mandy, who raced and still made top 10 with the FLU!!

So next weekend... I really want to do the mid-Atlantic races... but that PA race near Harrisburg is sooooo far....

So, check this out! What a lovely afternoon for a cyclocross race! I mean... a nap. I got a little nervous.... I couldn't believe this sight. These people didn't move for a LONG time. It was frightening - they looked dead. Guess cyclocross isn't as exciting to everyone!

Sick and Tired of Being Sick

2006-10-29T18:04:00.000-05:00

I can't really call this a race blog this week. It's baaack. Whatever exotic strain of avian flu I've contracted, it's back in full force. I did actually take a day off work to go to the doctor. I've been on antibiotics for 3 days and feel even worse now. I got some nasal spray, too, and that might be helping a little. Anyways, you don't want to read about all that. So let me share what I've been doing OFF the bike lately.

Ward and I made a yummy breakfast after soaking up the extra hour of sleep this morning. We made omlettes with mushrooms sauteed in white wine and tarragon, parmesan cheese, and dill. I also reheated the roasted new potatoes with butter, parsley, and dill from last night's dinner, and toasted some ancient grain peasant bread I got at Whole Foods.

Then we went for a walk around Horn Pond, which we live alongside. (I will spare you from the details of how doing this made me hack and cough and feel so weak I couldn't even walk the whole way around.) I love the spot where we live! There are trails through the woods and the hill alongside the pond, perfect for a spin on the cross bike. People are always out walking with their kids and dogs, and benches line the shore, calling out to share a quiet reflective moment.

Ward and I are busy planning our first Thanksgiving together. We hope to host our families here at our house. We love to cook, and we've been trying out some possible recipes this weekend to see if they will make the cut for the dinner roster. As I type this, Ward's making his crust for a special harvest pie (roasted butternut squash with sugared pecans on top!), and I'm trying out the mashed root vegetables with buttermilk and chives for tonight's meal. Last night I made the green beans with toasted hazelnut lemon-butter, but I think I will add bacon on the big day. I only wish we could afford a dining table and chairs! But with a trip to IKEA at least we'll escape the possibility of paper plates. :)

I'd better feel well for next weekend. I'm starting to feel incredibly pent up, so look out!!!!

"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!"

2006-10-23T20:25:00.000-04:00

Here we are! "It's the most wonderful time of the year." Perhaps the melody of a festive tune from a old claymation holiday special lights up in your mind.... but NO! I'm not speaking of Christmas! It's cyclocross season, of course!

After battling with some ridiculous bronchial infection for several weeks and earning notariety as "influenza girl" (coined by RF in Maine, I was informed), I am finally feeling better. No longer can I be heard hacking phlem around the track.

The season recap to this point:

Raced Williston weekend sick. Made self sicker. Coughed and hacked and raced with a fever on Sunday. Perhaps not smart. As a racer, doesn't it seem like the hardest thing to do is NOT race?

Skipped the Northampton weekend. Spent 3 days knitting on the sofa with a fever and feeling like I'd contracted the bubonic plague. (Hence the new striped scarf you may see me don at the races.)

Gloucester!! I love this race! I hadn't ridden since the VT weekend, but I rode well and finished top 15 both days. despite my hacking, I felt good - just didn't have any endurance. Makes me think NOT training might make a good experiment... anyone else ever try that??

GLOUCESTAH and LOBSTAH! Two of my many favorite things. (and Ward... that makes three of my favorite things!!)
Do you like our bibs? =D

Let's see... after that was New Gloucester, Maine. (How many places in New England can be called Gloucester, anyway? The colonists weren't too creative.)
Luckily, this course wasn't as RIDICULOUSLY muddy as last year.
I didn't feel too hot. Earned the distinction of "influenza girl" by our esteemed race announcer when my hacking beckoned my arrival around the course. I didn't race up to my potential.

Finally, the cough began to dissipate in the next few days. Ward and I attended a family dinner at my brother's house on Friday night, but I still wanted to race Granogue. Oh, what an amazing spread of food and libation prepared by my bro's girlfriend's dad, who's a chef! It was after 10:30 by the time we finished the pumpkin, apple, AND pecan pies!!
Ward and I left central Mass for Delaware at 11:15 pm. We slept in the cab of his truck at a rest area in CT once our eyes were drooping beyond recovery. At 5:30 am, we awoke freezing and continued the drive. We hit the beautiful Granogue estate around 10:30 am. You know, searching for a roadside motel and bearing the ensuing cost just didn't seem worth the 5 hours we might spend asleep. We're unfortunately used to camping and sleeping roadside after the past summer's adventures.

So I didn't expect to have a great performance at Granogue. And a great performance I didn't have.
I felt like a fish out of water on my bike: timid and off-balance in my bike handling, and powerless everywhere except the road straight.

We salvaged the day having sushi with friends for dinner, and the ginger and sake recharged my soul! I had a good race Sunday, except for hitting the deck twice in the off-camber u-turn. That cost me a little time, but what held me back the most was that I didn't have a teriffic start. The first quarter of that course is very technical, and I needed to be riding top 5 through it, but I was further back than that. But I gave it what I could, felt good in terms of bike handling, and managed a top-10 result. I had fun racing. And that "spiral of death" was great! For a fleeting moment, it allowed you to feel you were catching the riders in front of you!

I have to say, THANKS for all the cheers!! I love hearing my name all around the course, from Maine to Delaware. I appreciate your support - it keeps me pushing hard through the pain. One day, I will find the other side.

pedaling again

2006-09-03T08:30:00.001-04:00

Okay, point taken. My blog is neglected, but not without reason. Lots of changes over the past couple few weeks! I also haven't had steady internet access recently since I moved. That inconvenience will be fixed this week. More on that stuff next post.

I have a few minutes to type something. I'm at the Sugarbush Lodge in VT, awaiting the start of the third day of the Green Mtn Stage Race, and it looks like today's ride is going to be epic. It's in the 50's, windy, and raining as hurricane remnants gust through these parts. We depart on our 65-mile journey through the mountains at 9:40 this morning and will finish at the summit of the Appalachian Gap some 3 hours later. It feels like spring classic weather, not end of summer.

Yesterday's circuit race was needlessly difficult for me, with two mysterious mechanical issues that forced me to dismount each time. I chased for much of each lap, then worked to set Anna
up for the sprint points after catching back on. Leading out is hard but fun! Riding for the team offers deeper reward and makes me push much harder than riding just for myself. My legs were cramping in the last lap, which is so rare for me, and I was truly "done" at the finish.

Day one, the time trial up the Mad River side of App Gap, was such a shock to my system. I hadn't trained or ridden hard since Superweek. I had forgotten how much this sport hurt! I have certainly lost a good amount of my horsepower at this point, but that's why I'm back to base training for cross now. I felt burn in my legs far worse than I remember in recent memory. I still had enough juice to sprint in the last 200 meters, though, so maybe I rode a little too conservatively. Doesn't matter, there's more to come.

Okay, I'm off to the start.... where's my winter base layer and rain jacket??

pedaling again

2006-09-03T08:30:00.000-04:00

reality sets in now that i've stopped pedaling for a moment

2006-07-29T11:30:00.000-04:00

I can't believe this, but I've barely ridden my bike at all since July 16th. I decided I needed rest after Superweek, and then I got really sick Monday. I have been too sick to ride all week. Doesn't it seem you always get sick on rest week??
I think this has become my rest before starting training with cross season in mind. By the way, it's only 44 days until the first NE cross race, Northfield. :) But now I'm home, with lots of time to sell my things and contemplate my life. I've sold my fixed gear, old cross frame, and now my kayak is going today. I might sell a snowboard and some other bike(s), too. I need change, and some for my wallet, too.

The following is not traditional race blog-fare. I'm definitely frustrated right now, and maybe some of this is venting... or spinning my wheels complaining and not getting myself anywhere while feeling overwhelmed.

First, the good part: Ward is going to come live with me sometime this fall. We are very excited! But my lease is up end of August (not that he could move in here anyway), and we need a home! I had no idea the search would be so difficult. Places go so quickly, and we don't make enough mooolah to live comfortably around here, given the astronomical rent prices. Oh, and we have something like 9 bicycles between us and need parking for TWO vehicles?? I can't imagine living in a brick apartment house with a single coin-op washer/dryer in the basement. Can you see us dragging 3 or 4 muddy cross bikes up the stairs into a little studio or one-bedroom and throwing soggy kits in a washer shared by the whole building? Outdoor hose, please! Maybe some of you folks deal with this and can give me some advice. I want to find something in a house with basement storage, not an apartment complex. We'd be happy to live with others, especially if they were of the athletic/active/health conscious mold. We're also considering living with one car between us, but it depends a little on what work Ward can find when he moves up here and if we can find a place to live close enough to my job in Wakefield that I can commute reliably by bike.

There, I've spun my wheels enough, and probably wasted your time, too. If you know of anyone in the Boston area who might want two in-house riding (and skiing) buddies who love to cook and make a house feel like home, pass the word on to me. rjwellons@yahoo.com I think I'll put a "housing wanted" listing on Craigslist.

here, there, and everywhere

2006-07-25T00:17:00.000-04:00

From Wisconsin, Ward and I headed back to his place in Richmond. Sick of the Ohio-PA drive, we decided to take a little detour through my old college stomping grounds of Bloomington, IN, then take I-64 through Kentucky and WV for a more scenic ride. What fun it was to be back in Bloomington and show off where I went to school! It did make me sad, though. I spent 5 years studying there and not only do I miss it, but due to my devotion to cycling, I also haven't done anything significant to further my chosen career since I graduated. Bloomington has, unfortunately, succumbed to the amoeba-like sprawl that defines our American existence. The beautiful, rural,condo unit I rented for a few years used to overlook nothing but rolling fields. Now, tens of new buildings packed together like sardines blemish the landscape. Even more big retailers have staked their claim, as well, but luckily the campus, Kirkwood, and downtown are as beautiful, vibrant, and charming as ever. I got to eat burritos with Ward at one of my favorite places: the Laughing Planet!

We continued on to Richmond, trying to save money by camping road-side when our eyes couldn't stay open any longer. We arrived in Richmond exhausted and very sick of driving. I went along with the Nature's Path boys on a morning coffeeshop easy spin into the city. Now I'm here fighting a cold, and Ward's off racing in Altoona. I'm feeling a bit burnt out and need to take some rest before another assault on the rest of the season. I think I need to head back up to Boston and start apartment hunting since my lease is up the end of next month. It will be hard to race Green Mtn if I'm moving!! I'm getting really discouraged about how much housing costs in the Boston area... here in Richmond, the roads are great, there's ac (which I never cared for but now I'm getting used to!), and good company. Why am I heading back to Boston??
Oh, yeah.... New England cyclocross! (Oh, and yeah, gosh, I have a job there.)

where's wardo?

2006-07-19T14:02:00.000-04:00

In the frozen food section of a natural foods store in Wauwatosa, WI…

Let’s play Where’s WARDO?

nationals and superweek

2006-07-19T13:35:00.000-04:00

There’s been no relaxation after the Fourth. Stopping back in Boston so I could take care of a few things at work before leaving for the rest of the month, we continued on to Seven Springs, PA, for the Nationals road race. Nationals was not intended to be an ‘A’ race for me, and good thing because I came into the race tired. It took almost 10 hours to drive to Seven Springs. We arrived after 8 pm, when I immediately got into my chamois, put some wheels on my bike and went to spin my legs out at sunset. Got to sleep around 10:30, then awoke at 5 am to prepare for the 7:30 am start! The course consisted of three laps of a brutal 27-mile course. This was NOT a race where you could just “sit in” if you weren’t feeling great. And it was fast uphill as well as down! There was one 60+mph descent just a couple miles from the start. There was really nothing flat; the terrain was either up or down. I cracked just before the end of the first lap and would have dropped out if a group of 7 hadn’t caught me. We rode the next two laps I think just because it was a nice day on nice roads. Many didn’t finish at all. Maybe next year I will approach this race differently; maybe I won’t view it as just a race to do on the way out to Superweek.

After Nationals, we got the cheapest motel room we could find, got a decent night’s sleep, then headed out on the road again toward Milwaukee. At this point, even 2 hours in a car felt like too much. I’m a little surprised that Ward and I never argued or seriously get on each others’ nerves through all of this driving and racing. We make a great team. Sick of driving, we stopped at a campground in northern Indiana when the sun set. Until light rain fell on us in the middle of the night and brought a cool breeze, the temperature hovered in the mid-eighties. Not the best of conditions for a winter tent.........

We woke and resumed the drive to Milwaukee, but added a short stop in Chicago's Lincoln Park for some lunch and to find wi-fi! It's been hard not having internet or even reliable cellular coverage!

I raced the four NRC crits at Superweek, Thursday through Sunday. It was HOT (as usual) and my ambition melted. I was rested physically, but not mentally, I think. One day I stood on the start line and saw my pulse at only 47 bpm! Rested, but certainly not nervous or pumped about the race, I guess. I have this problem where I feel I need to race every race instead of focusing on events I really want to do well at and coming into those with the necessary dirve, both mental and physical.

I think this picture is the finish of the men's race at Shorewood. I didn't take a lot of pictures this year.

catching up

2006-07-17T13:18:00.000-04:00

It is exactly 2 months until the infamous Suckerbrook cyclocross race.
Just thought that was worth mentioning on this sweltering hot July day in Milwaukee.

I have so many entries to post! Where to begin?! Maybe Fitchburg? The entries will be brief!

This year’s Fitchburg was the most enjoyable yet! We put together a sort of dream team of composite riders with the same goal: to ride all for the team. Anna, Sarah, Kele, Hiroko, Kami, Tom, and I had a great time working together. I wish I could always have all these girls as my teammates!!

After a super fun Fitchburg, Ward and I went to share a relaxing visit with his parents way up in Northern NH. And I do mean Northern… brush up on your French because you can probably spit across the border. We had a great time lying poolside and relaxing with views of Mount Washington and its Presidental range surrounding us. On the Fourth we kept it simple, driving down to Gorham and eating ice cream and taking in the local fireworks from a secluded spot atop an old (abandoned) railroad trestle.

Ward finally had a chance to clear some more trees from his land in preparation for laying a foundation and building a house someday – hopefully in the not-too-distant future. A secluded hilltop with beautiful views of the Presidentials that’s just a few miles from town will make the home a skiing, hiking, and biking paradise one day.

Ok, I know there's much more I have to write, but we've got to head to the men's Holy Hill Road Race now to feed the Nature's Path boys. :) More soon!

Life on the Road

2006-07-10T16:01:00.000-04:00

Drive. Sleep little. Race tired. Repeat.

I have so much to write...
So little time...
So many more miles to drive....

Philly

2006-06-17T07:50:00.000-04:00

I wish I could update my blog on the long drive home each Sunday night. Once the work/training week begins, I really have no energy for anything else. I had so many great ideas to write about here last weekend, and now none come to mind! I'm writing this now to get it out before I leave for West Chester in a few minutes - twilight crit tonight. I'm going to post some pictures, so there's something to look at!

I was nervous and excited for the Liberty Classic. I've been riding well, but this was to be the biggest race I've ever been in. Biggest in terms of field size, in terms of competition, and in terms of "pomp and circumstance," of you will.

The opening miles were just plain scary - nerves, crowd yelling, cones to dodge, curbs, and medians. Oh, and it was very windy, too. I tried to stay out of trouble, but I guess sometimes it's just a matter of luck. Then it happened. I don't know why or how, the the two girls in front of me went down. I must not have been right on their wheels because I was able to lock it up, skid, and land on my foot. But there was no way around. I was about to breathe a sigh of relief! Yes! I made it - and began to make my way through/around the fallen riders, but then smash! I was hit hard from behind. Trying to ride forward was now useless, my rear Zipp wheel was crunched and the hub was flopping around with no spoke tension - only the tubbie was holding it all together.

I got a wheel change, but it wasn't centered in the drop the first time, so it took twice. Only a couple short miles remained until the first climb up Manayunk. I chased. Hard. Didn't catch a full group until just before Lemon Hill. Nobody wanted to work. I put my head in the wind and pushed, hoping not to get pulled. I just wanted to finish the race.

It was totally surreal riding your disappointed heart out through the start/finish straight with an enormous screen showing live footage from the front of the race as you roll beneath.

Our group got pulled after 2 laps.

I have so much more to say, but I have to get on the road now!! I'll have to add to this later. School's out Friday, so hopefully I'll have more time to update regularly then!

Captech/CSC/Lancaster

2006-06-06T20:00:00.000-04:00

As hectic as my life feels right now, teaching full-time, training, and travelling to races every weekend to race with some of the top women in the country, I wouldn't trade cycling and all that goes with it for the world. I had a great time racing Captech/CSC/PA Triple Crown #1 this weekend, and got to share it all with the one I love. I met some great people down in Richmond. The Nature's Path guys have lots of friends down there in their hometown, and I shared in supporting their team and heard so many of them shout for me.

I was amped for Captech. The course is sick. Not a true crit course, really, the hill is much too long. Turn a corner and go up. Turn another corner and go up for a block. Turn another corner, and keep going up! When you finally hit the screaming descent, it's bumpy and has four 90-degree corners leading you back to the straightaway. I thought I would be afraid of the course, but I totally loved it.

Big screen tv displayed real-time action shots from on-course motorcycles by the rewiewing stand where Bob Roll and another announcer called the shots. They even played the National Anthem while we were staged, which I've only experienced one other time in women's racing, giving the butterflies in my stomach extra flight time.

I had some bad luck in the race due to my rear Mavic hub. It was apparently so gummed up from all the crappy weather NE racing, that when I hit the descent on the second lap, it continued spinning and consequently threw my chain off the big ring, catching the chain in the front derailleur. I couldn't get it to catch by shifting (probably in part because we filed the ramps off my big ring weeks ago to fix another massive shifting issue I experienced with my new chainrings), so I coasted to the Mavic tent. In that moment, I was totally bewildered at how my chain caught in the front derailleur while I was in the big ring since I didn't even touch the front shifter!! Mavic took an eternity to get my chain back on and then told me I had to chase. No free lap for that. Not a good place to get dropped - the fast descent! I watched them fly way then put my head in the wind and went after them. The pace was still so high in the first few laps that I knew I had virtually no chance of catching back on. But apparently I at least gained on them for a couple of laps, because I couldn't believe it when I heard Bob Roll say my name and something about my chase. I felt so good that night. I was truly bummed when I finally got pulled. Watching the rest of the race was torture; I wanted to be out there so badly. Next year.

I had better luck at CSC and in Lancaster. No great finishes, but respectable races. I know I can race with the best now, I just have to make smarter decisions and enjoy a little luck. I'm still trying to get over the "Holy crap, I'm on Tina Pic's wheel!!!" factor. (Or any of the big girls!!) The even scarier part was a moment when I realized "Holy crap!!! She's on MY wheel!!!! Damn I hope I don't screw up this corner!!" I need to get more comfortable before I begin to feel I've earned a place in the lead group. As the unknown underdog, I know they think I don't belong there.

We stayed in this beautiful location in Lancaster on Saturday night. Heavenly. I've met so many great people racing these past 2 weekends. I can't wait for my next adventure this weekend.

I still hope to write a short Bike Jam recap from two weekends ago, but I'm a bit too tired to write more now...
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

Inches from a Double

2006-05-22T17:01:00.000-04:00

Ok... so I've neglected updating my blog. Life has felt like a whirlwind lately. I'll start with what at this point I suppose qualifies as old news.

Sterling was definitely one of those days when I had hard time deciding to race. The weather in New England has never been so predictable: rain. More rain. There was so much rain on the highway on the drive out to Sterling that morning, that I had to wonder whether I'd actually hydroplane on my bike. I figured the conditions were at least prepration for cyclocross season if nothing else, and since I love cross so much, I may as well tough it out. Besides the weather, I woke up with a sore throat feeling sick. Naturally, I decided that racing in the cold rain is perfect for sickness. I just had to do what I love to do.

My biggest fan (my dad) came to watch me race despite the poor conditions for spectating. And I'm so glad he did. I felt really strong and was very happy to get in a break with Kam, and we rode pretty hard. Since my dad stood out in the rain for 6 laps cheering me on, I was thrilled to be able to win. He had never seen me win a race, so hearing his voice as I charged to the line meant so much to me. Thanks, Dad, for putting up with your daughter and her crazy infatuation with cycling.

The original plan was to continue straight from Sterling to Bear Mtn. for Sunday's race. I still felt sick, my knees were aching, and the rainy4+ hour drive sounded torturous. After much deliberation on my part - let's just say I'm not always the best at making decisions - Ward is a saint for putting up with me - we decided to head back home, set the alarm for 3:50 am, then make the call. I woke at 3:50 feeling better than the morning before, and that was encourging. I wanted to race, like Bear Mtn, and knew I would regret it if we didn't go. Ward packed the car in minutes and we were off before the sun by 4:30 am.

I didn't feel so great during the race. The cold rain from the day before took more out of my legs than I realized. On the second of the 4 laps, my legs felt crappy and I was climbing mid-pack when I saw 2 Advil girls make a move off the front. I reacted fast and caught them swiftly. I turned back and was surprised to see that 4 of us had a growing gap on the field. I stifled a chuckle in response to a bossy comment meant to shame us into working and looked back to see where the field was and whether it was worth my effort to try to make this break work. I decided to do it, charged, then they followed suit. We pacelined and eventully grew about 8 minutes on the main field, I think. There was a chase group less than 4 minutes back by the finish. My legs weren't great, so it felt like a long 56 miles. I have played the finish over and over in my head maybe a thousand times since! I was patient. I didn't follow the early attack around 700 meters. One more gear up on that downhill finish and I know I would have had it. The finish tape showed how close it was. I was just inches behind on the line.

je ne sais quoi

2006-05-08T20:25:00.000-04:00

Aah, Jiminy. What feels different about Jiminy compared to other races? It has that je ne sais quoi of epic potential. Although I suppose our 60km can hardly qualify as epic. So after I jumped too early and cracked on the climb, the pack caught me and subsequently spit me out like stale chewing gum. I watched everyone duke it out for the top 6 places, all the while thinking, "Damnit!! There it goes: another year and no mug!!" Yeah, I made a big mistake. I started the race with a growling stomach and then didn't eat anything and barely drank anything during the race. (Partly because I didn't want to take my hands off the bars for fear I'd die in a very squirrely open field.) I had felt good, but I really think I just simply ran out of juice. I just suddenly couldn't go anymore. By the time I got back to my car I was shaking and feeling a bit dizzy. I did finish - I'm just not listed in the results, so I don't even have to tell you where. ;-) Oh, if I could do it again! Well, I guess I can... next year.

I think my legs were still recovering on Sunday from Saturday's fuel depletion because they felt tired and heavy warming up. I opened up once the racing began, though, and the Wheelworks women put me to the test with constant attacks. Oh! And I LOVED THIS COURSE!!!! The Williams course was sooooo much fun!! I think I must have been smiling on my bike through the pain. I managed to get off the front with Amy, which was sure to succeed with Kami and the rest of the Verizon team keeping things contained behind us. While Amy and I slowed our tempo over the last 5 laps, the pack sped up with multiple riders trying to break. This meant that as we crested the hill with only one to go, the pack was visible charging up behind us! With Wheelworks riders on front of the charge, I knew Amy would be the cat not the mouse on this lap. I felt we really could be caught, decided my best choice was to go unexpectedly early. I scurried at the tennis courts and never looked back. It was a long uphill sprint, and I was lucky to hit the line first. What a fun race!

Stars Align

2006-05-02T21:44:00.000-04:00

I guess the stars aligned. And little luck and some proper execution also came together to get me a win at the Palmer road race on Sunday. I managed to remain patient most of the race and then put myself on the Advil-Chapstick team's lead out train at the finish. Luckily, I came around all of them!

Saturday at Sturbridge I felt great but botched the finish. I would comment that the ambulance on the course and police motioning for us to slow down at 1K to go didn't help the situation, but that would be an excuse that doesn't cut it. I wasn't patient, and didn't choose the right wheel. Got out front too early, then boxed in when attacks went up the sides. I ended up at the back in a blink, then popped out into the wind on the side and drag sprinted myself to an insignificant 9th place. But I felt strong and capable of winning, and I'm happy with that.

I am so encouraged by the level of women's racing in New England this spring. Ok, I admit that this was not the case after my experience at Turtlepond... I was very frustrated by the "chase everything and sit up and ride slow" mentality of the pack that day. But this weekend alleviated my fears of a slow season. The races were active and relatively fast. A couple of teams such as Advil-Chapstick and Wheelworks and several strong individual riders kept things lively, and I had tons of fun. I look forward to Jiminy and Williams this weekend!

Somehow, between the races this weekend, I found time to see an amazing performance at the Wang Theatre Saturday night. G-Man took me to see Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. Absolutely amazing! I was moved almost to tears several times, goosebumps most of the show. An unbelievable union of athleticism and artistry. Go see them someday!!!! I know next to nothing about dance and fell in love with it. The music was awesome, too, all jazz and African-American spirituals.

Dreary, Dismal Boston

2006-04-24T20:20:00.000-04:00

I came back here for this??

For the first time in what feels like forever, I didn't even get on the bike today. And I threw the usual diet out the window... Annie's mac n' cheese and BROWNIES for dinner!
I love the Nature's Path organic brownie mix. I made it with 2 eggs and soy milk, then added chopped walnuts, and organic dark chocolate chips. It will take all that self-control I don't have to keep me from eating them all!
Damn all that did sound like an advertisement... but you gotta support the sponsors!

Vacation's Over

2006-04-23T19:56:00.000-04:00

What a week! I had no internet for most of the week in Virginia, so I couldn't share news of the awesome riding. While out in the Blue Ridge, we hooked up with Cowboy's friends from a bike club from Littleton, NH. A big shout out to all of them! I enjoyed everyone's company. Thanks for feeding us and giving us a place to crash!

We chocked up another epic ride, climbing 8,000 feet in just shy of 100 miles. Beautiful weather, sunny, 70s. The dirt road up from Irish Creek Rd was great fun. I am really going to miss that climbing... I've discovered that I actually really enjoy hills/mountains on my bike without the stress of racing up them. I wish I could ride out there once a week!

Friday night it was back to dreary, cold Boston to prepare for my first jump into the NE race scene. I didn't get what I wanted this weekend, either day. After swearing and proclaiming that I was quitting and taking up golf instead, my heart slowed down and I looked back and decided things weren't really that bad. (Besides, I already know I'm a miserable golfer - my first job eons ago was being a caddy.) I made a poor decision in the final kilometer of today's race, but que sera sera. I surprised myself at how good I felt today, and I hope it's a sign of good things to come. I'm looking forward to trying again next weekend. I'm so happy that racing has begun. One of the only things that gets me through my weekdays at work is knowing it's only a few more days until I can race again.

Blue Ridge

2006-04-17T16:16:00.000-04:00

Ah! Vacation! I'm having a great time down here in Virginia. Ward and I went to the Blue Ridge Mtns yesterday for an epic ride. 100 miles and around 7,000 feet of climbing. We tackled Horseshoe Mountain on our way out from Rockfish Gap, then took on Montebello, then finally Vesuvius before heading back on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which had lots of climbing as well! It felt epic. There was a 7-mile dirt road descent and Montebello took over a half-hour to climb! When we took the right turn to start the ascent of Vesuvius, I knew we were in for it when I could smell burning brakes lingering in the air from descending vehicles.

When we got ready to ride from Rockfish Gap, it started pouring rain, and it was pretty cold. We had booties on, arm warmers, vest/jackets, leg warmers, and gloves. After about 20 minutes, the sun came out, and we swealtered! What a sight we must have been! Clothes and food stuffed in pockets and under our jerseys! Ward looked like an overweight beer drinker. ;-) (Has he spent too much time around you, Matt? ;-) We overheated and had to stop for tons of extra fluid, but it was still an amazing ride. I enjoyed the climbing so much. I wish I could ride in mountains like this all the time. Each climb has its own personality. Montebello had inconsistent rhythm to it - little steep ups and then it would level slightly then shoot back up. Very tiring. Vesuvius was just steady and brutal. The Blue Ridge Parkway had sections that led steady and straight up, a mirage of endless road.

Another 100-miles tomorrow and beautiful sunny weather in the forecast!

Contentment

2006-04-12T22:25:00.000-04:00

What a nice day! I paused on my ride home from work to soak up a few sun rays and watch all the sailboats on Mystic Lake. Later on, I got a call from a friend/teammate in the neighborhood who wanted company on an easy spin. We headed up the bike path (ok, multi-use path) and ran into some more good friends. What a nice feeling. The four of us rode together awhile, just spinning and talking while sharing some bike love. All together I saw 7 people I knew well today on an hour long easy spin. I love it. I feel so at home in this community.

That said, I'm also looking forward to getting away for the week. I leave tomorrow for Richmond, and will be riding in the Blue Ridge Mtns with my Cowboy. I can't wait for the warmer weather, big hills, and a strong wheel to chase.

Happy riding, Everyone.

Still On Track

2006-04-09T18:06:00.000-04:00

Today was a good day. Made up for yesterday's long-ass drive in the freezing rain and snow to Ninigret where I found only 3 women to race against in the 39-degree pouring rain. So I promptly got my ass back in the car and drove home. Screw that.

My decision to race Wells this morning instead of Tufts with th P/1/2/3 men's field was vindicated when I watched the race this afternoon. Viktor Rapinski lapped the field, which was strung out the entire race. Didn't want to pay to get shelled in that race, so I rode out to Wells this morning for the A race, and had a great time. I have been so tired lately... last week was big week at work and otherwise. I hadn't really trained since Tuesday, just easy spins since then. But I felt great on the bike today. Legs had no snap or jump, but could put out for longer efforts. Felt good to be active in the A race, never saw the back of the field. I feel reassured that my training is still on track now. I just can't wait to really race.

Cowboy WON the Conte's Classic today down in Norfolk, VA. Wish I could have been there to see him riding off the front like a cowboy.

Place	#	First	Last	Team
1	289	Ward	Solar	Natures Path presented by Fuji Pro/Am Cycling Team
2	171	Scottie	Weiss	Hincapie/Bianchi/Dasani
3	249	Michael	Beers	Rite Aid Pro Cycling Presented by Snow Valley

State of the Union Address

2006-04-04T16:10:00.000-04:00

What's startling to me is not that big industry exploits the health and well-being of the general public and advertises sales on mass-farmed cattle, grown in cages and pumped with hormones so they can be slaughtered before natural maturity, then ground up and shipped all over the world to be microwaved and slapped crudely betwen buns made with bleached flour and preservatives and dripping with processed by-product made into an orange-colored gooey consistency with emulsifiers, preservatives, and dyes, [deep breath]
but that the sign actually has to say "LIMIT 10 PER CUSTOMER PER VISIT!"

Just one more...

Do I laugh? Do I weep? (I'd really like to see this hell raisin. We didn't see the raisin as we rode our bikes past this house in Virginia, but were scared enough by the sign's threats not to stick around to wait for it longer than necessary.)

Southern Comfort

2006-03-26T21:19:00.000-05:00

I spent a long weekend at an undisclosed training location south of the Mason-Dixon line. The weather was nothing great to write about and the company was beyond blog description, so this entry might be a bit short. I did discover that I have quite a taste for Bush Mill whiskey (must be my southern heritage coming through) and damn they pour tall shots down there!

Too Sexy...

2006-03-12T20:53:00.000-05:00

to ride outside! I am lusting over my bike again. Haven't ridden it since Green Mountain, after which I trained on my cross bikes. Now I can't bear to bring my shiny new drivetrain out onto crappy New England roads. The new gun metal gray colored FSA chainrings are hot! Nothing is finer than fresh white bar tape. But I do fear the pretty new hollow-link chain with its drilled out links! I bet its beauty will also be its curse by acting as a repository for road grime.

Every day now when suiting up for my rides, I look longingly at my Stevens steed, lift it gently and flirt with its 16 lbs, flex its levers, then cold-heartedly pass it by for my crappy, heavy, grungy, grit-caked, cyclocross pit bike. Tough love, but I'm doing what's best for it. Breaks my heart every time. Maybe one day I will live somewhere I can ride a nice bike year-round. But I guess I can't complain - at least I can ride outside most the winter! If I could nordic ski reliably, I would be happy.

Today I went on a testosterone-charged group ride through the hills of Clinton, Sterling, and Leominster, Mass. Luckily, the rain stayed away and temperatures were mild and comfortable, probably hitting 50. It was almost epic, as we cruised over sandy, chopped up asphalt, and even some dirt roads and climbs. The ride began like doing interval training, with moderate pace on the flats and rocket speeds up every hill. Later the ride evolved to hammering along the flats into incredibly hard wind, sprinting out every town line as if it was the finish of the Bank of America Invitational, and also thrashing up every hill. After 8 hours in the saddle the past 2 days, my legs were hamburger and I suffered. I also had to drag the steel dinosaur beneath me while all the boys rode their Litespeeds and carbon Treks, some with fancy pants wheels. There were times along the windy flats, never mind on the descents, that I could barely hang on the wheel in front of me in my top gear (48x11). I fantasized about the 53 gunmetal gray teeth in my agony. Uphill, the strain and burn in my legs was bad enough to convince me I was pulling muscles. But as much as I groaned about it during the ride, it was good for me. I'm sure that after saddling up the lead dinosaur all winter my road bike will feel like a rocketship.

Bootyless

2006-03-10T19:52:00.000-05:00

Sweet!! A ride without booties and winter riding jacket! Yes, folks, it hit 68 degrees here today. I rode to work today, and on the way home I was positively sweltering in my winter sidis, wool socks, verge tights, craft base layer, and long-sleeved jersey. I had no idea how warm it was until I got going. I almost stopped to strip the tights, but waited until I got home, then changed into knee warmers, arm warmers, a short-sleeved jersey, and went back out. No gloves, no shoe covers, no windstopper headband. I rode until dark. Just felt awesome to be out. I didn't want to stop, but it got dark and I was getting hungry. So I rode about 3.5 hours today. Not bad for a rest day when I didn't need to ride much at all! I can't wait for this weekend. Long ride tomorrow and again Sunday, or maybe even Wells Ave. Maybe, since it's often a crashfest early season, and I don't want to get tangled up with hairy-legged guys...

So I dropped 8 bills on my bike this week. But now I don't want to use it!! I don't want any grit in the new drivetrain or cabling! It's all decked out with new cassettes, chainrings, tubbies (and a spare set), derailleur pulleys, cabling, chain, etc. God, this hobby is friggin' expensive. I also got training tires and a campy cassette body so I could switch my shimano-compatible cyclocross Ksyrium wheels to Campy to use for road season. I can't even remember what else I ordered. Hopefully I won't actually need anything else all season! I can't bear to ride my road bike until the streetsweepers suck the sand up next month, but my cross bike only has a 48-tooth front chainring and different sized crankarms, and I can't train on that much longer... besides, I probably shouldn't race Wells with cantilever brakes...

EPIC

2006-03-06T21:15:00.000-05:00

Life has been good lately! This weekend was truly epic. One of the best weekends all winter. (The other great one was a day trip up Mt. Lafayette.)

I got an invite to head up north to ski with some ski bum bike racers. :) I left the bike behind (although yeah, I felt guilty that I'd be missing my long weekend rides, so I at least got in an additional hour-and-a-half on Friday afternoon after my sprints). I packed nordic and alpine skis, and my snowboard.

Leaving Boston early Saturday, the skies were clear, sun shining, so I expected a fun but potentially icy day on the slopes. The sun was out until I hit Plymouth, but windblown flurries whipped around through Franconia Notch. By the time I got all the way to Matt & Martha's, it was clear there was much more accumulation. Having missed out on good times on the slopes (or nordic trails) due to mother nature's torment this year, I got really excited!! We arrived at Bretton Woods to find tons of powder!

Damn! These Northlanders are FAST and SMOOTH on skis. (Another video of Martha coming - technical difficulties...) Being a novice skier (I'm more of a boarder, but not even too skilled at that), I was a bit nervous skiing with such experienced skiiers, but after burying myself face first (and actually, backwards more than once, I won't try to explain that) in the pow a couple of times I mostly kept up ok, just much less gracefully.

An amazing day on the slopes was capped off with a beer in the lodge, good company, and the brassy riffs of a good cover band's horn section. Life is good, well, except that I regret forgetting to have my picture taken with Captain Morgan before leaving the lodge, and I fear this blog entry may have suffered in its absence.

It kept snowing all night, and the next morning we enjoyed more spectacular snow on the slopes before 8:30. It snowed until Sunday afternoon, and I think they got around 2 feet of snow! Clark Kent - yes, I am convinced he is Superman in the flesh - how else do you get on a cereal box? - although we couldn't convince him to get out the red Speedo... wait! maybe it was Matt who had the red speedo... well anyways I digress... we hit the nordic trails for awhile to get some skating in, but then put the alpine gear back on to get even more runs in! Like I said, it was just epic. Like I said, life is good.

By the way, have you ever seen synchronized ski dancers??

Pink Chucks

2006-03-02T21:18:00.000-05:00

I can't understand why these sweet new kicks were only $5 at Marshalls! These aren't in high demand?? Well, I dig 'em.

cOOkies!

2006-02-28T19:50:00.000-05:00

What a good night! My Girl Scout cookies were delivered by my friendly Irish neighborhood scout. I am disappointed although not surprised to find that both Thin Mints and Caramel deLites contain harmful partially hydrogenated oils. A completely unnecessary ingredient, since in my cupboard, their shelf life will be frighteningly short anyways!
Num num num num num num num num num num num num num num!!!!