tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35001076502531607062024-03-14T03:47:33.878-05:00Jeannie's CookiesJeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-19802306867169278362016-03-14T20:02:00.000-05:002016-03-15T14:00:19.153-05:0012 March 2016 Calder Steward Round 2: KiwiStyle Bike Tours Timaru Classic<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Round 2 of the Calder Stewart Series, sponsored by KiwiStyle
Bike Tours, was in Timaru. A chilly, distinctly autumn morning gave way to a beautiful,
fine day. The course was two laps of a 55-km circuit around the quiet, country
roads and undulating terrain of Pleasant Point, northwest of Timaru.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnkQ4KVbFlzgvuHNcY9CrzPipooc2H2ejxDD5VUUuwdebP-7o6sgZ87N84OFs6zM0n7yxDbMfhzjpR9__fmfMZwco1UiqRiq7Yduj9iZSUHdFcUfjqkR05Bv0JacnBTTTA6iXAqUpsEc5/s1600/Farm_Sandi+Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnkQ4KVbFlzgvuHNcY9CrzPipooc2H2ejxDD5VUUuwdebP-7o6sgZ87N84OFs6zM0n7yxDbMfhzjpR9__fmfMZwco1UiqRiq7Yduj9iZSUHdFcUfjqkR05Bv0JacnBTTTA6iXAqUpsEc5/s400/Farm_Sandi+Scott.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque roads of Pleasant Point.</td></tr>
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With teammates Karen Fulton busy winning lots of gold medals
at NZ Track Nationals :-)
and Jessica Johnstone side-lined with an injury :-(,
Susan van der Pol, Rhonda Murphy, and I toed the line for the FreshChoice
Richmond Pomeroys Women’s Team. Since we had two leader’s jerseys and a top
team standing to defend, we knew we had a challenging race ahead.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivybDeeVQg_lCbX-9YqzjcDLooCWodj96Iz8hXX7tJeG3uFuB5_kTxEykgbnUsb4KwWLNhOH9JSHD8hV8u-dPskooJrDGdDi_GB-SyRCb2t_uHtHXVsrHCQuG4jSMWXGhzDH3dJIRih8nz/s1600/Bunch_Sandi+Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivybDeeVQg_lCbX-9YqzjcDLooCWodj96Iz8hXX7tJeG3uFuB5_kTxEykgbnUsb4KwWLNhOH9JSHD8hV8u-dPskooJrDGdDi_GB-SyRCb2t_uHtHXVsrHCQuG4jSMWXGhzDH3dJIRih8nz/s320/Bunch_Sandi+Scott.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Black Magic and Benchmark Homes Teams put pressure on
straightaway, with Julia Grant (Benchmark Homes) and Michaela Kerr (Black
Magic) especially active, putting in repeated attacks throughout the first lap.
A mechanical for Rhonda whittled our team down to just me and Susan after only
15 km of racing. Susan, putting in a massive day at the office, did an amazing
job covering moves and making certain we were represented in any breaks.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRF2w_9jzUqmRBtuKfvhrzKGORkX1NaB74nhjhzWond9vHu3LfXvZgnMvxFIzJVHdGpVfEgIRFFkrPGDgkcTyqASNESg6q12dEDqD9R-O2rPObXS536fQUAFffdCgNtBcqGrsDk5V1rgT/s1600/Susan_Sandi+Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRF2w_9jzUqmRBtuKfvhrzKGORkX1NaB74nhjhzWond9vHu3LfXvZgnMvxFIzJVHdGpVfEgIRFFkrPGDgkcTyqASNESg6q12dEDqD9R-O2rPObXS536fQUAFffdCgNtBcqGrsDk5V1rgT/s320/Susan_Sandi+Scott.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan (middle) in a break with Julia Grant (Benchmark Homes) and Michalea Kerr (Black Magic).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just past midrace, Black Magic riders put in a flurry of
attacks, opening the door for Amanda Jamieson (Black Magic) to escape up the
road. Amanda’s exceptional finishing climb in Round 1 and second place standing
in the series highlighted her as a real threat. Registering her race number, I responded,
digging deep to bridge the gap. Soon my gains diminished and the distance between
us stabilized. We stayed that way for a while: Amanda looking to me like she
was pedalling along quite casually, me unable to bring her closer. Eventually,
I think she decided to put in some solid pedal strokes and disappeared up the
road.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFsjiKUE613c3YuH6JarQnuOCONt5GeOxOCQWvFzm18Pjxm4ESaXEt8Tme0twSuU1K22zrGY41UMIXMWFod9wGga8neWLoQxxjZIO0DvIlTQugOKz-lQDnK7Xhd0AxTt3ct2uZ5xfbKor/s1600/Hill+1_Chris+Sexton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFsjiKUE613c3YuH6JarQnuOCONt5GeOxOCQWvFzm18Pjxm4ESaXEt8Tme0twSuU1K22zrGY41UMIXMWFod9wGga8neWLoQxxjZIO0DvIlTQugOKz-lQDnK7Xhd0AxTt3ct2uZ5xfbKor/s320/Hill+1_Chris+Sexton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading into the first climb.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I looked behind to assess my situation and was somewhat bewildered
to find the bunch was completely out of sight. With 45 km remaining in the
race, I had a difficult decision: sit up and wait for the bunch or carry on
riding hard, possibly sacrificing my finish should I be caught. (Other options,
including lying down on the side of the road, do occur to me now but weren’t
considered at the time...) </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPULYb3DuUd_SUJDx5Q3sn1lzgdq4yMgNz8oofzD5citKwcHFk9DBexDCWYQgkhXAWqGxdPVt7K72-2fU4WSk5IMOkWmUpT2SM_1_v5mYB6zoi9GGZd3Csp5ely1zIc_-ZYreM0-tsfyZ7/s1600/Chasing_Chris+Sexton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPULYb3DuUd_SUJDx5Q3sn1lzgdq4yMgNz8oofzD5citKwcHFk9DBexDCWYQgkhXAWqGxdPVt7K72-2fU4WSk5IMOkWmUpT2SM_1_v5mYB6zoi9GGZd3Csp5ely1zIc_-ZYreM0-tsfyZ7/s320/Chasing_Chris+Sexton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chasing hard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I opted for the latter and carried on, battling solo for nearly
an hour. Alas, my current form wasn’t quite sufficient to maintain the effort
required. Soon the bunch sucked me back in with just over 15 km remaining to
the finish. No chance of catching Amanda, however. She remained out of sight, finishing
over 3 minutes clear of the bunch, and showing some outstanding form and grit
in the process.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQgS4jAeQ_Q330QPuXBZGa88477Jm6kCMdqGib-ybryQQbW7yD3_jEbQQXtxu3T9N1ONgywaFO85ov7iCbDNT7smMO7xULD1jQ2vKQGSuoi_ctIrtRbDv9oq-I5PorIPY4hhzeuKH-F90/s1600/Amanda2_Chris+Sexton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQgS4jAeQ_Q330QPuXBZGa88477Jm6kCMdqGib-ybryQQbW7yD3_jEbQQXtxu3T9N1ONgywaFO85ov7iCbDNT7smMO7xULD1jQ2vKQGSuoi_ctIrtRbDv9oq-I5PorIPY4hhzeuKH-F90/s320/Amanda2_Chris+Sexton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solo finish from Amanda Jamieson (Black Magic).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once I was back in the bunch, Susan was immediately back on patrol,
giving me time to recover for the sprint. With the last climb behind us, my
legs felt good heading into the finish and second place was still a possibility.
Until…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A wee crash on the final corner split the bunch and eliminated
me from the sprint. I was fortunate to stay upright, barely swerving to miss the
splayed arm and skidding bike of one of the two riders who went down. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzUydiyRZQF6636xx4iyfKm92BkWCNJ9GQHFXKWWrp3ZaTwHyqD0JWbWhRAwwCYezWyuSV6sPCAR7PLrrI7QxvvC1tbYaCHyjQF0C5WxCQmD6sy1jw-1X_uTH3c286zmt-Et8SVBGs6Gl/s1600/C1_Sandi+Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzUydiyRZQF6636xx4iyfKm92BkWCNJ9GQHFXKWWrp3ZaTwHyqD0JWbWhRAwwCYezWyuSV6sPCAR7PLrrI7QxvvC1tbYaCHyjQF0C5WxCQmD6sy1jw-1X_uTH3c286zmt-Et8SVBGs6Gl/s320/C1_Sandi+Scott.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Com 1.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arrrrrrr. Putting forth a much bigger effort that I had left
in my legs, I battled through the last 500m to finish 10<sup>th</sup>. The
result knocked me well back in the points, but was good enough to keep me in
the Master’s Jersey and 3<sup>rd</sup> overall. No room for disappointment – I had
two chances for a better finish and I wasn’t able to collect on either of them.
Susan put in a great finish after huge efforts throughout the race to finish 13<sup>th</sup>,
and, despite missing out on team points, we held on to our second place team
ranking. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most importantly, everyone ended up all right, minus a bit
of skin for two. Nelson powerhouse Michalea Kerr repeated her fifth place in
Round 1 to keep her in the U19 jersey. Well done to Amanda, Michalea, and the
Black Magic team for great riding.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQorIaLk3m7rNSp8r-yhlPUFoxZgzaYkxHANrm4yOyDSVvamQ9iEJliGLl5KG7LCyp-CVa3f81D-mrZ4y08hhMsTVoJZaK6vBB9xgBeXfpplKGJOEMpV1dTf0zI-w20zXEhkdJ5twCZmFk/s1600/Lambs_Chris+Sexton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQorIaLk3m7rNSp8r-yhlPUFoxZgzaYkxHANrm4yOyDSVvamQ9iEJliGLl5KG7LCyp-CVa3f81D-mrZ4y08hhMsTVoJZaK6vBB9xgBeXfpplKGJOEMpV1dTf0zI-w20zXEhkdJ5twCZmFk/s320/Lambs_Chris+Sexton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What?! How cool are these pink lambs cheering us up the climb!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big thanks to series sponsor Calder Stewart, race sponsor KiwiStyle
Bike Tours, and team sponsors FreshChoice Richmond and Pomeroy's Coffee,
race photographers Chris Sexton (Faction Photography) and Sandi Scott, and our awesome team manager Craig Murphy. Round 3 is in Nelson in August after
the winter break. The next race for the FreshChoice Richmond Pomeroys Women
will be the GrapeRide on 2 April in Blenheim.</div>
Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-38681760741695787342016-03-02T17:24:00.000-06:002016-03-14T20:30:04.677-05:0021 February 2016 Calder Steward Round 1: Kings Electrical Hanmer to Kaikoura Classic<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h1>
</h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChAOkNFROPSx21snJTEkGHRcpu0IPnNvneoSO6gCij0n9NJZPz1PGw6cUjScU13H1KtGv624vCWH20dKu0oKD3wU1N6mGauSEjWgbiylaYKcr8i5Y2w7BeIPqTNgzNLH-te5UpFgGUytE/s1600/1937031_1663106330573274_7461541567984263673_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChAOkNFROPSx21snJTEkGHRcpu0IPnNvneoSO6gCij0n9NJZPz1PGw6cUjScU13H1KtGv624vCWH20dKu0oKD3wU1N6mGauSEjWgbiylaYKcr8i5Y2w7BeIPqTNgzNLH-te5UpFgGUytE/s320/1937031_1663106330573274_7461541567984263673_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks so much to everyone for all the wonderful messages of
support over the past week. After a bit of a break from cycling, it feels
pretty good to get back into it with a win! </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8vZ9qxmItXwMxd0YVq1-B90BxyJNf2pSrnqulVDgOY8hGvlLZUwtIQreeCycUCAgKMVp0HxPHq2CrwM6JuaD1nLnzRRHpADz3E0jaKOUAkxilNulq2xS4TtJtFt9AG77TjiDfjXG2vYN/s1600/12771897_1663081210575786_9212983385167241061_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8vZ9qxmItXwMxd0YVq1-B90BxyJNf2pSrnqulVDgOY8hGvlLZUwtIQreeCycUCAgKMVp0HxPHq2CrwM6JuaD1nLnzRRHpADz3E0jaKOUAkxilNulq2xS4TtJtFt9AG77TjiDfjXG2vYN/s320/12771897_1663081210575786_9212983385167241061_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calder Stewart Series Leaders after Round 1.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We had almost perfect conditions for cruising along the 100
km of beautiful road between Hanmer and Kaikoura. The race was the first round
of the Calder Stewart Elite Cycling Series, a six-race series around the South
Island of New Zealand. The Calder Stewart Series, previously Benchmark Homes
Series, has been hugely influential in developing team based racing in New
Zealand. </div>
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I last raced the series in 2010, when each round was one
race with teams generally fielding one or two female riders – if that. The
series has now evolved into three separate races: elite, masters, and women –
most exciting being the growth in women’s cycling, with the series attracting
enough quality women’s teams to support our own separate race. And it’s only
getting bigger!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6NahomdGI3gcFOaklu5Zx7tr15gq9ou5QNQdhiRYDdRmYuwBgxbt56TQZ7ZAu500jeoTwptGshKDBjXZx8BMSJjeDuYsaaHisr9HcN4WZzLWiPQSmjuwHXE-iSEmCHgDQ0CWfVPrftUO/s1600/Kim+Marshall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6NahomdGI3gcFOaklu5Zx7tr15gq9ou5QNQdhiRYDdRmYuwBgxbt56TQZ7ZAu500jeoTwptGshKDBjXZx8BMSJjeDuYsaaHisr9HcN4WZzLWiPQSmjuwHXE-iSEmCHgDQ0CWfVPrftUO/s320/Kim+Marshall.jpg" width="213" /></a>After a frustrating season last year, I had some time away
from cycling for a while. Gentle pressure and encouragement from long-time
teammate Karen Fulton got me motivated to get back training. I had six weeks to
find enough form to make it through Round 1 – dauntingly, with big climbs and
constant undulations, the most challenging course of the series. It’s just as
well that my local cycling club, the Tasman Wheelers, offers outstanding local
racing to help me push my limits! </div>
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Come race day, I lined up alongside FreshChoice Richmond
Pomeroys teammates Karen, Jess Johnstone, Rhonda Murphy, and Susan Van der Pol,
feeling a bit underdone. An obvious strong presence in the peloton was the New
Zealand Women’s Road Development Team, Black Magic. This is the second year of
the Black Magic program. I’m pretty stoked to see young female roadies finally
getting a pathway for development in New Zealand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbhfpY6LUDPYNO8gDg4txMO-eWuCEwvLgVimQh_SqDlVfuZOcBdDoIcM7ASNVZ3qZikGiLInyVdgqnGKDm6ZsBq_yQIEItu02gNinE4CXbaFpDrIYDr8ZoEsaydDK7uy7nylvIUlgZMCW/s1600/12717176_1662873907263183_5672528641148654581_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbhfpY6LUDPYNO8gDg4txMO-eWuCEwvLgVimQh_SqDlVfuZOcBdDoIcM7ASNVZ3qZikGiLInyVdgqnGKDm6ZsBq_yQIEItu02gNinE4CXbaFpDrIYDr8ZoEsaydDK7uy7nylvIUlgZMCW/s320/12717176_1662873907263183_5672528641148654581_n.jpg" width="314" /></a>Several teams were put under pressure early when a dangerous
break containing the strong combination of last year’s series winner Sharlotte
Lucas (Benchmark Homes), Jeannie Blackmore (Vidasana Thule), and Michaela Kerr
(Black Magic) escaped up the road. No sooner had we them brought back did Kim
Marshall (Cycle World Fairweathers) put in a big attack and disappear. With the challenging
terrain and over 60km left to race, a single rider posed little concern.
However, when Black Magic’s Michaela Drummond bridged the gap, the move turned
into a threat.</div>
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The peloton waned and waxed and waned again, as the toughest
part of the course taxed weary legs. Some hard efforts by key riders on the
front, assisted by the challenging terrain, saw the two riders brought back
into the fold with a little less than half the race to go. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnYqe_-Cx7M9BFQVTlODIX8ykxnfDFnIp5x3-y3SpQdOKDK30vnD714fE3mAy8Y8WulFWtc3zMgReGFaxDaM6gnFXFYnxf4aRPnBD3wIrFwkAWO1rfeMfvc4bglpwwm-ESJJmedi47JEi/s1600/12657379_1663079107242663_6855189765823209531_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnYqe_-Cx7M9BFQVTlODIX8ykxnfDFnIp5x3-y3SpQdOKDK30vnD714fE3mAy8Y8WulFWtc3zMgReGFaxDaM6gnFXFYnxf4aRPnBD3wIrFwkAWO1rfeMfvc4bglpwwm-ESJJmedi47JEi/s320/12657379_1663079107242663_6855189765823209531_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>A moments rest and, keen to show some world-class form, Drummond
zoomed off again. When Kerr made a move to join her, I saw the opportunity to take
some pressure off my teammates and we soon had a break of three. We immediately
started working well together and, with no response from the bunch, were
quickly out of sight, at one point two minutes up the road. We worked together
for over an hour, battling strong winds heading into Kaikoura.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA21hiq25G9mcGI5zX1IUC0A7VYqHqipOL7mJSqk8zMS25vBc4hG6IBz-29AqFS_HfnNX1uGAvbnZba1-d854AchQnbThqDzqdsbRGyY_REOMEq4VNoAjHVmmcSYfvvmkwI9RGMjVhcFhT/s1600/12747878_1662874257263148_3694895983127724657_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA21hiq25G9mcGI5zX1IUC0A7VYqHqipOL7mJSqk8zMS25vBc4hG6IBz-29AqFS_HfnNX1uGAvbnZba1-d854AchQnbThqDzqdsbRGyY_REOMEq4VNoAjHVmmcSYfvvmkwI9RGMjVhcFhT/s320/12747878_1662874257263148_3694895983127724657_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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At the base of the final climb, the bunch was closing fast. I
kept a steady pace on the climb, expecting my breakaway companions to come
zooming past at any moment. The tortuous bends of the climb kept the finish
concealed until the last moment. The line in sight, I felt the pressure
dropping off. A quick glance behind. I had time to savor this one. I have to
say, this was one of my most satisfying (and unexpected) wins. My last visit to the course in
2010 was also a win so it felt doubly exciting to repeat. Behind me, Amanda
Jamieson (Black Magic) stormed up the hill with amazing speed to steal second
while Drummond held on for third and Kerr fifth – a big shout out to both of them
for some really gutsy racing. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfWy9eSFIbKCeCO6MqebZ0T8i0CdEE0VkupjF-uxhL0Zk1jcJBssV88gWpSn1Pn_nzPgJW1GTf-K7NdJHdLjTaKV6F8s1bCGiDeot3vb5LH-DNmLlq26Af552OHNmX4nXTgebMhoAA-ZM/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfWy9eSFIbKCeCO6MqebZ0T8i0CdEE0VkupjF-uxhL0Zk1jcJBssV88gWpSn1Pn_nzPgJW1GTf-K7NdJHdLjTaKV6F8s1bCGiDeot3vb5LH-DNmLlq26Af552OHNmX4nXTgebMhoAA-ZM/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a>Credit for my win goes to my FreshChoice Richmond Pomeroys
Coffee Team: Karen, Jess, Susan, Rhonda, our awesome Team Manager Craig Murphy.
Big thanks to series sponsor Calder Stewart and race sponsors Kings Electrical
and Ocean Ridge Kaikoura for making a great start to the 2016 series, and
Enthuse for outstanding media coverage of the race. Next up, we head to Timaru for
Round 2 on 12 March.</div>
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Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-34307844292125648142015-04-22T21:29:00.002-05:002015-04-23T13:13:27.093-05:0018 April 2015 USA Criterium Nationals, Greenville SC<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKn9pZTZgtUThd-1Fi4ZrSfQlbYg-iZ34TqFPRSZYtzfi2WKzKbK0DUM1zQLxe8ksjr21P09WtEvuuKUjbo4n3WEV8Z29Ta5r9I0KyiVSkj28eFYKHJQekqpZq6Uby1y8mZwCh6TIxvwQ/s1600/11142267_467558873401134_664516866_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKn9pZTZgtUThd-1Fi4ZrSfQlbYg-iZ34TqFPRSZYtzfi2WKzKbK0DUM1zQLxe8ksjr21P09WtEvuuKUjbo4n3WEV8Z29Ta5r9I0KyiVSkj28eFYKHJQekqpZq6Uby1y8mZwCh6TIxvwQ/s1600/11142267_467558873401134_664516866_n.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome team race announcement designed by teammate Nicole Mertz.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Greenville South Carolina put on an excellent day for the 2015 US Pro Criterium National Championships this past weekend. Local Greenville bike shop Pedal Chic – the first female-specific bike shop in the US – helped to make the event amazing for the female racers, hosting a fabulous meet & greet on Friday night and a pamper tent to help us freshen up and recover after the race on Saturday. While our race result was well below expectation, we came away from the event feeling fortunate and grateful.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqLkASkgJobdQwNbmqe6NlDfUd9lTBNKnCGKRievg5-aMLI9n7anfgT7NJhlpEs2-7qN-g_tQywmDyxS45k4O7WT3pYr7PBCNAmzOHfD6gM00yQRtmfqnLhYapKjIEekvpouCXvSkAnxK/s1600/Pedal+Chic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqLkASkgJobdQwNbmqe6NlDfUd9lTBNKnCGKRievg5-aMLI9n7anfgT7NJhlpEs2-7qN-g_tQywmDyxS45k4O7WT3pYr7PBCNAmzOHfD6gM00yQRtmfqnLhYapKjIEekvpouCXvSkAnxK/s1600/Pedal+Chic.png" height="142" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shop owner Robin Bylenga in front of Pedal Chic in Greenville SC, the country's first female-specific bike shop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To help us feel further special, host Valerie Grimshaw threw us a party to ensure that we felt the support of the Greenville community.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzviOVelR7rxYaZemNrUp846rKQeMW9C9HPyUcoVtWWm3PGdvFyzSctlZ0qbbthCSvEWVSn-N1EAdcuZcS1-Xx6LHC95ZKz2b7IMrUEvCxxI4hdZbe456KJ-NBTYRR5hcx-BYyoldhEye1/s1600/10956715_1599109760331632_1528531349_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzviOVelR7rxYaZemNrUp846rKQeMW9C9HPyUcoVtWWm3PGdvFyzSctlZ0qbbthCSvEWVSn-N1EAdcuZcS1-Xx6LHC95ZKz2b7IMrUEvCxxI4hdZbe456KJ-NBTYRR5hcx-BYyoldhEye1/s1600/10956715_1599109760331632_1528531349_n.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skylar, Sam, Yusse, me, and Nicole and the boys from Hincapie Racing with our Good Luck cake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A cold and rainy week in Greenville turned into a hot and steamy day on Saturday with temperatures nearing 80°F (27°C). The race was aggressive from start to finish, with individual riders attacking off the front throughout the race. The relentless pace dwindled the field from 55 starters to about 16 contenders by the final lap.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MJX573Z1EXY0rL6-Qyc1UHwUv6KNsIt5NL6iidqQZ6skncmDk6BeqLsxx-hltuuupiycp7Mrk_J6E0dqNEW1aHAsidIV_RW_6YBVcbWmvNrmxQ5V8nq398Lt4QqIMzdMP6d14Y7IXam_/s1600/Cover_Scott+Grim2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MJX573Z1EXY0rL6-Qyc1UHwUv6KNsIt5NL6iidqQZ6skncmDk6BeqLsxx-hltuuupiycp7Mrk_J6E0dqNEW1aHAsidIV_RW_6YBVcbWmvNrmxQ5V8nq398Lt4QqIMzdMP6d14Y7IXam_/s1600/Cover_Scott+Grim2.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Sam moving up as the field begins to splinter. Photo by Scott Grimshaw</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A dangerous break of three riders established late in the race, but was absorbed with about five laps remaining. United Health Care (UHC) then took control of the front, lining up their ‘Blue Train’ and ramping up the pace for the remaining laps. Sam moved into perfect position, directly behind the train, giving her the best possible shot at the win. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFD_n6nrN40v56y6EzoM6N4IIqK-Hl3gxtgSCVbqBbl4K-LR4ngJ44dkJxw4UoFLV51SyoNy72ymQP0TifvmZ5u3Q7vmuzg53nzCP2WJO6DZl31PcYv2IGRb-680ZJG_80O8nuEGXv6L_d/s1600/DSC_0088_Nathalie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFD_n6nrN40v56y6EzoM6N4IIqK-Hl3gxtgSCVbqBbl4K-LR4ngJ44dkJxw4UoFLV51SyoNy72ymQP0TifvmZ5u3Q7vmuzg53nzCP2WJO6DZl31PcYv2IGRb-680ZJG_80O8nuEGXv6L_d/s1600/DSC_0088_Nathalie.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam in perfect position behind the Blue Train. Photo by Nathalie Morgan</td></tr>
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With half a lap to go, a bad feeling induced Sam to slacken her pace and drop back a bit, relinquishing her prime position. Sure enough, on the final turn, the lead rider slid out, taking down the whole front of the peloton. Had Sam kept position, she might’ve gone down. Fortunately she missed the chaos and finished safely in ninth. Huge congrats to Kendall Ryan (TIBCO) for taking the win!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFvHPWdBbL9dFZ6ZlFWwtPkCAA0fnSXbGOB90AGm6T-BmWBw04yhLQGkUmBqgwWoOTQp8tz1rIZuDiq_NZWcDU7o79wrIHDoYUXvvyxEI7OQJCyry72brc8sCpBb8YSpZz-QoCPlc36FP/s1600/Call+ups_Scott+Grim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFvHPWdBbL9dFZ6ZlFWwtPkCAA0fnSXbGOB90AGm6T-BmWBw04yhLQGkUmBqgwWoOTQp8tz1rIZuDiq_NZWcDU7o79wrIHDoYUXvvyxEI7OQJCyry72brc8sCpBb8YSpZz-QoCPlc36FP/s1600/Call+ups_Scott+Grim.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Call ups: Sam on the start line, ready to race. Photo by Scott Grimshaw.</td></tr>
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Not so fortunately, I went down in an earlier crash. As the pace ramped up with ten laps remaining, another rider veered into me, stopping my front wheel. We both went down in a heap. I went over the handlebars, landing teeth first in a full-on face plant on the asphalt. Fortunately, the road stopped my fall… <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome shot of Skylar during the race. Photo by Shane Orr</td></tr>
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I can off extremely lucky, with a slightly loose and chipped front tooth, a giant fat lip, a broken finger, a few grazes, and plenty of deep bruises that are now blossoming into interesting multi-color designs on my skin. With heaps of crashes throughout the race, I’m grateful to have avoided more serious injuries. Sending many healing thoughts to Amber Pierce (Pepper Palace) who went down hard early in the race and was less fortunate. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New team mascot Magic helped keep injuries to a minimum.</td></tr>
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The late race three-rider break went off while I was getting to the pit, so the pace was on when I got back in the race. My left knee took a big hit and was uncooperative about bending, I had limited use of my right hand for shifting, and my quads were not happy about working after coming to such an abrupt stop only moments before. Poor position on re-entering the race made for a mammoth effort to get to the front to help the team. Struggling, I dropped off the back with about four laps to go. Given circumstances in the final turn, I think this was for the best. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me behind eventual second place finisher and cycling legend Tina Pic (Pepper Palace) whose face expresses how I'm feeling. Photo by Casey B. Gibson</td></tr>
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Thank you to Fearless Femme manager Theresa Cliff-Ryan and several spectators for getting my bike up and running after my crash. I am extremely grateful to teammates Nicole and Abby who did an amazing job taking care of me after the race, and to Robin Bylenga from Pedal Chic for delivering a special care package to help me heal. Huge thanks to our gracious Greenville hosts Nathalie Morgan and Scott & Valerie Grimshaw for being amazing hosts as well as expert photographers. Along with Chicago riders Leah Sanda, Sue Wellington, Jessica Whiton, and Wendy Gaddy, Nathalie, Valerie, Scott, and the Every Woman Cycling Team made certain that we heard GO ISCorp! on all sections of the course.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Greenville. Photo by Teammate Lexie Millard.</td></tr>
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<br />Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-88190812883627813482015-04-16T07:53:00.001-05:002015-04-16T07:53:30.627-05:0011 & 12 April 2015 Novant Health/CaroMont Health Criteriums, North Carolina<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tzsbEkQL-TOl5xSzXp8oMneP74FM2ig2BZd6W43LnbhjDiY897okownhgK00pv49P_lWHOfza7S39Kh-GFdSnbIDg83AkOamu70KXrcsn3m4WtP6eQ_gdqwaEpBw31VvpNs968GiELKV/s1600/Novant_Anthony+James3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tzsbEkQL-TOl5xSzXp8oMneP74FM2ig2BZd6W43LnbhjDiY897okownhgK00pv49P_lWHOfza7S39Kh-GFdSnbIDg83AkOamu70KXrcsn3m4WtP6eQ_gdqwaEpBw31VvpNs968GiELKV/s1600/Novant_Anthony+James3.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race ready. Photo by Anthony James</td></tr>
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<br />Returning to the Southeast, we once again found some warm weather, with temps just about perfect come race time on Saturday for the Novant Health Invitational Criterium in Charlotte NC. Located in the heart of uptown Charlotte for the past twelve years, the event has special significance, being held to raise money and awareness for the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJCCUbkvNLKpaNjvtru8SVpND5hZpO6eiqzEO2SENP2HNNIbMdgLrx6N3haUysw7X_bgdvGNPiuuz1gXcnieISxRHr0dMDtxkbHWBYrrAHi56F9xXpmhLqQNUgH0XzFcY7s4AG5M_XWds/s1600/Novant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJCCUbkvNLKpaNjvtru8SVpND5hZpO6eiqzEO2SENP2HNNIbMdgLrx6N3haUysw7X_bgdvGNPiuuz1gXcnieISxRHr0dMDtxkbHWBYrrAHi56F9xXpmhLqQNUgH0XzFcY7s4AG5M_XWds/s1600/Novant.jpg" height="182" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skylar and Sam lined up in good position during the race. </td></tr>
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The event also served as the second race on the National Criterium Calendar, a major focus for the team this season. Despite Skylar doing an absolutely amazing job controlling the race, our top result reflected much work to be done within the team, with Sam finishing eight. <br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8doSDA2GJokHwIhw6L0tl03rxJRjoIFRiCqdJEB-w8p0IA7zkjn8T8gS1AP4NK2RJxZVqGkeyjufL0MZVr611tnqmn1VosSHerGvCDInBzOI_pzTU7c8Ang0y3QoUOfK8OZ41XPrKQxZ7/s1600/Novant_Anthony+James2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8doSDA2GJokHwIhw6L0tl03rxJRjoIFRiCqdJEB-w8p0IA7zkjn8T8gS1AP4NK2RJxZVqGkeyjufL0MZVr611tnqmn1VosSHerGvCDInBzOI_pzTU7c8Ang0y3QoUOfK8OZ41XPrKQxZ7/s1600/Novant_Anthony+James2.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooling down together post-race. Photo by Anthony James</td></tr>
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We made up for our disappointment the following day at the CaroMont Health Criterium in nearby Belmont NC where Sam and Skylar finished 2-3, absolutely electrifying the race in the process. Yusse’s eighth place, despite a knee injury, gave us three riders in the top ten! <br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIe-LfSTnjuX2ZWOe4KnFKdWUT9OnGon4CJVTllSnBxCSngfLHz7F-tqlw1gi3NotZUR5eioAjdbHnLeXVrZj9jGUmKKSfHbLGvu9LsHOKggQ7sdszyVrcRS1agF1cQ-tDotw6xpE8RuC/s1600/11081158_830687087012493_4838898571188802919_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIe-LfSTnjuX2ZWOe4KnFKdWUT9OnGon4CJVTllSnBxCSngfLHz7F-tqlw1gi3NotZUR5eioAjdbHnLeXVrZj9jGUmKKSfHbLGvu9LsHOKggQ7sdszyVrcRS1agF1cQ-tDotw6xpE8RuC/s1600/11081158_830687087012493_4838898571188802919_n.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CaroMont Health podium: Sam, Hannah Barnes (UHC), and Skylar</td></tr>
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Skylar’s finish was particularly impressive given that, at 16 years old, she’s required to ride junior gears. Junior gear restrictions limit riders under 18 years of age from using gears at the bigger end of the spectrum--which means that on a course like Belmont, with a fast downhill section, Skylar has a massive handicap, having to spin like crazy to stay in the pack with all the other riders on normal gears. And she does it all with a constant smile and without complaint.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCjvF0chSWku0hBGf_LeUWZ04mlRsHzO1LL_BKmj-owo4shWAxHHfYK8lwP4r2E2Dnjf7X6VGGE-RQ945BStFEbFu8DA3uioglZDzuEfNTsZ9HvJISIJ45JUDwFHGd1qDw7Uenkym7IRz/s1600/Novant_Anthony+James4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCjvF0chSWku0hBGf_LeUWZ04mlRsHzO1LL_BKmj-owo4shWAxHHfYK8lwP4r2E2Dnjf7X6VGGE-RQ945BStFEbFu8DA3uioglZDzuEfNTsZ9HvJISIJ45JUDwFHGd1qDw7Uenkym7IRz/s1600/Novant_Anthony+James4.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiling Skylar awaiting the start of the Novant Health Invitational. Photo by Anthony James</td></tr>
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Despite racing in North Carolina, our home away from home for these races has been in Greenville South Carolina where we’ll remain for another week as we prepare for the US National Criterium Championships this weekend. We’re grateful to our host Valerie Grimshaw, who, in addition to being an amazingly generous host, had fresh baked and still warm chocolate chip cookies waiting for us when we returned late Sunday night, exhausted from a weekend of racing and traveling. <br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQZeAIt3YImNDspi0APPOt4OaL2r9WNFgTIl89WSIsKqYCYYPy1WRVZ-HYEEi0HpnODLlRFG1lOfG0sohzRFbq9HgMfz2ZrkA8gST1_U4oAkrk14oFTH52uuEV2fPduHjqvU93Hn3M1dE/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQZeAIt3YImNDspi0APPOt4OaL2r9WNFgTIl89WSIsKqYCYYPy1WRVZ-HYEEi0HpnODLlRFG1lOfG0sohzRFbq9HgMfz2ZrkA8gST1_U4oAkrk14oFTH52uuEV2fPduHjqvU93Hn3M1dE/s1600/018.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beautiful Greenville neighborhood.</td></tr>
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Special thank yous to mechanic Pete Hill for volunteering his time to make sure our bikes were in absolutely pristine condition for both races, to ISCorp's Anthony James for excellent photos, to Race Director Thad Fischer for putting on a great weekend of racing, and to race sponsors Novant Health and CaroMont Health for making these races possible. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis - one of many flowers in bloom making springtime is absolutely breathtaking in the Southeast.</td></tr>
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<br />Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-10502749848944660282015-04-09T16:54:00.001-05:002015-04-09T16:54:33.190-05:004 April 2015 Lincoln Park Criterium, Chicago IL<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IWDgpoYmNMqU-M762mMNdWQFhzCzabDSZ43MTdJpHFXC1c5zRK9dFxUq9CJWcsQA0upDMADDSDuZAjljb0d4tgNiA4KibjxkKhcYUVSYXdy3FcT8oUhZozqtGXEViHH69pwbv6BazYZE/s1600/Podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IWDgpoYmNMqU-M762mMNdWQFhzCzabDSZ43MTdJpHFXC1c5zRK9dFxUq9CJWcsQA0upDMADDSDuZAjljb0d4tgNiA4KibjxkKhcYUVSYXdy3FcT8oUhZozqtGXEViHH69pwbv6BazYZE/s1600/Podium.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race Podium: me, Daphne Karagianis, Holly Mathews</td></tr>
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A weekend home between stints on the road offered up the opportunity to catch-up with some of my favorite Chicagoland cyclists at the Alderman James Cappleman's Lincoln Park Criterium, Chicaoland’s first race of the season (having only just emerged from the ice-locked depths of winter!). The women’s race in particular was extra special, in remembrance of xXx rider Beth Kobeszka who was killed in 2007. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSHv7q7N3S4jXeCzD0C5Vqjc4Mr_0vCt-a7eOlHKcxPa6h30Ncqd8oc1Uq5WXlxByWB36wxuPTif3vs3mX_5xoh9RSF8SwnLiNTZ0x58HvsOaZFRVTToYExwY85XaTF5y186FAHF_Uep7/s1600/2352947593_033cf2653a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSHv7q7N3S4jXeCzD0C5Vqjc4Mr_0vCt-a7eOlHKcxPa6h30Ncqd8oc1Uq5WXlxByWB36wxuPTif3vs3mX_5xoh9RSF8SwnLiNTZ0x58HvsOaZFRVTToYExwY85XaTF5y186FAHF_Uep7/s1600/2352947593_033cf2653a.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Easter with some racing!</td></tr>
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Chicago put on a stunner day with plenty of sunshine. Chilly spring temperatures and a solid, gusty wind brought extra challenge to the 0.8-mile (1.3km) Lake Michigan lakefront course. Repeated accelerations out of the leg-zapping 180-degree turn was all the challenge I needed for one day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8g-xe-AHtGu5WBAreKVI0gu0LTNhQ_2zNPTiOP2fSJomfiaBeUkwKp3lwIDJl2zNm_jMy1OfjGmuny9h_mDlUl5EpKmNy-v2uXUs05-4I6FHO-cH9EszPvZI09-MdmlAcnZKkbzqCs4j/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8g-xe-AHtGu5WBAreKVI0gu0LTNhQ_2zNPTiOP2fSJomfiaBeUkwKp3lwIDJl2zNm_jMy1OfjGmuny9h_mDlUl5EpKmNy-v2uXUs05-4I6FHO-cH9EszPvZI09-MdmlAcnZKkbzqCs4j/s1600/002.JPG" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago skyline from Montrose Harbor after the race.</td></tr>
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Teammate Holly Mathews made my day, spontaneously deciding to venture down from Madison WI to join me for the race, both of us keen to clear out cob webs and get some racing in our legs before heading to Charlotte NC for NCC Race #2 The Novant Health Criterium this weekend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtTgi1A2Eluff-QgqTzOjAfIcbjfzJaS4sjSMcF8atSigXLTBRXdqqT0hcCKj-k9dqe43-e4t-YGXoOMIaaAOP9iNeojSK-SeqSwlqFE_2AolB8BC3f2lh1qSRSuPqeKnd0MXvunIBD3J/s1600/Racing_Warren+Cycling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtTgi1A2Eluff-QgqTzOjAfIcbjfzJaS4sjSMcF8atSigXLTBRXdqqT0hcCKj-k9dqe43-e4t-YGXoOMIaaAOP9iNeojSK-SeqSwlqFE_2AolB8BC3f2lh1qSRSuPqeKnd0MXvunIBD3J/s1600/Racing_Warren+Cycling.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All together early in the race. Photo by Warren Cycling</td></tr>
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The race did not disappoint, panning out as one of the most exciting races of the day. Excellent teamwork from Chicago Cuttin Crew riders Daphne Karagianis, Janette Rho, and Maria Larkin animated the race early and throughout.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3_J6klMaG-Mclc4nhzkwRsUsgFyJwze3E6RSd2WNPRdYYgVqtTxezs7CMmjGQGvlXpkFVW_laj3fPiYsiALknkqqmjXyif_m6NJXTmAWPn1rvDnKzTB2KxPuHgUO9c5AThonRklhtQzl/s1600/Maria+Larkin_Ximena+Guzman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3_J6klMaG-Mclc4nhzkwRsUsgFyJwze3E6RSd2WNPRdYYgVqtTxezs7CMmjGQGvlXpkFVW_laj3fPiYsiALknkqqmjXyif_m6NJXTmAWPn1rvDnKzTB2KxPuHgUO9c5AThonRklhtQzl/s1600/Maria+Larkin_Ximena+Guzman.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Move off the front by Maria Larkin, Chicago Cuttin Crew. Photo supplied by Fernanda Guzman</td></tr>
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Additional strong riding from Ellen Ryan (xXx Racing), Anina
Blankenship (Balanced: Bike Fitting), and Christine Thornburg (PSIMET)
keeping me and Holly working hard. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20W2JceuYidIJhS0LnaHRzjD2w-DDjV-1HSLv4XTsnPM3Q3dr-TMGAnFKrDixAVCRQh8e934K0oxZ5mg6ah7M9Hj2tp0EY5-a4QVS2MVyXhmmeEIj9jZ99bDv5Bf-iyhfH4F5I08WXPCr/s1600/Holly+Mathews_Ximena+Guzman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20W2JceuYidIJhS0LnaHRzjD2w-DDjV-1HSLv4XTsnPM3Q3dr-TMGAnFKrDixAVCRQh8e934K0oxZ5mg6ah7M9Hj2tp0EY5-a4QVS2MVyXhmmeEIj9jZ99bDv5Bf-iyhfH4F5I08WXPCr/s1600/Holly+Mathews_Ximena+Guzman.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly putting in an attack. Photo supplied by Fernanda Guzman</td></tr>
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A well timed attack late in the race saw Daphne escape the bunch. Waiting a bit too long to respond, I launched a chase effort which, despite being extremely painful, was not enough to reel in the on-fire Daphne who took a well-deserved solo win. My pursuit gave me a hard-earned second, with Holly taking the bunch sprint for third. <br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNUF7KliXx00CzabT2Bgr6gKlOkJCApRRBSezR9ZV7lb0fxET1-7DHdbGBkx4WP5vDSRPKH8aUjDQoaSLa238MzdVgEhwcqcdb4k3o1SUzbBaSlhPZOPgONA9DOi4Zb0c3t8rsJXtC8Yl/s1600/Finish_Warren+Cycling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNUF7KliXx00CzabT2Bgr6gKlOkJCApRRBSezR9ZV7lb0fxET1-7DHdbGBkx4WP5vDSRPKH8aUjDQoaSLa238MzdVgEhwcqcdb4k3o1SUzbBaSlhPZOPgONA9DOi4Zb0c3t8rsJXtC8Yl/s1600/Finish_Warren+Cycling.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly winning the bunch sprint for third. Photo by Warren Cycling</td></tr>
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Chiacagoland racing allows me to stay with my favorite hosts, my parents. Big thanks to them for hosting me! Thanks also to PSIMET Racing -- I was grateful for shelter from the wind and cold in the PSIMET team tent! Rob Curtis (PSIMET) did an excellent job on the mike announcing the races, and neutral support mechanic Matt got my bike sorted out and ready to race. And of course, huge thanks to xXx Racing-Athletico and especially Kevin O’Neill for putting on a great race.Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-56556728690318844182015-04-07T00:30:00.003-05:002015-04-07T09:37:27.685-05:0028 March 2015 Sunny King Criterium, Anniston AL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6R-z9uyGvQG2VxBdSAUICe3hcmoFE-mFX0togHUwtvJldgTayRcwsZJkpltRBevnvusEAQmJJUU8636XWN9zu-ur9jPU2supXWuuowDwECXBa0VZZi593WdAvWmVBkmFEAWvi-jlgt4zo/s1600/Stephen+Gross_The+Anniston+Star+Jeannie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6R-z9uyGvQG2VxBdSAUICe3hcmoFE-mFX0togHUwtvJldgTayRcwsZJkpltRBevnvusEAQmJJUU8636XWN9zu-ur9jPU2supXWuuowDwECXBa0VZZi593WdAvWmVBkmFEAWvi-jlgt4zo/s1600/Stephen+Gross_The+Anniston+Star+Jeannie.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></div>
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I kicked off my US racing schedule with the National Criterium Calendar (NCC) opener The Sunny King Criterium in Anniston AL. The team posted an impressive yet bittersweet result, sweeping fourth through sixth spot. The race featured an excellent live stream with the best voice in cycling Brad Sohner. If you missed it, you can catch the race, including awesome interviews with Sam and Skylar, starting at about 6:25:00 on the feed here: http://www.annistoncycling.com/videos/<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELMjTz-7mhiJnYUZmgWvlmWDyhOyna-Z0ZbAM9-z8S9VtTc1S4ri2oIuXSGw8_yRWxapUFu814EjIVcTeQFKr1pDzuhslxeBIAVEQuH9ItY2j0SOeqr-bHk0QNuY4di2h6SoPaFTSWdk6/s1600/Live+Stream+Thanks+to+EBOX,+Matt+Wilson+and+crew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELMjTz-7mhiJnYUZmgWvlmWDyhOyna-Z0ZbAM9-z8S9VtTc1S4ri2oIuXSGw8_yRWxapUFu814EjIVcTeQFKr1pDzuhslxeBIAVEQuH9ItY2j0SOeqr-bHk0QNuY4di2h6SoPaFTSWdk6/s1600/Live+Stream+Thanks+to+EBOX,+Matt+Wilson+and+crew.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live feed, thanks to EBOX, Matt Wilson and crew, takes lots of technology.</td></tr>
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Typically early season US races are concentrated in southern areas of the country, where the advance of spring precedes that of the north. We certainly found warmer temps during our two-week stay in North Carolina compared with the still snowy Chicago-Milwaukee region. Traveling 5 hours southwest from North Carolina (plus an extra hour sitting in Atlanta traffic!), we arrived in Anniston early Wednesday evening to find heavy, almost sultry air so typical of the humid, subtropical climate of the Southeast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuzaojGoq1GZ0ll8L2mbOz3yFBjl_5YEt6y3SkgakS8QZ7wwOD8A7ZI1G5OizunQk52OnpoTs7LBJ2Bw7SuDAXgwn9ILYOO8G9eyiByLuBqLBp3DYj7ZlYS8m1zR7qTFQONzRClQueCfz/s1600/Stephen+Gross_The+Anniston+Star4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuzaojGoq1GZ0ll8L2mbOz3yFBjl_5YEt6y3SkgakS8QZ7wwOD8A7ZI1G5OizunQk52OnpoTs7LBJ2Bw7SuDAXgwn9ILYOO8G9eyiByLuBqLBp3DYj7ZlYS8m1zR7qTFQONzRClQueCfz/s1600/Stephen+Gross_The+Anniston+Star4.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some Alabama sunshine before a ride. Photo by Stephen Gross - The Anniston Star</td></tr>
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Anniston was once well-know as an important source of cast iron for sewer pipes until plastic replaced iron in the 1960s. Today, Anniston is the home of the country’s largest office chair. Yep. In 1981, Miller Furniture built a 33-foot tall office chair outside their factory. Apparently the largest chair competition is quite a hot battle, raging since 1905 with over 15 different leaders over the 110 years of competition. The Anniston chair was once the world’s largest, but that title now belongs to a 65-footer in Manzano, Italy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzapKL6EvCccwbxehWziTtmnBWGWeGDB3dgqGt2gC8rPbzv1ADsFn6Ivt9IrkMZIuOTzdFWqUPOAqij4ZSUpTBWGiIUXtDidI1M83QVXBokhTSlGj1GjzmfvD_wKT2bc-0YpbjcTnHtcC/s1600/Anniston+Chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzapKL6EvCccwbxehWziTtmnBWGWeGDB3dgqGt2gC8rPbzv1ADsFn6Ivt9IrkMZIuOTzdFWqUPOAqij4ZSUpTBWGiIUXtDidI1M83QVXBokhTSlGj1GjzmfvD_wKT2bc-0YpbjcTnHtcC/s1600/Anniston+Chair.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anniston's 33-foot tall office chair.</td></tr>
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We were greeted in Anniston by our amazing hosts, Cindy and Terry Phillis, owners of the local Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers. Mellow Mushroom is familiar to many in the cycling peloton thanks to legend Laura Van Gilder.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLXCSBWl6PP37gpYHJYcWCRpC-gxp7iKHP4sv1VKx86_YZ7Yd4Iqjgfs86hcFb2-0A2JBGm17g52Ifn9FwcxGGbS-x5TXUCtlugbeERPMymW3XH0H1samm-W77SJc751zNQaxB8mkakPs/s1600/Mellow+Mushroom+Anniston4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLXCSBWl6PP37gpYHJYcWCRpC-gxp7iKHP4sv1VKx86_YZ7Yd4Iqjgfs86hcFb2-0A2JBGm17g52Ifn9FwcxGGbS-x5TXUCtlugbeERPMymW3XH0H1samm-W77SJc751zNQaxB8mkakPs/s1600/Mellow+Mushroom+Anniston4.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers - Oxford/Anniston</td></tr>
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For those who don’t know, Mellow Mushroom Oxford-Anniston is THEE Mellow Mushroom that started MM’s support of LVG and subsequent presence in the women’s peloton. If ever anyway near Anniston, definitely don’t miss the opportunity to stop in for a meal. The restaurant features jerseys, race numbers, water bottles, and historic cycling photos all throughout the restaurant. The atmosphere is electric. And the food’s pretty awesome as well. Amazing pizza crust! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhjqOiSzxFRc_Wdj-LW05uEjD-GbUMsWagkesX2WPV6eKWRWimo2P30A21tr1rhypzb4f44YC24gEjnFqchfaknzhYBtfvLkiJqdtf_jy4qfK6gQDJR8pG_Ys1jGym3EqLpl4fnVwYUam/s1600/Mellow+Mushroom+Anniston1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhjqOiSzxFRc_Wdj-LW05uEjD-GbUMsWagkesX2WPV6eKWRWimo2P30A21tr1rhypzb4f44YC24gEjnFqchfaknzhYBtfvLkiJqdtf_jy4qfK6gQDJR8pG_Ys1jGym3EqLpl4fnVwYUam/s1600/Mellow+Mushroom+Anniston1.jpg" height="133" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some of the cycling jerseys that cover the walls at Mellow Mushroom-Oxford/Anniston</td></tr>
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Once in Anniston we were joined by ace mechanic Pete Hill who made certain our bikes were in absolutely pristine working condition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j9UAU_HqK94Ez37rtJG_y1J6FjtnkiA5Sx6msaLk3r2flmqXEpuhduZr4JoQCbOtCLj9RPjLONwWSl6i5QOQ6OmPN2h-zddT-mJ0izDbwkxyDohMYS7_b4IokRaSZcouz_Mi4qHOe1RD/s1600/Stephen+Gross_The+Anniston+Star7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j9UAU_HqK94Ez37rtJG_y1J6FjtnkiA5Sx6msaLk3r2flmqXEpuhduZr4JoQCbOtCLj9RPjLONwWSl6i5QOQ6OmPN2h-zddT-mJ0izDbwkxyDohMYS7_b4IokRaSZcouz_Mi4qHOe1RD/s1600/Stephen+Gross_The+Anniston+Star7.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mechanic Pete Hill working on the bikes. Photo by Stephen Gross - The Anniston Star</td></tr>
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A warm day on Thursday quickly turned to chilly on Friday and downright cold by race time on Saturday with temperatures dipping into the single digits (45°F). We would need a good solid warm-up for this one! Unfortunately just as we began our warm-up, I had a fluke mechanical, maybe an object drawn up into the drive train, and my warm-up time was taken up getting my bike back up and running. Come start time I had less than 10 minutes warm up, which is pretty suboptimal in chilly conditions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzPNFfCiC76TxNcLHm3_ThYZcYcAufTtt3cgpThZKFUwR_jX2-s7vfkMh0SLwvbqOVpKmXF9IZErREGpbVp6vOPDVfbxFbN7cvdESQ4AKVllpDmNwyROYzYcOpVFP5CTTAafPWgDdlRVE/s1600/Start_Trent+Perry+Anniston+Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzPNFfCiC76TxNcLHm3_ThYZcYcAufTtt3cgpThZKFUwR_jX2-s7vfkMh0SLwvbqOVpKmXF9IZErREGpbVp6vOPDVfbxFbN7cvdESQ4AKVllpDmNwyROYzYcOpVFP5CTTAafPWgDdlRVE/s1600/Start_Trent+Perry+Anniston+Star.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam off to a good start off the line. Photo by Trent Perry - The Anniston Star</td></tr>
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With the pace fast off the line and my job starting early in the race, I was feeling pretty nauseated by about lap two, my body not at all happy with the expectations I was placing on cold muscles. The feeling persisted (intensified actually) over the course of the race, and, well, let’s just say I wasn’t feeling in top form over the course of the hour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB762O2QNHovlm0MamwC7suVSZnACNM9vqj8qsgXPNIN6RXvzWr-WEFPw-A7edecwp68SAd2ysacSLuUakzcyEaLp5_WlvYGtoc9EQWYwbsCYCv1CjFBSfCV-XN2tuYTkG648sQu9IHI6y/s1600/noble-422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB762O2QNHovlm0MamwC7suVSZnACNM9vqj8qsgXPNIN6RXvzWr-WEFPw-A7edecwp68SAd2ysacSLuUakzcyEaLp5_WlvYGtoc9EQWYwbsCYCv1CjFBSfCV-XN2tuYTkG648sQu9IHI6y/s1600/noble-422.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Skylar, and Nicole patrolling the front. </td></tr>
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Fortunately my teammates picked up the slack without missing a beat, making certain ISCorp was a strong presence throughout the race. Eventual winner Hannah Barnes and runner up Coryn Rivera (both UHC) showed impressive form, almost effortless throughout the race. With this year’s blue train leadout being led by Kiwi Linda Villumsen, UHC will be a challenge to beat. We’re up for it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hk0ciGocHaPuC6g06-axejDrEJxj95czuweGBNJzwuA4FPpbNju_IZUrqag0R4puShWeDGGhltl9Bc0YkzAN4Zkw2E7DQPwOGLm8VK4sFTLxebrElC4osRK9KTo05cHF2ImwAz_TPd1X/s1600/Corner+lined+up_Trent+Perry+Anniston+Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hk0ciGocHaPuC6g06-axejDrEJxj95czuweGBNJzwuA4FPpbNju_IZUrqag0R4puShWeDGGhltl9Bc0YkzAN4Zkw2E7DQPwOGLm8VK4sFTLxebrElC4osRK9KTo05cHF2ImwAz_TPd1X/s1600/Corner+lined+up_Trent+Perry+Anniston+Star.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Nicole, Sam, and Yusse all keeping an eye on things up front with
Skylar up the road. Photo by Trent Perry - The Anniston Star</td></tr>
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We head home for 10 days (just coming to the end of that now!) before heading back to the Southeast for another block of racing starting with NCC Race #2, the Novant Health Invitational Criterium in Charlotte NC.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99LfdXPBz1bfMuegQyXw1_yf-pUNzatLpxk3SDDu6IJIVpJorIN2D5c-EfkAknz-yezGzH-Grz5JOtN4TlGgPgONGQEv3I0p97BCHvMUoDrwslJwQrepzUpLf900-UZRUcJG72J0dIRdc/s1600/Stephen+Gross_The+Anniston+Star1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99LfdXPBz1bfMuegQyXw1_yf-pUNzatLpxk3SDDu6IJIVpJorIN2D5c-EfkAknz-yezGzH-Grz5JOtN4TlGgPgONGQEv3I0p97BCHvMUoDrwslJwQrepzUpLf900-UZRUcJG72J0dIRdc/s1600/Stephen+Gross_The+Anniston+Star1.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Host Cindy Phillis capturing the moment as we get ready to go for a ride with host Dr. Terry Phillis. Photo by Stephen Gross - The Anniston Star</td></tr>
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Special thank yous to hosts Terry and Cindy Phillis and Mellow Mushroom - Oxford/Anniston for huge support of this race, and to the city of Anniston, Sunny King Auto Group, race director Marilyn Cullinane.Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-71075139538584902802015-03-28T14:35:00.001-05:002015-03-30T15:48:06.676-05:0011-25 March 2015 Asheville NC<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf-uQTLm8UChPmlaOGwO0DzPc8OhiTdQ1Z7-8fQjmfHpvcUOgNt7itTIJ4cuWdzoE0CxyPRtNJTdsZYBYg9W7nH3wuSYSdyk395vlbhSsXPG3rUs8-oBNc6iYCPoqOnO06xTQAZPI9Lbk/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf-uQTLm8UChPmlaOGwO0DzPc8OhiTdQ1Z7-8fQjmfHpvcUOgNt7itTIJ4cuWdzoE0CxyPRtNJTdsZYBYg9W7nH3wuSYSdyk395vlbhSsXPG3rUs8-oBNc6iYCPoqOnO06xTQAZPI9Lbk/s1600/015.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicole, me, and Skylar with our Asheville host Andy McKenzie.</td></tr>
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Spring has arrived, and with it, the official start of racing for the ISCorp pb Smart Choice MRI Women’s Team. We kick things off tonight with the Sunny King Criterium in Anniston AL. Watch it live here: http://www.annistoncycling.com/videos/. To get our race legs in tune and escape the icy grips of winter, still strong upon the MidWest, five of us (Skylar, Yusse, Nicole, me, and team manager Dave), loaded up the team van and headed 12 hours south to Asheville NC for some warmer weather and good training before the National Criterium Calendar (NCC) opener Gasparilla, scheduled for 21 March in Tampa FL.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home on the road: ISCorp pb Smart Choice MRI Women's Team van.</td></tr>
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The first few days in Asheville were wet and chilly -- and unseasonably warm in the MidWest -- the cold weather apparently having followed us south. But soon we had some beautiful warm days to tackle the picturesque rolling countryside of the Asheville area. We got in plenty of climbing, a real treat given the flat terrain of much of the MidWest. Plus, spring truly is breathtaking in the southeast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEb8xmok9tGDUdUeVS_B1g0ODgjeVZcEYqwc0A03FSYVcI_z8utXQQlwbQy6zXmVamoWxI_eVBTB6Hfd9TUHIKoUyBFHRGRhBmAHC0YTUR7ove4SQyVTxA0szJGK3bHO37mRB0ME7NoAH/s1600/Mt+Pisgah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEb8xmok9tGDUdUeVS_B1g0ODgjeVZcEYqwc0A03FSYVcI_z8utXQQlwbQy6zXmVamoWxI_eVBTB6Hfd9TUHIKoUyBFHRGRhBmAHC0YTUR7ove4SQyVTxA0szJGK3bHO37mRB0ME7NoAH/s1600/Mt+Pisgah.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo stop on the way up Mt. Pisgah.</td></tr>
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As we headed into the final week before the NCC launch, Gasparilla organizers announced the cancellation of the race. As one might imagine, the cancellation so close to the event was incredibly disappointing and disruptive to everyone involved. We chose to find the positive in the situation though. Enamored with the beauty and incredible riding of the area, not to mention our awesome Asheville host family the McKenzies, we rejoiced in the opportunity to spend an extra week exploring the roads around Asheville.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping off for water at a curious little store on our beautiful ride around Lake Lure.</td></tr>
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The extended stay also allowed me a rare siting of a Brevard white squirrel -- three in fact! Although quite rare in the rest of the US, white squirrels are quite common in Brevard, a small city a bit southeast of Asheville. I didn’t know about white squirrels in the US, so the sightings were intriguing, the striking white fur in stark contrast against the brilliant blue sky of the day. Although white, these guys aren’t albino. They have a distinctive black cap and saddle and dark eyes. Apparently the whole population arose from two squirrels, released in the 1950s. Where the original squirrels came from is uncertain, but they’ve populated Brevard. Some have been spotted as far north as New York. Busy squirrels. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White squirrels of Brevard NC.</td></tr>
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Fortunately Sam, who had planned to meet us in Tampa, was able to change her travel plans and join us in Asheville for our second week there. Holly wasn't so lucky and wasn't able to join us. I think she had a fun time in Tampa sans race though! While in Asheville we had excellent visits with the local TREK dealer Liberty Bicycles and our headset manufacturer, Cane Creek.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team visit to Liberty Bicycles.</td></tr>
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We enjoyed the opportunity to join Asheville riders on the weekly Saturday Bakery Ride and Tuesday Etowah Ride to make lots of new friends and help boost our fitness. On other days, figuring out where to ride was a breeze with expert guidance from Team NCCF/Specialized Racing rider and Asheville local Colton Brookshire who came out to ride with us every day. Thanks Colton! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying Asheville roads with Charlie McKenzie (black & orange jersey) and Colton Brookshire (red jersey).</td></tr>
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No doubt, two weeks hosting a cycling team can be quite trying. Our host Andy McKenzie and sons Charlie and Ben were endlessly welcoming and took it all in stride. We absolutely felt like part of the family and had some great times together. Come time to leave, we found it difficult to go. But racing calls. Off to Anniston AL for the 'new' start to the NCC series tonight with Sunny King. It's going to be cold, but this one is a go.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cane Creek makes dreams into reality at their manufacturing facility in Fletcher NC.</td></tr>
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<br />Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-61997598215692233462015-03-14T16:46:00.000-05:002015-03-15T08:10:25.210-05:0011-22 Feb 2015 Tour of New Zealand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I’ve managed a good bit of travel since my last post: 12 days riding with DNA Racing pb K4 in the Wairarapa region of the North Island racing the Trust House Tour of New Zealand, a few days at home in Nelson to pack, two weeks of snowy wintery cold near Chicago, including time in Crystal Lake catching up with my parents, a beautiful ride up and around Lake Geneva, and a day in Whitefish Bay WI for the ISCorp pb Smart Choice MRI team launch, and now on to Asheville NC for a mini-team camp before commencing our first race of the National Criterium Series with Gasparilla in Tampa FL on 21 March. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful sunrise over Lake Michigan from Whitefish Bay WI to welcome me to the US.</td></tr>
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The Tour of New Zealand turned out to be an exceptionally challenging tour, for all sorts of reasons! This year’s Tour featured 5 days of racing in the Wairarapa region of New Zealand’s North Island. Located north of the capitol city Wellington, the Wairarapa offers beautiful views and perfect terrain for a stage race. As a top level UCI tour, where riders and teams earn valuable points towards World Rankings, and countries earn Olympic berths determining the number of riders they can enter in the next Games, the Tour drew an international field featuring 13 five-rider teams.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning and interesting views can be found all throughout the Wairarapa.</td></tr>
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I was invited to guest ride with the Utah-based team DNA Racing, joining riders Breanne Nalder, Gabby Pilote, Lauren DeCrescenzo, and Anne Perry, team manager Alex Kim, and team/tour photographer Cathy Fegan-Kim.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour of New Zealand team: Lauren, Breanne, Anne, Gabby, me.</td></tr>
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The team arrived from the US a week early to get acclimated, recon the courses, and get in some team time trial training for Stage One of the tour. It’s a good thing too! We ended up needing the extra days: two bikes went missing en route and took several days to arrive, one rider came down with a nasty respiratory virus upon arrival, and one rider was delayed a day, having missed her connecting flight to NZ, and then ill for a few days, her immune system challenged by the stress of her experience. So, with only three riders able to ride together for the first several days, getting any sort of team continuity was challenging.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNudY2XKi9_BHzvEOV0G4uduRcxhAZ3toKXzNx2bLxP9fBnoLZte6KLFCqvjXPSzaZAGbcCbhbMFqXzr9St3YR4XXZf-VRDnZ2e0OGvZ3BEyF4SR4YIZbzZp02Xw3FLUyF6kid1osrx0r/s1600/156080_613746097614_7170608485165714336_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNudY2XKi9_BHzvEOV0G4uduRcxhAZ3toKXzNx2bLxP9fBnoLZte6KLFCqvjXPSzaZAGbcCbhbMFqXzr9St3YR4XXZf-VRDnZ2e0OGvZ3BEyF4SR4YIZbzZp02Xw3FLUyF6kid1osrx0r/s1600/156080_613746097614_7170608485165714336_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabby celebrating the Wairarapa wine trial.</td></tr>
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We made it work as best we could. We were well-equipped and looking good to boot with the AvantiPlus Lower Hutt van for course recons. Plus excellent support from AvantiPlus Masterton for local knowledge on where to ride and connecting with the local cycling community.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspI80cj6Sy5na-ggmbMPrSobjEej91vacF3qG_yOsWf8Pm6Iv6cbYAaxdoI6tFn1djtsCf_dArjim62ZDCzJ0E1iqovNP04SMtiJ43IUHxnXvJd35-IoSsIqYsiyPMbWaeLI_aXrHcxNb/s1600/1378543_10152503875951106_1343052295108204023_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspI80cj6Sy5na-ggmbMPrSobjEej91vacF3qG_yOsWf8Pm6Iv6cbYAaxdoI6tFn1djtsCf_dArjim62ZDCzJ0E1iqovNP04SMtiJ43IUHxnXvJd35-IoSsIqYsiyPMbWaeLI_aXrHcxNb/s1600/1378543_10152503875951106_1343052295108204023_n.jpg" height="320" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out by the AvantiPlus Lower Hutt van.</td></tr>
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We were fortunate to be able to join in on the AvantiPlus Masterton Sunday bunch ride were we made some excellent new friendships. Come tour time, we felt like the ‘home team’ with DNA signs up along the road and what felt like heaps of people out cheering us on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAaipxqVoOUPNgICOS7zOnkOYsyM5r2VExDFTQq0noKVrt3qiOrd_1yB_tndVQ9uE1bvdRc3TagKypQXS_nQWsDExyNPZYQbaIK2cdw5XXQ0OCxe1-uhz4tY5Vwz2T-L6hbyXkyUdu1a5/s1600/10485919_10206263502696429_2738617103816355491_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAaipxqVoOUPNgICOS7zOnkOYsyM5r2VExDFTQq0noKVrt3qiOrd_1yB_tndVQ9uE1bvdRc3TagKypQXS_nQWsDExyNPZYQbaIK2cdw5XXQ0OCxe1-uhz4tY5Vwz2T-L6hbyXkyUdu1a5/s1600/10485919_10206263502696429_2738617103816355491_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many DNA sign along the course.</td></tr>
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Stage One, a 15 km team time trial, was a little rocky with a shaky start off the line, the whole team fighting illness, and too few days of all riding together. We put in a decent time and improved over the course of the stage, which is the most important element in the early season.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm89g9YOLIYccRZep54nPdjz02prMVs9IDRAmZPcwREPV6ol_3yPYLnE6HaSD86oquNbE_G83ZC-C2HGQ5QPrUjnfbFqYXsRKyxC_CMq-Onx-nxlOb3srf12koPDnjd22z0DQHDe12RcsG/s1600/Stage+1+TTT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm89g9YOLIYccRZep54nPdjz02prMVs9IDRAmZPcwREPV6ol_3yPYLnE6HaSD86oquNbE_G83ZC-C2HGQ5QPrUjnfbFqYXsRKyxC_CMq-Onx-nxlOb3srf12koPDnjd22z0DQHDe12RcsG/s1600/Stage+1+TTT.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out on course for the Team Time Trail, Stage One.</td></tr>
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Stage Two was not a good day for much of the peloton, with a big crash taking out multiple riders and affecting most teams. We had Bre go down hard, dislocating and fracturing her elbow in the process. She fought through serious pain to finish the stage (huge thanks to Kiwi Kerri-Anne Torckler Page for getting Bre to the finish) and make it through the next day until the pain settled down (slightly) enough for her to be able to race hard to final two days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkX-iX8jw7XezPNFjPMgcsQ3e2k6bDDunddnAvgjS1c4ZZHmZFsJ0Ns2eR96LjuLwKrK4k3Ga4L8tcjs67qCvzfREykLzlwEEdRYvVTcU1sfGc1heMjvYbh9RP1loO5nXxjrtqR1E7VE6l/s1600/12929_10206263354812732_6848743727341505367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkX-iX8jw7XezPNFjPMgcsQ3e2k6bDDunddnAvgjS1c4ZZHmZFsJ0Ns2eR96LjuLwKrK4k3Ga4L8tcjs67qCvzfREykLzlwEEdRYvVTcU1sfGc1heMjvYbh9RP1loO5nXxjrtqR1E7VE6l/s1600/12929_10206263354812732_6848743727341505367_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacing back to the hotel post-Stage Three. Bre riding through the pain.</td></tr>
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Stage Three was the most rewarding day for the team. Late in the 130-km stage, with the peloton split into several bits and a nine-rider break established up the road, we were able to launch Gabby who put in a mammoth solo 26-km (16-mi) effort, nearly catching the break to take 10th and gaining enough time to take over the Fagan Motors U23 jersey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YYx292wcPy4K9-0t0sMHU-7_gzLW9-cuIalTxAFUrBkYuDTU8xBvzU_81ncODGfxpi139ozo9zpZAnHN2X1nPrrITqvWQtAgfm-5ZSB6cE-kEesb4Gufcn85h8AEn3IX8xzuiU69HqPU/s1600/Stage+3+Jersey+Podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YYx292wcPy4K9-0t0sMHU-7_gzLW9-cuIalTxAFUrBkYuDTU8xBvzU_81ncODGfxpi139ozo9zpZAnHN2X1nPrrITqvWQtAgfm-5ZSB6cE-kEesb4Gufcn85h8AEn3IX8xzuiU69HqPU/s1600/Stage+3+Jersey+Podium.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabby in the white Fagan Motors U23 jersey after Stage 3.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately for me I woke up the day before the tour started with a horrible sore throat, stuffy head, and foggy brain. Despite lots of optimism and plenty of denial, my health deteriorated over the days that followed. Conservative riding kept me in the peloton, but big efforts to cover moves and launch Gabby in Stages Two and Three took their toll.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwMAIr4VTZUsZnhNxFDJsYiH6kH5ufkPal6SnY0oiTFDJ52XGWUib7s1JFX1DRoY8m4D9h3BE7fKm-0-1mhuy9FFG8oZuRkd-Zg1On6sbu3P0FBXVHUJ2XZVUZcTb1rr5qj5VtQhSu3X9/s1600/28_AS7F8177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwMAIr4VTZUsZnhNxFDJsYiH6kH5ufkPal6SnY0oiTFDJ52XGWUib7s1JFX1DRoY8m4D9h3BE7fKm-0-1mhuy9FFG8oZuRkd-Zg1On6sbu3P0FBXVHUJ2XZVUZcTb1rr5qj5VtQhSu3X9/s1600/28_AS7F8177.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me covering a move in Stage 2, Gabby positioned at the front ready for the next move.</td></tr>
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I’ve had enough experience with illness to know that when my resting heart rate doesn’t come down and my peak flow drops, I’m heading for a lung infection if I keep pushing it. Given a 6-month recovery time from last-year’s lung infection and antibiotic side effects that I’ve only just gotten sorted, I opted to finish my tour with Stage Three in favor of recovery. <br />
The team rode awesome the final two stages, especially Lauren who really came into some good form on the final stage. But with me out, Bre injured, and Anne still struggling with illness, we didn’t have enough fire power to keep Gabby in the jersey. We posted four top-15 results, topped by Gabby’s 10th place in Stage 3, followed by two 13th places from me in Stage 2 and Lauren in Stage 5, and 14th from me in Stage 3. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJOX5iT8S_ICdX-qXqeU7LwO0czHNL_dJv0h6SKLRtohNaorFF-9wgaU4D-O30iWevY4jZfMPTTCVQkuZJ0NMeXNbAfdube0Pf1Xb285oQHP3BrNcjebT2rIqSpglVetv02vgzNMqfK7D/s1600/Stage+5+Lauren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJOX5iT8S_ICdX-qXqeU7LwO0czHNL_dJv0h6SKLRtohNaorFF-9wgaU4D-O30iWevY4jZfMPTTCVQkuZJ0NMeXNbAfdube0Pf1Xb285oQHP3BrNcjebT2rIqSpglVetv02vgzNMqfK7D/s1600/Stage+5+Lauren.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren putting in one of many attacks in Stage 5.</td></tr>
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We were incredibly fortunate to have amazing support from the Masterton community. Local masseuse Melissa Barry kept us running smoothly with daily massage and local rider Earl (I don’t know Earl’s surname!) came out to every stage to cheer us on and help with bottle hand-ups.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8g9C6Ed1e_9VoSW1IRgS4f4hrpf5tAs_F-yPAmCxNHUkUbxAqIdYGHu_drLVrtSSaxNH5FhUu8aMtXhcx5Xiz7HlKY1Gq082YCfJTnV9TCDfP0eojFuT-7RwIvsiJuXluw9Mpcja2kv4/s1600/Stage+3+feed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8g9C6Ed1e_9VoSW1IRgS4f4hrpf5tAs_F-yPAmCxNHUkUbxAqIdYGHu_drLVrtSSaxNH5FhUu8aMtXhcx5Xiz7HlKY1Gq082YCfJTnV9TCDfP0eojFuT-7RwIvsiJuXluw9Mpcja2kv4/s1600/Stage+3+feed.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earl (dressed in bright colors so we can find him!) handing up a bottle in Stage 3.</td></tr>
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Wellington chiropractor Simon Pumfrey was definitely a valuable connection made on our Sunday bunch ride, proving an indispensable asset to the whole team, especially in helping Bre to dissipate pain from her injured elbow enough to keep her functioning, racing, and even smiling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitEA1KEpnjgQJwmJaxncUVKHlqDMgNhjz918b4Mhsasq9gk1enEchaqn_lk0VSNYXv0N7AZhdyQux6qeFtxAJnSpDsK9Ls_R6YL6jgE48LKzRDhk5OV2q16UC6dB9InY0gIsA3H690G4d/s1600/11059452_10206263502936435_1435188667730296670_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitEA1KEpnjgQJwmJaxncUVKHlqDMgNhjz918b4Mhsasq9gk1enEchaqn_lk0VSNYXv0N7AZhdyQux6qeFtxAJnSpDsK9Ls_R6YL6jgE48LKzRDhk5OV2q16UC6dB9InY0gIsA3H690G4d/s1600/11059452_10206263502936435_1435188667730296670_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon working magic to help reduce Bre's pain.</td></tr>
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We had amazing race and mechanical support from Kevin Laskey from Laskey’s Autoservice/Laskey’s Cycles in Pahiatua. I just can’t say enough about what an incredible job Kevin did maintaining our bikes. In addition, thanks also again and often to AvantiPlus Masterton and AvantiPlus Lower Hutt for assistance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyZI1OJM7eSGVOVvk1MG0M5alr1uP7uFj2cIR28Jw6cG9GnSSg5ZBD30xR4rTNXRLjKcZ9-cugOAsJH2Ck4gYSqemU1fcC-vsgqcZkVFBGzYYfmz3MJVfoZuqX5h-DBzYp0aYszyvcj0h/s1600/11069815_10206263502536425_4480545967860623555_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyZI1OJM7eSGVOVvk1MG0M5alr1uP7uFj2cIR28Jw6cG9GnSSg5ZBD30xR4rTNXRLjKcZ9-cugOAsJH2Ck4gYSqemU1fcC-vsgqcZkVFBGzYYfmz3MJVfoZuqX5h-DBzYp0aYszyvcj0h/s1600/11069815_10206263502536425_4480545967860623555_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin tending to the bikes after a stage.</td></tr>
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After a two-year hiatus, it was fabulous to have the Tour of New Zealand back this year. Thanks to Jorge Sandoval for putting together a great tour. The best Tour of New Zealand so far. Looking forward to even better next year! All the awesome photos posted here are from CottonSox Photography.<br />
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<br />Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-85223969720747698132015-02-16T03:03:00.001-06:002015-02-16T03:03:49.678-06:002015 Racing Plans<br />
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March is nearly here and my 2015 racing season is just about to blast off. So time to get out an announcement on my racing plans!<br />
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First, I apologize for skipping a wrap up of 2014. The reality is that 2014 was an incredibly challenging year, fraught mental and physical challenges that are best left where they are: in the past.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“<i>...nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. It ain’t about how hard you
can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.
How much you can take and keep moving forward.</i>” -Rocky Balboa, Rocky VI </blockquote>
While times of great adversity can offer incredible opportunity for personal growth and improvement, the true lessons come not in the flames, but in the rise from the ashes. So on to 2015.<br />
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I’m excited to announce that I will be riding with the ISCorp Cycling Team presented by Smart Choice MRI. While ISCorp has been around since 1998, 2015 will be the inaugural year for a women’s domestic elite team -- which is pretty darn cool to be a part of. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GO0YfoFbUQEDBAYqAKKeXB6rQNJC4U7QthcPCM4BF07lBz8JKdz1r-ehAZHCzbTs-sptSCmpiHl6MwN1D3MGXCR4GlOaBZkPXxwYJHUF8i4jHzBtcrO_13N9Vt5xk3Ima5lYAvIfUTJa/s1600/ISCorp+Van.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GO0YfoFbUQEDBAYqAKKeXB6rQNJC4U7QthcPCM4BF07lBz8JKdz1r-ehAZHCzbTs-sptSCmpiHl6MwN1D3MGXCR4GlOaBZkPXxwYJHUF8i4jHzBtcrO_13N9Vt5xk3Ima5lYAvIfUTJa/s1600/ISCorp+Van.jpg" /></a></div>
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The team is composed of nine awesome and talented riders with some pretty impressive kudos in the mix. Careful selection for complimentary skills by our experienced Team Director Dave Schneider gives the team a race-winning composition. The team will focus on the US National Criterium Calendar (NCC), commencing with the Gasparilla Criterium in Tampa FL in March and ending with the Connecticut Cycling Festival in Hartford CT in September. In between? Heaps of racing all throughout the US!<br />
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Confident that warm temperatures will grace the MidWest soon, I head state-side to join the team at the end of the month for our official team launch on 27 February. In March, we’ll head to Asheville NC for some team training and pre-season prep for Gasparilla.<br />
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My ISCorp teammies have been busy getting set for the season with a productive team camp in Austin TX this past week, so I’ll have lots to catch up when I arrive in a few weeks. I’m taking advantage of southern hemisphere summer, staying put in New Zealand to race the Trust House Women’s Tour of New Zealand, a five-stage UCI tour 18-22 Feb. Based in the Wairarapa region of New Zealand, north of Wellington, the tour has attracted a classy international field of thirteen 5-rider teams. Racing begins Wednesday afternoon with a team time trial. <br />
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For the tour I’ll be guest riding with DNA Cycling p/b K4 Racing, a talent-packed Utah-based stage race team that is guaranteed to be a dominant force in the 2015 National Racing Calendar. I’m excited to be included in their team for the tour.<br />
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At the moment, we’re busy in the Wairarapa reconing stages, getting used
to riding together, and enjoying the area. I’ll post an update in about
two weeks to tell you about the tour! <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Be kind. Always. Everyone is struggling with something. Most times, we have no idea.</i></blockquote>
Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-56421103058362055872014-10-03T15:26:00.000-05:002014-10-04T15:16:29.742-05:0021 Sep 2014 Connecticut Cycling Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With the impending approach of autumn and whispers of cyclocross strong in the breeze, the 2014 US road season has come to an end – but not before I got in one final race. Being in New England for the TD Bank Mayor’s Cup, I decided to head 100 mi (160 km) south to Hartford, Connecticut for the CCAP Connecticut Cycling Festival the following day. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The festival included trials demonstrations between races. Photo from CCAP</td></tr>
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Awakening at some unreasonable hour, probably disturbing even the earliest birds of the dawn chorus from slumber, Tiffany caught the red-eye flight back home, leaving me to fend for myself on this one. Angry skies dominated throughout the morning, eventually giving way to patches of blue. With nothing further on the rain radar, it looked to be a dry race, the pavement nearly dry by race time. Eight corners on a tight figure-eight circuit promised an exciting course to finish off the season. A small but quality field and generous prize pool ensured an aggressive race... That is, until the rains resumed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puddles on Corner 1 after the rain. Photographers tend to hide while it's raining! Photo by Jeff Cote</td></tr>
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The burst was short-lived, lasting perhaps 15 minutes, but entirely unexpected. Unprepared, we were left racing with tire pressures too high for the now glassy corners and slick paint. A series of crashes replaced attacks as several rides slid out on multiple corners with domino effect. The pace came down considerably, the goal temporarily shifting to safe lines and preservation of skin. Soon the sun re-emerged and with it, dry patches of road. We began to push the pace once again, resuming the flurry of attacks. But nothing stuck, too strong was the field. With several classy sprinters in the race, I knew that my best result in a field sprint would be about fourth or fifth. I definitely wasn’t satisfied with that. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single file, Skylar Schneider (TIBCO) chasing a rider up the road. Photo by Chris CT</td></tr>
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Approaching the start/finish, two laps remaining, I sprang out of the bunch. Attacking, out of the saddle, with everything I had left. I settled in around corner one, whipping through corners two and three, relentlessly optimistic of victory. Corner four, my legs began screaming and my lungs burning. I catch a glimpse of the bunch rounding corner three, closing in. Around corner eight and I’m caught, gasping for oxygen, legs lactic, desperately seeking recovery. One lap to go.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leading the charge. Photo by Chris CT</td></tr>
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On the back stretch, the definitive move of the race is made into the final two turns. The slight rise in the road is agony. I stand to sprint. My legs are maxed out. Everyone flies past. The legendary Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) claims the win, followed by Amber Pierce (Optum) -- back from injury!, and Sam Schneider (TIBCO). I finish twelfth. “A” for effort? On the positive side, I was one of only a few who did not go down. I’m thankful for that. Great race to finish on. Not a great result, but not a great season. Another positive: I’m left hungry for an awesome season in 2015!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) takes the win. Photo by Chris CT</td></tr>
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Thank you to up-and-coming Canadian talent Marie-Soleil Blais for transport between Boston and Hartford; Dave Schneider between Hartford and Chicago (all mammoth 18 hours!); my mom between Chicago and Crystal Lake (at a very early hour in the morning!); Sam and Skylar Schneider for sharing space in the TIBCO mobile (without me there, sleeping during the 18-h trek would’ve been a whole lot more comfortable for them!); Chris CT and Jeff Cote for lots of great photos; and the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program (CCAP) crew and event sponsors for making this race happen and offering up an awesome prize purse, including equal prize money for the men's and women's races. The CCAP is a charitable organization that gives kids access to cycling across Connecticut. The event supports the CCAP. Please come out and support this excellent event next year!<br />
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<br />Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-71161774188607945052014-09-30T15:49:00.002-05:002014-09-30T15:49:40.923-05:0020 Sep 2014 Mayor’s Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />From the rugged Rocky Mountain backdrop of Salt Lake City, my next destination took me 2500 mi (4000 km) directly east. Traveling across the US until land met sea landed me in Bean Town. Famous for beans slow-baked in molasses, which was the traditional Sunday meal for early settlers in the area for nearly 200 years, Boston is similarly famous for hosting numerous events in the American Revolution, including the Boston Tea Party in 1773 and the signing of the US Declaration of Independence in 1776, as well as the TD Bank Mayor’s Cup: this year, the final race of the 2014 USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar (NCC).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayor's Cup pace car towing TD Bank Trapezoid Guy. Photo by Katie Busick</td></tr>
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<br />The overnight flight left me feeling completely drained. To help get my sleep-deprived brain back on line, Race Director Sara Bresnick took me on a rejuvenating ride to see Lexington Commons, famous for being the site of the “shot heard ‘round the world”: the first shot of the American Revolutionary War in 1775. Despite being 7-months pregnant, Sara’s pro mountain biker legs still set a perfect pace to combat my travel-weary state.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh off the plane, hanging out with Co-Race Director Winston Porkchop.</td></tr>
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<br />The race on Saturday was held on a 0.7 mile (1.1 km) circuit around Government Center, in the heart of historic downtown Boston. City Hall Plaza was jam-packed with thousands of spectators to cheer us on. And the field was jam-packed with talent. Tiffany and I teamed up one last time for our final go of the season. Unfortunately, it didn’t go so well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buildings towering above the course, Downtown Boston. Photo by Katie Busick</td></tr>
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It wasn’t that bad really. Just not the way we wanted to finish up. No major catastrophes (thankfully!). We simply weren’t on our game. Right from the gun, I felt off. My lungs were burning straightaway (still recovering from the dry air in Vegas, so fragile from illness earlier in the year). Irritation in recent weeks of an injury sustained in March left my left hamstring screaming in unhappy protest. My legs felt dead and I was back to riding through molasses. The wide-open straight-forward course was definitely not my forte. A torturous hour of my life it was. Tiff, too, had been feeling a bit under the weather all week and didn’t have much in her tank.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3TERwCeUf6xdyKCM4F2N5je3mMdLJyB7FWvywe_2Ew6wFW2eqaTrqdKzfYuX1H2xv08ZKAKDNWEU2a3RwSeoTVIEYz8WWRWndQyF7SGL4nJDClIreL0sWwyZ2AsMXPugyx4HSnJhE2Z5/s1600/Tiffany3_Katie+Busick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3TERwCeUf6xdyKCM4F2N5je3mMdLJyB7FWvywe_2Ew6wFW2eqaTrqdKzfYuX1H2xv08ZKAKDNWEU2a3RwSeoTVIEYz8WWRWndQyF7SGL4nJDClIreL0sWwyZ2AsMXPugyx4HSnJhE2Z5/s1600/Tiffany3_Katie+Busick.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany with Custom House Tower overlooking. Photo by Katie Busick</td></tr>
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<br />Despite suboptimal circumstances, we definitely gave it our all. The race was certainly fast-paced and action-packed, with hundreds of dollars in primes on offer every few laps. And Tiffany and I went for just about all of them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpObjGtH4ybgNBq2I_yio2KR9NT5_JTBqt2q1WsxNUZ9-BpxBQz4V20srw_EhZgoZn3aD9DcXOq9z4xE4Vjd0yDnf4XOfDaHpjQDT1mqBcUjwRpnq-sYFM_yxXRHhMiVsqowXT6GtlZgn/s1600/Cornering2_Katie+Busick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpObjGtH4ybgNBq2I_yio2KR9NT5_JTBqt2q1WsxNUZ9-BpxBQz4V20srw_EhZgoZn3aD9DcXOq9z4xE4Vjd0yDnf4XOfDaHpjQDT1mqBcUjwRpnq-sYFM_yxXRHhMiVsqowXT6GtlZgn/s1600/Cornering2_Katie+Busick.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding the corner four. Photo by Katie Busick</td></tr>
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<br />
One really cool part of the race was that we set up well for primes on several occasions. But without much snap in my legs, I was twice nipped on the line. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihit8xlhLurUOWXZhJ986G-SQWJYYR2M__wmUgkU33ecExSgUSRJwqVw3ZZFG_Z_PGaoqyhRabDMzfEBB4bsC_hNON8to4qXHY_HwUMzeIGWCJdv24hqJqLgYjoQgH5MBgFQqNtgoQTp-8/s1600/Attack3_Katie+Busick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihit8xlhLurUOWXZhJ986G-SQWJYYR2M__wmUgkU33ecExSgUSRJwqVw3ZZFG_Z_PGaoqyhRabDMzfEBB4bsC_hNON8to4qXHY_HwUMzeIGWCJdv24hqJqLgYjoQgH5MBgFQqNtgoQTp-8/s1600/Attack3_Katie+Busick.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No doubt a painful moment, Skylar Schneider (TIBCO) locked on my wheel, bunch chasing. Photo by Katie Busick</td></tr>
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<br />We completely botched up several times, setting up way too early.
Tiffany finally found success on one of the goes, but it was a bit
bittersweet, our finish being less than we had hoped.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2gFvcivZQ4CU3szbKYgVdmWadVLhWqgeOf6OI99Y21TWr0yu8JSCmsVFckzq4fGCNKA_qpSrpBwW2woQDmx7-o-C_L62od4AnzfQ5LfyDN9oORivNZXkyYhwVOLa6cU8N46-Qq1Thv3X/s1600/Tiffany2_Katie+Busick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2gFvcivZQ4CU3szbKYgVdmWadVLhWqgeOf6OI99Y21TWr0yu8JSCmsVFckzq4fGCNKA_qpSrpBwW2woQDmx7-o-C_L62od4AnzfQ5LfyDN9oORivNZXkyYhwVOLa6cU8N46-Qq1Thv3X/s1600/Tiffany2_Katie+Busick.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany in the bunch. Photo by Katie Busick</td></tr>
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<br />
Not having good awareness during the race, my account of how it all unfolded is a bit foggy. Despite several solo efforts off the front from various riders, including a bold last-lap flier from Holly Matthews (TIBCO), the finish came down to a sprint with Coryn Rivera (UHC) adding another win to her season tally, followed by Sam Schneider (TIBCO) and Tina Pic (Fearless Femme).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkX8DBEJfarQJKwYrG-czH2wIVryEapa2Sl4Vy6WwwXUTV9NQz5ENNKTlceTWS9N-shZgwhHjECSol4UQ4GFgeO20mtxC91Xm2iBZt6E0YACEyPBOTd-Uloj-9eC-ZRI1-8jSqLLS6QhPs/s1600/Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkX8DBEJfarQJKwYrG-czH2wIVryEapa2Sl4Vy6WwwXUTV9NQz5ENNKTlceTWS9N-shZgwhHjECSol4UQ4GFgeO20mtxC91Xm2iBZt6E0YACEyPBOTd-Uloj-9eC-ZRI1-8jSqLLS6QhPs/s1600/Finish.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race Podium. Photo by Boston Bikes</td></tr>
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<br />
Thank you to TD Bank, Boloco, the Mayor’s Office and City of Boston, and Boston Bikes for sponsorship and organization of this incredible event; Katie Busick for fabulous photos; Lauren LeClaire and Steven Hopengarten for host housing, transport, guided tours, and new found friendship; and Sara Bresnick who was absolutely amazing in helping me and Tiffany organize our trip to Boston. Check her out at <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><a href="http://pedalpowercoaching.com/">Pedal
Power Training Solutions</a>.</span>Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-51781357066171589082014-09-19T21:37:00.000-05:002014-09-20T07:39:14.731-05:0011 Sep 2014 Las Vegas Pedal PaLooza<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-3X1bosDpEvoMcSBFWy6o2Lct0VppWUa_JylSutmbHFqzmfU95TuG9dLsc_G8uRT7nwNr0E9uIttF46qj7iqx8kpMvLpcgCAbW1kVp2xzWRDwwVEQsyXz-14cOuYJdYqnauQvArAgdwU/s1600/Container+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-3X1bosDpEvoMcSBFWy6o2Lct0VppWUa_JylSutmbHFqzmfU95TuG9dLsc_G8uRT7nwNr0E9uIttF46qj7iqx8kpMvLpcgCAbW1kVp2xzWRDwwVEQsyXz-14cOuYJdYqnauQvArAgdwU/s1600/Container+Park.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flaming mantis at Container Park overseeing Las Vegas Pedal PaLooza.</td></tr>
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<br />
From the thick, humid air of the US Southeast, I headed for the arid, parched landscape of the desert Southwest; destination: Las Vegas. I arrived in Sin City late Sunday night, the City the Never Sleeps an island of stark brightness in a quiet ocean of barren black. The morning left me confused as to my location. Was I still in North Carolina? Plump, heavy raindrops streamed down in great gushes from an angry sky, thunder rumbling in the distance.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyGIox8aaZ4vuk_HqCg9cEJC_3zRjcHM4Cr2jMrRtp6tN0-RmKuBTDI_ojxs6Ayxmx6QszJoyCV2f8LfaRL0Yg_1_sWKWTtQJ9wvLDzTar8ggJeP2o64qpbFS4Ezngpbq3yHasQUNJfgP/s1600/Las+Vegas+Valley_Chase+Stevens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyGIox8aaZ4vuk_HqCg9cEJC_3zRjcHM4Cr2jMrRtp6tN0-RmKuBTDI_ojxs6Ayxmx6QszJoyCV2f8LfaRL0Yg_1_sWKWTtQJ9wvLDzTar8ggJeP2o64qpbFS4Ezngpbq3yHasQUNJfgP/s1600/Las+Vegas+Valley_Chase+Stevens.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thick clouds blanket Las Vegas Valley in the wake of Norbert. Photo by Chase Stevens</td></tr>
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<br />
All day the deluge continued, compliments of Tropical Storm Norbert, dumping record amounts of moisture into the drought-ravaged land. The same storm left a path of devastation all the way across the US, bringing severe storms to the MidWest; even reaching New England and the Northeast. A consequence of all this rain was a lot of flooding. Serious flooding. The kind that washes away whole swathes of roads. Major roads. Like a 20-mile stretch of the only interstate access into Vegas. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfv9LvabMBpvfPb2QfrnN220ltt4tQyQKfOu6-WZHuycwKvep0BJ6pYzdB_XunOLrwxa4q3W3OpwqJ_n71aLmc-7zfXGgCI9KvxFT7-ixdFDwIp_9mNBNWahfnaywOuvdjIW_3BDpkg_n/s1600/southwest-flooding-091014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfv9LvabMBpvfPb2QfrnN220ltt4tQyQKfOu6-WZHuycwKvep0BJ6pYzdB_XunOLrwxa4q3W3OpwqJ_n71aLmc-7zfXGgCI9KvxFT7-ixdFDwIp_9mNBNWahfnaywOuvdjIW_3BDpkg_n/s1600/southwest-flooding-091014.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road damage on I-15 north of Las Vegas in the wake of Tropical Storm Norbert.</td></tr>
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With the huge international bike exposition Interbike kicking off in Vegas on Wednesday, heaps of people were impacted by the road outage, most importantly (from my view point) VK teammate Tiffany, heading in from Salt Lake City. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAYCDirIobJcqkZnd0PKKwd70PgSWhI-sAl6wIncGkR20f3_CJMf7Yy8iia7mtciF55ltqe9nxjfmyzcMk5jvobrvuMlR9XF6EizNuKMhZXwaRwWgSyVVwErLGSZ1TwAm2OontiAg12_q/s1600/Red+Rocks+day+after_Kirk+Nix+Your+Take.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAYCDirIobJcqkZnd0PKKwd70PgSWhI-sAl6wIncGkR20f3_CJMf7Yy8iia7mtciF55ltqe9nxjfmyzcMk5jvobrvuMlR9XF6EizNuKMhZXwaRwWgSyVVwErLGSZ1TwAm2OontiAg12_q/s1600/Red+Rocks+day+after_Kirk+Nix+Your+Take.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Rock Canyon the day after Norbert. Photo by Kirk Nix, Your Take</td></tr>
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<br />
Fortunately, within a day, alternative access routes were established, adding only a couple of hours to the drive. Tiff split the drive over two days, heading down part way Wednesday and then finishing the trek Thursday to arrive in plenty of time for the women’s race at Las Vegas Pedal PaLooza, scheduled for 8:20 Thursday evening. Located in the old-town entertainment district of Vegas on Fremont Street, the newly built Container Park served as an excellent venue for a high-energy Vegas crit. The 8-turn course offered plenty of challenges: tight corners, variable lighting, abrupt width transitions, slick turtle-like Botts’ dot lane markers in the middle of turns.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANMM5mxzS_DU75OGKuOTmbYDGWwnE6V4fJ5l4GvzIZRwbhXCaZ10ifvUpijYlwOek4qCOX6-Xegyi342FohNmKbPiTnzkmnKxuaEBqODuPwVvl7hSNfC5jFGMvwB4SJ7MYZlocu8vkhfW/s1600/Fremont+East.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANMM5mxzS_DU75OGKuOTmbYDGWwnE6V4fJ5l4GvzIZRwbhXCaZ10ifvUpijYlwOek4qCOX6-Xegyi342FohNmKbPiTnzkmnKxuaEBqODuPwVvl7hSNfC5jFGMvwB4SJ7MYZlocu8vkhfW/s1600/Fremont+East.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start-finish for Las Vegas Pedal PaLooza in the Fremont East Entertainment District.</td></tr>
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<br />
Pepper Palace got the race off to a fast start. The field was keen to race, with attacks going off the front on each successive lap, Pepper bringing back the gap each time. Eventually I got free of the bunch, countering a dig from Tiffany. After a lap I was joined by a second rider and we began working well together. A lap later, the race was brought to a halt, a wayward pedestrian having walked out onto the course and collided with a rider.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJttpeWmhQaClVpH-qzlxKIdoDEzxJJBAXpanNZXOh27ka2xbqwwJPaDgtRC-PnY71zUPgKBIEq4jhILgrzPcwNu_cq9jj10p3pV3RfGnPSRfGuRiD8FpOWrnCBu1zPV0WZRYbpbsmOET6/s1600/Racing+on+Fremont+St.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJttpeWmhQaClVpH-qzlxKIdoDEzxJJBAXpanNZXOh27ka2xbqwwJPaDgtRC-PnY71zUPgKBIEq4jhILgrzPcwNu_cq9jj10p3pV3RfGnPSRfGuRiD8FpOWrnCBu1zPV0WZRYbpbsmOET6/s1600/Racing+on+Fremont+St.JPG" height="175" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding Turn 8 onto Fremont St. at Las Vegas Pedal PaLooza. Raised Bots' dots mark the turn lane.</td></tr>
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After much deliberation and discussion amongst the officials and riders, the decision was made to cancel any further racing for the evening. The topic has many complexities that remain under discussion so for now I'll leave it at that. Though disappointed, I was incredibly fortunate that my trip to Vegas was not all for naught. I had a wonderful four days of catching up with family and seeing the sights, including a beautiful ride through Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2JDnaul3KvlEvJ7Qv40d0BKs6WeSPnUp4v8WFiRNPmvuMbabfibVE8WP8eDkXMQEcYDYGXyIGLCqq_JFQpdYM7TiOeJtFGAj0VZxfvO0tOjo56L-x19UE-CfqxKDmjvvqBZ3GoPE4iLa/s1600/Red+Rock+Canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2JDnaul3KvlEvJ7Qv40d0BKs6WeSPnUp4v8WFiRNPmvuMbabfibVE8WP8eDkXMQEcYDYGXyIGLCqq_JFQpdYM7TiOeJtFGAj0VZxfvO0tOjo56L-x19UE-CfqxKDmjvvqBZ3GoPE4iLa/s1600/Red+Rock+Canyon.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.</td></tr>
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<br />
Friday morning, Tiffany and I headed north to Salt Lake City, taking in the breath-taking backdrop of the Valley of Fire State Park along the way, part of the alternate egress from Vegas, compliments of Norbert. I enjoyed a few days in Salt Lake before heading back across the country to New England where I am currently in Boston for my final weekend of racing of the season<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcs4XOtH3Ng9Yk5qrra8cudjs1FTSnHs5OeWLY3Yb-OWCMuN7pv3rJkCYTsRC5n_kUZVVmfkR5J3xJIZ7JVHzujFJGr6Mr0Uzechviu-M4y9-c__zXctLTIHcB7gJNe-Ci-QwFIsF08ZV/s1600/Valley+of+Fire_Backcountry+Gallery+Steve+Perry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcs4XOtH3Ng9Yk5qrra8cudjs1FTSnHs5OeWLY3Yb-OWCMuN7pv3rJkCYTsRC5n_kUZVVmfkR5J3xJIZ7JVHzujFJGr6Mr0Uzechviu-M4y9-c__zXctLTIHcB7gJNe-Ci-QwFIsF08ZV/s1600/Valley+of+Fire_Backcountry+Gallery+Steve+Perry.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road through Valley of Fire. Photo by Steve Perry, Backcountry Gallery </td></tr>
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Thank you to Mike Olsen and Vegas Bike Racing for lots of hard work in putting together the race, Zappos.com for incredible support and sponsorship for the race and cycling in general, especially women's cycling; my very awesome cousin Annie Manderscheid for fabulous host housing in Las Vegas and her Bichon Saddie for keeping me company during my stay; Si, my Aunt Cathy, and cousins Doug, Stacy, and Annie, Vanderkitten boss Dave Verracchia, and mechanic Dan for coming out to cheer us on at the race; and Tiffany, Steve, and Dmitri for hosting me for an excellent revisit to Salt Lake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_lnDKs-vzRCRZCgJiCH7pxnNlPsxB-Rl2TsxE898LHU760AxNIufC-RlHDx2Yd-ntnYH0D5VLo5vJYRLW6Ez4mA2vsP5Mg2GGTEe_BcnepaOv6ccaGLVS4tkt5lJOG6TViaxxxJglLXA/s1600/SLC+Capitol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_lnDKs-vzRCRZCgJiCH7pxnNlPsxB-Rl2TsxE898LHU760AxNIufC-RlHDx2Yd-ntnYH0D5VLo5vJYRLW6Ez4mA2vsP5Mg2GGTEe_BcnepaOv6ccaGLVS4tkt5lJOG6TViaxxxJglLXA/s1600/SLC+Capitol.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt Lake City Capital Building from City Canyon Creek.</td></tr>
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Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-40769388043748106412014-09-14T20:04:00.002-05:002014-09-15T11:05:34.175-05:007 Sep 2014 Carolina Cup<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuyDplwlq3L_acxoSJSrwLQjLPgF2sVrWQcfzmXDk2-IDAeoaf2hX-DZugI7GsUh3NlBIoPO502VFFU6b55RirnsqjCKIjQ4fMzHf-KIrT5QpXK0TrqoYSD2era7CVohyFHscoijNT5xX/s1600/Carolina+Cup+attack_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuyDplwlq3L_acxoSJSrwLQjLPgF2sVrWQcfzmXDk2-IDAeoaf2hX-DZugI7GsUh3NlBIoPO502VFFU6b55RirnsqjCKIjQ4fMzHf-KIrT5QpXK0TrqoYSD2era7CVohyFHscoijNT5xX/s1600/Carolina+Cup+attack_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attacking through the woods at Greensboro Country Park. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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Taking advantage of the excellent opportunity to fit in two races to our North Carolina weekend, Tiffany and I followed up Saturday’s USA Cycling Criterium National Championship in High Point with the Carolina Cup, only 30 minutes away in Greensboro. In its 42nd year, the Carolina Cup is the longest running bike race in the south. With good reason too. The winding course around Greensboro Country Park is a real gem, featuring a picturesque, 1.6-mile (2.7-km) loop road meandering through dense, mature woods around two oblong recreational lakes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjy8rNwBLDzaWTJl6BUAg4LzJ8bsrPFEaiHb9UZz5I0D86we3zJrl3O29O_vIt4HFQfTMyHWhNm1q41B5pgMh4Xs2TZivSnczCikDF5AivkxiEnMs0PQP0zm-MW_Gp84bJCEFPwnyB0Go/s1600/Country_park_Harry+Blair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjy8rNwBLDzaWTJl6BUAg4LzJ8bsrPFEaiHb9UZz5I0D86we3zJrl3O29O_vIt4HFQfTMyHWhNm1q41B5pgMh4Xs2TZivSnczCikDF5AivkxiEnMs0PQP0zm-MW_Gp84bJCEFPwnyB0Go/s1600/Country_park_Harry+Blair.jpg" height="314" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing of Greensboro Country Park by Harry Blair. The actual course is a bit more windy, but I thought this drawing was cool!</td></tr>
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Joined by North Carolina-native Vanderkitten VIP Mollie Brewer, the three of us presented a formidable force, playing perfectly off of each other’s attacks. Mollie lit up the race with the first attack of the race, sprinting through the start finish and carrying a good gap up ‘mean greene hill’ just one lap into the race. Debbie Milne (Finish Strong) went in pursuit, charging up the hill, me on her wheel and countering her effort when we reached Mollie near the top of the climb.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0T8u5oUyfHJT2A4DCdbof0gVofctWX9OjI49MwzsBKeccbcGHAneploCprWBml4e2yWR34VLbu150TID3g_EwSFCGW9FCjFOq7GP7Q9WLNhIUCYugKISeNHKKsyMrA_X-gpfqRiG7s2GK/s1600/Carolina+Cup_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0T8u5oUyfHJT2A4DCdbof0gVofctWX9OjI49MwzsBKeccbcGHAneploCprWBml4e2yWR34VLbu150TID3g_EwSFCGW9FCjFOq7GP7Q9WLNhIUCYugKISeNHKKsyMrA_X-gpfqRiG7s2GK/s1600/Carolina+Cup_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with Debbie Milne (Finish Strong) on my wheel on the hill. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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As the bunch closed in, Tiffany countered, launching off the front, the bunch hot on her heels. Just as the catch was made, Mollie launched again with perfect timing. And so the race went, with relentless riding from the Vanderkitten trio. Despite many tired legs and weary bodies, with much of the bunch having put forth a grueling effort at Nationals the previous day, the race was incredibly aggressive and constantly animated, exciting to the very last meter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mZACDheSnzXcWMYn2q9WPHf8ZU62_Cgzv0yKWBIGrExrFbb42LbQxrmGvO2hsRnq-qLKiuaAnVmzcIdt5yMwYyGdr77wK76No_XBFmPEb0TF3REbM3-mFr4rKkirNT8Y5-KEpuXCX_hs/s1600/Carolina+Cup+break_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mZACDheSnzXcWMYn2q9WPHf8ZU62_Cgzv0yKWBIGrExrFbb42LbQxrmGvO2hsRnq-qLKiuaAnVmzcIdt5yMwYyGdr77wK76No_XBFmPEb0TF3REbM3-mFr4rKkirNT8Y5-KEpuXCX_hs/s1600/Carolina+Cup+break_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving a three-rider break. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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Coming into the fast, downhill finish, Tiffany got the jump on the bunch, beating Columbian sprinter and speedskater Jennifer Caicedo (Finish Strong) by barely half a wheel to take an exciting and satisfying win -- her first of the season, highlighting her return to top form following injury that has sidelined her for much of the season. Mollie and I got tangled up in traffic in the approach to the line. Extricating myself on the final rise heading into the finish, I was able to make up several positions in the final 100 m with a fierce sprint to round out the podium in third, Mollie not far behind in ninth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQ_1c77kXMuF6C1E9wGcqz69lRiIf2lwHs025SNRPsb7d2ffPQVOpAv-98X4poM1Z9VJl9r9SyN_ovjU62hDnjDcOaN-aTSYaRFIUCq9luNrMoNy4EulC12rCoVcVFEu1Ear_DA9MV1pr/s1600/Carolina+Cup3_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQ_1c77kXMuF6C1E9wGcqz69lRiIf2lwHs025SNRPsb7d2ffPQVOpAv-98X4poM1Z9VJl9r9SyN_ovjU62hDnjDcOaN-aTSYaRFIUCq9luNrMoNy4EulC12rCoVcVFEu1Ear_DA9MV1pr/s1600/Carolina+Cup3_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany jumping out of the bunch to take the win. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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The day didn’t end there! We quickly packed up our bikes and sped off to the airport that evening, me off to Las Vegas and Tiffany heading home to Salt Lake City for a few days before joining me in Vegas for our next racing adventure. The hectic schedule simply would not have been possible without Mollie's assistance, making our lunch while we packed up and getting us to the airport on time. Greensboro Velo Club put on an excellent race. Further thank yous to Michael and Mary Brewer for host housing and Jimmy Campbell from On the Rivet Photography for capturing the race in photographs with some outstanding shots.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOcwV_mUEqNhp-aqcpK3Go4cSatilYOMaBB6-LVj3fUexhqONaMPbjPYtV3VautYvDAkcUDOkgh3-VvotBUEqSkVQLyvifnq5HUFoU-pAQbc8zkZTGFs8wKj1YpG4EloBaaYIav2SgokC/s1600/Carolina+Cup2_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOcwV_mUEqNhp-aqcpK3Go4cSatilYOMaBB6-LVj3fUexhqONaMPbjPYtV3VautYvDAkcUDOkgh3-VvotBUEqSkVQLyvifnq5HUFoU-pAQbc8zkZTGFs8wKj1YpG4EloBaaYIav2SgokC/s1600/Carolina+Cup2_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome shot of me and my Colavita off the front. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-52503076480670657112014-09-10T21:56:00.001-05:002014-09-11T09:56:32.960-05:006 Sep 2014 USA Cycling Criterium Nationals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LxegXFLujUDBWqn5VOE-HAuRVtpfaZ3otqArlVexW20Q2pWmqL2pP0LeBLsA2wn6ByU-GeUqoj2znX8bcRH18KDtC0q1ANUh76IdBZY05wWIAxIjg0VkvzAcuFUNE4VHkmRaddbclKIL/s1600/Natls+attack_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LxegXFLujUDBWqn5VOE-HAuRVtpfaZ3otqArlVexW20Q2pWmqL2pP0LeBLsA2wn6ByU-GeUqoj2znX8bcRH18KDtC0q1ANUh76IdBZY05wWIAxIjg0VkvzAcuFUNE4VHkmRaddbclKIL/s1600/Natls+attack_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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For 2014, High Point, North Carolina, played host to the Smart Choice USA Cycling Criterium National Championships. As the "Home Furnishing Capital of the World", High Point features a twenty foot tall chest of drawers. The building, originally the local bureau of information, now houses the humanitarian organization, the High Point Jaycees. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjTYkrx94r38n_V3H5E9xBKa3GypX-Yq5Lyrd9Zqs5t-WWWASqan_GF2zkjeNqtFM6z8hhC0F6_YUDemSVo3y0vd40XSBUMZK4sbku2Tt7Ieo3ZQyCUsrHfJD5fJ7kQLh5tMtmzjTY6Lx/s1600/Gigantic-Chest-of-Drawers-Stands-Tall-in-High-Point-North-Carolina-442326-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjTYkrx94r38n_V3H5E9xBKa3GypX-Yq5Lyrd9Zqs5t-WWWASqan_GF2zkjeNqtFM6z8hhC0F6_YUDemSVo3y0vd40XSBUMZK4sbku2Tt7Ieo3ZQyCUsrHfJD5fJ7kQLh5tMtmzjTY6Lx/s1600/Gigantic-Chest-of-Drawers-Stands-Tall-in-High-Point-North-Carolina-442326-2.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Point's gigantic chest of drawers.</td></tr>
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Mere blocks from the chest, in the heart of downtown High Point, the
sound-funnelling, covered corridor along Commerce St. served as the
start-finish straight, forming part of one of the best race
venues I’ve experienced. The fast, flowing, six-corner course coupled with a competitive, high-class field made this animated, high-energy race one of my favorites of the season, accentuated all the more by the voice of Chicago-based announcer Todd Busteed on the mic. The field was dominated by strong teams from United Health Care (UHC), Colavita, Pepper Palace, FCS Cycling, and Fearless Femme, each fielding five or six-rider teams. Not wanting to miss out on the excitement, teammate Tiffany Pezzulo and I joined forces to form a two-some against the more sizable powerhouses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoyr64sLKH-8nAiQiVtZ6dcFc2WJ1io9AMKn3lFj8ngLQ1tEu5a7wLNj6WmT9zPTkJ3xjQSNKuNAt2ZpH6Fo05u2VBHqZtGkxDAZELEboXC88eSS5e5H6c-gpEFTS30lo6EJ-Fd3QdCBI/s1600/Natls2_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoyr64sLKH-8nAiQiVtZ6dcFc2WJ1io9AMKn3lFj8ngLQ1tEu5a7wLNj6WmT9zPTkJ3xjQSNKuNAt2ZpH6Fo05u2VBHqZtGkxDAZELEboXC88eSS5e5H6c-gpEFTS30lo6EJ-Fd3QdCBI/s1600/Natls2_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power-packed field. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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With positioning off the line being no doubt an important factor in conserving energy in the initial stages of the 90-minute race, I lined up early to ensure a spot just behind the call-ups, allowing me unencumbered progress through the corners and rapid response to early moves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk__kgOf97WUSN0UNxwdupAlU96qkwiPtveXpoF-lWhld5uY460FasAGjnGVkIZHaPeGBrUqwMIxA_PWIk-zeL6d43wK3TMfblletBcgHQ-66neL7KEaVAl0-4GyibpmkI5UCT0-eQ6i-/s1600/1Natls+Start+Line_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk__kgOf97WUSN0UNxwdupAlU96qkwiPtveXpoF-lWhld5uY460FasAGjnGVkIZHaPeGBrUqwMIxA_PWIk-zeL6d43wK3TMfblletBcgHQ-66neL7KEaVAl0-4GyibpmkI5UCT0-eQ6i-/s1600/1Natls+Start+Line_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awaiting call-ups, ready to grab a good spot on the start line. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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Within a few laps, Mary Zider (Colavita) attacked, establishing a good gap on the bunch. UHC quickly took control of the chase effort, establishing, over the course of the ensuing three laps, the entire team of six at the front of the bunch to reel in the escaped rider. Positioning ourselves just behind the train, Tiff and I awaited the catch. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wetmPjf4ZKyZAKZ8Vg_5mZd5WyFX03DxeAlvFWp_kJGrLuII668LtJUCwjKhXYiQhLjcvvNEiuC7nF2KfpV0AtXv_zvVJ5Fp70YBREISBOB5pCg1ObZoBlKCt526JbmR2dtK79PEu8UD/s1600/3Natls+chase2_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wetmPjf4ZKyZAKZ8Vg_5mZd5WyFX03DxeAlvFWp_kJGrLuII668LtJUCwjKhXYiQhLjcvvNEiuC7nF2KfpV0AtXv_zvVJ5Fp70YBREISBOB5pCg1ObZoBlKCt526JbmR2dtK79PEu8UD/s1600/3Natls+chase2_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">United Health Care with all hands on deck for the chase. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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As UHC ever so slowly closed the gap to bring the break back in sight, a second rider leapt out of the bunch to join Zider. Progress unhindered, UHC continued to draw in the now two riders. As we neared the catch, I readied for the counter. With brilliant execution, UHC launched 2013 US Criterium Champion Alison Powers while the remaining five teammates spread clear across the road, blocking the response of any rider in the peloton. Zider, being in front of the blue and white barricade, was able to latch onto Powers’ wheel. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKJRyn-HnbeLuiiwxKO1Szwy8mTlJn_fMOn2QSILMzCXUagmyDzbdlMEGdW44s6iXfh1QayHrH1ltlvHRSF1GaCYd1S1avv1HNAN0bMohgmI-Ys_hRCY0cKQwMb6cXDI7GdBXYEqUoty0/s1600/4Natls+chase4_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKJRyn-HnbeLuiiwxKO1Szwy8mTlJn_fMOn2QSILMzCXUagmyDzbdlMEGdW44s6iXfh1QayHrH1ltlvHRSF1GaCYd1S1avv1HNAN0bMohgmI-Ys_hRCY0cKQwMb6cXDI7GdBXYEqUoty0/s1600/4Natls+chase4_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Zider (Colavita) in the sites of the UHC chase. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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The barricade caused but a moment of delay in the response from the field, but that was enough to allow Powers to escape from the bunch. Amy Phillips (Pepper Palace) was the first to extricate herself from behind the obstruction, me on her wheel, Debbie Milne (Finish Strong) in tow. After a lap on the front chasing hard, Phillips realized that Debbie and I were unlikely to help with the chase, being as we were from small teams, and gave up the effort. Powers and Zider disappeared from view. <br />
Eventually Zider dislodged from Powers’ wheel, no doubt spent from her gargantuan efforts thus far in the race. Powers, being the incredibly powerful rider that she is, took a bit longer to reel in. But eventually, she was brought into the fold. All further attempts to initiate breaks were thwarted and, with ten laps to go, the field was all together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKd2imVPmXWWdA2MKLiYueDYNbA5tbznasEBpGjxgne5F5Z60ITndxy6_28UgeBBy2SNfld3YFoL_ulczi1S3c5JkDYYwXMWyLQBjUD9swz2KxPP74vJ_5b7tT1IhX91G1tjthItsUS_5/s1600/Natls+Tiff_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKd2imVPmXWWdA2MKLiYueDYNbA5tbznasEBpGjxgne5F5Z60ITndxy6_28UgeBBy2SNfld3YFoL_ulczi1S3c5JkDYYwXMWyLQBjUD9swz2KxPP74vJ_5b7tT1IhX91G1tjthItsUS_5/s1600/Natls+Tiff_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="278" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany driving hard. Photo by On the Rivet</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Two laps later, the announcers rang the bell to announce a $500 prime. Sitting about mid-pack at this point, I found some clear road along the left side of the bunch and moved up swiftly on the back side of the course, thinking all the while that it would be really dumb to try for the prime given the number of strong teams in attendance. Approaching the final corner, UHC in control at the front, I threw caution to the wind. Not feeling any response from the field, I launched off the front and sprinted my heart out along the now seemingly endless start-finish straight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSE-BraVuBHqBomhFeukhiJ2tmHFNwUgFGB4JUyFgnW-tw1uyJ8KYcZuHNa16Rq70k4RSN44MuCr6hLjKipQ3f1VN_cOpzaeBBigvm-pFa_hEla8QUGh1bzh_5bcxYjbtHWOC2XL5kCMp/s1600/Natls6_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSE-BraVuBHqBomhFeukhiJ2tmHFNwUgFGB4JUyFgnW-tw1uyJ8KYcZuHNa16Rq70k4RSN44MuCr6hLjKipQ3f1VN_cOpzaeBBigvm-pFa_hEla8QUGh1bzh_5bcxYjbtHWOC2XL5kCMp/s1600/Natls6_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UHC on my wheel. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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I think perhaps surprise at my audacity gave me enough room off the front to prove triumphant over the line. But by corner one I had a UHC rider latched on my wheel, keeping me in check – which was, to be honest, probably unnecessary since I didn’t have the ability to go anywhere after that effort!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0hz_5YRuSigwfaSWvCHZYE1nNvUtK6QUUvWTzGNc76eHwMppkGEwmPEnSRYY9AY8yBk1CJIfL1OQbrjagMWNXiIpNyGBvJoYE0DV1CuKH6ZaXlyjOoHQ6pkyhnOprJIGJcp-KlgbPOme/s1600/Natls_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0hz_5YRuSigwfaSWvCHZYE1nNvUtK6QUUvWTzGNc76eHwMppkGEwmPEnSRYY9AY8yBk1CJIfL1OQbrjagMWNXiIpNyGBvJoYE0DV1CuKH6ZaXlyjOoHQ6pkyhnOprJIGJcp-KlgbPOme/s1600/Natls_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out what's behind me. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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I drifted to the back, concentrating on minimizing my efforts to effect a rapid recovery in the few laps remaining before the finish. Four laps to go and teams began to organize at the front, setting up their designated sprinter for the win. Three laps, a crash on corner one took down four riders, including top contenders Alison Powers (UHC) and Tina Pic (Fearless Femme). Tiff, her momentum disrupted by the chaos, found my wheel as I came past and we re-established good position amongst the jostle at the front of the race. One lap to go, I lost position and ran out of steam in the chase effort on the exposed back stretch, and limped in for twentieth. Tiff, fighting hard, managed to keep in amongst the finishing foray, sprinting to twelfth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDdTGnk-MY2coyXhkCKfm_p8RrB7bG9hwzFHSL0EXbgBQu5EDE8-Q28_nJW19FQXMf9OI1UWqFb50FhDBYhV3tLkmHzTenHep46qtgRmKWki8KhNkzX9CbDxFChcj-xzIWJatOVwa7fHn/s1600/Natls+Tiff2_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDdTGnk-MY2coyXhkCKfm_p8RrB7bG9hwzFHSL0EXbgBQu5EDE8-Q28_nJW19FQXMf9OI1UWqFb50FhDBYhV3tLkmHzTenHep46qtgRmKWki8KhNkzX9CbDxFChcj-xzIWJatOVwa7fHn/s1600/Natls+Tiff2_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany keeping god company. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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Claiming the championship jersey was the speedy Coryn Rivera (UHC) – absolutely well-deserved considering the amazing season from this young rider – followed by Erica Allar (Colavita) in second, and the extremely talented Sam Schneider (TIBCO) in third, Sam’s accomplishment accentuated by the fact that she was riding solo, without support from teammates. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM177U2eJAZUsMXthkyIv8VVTYAH8axmFUZAQfP-IcsWyoCn_3LzR2UuoVjrGEzXnQHG0ISvQyy998VVpAtO47I6sQCju76k57R3PBkTkIMYjRwJTDkgiEurTDkce9YBXMZKT0QighEJ9/s1600/Natls+Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM177U2eJAZUsMXthkyIv8VVTYAH8axmFUZAQfP-IcsWyoCn_3LzR2UuoVjrGEzXnQHG0ISvQyy998VVpAtO47I6sQCju76k57R3PBkTkIMYjRwJTDkgiEurTDkce9YBXMZKT0QighEJ9/s1600/Natls+Finish.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coryn Rivers (UHC) claiming the win in front of Erica Allar (Colavita) and Sam Schneider (TIBCO).</td></tr>
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To make the race extra special, Tiff and I were joined on the start line by Vanderkitten VIP rider Mollie Brewer who, being a High Point resident, was the local favourite. The race was exceptional for her, having upgraded to a Cat 2 rider barely a week ago and being only her second Pro/1/2 race.<br />
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I am grateful to Dave Schneider (TIBCO) for providing transport to North Carolina – driving 12 hours through the night to get us to High Point; Jimmy Campbell from On the Rivet Photography for amazing photographs of the race; Michael and Mary Brewer for wonderful host housing; Daryl at High Point Bicycle and Hobby for excellent attention to my bike, including straightening my rear derailleur which, as it turns out, was the cause of my sluggish riding at Gateway; and Mollie Brewer for being a fabulous tour guide, chauffeur, host, and teammate.Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-77975493418508944302014-09-08T15:27:00.000-05:002014-09-09T18:28:27.095-05:0029 Aug - 1 Sep 2014 Gateway Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9ZOjf2yiqdevlPo5JvQ4nVTbeYAc4dUkkEcO5hs1ptE7Z_oBn62LwHa_B3n1oAbjRHSdk-DcNVSMLeZqOAgIUmT9u6W4cDbk5To59iUsZwK83BT20UN4WO9HYvM6tdqAFPYg2CPNOmze/s1600/1409471002012-DSC-0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9ZOjf2yiqdevlPo5JvQ4nVTbeYAc4dUkkEcO5hs1ptE7Z_oBn62LwHa_B3n1oAbjRHSdk-DcNVSMLeZqOAgIUmT9u6W4cDbk5To59iUsZwK83BT20UN4WO9HYvM6tdqAFPYg2CPNOmze/s1600/1409471002012-DSC-0904.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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To celebrate the long Labor Day weekend, I headed back down south to St. Louis, Missouri, to race the Staenburg Group Gateway Cup, this time joined by Utah-based teammate Tiffany Pezzulo. Together we tackled the four-day omnium series, which also served as the penultimate race in the USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar (NCC) Series. While we escaped any serious misfortune over the course of the four days, suffice it to say that luck was not balanced in our favor.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YU3MhBzQGWrTQgwkrlc8y3a6huJdoQhVot8FOTLAiPZmkFCvB5ZrER5IrVcexXO6pxkDikiEMs_ANkOQWOu2qfhZbpQiyIW4C_Lf7igIYz65jy2YZyFjNXH-d1ADEbvGLnPDaJty2Orl/s1600/Lafayette+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YU3MhBzQGWrTQgwkrlc8y3a6huJdoQhVot8FOTLAiPZmkFCvB5ZrER5IrVcexXO6pxkDikiEMs_ANkOQWOu2qfhZbpQiyIW4C_Lf7igIYz65jy2YZyFjNXH-d1ADEbvGLnPDaJty2Orl/s1600/Lafayette+Start.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twilight start under the lights at Lafayette Square.</td></tr>
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The series commenced with a twilight crit around Lafayette Square. Deep shadows permeated the tree-lined streets, lending an almost spooky quality to the wide-open four-corner course. Starting out at the back of the bunch, I found an express lane to the front to take the first prime of the series, only a few minutes into the race. Good thing too. With five laps remaining, free laps just having finished, a rider went down along the start-finish shoot, crumpling into the barriers on the left side of the bunch. I came to a stop just in time to avoid barreling into her. The fall reverberated across the bunch, spreading halfway across the road and bringing Tiffany and a handful of other riders to the ground. We chased in earnest, but to no avail. The bunch was too far up the road. And so we began the series, no result on day one and already out of contention for the overall standings. We were fortunate, however, to escape both injury and rain. Within 30 minutes of finishing, the skies opened in a drenching squall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrDb8DerZqtwzn1qoDRzGlB3yCyxLoI_EqwVIkDdOjkP57tasodFOLgQQB5cFxnDMowd2Utnpl6jHHlKwBaHGOkzQA4JruPZVtwTDhdUZ5QxqTUTnm8cyY5D0g82DeEk3sRtncon2qxAW/s1600/Lafayette+Tiff_Dan+Singer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrDb8DerZqtwzn1qoDRzGlB3yCyxLoI_EqwVIkDdOjkP57tasodFOLgQQB5cFxnDMowd2Utnpl6jHHlKwBaHGOkzQA4JruPZVtwTDhdUZ5QxqTUTnm8cyY5D0g82DeEk3sRtncon2qxAW/s1600/Lafayette+Tiff_Dan+Singer.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany amongst the shadows at Lafayette Square. Photo by Dan Singer</td></tr>
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The following afternoon, the series moved to Francis Park, an area known for its beautiful churches and gingerbread bungalows. I made several valiant efforts towards securing one of the multiple primes, all thwarted. Not much pounce in my legs today. Late in the race, two laps remaining, I hit a deeply recessed manhole cover just right (or wrong!), leaving my rear wheel misaligned in the frame. Tiff and I found each other briefly to set up for the finish, but with the resistance of my wheel too great to maintain good position amidst the high-paced jostling of the final laps, I finally ran out of steam and dropped like a rock out the back of the peloton with half a lap remaining. Tiff held strong to finish twelfth. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSGJ6DlmeKMJtIb2qEsJ8XG6MivRKbQA-N3yo6Xt5oP5SGaodlHP6Lz22kC6N87pm2E1QormEyt2EtG9iD4IV-FgmZvJtALhm5Gl68N9N-CqNmMX_4nvpKbU0jh0hjVk5H2fGwXxh_FTR/s1600/Frances+Park_Dan+Singer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSGJ6DlmeKMJtIb2qEsJ8XG6MivRKbQA-N3yo6Xt5oP5SGaodlHP6Lz22kC6N87pm2E1QormEyt2EtG9iD4IV-FgmZvJtALhm5Gl68N9N-CqNmMX_4nvpKbU0jh0hjVk5H2fGwXxh_FTR/s1600/Frances+Park_Dan+Singer.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bunch spread across the road at Francis Park, me far right. Photo by Dan Singer</td></tr>
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Sunday the series moved to the Italian ‘hill’ district of St. Louis, featuring, you guessed it, a hill. Really more of a rise on the four-corner rectangular course, but given the repetitive nature of crit racing, ascended enough times to be a factor none-the-less. The day brought with it all the ferocity of summer in the southern Midwest: sweltering temperatures and oppressive humidity; forward movement almost inhibited by the thick, suffocating ocean of moisture-laden air. About mid-race, I put in a huge effort to launch for a prime.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH4ejGJ4K9RXzHntGyEU42bF8FbPqXgA3S8kcQ9sQ35DYA1vOWFAZPxAfgzF9svNSWtvMUaItoNVGbQhjjB65O8XtRGeO5A4e5GOvQEjDRIHgqKL_r9Tm1yG5xqCVhl0_Nwm0ZjTywfLi/s1600/IMG_1998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH4ejGJ4K9RXzHntGyEU42bF8FbPqXgA3S8kcQ9sQ35DYA1vOWFAZPxAfgzF9svNSWtvMUaItoNVGbQhjjB65O8XtRGeO5A4e5GOvQEjDRIHgqKL_r9Tm1yG5xqCVhl0_Nwm0ZjTywfLi/s1600/IMG_1998.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a move up the right side. Photo by Matt Wyczalkowski</td></tr>
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I came up triumphant, but the effort cost me as my core temperature skyrocketed, soon followed by the chilled skin and goose-bumped flesh that accompany overexertion in the heat. I spent much of the remainder of the race in attempted recovery at the back of the bunch, leaving Tiff to fend for herself. As the laps remaining dwindled, semi-successfully having brought my body temperature back into functioning range, I found my way once again to the front of the race, vying for the wheels of the speedy sprinters. Three laps to go, a crash at the top of the course left me out of position (but thankfully still upright) and chasing. Two to go, I put in a humongous effort on the hill to regain position at the front, but the venture left me spent and unable to stay with the surge of speed one last time up the hill. Tiff, fighting in the foray as the field splintered in the mad rush for the final corner, claimed a brilliant and hard-fought eighth. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTfOeII33eHIsuXQF7D7ck0WrkOU2u_EKdIfLLm9T4GE7ifxG3my0lRGt5qShi0GTf0vN7LjsGKXWfqG6GN8T2HvaB7Ygw5LWXnP8uR4FAvUYRJwVZjOdxoVKF4pLsUk3YjflLnQZ-oke/s1600/IMG_2122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTfOeII33eHIsuXQF7D7ck0WrkOU2u_EKdIfLLm9T4GE7ifxG3my0lRGt5qShi0GTf0vN7LjsGKXWfqG6GN8T2HvaB7Ygw5LWXnP8uR4FAvUYRJwVZjOdxoVKF4pLsUk3YjflLnQZ-oke/s1600/IMG_2122.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany driving it at the front. Photo by Matt Wyczalkowski</td></tr>
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Monday, Benton Park played host to the final race. Here, a whole succession of events made this the most disappointing race of the series. A rider missing her pedal left me in poor position off the start line. Being at the back on the technical 10-corner course meant a huge effort, sprinting out of each corner as the riders at the front flew through unencumbered by the accordion effect experienced at the back. With the course favoring a solo rider, multiple break attempts ensured a high-paced race, stringing out the field along the narrow course and adding to my challenge of getting to the front. I had progressed forward to about midbunch when a crash three laps in held up my advance and left me chasing again. Finally, with five laps remaining, I could see clear road in front of me just as United Health Care began to organize their leadout train. Tiff and I were both in perfect position just behind the train.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMAcrUteYla6trhyphenhyphenTMuC5cs7DG-AYtCT6SihTCAY7D5tf0keIILSN0jV4M9MLJz0OGUY1rJujWGv9t3q3JdFmPSBSivJPxP2JQ6cZxTRC5qAozRDT6OwTwmYnFVhGpUqv2wmndRkXRH_t/s1600/IMG_2257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMAcrUteYla6trhyphenhyphenTMuC5cs7DG-AYtCT6SihTCAY7D5tf0keIILSN0jV4M9MLJz0OGUY1rJujWGv9t3q3JdFmPSBSivJPxP2JQ6cZxTRC5qAozRDT6OwTwmYnFVhGpUqv2wmndRkXRH_t/s1600/IMG_2257.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany in the mix. Photo by Matt Wyczalkowski</td></tr>
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Then, with three laps to go, you guessed it: a crash toward the front of the bunch disrupted forward progress. I somehow dodged the rider sprawled on the road in front of me, barely sneaking past her head as a rider behind rammed my rear wheel. Tiff too, took a hard knock to her rear wheel but remained upright. Chaos. We chased hard, two of many fragments in the now splintered tail of the peloton. Regaining the bunch, we fought back to the front, re-establishing behind the UHC ‘blue train’, ready to rock the finish. One lap to go. The pace slackened through the start –finish and the bunch swarmed into corner one. I lost position. Two corners remaining, the speed ramping up, Tiff realized that the impact to her wheel had knocked it loose. At risk of crashing, she was forced to sit up. And so, grateful for what good fortune we did have, we look forward to better results to come. <br />
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Thank you to my dad for the continued generous use of his car, which allows me to do so many ‘local’ races, Dan Singer for many awesome photos of the series, Matt Wyczalkowski excellent shots of Giro Della Montagna and for putting on a fabulous BBQ, and Dana Gray and Jerry Basye for being sensational hosts for the weekend – I especially enjoyed the Michael Jackson dance party, yummy blueberry pancake feast, and apple-peeling frenzy. We quite possibly peeled every apple in the county Sunday morning. OK, maybe not. But it sure felt like it!Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-57672719520375014772014-08-26T23:15:00.000-05:002014-08-27T08:41:29.974-05:0023 Aug 2014 IL State Criterium Championship<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Mxqac8wkVaYkntNw5HlX8RRpUvFw25nnNb2011u6Rbe8VEHi-QrBWpCuXCespgF4FIjc-R3DZTfe2vXTApxuIx72m20LXsAy09iNVonupCl0ysDRLQN-hyUqx3qfvNeI1VbJNpu55SmW/s1600/Champ+Podium3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Mxqac8wkVaYkntNw5HlX8RRpUvFw25nnNb2011u6Rbe8VEHi-QrBWpCuXCespgF4FIjc-R3DZTfe2vXTApxuIx72m20LXsAy09iNVonupCl0ysDRLQN-hyUqx3qfvNeI1VbJNpu55SmW/s1600/Champ+Podium3.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illinois State Criterium Championship podium.</td></tr>
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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!<br />
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v6o2gtyBl9JY0Uo2aXg09WXNG1dxBTebSa7pi4iOO3zc6kmyq0mv6oeWxZuF1KMH7qBCeABa9jWnXwLUpR2ZlYxPbSf4B0N08xxEWYSMp6jZ5Xt93qgDkcu71ixoEdBMcnxdapxzaRNK/s1600/Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v6o2gtyBl9JY0Uo2aXg09WXNG1dxBTebSa7pi4iOO3zc6kmyq0mv6oeWxZuF1KMH7qBCeABa9jWnXwLUpR2ZlYxPbSf4B0N08xxEWYSMp6jZ5Xt93qgDkcu71ixoEdBMcnxdapxzaRNK/s1600/Sign.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warm reception from downtown Bloomington businesses.</td></tr>
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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!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjglfSlLF4rilg9Ty9CQhHn3QqpzgNnc6TW9YQ9q4dsxz7K6-KbFIQlqnE-CQ4JPcph631eCh24UiLR69g1fdGup9x2sIwordZrhK9UEWwyQlCCko-wtpohTa9Es0Q6sfvw6_IR9zm_pr/s1600/Blur_Cycles+In+Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjglfSlLF4rilg9Ty9CQhHn3QqpzgNnc6TW9YQ9q4dsxz7K6-KbFIQlqnE-CQ4JPcph631eCh24UiLR69g1fdGup9x2sIwordZrhK9UEWwyQlCCko-wtpohTa9Es0Q6sfvw6_IR9zm_pr/s1600/Blur_Cycles+In+Life.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyclists in one of the races blur through the streets of downtown Bloomington. Photo by Cycles In Life</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGB7uO0k9tn1_9m6EQnoopYKegArcdiJCdmJVX03k4VmItPHCOh4Ix-h9Z_4Te14OgoD6oNDakGUCHeqzh4solY_WtMKdqAwCkeHWWZcJxSa7kic-u84S1o1ggXkErFVthEHTk7caREz32/s1600/Blur2_Cycles+In+Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGB7uO0k9tn1_9m6EQnoopYKegArcdiJCdmJVX03k4VmItPHCOh4Ix-h9Z_4Te14OgoD6oNDakGUCHeqzh4solY_WtMKdqAwCkeHWWZcJxSa7kic-u84S1o1ggXkErFVthEHTk7caREz32/s1600/Blur2_Cycles+In+Life.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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.</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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 </td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqajLJawr_T_Xj6QA47M-H66OhGlWCWrDLFXpO0LP5C0UYo8PedEYLKnxw31X-CoiNNm9QNSm9sh5zMVh8qlwpTsAKhGoJkbdK8ewuc0tVGWrLCVo79d4SjRQcPSsO955E1mRIq2U0lrmt/s1600/Leading2_Cycles+In+Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqajLJawr_T_Xj6QA47M-H66OhGlWCWrDLFXpO0LP5C0UYo8PedEYLKnxw31X-CoiNNm9QNSm9sh5zMVh8qlwpTsAKhGoJkbdK8ewuc0tVGWrLCVo79d4SjRQcPSsO955E1mRIq2U0lrmt/s1600/Leading2_Cycles+In+Life.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attacking, Skylar Schneider (TIBCO) hot on my wheels. Photo by Cycles In Life</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhWkQ_IkV21nHY5TNvs_ZZ_Q-61y5YBlC_nqB35jZa9YrnU455sIm6MuYJV9cZj4oIiYHRnnYrpfKK0OHff3v4QfPO101GncHF6dvP95q1GEdR42uvbVVLJ_RpZ5NaU_y_bAxMxGeu9RO/s1600/Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhWkQ_IkV21nHY5TNvs_ZZ_Q-61y5YBlC_nqB35jZa9YrnU455sIm6MuYJV9cZj4oIiYHRnnYrpfKK0OHff3v4QfPO101GncHF6dvP95q1GEdR42uvbVVLJ_RpZ5NaU_y_bAxMxGeu9RO/s1600/Finish.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing solo - I was a bit confused, unsure if it was the last lap!</td></tr>
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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!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6orEckCn0a_y_RRDEhLlBWbZbXy95W-JBgtgXjYwCVVCfS3trzcNAxEKdnlTyV4z9-ouZBplQuEYBrHlNZyibGNEoX7hGCp-J5MdHi_OhKBLQQDuXEGksHETmfdRKO-ZCtcUXn-K8Qc3P/s1600/Podium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6orEckCn0a_y_RRDEhLlBWbZbXy95W-JBgtgXjYwCVVCfS3trzcNAxEKdnlTyV4z9-ouZBplQuEYBrHlNZyibGNEoX7hGCp-J5MdHi_OhKBLQQDuXEGksHETmfdRKO-ZCtcUXn-K8Qc3P/s1600/Podium2.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race podium: Anina Blankenship (Balanced Bike), Daphne Karagianis (Chicago Cuttin Crew) and niece, me, Sierra Siebenlist (Scarlet Fire), Ellen Ryan (xXx)</td></tr>
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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.Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-72380984500876432892014-08-23T10:22:00.000-05:002014-08-23T10:22:13.786-05:0016-17 Aug 2014 Edwardsville/Belleville Double<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqx7OL-d1cRZiqhlkUjxeKgHkTJP6sqbbNVzQctJvh-qBlEBRAsEkx8yFgOdTM4Uh5O4kp9yfaOCwe_pagX1aDHOlBxiUMsNTOC-EQ52MdUKKrTowMI0YmZQf0_XjG6Z2nrKxYOseRRHY/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqx7OL-d1cRZiqhlkUjxeKgHkTJP6sqbbNVzQctJvh-qBlEBRAsEkx8yFgOdTM4Uh5O4kp9yfaOCwe_pagX1aDHOlBxiUMsNTOC-EQ52MdUKKrTowMI0YmZQf0_XjG6Z2nrKxYOseRRHY/s1600/013.JPG" height="320" width="314" /></a></div>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkqgJeL9I5Oxp2lVL-lh9CyvieH0Ow0qZBPd4dIHZ-rSoGfAYcq1qB6tketRxvl3NBQL4vhwxUZqdUPvgCgWh0Ch72ZUXnSq4n-1EJKXPWzv6Wbe14HWo5WxNj40Qv4cYqbXkFjb6Oj5W/s1600/2_Kelly+Croy+Patty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkqgJeL9I5Oxp2lVL-lh9CyvieH0Ow0qZBPd4dIHZ-rSoGfAYcq1qB6tketRxvl3NBQL4vhwxUZqdUPvgCgWh0Ch72ZUXnSq4n-1EJKXPWzv6Wbe14HWo5WxNj40Qv4cYqbXkFjb6Oj5W/s1600/2_Kelly+Croy+Patty.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the pack at Edwardsville. Photo by Kelly Croy Patty</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTocSXKCF4zkjg8AxsxqWc4e76Tr5bbUTPnzc1VO6uMu8tBvHM06koEpiHJpdtn_4tBZWb6WnLi_o2OlZo-4lNp28PW8KpHVO8RcP3rESYQHMdRWr0sIOdWhJXIREB2oVXh9gPjcnzlWcC/s1600/Belleville2_Kelly+Croy+Patty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTocSXKCF4zkjg8AxsxqWc4e76Tr5bbUTPnzc1VO6uMu8tBvHM06koEpiHJpdtn_4tBZWb6WnLi_o2OlZo-4lNp28PW8KpHVO8RcP3rESYQHMdRWr0sIOdWhJXIREB2oVXh9gPjcnzlWcC/s1600/Belleville2_Kelly+Croy+Patty.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of the bunch at Belleville. Photo by Kelly Croy Patty</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPkFWi7SKisHDCzVoo1llqijQXP4Ovf2wIrthTc_1mn-bGRNdTzz1Vhum4N7Luz8UjAjy5VKLgDi_gi1sajxgs5XtDzvWw4LbJEz9lhIQSsW_thwzEsDAUGF7BqkXmpKfcNLDaYGL2HMo/s1600/Belleville1_Kelly+Croy+Patty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPkFWi7SKisHDCzVoo1llqijQXP4Ovf2wIrthTc_1mn-bGRNdTzz1Vhum4N7Luz8UjAjy5VKLgDi_gi1sajxgs5XtDzvWw4LbJEz9lhIQSsW_thwzEsDAUGF7BqkXmpKfcNLDaYGL2HMo/s1600/Belleville1_Kelly+Croy+Patty.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping a close eye on the competition. Photo by Kelly Croy Patty</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking the win at Belleville with a successful attack on the last hill. Photo by Tracy Hurley</td></tr>
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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!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Necklace presentation with Lisa Hudson. Photo by Gary Doering</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-40317834675152322342014-08-19T12:33:00.003-05:002014-08-21T09:57:47.008-05:001-12 Aug 2014 Tour of Utah – Making History<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgrI19cXuuOeI4bcw7JrOwsMdzw9No9t2MB5nrHPzEukqtq8mA75_7nSUtgmrPlZJLJb0BWJHqmNTWdvioi9J4E8l2gODSrSb-PeeWW_IBfeCFLMhyphenhyphenwKAj029xBTIj7DS6zJ9o9S52CmG/s1600/Utah+Team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgrI19cXuuOeI4bcw7JrOwsMdzw9No9t2MB5nrHPzEukqtq8mA75_7nSUtgmrPlZJLJb0BWJHqmNTWdvioi9J4E8l2gODSrSb-PeeWW_IBfeCFLMhyphenhyphenwKAj029xBTIj7DS6zJ9o9S52CmG/s1600/Utah+Team.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanderkittens in Utah: Kate, Amy, Tiffany, and me. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography</td></tr>
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2014 season marks a pivotal year for women’s road cycling. The
formation of the <a href="http://womenscyclingassociation.com/">Women’s Cycling
Association</a> 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 <a href="http://halftheroad.com/">Half the Road</a>, 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 <a href="http://www.usacycling.org/national-criterium-calendar-ncc-requirements-procedures.htm">2015
NCC races</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This year saw the UK’s first women’s professional stage race
with ‘<a href="http://www.womenstour.co.uk/home.php">The Women’s Tour</a>’ (the
name itself highlights big problems in the sport), women returning to the
Champs-Elysées for the first time since 1989 with ‘<a href="http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/us/pre-race/news/ahc/la-course-by-le-tour-de-france-innovating-women-s-cycling.html">La
Course</a>’, and, for the first time in its 10-year history, a women’s race as
part of the <a href="http://www.tourofutah.com/">Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah</a>,
one the biggest men’s races in the US.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6asStg2xBOm9IkF1we8tkLP525hjzuEhXRy3UY4EjFAf2QOg3f448wUiSMw_8PdAlSfSC6j85Cuwuii5yIM26ZQc2eITRGkArwZ3nwe930WGwa7Eu0tsvKE-Sz78uNQABh-RJj9aq8k9N/s1600/Big+Cottonwood+Canyon_Catherine+Kim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6asStg2xBOm9IkF1we8tkLP525hjzuEhXRy3UY4EjFAf2QOg3f448wUiSMw_8PdAlSfSC6j85Cuwuii5yIM26ZQc2eITRGkArwZ3nwe930WGwa7Eu0tsvKE-Sz78uNQABh-RJj9aq8k9N/s1600/Big+Cottonwood+Canyon_Catherine+Kim.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Training ride up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography</td></tr>
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The Tour of Utah women’s races comprised two separate
events: the <a href="http://www.cedarcitygrandprix.com/">Zappos.com Cedar City
Grand Prix</a>, organized by ex-pro racer Nicky Wangsgard, and the <a href="http://www.tourofutah.com/race/womens/">Tour of Utah Women’s Edition</a>,
organized by <a href="http://k4racing.com/">DNA Cycling</a> 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.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvZT9ZI1vvXNtx7eoQglq4EhOod0HNcP8Y1bKcq0Ri1usytYX7dPGcUaVIgMBry0fIyFOmAf9FKDZyPmVCjpYEcZK4y04woHXjRZcz3hoXNfDRTzUtkOGs8GrdxWaweb82RBdiifyBFXt/s1600/My+office+today_Catherine+Kim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvZT9ZI1vvXNtx7eoQglq4EhOod0HNcP8Y1bKcq0Ri1usytYX7dPGcUaVIgMBry0fIyFOmAf9FKDZyPmVCjpYEcZK4y04woHXjRZcz3hoXNfDRTzUtkOGs8GrdxWaweb82RBdiifyBFXt/s1600/My+office+today_Catherine+Kim.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking about gender equality in cycling. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography</td></tr>
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As expected, an impressive line-up toed the line at <a href="http://www.cedarcity.org/">Cedar City</a>, 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. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanderkittens in the mix: Tiffany, Amy in the middle, and Kate and me on the right. Photo by Deb Hill</td></tr>
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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!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwWNnGBEwlCf1ofETfoNU4t03xw5WUFmrA9skff9Tr_o6L1tHs8cd0lAqyFOHZ1Pg9QwixxCB3ned2-0QL0xcfHjIcssGieGvlbcMllRu_pIMSc7A8v73M7AShRIgKOCt0I93qntJwWHY/s1600/Cedar+City.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwWNnGBEwlCf1ofETfoNU4t03xw5WUFmrA9skff9Tr_o6L1tHs8cd0lAqyFOHZ1Pg9QwixxCB3ned2-0QL0xcfHjIcssGieGvlbcMllRu_pIMSc7A8v73M7AShRIgKOCt0I93qntJwWHY/s1600/Cedar+City.JPG" height="158" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Tiffany at Cedar City Grand Prix.</td></tr>
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</div>
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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!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN-a3tt8vBBn7fgd85x1JNMTIL5-cdaKfDJX4KL32PJO1-AebFNMG1ZECyTCsqBzc9CNx0OBN6-0AyyZdTSu5OAk3VA8tXj5xeO-hPFkf2TiU3l-aREwnMpop60iG4DRHQ5aV9enTnJ4j/s1600/Cedar+City+attack1_Catherine+Kim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN-a3tt8vBBn7fgd85x1JNMTIL5-cdaKfDJX4KL32PJO1-AebFNMG1ZECyTCsqBzc9CNx0OBN6-0AyyZdTSu5OAk3VA8tXj5xeO-hPFkf2TiU3l-aREwnMpop60iG4DRHQ5aV9enTnJ4j/s1600/Cedar+City+attack1_Catherine+Kim.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The attack that really hurt me! Alison Powers hot on my heals. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar City GP podium: Sam Schneider (TIBCO), Alison Powers (UHC), Tina Pic (DNA)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2f6SxHQjABubnV2ZcJukcj68-gK9KdIru4s_Jq3u-xlRYqyhuMhWIlgA0sDgYN6va_znYCKcdXj1wu2JL2CEK9q3HGZ7QD04poidCBwCL_XsVWcynVBbvx_fAyVYHb9mqt4I1bq4ZZQx2/s1600/Toelle+Valley_Catherine+Kim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2f6SxHQjABubnV2ZcJukcj68-gK9KdIru4s_Jq3u-xlRYqyhuMhWIlgA0sDgYN6va_znYCKcdXj1wu2JL2CEK9q3HGZ7QD04poidCBwCL_XsVWcynVBbvx_fAyVYHb9mqt4I1bq4ZZQx2/s1600/Toelle+Valley_Catherine+Kim.JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tooele Valley Utah. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAsk8W20X8X1_R5V93UBUk1jcp8qzwmBTMZWwbVOPPPK9dalPMsuEYB5vKV3OQCEqSvXWiWe3mDWDtlPVXxb_fb0LKdRetdqZD2iGrlMR_W_C4zvBVghCeLvPCRE8yD_wAM4oN_meeHF0/s1600/Attack_Catherine+Kim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAsk8W20X8X1_R5V93UBUk1jcp8qzwmBTMZWwbVOPPPK9dalPMsuEYB5vKV3OQCEqSvXWiWe3mDWDtlPVXxb_fb0LKdRetdqZD2iGrlMR_W_C4zvBVghCeLvPCRE8yD_wAM4oN_meeHF0/s1600/Attack_Catherine+Kim.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attacking the bunch at Tooele. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<sup>th</sup>
and 11<sup>th</sup>, Amy and I right behind to give us second team behind
TIBCO.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfqEz7iQyLJxoZ_JyiMo7WPh2HDvxMjxXyLnr-mOpuQD1WV-wiYVNjlFmkqkTzuchOKCED6JOlkDZIIkInKpwPn1fu2yV5omJmYU2p-Vqoav9gn4zbmiMtyViGXh8XyPp_7hxtLjQsxqb/s1600/Tooele+Turn_Catherine+Kim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfqEz7iQyLJxoZ_JyiMo7WPh2HDvxMjxXyLnr-mOpuQD1WV-wiYVNjlFmkqkTzuchOKCED6JOlkDZIIkInKpwPn1fu2yV5omJmYU2p-Vqoav9gn4zbmiMtyViGXh8XyPp_7hxtLjQsxqb/s1600/Tooele+Turn_Catherine+Kim.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate and Tiffany lining it up. Photo by Cotton Sox Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>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!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun times hanging out with DNA Cycling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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.</div>
Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-56285571004382738032014-08-03T17:27:00.002-05:002014-08-03T17:27:53.309-05:0018-27 Jul 2014 Prairie State Cycling Series<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcvHd6wx1lLnTCmWNdmLl9YaQz5cbTB-_6lmv0rX9Ho8wZUa0vgehyalNg4KbE1gGKF2dRmIoSNly9bKJGl-kHH0vZKDbgQlGb2lPbDpyMNUTX1ycRThwG2iw9txFeBbZt7uHwU8_meaT/s1600/Lake+Bluff2_Bill+Draper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcvHd6wx1lLnTCmWNdmLl9YaQz5cbTB-_6lmv0rX9Ho8wZUa0vgehyalNg4KbE1gGKF2dRmIoSNly9bKJGl-kHH0vZKDbgQlGb2lPbDpyMNUTX1ycRThwG2iw9txFeBbZt7uHwU8_meaT/s1600/Lake+Bluff2_Bill+Draper.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Bill Draper</td></tr>
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<br />
<h1>
</h1>
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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!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping out men's race leader Chad Hartley before his race with some tips on how to win - yeah, right! Photo by Snowy Mountain</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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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. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warming up before the race thanks to perfect tent placement by PSIMET. Photo by Rob Curtis</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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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. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating the course at Lake Bluff. Photo by Bill Draper</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking up the pieces after crashing at Crystal Lake. Photo by Snowy Mountain</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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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.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ol' Albert warming up for the race.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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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. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concentrating on the road. Photo by Snowy Mountain</td></tr>
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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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbf-X8tQQ2OnWK86Gh0x_W0S9GOUC4wXIFMRyAls8C_fsm0fTPGdl8X9_woClD19XLXH95AiErZ3ueG96u0kO_ViH5ybvlQxOgfjhM3eIE57h1SqwJUeDx-PAMgpY7NBuUETcanA2Mgn8/s1600/Beverly_PSCS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbf-X8tQQ2OnWK86Gh0x_W0S9GOUC4wXIFMRyAls8C_fsm0fTPGdl8X9_woClD19XLXH95AiErZ3ueG96u0kO_ViH5ybvlQxOgfjhM3eIE57h1SqwJUeDx-PAMgpY7NBuUETcanA2Mgn8/s1600/Beverly_PSCS.JPG" height="182" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">War paint? Serious contenders start early.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IhAmx4Ou2O3xiERL0BMZhn2ynOEVeQVG2Kof3nkKfELewwTnolnqWaPqpJ3ou1Ys3V2greb2KuBq9pV4hc26-QGrEXKYbESbySouBZpLOnjZCKZ3PXO5gBsQnQ-izrcyD7RgYdfkx0jC/s1600/Chicago_Rob+Curtis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IhAmx4Ou2O3xiERL0BMZhn2ynOEVeQVG2Kof3nkKfELewwTnolnqWaPqpJ3ou1Ys3V2greb2KuBq9pV4hc26-QGrEXKYbESbySouBZpLOnjZCKZ3PXO5gBsQnQ-izrcyD7RgYdfkx0jC/s1600/Chicago_Rob+Curtis.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lining up for the start outside Intelligensia Coffee roasting works. Photo by Rob Curtis</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFBb1PmcaBvzhAUkOzmTS9q5KMoXzk8-KhW20l2Kc8ADtWiipZOUNm-UI-VwYx5mr0WoZ9PErRdCr8mnAd76rXeCClZIJRnHUPZbsZrSeGBhJixxdahh6FqsX8dtDTHqLwA5TeoXRwSox/s1600/downersgrove_Chicago+Tribune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFBb1PmcaBvzhAUkOzmTS9q5KMoXzk8-KhW20l2Kc8ADtWiipZOUNm-UI-VwYx5mr0WoZ9PErRdCr8mnAd76rXeCClZIJRnHUPZbsZrSeGBhJixxdahh6FqsX8dtDTHqLwA5TeoXRwSox/s1600/downersgrove_Chicago+Tribune.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting the pace at Downers Grove. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaBdaQ5o7TysqmXB9_6TBOcW3pSuoEcbv2tiNU8HJDSKMERp1aXVcFl46CankKeITHo1_0zfNbe0-XyVrKWnWeGzFDNdAQq2Ir7DQEOcLppZ2xbSMe8T9XoSa_4aq4YLIW99jOsLNzZHA/s1600/Crystal+Lake_Bob2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaBdaQ5o7TysqmXB9_6TBOcW3pSuoEcbv2tiNU8HJDSKMERp1aXVcFl46CankKeITHo1_0zfNbe0-XyVrKWnWeGzFDNdAQq2Ir7DQEOcLppZ2xbSMe8T9XoSa_4aq4YLIW99jOsLNzZHA/s1600/Crystal+Lake_Bob2.jpg" height="320" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connecting with long lost friend Bob Connor post race. Photo by Nina Connor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check back soon. I’m shaking off the doldrums and am in Utah getting ready to race the
Tour of Utah – Women’s Edition!</div>
Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-52221217695476622142014-07-23T11:57:00.001-05:002014-07-23T11:57:40.569-05:0012 Jul 2014 Winfield – ABR National Championshipr<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<h1>
</h1>
Heading into July, building form from a week of hard racing
at TOAD, I took advantage of the 4<sup>th</sup> of July holiday to get in
several consecutive days of long, solid rides. With my form not quite up to scratch
to justify the trip to Vancouver to join my teammates racing BC Superweek, I was
fortunate to find the Winfield Criterium within only an hour’s drive. The Winfield Criterium course is super fun with fabulous neighborhood support (although I must admit I was happy to find the vuvuselas absent this year) and an excellent effort from the ABD Cycling Club to put on this well-run event for 15 years running. Definitely one for all Chicagoland racers to add to the schedule next year. Adding additional excitement to the day, the race doubled as
this year’s American Bicycle Racing (ABR) National Championships.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvokZIrSnLHbEFgd_iT5e_-XCpSrlQ_c-xSds4Jhny5268GL6nGj60FRwtfbkghgLaJcVq136vOKuLliTre9TgxBQgXPhEAZOvi3P4K2aIM2QpoaorcHaVQuxhINqIlO9kn0eKAvVaUDb-/s1600/ABR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvokZIrSnLHbEFgd_iT5e_-XCpSrlQ_c-xSds4Jhny5268GL6nGj60FRwtfbkghgLaJcVq136vOKuLliTre9TgxBQgXPhEAZOvi3P4K2aIM2QpoaorcHaVQuxhINqIlO9kn0eKAvVaUDb-/s1600/ABR.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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The week found me finally making some solid progress on the
health front. My diaphragm, extremely grumpy after TOAD, started to settle down
and my lungs finally began feeling healed enough to handle the demands of
racing. The second week of July I suddenly started to feel like a completely
different person! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jFFQWRoclfIn-Bs3KZiQDCIpmFGaqXCBAUv_dXLXO1fRW9fpAETvTCJCdHdLd0GQ5IQPLMYdye_p2AB0uEsg54RvhXt8S2KBiJk35tkAMYwXMfkfNI43jmf-yQMqBNbex_JsZz_ETmU2/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jFFQWRoclfIn-Bs3KZiQDCIpmFGaqXCBAUv_dXLXO1fRW9fpAETvTCJCdHdLd0GQ5IQPLMYdye_p2AB0uEsg54RvhXt8S2KBiJk35tkAMYwXMfkfNI43jmf-yQMqBNbex_JsZz_ETmU2/s1600/Untitled.jpg" height="320" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling better!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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I decided to put my health to the test at Winfield, racing
three races over the course of the day to take advantage of the excellent
training session that the day offered. The day started sopping wet, the sky bucketing
down with rain. The eight-corner course, complete with four fast, downhill
corners, while super fun on a dry day, was a concern in the wet. The downpour
dwindled just in time for the start of the first race of the day, the Masters Women’s
Championship, leaving just wet roads (rather than bucketing rain AND wet roads) and the first challenge of the day. My confidence, hampered by struggling through several months of
poor form, was on the low side, and tackling the wet slippery corners was not
high on my list of fun things to do. So my goal with this race was to build
some confidence. I didn’t start out so well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainy TV interview with local announcer Todd Busteed and ABD racer Joe Berenyi before the race.</td></tr>
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Heading to the line for the start, I picked up a staple with
my rear tire, just minutes before the start. ABR is a small grass-roots
establishment compared with the larger and more widely known USA Cycling. Meaning
no neutral wheels. Fortunately Rob Curtis is an amazing and diehard supporter
of Chicagoland racing, putting up the PSIMET tents at nearly every Chicagoland
race out there. Rob had me set up on a new PSIMET wheel in the blink of an eye—plus
fixed my flat overnight. That’s awesome sponsorship! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite being already swamped by the demands of cross season, Rob continues to provide awesome support on the road. Thanks Rob!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Off and racing. One lap in, I attacked hard on the climb to
ensure my own line through the downhill corners. This gave me lots of
opportunity to practice and, continuing to push hard each lap, I was able to
build back confidence in my cornering skills over the course of the race.
Drying roads as the day progressed meant faster speeds through the corners, and
more confidence, with each lap.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating my first win of the day.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My next race of the day was the Open Women’s Championship. I
was a bit surprised (and worried!) to see seven (yes, seven!) speedy Columbia-Specialized
Team riders on the line. Yikes! My initial thought: this is going to hurt! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's Open Championship podium.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The women’s races complete for the day, I thought I’d take
advantage of the opportunity and jump in on the men’s 30+ race to really push
my fitness. I was really happy with how I felt—given that even the week before
I would’ve cracked well before the third race even started. The progression of races,
building in both speed and field size, was perfect for building back both my confidence
and my fitness. Two National Championship jerseys for my efforts isn’t a bad
deal!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look for another update soon as I finish up the Prairie State Cycling Series on Sunday. </div>
Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-58366086967152607272014-07-02T03:13:00.001-05:002014-10-03T10:58:53.463-05:0019-29 Jun 2014 Tour of America’s Dairyland<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recovering with chocolate milk. Photo by Tete Course.</td></tr>
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As the month of June winds down, the solstice has come and
gone, bringing with it the official arrival of summer to the Northern
Hemisphere. And that means TOAD! Tour of America’s Dairyland, that is – the
largest competitive road series in the US. Eleven consecutive days of fast
paced racing: ten 60-minute criteriums and one 53-mile (85-km) road race, all
based in towns scattered throughout southeastern Wisconsin. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's peloton on course at TOAD. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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Wisconsin is a huge dairy state, claiming the title of the
largest cheese producer in the US since 1910, pumping out fully one quarter of
the cheese produced in America, which in turn is the largest producer of cheese
in the world, accounting for 26% of the world’s cheese supply. I’d be willing
to bet that a good chunk of the cheese produced in Wisconsin gets divvied out
on the podium at TOAD each year!</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skylar Schneider (TIBCO) holding one of many cheese wheels won at TOAD. Photo by Tete Course</td></tr>
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The series started on Thursday evening. Thunderstorms
tailing on the back of a hot and sticky start to the week brought a hairpin
turn in the weather that threw everyone for a loop: temperatures dipped down
into the mid-50s (low teens), leaving many shivering in the chill air.
Vanderkitten started off the series with three riders: me, Liza, and Kate. A
decent sized field, early series jitters, and some seriously dodgy pavement
made for a squirrely race. Personally I struggled with the frigid air, the
chill enough to exacerbate the irritation in my lungs. In the end it was Erica
Allar (Colavita) taking line honors to don the leader’s jersey. Liza with a solid start to the series in eighth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liza, Kate, and me at the front at Shorewood. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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Friday the series moved to East Troy where temperatures did
another flip to give us hot conditions once again. I had a real breakthrough
today health-wise, making it—for the first time since late February—through my
warmup without feeling like I was struggling. I loved the fast, flowy course
and really enjoyed the race, finally feeling—and riding—a bit more like myself.
Tina Pic (Fearless Femme) nabbed the win to take over the series lead, Liza
seventh, and Kate right behind in eighth.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tight fit on course at East Troy. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Race 3 Saturday evening in Grafton turned chilly once again
as National Criterium Calendar (NCC) status attracted additional riders to the
line. The race was super aggressive from start to finish with 64 riders on
course. Liza, Kate, and I were joined tonight by Lizzie. The highlight of the
race was a $1000 prime that saw Liza, Lizzie tucked on her wheel, blast off the
front of the bunch on the back side of the course. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was perfectly positioned to slot in behind
Lizzie to deter any chase. Launching off of Liza's wheel, Lizzie was nearly to
the line by the time the field rounded the final turn in persuit. In the
finish, Sam Schneider (TIBCO) took the win and the overall lead, becoming the third
rider in the leader's jersey as many days. Lizzie finished off in fourth place and Kate hot of her
wheels in sixth.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast racing at Grafton. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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Waukesha offered up pleasant temperatures and another big
NCC field. A crash in the first 20 minutes of racing brought down Liza, who got
right back in the race despite a huge gash (later requiring six stitches),
massive bruising on her elbow, and two bloody knees. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloody Liza, post crash, riding a neutral bike. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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I lost position in the
restart after the crash and spent much of the remainder of the race fighting to
move up. With five laps to go, the pace on, riders strung out single file, the
rider in front of me clipped a pedal in turn 5. Her bike flew up, the back
wheel skimming my lips as it flipped through the air in front of me.
Wow. Needless to say I was a bit stunned. Somehow, I remained upright, but the
crash split the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A huge chase
effort by me, Ash Duben (Guru), and one other rider saw us regain the front
bunch, now reduced by half, but the effort blew our legs for the finish. Erica
Allar took her second win of the series, Lizzie fifth and a bloody Liza somehow
pulling off thirteenth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Lizzie on course at Waukesha. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the race we said goodbye to Kate and Lizzie
who headed off to Boise, Idaho, while Liza and I tackled Race 5 in Beloit. The
race was fast but slightly less action packed due to the reduced fire power of
the smaller field size. At this point, my ability to
breathe is improving each day, but the successive days of racing is beginning
to take a toll and I begin to feel twinges in my diaphragm, no doubt
complaining about the unreasonable demands I’m placing on it. In many ways this
is good news because it means I am beginning to be able to breathe more deeply.
A mass in my abdomen, removed last year, previously restricted my breathing.
Last season was a lot about reconditioning my diaphragm. An early season lung
infection this year sent my deep breathing muscles into disuse once again, requiring
time to build back up. Another good sign: the race went by quickly. I was surprised to find the lap card reading 2 to go with lots left in my legs--way out of position though. Tina Pic took her second win of the series, but Sam
Schneider held on to the jersey, Liza tenth.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vssDCawkRJfgosUTYPTlL6OUBoejhjIw0_jx62pVubKYpL_gFAfob35pfOutNWsTEPwk2pEGw6fFe1SU_yXAjOMXbrTf1PA5BaEs8YKTJDl4JWbghE8xSzOhBRNRwY4M2UL82NrdZCph/s1600/4Waukeshaw_Jono+Coulter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vssDCawkRJfgosUTYPTlL6OUBoejhjIw0_jx62pVubKYpL_gFAfob35pfOutNWsTEPwk2pEGw6fFe1SU_yXAjOMXbrTf1PA5BaEs8YKTJDl4JWbghE8xSzOhBRNRwY4M2UL82NrdZCph/s1600/4Waukeshaw_Jono+Coulter.jpg" height="320" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to start. Photo by Jono Coulter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday the series moved to the most technical and probably most
challenging venue: Schlitz Park, a tight course with a pinch climb and
technical descent. Thirty times up the hill over the course of an hour
whittled away the field. One of the men’s teams, Athlete Octane, spurred us on
by offering up often highly entertaining primes midway up the hill. Pretty awesome! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsNbOSg_7JDS0ZRitgzU40DZnd10LgTiP15UsGo1nVh0N_Jt88XyeDPU_KVnHDzt1mosuhm5UytYGvIcBAnk0QRYhNHLc-tbQNUd_RuYKy1kUUGGXlJuHJwFB7ev8mlfXJMmyGCaKrYjy/s1600/6Schlitz+Primes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsNbOSg_7JDS0ZRitgzU40DZnd10LgTiP15UsGo1nVh0N_Jt88XyeDPU_KVnHDzt1mosuhm5UytYGvIcBAnk0QRYhNHLc-tbQNUd_RuYKy1kUUGGXlJuHJwFB7ev8mlfXJMmyGCaKrYjy/s1600/6Schlitz+Primes.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana Penuela (Columbia Specialized) collecting her prime from speedo-clad Athlete Octane riders.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
After lots of activity, a break of kiwi Jo Keisanowki (TIBCO), Jessi Prinner
(Colavita), and Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) eventually disappeared off
the front to fill the podium spots, Jo taking the win. My diaphragm decided
enough was enough and really cramped up on this race. I hung in there though
and punched it hard the final time up the hill, but low confidence kept me from
carrying it through the top section.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjErRwzI7fg7HpjX_MriHXmaA2V9Pzg0MVxFmXB46aLKqhEqubWrFHE0ewsE3N_E6sjvWAD7DjE3RselsjBJPk5yCOSIDdb5ZJVKDYU3iPfogknJwoA_PBlXW3XK76_I8DPzQ-PfcgtGW1/s1600/6Schlitz_Tete+Course.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjErRwzI7fg7HpjX_MriHXmaA2V9Pzg0MVxFmXB46aLKqhEqubWrFHE0ewsE3N_E6sjvWAD7DjE3RselsjBJPk5yCOSIDdb5ZJVKDYU3iPfogknJwoA_PBlXW3XK76_I8DPzQ-PfcgtGW1/s1600/6Schlitz_Tete+Course.JPG" height="320" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following Diana Penuela (Columbia Specialized) up the climb. Photo by Tete Course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The bunch surged, riders scrambling. Liza
slotted into position in front of me for fifth wheel, giving her protection
from behind (since my leadout remains pretty suboptimal). Single-file, we
snaked through the descent, shooting out of the final corner toward the line.
Liza held her position in the sprint to take eighth. I lost few spots—due to my
current challenge of sprinting like I’m riding through molasses—with three
riders passing me nearly on the line to nudge me out of the top 10. Despite a somewhat
disappointing finish, I was one of only 19 riders to make the front selection,
suggesting good progress on the fitness front.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8WaXap4uNEpU8hdkHUnKhRwtCjrNKzy7zptrPt4WXeQieduBhyphenhyphen0U56ED77-Qz5Ltuen3obHJ9_S5VMbcEcDPZwGeEidL6tMM6WZ5kK4lt9KSLJ36Jci-JWoMLHTOSqh5s-X4HuwxBwvJ/s1600/6Schlitz1_Jono.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8WaXap4uNEpU8hdkHUnKhRwtCjrNKzy7zptrPt4WXeQieduBhyphenhyphen0U56ED77-Qz5Ltuen3obHJ9_S5VMbcEcDPZwGeEidL6tMM6WZ5kK4lt9KSLJ36Jci-JWoMLHTOSqh5s-X4HuwxBwvJ/s1600/6Schlitz1_Jono.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liza and me climbing at Schlitz Park. Nicely placed VK banner Jono! Photo by Jono Coulter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday gave us thick fog for the drive north to the Road
America Race Course for Race 7. As a NASCAR track, Road America offers the
perfect venue for a road race: no cars, good pavement, sweeping turns built for
speed, and a multitude of viewing locations around the undulating 4.4-mile
(7-km) circuit. Tiffany joined me and Liza to bolster Vanderkitten’s numbers
back up to three for the remainder of the series. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr2l_KKtc6Ew8qhjCVUTsWAjnJnM2ee8XJgHfU39jy6gugr9xxLEU0a2QN2ObPasuqHx6DlLYympRE14eSXNYsG29hiAx3pLM7FRdHvfJ-rdRijWm3S4kWj4qYEV1JVY4sOlOtBLXx0cw/s1600/TOAD+team+2_Jono.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr2l_KKtc6Ew8qhjCVUTsWAjnJnM2ee8XJgHfU39jy6gugr9xxLEU0a2QN2ObPasuqHx6DlLYympRE14eSXNYsG29hiAx3pLM7FRdHvfJ-rdRijWm3S4kWj4qYEV1JVY4sOlOtBLXx0cw/s1600/TOAD+team+2_Jono.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Tiff, and Liza, ready to race. Photo by Jono Coulter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Tracey Cameron (Fearless
Femme) made a gutsy move on lap 1 to go solo for half the race. Vanderkitten
put in a big effort to make the race aggressive with lots of attacks, but
nothing stuck. Sam Schneider triumphed in the uphill finish, Liza tenth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC15kfZLI9606jLsmnMbcqCjYj8hGuqBI_pNh7EC0LQSm5ZqGwOUX-mlCdgeUDyP1kz4M3v19yYGAV_zUcSN70CIwm3hFZuYeEsIvRS6IKibKZEQOs17w-2Dw8biZHM_L0XgYXBgyXAEi/s1600/7Road+Am_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC15kfZLI9606jLsmnMbcqCjYj8hGuqBI_pNh7EC0LQSm5ZqGwOUX-mlCdgeUDyP1kz4M3v19yYGAV_zUcSN70CIwm3hFZuYeEsIvRS6IKibKZEQOs17w-2Dw8biZHM_L0XgYXBgyXAEi/s1600/7Road+Am_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracey Cameron (Fearless Femme) attacking on lap 1. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Race 8 in Oshkosh I was feeling pretty worn out. My
building fitness and healing lungs pushed to the limit by the multiple
successive days of racing, my lungs felt congested, my throat scratchy, and my
spirits downtrodden. I was ready for an early exit to the series. Teammates are
great when this happens because they help redirect focus. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuFhF5elj2YWKBWO36QhTC12Xpzby3BCKuz-GrahWYJ-WZlIAQ10su-Vfec_1TUhSU3DDj8ZEfnaaIA-XkP41tF2rpBAVuxxScSTLEOTs97Je0Jqij0bp3-euq6kYEAQhuNq_nDTtfTRc/s1600/Pace+Car_Tete+Course.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuFhF5elj2YWKBWO36QhTC12Xpzby3BCKuz-GrahWYJ-WZlIAQ10su-Vfec_1TUhSU3DDj8ZEfnaaIA-XkP41tF2rpBAVuxxScSTLEOTs97Je0Jqij0bp3-euq6kYEAQhuNq_nDTtfTRc/s1600/Pace+Car_Tete+Course.JPG" height="215" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOAD pace car. Photo by Tete Course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I began to feel
better over the course of the race and late in the race finally managed a sharp
enough attack to get a gap of the front. Another sign of improving form. After a lap and a half solo I was joined by Lindsay Fox (Cloud Racing). We worked well
together to build up a good gap for another five laps. A series of field primes
saw us reeled back in with only a lap and a half laps left to race. Tina Pic
earned her third series win. Late reshuffling put Tiffany and Liza out of
position for thirteenth and fifteenth.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmxyd6kMljCHTni0uq4o0x4BCXbByO5uYZpc7YmThywhlwiGJQBZj1VAaaPSpRvGV2Xk9vHrbd13WacaqvJYUvY7qsdqwPGdAFOgUOaCiAvkMJ0VJbnG_HUCkU381DiaqUo2nHk_F-jGm/s1600/8Oshkosh_Katie+Isermann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmxyd6kMljCHTni0uq4o0x4BCXbByO5uYZpc7YmThywhlwiGJQBZj1VAaaPSpRvGV2Xk9vHrbd13WacaqvJYUvY7qsdqwPGdAFOgUOaCiAvkMJ0VJbnG_HUCkU381DiaqUo2nHk_F-jGm/s1600/8Oshkosh_Katie+Isermann.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riders lining up for the start at Oshkosh, Photo by Katie Isermann</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I started the next day feeling much better, the hard effort
in my legs having turned things around. The short, fast course at Fond du Lac was well-suited for a breakaway; the winning break of three riders was gone
within the first 15 min of racing, before I even had a chance to work my way to
the front. Mandy Heinz (Fearless Femme), Laura Jorgenson (Mellow Mushroom), and
Amy Phillips (Pepper Palace) built up a 40 s lead by midrace. The gap was down
to 7 s by the end, but that was more than enough to give Mandy a well-earned
win, Liza ninth, and Tiff fifteenth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQRLPfa1eG1HMTUiSCa7dNojXlngc5oj4Jy-67iaIz5cHMIqn5ZMnIEn206OWTZSIxZAT0b1E-GVuFoNSja0kn7dZraqgCYdKz40DzFUvI_LUm562AcdUKm5gsN6n-EtKRT-itDrtbrJl/s1600/Brad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQRLPfa1eG1HMTUiSCa7dNojXlngc5oj4Jy-67iaIz5cHMIqn5ZMnIEn206OWTZSIxZAT0b1E-GVuFoNSja0kn7dZraqgCYdKz40DzFUvI_LUm562AcdUKm5gsN6n-EtKRT-itDrtbrJl/s1600/Brad.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Announcer Brad Sohner getting comfortable on stage. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Downer Ave on Saturday, with a long reputation as a
spectacular venue, did not disappoint this year. Spectators lined the entire
course to cheer us on, and it was so awesome to hear so many cries of ‘Go
Jeannie!’ all throughout the race! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxm-PcxQSADYUpgArBZWXvplUn9TyaOQPaHoSJ5Sw4z0t8PSKKpJlWjAeXPiOh6zrisetO32I7Ez1JY2-g6lTGkDdeK9uBdpnLw1341-lDQ7ot_h9H-goVDAqcsG-du2sJUcskf7vNOB8/s1600/Downer_Brad+Sohner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxm-PcxQSADYUpgArBZWXvplUn9TyaOQPaHoSJ5Sw4z0t8PSKKpJlWjAeXPiOh6zrisetO32I7Ez1JY2-g6lTGkDdeK9uBdpnLw1341-lDQ7ot_h9H-goVDAqcsG-du2sJUcskf7vNOB8/s1600/Downer_Brad+Sohner.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All sorts of racing at Downer Ave!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being a Saturday, the field swelled again to
over 60. Attacks went all throughout the race, but things really heated up in
the last 10 laps, where the prime bell rang every other time around. I was able
to counter an attack by Liza to jump off the front through the start-finish
straight, Liza in perfect position to deter any chasers. Just then, a $400
prime was announced. I went all in to stay away for the lap, holding off the
chase by barely half a wheel to take the prime. And blowing myself apart in
the effort.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn7COauwilYq-eh43TR4bf3d_ONRoThn2YjmnqvmjO3USv7QNx7HbwplQILTFovnoxUWNaY5qOkHrWXRInhVBEnY5aVbu1HtgwMnjn-8PdKvfsUT04iGWecerRvTmMxIhauvo1KyLe4Am/s1600/10Downers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn7COauwilYq-eh43TR4bf3d_ONRoThn2YjmnqvmjO3USv7QNx7HbwplQILTFovnoxUWNaY5qOkHrWXRInhVBEnY5aVbu1HtgwMnjn-8PdKvfsUT04iGWecerRvTmMxIhauvo1KyLe4Am/s1600/10Downers.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barely holding on for a big prime at Downer. The two catching are going much faster than I am. The rest of the field is approaching fast, just out of view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I dug so deep, I resigned to pulling out of the race after the prime. Funny
thing though. The field was so strung out that by the time the tail end came
past I was able to tag on long enough to recover and get back in the race. The
effort wasn’t enough for a top finish though. I still struggle to muster up enough wattage for a decent sprint. Erica Allar powered to win number
three, Liza eleventh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy3hBTs4iJAXut7yRx3328zi5bmzB0Qqn2QZ7_0zRPu5jM74PdTJ9KHgAU6f7SqJuZDUC4QD913OyGJDDlCa1H6Ag60RkpsKzgogq7ugB0eORZTbLtplJuj4eDckE_DAW-Hbxbq5YxjV9/s1600/10Downers_Philip+Shama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy3hBTs4iJAXut7yRx3328zi5bmzB0Qqn2QZ7_0zRPu5jM74PdTJ9KHgAU6f7SqJuZDUC4QD913OyGJDDlCa1H6Ag60RkpsKzgogq7ugB0eORZTbLtplJuj4eDckE_DAW-Hbxbq5YxjV9/s1600/10Downers_Philip+Shama.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single file at Downer Ave. Photo by Philip Shama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The final race in East Tosa on Sunday was just as fan-packed
as Downer, with a massive crowd out to watch the finale of the tour. The race
was aggressive from the start, with the front of the field shooting off the
start line like a comet, the field in a long tail behind. Tiff took a huge
flier but was eventually reeled in. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKCjZt4e8RsqDo2elaCO7ioG25Nz0FQYfvV16Wifq-ljHVwBDyo8hqEd1jev_KBrTxjSo-Ea9cANruTApIm_1RW7RYKDTYPqqz8fYmRkAqbnDrYg92b3WJTaHJKPiZ0Iy2T0TP9U_BhOc/s1600/11East+Tosa3_Tiff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKCjZt4e8RsqDo2elaCO7ioG25Nz0FQYfvV16Wifq-ljHVwBDyo8hqEd1jev_KBrTxjSo-Ea9cANruTApIm_1RW7RYKDTYPqqz8fYmRkAqbnDrYg92b3WJTaHJKPiZ0Iy2T0TP9U_BhOc/s1600/11East+Tosa3_Tiff.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiff attacking off the front early in the race. Photo by Chis Butson <a href="http://www.dromomania.net/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404222765856_37925" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">www.dromomania.net</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lots of attacks later, Mandy Heinz
(Fearless Femme), Laura Jorgenson (Mellow Mushroom), and Amy Phillips (Pepper
Palace) slipped off the front. Liza led the chase in a small group that
eventually fell apart. I countered with a solo bridge attempt that lasted several
laps, but I didn’t have the legs required and eventually rejoined the field. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempting to bridge to the break. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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<br />
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The trio stayed away, Mandy earning her second win of the series. Liza and I finished tenth and eleventh, with Liza finishing sixth overall in the series. Sam Schneider (TIBCO) took the overall win, retaining the
leader’s jersey for eight days of the series, her younger sister Skylar (TIBCO)
winning the amateur jersey. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selection of jerseys for multiple different categories at TOAD.</td></tr>
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Some huge ups and downs emotionally and physically, but
overall incredible progress for me! Congrats to the whole TOAD crew to put on
an exciting, safe, and professional series. A huge effort goes into putting on
a series like TOAD, and the group at Midwest Cycling Series do an amazing job. Thank you to all the sponsors, officials, volunteers, riders, and supporters who make this series possible. I’m
grateful to my teammates, including team director Jono Coulter, and most
especially Liza Rachetto, who kept me positive throughout the series. Also to
announcer Todd Busteed for huge support from the stage—I’m still working on that
podium! and to Laura Van Gilder for being a wonderful person and supportive friend. A huge thank you to John Fleckenstein who was an incredible host,
wonderful travel companion, and generous supporter throughout the series. I am
so grateful for all the cheers and support I received over the course of the 11
days--quite possible the voices of Paul, Jake, and Josh Shilling the loudest among them. Thank you also to Jimmy Campbell at On the Rivet Photography for so many of the awesome photos included here.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBPmCk32cswsApdsgCbVfz1IMvWV2dLJ0dR3y20jikhX2GzthX1tow7cyzglnmkExl-4sudl7XE7aJRXxqPBKoZUxTiFqBhF4TDDoN_P9l3UeNdb3CDItYvzc9u4BcS8GW4ceLJ6yYn1A/s1600/11East+Tosa3_On+the+Rivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBPmCk32cswsApdsgCbVfz1IMvWV2dLJ0dR3y20jikhX2GzthX1tow7cyzglnmkExl-4sudl7XE7aJRXxqPBKoZUxTiFqBhF4TDDoN_P9l3UeNdb3CDItYvzc9u4BcS8GW4ceLJ6yYn1A/s1600/11East+Tosa3_On+the+Rivet.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big effort at East Tosa. Photo by On the Rivet</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-54640998201194513992014-06-18T21:49:00.001-05:002014-06-18T21:49:20.492-05:0011-15 Jun 2014 North Star Grand Prix<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHGFsa7abIVYUijNvma6Kw97Kirb0MYz4thmO7QOWap5lezvjIasd2kuQBR7RQKfSXF2ZWwrYRW6JNoz3SGXcpkia_PBLXbHzwOALGxKHq4kGuJUOOO4aGyaZBrfjGid7MDiZKa2bc5EI/s1600/Team2_Jono+Coulter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHGFsa7abIVYUijNvma6Kw97Kirb0MYz4thmO7QOWap5lezvjIasd2kuQBR7RQKfSXF2ZWwrYRW6JNoz3SGXcpkia_PBLXbHzwOALGxKHq4kGuJUOOO4aGyaZBrfjGid7MDiZKa2bc5EI/s1600/Team2_Jono+Coulter.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miranda, Lizzie, Kate, me, Gillian, Amy, and Korina (not pictured) ready to race at North Star GP. Photo by Jono Coulter</td></tr>
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Last week I headed north to southeastern Minnesota to join
six teammates and director Jono Coulter for the North Star Grand Prix, a five
day, six stage National Race Calendar race. A top-notch field jam-packed with
talent guaranteed an exciting race. The tour marked for me excellent personal progress;
for the team, historical results and monumental performances<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOpXWUhPmy40gFX6I5TuricRRV4SGzySBRf8zmhtpC69pZzFqPezhKJU48_ITPx2trD5LXAdup8TYqpOz_o9lxRsCLMKFdlHlWLHHYfwPR1hKTpOMpR4S6elHCLzdhlTDxtawGcD0Bmj-/s1600/Bikes_Jono+Coulter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOpXWUhPmy40gFX6I5TuricRRV4SGzySBRf8zmhtpC69pZzFqPezhKJU48_ITPx2trD5LXAdup8TYqpOz_o9lxRsCLMKFdlHlWLHHYfwPR1hKTpOMpR4S6elHCLzdhlTDxtawGcD0Bmj-/s1600/Bikes_Jono+Coulter.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Powered by Colnago. Photo by Jono Coulter</td></tr>
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I came into the race with some degree of confidence moving
forward as recent tests confirmed the lack of any obvious physical damage to my
lungs from a nasty lung infection earlier this year. So, albeit more slowly
than expected, my lungs are healing and I can push ahead without fear of doing
further damage. Coincident with this knowledge came some degree of reduction in
the tightness and burning in my lungs, which have for the past three months
limited training. With the removal of these limitations was revealed a new
restriction: crap fitness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLjnwiynip7prZc6BmjTS2ZpW-wUOfALc_p-B21nO7H3Lm1gWYrkT6h3Iuwk0xVSi8kCPDsmSOfR8LPMc06VAiqLnamgYzQeQMRbxFczl954xK6YA8yOu3a5lbwKVid4TQJFSMJ05k_b1/s1600/Stage+4+solo_Todd+Fawcett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLjnwiynip7prZc6BmjTS2ZpW-wUOfALc_p-B21nO7H3Lm1gWYrkT6h3Iuwk0xVSi8kCPDsmSOfR8LPMc06VAiqLnamgYzQeQMRbxFczl954xK6YA8yOu3a5lbwKVid4TQJFSMJ05k_b1/s1600/Stage+4+solo_Todd+Fawcett.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fake it till you make it! Showing off my Vittoria shoes. Photo by Todd Fawcett </td></tr>
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<br />
The tour started with a rolly 5 mile (8 km) time trial along
the Mississippi River. Time trials are a good reminder of my struggling fitness…
In this game of pain, everyone hurts. Fitter, stronger riders hurt just the
same as weaker riders, they just go faster. Ultimately, though, the rider who
comes out on top is one who can really suffer, setting pain aside to dig still
deeper. Alison Powers (UHC) has shown time and time again that she is a master
of pushing past pain. The reigning US National TT Champion set a blistering
pace to win the stage and take the leader’s jersey. Vanderkitten teammate Gillian
Carleton was not far off the charge, finishing ninth, just 39 s down, with Amy
Charity, Lizzie Williams, and Miranda Griffiths all within striking distance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_4ovzNjJflmiGraZR18OwNAnEQuAwxG8StQS7lt1gFFiTgXRnOx6OHJMpAIMuO_CKENOief3LMqUXCw-MnGvzYMqyxnJMQEYvI7NMsNWcNDEsYQQrKz3xqcoN_stN0jjbTrDmsHgZnIG/s1600/Stage+1+TT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_4ovzNjJflmiGraZR18OwNAnEQuAwxG8StQS7lt1gFFiTgXRnOx6OHJMpAIMuO_CKENOief3LMqUXCw-MnGvzYMqyxnJMQEYvI7NMsNWcNDEsYQQrKz3xqcoN_stN0jjbTrDmsHgZnIG/s1600/Stage+1+TT.JPG" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me working hard following the Mississippi River in Stage 1.</td></tr>
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Stage 2 that same evening was a fast, twisty-turny criterium
in the heart of downtown St. Paul. A five-corner course—with four of the corners exceeding
90 degrees—a generous mix of brick and blacktop, and a crammed field of 106
riders made for a crash-fest with riders going down approximately every second
lap over the 28-lap race.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH3sayzkx8PmBzkuzEqmw37oGW7BdkjEnrrLt86W90shJAwplom8ntB0yrr05nOvLSlsM1MQYnLILGjcAFw7Uzfge_4pc0V3anbvzNjjlUIGobEZhfY_r2Kjw78aAn2Xn0mwSbvmF2ght/s1600/Stage+2+crash_VeloNews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH3sayzkx8PmBzkuzEqmw37oGW7BdkjEnrrLt86W90shJAwplom8ntB0yrr05nOvLSlsM1MQYnLILGjcAFw7Uzfge_4pc0V3anbvzNjjlUIGobEZhfY_r2Kjw78aAn2Xn0mwSbvmF2ght/s1600/Stage+2+crash_VeloNews.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many crashes in Stage 2, Photo by VeloNews</td></tr>
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As someone who likes to line up about 2 minutes before the
start, I was not particularly thrilled to roll to the line 30 min before kick off and find myself nearly at the back of the field. While starting at the back
should be no encumbrance to a fit and skilled rider, I lack at least one if not
both of those qualifications at the moment. I felt comfortable throughout the
race, used some skills to avoid multiple crashes, but did not have the fitness
to power through the sections that offered a chance to move up. As a result, I
yo-yoed mid-field for most of the race, unable to make forward progress. With
five laps to go, I and teammates Miranda and Amy were all caught behind a crash
that split the field. The clear road gave me a chance to work hard to try to
bring us back up, but my strength was lacking and we lost 55 s to the leaders. Vanderkitten
Lizzie Williams rode like a legend to capture third place in an exciting sprint
finish.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkeTEOk1dgMJSoIBc8GcW5Rk9QUuQEB-929BFIA_C4P40gd_RWYJ6WmEkoi5jv2dLHepgWXlpqPIVrRrsGIScwKUaybgYhjCPcTGU6zYK7mOGdZ4hinBFInbHWRE2jKAXdI21yfvXbZVW/s1600/Stage+2_Todd+Fawcett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkeTEOk1dgMJSoIBc8GcW5Rk9QUuQEB-929BFIA_C4P40gd_RWYJ6WmEkoi5jv2dLHepgWXlpqPIVrRrsGIScwKUaybgYhjCPcTGU6zYK7mOGdZ4hinBFInbHWRE2jKAXdI21yfvXbZVW/s1600/Stage+2_Todd+Fawcett.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crashes and corners spread out the field on the streets on St. Paul. Photo by Todd Fawcett</td></tr>
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Winds were a huge factor in Stage 3 the following day. Gusty
conditions splintered the field within the first hour of the 95 mile (153 km) road
race in Cannon Falls, with only 27 riders making the front selection. The challenging
conditions ensured that everyone on the road had a very hard day on the bike. Stand
out riding by Gillian set up Lizzie for the finish where she powered to fourth place,
moving her up the GC ladder. The stage also saw a change of race leader as bonus
time on the line put stage winner Carmen Small (Specialized-Lululemon) into the
leader’s jersey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZfX6CD4MEaPw7YpS8VPnyg34EYjOiHsgE0Cooixev0WlIYYgspdncdKecHGwPeW-xAMM_pBVWmx0eoIRZ39zQdtdCUfzRFtmlOcFLQK2F29HbO2ifH59nGpC72iKnZXzumkZkCtdjdqt/s1600/Stage+5+Race+Convoy+Menomonie_Skinnyski.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZfX6CD4MEaPw7YpS8VPnyg34EYjOiHsgE0Cooixev0WlIYYgspdncdKecHGwPeW-xAMM_pBVWmx0eoIRZ39zQdtdCUfzRFtmlOcFLQK2F29HbO2ifH59nGpC72iKnZXzumkZkCtdjdqt/s1600/Stage+5+Race+Convoy+Menomonie_Skinnyski.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race convoy. Photo by SkinnySki.com</td></tr>
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Friday brought a criterium in Uptown Minneapolis for Stage 4. This time I started with slightly better position in the top third of the
field. But again, I lost position quickly. With fewer crashes breaking up the rhythm
of the race, I was able to slowly progress my way forward bit by bit each lap. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About halfway through the race I had finally made
my way close to the front when a crash brought the race to a halt. Unfortunately
several riders went down hard and the delay was nearly 20 min.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWwCTUmnsqEYr2CAULjR81FrBmbja0dMhzvxqXGOUwZa2zRjgv5L9a8aDbnNXztlvjyhWZ9YxrWmzxnq1qryyhc3OCGtwiHAB7k-aBTYaFGC-bZfbOJ4ZM4_zOCen5MrOpuxVhQL7YWtJ/s1600/Stage+4_Todd+Fawcett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWwCTUmnsqEYr2CAULjR81FrBmbja0dMhzvxqXGOUwZa2zRjgv5L9a8aDbnNXztlvjyhWZ9YxrWmzxnq1qryyhc3OCGtwiHAB7k-aBTYaFGC-bZfbOJ4ZM4_zOCen5MrOpuxVhQL7YWtJ/s1600/Stage+4_Todd+Fawcett.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gillian and Miranda keeping good position in corner 6. Photo by Todd Fawcett</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The fast pace of
the race was the biggest tax on my lungs thus far in the tour and I felt the muscles in my neck tensing up as a result. The pause in activity caused
my lungs to tighten further and I lost a bit of mental focus. The restart allowed
a reshuffle of the bunch and I found myself back to midfield, unable to
progress forward as the race wound down to the final laps. Lizzie hung tough,
keeping her head in the game to finish fifth, nudging her still forward in GC.<br />
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9jgVFi4_2GORZT4MVPQqIUMDiPdalcB2gd4zmhrby9I4Z0H1C4kfaxZPvx0l3Tme5SDXfdxmfiZxKR5TEKOQpoCqtB9JI734kioXDPqvACXZ0KuD7Grj7HlCYNpRB7DGqrI2AMXa6i4S/s1600/Friday+13+Full+moon_Todd+Fawcett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9jgVFi4_2GORZT4MVPQqIUMDiPdalcB2gd4zmhrby9I4Z0H1C4kfaxZPvx0l3Tme5SDXfdxmfiZxKR5TEKOQpoCqtB9JI734kioXDPqvACXZ0KuD7Grj7HlCYNpRB7DGqrI2AMXa6i4S/s1600/Friday+13+Full+moon_Todd+Fawcett.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday the 13th Full moon over Minneapolis. Photo by Todd Fawcett</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Stormy skies delivered rain within 45 min on the road in
Saturday’s 82 mi (132 km) road race in Menomonie. The rain-soaked stage started
out cruisey enough, with many weary bodies in the bunch. My job was to cover
attacks in the early part of the stage, so the lack of activity was a relief
for me. With thunder booming overhead, attacks started after about an hour of
racing as riders positioned for the first sprint and subsequent first big hill climb of the
stage. I was happy to find that I felt better than I had all week and did my
best to cover everything that went off the front to give my teammates a chance
to save their legs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz4SeGZfuSzeHMnVyGsTL5CyzJ52YXMVONWluJaqIzl-udqgquWzRrzK4X8dJdRETZP67Xdb5MGrWWZwWQXDz-ZXGhaOyS7kKCbVLQiGsEs0XX_h3lvv3kpiu4AUTIXYE2tLZanGe4Xml/s1600/Stage+5_skinnyski.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz4SeGZfuSzeHMnVyGsTL5CyzJ52YXMVONWluJaqIzl-udqgquWzRrzK4X8dJdRETZP67Xdb5MGrWWZwWQXDz-ZXGhaOyS7kKCbVLQiGsEs0XX_h3lvv3kpiu4AUTIXYE2tLZanGe4Xml/s1600/Stage+5_skinnyski.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising around Menomonie, before the rain. Photo by SkinnySki.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Halfway through the stage, as raindrops continued to fall and
the air temperature began to plummet, I made the only decision that made sense:
to pull out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With my immune system already
pushed to the limit by my still-healing lungs, I figured that getting severely
chilled twice in one week (the previous being the rainy road race in Galena
last Saturday) was pushing the odds. So into the team car I went. In the
finishing circuit, teammate Gillian slogged through the miserable and slippery
conditions to power to Vanderkitten’s highest ranked win ever, with Lizzie on
her heals in third.<br />
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAUrwMKjlOqGmZn80Y2MFduF7Hys8XswtAOfSdguum1g1jKzhciDd_YhRWJHhRvJPialx64a41YGB4sSrTs3uujxFmLDlt66jRQKvCdg_WMIogziLsGBE-3AABPsm6pPDjPp3diYXDtiZ/s1600/Stage+5+win_Skinnyski.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAUrwMKjlOqGmZn80Y2MFduF7Hys8XswtAOfSdguum1g1jKzhciDd_YhRWJHhRvJPialx64a41YGB4sSrTs3uujxFmLDlt66jRQKvCdg_WMIogziLsGBE-3AABPsm6pPDjPp3diYXDtiZ/s1600/Stage+5+win_Skinnyski.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rain-soaked win for Gillian. Photo by Todd Fawcett</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The final stage on Sunday, 14 times up the wall that is
Chilcook Hill, was the most exciting yet! Under pressure to take back the
leader’s jersey, UHC sent riders off the front every lap, forcing chase efforts
from threatened riders. As riders began to tire, Lizzie put in a blistering
attack late in the race. With 5 laps to go, the girl had her work cut out for
her. In an amazingly exciting and dramatic stage, Lizzie held off the chase to
take the stage win—Vanderkitten’s second historic victory in as many days—and
moved into fourth place in GC. The gutsy effort also earned her most aggressive
rider for the stage!<br />
<br />
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_ZgMyMVCo8cNlYNSOpQ97WrA4oSny8XSYVcTm9qXO6Ue9YEYtjjki_-ZVDC2Z9GV5n2NYwTjpQdzUYjXwzK-w0P34LcgEv4Qb0z6gzjBYb7eJzdWgJWMWNcb8-DybKZNH9AoXziuDq4Y/s1600/Stage+6+warmup_Todd+Fawcett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_ZgMyMVCo8cNlYNSOpQ97WrA4oSny8XSYVcTm9qXO6Ue9YEYtjjki_-ZVDC2Z9GV5n2NYwTjpQdzUYjXwzK-w0P34LcgEv4Qb0z6gzjBYb7eJzdWgJWMWNcb8-DybKZNH9AoXziuDq4Y/s1600/Stage+6+warmup_Todd+Fawcett.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizzie getting in the zone for her stage win. Photo by Todd Fawcett</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thanks Jono for an amazing job directing the team! Huge thank
you to our wonderful hosts Kelly, Kris, Miles, and Henry Newman for letting us
take over their whole house, Kelli Richter for being an awesome travel partner
(and for supplying me with yummy Kakookies!), and to Vanderkitten VIP Molly
Brewer for dedicated team support. The tour marked the send off for VK rider
Korina Huizar, who is off the Europe to ride with the US National team. Good
luck Korina!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjgNWkRch2M_uruTc0HU3s8bJb04OAfR2EDqo0aLsvr05_7b3YrrbeW8p4pHfKEe4LRU-0iKL4mwVMol2AadoLd8QQntW0hXObf3NPMQMrnfBml3Zu4rfhy1Hj20rQ1RHC7tKvzGglDO9/s1600/Host+family_Jono+Coulter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjgNWkRch2M_uruTc0HU3s8bJb04OAfR2EDqo0aLsvr05_7b3YrrbeW8p4pHfKEe4LRU-0iKL4mwVMol2AadoLd8QQntW0hXObf3NPMQMrnfBml3Zu4rfhy1Hj20rQ1RHC7tKvzGglDO9/s1600/Host+family_Jono+Coulter.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our host family hanging out with Lizzie and Gillian. Photo by Jono Coulter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Blogs from some Vanderkitten teammates:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Amy Charity: </b>amymcharity.blogspot.com</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Gillian Carleton: </b>gilliancarleton.com</div>
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Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-50993161344811228422014-06-10T00:05:00.000-05:002014-06-10T22:02:48.595-05:006-8 Jun 2014 Tour of Galena<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In its
fourth year and already one of the best races in the Midwest, the </span><a href="http://www.tourofgalena.com/"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tour of Galena</span></a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <span lang="EN-US">continues to get better and better every year! This year race
organizers xXx Racing stepped things up once again by adding mountain and sprint
competitions to the three-day, four-stage omnium, as well as putting up equal
prize money for the women’s field. Good work xXx! </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwcWPLKaQSQbO09PoQSWnDw3WIgQyeKqb8f-tYkIzNmGxPJ53LMn3qmsg0S7XwnEYIysZuiC6s2gkzL6Gt9N5T79LBuklkMZ14YfRyO0iJwmBY0hqcGGfW9O5lS9gsaRT2lmxgj6nMNCK/s1600/Medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwcWPLKaQSQbO09PoQSWnDw3WIgQyeKqb8f-tYkIzNmGxPJ53LMn3qmsg0S7XwnEYIysZuiC6s2gkzL6Gt9N5T79LBuklkMZ14YfRyO0iJwmBY0hqcGGfW9O5lS9gsaRT2lmxgj6nMNCK/s1600/Medal.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plus so cool custom carbon fiber medals for the omnium podiums!</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Despite all
the awesomeness going on in the racing world, this year for me has thus far been
my most challenging yet. Mental and physical struggles continue to wear away at
my confidence on the bike and each step forward is also a half a step back –
but that’s still moving forward! So my new goal is relentless optimism. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Shaking off
uncertainty about my ability to handle the challenging terrain (i.e. hills), I eventually
decided that the only choice that made sense was to jump in head first and support
this awesome tour. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyFOks1ARYYZizEyTVj6W9s75FZdul24fZ9VA0N60z1LKqh-6A_R03fiOXT6Y9jlGegawxKq5z-2Ve47-iuShJjNi1UHhF5xXXKJd2FZJ1o6BYnIJciQByYdbpe1L48hMbGiXaXj4ylzo/s1600/RR_John+Cline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyFOks1ARYYZizEyTVj6W9s75FZdul24fZ9VA0N60z1LKqh-6A_R03fiOXT6Y9jlGegawxKq5z-2Ve47-iuShJjNi1UHhF5xXXKJd2FZJ1o6BYnIJciQByYdbpe1L48hMbGiXaXj4ylzo/s1600/RR_John+Cline.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque variable terrain of Galena. Photo by John Cline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Intricately
sculpted over millions of years by the Mississippi River, Galena is a perfect
place for a stage race. Read more about Galena in my post about <a href="http://jeanniescookies.blogspot.com/2013_06_01_archive.html">last year’s
tour</a>. The tour began with Stage 1 on Friday afternoon – the stage that I
expected to be for me undoubtedly the most testing stage of the tour. The 30 mi
(48 km) circuit race included four times up a significant climb with a grueling
two-part 15% section – definitely a challenge for anyone’s lungs. The previous
two years I have won this race solo. Definitely not this year. First time up
the climb felt absolutely awful. Talk about lead weights. Fortunately, I actually
felt a bit better each lap – but not well enough to stay in contact with
eventual winner Diana Peñuela (ISCorp/Columbia Specialized) who disappeared
over the crest of the climb on lap 3. I chewed on my handlebars a bit and stuck
with the chase group of four to win the sprint for second from Chicago up-and-comer
Daphne Karagianis (Chicago Cuttin Crew).</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb9IVhcIUEoMzCVZGaf7jfUUu2FI_m2pezzkZ64bXMy6cJ2Xmxr1qLDKTavueru8lbzd2gp-F1UjZTrEcNGDEdKNonrEXV9RgxIi9FedKXWdnyfhqGtRNxPBfNe6kslhGE_homf9G73xr/s1600/Circuit2_Rick+LaCour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb9IVhcIUEoMzCVZGaf7jfUUu2FI_m2pezzkZ64bXMy6cJ2Xmxr1qLDKTavueru8lbzd2gp-F1UjZTrEcNGDEdKNonrEXV9RgxIi9FedKXWdnyfhqGtRNxPBfNe6kslhGE_homf9G73xr/s1600/Circuit2_Rick+LaCour.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sprinting for second in the circuit race. Photo by Rick LaCour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The next
morning, Stage 2 brought us a 6 mi (10 km) time trial. I had trouble finding rhythm
on the brutal out-and-back course. But I suppose finding rhythm on a rolly course
with a steep sweeping technical decent, two steep lung-busting climbs, and an
uphill finish is challenging even for a time trial specialist! My time – over
90 s slower than last year – was almost a minute behind winner Diana and only
enough for fourth. Daphne’s second place performance moved her in front of me
in the omnium competition.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUw7zlshOWsliPm4xU3WCuLSBwnoIhxzCNrK7Djqrf_6lIch23uxRA7weu3JR1_vPCaCieokJwNEiIw-CUXQTB9iO-Lb9a71D7FvMg395ypcOn0RC4Pt32Jaqgx76H_Q0CMQ81PH9FhTD/s1600/TT+Start_Rob+Curtis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUw7zlshOWsliPm4xU3WCuLSBwnoIhxzCNrK7Djqrf_6lIch23uxRA7weu3JR1_vPCaCieokJwNEiIw-CUXQTB9iO-Lb9a71D7FvMg395ypcOn0RC4Pt32Jaqgx76H_Q0CMQ81PH9FhTD/s1600/TT+Start_Rob+Curtis.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to start the time trial. Photo by Rob Curtis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Saturday
afternoon’s road race turned out to be the real crux of the weekend for me. A
smidge over 100 km, the course featured multiple climbs and long exposed ridges.
I felt miserable. The hills were like absolute mountains and I was struggling,
start to finish. The race started out hot and muggy, with endless bugs, but about
an hour in, rain began to hammer down and the temperatures dropped sharply.
Already questioning the intelligence of my decision to be racing, I found a
very dark place. Soaked through, shoes sloshing, chilled to the bone, rain
pelting straight into my eyes, and struggling to breathe, I got dropped badly
on lap 2. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglMw87GP6wyIOHqoWJETxTapNNu_1J6kEf7b7mQvZEE2f_W19IarzwScSwfwCl4raEa8afXeddeKqz4aR35kK1vLxc7Q_25qFiOxabFMbwYgg04kHdQockdGfPP84RNWolP3PPdrHTVzI/s1600/RR+Feedzone_John+Cline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglMw87GP6wyIOHqoWJETxTapNNu_1J6kEf7b7mQvZEE2f_W19IarzwScSwfwCl4raEa8afXeddeKqz4aR35kK1vLxc7Q_25qFiOxabFMbwYgg04kHdQockdGfPP84RNWolP3PPdrHTVzI/s1600/RR+Feedzone_John+Cline.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gloomy conditions descended on the road race. Photo by John Cline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After a bit
I decided that pulling out would be pretty soft and riding a full lap alone
would be even more miserable than being in the bunch, so I found some motivation
to chase back on. I think everyone was pretty cold by the final lap and the
pace stayed reasonable enough for me to stick with the field for the first
bunch finish in the Tour of Galena’s women’s road race – a stage in the past
won solo (2011-2012) or from a small group (2013). Thankfully everyone stayed
upright in the slick conditions. Somewhere I found motivation to sprint, finishing
third behind Cady Chintis (LPV) and Daphne.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9FKfwNUBuHlmkzPxZhgtYtPXo4KbHtrP3dlR57TgL7-XxSXfGMWocUauDg9nFndtGj5kZ7K6qJUrPsyX5C7Wmi2vRUeo179T7DLnykrkjZLNy0Ksm0wdOH-tRdjbq5BAyaHlR4_h_Uew/s1600/Feed+Zone+Lap+3_John+Cline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9FKfwNUBuHlmkzPxZhgtYtPXo4KbHtrP3dlR57TgL7-XxSXfGMWocUauDg9nFndtGj5kZ7K6qJUrPsyX5C7Wmi2vRUeo179T7DLnykrkjZLNy0Ksm0wdOH-tRdjbq5BAyaHlR4_h_Uew/s1600/Feed+Zone+Lap+3_John+Cline.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in the race, starting on the final lap, pretty darn cold right now. Photo by John Cline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Shivering
uncontrollably, my travel companion Kelli Richter (PSIMET) and I went straight
back to the hotel, scalded our insides by chugging hot chocolate that was waaay
too hot to drink, and did a bee line for the hot tub, desperate for warmth . Once
we finally stopped shivering, the water slide was our next designation! First
time I’ve seen I water slide at a hotel. Couldn’t pass that up! Definitely put
a happy spin on a miserable afternoon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The tour
ended with a 50-min crit in downtown Galena on Sunday afternoon. The race was
aggressive and animated with multiple primes keeping the racing lively, and
mid-race omnium points up for grabs to add extra spark and potential jumbling
in the overall standings. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oeNRi87ThnSkJr3N4EDir8sqf1qM-DuRM6k8RlwX5d5s7ly-JmRepfXcN3irC4B5ux2BUGj8k_h4jLt-Uog9DjiUGhoms9te_vPi_shi7TYWwE7HsdPGYEzN8bfKZTDiFcnGiU_NVYkq/s1600/Crit_John+Cline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oeNRi87ThnSkJr3N4EDir8sqf1qM-DuRM6k8RlwX5d5s7ly-JmRepfXcN3irC4B5ux2BUGj8k_h4jLt-Uog9DjiUGhoms9te_vPi_shi7TYWwE7HsdPGYEzN8bfKZTDiFcnGiU_NVYkq/s1600/Crit_John+Cline.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah Szefi (PSIMET) leading through the final corner of the crit, me in third wheel. Photo by John Cline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On the final lap, I was able to power my way to the front
for the crucial final turn, but I just didn’t have enough gas left in the tank
(nor oxygen in my lungs!) to hold it to the line. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6O_ntJgFp67RHuju2oIJxwP934VuxsblGBViPgaDFgdjx9YKhG4gZzArr-Dz603jYn4PGfQLrvuvjAYItYLnpQ7rF30lVQZXUqJMWL6Y1L4eO-iGYhUA5MGnrQYMELuiCh028lENZ2Yd/s1600/Crit+Finish_Kyle+Kershasky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6O_ntJgFp67RHuju2oIJxwP934VuxsblGBViPgaDFgdjx9YKhG4gZzArr-Dz603jYn4PGfQLrvuvjAYItYLnpQ7rF30lVQZXUqJMWL6Y1L4eO-iGYhUA5MGnrQYMELuiCh028lENZ2Yd/s1600/Crit+Finish_Kyle+Kershasky.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daphne (Chicago Cuttin Crew) blowing past me on the line to take the win in the crit. Photo by Kyle Kershasky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I settled for another second
behind an on-fire Daphne, giving me third in the omnium behind Diana in first
and Daphne second. My results for the weekend are definitely far better than
how I felt!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI3DMOsDeO_bguvpF0vKFGSlDHLrJkR97ke68J-nfiFKRanD-3U91V7LKJzxtoHLg2PpkC3k9ul1_sI-uaRuW3e-WjoEIHza10RcbuV2pr2bREWaYZoCRfdVJzEzbTocu0xiyTEz65mWo/s1600/Omnium_Cathy+FRampton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI3DMOsDeO_bguvpF0vKFGSlDHLrJkR97ke68J-nfiFKRanD-3U91V7LKJzxtoHLg2PpkC3k9ul1_sI-uaRuW3e-WjoEIHza10RcbuV2pr2bREWaYZoCRfdVJzEzbTocu0xiyTEz65mWo/s1600/Omnium_Cathy+FRampton.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omnium podium: me, Diana (ISCorp/Columbia), Daphne (Chicago Cutting Crew)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thank you
so much to all the organizers, officials, and supporters who braved the
terrible conditions on Saturday to support the riders. Congrats to xXx for putting
another excellent tour!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so happy supporters in the feedzone grateful for the PSIMET tent! Photo by John Cline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-20007154579758133732014-06-06T14:42:00.000-05:002014-06-07T11:57:06.065-05:0031 May – 1 Jun 2014 Glencoe & Cobb Park<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91kOmyhge0CxOgg7VU-r4M50mKAyvDgqxFjKiB_E8FVwmz-i6RqSaqfkrlJFl9R7N9Wah-STb9DAif3ODSND0bH_4rijyr12LoSk_0oI-0ilmtrStkRi5YkD510W3mQbT5DwekX6XZIbY/s1600/PSIMET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91kOmyhge0CxOgg7VU-r4M50mKAyvDgqxFjKiB_E8FVwmz-i6RqSaqfkrlJFl9R7N9Wah-STb9DAif3ODSND0bH_4rijyr12LoSk_0oI-0ilmtrStkRi5YkD510W3mQbT5DwekX6XZIbY/s1600/PSIMET.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with our awesome wheel sponsor PSIMET: Liza, Rob Curtis, Korina, and me.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Following a
mixed bag of results in the Quad Cities, Liza joined me and Korina for a
weekend of racing in Chicagoland. We started out with the </span><a href="http://www.glencoegrandprix.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Glencoe Grand Prix</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (GGP) on Saturday. GGP does an amazing job engaging the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glencoe,_Illinois"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Glencoe</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">community to raise money for the
Glencoe Education Foundation. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM1V3LKiwjFIco-av6d5TFR-1yGA70vAj2eyD0VMrTtNaEwuPmtyxfPqZRCn6ogbawokuKZWBmRn7JuqZS5nKSJYSSiluHkhyXSKh8Y26kU7gyZxMG4vd7HBQVSdQiZKSVFF1RIOfuHp_/s1600/Trading+Cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM1V3LKiwjFIco-av6d5TFR-1yGA70vAj2eyD0VMrTtNaEwuPmtyxfPqZRCn6ogbawokuKZWBmRn7JuqZS5nKSJYSSiluHkhyXSKh8Y26kU7gyZxMG4vd7HBQVSdQiZKSVFF1RIOfuHp_/s1600/Trading+Cards.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very cool Glenoce Grand Prix Vanderkitten rider cards. Contact me if you want one!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As part of the GGP, we headed over on Friday to
Glencoe Central Elementary School to talk with 5<sup>th</sup> graders about
cycling. I did this for the first time last year and find it one of the most
rewarding parts of the weekend. These kids are switched on!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobnvoBc8_jCHo9w_aBoFewSBoDJiIAe6QoM-wKE8CVTUHSUHLWzOHbEFYhWa0IO8-LJOwNhny6GIzR7aR4k_L1ErvWCi8JKKSn_PhdDGsZn001qrZxe8dn-_bmOMSsOghyphenhyphen6m7EbFf8z_J/s1600/School+Visit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobnvoBc8_jCHo9w_aBoFewSBoDJiIAe6QoM-wKE8CVTUHSUHLWzOHbEFYhWa0IO8-LJOwNhny6GIzR7aR4k_L1ErvWCi8JKKSn_PhdDGsZn001qrZxe8dn-_bmOMSsOghyphenhyphen6m7EbFf8z_J/s1600/School+Visit.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting students at Glencoe Central Scholl.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday morning brought us perfect weather,
cool temps with clear skies. As part of the National Criterium Calendar (NCC),
the race drew a star-studded field and top notch teams. I lined up with good
position on the start line. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-WxXEBHv7C2MM60NjacM0MW0HWxKok74CIDL-kfK6BFz5HpKQBVFu_NzsImt6Br-nZ02QEG7Xu9RKLecGtt8zqsB_RBGAavpgK0JvCPXOkxmZhVmosC8PpToSSKne9bv44iYzuEyQvBS/s1600/Start+line_John+Cline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-WxXEBHv7C2MM60NjacM0MW0HWxKok74CIDL-kfK6BFz5HpKQBVFu_NzsImt6Br-nZ02QEG7Xu9RKLecGtt8zqsB_RBGAavpgK0JvCPXOkxmZhVmosC8PpToSSKne9bv44iYzuEyQvBS/s1600/Start+line_John+Cline.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacked front line at Glencoe Grand Prix. Photo by Jon Cline</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the gun, I got pinched out and immediately went
backwards. The technical course at GGP means position is critical. Gaps began
to form from lap one – and the being at the back meant a lot of extra work
bridging gaps. Due to my poor start, I spent the first half the race fighting
to get to the front – and getting very tired in the process. My lungs were definitely
not handling the pace! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off my Colnago at Glencoe. Photo by Michael Kelber</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Liza and
Korina did an awesome job up front laying down attacks and making the race.
With two laps to go, Pepper Palace started a lead out, keeping the pace high. I
saw an opening on the left and took the chance to move in just behind the
train, Korina on my wheel. We lost a bit of ground, getting pinched on corner
2. We would have to wait till corner 5 to move up. Then on corner 3, a rider
slide out. I somehow snuck around, manoeuvring left in a narrow gap between
fallen rider and curb, but poor Korina went directly into the haybale. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepper Palace lining it up at the front. Photo by Elizabeth Rangel</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The crash
split the field with a group of about 20 racing on unhindered. The rest of the
field was splintered, chasing in small groups. Liza was safely in the front 20.
One lap to go. A horrible crash just before the final corner took out several
of the race favorites, who went down hard. Liza made it through safely but lost
position in the crash, finishing an admirable seventh.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liza sprinting to seventh. Photo by Michael Kelber</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday we
headed south to Kankakee for Cobb Park. Normally a small local race, the
pairing with Glencoe meant that Cobb Park drew some quality international
fields with over 100 riders in the men’s pro race! Vanderkitten started the
race aggressively with successive attacks from Liza, me, and then Korina. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSrXPHW-ZmuBHB1urpF5pfqq4igdji1jFu7FO9XoYRkr46N_XBFzUH-mRCnNqscHaJPeYLNtf7fxCtaVNAf-D7VHsCFpcPEZQt4UFAvGpa2GF57CRMyGZzXrJcnrJ1m4BaNO5aAoWWUCe/s1600/Cobb+Park+attack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSrXPHW-ZmuBHB1urpF5pfqq4igdji1jFu7FO9XoYRkr46N_XBFzUH-mRCnNqscHaJPeYLNtf7fxCtaVNAf-D7VHsCFpcPEZQt4UFAvGpa2GF57CRMyGZzXrJcnrJ1m4BaNO5aAoWWUCe/s1600/Cobb+Park+attack.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the river at Cobb Park.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Within 15 min a break established with Liza, Kendall Ryan (TIBCO), Christy Keely
(Pepper Palace), and Diana Peñuela (Columbia). Several riders made concerted
efforts to bridge the gap, which kept me well occupied either neutralizing
moves or trying to get across with one. The two remaining Pepper Palace riders
worked well countering each other’s moves with successive attacks, pushing my
already taxed lungs to the limit. In a photo finish, Liza pulled off an awesome
second against top sprinters Kendall and Christy.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cobb Park podium: Liza, Kendall, Christy, Diana</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank you to
the city of Glencoe, Jon Knous, Nikki Cyp, and the team at GGP, as well as the
South Chicago Wheelmen for putting on excellent weekend on racing. We enjoyed
amazing generosity from our incredible Glencoe host family, the Kelbers: Michael,
Jenny, Jacob, Ava, Lyla, and Nola. We are grateful to </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Greg Bliss for</span> a fabulous tour of the North Shore on Friday afternoon, John Cline for assistance with bike transport, Rob Curtis for amazing technical support, and my dad Eugene Kuhajek for providing transport. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream with the Kelbers. Photo by Michael Kelber</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To cap off
the weekend I had the opportunity on Tuesday to head into the AMC Theater in Chicago
to see the film Half the Road.</span><span class="Heading1Char"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Half the Road
is a documentary by Kathryn Bertine about the inequality that women face in
cycling. The film reveals the huge barriers that continue to limit the progress
of society in general through inequality and oppression. Everyone needs to see
this film - cycling enthusiast or not. The way forward is understanding the
past. Half the Road is traveling around the US at the moment. Find out more at <a href="http://halftheroad.com/">http://halftheroad.com/</a></span></span></div>
Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500107650253160706.post-28004414546802424912014-05-29T18:57:00.001-05:002014-05-29T18:57:10.807-05:0024-25 May 2014 Quad Cities Weekend<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h3>
Snake Alley – Burlington IA</h3>
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Oh, Snake Alley. I have unfinished business with you. For
those reading about ‘The Snake’ for the first time, Snake Alley, dubbed the
crookedest street in the world, is a pretty famous street. Read more about it <a href="http://jeanniescookies.blogspot.com/2011/06/28-may-snake-alley.html">here</a>
in blog about my first experience with the Snake in 2011. My best performance
on Snake Alley came in 2012, coming 3 months after being hit by a car and still
healing from a badly injured hip. I placed second in a close <a href="http://jeanniescookies.blogspot.com/2012/06/26-28-may-quad-cities-weekend.html">sprint</a>.
I’m still hunting for the win. This year, that win was definitely NOT in the
cards. This year I lined up with Vanderkitten teammate Korina Huizar, who made
the trip out from NorCal. I was able to get a good start off the line to enter the
Snake second wheel. My legs felt great. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPhGeb3KZY1q3CeZwHAHdOZq2WyVfOtVd2bjtzYTkgfwh-eoP_eqvWfT3fiBGnjaeb4ttKAoF9_GRXszKnBCgAVl1w9KvarFENgidES-8O77oRXCVn0jSAnexiDqwD_G4ldU2bCJ0_EQR/s1600/Snake+Alley_SPBRC+Women%27s+Racing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPhGeb3KZY1q3CeZwHAHdOZq2WyVfOtVd2bjtzYTkgfwh-eoP_eqvWfT3fiBGnjaeb4ttKAoF9_GRXszKnBCgAVl1w9KvarFENgidES-8O77oRXCVn0jSAnexiDqwD_G4ldU2bCJ0_EQR/s1600/Snake+Alley_SPBRC+Women's+Racing.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the Snake in good position. Photo by SPBRC Women's Racing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
Next time up, I attacked the climb.
Third time around, I hit the front and pushed the pace again. Forth lap Korina
attacked through the start finish and entered the Snake first, me on her wheel.
Ever so gradually I slowed my speed, giving Korina a good gap by the top of the
climb. The lead bunch was now down to about 6, and chasing furiously. I sat in,
ready to attack when Korina was caught – but then the next time up the hill, my
body just shut down, legs barely about to turn the pedals over. As a clear sign
my lungs are still healing, my oxygen supply apparently ran out. My lungs began
to burn. Straining for each breath, my neck muscles tensed and I felt my throat
begin to close up. Initially I thought, ‘I just need to recover. Keep going.’ <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi451jOVIu_PuxLmNtQHWZeVPjngMW4jVP148cK5LF75JbbwLO2WYyHdlg5mr5CQx5CKLymgKn21iABnAfzs7Ng6WJnCr8s4CnIYkGOC-jdGvn15VDZ0w-NF0N2M8OHad93mJ24lT2SlJQY/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi451jOVIu_PuxLmNtQHWZeVPjngMW4jVP148cK5LF75JbbwLO2WYyHdlg5mr5CQx5CKLymgKn21iABnAfzs7Ng6WJnCr8s4CnIYkGOC-jdGvn15VDZ0w-NF0N2M8OHad93mJ24lT2SlJQY/s1600/009.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the Snake.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Each
lap I slipped further backwards, riders passing me as if I were standing still,
my breathing becoming more and more difficult. Clearly recovery was not
happening. My race was done. Meanwhile, Korina was hammering it! The front
group was down to four. Unfortunately, at some point entering the Snake another
rider rode into her wheel. No one went down, but the action pinched Korina’s
tire against the sharp bricks. Slowly over the next lap, air escaped from her
tire and, with 4 laps remaining, her race was done as well.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2slUYhzbFYdGhh2OQRbs3-FZWmrDD9CurmhA1nY2Ok-I8z0M0MNLKFdTLJJKMfBDqRfqUKPCOK_925Uo7BRSpcnhxWxE-395XKjpA20pnlxZfHArzg6e1HXwLKmDjSGJwfrmSIxWUE5f/s1600/Snake+Alley+Korina_Katie+Isermann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2slUYhzbFYdGhh2OQRbs3-FZWmrDD9CurmhA1nY2Ok-I8z0M0MNLKFdTLJJKMfBDqRfqUKPCOK_925Uo7BRSpcnhxWxE-395XKjpA20pnlxZfHArzg6e1HXwLKmDjSGJwfrmSIxWUE5f/s1600/Snake+Alley+Korina_Katie+Isermann.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korina powering away on the Snake. Photo by Katie Isermann</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Melon City Criterium – Muscatine IA</h3>
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Disappointed in our outcome on the Snake, we approached
Sunday with renewed vigor, hungry for a win. Twenty times up the low-gradient
climb of Weed Park in Muscatine IA was challenging after tackling the snake the
previous day. Quality riders made the race active and exciting.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAtJhihPY09bd-QEwCdbtKu4_kHpU1Lq9fCQ7wpNC55qAxPAt336jfMRI_0PlT_pn8QhgYxRikvwDYzAcY89LTegfuiY413Hb21gx_T04ZMuw2aSzkHyglysM2KwSj_8C0RpF287V0iaV/s1600/Melon+City2_SPBRC+Women%2527s+Racing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAtJhihPY09bd-QEwCdbtKu4_kHpU1Lq9fCQ7wpNC55qAxPAt336jfMRI_0PlT_pn8QhgYxRikvwDYzAcY89LTegfuiY413Hb21gx_T04ZMuw2aSzkHyglysM2KwSj_8C0RpF287V0iaV/s1600/Melon+City2_SPBRC+Women%2527s+Racing.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quality field at Melon City. Photo by SPBRC Women's Racing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I felt much
better, the shallower gradient taking less toll on my lungs than the steepness
of the Snake. I concentrated on keeping good position and conserving energy on
the climb. About half-way through the race, I tested my legs to grab a prime.
The effort caused small gaps to form, and Korina used the opportunity to launch
an attack that saw her off the front for several laps. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3ZglN864yJqmu0wnpkkIOBh0hlSUfCJ8lxs-C763W2qe-IstTA07Tm0Eb-FOmK6sk8W3LP_Tvy9C_Bf87jP2s00M-aAhG2rt2Pd0hJ5ewGsKCPbEAruuJgAXwf3JJUMb0D_OPEN5dTKg/s1600/Melon+City_SPBRC+Women%27s+Racing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3ZglN864yJqmu0wnpkkIOBh0hlSUfCJ8lxs-C763W2qe-IstTA07Tm0Eb-FOmK6sk8W3LP_Tvy9C_Bf87jP2s00M-aAhG2rt2Pd0hJ5ewGsKCPbEAruuJgAXwf3JJUMb0D_OPEN5dTKg/s1600/Melon+City_SPBRC+Women's+Racing.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korina attacking up the climb. Photo by SPBRC Women's racing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Being the speedy sprinter
that she is, she eventually decided that off the front solo was not her favourite
place to be and backed off the pace to fall back into the fold, but not before
initiating some panicked chase efforts. An onslaught of attacks followed as the
race neared its conclusion. One lap to go and I dropped back to look for Korina
in the bunch. Shuffling in the pack in a messy chase had left her out of position
and towards the back of the pack. Teamwork paid off. I put all my effort into
leading her through the bunch, reaching the front for the start of the climb.
Back in decent position, she dug deep and stormed up the climb, carrying speed
over the crest to power over line for the win! Me - I took a bit of time to get
up the hill that last time…<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH9DFVMU7Fq1CAZn5DgbCqnBZ3bLWlimJuN-7DT-tUncYmxRDbdspixC9Z642LxAmI3qKvpjeRVghJLi2svSTnNfE4zQdtdr3R6s1kQSkJtwiJn-nN4yrUylAwM0ZVaizgsaNOY1uE7cK/s1600/Melon+City_Detroit+Spoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH9DFVMU7Fq1CAZn5DgbCqnBZ3bLWlimJuN-7DT-tUncYmxRDbdspixC9Z642LxAmI3qKvpjeRVghJLi2svSTnNfE4zQdtdr3R6s1kQSkJtwiJn-nN4yrUylAwM0ZVaizgsaNOY1uE7cK/s1600/Melon+City_Detroit+Spoke.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korina with cute podium boy on the top step at Melon City. Photo by Erika Fulk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<h3>
Quad Cities Criterium – Davenport IA</h3>
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We headed into Monday with winning vibes. In the past I’ve
enjoyed good success on the Quad Cities course, supporting teammates to the win
in <a href="http://jeanniescookies.blogspot.com/2011/06/30-may-rock-island.html">2011</a>
and <a href="http://jeanniescookies.blogspot.com/2012/06/26-28-may-quad-cities-weekend.html">2012</a>,
and then, racing without teammates, finishing second <a href="http://jeanniescookies.blogspot.com/2013_05_01_archive.html">last year</a>.
A change of venue this year meant a different course, a bit disappointing since
I loved the old course, but also exciting to tackle something new. With storms
approaching, we got in one lap of racing before officials neutralized the race
and told us to seek shelter.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwd7jixh-YtPK9f-_xoCp534AtUm5_u8U80fMh8LA0BdH34mrp8-PX0PrnWX3RoVvd5DC06bklrZypl_eayfZx2LekRK0K1Zq4qLZgSQInrz9XynuhO1yKVbCZKqfGgj5Z6bD36E7M1Hvu/s1600/Quad+Cities+Start_Katie+Isermann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwd7jixh-YtPK9f-_xoCp534AtUm5_u8U80fMh8LA0BdH34mrp8-PX0PrnWX3RoVvd5DC06bklrZypl_eayfZx2LekRK0K1Zq4qLZgSQInrz9XynuhO1yKVbCZKqfGgj5Z6bD36E7M1Hvu/s1600/Quad+Cities+Start_Katie+Isermann.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ominous skies loom over the Quad Cities start line. Photo by Katie Isermann</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Sixty minutes and an impressive thunderstorm later, we were
back on course ready to race. The course presented two tricky sections, corners
3 and 4: fast, downhill corners with multiple brick sections. No doubt tricky
in the wet. My impulse was to drive the pace the first lap to string things
out, making the race safer. The plan backfired when I went down on corner 3.
Fortunately I slid out into the curb, out of the way of the other riders. OK,
maybe I was a little too confident there. I popped back up immediately, and,
with no free laps, remounted quickly, still in the field. Spinning furiously
with no resistance, I promptly dismounted, re-engaged my chain, hopped back on,
and headed off again, this time off the back in hot pursuit. I sprinted furiously
up the hill in an effort to regain the bunch. I scrubbed off speed, wary of
corner 3, only to go down again in corner 4. Despite approaching at reduced
speed, my wheels went out from beneath me as on ice. This time, I went down
hard, sliding clear across the road. While I sorted myself out, the bunch came
around for third time. A third crash, this time taking down multiple riders,
brought the race to a halt. Rider Maddi Pape, last year’s Quad Cities winner,
went down hard and required medical attention. I had time to regroup, bandage
up my wounds, and change wheels – I was riding borrowed wheels and no longer
had confidence in the tires. Korina was using my race wheels with Clement
tires, which perform well in all conditions. I swapped to my training wheels, with
grippy Clements, and headed to the start line – bandaged and bleeding – with
huge cheers of support from the crowd to join the other riders still waiting
for the restart. The second delay spanned 25 min. The dangerous conditions
required caution and race officials gave us 4 neutral laps to assess the safety
of the corners followed by 6 laps of racing. Confusion on the first lap of
racing about a QOM at the top of the hill (worth $350) saw me put an huge
effort into the climb only to find the QOM called on the next lap. I put in
another dig but by this time I had nothing left and fell further and further
back each lap as my lungs decided to take another nap. Korina rode fiercely to
take fourth in a dramatic sprint finish. Kudos to Gwen Inglis (Groove) showing
excellent form—and grit—to take the win. And also Chicago rider Daphne Karagianis
(Chicago Cutting Crew), impressing once again with 5<sup>th</sup>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaJ7Aji-I3pHRZllqOcGT3ECvX9KcsdWc-NlQ7nGu1P6wjxuSP_lORCksloPOhLrQ28hp9h0Nq6t7xg5oXgdGkZOizNRu0DBVY-fLyIhbG9qy5HdheY6mxlgiRz1Hu2lGVo52DNptbUez/s1600/Quad+Cities_SPBRC+Women%27s+Racing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaJ7Aji-I3pHRZllqOcGT3ECvX9KcsdWc-NlQ7nGu1P6wjxuSP_lORCksloPOhLrQ28hp9h0Nq6t7xg5oXgdGkZOizNRu0DBVY-fLyIhbG9qy5HdheY6mxlgiRz1Hu2lGVo52DNptbUez/s1600/Quad+Cities_SPBRC+Women's+Racing.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the front at Quad Cities. Photo by SPBRC Women's Racing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Thank you to Leah Sanda for organizing awesome accommodation
and to Molly Shough’s parents Cathy and Ray for generously opening their
beautiful house to host us, and awesome support from Rob Curtis and the PSIMET
team! </div>
Jeannie Kuhajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425674068428621100noreply@blogger.com0