So last weekend there was also a criterium in Reston, VA, which Michele, Kristy and I decided to race as a wee test for ourselves, since we are all on the comeback trail – Kristy from a big crash at Philly (yes, the report IS coming one day, I'm not just all talk!), me from being sick, and Michele from working like a maniac and running round after everyone else!
The course had 7 corners, was a little undulating and therefore relatively technical, and was made even more exciting by the fact that it started raining as soon as we started and poured the entire race until 2 minutes after we finished. Murphy’s Law I guess!
Anyway, Kristy and Michele were at it from the get go, launching attacks of the front and riding really aggressively – I could hear Joe the commentator telling the crowd that Altarum were ‘all over it’……..and turns out we kind of were! I ended up winning the 1st two sprint primes (which I think was purely luck, experience in the rain and positioning since I have not done one iota of intensity for the last 3 weeks!), then we set up a brilliant, textbook lead out train for Kristy for the final sprint. Michele got on the front nailing it with two laps to go, then I took over for the last lap digging as hard as I possibly could….I heard a crash behind me with 2 corners to go (horrible, gut wrenching sound), but kept pushing the pedals as hard as I could, then, as I turned into the final straight ready to pull off and let Kristy fly past for the win, I glanced behind me to see where she was…..and she wasn’t there!!! I had the most sick feeling in my stomach knowing she had probably crashed, but in the same instant I knew I had to pull myself together, find another turn of speed and sprint for the team! I ended up 2nd, which was a good consolation prize as I am certain Kristy would’ve taken the win….she ended up getting caught up in crash and having to stop (without really crashing herself – phew!).
We had a great lunch afterwards at one of the fantastic Reston café’s (there are some really cool places there!)and Joe (the commentator) spotted us and told that crowd that you know you are big time when you have matching 'LEEISUURE wear' like the Altarum girls! hee hee.
I hitched a ride with Michele to Lancaster where I am hanging out with her and Brad in their little piece of paradise until Iron Hill, PA which is on the 11th. I really love it here – especially riding through all the Amish farms and amongst all the horses and carriages - never ceases to amaze me!
Meanwhile, Anna and Kate are getting ready to take on Fitchberg, up in Massachusetts. We think they are really fast and super cool and the other competitors should be scared. Really scared.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Staci and Jenette take on Ohio!
Hey all!
Here is Jenette's race report from the weekend - her first race back after 6 weeks of concentrating on rehabing her injuries - welcome back Jdub!! Kristy, Michele and I raced in Reston, Virginia this weekend - race report coming soon (along with the Philly one from a month ago - Ahhh! And a report about our visit to the National Musuem of Natural History in D.C - exciting stuff!)
So here is Jenette:
Staci, Jeff (Staci's husband)and I headed about 3 hours up the road from Huntington, W.V, to race in Cincinnati, Ohio. The race was in a upscale section of Cincinnati called Hyde Park. The field was comprised of a wide range of skill and experience.
Jeff, who owns the bike shop in our town and is a great mechanic , helped us out for the day-- Despite the fact he was racing himself later, he made sure to get mine and Staci's bikes together, tuned up and ready to go.
The course was an L shape with a 1 block long hill each lap. The pace was fairly fast at the start immediately splitting the field with a group of about 12 - including Staci and myself. There were a couple of good attacks up the hill, but for the most part the pace was just steady. Staci had a great attack up the hill with a couple of laps to go, but the group fought hard to stay with her.
On the bell lap coming into the hill, we had to go around some lapped riders which created a little confusion. Staci and I got caught behind a gap in the final turn and sprinted down the long straight away for 9th and 12th.
Staci and I watched the men's race and cheered on Jeff. It was a fast and exciting race that finished in the dark, under lights.
Staci, Jeff and I headed out of town and stopped and had a great dinner and found a hotel so we could get some rest for our drive to Columbus for our next day's race. Sunday's race was in a great community just to the West of Columbus and less than a 2 hour drive from Cincinnati. So, we were able to sleep in and have a big breakfast before heading out.
The women's race in Grandview, Ohio, had a smaller field and with the strong wind, hot temperature and tough course was going to be a challenging race. Jeff once again had our bikes in tip top shape and ready to roll.
Staci and I were aggressive from the start, and pushed the pace on the backside of the course coming into the fast downhill and into the climb to the start/finish line. Staci attacked on the second lap, doing the same and with the field in tow and not willing to come around, I jumped hard up the second half of the climb. A couple of riders attacked up the climb for the prime and the group started to splinter. I couldn't maintain the pace (nb - bearing in mind Jenette has barely been able to ride her bike in the last 2 months....D.T) . I rode for several laps and when the field lapped me I saw that Staci was not there. I looked back and saw her chasing with another girl so I decided that I could try to help Staci get back to the field . The group was only 25-30 seconds ahead and I thought we had a chance to catch them. We worked hard and very well together and after picking off a couple of other dropped riders, came very close to catching the field at one point, only to start to lose time to them during the closing laps. We finished strong with Staci holding on for 8th place - I got 12th .
Here is Jenette's race report from the weekend - her first race back after 6 weeks of concentrating on rehabing her injuries - welcome back Jdub!! Kristy, Michele and I raced in Reston, Virginia this weekend - race report coming soon (along with the Philly one from a month ago - Ahhh! And a report about our visit to the National Musuem of Natural History in D.C - exciting stuff!)
So here is Jenette:
Staci, Jeff (Staci's husband)and I headed about 3 hours up the road from Huntington, W.V, to race in Cincinnati, Ohio. The race was in a upscale section of Cincinnati called Hyde Park. The field was comprised of a wide range of skill and experience.
Jeff, who owns the bike shop in our town and is a great mechanic , helped us out for the day-- Despite the fact he was racing himself later, he made sure to get mine and Staci's bikes together, tuned up and ready to go.
The course was an L shape with a 1 block long hill each lap. The pace was fairly fast at the start immediately splitting the field with a group of about 12 - including Staci and myself. There were a couple of good attacks up the hill, but for the most part the pace was just steady. Staci had a great attack up the hill with a couple of laps to go, but the group fought hard to stay with her.
On the bell lap coming into the hill, we had to go around some lapped riders which created a little confusion. Staci and I got caught behind a gap in the final turn and sprinted down the long straight away for 9th and 12th.
Staci and I watched the men's race and cheered on Jeff. It was a fast and exciting race that finished in the dark, under lights.
Staci, Jeff and I headed out of town and stopped and had a great dinner and found a hotel so we could get some rest for our drive to Columbus for our next day's race. Sunday's race was in a great community just to the West of Columbus and less than a 2 hour drive from Cincinnati. So, we were able to sleep in and have a big breakfast before heading out.
The women's race in Grandview, Ohio, had a smaller field and with the strong wind, hot temperature and tough course was going to be a challenging race. Jeff once again had our bikes in tip top shape and ready to roll.
Staci and I were aggressive from the start, and pushed the pace on the backside of the course coming into the fast downhill and into the climb to the start/finish line. Staci attacked on the second lap, doing the same and with the field in tow and not willing to come around, I jumped hard up the second half of the climb. A couple of riders attacked up the climb for the prime and the group started to splinter. I couldn't maintain the pace (nb - bearing in mind Jenette has barely been able to ride her bike in the last 2 months....D.T) . I rode for several laps and when the field lapped me I saw that Staci was not there. I looked back and saw her chasing with another girl so I decided that I could try to help Staci get back to the field . The group was only 25-30 seconds ahead and I thought we had a chance to catch them. We worked hard and very well together and after picking off a couple of other dropped riders, came very close to catching the field at one point, only to start to lose time to them during the closing laps. We finished strong with Staci holding on for 8th place - I got 12th .
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Nature Valley - the final stage!!
The Tour is over, and has been a solid across the board representation of what cycling is all about – from the highs of winning, the glory and excitement, to the feeling of defeat, bitterness, disillusionment and perceived failure and then dealing with and illness on top of all of that…..all rolled into 5 days!!
Today was a really tough stage – an extremely hilly and technical circuit after 4 days of racing. More than half the field was pulled and the pain suffered by the remaining riders was etched into their faces each of the 13 times they climbed ‘the wall’ (17% average) on the course.
Laura and Anna, so ill that it hurt me to see them pull their kits on to head out racing, fought so hard to come in 18th and 21st in the stage - climbing up the General Classification to 15th and 16th respectively. So incredibly impressive!
Kate had a heart breaking day. She left everything out on the course, but was not able to keep the green jersey on her back for the finish of the Tour, coming in 2nd in the Amateur classification and 37th overall. Our hearts broke for her, yet we are so proud of the way she rode all week - she left everything out there and that is all you can ask. To add to the equation, she rode the whole week on a borrowed bike! (her bike never made it out here…long story!).
Finally, we need to add that we have had the absolute honour of riding with Laura this week – the consummate professional and one of the most beautiful people you could ever hope to meet…..we have all learnt so much from LVG and had a whole lot of fun to boot!!
All there is left to do is thank Anna’s parents – Steve and Linda, who looked after us like we were Queens, provided us with the most exquisite cuisine, accommodation and entertainment….words can’t describe how grateful we are and how blown away we were with everything you have done for us. THANK YOU!!!!!
Onwards and upwards for the A team from here!!
Today was a really tough stage – an extremely hilly and technical circuit after 4 days of racing. More than half the field was pulled and the pain suffered by the remaining riders was etched into their faces each of the 13 times they climbed ‘the wall’ (17% average) on the course.
Laura and Anna, so ill that it hurt me to see them pull their kits on to head out racing, fought so hard to come in 18th and 21st in the stage - climbing up the General Classification to 15th and 16th respectively. So incredibly impressive!
Kate had a heart breaking day. She left everything out on the course, but was not able to keep the green jersey on her back for the finish of the Tour, coming in 2nd in the Amateur classification and 37th overall. Our hearts broke for her, yet we are so proud of the way she rode all week - she left everything out there and that is all you can ask. To add to the equation, she rode the whole week on a borrowed bike! (her bike never made it out here…long story!).
Finally, we need to add that we have had the absolute honour of riding with Laura this week – the consummate professional and one of the most beautiful people you could ever hope to meet…..we have all learnt so much from LVG and had a whole lot of fun to boot!!
All there is left to do is thank Anna’s parents – Steve and Linda, who looked after us like we were Queens, provided us with the most exquisite cuisine, accommodation and entertainment….words can’t describe how grateful we are and how blown away we were with everything you have done for us. THANK YOU!!!!!
Onwards and upwards for the A team from here!!
Nature Valley - Stage 5
The 5th stage of Nature Valley was a 91 mile road race. - A big, long, tough day out at any time, but especially when suffering from a horrendous cold as Laura and Anna are. However, all the girls hung in there and Kate is still wearing the green amateur jersey, with a 6 second margin, going into the last stage of the tour....and of courseshe is determined to keep it!
The race ended with a tough, hilly finishing circuit which was a big ask for the girls with colds - Anna gallantly hung in with the front bunch of elite climbers until the last lap. Laura helped Kate to keep contact with the rider sitting second in the Amatuer classification, and they all crossed the line exhausted.
Kate now sits in 19th on General Classification, Anna 22nd and Laura 23rd.
One stage to go.
The race ended with a tough, hilly finishing circuit which was a big ask for the girls with colds - Anna gallantly hung in with the front bunch of elite climbers until the last lap. Laura helped Kate to keep contact with the rider sitting second in the Amatuer classification, and they all crossed the line exhausted.
Kate now sits in 19th on General Classification, Anna 22nd and Laura 23rd.
One stage to go.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Podium at Nature Valley!
Laura Van Gilder came 3rd in the criterium in uptown Minneapolis tonight (the 4th stage of the tour), behind Brooke Miller of Tibco and Shelley Olds of Proman Cycling. She also won a $200 mid race prime, showing that she can still foot it with the top of the top, despite suffering from a horrible cold!
Kate stayed safely in the bunch to make sure she keeps the green jersey for the top amatuer rider firmly on her back. Anna also finished in the top bunch, battling valiantly while feeling pretty lousy with a cold as well.
Tommorrow is a 91 mile road race at Mankato.
Kate stayed safely in the bunch to make sure she keeps the green jersey for the top amatuer rider firmly on her back. Anna also finished in the top bunch, battling valiantly while feeling pretty lousy with a cold as well.
Tommorrow is a 91 mile road race at Mankato.
Nature Valley Grand Prix - Minnesota
Kate V had a brilliant opening stage time trial to take the green jersey for the top amatuer rider in the race, and after stage 3 of the race (last night), she still has it sitting squarely on her shoulders and is also coming 9th overall!
We have the honour of having Laura Van Gilder guest ride for us, and despite struggling with a horrible cold, came 9th in the second stage crit and 6th in the tough 66mile road race last night. LVG is a joy to have around and has so much knowledge that she willingly shares - she is a very special person and represents Altarum absolutely brilliantly. This woman really is a legend and we love having her around!
Anna also has a horrible cold but is battling it out valiantly - she is sitting in 22nd on the General Classificiation, right behind LVG who is in 21st.
Altarum is coming 6th on the teams classification which is very impressive considering the calibre of top professional teams who are racing here!
I am not well at the moment and didn't last past the first day of the Tour which has been tough. It means I am able to help the girls with support though.
This is a very quick update sorry, and I am also behind in the Philly update but will chip away on those reports in the next few days
Friday, June 5, 2009
Translations
We have decided that a New Zealand English – American English translation article is in order to ensure there is full understanding of the crazy Kiwi on the team.
Kiwi Terms / Translation for Americans:
Fizzing: Very excited and happy
Gutted: Very disappointed
Mint: Great! Perfect!
Hot!: Very nice (for example, “that is a HOT time trial bike Kate!”)
Biscuit: Cookie
Kumara / Yam: Sweet Potato
Yam: Very small, not sweet, root vegetable which doesn’t seem to be
available in the U.S
Cheers Mate: Thank you very much my friend
She’ll be right Mate: Don’t worry my friend, everything will be ok.
Homely: Someone who loves to look after and cook for people
and provide outstanding hospitality (was mortified to learn
this meant 'ugly' in the U.S since I had always described my
beautiful team mate Michele as'homely'!)
Scroggin: Trail mix
Wrecked: Tired
Ratbag: Mischievous
Hard case: Funny /humorous person
Flat: House being rented with other people
Shifting: Moving house
Cruisy: Relaxed / Easy going
Plaster: Band Aid
Togs: Bathing suit / swim suit
Jandals: Flip flops
Dodgy: Questionable / dubious
Wee: Little / small
Arvo: Afternoon
Vivid: Marker pen
Hot Dog: Corn Dog
Ok, so after you have all memorized these phrases, I expect there will be no more blank stares and “say that agains?”!! Feel free to adopt any of these sayings….it is about time you Americans learnt to talk proper English.. Ha ha!
Some wee tests for any one super keen to brush up on their Kiwi:
“Cath was _ _ zz _ _ _ to s _ _ _ _ into her new _ _ _ t in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, It’s a m _ _ _ place!”
“It was so hot, all Kate wanted to do was get in her _ _ _g_ and jump in the water, she was _ _ tt _ _ the rivers were too d _ _ _ _ to swim in, and it also wasn’t a brilliant idea because she had a couple of _ _ _ _ _ _ rs on her leg from a crash.”
Anyone who can get all of these correct (c’mon, I made it easy!) gets an Altarum t-shirt with gigantic Kiwi (which are actually a native bird, by the way, not a fruit…..we refer to the fruit as ‘Kiwifruit”) drawn all on the back in vivid!
Ciao!
Kiwi Terms / Translation for Americans:
Fizzing: Very excited and happy
Gutted: Very disappointed
Mint: Great! Perfect!
Hot!: Very nice (for example, “that is a HOT time trial bike Kate!”)
Biscuit: Cookie
Kumara / Yam: Sweet Potato
Yam: Very small, not sweet, root vegetable which doesn’t seem to be
available in the U.S
Cheers Mate: Thank you very much my friend
She’ll be right Mate: Don’t worry my friend, everything will be ok.
Homely: Someone who loves to look after and cook for people
and provide outstanding hospitality (was mortified to learn
this meant 'ugly' in the U.S since I had always described my
beautiful team mate Michele as'homely'!)
Scroggin: Trail mix
Wrecked: Tired
Ratbag: Mischievous
Hard case: Funny /humorous person
Flat: House being rented with other people
Shifting: Moving house
Cruisy: Relaxed / Easy going
Plaster: Band Aid
Togs: Bathing suit / swim suit
Jandals: Flip flops
Dodgy: Questionable / dubious
Wee: Little / small
Arvo: Afternoon
Vivid: Marker pen
Hot Dog: Corn Dog
Ok, so after you have all memorized these phrases, I expect there will be no more blank stares and “say that agains?”!! Feel free to adopt any of these sayings….it is about time you Americans learnt to talk proper English.. Ha ha!
Some wee tests for any one super keen to brush up on their Kiwi:
“Cath was _ _ zz _ _ _ to s _ _ _ _ into her new _ _ _ t in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, It’s a m _ _ _ place!”
“It was so hot, all Kate wanted to do was get in her _ _ _g_ and jump in the water, she was _ _ tt _ _ the rivers were too d _ _ _ _ to swim in, and it also wasn’t a brilliant idea because she had a couple of _ _ _ _ _ _ rs on her leg from a crash.”
Anyone who can get all of these correct (c’mon, I made it easy!) gets an Altarum t-shirt with gigantic Kiwi (which are actually a native bird, by the way, not a fruit…..we refer to the fruit as ‘Kiwifruit”) drawn all on the back in vivid!
Ciao!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Clarendon Cup, Arlington, Virginia
As Bellie has already reported, the Airforce Cycling Classic / Clarendon Cup in Arlington, Virginia, was a resounding success for the team in every aspect! We really enjoyed a day out with the Wounded Warriors from Walter Reed – their stories inspired us and their company really made the day special.
We also had the best ever support crew with Jenette making the huge trip from West Virginia to help out, even though she was unable to race due to her injuries, Staci’s husband Jeff and daughter Claire also from West Virginia, Lorena, Superwoman Michelely Bellie, Kate Flore, Marjika, Devon and a full Altarum cheering squad with supporters all round the course it seemed!! We were inspired to race out of skin!!
The race itself was brilliantly and unselfishly executed by the team, and while we didn’t achieve the top step of the podium we were hoping for, we really rode so fantastically as a team out on the race course that I have no doubt that in one race soon all the stars will align and we will come away with the coveted win. It takes practice to make perfect! To have all 5 who raced finish in the top 20 shows that the form is there. Exciting stuff!
We had a team dinner after the race which was lots of fun (although Kate V nearly had her arm bitten off by Jenette's pet Lion as you can see in the picture) then we all went our different ways until we converge again next weekend in Philidelphia for the biggest race on the U.S calendar – the Liberty Classic. Kate and I did a recon of the course in Philly yesterday, and the photo shows who we found on our adventures.....yep, we race right smack bang in the middle of Philly, passing Rocky on several occasaions!
The race itself was brilliantly and unselfishly executed by the team, and while we didn’t achieve the top step of the podium we were hoping for, we really rode so fantastically as a team out on the race course that I have no doubt that in one race soon all the stars will align and we will come away with the coveted win. It takes practice to make perfect! To have all 5 who raced finish in the top 20 shows that the form is there. Exciting stuff!
We had a team dinner after the race which was lots of fun (although Kate V nearly had her arm bitten off by Jenette's pet Lion as you can see in the picture) then we all went our different ways until we converge again next weekend in Philidelphia for the biggest race on the U.S calendar – the Liberty Classic. Kate and I did a recon of the course in Philly yesterday, and the photo shows who we found on our adventures.....yep, we race right smack bang in the middle of Philly, passing Rocky on several occasaions!
Till then
DT
Clarendon Cup
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