23 Aug 2014 IL State Criterium Championship

Illinois State Criterium Championship podium.

As the month September looms near, it’s difficult to believe that the end of summer is close at hand. Even the weather seems a bit caught out, rising up in protest, puffing out a bout of steamy, stifling air to punctuate an otherwise mild Midwest summer. I haven’t used an ice sock all season!

Concurrent with the confused weather, the approach of September also brings a winding down of US road racing for the year, and, in many regions, state championships to close out the season. In addition to being able to attend the Edwardsville/Belleville races the previous weekend, a second happy consequence of my shortened visit out west was the opportunity to race the Illinois State Criterium Championship, this year held in downtown Bloomington IL.

Warm reception from downtown Bloomington businesses.

The second year hosting a race, Bloomington boosts an exciting figure-eight style course with a bit of a climb on the back side, a couple of tight corners, and a superfast downhill finish. I love figure-eight courses, not only because figure-eights have more turns than basic shapes like squares and rectangles, but also because spectators standing in the middle of the course get to see riders twice each lap – and riders similarly get to see the same fans twice each lap – which is cool because the ones who plant themselves in the center location tend to have amazing enthusiasm for racing, projecting passionate cheers of support and encouragement!

Cyclists in one of the races blur through the streets of downtown Bloomington. Photo by Cycles In Life

The 3-hour drive to Bloomington was wet: black skies, bucketing rain, gusty winds. The early races would’ve had miserable conditions on the semi-technical course. Huge kudos to all who braved the squalls. Morning had greeted the day with absolutely sweltering heat, the oppressive air almost dripping so heavy was its load of moisture. A positive outcome of the deluge was a precipitous drop in temperature, the heavy water-laden air replaced by a light, almost cool breeze.

Maria Larkin (Chicago Cuttin Crew) braving early rains to win the Women's Cat 3/4 jersey - and then race again later (with some excellent attacks!) in the Women's 1/2/3. Photo by Chicago Cuttin Crew

I was fortunate to catch a ride down to Bloomington with ex-teammie, good friend, and master PSIMET wheel builder Leah Sanda. By the time we arrived in Bloomington, streets were nearly dry, the sun trying its best to peer out from behind the veil of imperious grey.

The race got off to a fast start, with several successive laps of attacks, multiple riders keen to split the field. Many times the field splintered and regrouped, the pace ebbing and flowing every few laps, riders at the front weary of putting forth an effort that might come to bear later given many strong legs in the bunch; trailing riders doggedly determined to remain in contention.

Streaking by, too fast for focus, no doubt chasing an attacking Skylar Schneider (TIBCO) or Daphne Karagianis (Chicago Cuttin Crew), Anina Blankenship (Balanced Bike) and Sierra Seibenlist (Scarlet Fire) in pursuit.

As the race wore on, my legs beginning to fatigue from thus far unsuccessful efforts to ride by myself, I became suddenly aware of cheers from a throng of spectators (I never did figure out who they were!) at the barriers in the middle part of the course urging me to attack, to light up the race – possibly spurred by my performance in Edwardsville last weekend? The realization of the personal attention brought a huge smile to my face. I even spent several laps rubber necking, inspecting the crowd in attempt to attach identities to the ardent cheers.

Me smiling in response to cheers from fans while Daphne Karagianis (Chicago Cuttin Crew) drives the pace at the front. Photo by Cycles In Life 

The key move of the race came with about five laps remaining. Following a flurry of attacks on successive laps, a prime was announced. I was too gassed to attack on the hill – and apparently so was everyone else, the pace slowing to a crawl on the back side of the course. Stuck at the front with no one willing to come around, I slowly ramped it up and then jumped at the top of the course, carrying speed through the tight turns. Clearing turn seven, I heard the horrible cacophony of carbon meeting concrete behind me. I have a horrible habit, when hearing this sound, of pausing mid pedal stroke. I snuck a quick peak under my arm to see Skylar Schneider (TIBCO) sprawled on the ground, fortunately (I later learned) uninjured and thankfully the only rider down.

Attacking, Skylar Schneider (TIBCO) hot on my wheels. Photo by Cycles In Life

 Coasting momentarily, I debated the morality of carrying on with my attack. Eventually I decided racing is racing, and put my head back to the task. Driving hard for the remaining laps, I increased the distance over my pursuers, who were now working together and chasing in earnest. My late race effort was enough to give me a comfortable margin in the final lap for what was an exciting and hard-fought win.

Finishing solo - I was a bit confused, unsure if it was the last lap!

Thank you to all the amazing organizers, volunteers, and sponsors that made the Bloomington criterium possible, and the fans and fellow racers who made it awesome; to Matthew and Ashley Jarrett for so many excellent photographs of the event; and to Leah Sanda for sharing the drive. Big shout out to the Illinois women who got registered early to show support for the race and ensure equal payout for the men’s and women’s races. This race has a seriously impressive payout! Combined with an exciting course and passionate fans, this is one not to miss in 2015!

Race podium: Anina Blankenship (Balanced Bike), Daphne Karagianis (Chicago Cuttin Crew) and niece, me, Sierra Siebenlist (Scarlet Fire), Ellen Ryan (xXx)

Finally, I want to put in a plug for the gifted race announcers in the Chicago area: Todd Busteed, Greg Bliss, Kenny Labbé; further south, Aero Froese. Each having a huge knowledge-base of racing, and familiarity with the names of many of the local riders, these guys really know how to engage the crowd and can, simply by virtue of their talents, impart upon a small local race a distinctly professional feel. For cycling events, announcers make a big difference to the spectators and racers alike, often making the difference between awesome and amazing.No race is complete without a strong voice behind the mic.

16-17 Aug 2014 Edwardsville/Belleville Double

With improving form, buoyed by the oxygen-enhancing effects of altitude acclimation – possibly balance by the negative impacts of over-stressing still healing lungs (and that fact that I didn’t stay at altitude long enough to fully acclimate…) – I had planned to coat tail my trip to Utah with a visit to Colorado for a women’s race held in conjunction with another of the biggest cycling tours in the US, the USA Pro Challenge, a.k.a Tour of Colorado. Sadly the race was cancelled a few weeks out from the race, so few were the number of riders who actually knew that the race was happening! Fingers crossed that next year all of America’s top stage races (California, Utah, and Colorado) will incorporate women’s races. Although disappointing, the cancellation freed me up to head back to my homebase in the Midwest and defend my title at the Stifel Nicolaus Edwardsville Rotary Criterium, one of my favorite races last year.

In the pack at Edwardsville. Photo by Kelly Croy Patty

The 5 hour drive down to Edwardsville, located in Southern Illinois about 25 mi (40 km) northwest of St. Louis, was less than inviting for someone whose list of favorite things to do does not include long drives. Black clouds looming on the horizon and a fine misty rain enveloping the landscape for much of the trip caused me, many times during the drive, to question the intelligence of making the long trek.

Front of the bunch at Belleville. Photo by Kelly Croy Patty

As I arrived at the venue, I was reminded of the excellent reason to make the trip. The place was abuzz with energy: huge community involvement created enormous pride and enthusiasm in the event; multiple downtown businesses on the course opened up outdoor seating or sales stands for food and drinks; fans lined the streets eagerly cheering on races in progress and enjoying the music from a bandstand erected near the course.

Keeping a close eye on the competition. Photo by Kelly Croy Patty

The pavement was nearly dry by the time the women’s twilight race kicked off at 7:00. The fast, technical course speckled with multiple primes was exactly my favourite type of race.  The race was perfectly paired with a second albeit smaller crit, the Ardie Miller Memorial Bicycle Race, the following day just 40 minutes south in Belleville IL. The Belleville course was similarly exciting. Although somewhat less technical, wind and a punchy hill added interest and a slightly different challenge to the tight turns of the Edwardsville course.

Taking the win at Belleville with a successful attack on the last hill. Photo by Tracy Hurley

With huge amounts of support from all around both courses, I was able to pull off a very exciting double victory for the weekend. The highlight of the trip was, after winning the Edwardsville Crit, with darkness descending and the bright street lights of downtown Edwardsville twinkling in the diminishing light, being presented with a beautiful diamond necklace paired with a golden bicycle pendant personally designed by Lisa Hudson, a member of the Hudson Jewelers family, the primary sponsor of the women’s race. I was absolutely blown away!

Necklace presentation with Lisa Hudson. Photo by Gary Doering

Thank you to all the hard work from members of the Edwardsville Rotary Club, Dogfish Racing, and Big Shark Racing, and to the many sponsors, especially the Stifel Nicolaus Financial group, for making these races possible. Special thanks to Lisa Hudson and Hudson Jewelers for supporting the women’s race and making my Edwardsville win incredibly memorable and extra special.

1-12 Aug 2014 Tour of Utah – Making History

Vanderkittens in Utah: Kate, Amy, Tiffany, and me. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography

2014 season marks a pivotal year for women’s road cycling. The formation of the Women’s Cycling Association brought a voice to the advancement of the interests of female cyclists. Hot on its heels, the April release of Kathryn Bertine’s documentary film Half the Road, exploring the world of women’s professional cycling, has brought attention to the huge gender disparity in the sport of cycling. Some progress is evidenced in the recent announcement by USA Cycling requiring equal payouts for men and women in 2015 NCC races.

This year saw the UK’s first women’s professional stage race with ‘The Women’s Tour’ (the name itself highlights big problems in the sport), women returning to the Champs-Elysées for the first time since 1989 with ‘La Course’, and, for the first time in its 10-year history, a women’s race as part of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, one the biggest men’s races in the US.

Training ride up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography

 The Tour of Utah women’s races comprised two separate events: the Zappos.com Cedar City Grand Prix, organized by ex-pro racer Nicky Wangsgard, and the Tour of Utah Women’s Edition, organized by DNA Cycling Team Manager Alex Kim. The team introduction ceremony for the men’s tour offered an excellent opportunity for women to take the stage to discuss the barriers in women’s cycling and to share the current movement towards parity in the sport.

Talking about gender equality in cycling. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography

 As expected, an impressive line-up toed the line at Cedar City, the call-ups stacked with current and previous national and world champions. At 5840 ft (1780 m), altitude factored in. And a stiff headwind through the slightly uphill start-finish straight played a supporting role as well, the three together whittling away a quarter of the field over the 60-minute race. 

Vanderkittens in the mix: Tiffany, Amy in the middle, and Kate and me on the right. Photo by Deb Hill

Vanderkitten represented with four riders: me, Kate, Amy, and Tiffany. For me, personally, the race was an absolute sufferfest! Completely my fault. I really should respect the constraints of altitude!

Me and Tiffany at Cedar City Grand Prix.

I concentrated on going for the three primes (I didn’t get any – but definitely hurt myself trying!) and making sure VK was represented in any breaks. I rode the race way too aggressively given my lack of acclimation to the lower oxygen levels and only recently healed lungs. By the end of the race, my lungs burned with the same intensity that I felt all the way back in April. Yikes!

The attack that really hurt me! Alison Powers hot on my heals. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography

Despite an active and exciting race, the wide, four-corner course favored a bunch finish. With just over one lap remaining, too many riders scrambling for position at the front of the bunch resulted in a collision between Kate and another rider. Both stayed upright, but the contact rendered both of their bikes unrideable. Slowed by the scuffle, Amy and I were gapped off as the speed at front of the race surged for the final lap. Tiffany fought hard for a top 10 finish, placing 7th, while Amy and I chased furiously to claim 12th and 14th, earning us top team (unofficially - Thanks to Greg Bliss for pointing this out!). National Champion Alison Powers (UHC) ruled the day with the win, followed by Sam Schneider (TIBCO) and cycling legend Tina Pic (DNA Cycling). Olivia Dillon (Colavita) took the points jersey and UHC, Most Aggressive Team.

Cedar City GP podium: Sam Schneider (TIBCO), Alison Powers (UHC), Tina Pic (DNA)

 For the second race, the Tour of Utah Women’s Edition, we headed north to the Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT. The 2.2-mile course offered smooth pavement and fast corners on a rolly, exposed landscape.

Tooele Valley Utah. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography

 The wind proved a real detriment as several riders (including me) attempted solo escaped, only to be brought back in more by the elements than any serious action from the bunch. A last minute mechanical meant limited warmup time for me, forcing me to sit in for the early laps of the race. Probably a good thing! In my hunt for primes, my efforts were thwarted in my first two attempts, but I finally found success on the last one of the day.

Attacking the bunch at Tooele. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography

Breanne Nalder (DNA Racing) earned Most Aggressive Rider with the biggest effort of the race, going solo for about 5 laps late in the race before being drawn back in by a concerted chase from UHC and Colavita. The twisty finish and lack of control at the front of the bunch resulted in a mass of riders vying for the line. Coryn Rivera’s (UHC) superior sprinting prowess reigned supreme, with Mandy Heinz (Guru) and Meredith Miller (Pepper Palace) catching her draft for second and third. Kate and Tiffany were in the mix, but with mere millimeters separating the swarm of riders in the finish came up 10^th and 11^th, Amy and I right behind to give us second team behind TIBCO.

  

Kate and Tiffany lining it up. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography

We were fortunate to be able to race a second race, later on the same day, on a different part of the race track. The Chase Pinkham Memorial was organized to honor and celebrate the life of Chase Pinkham, a talented young Utah rider who died earlier this year. Travel constraints meant a much reduced field for this second race and we took the opportunity to really tear it up. Between the three of us (Kate was out of the race early with a mechanical), a Vanderkitten was off the front for the majority of the race. Countering a solo effort from Amy, I launched on the bell lap, digging deep with all that I had left in the legs. The wind made solo efforts costly though and efforts from earlier in the day were starting to wear. I didn’t quite have enough in the tank and was caught on the final corner, less than 200 m from the line. The finish came down to a drag race sprint between Coryn and Tiff; Coryn taking the win, Tiff second and Amy third. Nevertheless, one of the funnest races I done this season!

Fun times hanging out with DNA Cycling.

 I owe humongous thank yous to Alex and Cathy Kim for their amazing generosity during my stay in Utah, making me feel not only a member of their cycling team, but one of their family. I am grateful to Tyson Greenman and Robbie Milne at Wasatch Bike Support amazing (and fast!) bicycle service. Thank you to Nicky Wangsgard, Annette Canfield, and Cami Mathews, and title sponsorship from Zappos.com for making the Cedar City Grand Prix happen, and to Elise Leahy and Herb White Cedar City host housing; to Larry H. Miller Group Play and Hard Give Back for providing title sponsorship and to Alex Kim for a mammoth effort in making the Tour of Utah Women’s Edition possible; to Cathy Kim for so many amazing photographs; to Alex and Cathy for Salt Lake City host housing; to Jared Eborn and Extra Mile Racing for creating the Chase Pinkham Memorial Crit to honor a fallen rider; to my parents, Eugene and Peggy Kuhajek, and my awesome friend Rebecca Kron for making possible my travel to Utah.

18-27 Jul 2014 Prairie State Cycling Series

Photo by Bill Draper

In its second year, the Prairie State Series is the little sister of Tour of America’s Dairyland, featuring eight races over ten days. With all eight races in the Chicago area, this one’s a bit of a hometown series. I had planned to skip the Prairie State Series and instead join my teammates at the concurrent Cascade Cycling Classic, a six-day NRC stage race in Bend, OR. I made the tough call, deciding that the mountainous terrain of the Cascade tour would be a bit too much for my lungs and fitness, both hampered by early season challenges. The silver lining? The thrill of racing in my hometown of Crystal Lake!

Helping out men's race leader Chad Hartley before his race with some tips on how to win - yeah, right! Photo by Snowy Mountain

I started the series filled with the excitement of improving form and clearing lungs. It’s so nice to be able to take a deep breath! Race 1 in Waukegan was a fast, fun, and flowy course and I was pleased to find how much better I felt racing compared to the suffer fest I struggled through at TOAD. Racing solo meant racing conservatively, which I don’t enjoy as much as having teammates, but the strong field made the race exciting and fun. 

Warming up before the race thanks to perfect tent placement by PSIMET. Photo by Rob Curtis

Saturday the series moved to Lake Bluff for the most popular spectator venue, drawing out a massive crowd to watch the excitement. With NCC status, the race also drew big names and larger fields. One down side perhaps of the higher stake of the finish was a less aggressive race. Unlike non-status races, where bigger teams might have any member of the team shooting for the win, the contenders in an NCC are clear, so attacks and breaks that might otherwise be are sparse. I was excited to feel comfortable throughout the race, my improved form definitely obvious in how I rode. A highlight of the race for me was an attack by Chicagoland PSIMET rider Kelli Richter to go for a late prime. So awesome to see! Coming into the finish I fought for perfect position coming out of the final corner in third wheel. The long finishing straight was my undoing and despite knowing full well I would need to be patient, I started my sprint way, way, way too early and ran out of steam before the line.

Navigating the course at Lake Bluff. Photo by Bill Draper

Race 3 in Crystal Lake was truly exhilarating with so many friends out to cheer me on – and one of my favourite courses of the series to boot. Knowing the course suited aggressive riding, I was ready to ride super hard and make some waves. Unfortunately a crash midway through the race brought an end to my enthusiasm. A rider slid out in corner 4, bringing down several surrounding riders. A rider T-boned my rear wheel, taking me straight into the ground. Hard.  Fortunately no major damage, and I was back in the race after some quick adjustments from the SRAM pit. But pain from the crash and trouble with my wheel kept me from fully getting back into race mode.

Picking up the pieces after crashing at Crystal Lake. Photo by Snowy Mountain

Fortunately I had two days to recover before the series resumed on Wednesday with a road race in Willow Springs. My legs felt really great after the rest days. I rode aggressively but nothing stuck. Coming into the finishing hill, I fought hard for great position up the final climb. But once again, I went way too early and ran out of steam. Albert Einstein once defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Hmmm.

Ol' Albert warming up for the race.

Thursday brought another one of my favourite courses of the series: Beverly, on the South Side of Chicago. With a long tradition as a race venue and huge community support, Beverly offers up abundant primes—intermediate sprints for prizes or cash—within the race. Falling behind in covering my race expenses with suboptimal finishes thus far, I opted to go on the hunt for primes. Fortunately with good success. It was a weird race in that riders kept slipping away with no response from the field. In fact, all of the remaining races in the series went that way. At Beverly, three riders escaped mid-race. I put in a huge effort to bridge, chasing solo for several laps, but I didn’t make it across.

Concentrating on the road. Photo by Snowy Mountain

Moving to Elmhurst on Friday, my legs felt spent. I put in a huge effort to go off the front to grab the first prime of the day about midrace, but the effort gassed me and sent me through the pack to the back. A lap latter, a rider went down in front of me, leaving me a big chase effort to get back into the field. The race left my lungs burning.

War paint? Serious contenders start early.

Saturday we took to west Chicago to hammer the streets outside the roasting works of race title sponsor Intelligensia Coffee. Men's pro team Athlete Octane Cycling continued their support of women's cycling by offering 'bandit' primes during the women's race, adding extra excitement to the action. The back stretch of the race offered an excellent view of the city skyline. I so wish I had taken a photo to share, because I haven’t found one from someone else yet.

Lining up for the start outside Intelligensia Coffee roasting works. Photo by Rob Curtis

The series finished on the streets of Downers Grove, a historic venue hosting the US National Championships in previous years, but not since 2009. The return of racing to the streets of Downers Grove was embraced by the community with huge enthusiasm. 

Setting the pace at Downers Grove.

I finished the series seventh overall including four top-tens and much improved riding and breathing, finally making clear progress since falling ill in February. Unfortunately I ended on a low note mentally, feeling emotionally drained and extremely downtrodden. Mental struggles are so incredibly frustrating because it’s impossibly difficult to identify what the actual issue is – especially since the culprit generally has several contributors: straws and camels. That sort of thing. No words adequately illuminate the complexities and struggles of the troubled mind. Sometimes the vicissitudes of life hit us like a brick wall. It takes time – and a lot of effort and support – to recover from the impact.

I am grateful to PSIMET man Rob Curtis and Team Mack rider John Fleckenstein for incredible support throughout the series. Without these guys I would not have been able to race. Thank you so much to all those who came out to support and cheer me on. It is so awesome to have so many fans on course! Primary sponsor Doug Zell at Intelligensia Coffee was a huge factor in making this series possible. I am excited to see the series grow in coming years. Extra special thanks to my high school gymnastics coach Bob Connor who surprised me by coming out to cheer me on – a real highlight of my series!

Connecting with long lost friend Bob Connor post race. Photo by Nina Connor

Check back soon. I’m shaking off the doldrums and am in Utah getting ready to race the Tour of Utah – Women’s Edition!