2013 Speedweek: Day 2- Roswell Historic Criterium

After sleeping in until almost noon, Kat and I were awakened to Pete's homemade crepes and Kate's cappucinos, a Sunday tradition. Sounds like the best way to kick off a race, yes? The ultimate was a nutella, raspberry, and bacon crepe. Really.

Nutella, raspeberry, bacon crepes

Sunday was a total downpour. It poured the ENTIRE day. We had to hustle to get our rental car returned as Pete's family was generous to offer their Outback Bikes van for us to use for the week. We made it to Roswell with about an hour to spare. After finding out our race was delayed twenty minutes, we begged a local and very friendly Georgia team to use their trainers they were done using and were able to spin a bit out of the rain.

The entire event was so wet. Imagine racing a huge shower, then add more water. Some of the course was flooded. Luckily the women were super safe, but I think that was largely to how fast the race was. Kat did great moving around in the field. I was honestly pretty pouty in the back. It was pretty uneventful for us. With two to go I brought Kat up to the front and then only half committed to the gambler's prime. I really should have fully committed but I didn't for some reason. We both finished likely outside the top twenty...a little disappointing but I am also happy to have survived the course I fractured my shoulder on last year unscathed. It looks like we'll have good weather the rest of the week and we've been getting good rest after our rough first night.

Post race before we realized how cold we were.

We concluded our evening with an excellent vegan meal at la Casa De Wicker with our first try of tofurky, roasted veggies galore, homemade salsa, and wine. Today (Monday) is a rest day. It's largely still supposed to be raining for our entire 6 hour journey to Beaufort, South Carolina, but we hope it means sunny races to follow. We're looking forward to some excellent seafood, a little bit of the ocean, amazing hosts Rocky and Joan, and some super fast and fun racing.

2013 Speedweek: Day 1- Terrapin Twilight

Terrapin Twilight has come and gone and boy, it was an interesting journey. Kat and I were on the same flight from Denver to Atlanta which was lovely and on-time. Sadly, our journey to Athens was just beginning. Right before I left, I definitely lost my credit card and was just traveling with a debit card...however...it would appear that Dollar Rentals doesn't let you rent a car with a debit card. Then it turns out TSA held my bike for two hours and released it 3 minutes before my flight. They were probably trying to locate the delicious smelling vanilla Gnar Lube. Needless to say, the bike didn't make it and Southwest said they would not deliver it due to where we were staying. Uhhh...okay...We ended up getting a "distressed passenger" voucher to a local hotel (everyone there was so friendly!) for the night.

The next morning, after a few calls to Southwest who had no idea where the bike was and us realizing we were running out of time, we decided to get a shuttle to the airport so I could search for the bike and Kat could try to rent a car. Four offices later and no thanks to an incredibly unhelpful Southwest, I found my bike in another airline's office and they had no idea why they had it. Thanks, guys. Meanwhile, Kat spent two hours trying to get a car rented after we made a reservation, only to be told that car had been rented. Almost in tears, Kat snags a Jeep for even cheaper than the car that we were trying to rent- score! 

Straight to Outback Bikes we went where Pete and Mike were awesome making sure our sturdy Veloforma steads were ready to rock and our State Wheels were in top-top shape. They ooed and ahhed over the sweet hubs ;-) A side note: Pete, Kate, and his family are the bomb-diggity. We're so grateful to have their shop Outback Bikes as a sponsor, but to also get to have them as a great host family and friends. If you are ever in Atlanta, definitely show your support and head to Outback for top-notch service from some super rad people. A quick trip for our first real meal of the day at 3pm at the Publix and we were heading straight to Athens. Luckily, we snagged probably the last free parking spot in the city and had smooth registration. To the start line we go.

Oh hey Outback!

Dining at the grocery store

with Pete, the owner of Outback Bikes

Final race machine: Veloforma bike, State wheels, Michelin tires, Syntace bars and stem, and SQ Labs saddle

At Outback Bikes

Ok let's do this

 As always, this race is nuts. Absolutely nuts. Tons of incredibly rowdy crowds in the most awesome and crazy way. This race is also incredibly fast and aggressive. It was definitely extra super challenging after our super stressful travels and our lack of care for ourselves as athletes. The race started off with a bang and stayed that way most of the race...single file with riders flying off the back lap after lap. There was a teensy lull after the hill on the backside of the square course about 7 laps in so I attacked and held off the field for a half lap to snag up a $75 prime. I was quickly caught thereafter. Kat suffered from a slow leak and flat. She was put back in late...in her hardest gear...not clipped in...that means pretty much the hardest way possible. With all the challenges faced, her day ended a little early which only means greater things later this week! I was able to try to put in one other attack and then tried to get in better position for the finish but was totally cramping...the past 24 hours finally caught up with me too and I could fake restfulness no more. I finished probably top 30-ish. Ahh Athens...we can't wait to take you on again next year and we'll be ready that time!

Speeding to Speedweek

Today Kat and I are journeying to the deep south today to start a 9-day adventure that will take us through Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. During Speedweek, we’ll stop in seven different towns and cities for downtown criterium racing….several are at night. Our first stop is tomorrow night in Athens, Georgia in their bar district literally across the street from campus.

We're excited to also visit our host families again this year as well as one of our sponsors, Outback Bikes! Also there we have our new carbon clinchers from State Wheels eagerly awaiting to be raced on our ninja black Veloformas...check 'em out:

That's right...red decals. Won't they look sweet on our ninja Veloforma bikes?

At least personally, I'm also pretty pumped to spend a week in truly warm weather...granted Fort Collins now has nice weather the day I leave. Good thing we have lots of mineral sunscreen from our title sponsor to save my very pale, untanned skin :)

Here is the event website where you can also stream all the races live: http://usacrits.com/speed-week/

FULL SCHEDULE

4/27 – Terrapin Twilight Criterium
4/28 – Historic Roswell Criterium
4/30 – Coastal Empire Cycle Fest
5/1 – Downtown Walterboro Criterium
5/3 – Spartanburg Regional Classic
5/4 – Belmont Criterium presented by Carolinas HealthCare System
5/5 – Global BMW Sandy Springs Cycling Challenge

We’ll try to keep our blog as up-to-date as possible!

Whitney 2nd at Weld County Road Race!

Last week the Front Range in Colorado was hit with a freakish 22 inches of snow in a couple of days. With a dirt road race on tap for that Saturday, I was a little worried that our race would resemble more of a cyclocross mud pit. Somehow, somehow, we were lucky enough to have two glorious days of sunshine that mostly dried up the course for what turned out to be a hard and fast day of racing!

The course was a solid 12-mile rolling loop in the middle of farmland in Johnstown, Colorado. With the P12 women and P12 35+ women combined, we had a pretty big 40 person field. I hung out in the back for most of the first lap to check out the course and the competition (Epic Fail: I totally didn't check out the course map beforehand so I had no clue where I was going). Just before we hit the dirt again, I put in a monster attack and never looked back until after the 1-mile dirt section (happy to say, my State Wheels were stellar in the dirt!).

The start of the break- going through the dirt

A couple miles later, we had the winning break...not without a lot of work though. With some pretty fast ladies not making that break, we had to work super hard over the next two laps to secure the break.

Photo by Dejan Smaic

With one very windy kilometer to go, Gwen (Kenda) and I sat on Angela (Primal)'s wheel watching each other. The remaining lady, Heather, was in the Master's category. Eventually Heather jumped then Gwen and I were side-by-side sprinting. I watched her just pull away. Eek! I finished second. It was such a fun day with great competitors and solid, hard racing. I'll get you next time, Gwen! :)

As I sit here typing this, it's 30 degrees and the ground is covered in snow from another freak snow storm. It's going to be weird to pack for hot Speedweek when we're still getting the fluffy white stuff :) I'm so ready to play crits this weekend!

Secret is Out: Welcome Title Sponsor SkiNourishment!

After months of impatient excitement, we're giddy to announce our title sponsorship for 2013 with SKINourishment, Inc!

SKINourishment owner, Polly, loves bike riding which she does avidly in Wimberely, just outside of Austin. In fact, she used to watch Whitney race the Driveway Criterium Races back when she was in college at the University of Texas! How's that for small world!? Many of the SKINourishment employees are also lovers of bikes too!

What makes SKINourishment so special is their ingredient integrity in their skin care products. In the U.S., there really isn't any regulation on what goes into your cosmetics, lotions, sunscreens, or any skin care products. Unfortunately, that largely means many companies use ingredients that are known to be toxic and hazardous. (Really, check out stuff you use regularly at EWG's Cosmetic Database). Scary.

Enter SKINourishment.

SKINourishment prides itself on using 100% Pure, Food Grade Skin Care. Yep, you could even eat it. No parabans, perfumes, or fillers here. They are so progressive that even some of their product packaging is now biodegradable. Check out their product ratings in the Cosmetic Database. Their products range from lip lube, sunscreen, skin repair creme and so on.

Definitely check back to the SKINourishment website as they add more products. We'll be sharing the love too with you, after all, who doesn't want Ridicously Good Skincare? If you'd like more information in the meantime, you can email info@skinourishment.com  or call 877-966-2600.

Podium at Hell of the North

Made it out to the first local race of the year here in SLC.  With the rain Friday and then the quick transition back to dry weather, the dirt road was in perfect condition yesterday.  Literally perfect.  Perhaps in better condition than some of the pavement sections on the course.  :)

Our small field packed a punch with several strong local racers as well as some of the professional variety, all positive and aggressive competitors.  Love that combination.  Needless to say the race was super fun.  About 5 miles into the race, friend and former teammate Tiffany Pezzulo attacked and I countered.  I found myself with a good gap, by myself, and not freaking out!  Unlike Whitney, I'm not too keen on being off the front by myself.  Perfectly happy to chill in the pack and duke it out in a sprint.  I guess Whitney and I are rubbing off on each other, she's winning field sprints and I'm getting into solo breaks. Yep, so solo break.  For about 15 miles.  It was neat!  Especially when I had an "Ah-ha" moment and realized I recognized the uncomfortable feeling I was experiencing and thought, "Oh!  This is like ski racing, I did this all winter, I can do this!"  Definite step forward for me and thank you skiing for nudging that progress along.

With 5 miles to go, Devon Gorry from NOW (also a former teammate from college), Cathy Kim from DNA Cyling, and Tiffany bridged up.  Tiffany kept putting in attack after attack which I was able to stay with...although I definitely felt it and was kinda hoping I might be able to just chill out for a little while.  Luckily it did ease up a bit and Devon and Cathy were able to rejoin.   Heading into the last 1K, Devon attacked.  Seemed like no one else wanted to go after her and was hoping the same thing I was... I'll just follow someone else's wheel up there?  Please?

 We were getting too close to the finish though, so I went and then attacked just as I was catching Devon hoping that I could put enough distance between me and everyone else, be first through the corner, and hold the gap to the finish.  Didn't quite work out as I hoped and Tiffany started to come around me about 200 meters to the line.   We were both mashing it out and I had nothing left in the legs and had to coast across the line while she totally crushed me in the sprint.  Super fun time and happy to be doing some new things in the racing department!

Hell of the North podium shot