FLANDRIA

Jake, getting ready to ride Bolinas

The weekend is not over yet, sigh.  I am still recovering from all the exciting races yesterday.  I was woken up by the sunrise on our hotel window.  I didn’t realize we were facing the sunrise side.  It was going to be a beautiful day, no clouds or fog.  Marin County often gets foggy, specially in the morning but today, it was nice!

Hunny and I headed to DipSea Cafe for breakfast.  The usual whole wheat pancake while reading Marin morning papers.  Right in front page, how store owners in downtown San Rafael are not so happy about the race held last night.  The store owners claim that they lose a lot of business on this one Saturday in a year.  There were some complaints about losing parking spaces in front of the stores.  I guess I don’t blame them because there’s really no mass transit in the area.  People would drive two blocks and park just to go to the store.  So it’s tough.  But, wait…it’s not suppose to be that way.  Don’t blame the bike race.  The underground or parking structures had many parking spaces yesterday.  I went around many times to look for my team mates.  If it takes too much effort to walk from the parking lot to the stores, then there is something wrong.

Anyway, enough of my blab about it.  That article as a headline doesn’t sound great for promoting bike racing.  The other thing that bugged me yesterday was a comment made by one of the drivers while hunny and I rode our bikes to downtown San Rafael.  “Get off our rode, you bikers!”  I ignored the ignorant and went along my ways. 

Enough of my blabbings…

Breakfast was big.  I made sure I had enough sustainance to keep me up right on my bike today.  I installed a bottle cage on Jake making sure I am hydrated.  We drove to Bolinas Ridge parking lot and got ready.  There were a group of mountain bikers also preparing to head out.  It was a perfect weather kinda day.  The trail started with some big rollers in dirt.  I was standing so I can power up hard to make it on each top.  Ouch!  That hurt like hell.  Not enough warm-up and right into the action.  I sort of learned from climbing St. Josephs hill the other day that it is a balancing act.  Center of gravity on the climbing and flexibility is important.  I felt my back wheel spin, I move back a bit.  I feel my front wheel lifting, I move forward a bit.  Then I figured out where I should be.  It took several tries.  It’s not like a mountain bike. 

It was an uphill roller kinda thing with several gates to go through.  There was a sign warning us about aggressive cows. Where?!  I want to see one.  We did see a deer staring at us.  Several of the mountain bikers praised us for riding our cross bike on a mountain bike trail.  Aren’t we suppose to?  The only difference is suspension and granny gears - which made it freakin’ hard. 

I finally got the hang of it and making some good hard effort push on some of the steep, gravelly kinda trail.  Hunny was nice to tell me how good I did on some of those rough and steep sections.  I just thought to myself, I think the new shoes made a difference.  Okay,  I don’t want to make his head swell but he was on his sleeky wheels climbing what I was climbing and making all of them but one.  I choose to ignore his climbing perfections.  I chugged along and yes, I did get off my bike several times because it was so freakin’ steep.  I want to take baby steps, wahhh!

We reached a large clump of trees which was nice shade after that sufferfest.  I was drenched in sweat and drank like a fish.  I was so thirsty.  I told hunny, it was time to go back.  As much as I want to ride more, this is only the second time I’ve been out of steep dirt trails - considering I passed out on one of them, I am calling it a day.  I have a tendency to get obsessed with something really cool and exciting.  This one, I am taking my time.  It’s something I cannot hurry and I want to do it right. 

Black and White rendition of Bolinas and me!

We turned around to head back.  I learned to move way back on steep downhills - just like mountain biking.  Control and picking a good line making it a smooth descent is better for my body.  No suspension so it was a rough ride downhill.  I do like being on the drops, it felt really controlled.  My brakes need to be adjusted, it’s way too lose.  I go easy but then, it started to be fun going faster.  In my mind, I can easily go over my handle bar if I hit a deep hole or big rock.  I just went for it, picking lines and it was so much fun! 

I was very tired when I got back to the car.  I did okay, most of all, I enjoyed the ride and I did not pass out!  I don’t want the weekend to end.

I was up there today…

I woke up early this morning and got ready to go to Patterson Pass.  Hunny raced, I cheered on.  There is nothing like watching a race.  I found myself a really sweet spot to watch, on top of the “stair case”.  This spot is where everyone suffers.  Erin and Lucia (my team mates) raced as well so it was really cool to see them out there.  Hunny took 7th today at Patterson Pass in his category.  I am so proud of him.  He’s come a long way.  I remember the first time he did this race three years ago, he was dropped at the first lap.  Last year, he did better but got dropped from the main group at the second lap.  This year, he finished top ten.  I am super motivated to keep on going…he is very inspiring. 

It was windy at the top.  I sat in the back of the car with the back open.  The car shielded me from the wind - luckily.  A big cow came by the fence to check me out and mooed at me - I have no idea what he wants but I mooed back.  It’s cool to see the pack come closer and closer… Great view.

The plan for this weekend is to spend the night in San Rafael, ride China Camp before the womens race on Saturday then ride Bolinas Ridge on Sunday.  

So, we were late checking in the hotel so we went ahead and rode to downtown San Rafael to catch the women’s race.  The course is different this year.  The course moved up a street but still a gradual climb and a really tough race.  There were big names in this race.  Proman, Value Act, Code 3 Racing, Dolce Vita, Norcal, Cherry Wine and Easton/SugarCRM/Specialized baybee!

The race started fast on the gun.  It was a very active race.  Karla Kingsley started out by driving the field in the first lap.  Karla looked like she was marking Shelley…the rest of the team did as well but Karla was covering the front of the pack making sure she’s there when things get hot.  Well, things did get hot when Shelley Olds from Proman started to pick up the pace and attacked creating a gap.  Everyone was attentive and responded.  Another attack from Liz Hatch from Vanderkitten then another one attack from Ryan Hostetter from Velo Bella - both created a gap and was solo for a couple of laps but it didn’t stick.  There were attacks after attack and the pace was high for a while.  A three women break formed with Hannah Banks from Value Act, Sarah Bamberger from Cherry Wine and Shelley Olds from Proman.  They were then caught several laps later until another attack from Kristin Drumm also from Proman.  The strength of this team is incredible and their attention to details in the race is fantastic to watch.  Kristin’s attack formed a five women break consisting of Kristin Drumm, Amanda Seigle from Code 3 Racing, Karla Kingsley from Easton/Sugar CRM/Specialized, Starla Tendergreen from Dolce Vita and Sarah Bamberger from Cherry Wine.  I was feeling confident that the break will stay away until the end and it did but with a bit of a twist.

There are times when I question certain moves by racers in a race but at the same time, the finesse of a team’s tactic slaps me in the face (not literally) then I say “oh…”  So normally, a break stays away with five teams represented.  Normally, the pack starts to mushroom and take a breather.  There were a couple of attempts to chase but it was a bit too late as the gap increases. 

Here is the amazing move…Shelley Olds started an attack! I am trying to figure out what goes…so she has a team mate up there so why is she chasing?  Not really understanding the tactic, I remained opened minded because I am really curious to see what this attempt was all about.  Geez, this is a high caliber team so I watched eagerly.  There was no doubt in my mind that Shelley was going to bridge up to the break, however I am wondering if Shelley’s team mate in the break knows about the move back there.  I don’t see the break slowing down and they are gaining seconds.  Several laps go by and I see Karla starting to trail back a bit but then I also saw Shelley closing in to Karla.  Yes, this is good for Karla because at that point she needed a nodge.  Karla worked incredibly hard for several laps earlier in the race and she gave it all.  Shelley caught Karla and they both worked together to try and catch the break.  Finally, the break slowed down a bit making it possible for Shelley to join the break but before that happening - Helen Drumm from Proman wanted to join the fun.  I felt like bullets being fired at the break.  Talk about wanting to dominate and control the race, Proman succeed in a very beautiful way.  They stamped the race with the word “winners”. 

So three Promans in the break…the good thing was Karla was able to get back to the race by working with the chasers.  I was so happy to see Karla make it back to the break.  The break did some good rotations to keep the gap open. 

Proman’s moves showed me how gutsy and risky those moves can be but they were confident.  They committed and made it work. 

There were attacks in the break but none stuck.  I think everyone was so pumped up when the announcer started counting down the laps to two more laps to go.  It was exciting to watch and hear the crowds of San Rafael ring the cow bells.

I saw Jennifer Van Muckey from Easton/SugarCRM/Specialized covering attacks basically manning the front for anyone trying to get away lap after lap until the end.  Hannah Banks from Value Act and others attempted to chase back the break several laps but was unable to.  Hannah also worked hard earlier in the race along with Taitt Sato from Value Act to chase back the break but it was not their day. The forces of Proman was beyond everyone’s control at that point.  The tiger grabbed hold of the major jugular of their prey. 

I so look forward to reading their race report.

The last lap was not surprising but very exciting!  Proman winning but there’s something special about the finish…Karla and Starla - rising stars and the most special racers I’ve ever met made a name for themselves today.   Their teams put huge efforts to help them be successful.  I am mighty happy for them and the rest of the racers.  They all tried and gave it all…very inspiring.

Honestly, just to show up at the start line and race in San Rafael is something to be proud of.  Finishing with the pack is momentus.  It’s so a special feeling to see team hugging, crying and chatting about their accomplishments that day.  It was a really beautiful time.  Kudos to all those who did the race! I now look forward to doing this race next year.

As for me this year, cheering was fun and I was full of adrenalin after the race - it’s crazy!  My team mates did well - Jennifer Van Muckey - 9th, Mary Ellen Ash - 8th, Karla Kingsley - 5th, Holly Roberts.  Major success for Easton/SugarCRM/Specialized elite team! 

Another fun day tomorrow.  The weather’s been fantastic and hope it’s the same when I get up in the morning.

Hmmm, I think I have enough energy to watch a third race…Olympics womens road race starts at 11:00 pm tonight.  It’s online on NBC Olympics.

Jake got some dirt today

I finally got the nerve to take Jake to climb St Josephs hill in Los Gatos.  It’s my first time ever to climb a dirt trail and steep hill on a cyclocross bike.  I trusted Jake.  Two days ago, I had a goat head stuck on the back wheel.  I was concerned about flats and more concerned about climbing with the gearings on Jake.  It’s not a like a mountain bike where I can spin in really small gears. 

Hunny and I rode from home giving me some sort of a warm up.  I was slow just cruising along nicely.  I started the climb okay until I approached pitches so I got off my bike and walked.  Yes, walked.  Quite embarrassing but I really need to take baby steps.  Jogging uphill is sort of a long term goal.  So I walked the biked,  walked then bike, walked…  Those steep pitches are killers.  I needed a bit more guts to power up those steep sections but not today.

My stomach started to grind and it felt like a really bad heartburn about halfway to the top of the ridge.  The more I powered up standing, my stomach hurt so bad.  I kept going and tried to ignore.  As soon as I hit the top of the ridge, I got lightheaded.  Then, everything started to glitter around me.  Hunny turned orange then it started to get dark…and darker.  I was holding hard to hunny because I was scared of my black out.  I am not sure how long the black out was but the next thing I know, hunny was on top of me trying to wake me up.  He put my legs up, tried to wake me up as I started to doze off.  It felt like those times when I really wanted to sleep more in bed.  I was on and off.  We were both in the sun so hunny tried to put some shade on me and poured water on my neck.  I don’t remember much but hunny explained what happened.  A hiker came by and hurried the down the hill to get some help.

I finally regained my sight but still light headed.  I was a bit shaky, not sure why but my muscles were beat up.  A couple of mountain bikers got up to where we were and offered help as well as food and drinks.  At that point, I wasn’t feeling like food or anything.  I was able to sit up and sat there for a while.  I stood up several minutes later then headed down the hill where we came from - slowly and stopped several times due to dizziness. 

Going downhill on a cross bike was not easy.  I was dizzy and it was really hard to see specially in the shaded area.  Jake felt really good downhill though.  Light and very responsive.  I tried to focus and find a good line.

We finally got down and I made it home.  It was a scare for hunny and I was kinda embarrassed.  I am not sure what happened but it could be dehydration.  I wasn’t able to drink much today.  I was working hard several days in a row and eating in front of my computer while working.  I wasn’t paying attention to my water intake.  But, not sure about the heartburn kinda problem.  Or it could be the hard effort I was putting in on the hill - but it didn’t feel like I went that hard. 

The last time I passed out was in an x-ray room wearing a heavy metal apron watching my son transfer over to the x-ray bed after a 10 hour back surgery to correct his curved spine.  He was in so much pain.  The passing out was more of an emotional shock on top of lack of sleep. 

I was glad hunny was there to help.  He did the right things.  He is still worried and the last thing I want him to do is worry about me.  I am bummed.

On a positive note, it’s a memorable first time with Jake on a tough dirt hill.

Rainbow on Tuesday Night Track Racing

I had a fun time flipping lap cards last night.  It got a bit chilly later into the night.  I didn’t race.  Just rode Jake to the track from home.  Hunny trained at the SJBC Tuesday Night Crit and headed to the track to pick me up.  It was a beautiful night.  The sky was salmon pink as the sun sets and a rainbow formed in the sky.  I couldn’t resist to take a picture.  The sunset sky was beautiful as I rang the bell laps.  Wonderful time.  There were many brownie premes…

Timpani Criterium

Photo by Hickingbotham Photography

I purchased this picture.  The photography was cool.  It’s rare to see racing pictures of me that’s worth purchasing but this one is a good one.  Vanity. I like looking at racing pictures to look at my form on the bike. I look at how much I am suffering, too.  Also, to see how much I’ve gained weight over the season.  Last season, I gained over five pounds by the end of road racing season.  This year, I maintained my weight which is good. 

The road race season is close to done for me.  Maybe a couple of road races to keep some fitness but it’s that time of year to taper and take a break.  I have several personal highlights this year in my racing but nothing amazing or incredible.  In the process, I learned and learned.  I worked around many obstacles and somehow stuck with it, survived it.  Nutrition was very challenging but I learned that what I put in my body is very important and that we are all unique with unique needs - individualized.  I successfully raced this season without any sports drinks, gels or bars.  It was a tough goal.  I also learned to find time to rest, in fact I rested as I needed.  I learned to listen to my body. 

The best racing times are racing with my team.  It’s incredibly fun!  Ups and downs, a goal, achievements, failures, lots of fun times and love the bbqs.  Extra ordinary group of women.