le vélo

I fail

2009-06-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

at my blog.

I'm going to try not to fail anymore.

Starting now.

Last night I did my first omnium of the year at Alpenrose.

I was both happy and dissapointed with my perfromance.

They had the madison before the omnium this week, which means I got a good warm up, as I practiced with my madison partner one last time before the six day. Candi was kind enough to change the rotation and start the cat 4 men before us, since more than half the women's field also did the madison. After getting a chance to catch our breath we all lined up for a 10 lap scratch race. The race really turned about to be a 7 up match sprint. I got boxed in on the bell lap, but still managed to finish in 4th.

Next was I win and out.

I hate wind and outs.

I ended up kind of giving up, I almost quit, then I decided I didn't want to do that, and still got 5th.

Finally was the points race, in which I got second. I got points in every race except for the second. It was a very short points race. There were only 4 sprints.

I ended up with 3rd in the omnium.

ETT #2

2009-04-21T11:02:00.000-07:00

We did the right distance this week. :) horraayy

Haha, but I dropped my chain, which made it kinda sucky, but my time was only three seconds slower than the previous week despite that.
It was nice weather and the wind wasn't quite as fierce as Christian Siriano. My long sleeve skin suit was a little warm though.
I left the time trial asap to go participate in track clean up day. I got there very late, but not too late to make myself useful.

Yesterday I went on a ride with two BBC gremlins, but it was fun, we went up Doschand around fairmount a few times. It was nice catching up with my ex teamies.

I'm debating doing P.I.R. tonight, but I'm not really a big fan.. Etiherway I'll be there, but racing? I'm not too sure..

To anyone who still reads this despite my lack of regular updates;
my apologies forthe breifness and defeciet of quality in this post--My interenet is down, I'm a Teacher's Aid this period, and I had nothing to do, so I'm updating my blog from the school library. And oh man, this key board is ghetto. I mean, this space bar sticks so much, I'm not even sure I actually hit it half the time... And it's missing the home key. You know, between insert and page up?

ETT #1

2009-04-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

Today was the first of three in the Estacada Time Trial Series.
I had intended to do two ten-mile time trials. One Jr Women's, one Cat 4 Women's. However, I managed to get my 20 miles of time trialing in all during the Jr Women's.
What's this?
Isn't the first Estacada always 10 miles?
Well, not for me, or any of the other juniors and not for the Cat 5 men, or the Master Women.
This is most perculiar, no?
Well the flaggers were told that it was a ten mile race, but instead 5 miles to the turn around, they drove 1o.
WADAFACK?
There was a fierce headwind the whole way out, (fiercer than Christian Siriano, and he's fierce) it was awful. For a while I thought I was going to have to move to my bullhorns just to stay upright.
As I was drilling toward the five mile turn around however, I felt great. Then I passed where I remembered the turn around being. Needless to say, I was somewhat confused. I thought perhaps since I hadn't done that race in two years that I might've just remembered wrong. How ever when we started crossing the bridges, I knew something was amiss. I remember the first time I saw the bridge was on my first 20 mile ride. As I realized I said to myself, "oh [insert explative] I'm doing a 20 mile time trial"
The way back was amazing. The tailwind was BAMF. I flew up the hill on the way back at around 30mph, I was booking it like Flash.
Despite the headwind, I broke my PR from two years ago of 1:04:34 by 4 minutes and 14 seconds with a time of 1:00:20.
After my race, I saw the sexiest bike I had ever seen.
It was a look 596 TT bike.
I wanted to lick it.

J.F.T.T.

2009-02-22T22:16:00.000-08:00

It was amazing. I had such an amazing race. I won my category, beat all the 17-18 girls, and even some of the guys, as well as setting a new Personal Best, by 3 minutes and 34 seconds.

some jr results:

jr women 15-16

  1    999   Graham               Fiona          RCB/Specilizied                            34:21.44

jr men 15-16

1    955   Wait-Molyneux        Colby          North River Racing                         28:28.76             
2    923   Prettyman            Joe            Beaverton Bicycle Club                     28:48.04             
3   2105   Pugh                 Lance          Beaverton Bicycle Club                     34:00.56             
4   2269   Preble               Kolben         Hammer Velo                                35:27.50             
5    951   Alling               Austin         Fred Meyer/Lakeside Cycling Team           43:48.00

jr women 17-18

 1    982   Cartwright           Liz            Beaverton Bicycle Club                     36:08.33             
2    954   Hahn                 Carina         Team Rose City                             40:58.02 


jr men 17-18

1   2506   Bowden               Zach           Fred Meyer/Lakeside Cycling Team           31:39.85             
2    961   Kostur               Phelan         Fred Meyer/Lakeside Cycling Team           31:41.42             
3   2507   BURTON               Michael        Fred Meyer/Lakeside Cycling Team           33:51.19             
4   1014   Robinson             Christopher    Hammer Velo                                35:41.51

More post to come later, verrrryyy tired now.
Goodnight folks.

aye, people.........

2009-02-16T18:37:00.000-08:00

So I'm out on a lovely ride home, after doing some super top secret training, [if I told you, I'd have to kill you] and as I approach a stoplight some dumbass switches without even looking, ends up stopped diagonally across the lane, and I almost plow into the side of his van. Aye... people.

F.I.N.A.L.S.

2009-01-27T08:52:00.000-08:00

F$%# I Never Actually Learned this Sh!t

SNOW!

2008-12-15T12:05:00.000-08:00

I love snow.
Yesterday I went frolicking with Nina, and today I slept till 10:00. =]

yay snow

fatty

snowy flamingo? what?

U.S.G.P//cross parrtttaaayy

2008-12-08T20:49:00.000-08:00

U.S.G.P
I did not race at the G.P. (after face planting in cow shit I just figured I was done for the season) however, I took some pretty cool pics.

Num Yummy?

most aggressive

2 and 3

race day podium

Series Podium

PARTY

Ivan

Melissa, Tim, and Kendra

Veloce Vixens

2 Studettes

Junior Women's Awards

Junior Women's Awards

Beth Burns Fights Off Impostor Before Receiving Her Award

Women's A Awards

Sager and Williams with the Crusade Trophy

Yeah, I know, I'm awful

2008-11-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

So it's been like two weeks and I haven't updated. Shame on me.

At state champs I face planted in a slew of mud and cow shit.

while riding a Specialized Tricross which does not belong to me. (Thanks Mark)

and I got a kitty!

Barton Park

2008-11-04T15:43:00.000-08:00

That waffle was the only good part of my day.
I flatted and had go run two miles. I don't run too well. I was not a happy camper.
My apologies for being almost a week late with this.

Halloween Race

2008-10-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

Sunday:

The ballerina started quickly, but Tinkerbell and I soon passed her. Tinkerbell and I were in a deadlock, weaving through beginner women, trying to get past them as fast as we can, trying to get away from one another. Tinkerbell gets ahead of me ever so slightly on an ascent, but I close the ground between us quickly. We come to the barriers and I'm about to pass her, my run through the six pack is more agile than hers,I go to mount my aluminum steed, and the chain is no longer on the chainring. I let out some expletives and fix my chain is fast as I can, but by then Tink is already out of sight.
Though demoralized I was indeed, I was not going to let this one go that easily. I had to chase her. I had to. And then, out of no where, the ballerina passes me. Where did she come from? Third? That was not something that I could let happen.
I passed the ballerina on the last lap, going over the hill that precedes the barriers, she was walking I was riding. The second I pass her I almost get taken out by super girl, but that couldn't happen, no. I had to stay upright, and I did. I got ahead of her and turned on any afterburners I had, I couldn't let her pass me again.
I turned down the hill for the last time, and as usual I went out of my way to go over the little jump. However, unlike every other time, this time I landed too heavily on my front wheel, everyone thought I was going down. Yes, an endo for sure. But I ended up miraculously saving it, and doing a nose wheelie half way down the hill. All I had to now was get up one little hill and over some barriers and I was home free.
I made up the hill and over the barriers and maintained my placing to cross the line in a both satisfying and disappointing 2nd place.

And here a few pics:

fire

Picasso's blue period. (hahahah)

HUP United.

Or is it HOOP United?

I approve of the message, but crack kills.

Saturday:

I didn't care for the course much, and I didn't do so well. There were a few fun parts of the course though. I loved the changes that were made the next day. Sunday's course was awesome.

villebois

2008-10-12T18:25:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, it sucked...
It started out great, then my bike decided to shift on its own.
So, being that I had I spare, I went through the pit, grabbed that, and got crashed out leaving the pit.
LEAVING THE PIT. The brakelever was all twisted, so I'm thinking, "great, this is my second bike, now what?"
Then about half a lap later by seat post broke, and I ended up with a saddle that pointed straight up. Yes, that was VERY comfy.

The course was weiiirrrddd. I didn't really care for it. It was sooooo bumpy. It was ridiculous. Those little down hills were fun for me though, I loved that one after the barriers. Hehe.

And I leave you with bike shoe porn!!

=[

2008-10-05T18:20:00.001-07:00

I was totally dominating...Until that happened, I moved from 1st to 3rd, and only managed to fight my way back up to 2nd.
Lame, much?

CRUUSSSSAAAAAAAAADDDEEEESSSS!!!!

2008-10-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

Guess what folks?
It's that time of year again!!

CROSS CRUSADE!!
Alpenrose.
Tomorrow.
Oh.
Yeah.

Star Crossed/Rad Racing GP

2008-09-22T20:42:00.000-07:00

STARCROSSED

I was getting serious warm-up.

Right before my race

They started in numerical order. I was 61st out of 64 to start. I was screwed from the start.

RAD RACING GP
They had a run up worse than Pain on the Peak. About 5 times worse.
See:

Half the Elite Men were walking that thing, not running it at all.
Rhonda

Wendy

Sue

Molly

Shannon

That run up HURT

Pain on the Peak

2008-09-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

THIS RUN-UP HURT.

Pain at the peak was one of the most awesome races I have ever done.
The course? Awesome. The prizes? Awesome. The swag? Awesome. The promoters? Awesome. It was just awesome, awesome, awesome!!!
But now I have to get to bed, because I have Krugers tomorrow!!!

I Wanna Live in an EARTHSHIP!!!!!

2008-08-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

Yes, I said earthship.

I'm sure many of you already know what an earthship is, I have for a few years, but for those of that don't:

"An Earthship refers to a passive solar home made of natural and recycled materials. Designed and marketed by Earthship Biotecture of Taos, NM, the homes are primarily constructed of earth-filled tires, utilising thermal mass construction to naturally regulate indoor temperature. Earthships are a type of off-grid home, which minimizes their reliance on public utilities and fossil fuels." -Wiki

Cool, no?

I know this is a cycling blog and this really doesn't have anything to do with cycling, but I think the earthship is a great idea, and a step in the right direction. I'm not saying everyone should live in house made of recycled bottles, even though that'd be cool, but it would cost way less money to convert all of America to solar power than what we've spent on the war in Iraq. And that's kind of my point.

Earthship listings

Post-Nats Update

2008-08-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

Well all in all my time at nats was not too great.
The drive home was fun though, we took 101 through the redwoods instead of boring I-5.
Here is what Dallin looks like now, for those of you that wanted to know:

Much different than the pic I previously linked to.
Ummm. I'm really glad to be home, haha. =]

Nationals

2008-08-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

I'm sure everyone is wondering what in the world is going on down here.
Well, I've had just about the worst luck anyone could ever have.
my 200 was fine, I qualified easily for the sprints, but the 1/8 final, not so fine.
The girl I was paired with had never done match sprints before and my plan was to take her all the way to the rail then jump out of corner 3.
Well, I'm taking her up, and taking her up, and then she tries to take me back down, but I don't budge, which resulted in this. Which eventually resulted in this. Which resulted in grumpy officials.

And the 500 was just a disaster. My stomach hurt very badly shortly before my race, I ended up in the bathroom vomiting. Then they were doing it in heats of 2. Well I was on the back stretch. Then, double gun. The girl on the front stretch false started, which was unfortunate because my start was perfect. Ok, no problem, I can do that start again. I did do that start again. I get to the corner and BANG BANG! What? Did she false start AGAIN?! No, she crashed. By the time I got around to my third start my legs were shaking so much I couldn't keep the bike straight... It was horrible. Today finally starts the stuff I like, so maybe it'll be a lot better.

OMG

2008-08-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

**EDIT***
I do have a pic, you can't see till I get home, so ha!
Ok, I can't believe I forgot about this last night.
You'll never believe who I ran into at the track.
Remember this kid?

Dallin Davidson!!

I thought he just quit racing, turns out he moved to California... My bad. His family moved to socal two years ago. It was pretty cool to see him again. He looks a bit different than he did in that pic.

The Track

2008-08-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

I like this track. =]
It's only a little steeper than Alpenrose, and just a little shorter too, but it's so different. A whole lot smoother.
Tomorrow is packet pick up and rider meeting.
Then Thursday the racing starts.

Haha, Oops I used a hotel towel to clean off my bike and tires.

Or State TT Championships

2008-08-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

Yay, I won.
My front wheel wasn't actually on for the entire duration of the TT, but it's a long story and I don't really feel like typing all that out after driving 550 miles to Willow, California.
But I won, so it's all good. The other girls in my category did very well too.
Well, tomorrow is a big day, I better get some sleep.
Sorry about this rather short post. I'll add more when we get to LA (maybe)

Tomorrow

2008-08-09T21:38:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is a very, very, very busy day.
We are getting up at 5:00 am, eating breakfast and then heading to the State TT championships. As soon as I'm done with my TT we will be leaving for Track Nationals in LA. Oh yeah, the City of Angles. Hmm, that reminds me of a song.
Nationals this year is at the ADT event center, which for those of you that don't know, is the only indoor track in the U.S.

F•S•A Gran Prix

2008-07-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

Wow, sorry this took me so long, but I've been busy, busy, busy!

FSA was absolutely amazing. I am so glad that the promoter let me race. (the flyer said 17+)

Even though I was restricted to an 86" gear I managed some decent results .
My first race, the 3k pursuit sucked. It was so early in the morning, and that track is not fun for time trials. It's sooooo long and the corners go on forever, it just lulls you to sleep. And the fact that I had close to no warm up did not help at all.

The points race that night was soooo much better. I came in 16/26 in the elite women's field. Our average speed was 25 miles an hour and our max was 32. I was spinning really, really fast.

Saturday morning I slept in and skipped my 500. That evening I had 3 races.
First was the scratch race, which was my best finish. I got 14/32 starters.
Then there was this miss n' out in which I got 19/27. Those aren't really my thing.
Last but not least, I did the madison with Devon Simpson, a jr rider from Washington and we came in 8th.
Here are some pictures from the Madison from wheelsinfocus.com:
Me (this pic does not look right)
My partner

Full Women's Results

AVC

2008-07-22T11:56:00.000-07:00

Oh, where to start....
Well there's this picture:

I'm not sure what race it was, but there it is.

Friday Morning:
3k Pursuits.
I was paired with Shelby Reynolds, a 17/18 jr rider from Texas.
We were even the whole way and she beat by less than a second.
I was so mad...

Friday Evening:
500s.
I hate 500s.
I got a PR, 44.82
But I still hate 500s.

Saturday Morning:
I didn't race, it was sprints all morning.
Though there was a crash in the Keirin that rendered my friend Jack Lindquist bike-less.
I'm sure you've all seen the video, that's his trispoke flying through the air.

Saturday Evening:
Women's 5mile.
That race was amazing.
I ended up in a 5woman break that lapped the field.
Unfortunately I ended up with 4th overall, missed the podium by about an inch.

Sunday Morning:
Miss n' Out.
Eh, not so hot.
I think I got 7th?
The first half of the race went really well.
But then I got boxed in with no where to go. =[

Sunday Evening:
Points Race.
I got 5th... Only 4 points more and I could've had 3rd...
But it went really well, so I'm okay with it.
A little sad though that they cut it all the way down to 30 laps.
I would've rather done 50.

This Week I Was Doowwwn AND Dirrrrty

2008-07-15T10:47:00.000-07:00

No, really:

I some how managed to biff it right after I was announced as being the leader of the jr women's race. I thought it was pretty darnnn funny.
But even though I can make it down little tiny dirt hills I managed to make over the logs ok.

All Photos Courtesy of Aria Rady
And even though I managed to faceplant in the dirt, I still won! =]

Sr. State Track Champs. [Pursuits & Points]

2008-07-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm too tired [and lazy] for a detailed race report. SO, this is what happened:
I did a 3k pursuit. I got 4.42.56, a new personal best for me. I passed the rider that started on the other side. My time was the fastest, until Andrea [Fisk] demolished it with a 4.21. I got 2nd. YAY.
Pursuit:

Photos courtesy of Steven Anderson

The points race did not go so well. I ended up with 6th...

Short Track

2008-07-07T22:09:00.000-07:00

UGH.
I got second again...
I was about to catch the leader right when a little kid biffed it right in front of me, and from there my luck went
----------------------------d
-------------------------------o
----------------------------------w
------------------------------------ n hill. I had to unclip at the top of a little hill because another kid biffed it in front of me, it was lose sand. I got my foot stuck in it, then it just crumbled away from under my foot. That was Greeeeat.... Then I dropped my chain. Then Jeff Standish plowed into me. Some beginner women flailing about in front of me as well. They took out the logs, which I really enjoyed. I could actually get over them. Grah. Oh well. I still I had fun, and I left the track in a decent mood. I'd give a more complete race report but I've got to go read my Christie. It's getting intense.

Jr/Team Track State Champs

2008-07-05T17:17:00.000-07:00

Jr. Girls 15/16

1. ME.
2. Opaqueka Cleer
3. Ghost Ridaa [yo]

Jr Boys 15/16

1. Dan Birman
2. Joe Prettyman
3. Bret Bailey [I think]

Jr. Girls 17/18

1. Kayla Woolcock
2. Andrea Jones
3. Adiaphorous Vague

Jr. Boys 17/18

1. Richie Suditu
2. Eamon Ford
3. The Invisible Man

Jr. Girls 13/14

1. Isabelle Ford
2. OLLLGAA [loves Helga]
3. HELLLGAA [loves Olga]

Jr. Boys 13/14

1. Lance Pugh
2. Clyde Bailey
3. De'Shaun Lee

Jr. Boys 10/12

1. Grant McElroy
2. Some Z-Team kid
3. Zorro

Race Report:
All the groups where small for the juniors, and I only had to do two races, a 500 and an 8 lap scratch, and I had to the scratch with the boys. So my state championships consisted of about 10 laps.
Then I did two team sprints, one with Andrea Fisk, and another with Anita Dilles, however I have no idea what placing was received for either sprint. Though ironically my starts for the team sprint were way better than my 500m start. Maybe I'm just not a morning gal. I just know neither one made the podium.
But whatever, it was fun and thanks to the both of them for racing with me.

I'm a Dirty Girrrrlll

2008-06-30T22:03:00.000-07:00

Today I ventured out from the shiny veneer of nice, clean track racing and in to the rough and tumble world of mountain biking, short track mountain biking that is.
I haven't raced on a mountain bike in over a year, and my first lap did really make me want to race a mountain bike, but after I got a few bike handling errors out the way in my warm up I did just fine.
I didn't really have in mishaps during the race, except that I did go off course, possibly costing me a win. But I'll never know whether or not I would've beat my competitor tonight had that not happened. So I'm perfectly satisfied with tonight's second place.

Finally, Day Six.

2008-06-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

Today is day six!
It's the last day!
As fun as it's been I'm looking forward to some rest...
I felt okay last night, and I got 6th and 7th in the individual races.
6th in a 20 lap points, and 7th in a miss & out. I was really happy with my performance in the miss & out considering the last time I did one I was the second one pulled.

Six Day

2008-06-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

It has been consuming all my time this week.
It's had a lot of ups and downs, but tonight was soooooo much fun!
The individual races went great for me!
I got 6th in a 9 lap scratch race and 8th in a 15 lap points race.
I'm exhausted, so I'm afraid I must leave with this scant post.

River City/Specialized

2008-06-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

Tonight I did my first race as a River City/Specialized rider.
I'm not much of sprinter, but I sure did look good in all white. =]
My first Sprint I wasn't being to smart. And my second I honestly just gave up, but I think that's just because I'm way too hard on myself.
BUT...I won my third sprint!! My opponent was a little over geared.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, you might've noticed a change in color scheme.
You can thank Richie for that. He said the colors of my blog looked like BBC.

Points Race!!!

2008-06-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

I mounted my trusty carbon steed and rode to the track. Going down Vermont I saw a green light at the bottom, and I just knew I could make it. I picked up the pace by a few miles an hour [38 to 40] I was definitely going to make it. Then about 100 yards from the intersection it turned yellow. Then red. OH SHiiiiiZ. There was no way I was going to be able stop before the intersection, so I just turned right.
I made to the track all in one piece and shortly after my arrival I met my madison partner [for six day], Louella Holter, who by the way, does not look her age. After a thorough warm up and watching the kiddy kilo and some madisons it was time to race.
All six of us lined up on the rail to listen to the official's instructions. There were only six us because everyone went to San Jose. No one asked me if I wanted to go. =[
Anyhow, we started racing, and Bike Central was playing their tactics and I was doing everything I could to get in the way. They still took 1 and 2, so obviously it didn't work as well as I would've liked. I actually tied for second, but the rider who got it had more 1st place finishes.

Where IS Everybody??

2008-06-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went for a ride up Sunset, then Dosch, up to Fairmount.
I climbed up Dosch only to be greeted by a rather desolate Fairmount. The only people I saw on two wheels the entire time were these two women on comfort bikes who looked like blithering idiots and some guy going up to Council Crest in a Bike Gallery jersey.
Where was everybody?
Normally on my adventures up there I see at least a dozen other cyclist, no matter the weather, or the time of day. Yesterday was a fairly nice day, so where was everybody?
Hopefully there will be some people up there today.
I've always found it nice that so many people ride up there because sometimes I get bored riding all by myself.

Heart Breaker

2008-06-08T19:42:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid in the points race the only heart I broke was my own.
However, getting 3rd in the FIRST EVER Women's Madison was a bit of bandaid. =]
Jen [Wangerin] was an awesome partner!

UNATTACHED

2008-06-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

Today I did my first race
unattached.
I formally resigned from Beaverton Bicycle Club today, for various reasons that many are already cognizant of.
The change is better sweet, it was time for me to move on, but it's just strange given that I've been on that team for four years, which is the entire span of my racing career.

But moving on to coverage of tonights very, very wet PIR.

At first it was just a drizzle. Just a splash here and there. But as race time approached it started getting heavier and heavier. By the time races were due to start there were only 14 women signed up in both the senior and novice women's categories. The officials made the decision to combine them.
However, the novice women did not stay with us for long. Despite the weather the field was under a constant bombardment of attacks and no one wanted to work. All the work was done by 3 women including myself, Jan Moss, and a Sorella rider who's name currently escapes me...
My efforts paid off and I took first in the second hotspot of the night, unfortunately the Veloce girls countered attacked right after the sprint, making a successful break and staying way for the rest of the race.
I did manage to get third in the field sprint. When I was done I was drenched. But it was worth getting soaked. I got 5th =]
Good job to all you ladies who braved the rain.

1 422 Burns Beth Veloce/Felt 17
2 2976 Flaherty Colleen Veloce 12
3 254 Moss Jan Team Group Health 12
4 2951 Metz Tamara Veloce 10
5 999 Graham Fiona 9
6 408 Huggins Elise Tsunamis 8
7 2868 Luder Erica 5
8 795 Linton Anne 5
9 245 Stolt-Krichko Debra 4
10 436 Tingey Sarah Bridgetown Velo 2
11 463 Sturtz Shana Bridgetown Velo
12 2838 Clark Heidi
13 1743 Ichikawa Michelle

TTT

2008-06-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

We won!!!!!!

We beat we, ourselves and us. BUT we did beat the jrw 4lap record by 5 minutes and 10 seconds.
To Liz and Carolyn Cartwright; thanks for being a great team!! =]

UM,,,When did I say that?!

2008-05-26T21:13:00.000-07:00

So today I before PIR I went to the track to return both my old track bike and road bike, both of which belong to BBC. I no longer have a need for them as I now have my own. For some reason Phil thinks that means I quit the team. Uh, when did I say that? He never asked if I was quitting. He never asked why I was giving both back. So he just assumes I'm quitting? I don't get it.

Anyway, PIR was so much fun. I signed up for the novice race at first, but then Ian, Jake and Marcel decided I wasn't a novice, so I did Sr. Women instead. And they were so right. I stayed with the Sr. Women just fine, and I would've finished pretty well had another group not passed us on the finishing strait, forcing us to do one more lap. But I'm really happy with my performance considered I NEVER do PIR. I had SOOOO much fun and hopefully I'll be able to make it out there again next week.

Oh yeah, and Heather, you rock. =]

Albany

2008-05-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

The race kind of sucked for me.
I did the juniors and Wes Fitzsimmons attacked from the very first pedal stroke. I ended up in a chase group with one other rider. For the longest time it looked like we were going to catch them but that never happened. I ended up with 6th place, and getting scored as a junior boy...
My second race was greatly affected by a few things that happened prior to my race, but I was doing well for most of the race, I was third or fourth wheel almost the entire and then my tire blew when I was forced to take a funky line around the corner. A large shard of metal had pierced my tire in multiple places. I run back to the pit to get my spare wheels. Well no one seems to be able to get the wheel in, and Peter Drake oh so kindly lent me one of his. It took two laps to get my wheel changed and when my bike was finally ready to go the women were coming around the corner. I hopped on my bike and tagged on to the back of the group. I sat there for a while. The cassette on the rear I was using was much different than my own. The gear I was in was either to small or too big, I opted for too small. I sat in the back just spinning away for a few laps, then with 3 to go I started moving my way up. I was in a perfect position for the sprint but my legs I had nothing. I blew up only a few meters from the finish, ending up with a dissapointing 11th place.

Change

2008-05-25T21:48:00.000-07:00

Change is afoot. The tides are shifting. Nothing endures but change. [Heraclitus] All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.[Anatole France] If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies. [anonymous]
The Winds of Change are Blowing

Rain

2008-05-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

It sucks. =[
The track is all wet. =[

Hood River, Final Stage

2008-05-18T19:26:00.000-07:00

WOMEN

STAGE:
1.Tina Pic, Colavita, USA
2.Joanne Kiesanowski, Team TIBCO, New Zealand
3.Jeanie Long-Ciprelli, River City Racing, France

Best Young Rider, Julie Beveridge, Aaron's Professional Women's Cycling Team, Canada

Sprint Jersey Winner, Joanne Kiesanowski, Team TIBCO, New Zealand

Queen of the Mountains, Leigh Hobson, Cheerwine Cycling, Canada

General Classification Winner, Julie Beveridge, Aaron's Professional Women's Cycling Team, Canada

GC:
1.Julie Beveridge, Aaron's Professional Women's Cycling Team, Canada
2.Jeanie Long-Ciprelli, River City Racing, France
3.Leah Goldstein ValueAct Capital Cycling Team, Canada

Best Team, Aaron's Professional Women's Cycling Team

MEN

STAGE:
Andrew Pinfold, Symmetrics Cycling, Canada
Ivan Stevic, Toyota United, Serbia
Alessandro Bazzana, Successful Living.com P/B Park, USA

Best Young Rider, Morgan Schmitt, Bissell Pro Cycling Team, USA

Sprint Jersey Winner, Doug Ollernshaw, Rock Racing, USA
=]

King of the Mountains, Andrew Bajadali, Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast, USA

General Classification Winner, Rory Sutherland, Health Net/Maxis, Australia

GC:
Rory Sutherland, Health Net/Maxis, Australia
Darren Lill, BMC Pro Cycling Team, USA
Benjamin Jacques-Maynes, Bissell Pro Cycling Team, USA

Best Team, Bissell Pro Cycling Team

The men's race on the stage was amazing. There was a ten man break that made it all the way. The last few laps their lead got to around 15 seconds.

Thursday Night Track; Pursuits

2008-05-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

I arrived at the track, aero bars already on my bike. Phil gave me wheels, I put my racing gear on my bike and then went to warm up. I only got about a half hour on the track, but I was in the 7th pair, so I still had plenty of time. I hopped on my rollers and continued my warm up.
They ran through all the 2ks, and then it was us. We were the first 3k pair. I got the joy of starting on the front straight, in to the head wind. Despite this I had what I feel was a good start. I soon began to make up space on my opponent, but it didn't look like I was going to catch my opponent. Until my last lap. I caught my opponent on the final lap, on my finishing straight, my opponent only had a half a lap to go. My apologies for the rude timing. I posted a time of 4.51.59, a personal record by 3 seconds, making my average speed 23.0611 mph.
[Note: all times are unofficial]

Mount Hood Cycling Classic; Tabor Criterium

2008-05-14T21:11:00.000-07:00

Publish Post

Teammates Hilton Clarke and Ivan Stevic, first and second in the stage

Tabor was amazing.
In the women's race Jeanie Longo was in the front almost the entire time, winning quite a few primes. But in the end it was national criterium champion, Tina Pic, who picked up the win.
The men's race was insane with almost 150 riders packed onto tabor. Bissell had control a few times throughout the race but it ended up being Toyota-United for first and second. Second place, Ivan Stevic, is the B-World Champion. The B-World Championships is a chance for riders from countries that didn't qualify for the elite world championships to qualify for the Olympics. Ivan's home country, Serbia, did not qualify for the elite world championships.

Track Cleanup/Friday Night Racing

2008-05-10T19:07:00.000-07:00

The track looks fabulous again.
It has a nice new paint job, though sadly not as many people showed up as on the first track clean up day.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We were running late that night, I did not get in a proper warm up. Something was loose on my rear wheel, causing me much delay. Turns out I didn't race it. I raced my training wheel instead. After a quite short and insufficient warm up I did a very slow 200 meter. The way I rode it was fine, the line I picked was fine, so what was the problem? Turns out my front tire wasn't holding any air. So after a performance that fell flat I ended using a training wheel for my front also.
There were three people in my category for sprints so I ended up getting a by the first round. The next round however I was up against Nissy Cobb. Unfortunately our sprint was only two laps long, as we were running out of daylight, throwing a wrench in all my sprint strategies. I pulled second position, I didn't really know what to do so I just sat on Nissy's wheel. But that didn't really work.
My second sprint with Bill Alsup, I think could've won, if I would've jumped instead of letting him do that. That too was only two laps. But I'm sure they'll both be there next week, and hopefully we'll have three laps.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You might also want to check out the video bar I added!!

=D

2008-05-09T21:41:00.000-07:00

=]clickme[=
i b happeh

I sorta kind of suck

2008-05-03T07:14:00.001-07:00

At blogging.

I know, it's been over a month.
Well, I'm making a May 3rd, resolution.
Gonna post at least twice a week.

I'm sitting here drinking my coffee, starting to get ready for Kautzky.
I can't wait.
I love track racing.

Oh, Morning,

2008-03-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

Why art thou so rude?
You push away the blanket of night all too quickly.
You extend the sun's glistening rays down to the earth,
They penetrate the darkness, they shine through my window,
Rousing me from my blissful slumber.
I do not wish to get up, but I must.
For it is morning, thus it is expected of me.
Oh, Morning,
Why art thou so rude?

Cranial-posterior Inversion

2008-03-04T17:40:00.000-08:00

I seem to be encountering a lot of people who have this condition lately, so I figured that I might list a few symptoms so that those of you that have it may find out early and stop the condition from progressing.
Symptoms of Cranial-posterior Inversion include, but are not limited to:

Talking over people or not listening to them when they speak.
Pretending like you know something when you really don't.
Viewing some one as inferior to you based on denominators such as, age, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
Basing your opinion of someone on preconceived notions of their personality.
Expecting immediate responses from people when you ask them a question, whether it be in conversation, over text, email or IM.
Creating unnecessary conflict.
Not complying to a reasonable request when asked politely.
Putting in your head phones while someone is trying to talk to you.
Bludgeoning the horse to death on every single subject of conversation.
Being hypocritical.
Littering.
Asking someone's opinion and then getting offended because they didn't tell you what you wanted to hear.
Saying one thing, while meaning another.
Continuing to ask a question when someone tells you either they don't know, or don't feel comfortable telling you the answer.
Going to an event that includes a lot of walking wearing high heels. (can you say retarded)
Wearing Uggs, particularly when in combination with a short skirt or shorts. Can you say UGGly?
Thinking that batting your eyelashes is cute, it's not, you look stupid.
Smoking cigarettes right outside a bike shop when you are an employee at that bike shop.
Smoking cigarettes in general, it's not just you you're killing with your nasty smoke; you're killing me and poor little Suzy-Joe, and Johnny, and Billy-Bob too. In others words, you're killing other people with your second hand smoke. EW.
Wearing spandex when you know that you are obese, especially when said spandex is beige.
Insisting that you're right even when there is plenty of evidence showing that you're wrong.
Assuming someone can't do something even when you've never seen them try.

If you have any of these symptoms you may have Cranial-posterior Inversion and should see your physician immediately
If more symptoms are discovered they will be added to this list to aid you in your diagnosis.

What Would Weaver Do? [WWWD?]

NAHBS

2008-02-09T20:30:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of attending the North American Handmade Bicycle Show.

There I saw bikes like these pretty pink ones by Ellsworth,

and this sweet lady's one by Ruegamer

and this one comprised of horns, twigs and other natural resources by Calfee

There were also bikes like the beautiful one by Lynskey Customs

Look! The wheels match!

And of course there were some beautifully lugged Waterfords.

And there were some awesome Deda bars.

But where did the Deda people go?

Sram had robots made of components.

And Roark Titanium Customs had gorgeous titanium bicycles.

Roark also had this.

Note the detail; little mesh butterflies on the frame,

Butterfly cutout wheels,

And of course, purple sparkly logo.

Then there were the cheese graders. This is the mountain version, and apparently mud does not get lodged in the gaps, the only time when it would is when the mud is thicker than the gaps, in which case, it is said that you would only be weighed down as much as you would be on a normal mountain bike.

And BME made the road version.

The architecture was apparently inspired by that of a bridge.

BME also had one of several versions of the bamboo bicycle.

And then, there was this.

The chain ring isn't even visible from the other side.

With exception of the handle bars, the widest point on this bike is 8mm.

Not to mention the awesome paint job...

If you were unfortunate enough to miss the chance to go,
you really missed out.

Team Ride

2008-01-13T16:05:00.000-08:00

I arose early this morning, greeted by a thick fog settled comfortably over the earth. I broke my fast with a lovely meal of eggs and turkey bacon, and then I donned the garb of the cyclist and headed out the door.
Once I arrived at the Sunset Athletic Club I mounted my trusty aluminum steed and rode circles in the parking lot. A spandex clad crowd soon began to gather and at the time of half past nine we rode off into the fog.
The pace started off easy, but was then slowed to a crawl, apparently 15 miles an hour is just too fast. We coasted through the fog with our blinky lights flashing, for visibility is key.
When we finally arrived at the store the fog had lifted and the sun shone brightly down on us. We figured we were safe from the weather and all the blinky lights were turned off. We then set out for our journey home.
We began climb and fog started settling on the earth's surface once again. It only got worse and worse. At some points I could only see about five feet in front of me. This as you can imagine, causes problems in a large group of riders. In fact there were several mishaps today, but surprisingly, none related to the fog.
We all finished the ride with a sigh of relief.

Also,
Get Well to Scott McElroy

Oh, My! Was it Windy Today!

2008-01-06T16:35:00.000-08:00

Today I headed out for a ride with the team. It was rather windy, as well as very wet. I've decided one of my new pet peeves are people who ride in large groups with only half fenders. You know? The kind that are angled just right so that they keep the culprit dry while spraying you in the face with road grit? Yeah... That's just rude... Good thing the fender in question belongs to a person I like. Yeah, you know who you are, and yes, my fender is better.

I noticed today that on team rides there is a large variety nutrients consumed. Potatoes, fig bars, cliff bars, apples, dates. Even a little nibble of chocolate here and there.
Any other peculiar favorites?

Through the Sun, the Sleet and the Hail

2007-12-30T14:56:00.000-08:00

Through the sun, the sleet and the hail we rode today.

I awoke early this morning to prepare for BBC's first ride of the year. Today we rode a nice flat ride. We took off at a nice easy pace, but of course among testosterone ridden boys that never lasts.
The pace picked up a bit, but for the most part the group stayed together. After a playful sprint to the store we munched on some fig bars before taking off again and starting home.
Then it started hailing. Hail is ever so painful when riding it. After riding in the hail, after we had reached the final and easiest section of the ride, the sun, rather ironically, came out from it's hiding spot among the clouds.

My first cross race of the season,

2007-12-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

And it also happens to be one of the last... I awoke on this cold, cold day upon the eighth hour of the morning. I finished with last minute preparations for the coming day. Then I awaited the arrival of my mother's kind friend David whom we were car pooling with. Following his arrival we promptly packed the car, and set out for our distant destination of Eugene, Oregon. We arrived at said destination, our coffee well since consumed, we helped ourselves to the coffee provided by the thoughtful race promoters. I then rode part of the course, but I did not feel the need to endeavor riding a whole lap.
I had a wonderful warm up, sitting in David's car drinking cocoa and sketching the human hand. David was racing as my mother and I were warming up, we opened the car door to cheer for him, then promptly shut it again, as to not let out the invaluable heat. It then came time for me to mount my trusty aluminum stead, it's shiny blue and silver frame neglected for nearly a year. I learned at the start line that only one woman had warmed up. We started our race after a minor mishap in the back of the group. I started out strong. All the women started together and I maintained a position in the top five for a quarter of a lap. I even managed to keep that position through the enormously high barriers.
Only when I had to cross the river did I lose my position. I then rode the rest of my three laps of ludicrously high barriers, quick paced single track, running my bike up wooden stairs and splashing through the river-interrupted only by a flat tire- alone. I finished first, beating out my thoughest opponents, me, myself, and I.

I Revel in my Sweat

2007-12-03T16:00:00.000-08:00

I really do. There is nothing more satisfying than the feeling of a warm bead of sweat dripping down your face, or the faint plunk it makes as it falls off your face onto your top tube. The pain is wonderful, it hurts, and yet it feels so good. And what is this torture that gives me so pleasure?

Winter training.

=(

2007-11-30T22:47:00.000-08:00

Man, I'll miss the guys. They were always one of my favorite teams, and they rode some really awesome Giants ;]

No one will ever be able to pull of pink like they did.

Alpenrose, Oh Alpenrose!

2007-11-25T13:54:00.000-08:00

How I miss thee so!
I met at Alpenrose, my home away from home, with my dear teammate Kallen, who although is moving on to the more daunting world of collegiate cycling will always be considered a teammate.
The two of us, both in a love affair with track racing, stared longingly at the track. We stood there pining for the sweeping corners of the track, the adrenaline racing through your body in a match sprint and more than anything the triumphant feeling of crossing that finish line first.
We could not resist, we lowered our road bikes onto the apron, where we rode circles, reminiscing about times we shared there. Races we raced together, drills we did with the team, the team lined up against the railing awaiting Phil's instructions. Remembering moments of tactical brilliance, and shortcoming.
Then we took one of my favorite routes up to Fairmount. We ascended Sunset, but we found ourselves lacking the spirit to tackle Dosch, and Kallen had a schedule to keep.
We rode down Dosch, rather than up, each of us navigating the curves of the road with finesse, then we parted ways, each of us en route to our own abode.

Mmmm, Smells Like Turkey

2007-11-22T15:32:00.000-08:00

No, not our kitchen, that smells like ham, but the various neighborhoods we rode through today were drenched with the aroma of roasting turkey. The density of the automobile traffic today was rather surprising, there were a great deal of cars on the road for Thanksgiving day. However, bicycle traffic was disappointing, I thought I would see more roadies justifying the calories they were to later consume. Although I must say we did have a rather late start on the road today, as I only awoke upon the hour noon.
My mother and I rode through the quaint residential areas of Beaverton, so nice they were on this beautiful crisp fall day. Golden and crimson leaves speckled the ground and the sun shone trough the trees' bare branches. All the while I pondered why my mother deary was riding with her headlight on in the middle of the sun filled day.
Then we rode home, straight into a rather august headwind. My mother found the riding unfathomable, and the head wind much too strong, where as I unleashed my inner-timetrialer, and rode on boldly into the wind. Whenever I thought I could go no harder, whenever I thought that wind defeated me, I pushed harder. (There was some cocoa waiting for me at home, and it was cold out) As I came sailing up BH I hit a red light. Oh the horror! I could not stop, I had lovely pace! I thought quickly, and I did the unthinkable. I turned right, and ascended the street known as 30th. (the other side of Dosch, which really isn't that big of climb) I stood on the pedals applying all the power I could muster. I attacked the climb, one pedal stroke at a time. The crest of the hill came into to sight, and where most would despair I dug a little deeper, I worked a little harder, and then I came to the top, where I felt oh, so victorious, I could already taste the hot cocoa in my mouth. Just one left turn, and a couple yards down the road and there I was, home, sweet home.

Finally, Some Mud!

2007-11-18T17:07:00.000-08:00

Too bad I wasn't racing...

I went out to watch the cross race today, I wanted to race, but at this point I don't really want to risk getting sick or injured. That's the last thing I need. I'll just wait till winter training.
However I must say, as I watched, I had a bit of a longing feeling. Yes, a longing feeling to look like a mud monster. Ha ha, non-cyclist must think we're so weird. Actually I saw a guy working at the Fred Meyer's across the street and he was watching all the race finishers wash off in this big puddle in disbelief. The look on his face was great.

Ah, My Bicycle,

2007-11-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful thing it is!
I went on a lovely ride after school today, up Sunset, then up Dosch to Fairmount. I did a few laps on the loop. Then I got the reward of riding down Dosch to Beaverton Hillsdale. I hate riding up BH, I mean, it doesn't look like that much of a hill but for some reason it just sucks, way more than Dosch.
I must say, people in cars are such idiots. This one woman backed out with out even looking, if I weren't paying attention she would've hit me. Then in a no passing zone there was a car driving on the wrong side of the road to pass another car. I thought the double yellow lines meant something!
Oh, well it was still rather enjoyable, despite the lack of sunlight the landscape was aesthetically pleasing. The leaves, both on the ground and on the trees, were colored beautifully. The air was cool and crisp. Though I doubt it will be like this much longer, which is really unfortunate, I have been enjoying riding after school so much...

Hand Built Bike Show

2007-11-11T17:20:00.001-08:00

(Really awesome tall bike)

Today I went to the hand built bike show at the forestry center. It was amazing! Some of the frames there were unbelievably beautiful, some outstandingly creative, and some an incredible blend of both.

There were represtentitives from local frame builders such as Ahearne Cycles, Sweet Pea, Strawberry, Land Shark, and Bike Friday. I uttered quite a few "I wants" in the short time we were there.

I Gotta Ride Tomorrow!!!

2007-11-09T17:28:00.001-08:00

Oh, my goodness... I ate so much terrible, horrible, fatty foods today at the mall with my besties, I'm going to have to ride for days!!! [Okay, maybe not that much, but mall food is evil.]

Back in the Saddle

2007-11-07T17:41:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to start a blog for a while, but the last couple months have been so hectic I haven't had the chance. Now I finally have a few minutes to spare, so I figured why not?
As most of you know in July I came down with mono. A while ago I got the okay to ride again, and have just now started getting back on the bike.
I'm not going to race cross this year. Even though I love cross I just don't think I'm ready to race yet. However you can expect to see me come the start of the 2008 season.