Exergy Tour

              Plain and simple, the Exergy Tour is the best race I have ever been to.  For the first time, I felt treated like a male cyclist. We were treated like royalty. It was a real honor to race in Boise and represent my NOW Cycling team.

                The Prologue started off the Tour.  A 2 mile “race of truth”; each person against the clock going as fast as possible.  The course went up around the Boise Depot and was filled with spectators. It was really fun. I suffered as much as possible to finish 7^th (I think).

                Stage 1 started and finished in Nampa. It was the “flat” stage. Thought “flat” doesn’t describe it well, it ended in sprint finish that during the last 100 meters I actually thought I was going to win—until the real sprinters went flying by. I finished 5^th and as a team, we raced really well.

                Stage 2 was the true “race of truth”; a 10 mile mostly flat Time Trial. With Kurt in my ear over the radio, pushing me harder and harder into the pain cave, I finished 7^th(I think). Honestly, I was disappointed with 7^th place, but that was the best I could have possibly ridden. Kudos to those who beat me.

                The Queen stage was our 4^th race of the tour. It climbed over 2 mountain passes and more than 4,000ft. We (NOW) missed the break of the day, so had to do some chasing. It paid off as I was able to finish 8^th on the day and maintain my 6^th overall GC.

                Stage 4 was the hardest race of the tour. At only 46 miles, it was a lion dressed in a teddy bear costume as we climbed more than 3,000 ft in 2 hours. The race was hard but the spectators were fantastic. I have never done a race with so many cheering fans. It was super fun.  It was also a good day for the team as I was able to move into 5^th overall and finish 6^th on the stage.

                I mention my results a lot, but I couldn’t have done it with my teammates and staff. Bike racing is a team sport where only one person gets the “limelight”. I might be in the limelight, but my team is right behind me. Bring on the next race.

Boise

My NOW teammies and I have been in Boise (just outside of YouDa Pimp) Idaho, for a week and a half. The first few days were dedicated to pre riding the stages of the upcoming Exergy Tour. It was great!

The scenery was really pretty (for the most part).

We had an interesting 86 mile "off course" adventure that proved to be great team bonding.

Robin and I bonded so much, that we needed to take a break on the side of the road.

 Finally, after being in Boise for almost a week, it was time to race. Up first, the team presentation.
Anne, Robin, Addy, and Gokey on the bus to the VIP area.

 Here's a map of the Prologue course. It was super fun.

 Going as hard as you can for 4 minutes, gives you "track hack"--aka- a cough that is annoying. The cure? Whisky.

 Last night, the hotel food finally cracked us and we went out for Thai dinner. A Thai bonus at the restaurant? Humping elephants.

 Every day, here at the Exergy Tour, we've been getting presents. Yes, this race rules. Yesterday's present was a chocolate high heel. It's a little small for my size 44's.

2 more days of racing.

40 min

Day 1
-4:55am wake up, espresso, poo, drive to bus station
-Ride bus to DIA, security, get on flight, fly to Burbank, CA
-Rent car, drive to Bakersfield
-Put on chamois, pre ride Tour of California Time Trial course
-Trader Joe's, dinner, bed

Day 2
-6 something wake up, Dagny's Coffee shop (really bad espresso), breakfast, poo, put on chamois
-Warm-up, race TT (Phil and Louise Keoghan were in our follow cars. Our sponsors rule! ), suffer, suffer some more, finish 2nd!

 -Shower, pack, drive back to Burbank, fly to Boise
-Arrive in Boise, drive to Thai restaurant, salt food with humping elephant salt shaker, eat dinner, bed time.  

That was a lot of travel for a 40 min race. We were in Bakersfield for less than 24hours, but it was well worth it. Super fun race. Super fun atmosphere. Great course. Great prize money. Great experience.

Lack of Motivation

In case you haven't noticed, I have not blogged in a long time. Truth be told, I'm board with blogging. Maybe I burned myself out trying to keep up with three blogs, three Facebook pages, and twitter. Mostly, though, I'm board with the internet. If I am on my computer, it's because I have to be--coaching, e-mails, checking in for flights, looking at the weather, planning my training, etc. My hobbies have changed, and blogging is not one of them.

I no longer take pictures to put on the blog. I no longer think of funny stuff to blog about. Honestly, I no longer remember about the blog.

Instead, I've been enjoying hanging out with people--in person. I'm enjoying spending time with the doggies- outside. I'm enjoying working part time at Salto Coffee Works in Nederland pulling shots and making latte art. I'm enjoying riding and racing my bike-then not talking about it all the time. I'm enjoying living; not spending all my free time on the computer.

With that being said, it was brought to my attention, that some people (or a person) enjoy reading about my racing. Thank you!!

My last race was Gila and I leave tomorrow for the Tour of CA TT on Thursday.
As far as Gila goes, it was great! I can't believe how well the first few days went--for me personally. After my stomach issues I had (previous blog post), I had diarrhea for 6 days and was getting calf cramps in the middle of the night. Needless to say, I was worried how my body would hold up for 4 hours of racing in the heat. Long story short, it held up well, really well. Though my win streak ended (3 4th's and 2 2nd's), my team and I raced well. My parents came to watch and to cheer and they were great. It's cool to have such supportive parents.

I'm pretty excited for the TT on Thursday.

That's all for now. Time to make cookies, pack, and play with the doggies.