Sunday, July 31, 2011
Bike for Bovines XC 7/31/11
Great race today! Tough 26 mile course with 2,500 feet of climbing! I started with my warm up, but realized something was wrong with my shifting, it was skipping on me...it rode fine last weekend, so something must have hit the rear derailleur because the limit screws were out of whack. I had someone look at it before the race, but they only made the shifting smooth for a little while, because by 3/4 of the first loop, it just stopped working and my chain was falling off to the inside of my spokes! I spent a few minutes trying to make it work, but it would not, I got back on, and it dropped off inside again. I was in a steep climbing section, that I had to end up running. I had been in first place for women, Cat 1 and Pro's, but Jimena (Pro rider) caught up to me and I thought at that point the race was over and I should just walk back to the feed zone and get a ride back or follow the road to the finish line. However, my never quite mind-set popped up and told me to just do the best I can and keep going. So, that is what I did, and I ended up catching Jimena before the final descent to the 2 miles of flat rail trail back to the start/finish line. I just sat on her wheel, although I wanted to pass her to make up some time, since I had no idea what was going to happen with my shifting up the first long climb again. However, I was just patient and when we got on the rail trial, I just started to pedal in front, thinking she was right behind me, I have a tendency to not look back...but we got to the feed zone and she was not there, so I just started to turn it on and keep my gearing in one place in the rear, only shifting the front derailleur until I was done with the majority of the climbing, and made sure to be smooth and take my time. Well, that worked, and my chain did not fall off once, so I finished the home stretch with Jimena over 5 minutes behind me. I was stoked. I could only imagine how far I really would have been ahead if I did not encounter the issues I did on the first lap! It was too bad there was not more competition, but I had a blast on the course! My left inner hamstring seized on me though 3/4 of the way into the second lap, and I had to take some time to just coast on my bike, but it was hard to, considering the final climb was right there! So, I climbed as much of it as I could and walked up the rest, to stretch out the legs. I tried to sit back as far as I could on my seat to lengthen the muscle, which did help a bit, but it was very tense still on the descent and my final 2 mile stretch to the finish. After the race I plopped in a cold creek for therapy on my legs and purchased some local veggies and meat from the Stonewall Farm. It was nice to see some friends at the race and catch up. It was also very nice to have the support of my coach, Marci, her husband Bert, and their almost 1 year old daughter, Isabelle when I crossed the line!
No Pictures from this event, due to going up solo.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Off The Front
In the July 2011 VeloNews, this was featured in "Off The Front"
Stefan Denafil (on team Leopard-Trek) did not think his crash was that serious...UNTIL he saw the photo...he is sure glad to be alive!
Stefan Denafil (on team Leopard-Trek) did not think his crash was that serious...UNTIL he saw the photo...he is sure glad to be alive!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
At PEACE
"At Peace"
By: Me 6/10/11
Calling this "At Peace" because when I am on my bicycle I am at peace, when people ride their bicycles they are at peace, the world is at peace, our environment is healthy, happy, and we are full of love!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
New Britain Criterium 7/10/11
So for the last month, I have been un-able to race, due to a bacterial infection that sent me to the ER overnight and back again, going through a spinal tap, moving to Newton MA, and starting a new job working with crazy children all day! I got back on the bike 2 weeks ago and have been putting on the volume, but having to taper for Cat. 1 XC mountain bike Nationals at te same time! I leave tomorrow (Wed 7/13) to Sun Valley and will be racing this weekend.
My first race since Purgatory was Sunday (7/10) at the New Britain Crit. in CT. I almost did not make it to this event, due to my "spacing out" and being so use to not having to drive a car and fill up at the pump (since moving to Newton I mainly ride my bike and take the train to work!). As I was leaving, Ryan told me I was going to need to get "gas" asap. I got off the highway in Framingham and I pulled up to the pump, completely filling the tank up. 35 miles later, the car just stops putting out and power and I have to pull off onto the side of the highway, right where my 84 exit was off the Mass. Pike. I immediately call Ryan and he asks if I filled up the car and I said "yes" and he said "with diesel, correct?" AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! No. I had filled his car with gas. A WHOLE TANK FULL. I thought I was screwed and not going to be able to make it to the race at this point. My safety was more of a concern at this point and getting the car taken care of. I do not have AAA, but Ryan did, however he was not with me and that was of no help. As I was calling my parents to tell them to turn around from driving to New Britain a AAA tow truck goes past and starts backing up to me. I explain to him that I was trying to get to my bike race in New Britain, and he goes on to tell me how basically this is illegal since he is a CT AAA truck and not allowed to pick up in MA, but since he saw the CT plates and me on the side of the road, he wanted to help out. Long story short, I met the nicest AAA truck driver you will ever meet (he was a contractor that drives for them) and he drove me all the way to the race, free of charge and then even took my Dad with him to get the car dropped off at their auto shop repair place (no where near New Britain), and then bring my Dad back to watch the end of my race! I got to New Britain at 4pm, the race was starting in 45 min. I was in such a fluster I did not put on my helmet and the USA official barked at me for a minute, but I explained my situation and they felt a bit more empathetic. Anyway, I got changed and did a few short loops around this set of roads by the race course and it was time to start. I got as relaxed as I could and when the first bell went off for the first prime, I was so focused, and so full of fire that I took it! Then the bell rang again a few laps later and I took that one too! There were other women going for it, but they did not have the final kick. We just pedaled around until the last lap, which was kinda boring, but it is a course that nothing happens unless there is a prime and or it is the finish lap. It was a small group of women, but a powerful group non-the-less. Some tried to break, but I just jumped on them early, letting them know that they were not going to get away as long as I was there! I ended up getting stuck on the outside right side of the final turn, when I wanted to be on the left, and two women took off to the left side and I had to jump on them from behind a BikeReg rider, who was just in the way. By the time I caught the two riders wheels, we were at the finish line, the three of us all overlapping bike wheels. If only I had another couple yards, and or had been able to be in the right position behind them like I had been for the prime wins, I could have easily won the race! I was by no means upset with my performance though and I had a blast! It was nice to see some of the women I know and enjoy the beautiful evening. It was a rush to be back sprinting and racing. I was very impressed with my ability to push on through, despite all that had happened earlier in the day, not to mention the past month of punch after punch after punch! At this point, I was able to just look at it all though and laugh. It is just life and things could always be worse!
My first race since Purgatory was Sunday (7/10) at the New Britain Crit. in CT. I almost did not make it to this event, due to my "spacing out" and being so use to not having to drive a car and fill up at the pump (since moving to Newton I mainly ride my bike and take the train to work!). As I was leaving, Ryan told me I was going to need to get "gas" asap. I got off the highway in Framingham and I pulled up to the pump, completely filling the tank up. 35 miles later, the car just stops putting out and power and I have to pull off onto the side of the highway, right where my 84 exit was off the Mass. Pike. I immediately call Ryan and he asks if I filled up the car and I said "yes" and he said "with diesel, correct?" AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! No. I had filled his car with gas. A WHOLE TANK FULL. I thought I was screwed and not going to be able to make it to the race at this point. My safety was more of a concern at this point and getting the car taken care of. I do not have AAA, but Ryan did, however he was not with me and that was of no help. As I was calling my parents to tell them to turn around from driving to New Britain a AAA tow truck goes past and starts backing up to me. I explain to him that I was trying to get to my bike race in New Britain, and he goes on to tell me how basically this is illegal since he is a CT AAA truck and not allowed to pick up in MA, but since he saw the CT plates and me on the side of the road, he wanted to help out. Long story short, I met the nicest AAA truck driver you will ever meet (he was a contractor that drives for them) and he drove me all the way to the race, free of charge and then even took my Dad with him to get the car dropped off at their auto shop repair place (no where near New Britain), and then bring my Dad back to watch the end of my race! I got to New Britain at 4pm, the race was starting in 45 min. I was in such a fluster I did not put on my helmet and the USA official barked at me for a minute, but I explained my situation and they felt a bit more empathetic. Anyway, I got changed and did a few short loops around this set of roads by the race course and it was time to start. I got as relaxed as I could and when the first bell went off for the first prime, I was so focused, and so full of fire that I took it! Then the bell rang again a few laps later and I took that one too! There were other women going for it, but they did not have the final kick. We just pedaled around until the last lap, which was kinda boring, but it is a course that nothing happens unless there is a prime and or it is the finish lap. It was a small group of women, but a powerful group non-the-less. Some tried to break, but I just jumped on them early, letting them know that they were not going to get away as long as I was there! I ended up getting stuck on the outside right side of the final turn, when I wanted to be on the left, and two women took off to the left side and I had to jump on them from behind a BikeReg rider, who was just in the way. By the time I caught the two riders wheels, we were at the finish line, the three of us all overlapping bike wheels. If only I had another couple yards, and or had been able to be in the right position behind them like I had been for the prime wins, I could have easily won the race! I was by no means upset with my performance though and I had a blast! It was nice to see some of the women I know and enjoy the beautiful evening. It was a rush to be back sprinting and racing. I was very impressed with my ability to push on through, despite all that had happened earlier in the day, not to mention the past month of punch after punch after punch! At this point, I was able to just look at it all though and laugh. It is just life and things could always be worse!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Bike Vs. Horse!
"A strange stillness dwells in the eye of the horse...
a composure that appears to regard the world
from a measured distance...
It is a gaze from the depths of a dream."
Hans Heinrich Isenbart
a composure that appears to regard the world
from a measured distance...
It is a gaze from the depths of a dream."
Hans Heinrich Isenbart
Pedaling around Newton
Wow, do I LOVE my new town "Newton" or what?!?!? I can walk and bike to everything I need. I used the car for the first time today in 10 days to go anywhere. That was because it was a rest day off of the bike and I had to get to Southborough for work. I have been riding and taking the commuter rail a lot. It is fun! My new job is tiring, but a lot of fun as well. I get to be outside a lot and with kids. I cannot wait for the fall when I can have a shorter commute and even ride my bike on "rest" days. Below is a compilation of photos from biking all around town, the neighboring towns, into Boston, Lowell, and Concord!
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