Ouch

Nothing about the track is really effortless.

Each workout kicks your ass.

Each effort makes you want to throw up.

Each day your "track hack" gets worse and worse.

Even changing gears causes problems.

For me, the track is a love-hate relationship. I like the workouts. I like the pain (sort of). I like the fact that it makes me a better cyclist. But, the track is VERY humbling. It puts your weaknesses on display day after day and the workouts are more painful than any other training session the bike. But, I love it and it's a great learning experience.

The "campers" included three U23 guys and two other girls.

Even "fruit booters" (i.e. Rollerbladers) like to feel the track pain.

Oops. A roadie changing gears. Ouchy.

Home

It was Father's Day weekend and it was time to go home. Not home to Colorado, not home to Boulder; home to Fraser. That's right, it was time to visit the Mom and Dad. I hadn't been home since January.

There are things I look forward to doing when I go home. I had a mental list of everything fun I wanted to do in 2 days. Fortunately, everything got checked off.

First on the list was s'mores. The Dad built the fire and we roasted.

The fire was missing one thing though. My homework. Every year, after school got out, I would burn my homework. Then roast s'mores over it. The marshmellows that were roasted over my math homework, however, would taste less than superb.

Our neighbor, Denny, came over to join us.
We did some horseshoe throwing in between marshmellow eating.
I won (of course), Josh broke his shoe, and the Mom made magical tunes for us.

Next on the list was mountain biking. We had a great Father's Day ride complete with a coffee shop stop.
We saw pretty scenery, a not so healthy cow,and managed to tire each other out. It was great.

Shameless

Ok. I'll admit it. I've got no shame and am happy to show you the things I have for sale.

I am home now and that means that after 12 weeks of travel, I can finally unpack. While I have wonderful stuff and lots of neat things, I have NO more space in my closet for everything. Hence the sale.

I've got lots of things. Though most of it is cycling related. Some is skiing related.
Here is the link to a few e-bay items-http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZap2273
Keep checking because as stuff sells, I will add more (it's kept exciting and ever changing!).

If you are looking for other things that are not listed (cycling clothes, sunglasses, bike parts, etc.) please comment and I'll send you an e-mail back if I have it or not.

Again, sorry for the lackluster entry, but I really need to get rid of stuff!!
:)

The Magic of America part 2

After going out and eating Chinese food with Iona, Tina and Big Jack, (that's right. Here in America, one can eat Chinese food, or Mexican food, or sushi, or pizza, or Thai, or burgers or breakfast, whatever you're craving you can go get it. That's magic.)
Colavita/Sutter Home Women's Professional Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light (phew!) got third place in the Allentown crit. YEAH! A podium! AND prize money. Even though it was only $300, it was more prize money than I made all spring racing in Europe TOTAL.

Prize money and ethnic foods; the magic of America.

The Magic of America

I had no idea how much I loved America. That's right. The good old US of A.

After being in Europe for 10 weeks, I was SO happy to step foot in the Washington Dullas airport. I missed America, I missed Americans, I missed American stuff, and mostly, I missed my American family, my American friends and my American loved one (not that I have loved ones from other nations).

Driving home from the airport, after stopping at the grocery store, I suddenly realized America is full of Magic.

The things that are the magic of America include;

• Big, bright, spacious grocery stores
• Public bathrooms in the grocery store
• Nice Americans who respect your space and shopping experience
• BIG washing machines that only take 30 minutes instead of 2 hours
• Nice customer service at stores and restaurants
• English radio stations
• Having a cell phone
• Friendly people
• Fun, low stress bike races

Ya, it's not so bad to be home. I like it.

Little Cabins

For the past eight days we have been racing the Tour de l'Aude in Southern France. It has had it's ups and downs. Lots of climbing. Lots of decending. Three podium finishes for Team USA (so far). Some days most of Team USA getting dropped. Ups and downs.

Where we have stayed has also had it's ups and downs. Always it has been in camp gounds in "little cabins". Sometimes nice little cabins, sometimes not so nice little cabins. Sometimes with internet sometimes without internet. Good food, bad food. Every single thing about every single day has it's ups and downs.

Take food for example. I am tired of eating, but without eating I will not ride my bike fast. Same goes with drinking Gatorade and water, eating gels and bars while riding.

I have learned a lot and it's been a great experiance. We have two more race days left and that means two more chances to have a great result.

My Favorite Color

Some people, cyclists mostly, will say their favorite color is yellow. Yellow usually signifies you've been really fast in a particular race (ie the race leader).

I don't care what cyclists are supposed to think. I don't really like the color yellow. AND, it never matches anyone's kit so the wearer usually ends up looking like a really fast rainbow.

My favorite color is blue. Straight up blue. Not baby blue, not light blue, not navy blue, not blue-ish purple-ish; blue. I like blue. Up until yesterday, I never thought it was possible to win a blue jersey. Take for instance the green jersey. Except for one fluke-y instance, I do not win the green jersey. Not because I don't sprint very quickly, but because I don't really like the color green.
Yesterday there was a blue jersey up for grabs. I wasn't sure what it was for, but I thought it would be great if I got to wear it.

With luck, strong legs, and strange french timing, I am now the leader of the Queen of the Mountain competition at the Tour de l'Aude. I was 4th, or 3rd (we still are not sure), yesterday in the Prolouge. It was awe-some!
Today, I get to wear my favorite color jersey.