12-21 July 2013 Prairie State Cycling Series

Summer is heating up in Chicagoland and so is racing with the inaugural Intelligensia Cup Prairie State Cycling Series. An omnium of seven races based in the Chicago area, the series also included four top-notch USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar (NCC) races. While I faded at the end, the series helped me to build back some confidence in myself. Just two weeks ago I wasn’t able to race multiple days in a row and I just did five! I’m feeling better and better and, six months on from surgery, my recovery is now full steam ahead.

Keeping an eye on the Schneider sisters at Kenosha. Photo by Karl Hendrikse

To commence the series, racing kicked off in the Wisconsin town of Kenosha. The race was aggressive off the line with Sam Schneider (TIBCO) driving a blazing pace. A break of three went early and, lacking confidence in my fitness, I opted not to respond. Bad choice because neither did anyone else and the break quickly lapped the field. Determined to get back in the race, I escaped with 20 min remaining. Driving on solo, I eventually did lap the field, but it was one lap too late, catching the field just on the finish of my last lap as the bunch went around one more time. The effort gave me an extremely hard-earned fourth on the day ahead of winner Skylar Schneider (TIBCO), followed by Sarah Huang (Exergy 2016) and Jen Campbell (ISCorp), but I gained a much needed confidence boost.

Beautiful display in downtown Crystal Lake. Photo by Karl Hendrikse

Race 2 followed in Crystal Lake. How exciting to have a race in my hometown! With so many friends out to support, I really wanted to have a great race. Inspired by my form at Kenosha, I went out super aggressive from the gun. Eventually Skylar and I forced a split about halfway through and we worked well together to stay away. In the final sprint, I was no match for the speedy Skylar and settled for second with her sister Sam taking the bunch sprint for third.

Crystal Lake podium with Skylar & Sam Schneider (TIBCO). Photo by Karl Hendrikse

Race 3, a road race on the lovely quiet country roads of Sharon WI on the border of Wisconsin and Illinois, was miserably hot. The oppressive temperatures made for a sluggish race. In the end I scored my second podium finishing third. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Fearless Femme) took the win with Campbell second. The result was enough to move me into the Leader’s jersey for the series by only 2 points.

Awaiting podium presentations at Sharon with Jen Campbell (ISCorp), Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Fearless Femme), and race director Marco Colbert. Photo by Karl Hendrikse

Race 4, the series moved to south Chicago to kick off the NCC mini-series, attracting some big names and serious firepower to the field for the last four days. I had an absolute blast at this race. The course was exciting and the race was super animated with primes almost every lap! The organizers timed things just right: a few raindrops started to fall as we rounded the final three corners for the sprint; we had just enough time to get cover before the skies opened for a quick but drenching burst. Fearless Femme ruled the day with Kelly Goodwin-Fisher and Cliff-Ryan first and second and NCC leader Erica Allar (Care4Cycling) third.

Braving the wet roads after the downpour. Photo by Karl Hendrikse

Race 5, the fifth hot day of racing, I was feeling my aggressive ride the previous day. A strong breeze added further challenge to the heat. The field fractured several times during the race, but in the end it was Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) who launched an attack with one to go for the win. The pursuit by Fearless Femme gave Cliff-Ryan second and Christy Keely (Pepper Palace) third. Angry clouds moved in and a spectacular storm followed the race, bringing with it relief to the stifling temps.

Hot temperatures over the first five days of racing took their toll.

Race 6 moved to a technical course in Lake Bluff IL where temps cooled to the low 80’s (30’s) and hoards of spectators came out for a huge block party to cheer on the races. Despite loving the technical course, my legs felt like concrete as the back-to-back days of racing started to strain my precarious hold on fitness. After a hard-fought battle, the right combination with one rider from each team finally established up front and I was left with a chase effort all my own. With too much firepower in the break, I opted to sit up and fight out the field sprint for 7^th. Unfortunately a near crash ahead of me on the final corner devoured my momentum heading into the finishing straight which, given my lack of top end form, felt torturously long as my overloaded legs screamed with agony all the way to the line. Allar took the win in a spectacular photo finish to Cliff-Ryan with Mia Loquai (ISCorp) third.

Photo finish at Lake Bluff. Photo by Karl Hendrikse

Race 7 in St Charles IL drew another amazing crowd for an exciting finale to the series. The race came down to the final corner, where mayhem ensued, holding up several riders. Allar escaped the chaos to take the win while Cliff-Ryan showed her class by somehow powering to second, Keely third. The finish knocked me to second place in the omnium, with Cliff-Ryan taking the series win and Campbell in third.

Omnium podium celebration with Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Fearless Femme) and Jen Campbell (ISCorp). Photo by Karl Hendrikse

Although bummed to concede the jersey on the final day, I can’t be disappointed. The direction I’m heading is positive and in the end I was simply outclassed by an extremely classy rider. Next up, Tour of Elk Grove in two weeks.

Rolling to the line in the Series Leader's Jersey. Photo by Karl Hendrikse

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07 July 2013 Downtown Homewood Classic

Downtown Homewood Classic. Photo by Jeff Graveline
 

On a baking hot day of racing in downtown Homewood, I had perhaps a breakthrough day healthwise and am (hopefully) on my way to some good form!

Homewood watertower on a brilliant day.

Still on the back foot and struggling a bit to feel well, I opted out of joining my teammates racing at British Columbia Superweek in Vancouver Canada to remain closer to ‘home’. As hard as the decision was, I’m certain that avoiding the stresses of travel was a good call and my body has benefited.

Vanderkitten teammates winning the yellow jersey at BC Superweek in Vancouver.

 

Remaining near Chicago gave me the opportunity to attend a fabulous race put on by the South Chicago Wheelmen in Homewood IL, south of Chicago. Suggestions that summer has perhaps finally arrived in the Midwest played in the air as steamy temperatures and a stiff breeze ruled the day, adding challenge to the repeated insult to riders’ legs from a short, fast course with a gruelling 180 degree turnaround into the start/finish straight.

 

Close in the final sprint. Photo by Rob Curtis

 

The women’s race was staked with local fire power. Superstar pursuiter Stacy Mosora (Scarlet Fire) made an exciting race with several bids off the front. In the end it came down to drag race sprint down the long finishing straight. My upper-end power remains elusive, but somehow I found just enough to take the win in a super exciting finish against the speedy Kristen Meshberg (Spidermonkey) and an awesome finish from Leah Sanda (PSIMET).

 

Women's podium: Leah Sanda, me, Kristen Meshberg. Photo by Rob Curtis

 

With only one race on for the weekend, I took the opportunity to get in some extra training in the men’s race that followed. I had just enough time following the podium to change my number and grab a new drink bottle and a bag of ice before lining again. I definitely started to feel overheated as the race went on, but my legs still felt great after 75 some jumps out of the 180, and my GI system was only mildly upset after racing. Plus, a bonus of being able to sleep the night through without discomfort! Definitely progress in the right direction. Next up for me, Prairie State Cycling Series in Chicagoland, beginning this Friday.

Fri 12 July             Kenosha WI

Sat 13 July           Chicago IL

Sun 14 July          Crystal Lake IL

Wed 17 July        Sharron WI – RR

Thu 18 July          Beverly IL (NCC)

Fri 19 July             Elmhurst IL (NCC)

Sat 20 July           Lake Bluff IL (NCC)

Sun 21 July          St. Charles IL (NCC)

20-30 June 2013 Tour of America’s Dairyland

Racing at TOAD. Photo by On the Rivet

 

While I didn’t impress anyone with stellar results or classy riding at this year’s Tour of America’s Dairyland (TOAD), I did make some gains on my health and came out feeling better than when I went in.

Bicycles on display at Fond du Lac during TOAD. Photos by Laurel Green

 

TOAD is an 11-day omnium series based near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a state known as one of the nation’s leading dairy producers. Last year, despite winning the Oarsman Capitol amateur jersey, I struggle through the series with unexplained health issues. Late last year I discovered the probable cause of those issues and had surgery earlier this year. Still easing back into fitness and no teammates to ride for, I decided that 11-days of high-level racing (nine 60-min crits and 2 road races) would be a bit more than my body was up to and opted for an every-other-day approach.

The series was actually two omniums. The first four days of racing were part of the season-long National Criterium Calendar (NCC) series, attracting star-studded fields reaching well over 70 riders. I started my series on day 2, at a charming venue centered in the historic town square of East Troy. With lots of fire power in the field, it wasn’t long before my legs were screaming. I worked myself into good position with 10 laps to go, but got pushed off the road and ended up losing ground in the final laps and finished mid-field. The race was won by US National Crit Champion Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Fearless Femme).

Rolling at East Troy in good company. Photo by On the Rivet

 

My intestines became super grumpy with me during (and after) the race, and I spent the next day, and much of the time on my rest days, doing plenty of intensive yoga and visceral manipulation to work out deep scar tissue that I discovered was forming in my lower abdomen, as well as along my ribcage where my diaphragm has for the past several months been attempting to grab on to something tangible in its relatively new-found freedom. I think this work contributed significantly to my feeling better as the series went on.

Lead car at TOAD. Photo by Scott Siebers

For my second race, I headed to Waukesha for the final battle of the NCC omnium. A minor crash in the first corner sent me to the back of the peloton, and I spent 45 min of the 60 min race maneuvering my way through the field. In the final sprint, I was still working my way forward and finished well back in 15^th, legs feeling better but intestines still grumpy. The race was won by Australian National Crit Champion Kimberly Wells (Fearless Femme) with the ever-amazing Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) taking the four-day-omnium win.



Navigating the crash (right in front of me!) at Waukesha. Photo by On the Rivet

 

After another day of intensive recovery, I headed just around the corner from my host house to Schlitz Park. The morning thunderstorms finished up just in time for the start of first race of the day and the roads were starting to dry by the time the pro women got on course. With a two-block-long climb and a technical descent, the course obliterated the field with fewer than half the starters finishing. I have to say, I’m kind of surprised I finished, although well back in 20^th place. The race was won in impressive solo fashion by Scotti Wilborne (Mellow Mushroom), now on her way to France to represent the US as part of the US National Team!

Heading up the climb at Schlitz Park. Find Ophelia! Photo by On the Rivet

 

Next up (for me) was a 53 mi/85 km road race at Road America, an exciting world-class motorsport track with undulating terrain, high-speed curves, and an uphill finish. The slower pace of a road race versus a crit was a relief for my grumpy abdomen. Despite fading in the final push along the seemingly endless finish straight after cresting a steep little lung-burning power climb, I came up with my best result of the series in 9^th. The race winner, again from an impressive solo break, was time-trial specialist and overall amazing rider Ali Tetrick (Exergy Twenty16).

On course at Road America. Photo by John Wilke

Road America took me backwards a bit, with a sleepless night working out abdominal discomfort, but with a focused day of recovery of Friday I was able to race at the ISCorp Downer Classic, one of the most famous urban criterium courses in the country. Still a bit on the back foot, I struggled to produce any reasonable level of power during the race. Sprinting with all my might into a gruelling headwind finish, I was passed by at least ten riders to finished 27^th. Another impressive breakaway saw Tetrick take another win, as well as the $1000 super prime.

Pro men on the start line at Downer Ave. Photo by John Wilke

 

The next day, the series moved to the charming trade district of East Wauwatosa for the finale. I was a bit worried about my body’s response to two consecutive days of high-intensity racing, but in the end I felt better at this final race than I did the whole rest of the series. I enjoyed a handful of laps off the front with ISCorp rider Jenn Campbell before being reeled in to finish 12^th. Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) took the victory while the overall omnium win, after a hard-fought and very close battle, went to Sam Schneider (TIBCO).   

Getting started at East Tosa. Photo by Hayley Giddens

 

Thanks to Paul Schilling for excellent race support, especially at Road America, and to my parents, John Fleckenstein, and Jake and Josh Schilling for coming out to cheer me on. I enjoyed some fabulous meals with my mom & dad, John, and wonderful friend Jane Ore, which kept me well fuelled for racing. I’m grateful to Karen Larson for organising host housing, and to Sydney Chamberlin for being a wonderfully generous host.

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