Froze Toes 2009

My toes were actually warm! Of course, as you can see from the picture, I was over dressed. I wasn't frozen as we waited, patiently, for the women's cat four race to start, the last race of the day. We are in fact, as reported by one official, a smaller group and thus of least importance. I was thankful that we were allowed the chipx timers. Apparently there was concern that they'd run out and if that happened, the women's cat four race would go sans-chips.
I think our race started about 15 minutes later than posted. I didn't know what to do with the nervous energy but was sure it would shake out after our race rolled past the start (past the neutral zone) and got up to the speeds I remembered from last year.
Boy, was I wrong. We started at a snail's pace. It was a little funny, a little embarrassing. I heard Carrie Cash's voice echo in my head as we cruised down the road at 11/12 mph (!) "This ain't no cupcake race!" Well, I was sure getting hungry for some baked goods of some sort. But of course, like all things, this too did pass. We eventually picked up the pace to a respectable level and soldiered on. Ghisallo's team was large and in charge. They got themselves to the front and Deanna kept them moving and organized. It was kind of neat to see and I motored myself to the front to take a pull and get in the mix a little. I think my pull was a little longer than I my body agreed with.
Oh well, it was fun!
After the first turn, the Ghisallo ladies stepped on the gas and tried to break off the front, but we didn't let them go. Turn two, same thing - they were reeled back in; however, one girl got enough of a break and there was just enough of a lack of response to let her get going. I encouraged the girl in front of me, at the third wheel to jump and I was fast on her wheel. Unfortunately, I can't seem to bridge. I got about half way there and boom, done? really? I watched about 10 ladies go around me and make it successfully to our carrot up the road. Of course, this group included Kate and Alice! Go Hub ladies!

I continued, in vain, to try to bridge. Cat joined me, we worked together (both hacking due to recent bronchitis!) but again, bam (where does that wall keep coming from?). Soon, one at a time, more Ghisallo, veloforce and various other ladies bridged to me, then past me. I tried to hang on to each one as long as I could. Of course, I did also try to spend some time pulling them too (so as not to be a total wheel sucker!). It was fun while it lasted. It just didn't last long enough. Soon, too soon, I was alone in the wind again. When the hills (rollers) set in, I was crispy on the edges and ready to be done (for the season?... well, no but close!). I just needed to hang on for 10 more miles.

That was the LONGEST ten miles! By the time I reached the 1 k mark, I couldn't believe how far 1k could be. I noticed one of the ladies from the "break" was now sitting on the side of the road and a police car was there. I would have wiped my eyes in disbelief, but they were cemented to my handlebars. Later, I learned of the crash that took out the lead pack and it was Julie who was sitting there in a daze. (The last I heard, she was battered/bruised but otherwise OK).

I didn't even attempt to sprint to the line. Just rolled over it. I actually may have decelerated as I reached it. I tried not to finish like I finish a long hard group ride, but I think I was on automatic at that point. I likely would have stopped right at the line, if there hadn't been tons of people yelling things that sounded (muffled) like "keep going" and, "turn in your chip" and "get out of the road" - these things did not make a bit of sense to me. My brain was thinking only one thing - I was happy to be done.

The results say I took 18th, out of 23 finishers. My average was just under 18 mph.
My results say I did not die of wheezing coughs, I did not flat and stand on the side of the road for a long time and I did not crash. Overall, I laughed some, smiled some, pulled some, time-trailed some, wheel-sucked some, ached/cramped some, cursed very little. In my book, I won!

I also looked good in my Hub Vest (thanks to Devin) and spent a little extra time out on the course so the TV crews could catch me!

update schmupdate

I have already established that I am a terrible blogger, so you (if anyone is reading this) will not expect too much out of me. HOWEVER, I got a little inspired by Chris' blog (www.mastersaysfaster.blogspot.com), so I thought I'd try to do more.

I've been keeping busy with loads of Team Rev stuff.
I was made into el presidente sometime in December. No inauguration balls or anything here, just lots of work. We are halfway through out successful "Frostbike" winter ride series.
Hey, why not - go to www.teamrevcycling.org for more info?

We've also started a indoor trainer spin series. (Girls only). It runs Weds nights through 3/4 at which time we hope to get our butts outside for regular Weds, leave from Straubs in Webster route. Come join us!

I did spinning class at the Hub last night with the guys. The class was tough and I nearly got tipped over thanks to Chris (the OTHER chris) and his Mavic skewers! All was good though and no damage done. Those guys are really nice! They always make me feel welcome, even though I am the "slow, girl."

Back to Team Rev stuff- we have a Bike Maintenance clinic on Friday Febuary 6 at 7pm at velocity cafe and cyclery. Should be a good time. Only $5 (Ladies only, again- if you haven't figured out already, Team Rev is a WOMEN's cycling club). If you are a girl and want to join us, email me at steph@teamrevcycling.com
If you haven't been to velocity cafe yet, you need to get over there. They are north of the History Museum in Forest Park. The coffee is excellent. Well, the food is excellent too. And the service....excellent! (I need to find some new words).


We'll that's enough dribble for now. Later Alligators!

This makes me sad.

I spent some time on retail therapy yesterday. Just walked through the Galleria. This was once the primo mall of the area but it's clear it's seen better days. A lot of the stores are closing; there are a lot of vacancies.

But what makes me sad is something I overheard in H&M. It was just a piece of a conversation between a couple. The woman was tall and slender. She was trying on a black short jacket. As they commented about the fit, she took off the jacket to reveal it was a SIZE 10! I didn't clearly hear what she said next but I did hear the man say in response, "well maybe it's fat in women's sizes". The fact that ANYONE would consider a 10 to be FAT! This is one example of the craziness women subject themselves and are subjected to.

Crazy and sad.

Long time, no blog

I am a lazy blogger. I am lazy at other things to, but that's not up for discussion at this time.
I'm not even sure anyone is reading this, so I'm not sure it matters. Of course that's just excuses for more laziness.

Gateway Cup 2008 has come and gone. For those who aren't familiar, Gateway Cup is a weekend long bike race series held each Labor Day weekend in St. Louis. Racers from all over the country come to the Lou to "tear it up". In my case, I only made a slight snag.

Friday night, Tour de Lafayette, was my best race of the weekend. As usual, I arrived to help set up about 5 HOURS before my race. This allowed me to get a good parking spot, help put up the tents, coolers, chairs, trainers and then sit in my anxiety for several more hours. The men's Cat 5 race started at 5pm. We started our trainer warm up at about 7:45. Once nicely warmed up we roll to the starting line for our 8:30 scheduled start, only to be delayed. And Delayed, And Delayed....45 minutes!
The fine details of the race are now gone. what I do remember was a blur of speed, light, darkness. I was at the back more than I like - a trend that would continue all weekend. I was able to move up on a prime lap, with Kate leading out. To my surprize, she did not go for it. After a second of "WTF?!" I went and took 2nd of the 2 place prime (Jamie beat me at the line for the first one); however, the prize was the $260 gift certificate for hair services at Oliver's studio. In the words of Bri, "who wants to be pretty?!?" ME, ME!
On the last lap, I was middle/back of the pack but moved up for the sprint. I threaded the needle between Ruth and Becky, only to have Becky's wheel play grabsies with mine as she stood to sprint. I backed off as she powered forward and we were free. I then kicked it into high gear and took it back from her just before the line. I think I was 9th out of 18 or something like that.

I skipped Saturday's race. The course on Washington Avenue had just been chip and sealed and was to feature a nasty corner (they took it out at the last minute). It was fun to watch the girls go at it and Alice made a strong showing!

Sunday's race was Giro della Montanga on the Hill. AKA Suffer-fest for me. The funniest thing was my pitch to JB about getting Boulevard to take Kate and I on for next year, then I proceed to have my worst race ever in front of him.
My friends and Phil cheered from all around the course. Early on the cheers were "Go, Go!" then, "You can get back on" then "Hang in there" then "It's almost over, just finish!" I got lapped by the 1,2,3 field several times and got lapped by my field at the start finish line with one lap to go.
I finished! 12 out of 12 (a couple girls DNFd).

Monday/Labor Day - U. city loop. Phil, Todd and Brian decided to jump on the Cat 5 race. That took my attention for a while. They were fun to watch. I know Phil wasn't happy with the finish. Apparently, they pulled him but posted him as finishing. Every one was spread out, it was hard to tell where anyone was in relation to everyone else. I think it gave Phil a taste of what crits are like. I am proud of him for doing it. If the girl's races were like the Cat 5 men's, I would still be spectating only.
The women's race was interesting, thanks to several attacks at the same place, after turn 2 on the back climb. After a few attacks, Kate and I fell off. We were working to get back on and would have,except for the $100 prime announced for the Cat 4 women! Oh well. We worked together for a long time. I pulled up the hill on the back side, Kate blocked wind and gave us some speed on the front side. After a while, it was just me and being alone in the head wind sucked (even if it was a down hill). Our field got confusing, due to a break away in our field and several off the back. I lapped a couple of girls but got lapped at some point by our main group. Not sure where I finished here but I enjoyed this race a lot.
My favorite part was working with Kate on the climb and getting water thrown on us by our friends!

Two weeks later, we completed our MS 150 in Memphis. Phil and I did the century loop. This was the first year it was offered. I am glad we did because they ended up canceling Day 2 due to Hurricaine Ike, allowing us to haul back to STL to watch the last stage of the Tour of Missouri.