Alison Tetrick

Team TIBCO took on downtown Burlingame by storm yesterday.  For those of you who missed the hot action on the crowded streets just south of the SF, 7 TIBCO riders were represented at the Downtown Burlingame Criterium. 
Why were we there instead of the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix?  Simple.  Races close to home are a good opportunity to practice our team tactics in a competitive, yet forgiving environment as well as providing an opportunity for our sponsors to see us race locally.  Our sponsors provide us with so much support, and it is fun to show them how we can compete and race.  They send us all over the world to race, yet it is good for them to be able to witness our form in their own backyard.  Some of our sponsors met in Woodside, and rode up to the race.  It was great to see them there.  Their dedication to the sport and to us is truly inspiring.
Back to the basics.  Burlingame Criterium.  Very short race. 40 minutes on a .7 mile course through the streets of downtown Burlingame.  The course was slightly technical, but was a great downtown crit route complete with trendy boutiques, brunch stops, and two Peet’s Coffee and Tea stores on course.  You couldn’t ask for much more.  We were already spending our race winnings as we glanced at all the stores.  TIBCO and LOOK had a tent in the expo for us to warm-up in and it was expertly located right at the Start/Finish line.  Steve, our mechanic, and to get to the site at 6am to secure that spot, and we loved him for it.  The posters were up, the chairs were out.  So pro.
Roster was—Emma, AFR, Brooke, Kiwi, ARo, Kat, and myself.  Game plan—World Domination.  If not world domination, at least Burlingame domination.  Our sponsors were there, are fans were there, it was game on, show on, and action.  My main mission of the day—stay in the front 5 riders, and stay there.   Or else.  Believe me, I was nervous about this assignment.  Tell me to attack, tell me to cover, great.  But tell me to maintain position?  Yikes.    
The race was short, and we needed to go hard from the gun.  The gun goes off, and in this case, it was a literal single-shell shotgun to start the race.  Wow, that was loud.  ARo took off and was solo for a lap.  From then on out, there was complete carnage ensuing.  Multiple attacks and covering.  As I watched the race develop, from a very good vantage point of directly behind Kat’s wheel in 5th position,  all I could think about was watching flies swarm honey.  No rider could get away without a TIBCO rider on her wheel.  As soon as she was caught, we would counter.  Flawless racing.  I focused on my position, and every once in awhile I would notice Kat glance back to make sure I was still there.  I rode up alongside of her in the wind, and she told me to get back on her wheel.  This was hard work. 
As the attacks and counters continued, the momentum was with us, and at one point, we caught a break and Brooke told me to attack.  So, I did.  I attacked, and went.   I formed a gap and kept putting out the power to maintain the gap.  My gap on the peloton was 20 seconds, 12 laps to go.  I kept it constant, kept it steady.  All I could think about was that I was hoping that Brooke told Kat that I was “allowed” to attack.  I was at the right place at the right time, and was told to go, but that wasn’t my original assignment.   It wasn’t until I saw Linda leaning over the fence as far as she could, and screaming at me to go for it.  With 6 laps to go, Shelly Olds initiated a chase and ARo and Kat jumped on her wheel.  I kept the gap, and ended up winning the race.  Kat attacked Shelly into the final stretch and took 2nd.  Brooke won the field sprint for 4th, with AFR finishing 6th.  Team TIBCO took 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th.  If that isn’t world domination, I don’t know what is.  I was once again reminded of how great it is to race for such an amazing team.  Yes, I was solo for 15 laps of the crit, but it wasn’t just my effort that won the race, it was my team.  There was a bike race behind me that was executed perfectly by Team TIBCO.  Wow. 
What a great bike race.  As we rolled around the course afterwards, Kat told me that I wasn’t in trouble.  Phew.  I did my job, TIBCO won, and it was a great day at the office.  I love this team.  After the race, we thought about spending our earnings in the local shops.  Nah, with a DvF dress for 300 dollars, the salary of the bike racer doesn’t quite cut it.  Oh well, I will settle for a recovery BBQ and some good relaxation with friends and teammates. 

Another win to put under the belt, build confidence.  Take that NorthStar.  I can do this.

Does riding my bike need to transition into training?  This is the question I have been pondering.  In depth, I know, but I have had the time lately to ride my bike and consider this.  What drew me to this sport was the repetition, the rhythm, the scenery, the exploration, the great outdoors, and ultimately—the adventure of it all. 

This has worked out for me so far.  I have ridden my bike when I felt like it, taught eCycling at Endurance PTC when I needed to, and raced my bike when I wanted to.  This very simple, sometimes too simple, philosophy has gotten me where I am today.  However, I continue to solidify my goals and aspirations, what I really want to do with my bike, race in Europe, race in the US, and hopefully continue to learn and develop as a racer.  I have big goals, and they might require some heavy training not just riding, right?

Through my adventures thus far, I have gained in knowledge, experience, confidence, and determination.  What do I want to do with this sport?  I want to take this adventure as far as I can.  Olympics?  Possibly.  World Championships?  Hopefully.  But, ultimately, I would like to also provide something to others, to help someone, to encourage activity and a healthy lifestyle to the community.  My wheels are turning, excuse the pun, to figure out what angle I want to take with this.  More to come later.

As I continue to develop, not only are my strengths exemplified, but my weaknesses are magnified as well.  I have so much to learn, and although I have time, I am impatient.  I like to know how to do everything, right now.  Yet, I am learning that you must be patient, and you may jump in the deep end of the pool, and just because you aren’t drowning, doesn’t mean you know how to swim.  I want to specialize, but I want to be well-rounded, I want to excel, but I am want to learn team dynamics.  So much to learn, there is time, but I want to know it now.  Patience.

What brought me to this sport, what continues to drive me, is merely the thrill of the open road, the bike, and the work.  I love riding my bike.  However, I am learning that I may need to put a little more structure in this.  I sat down with my coach, Charlie Livermore, to discuss our next plan of attack.  Structure will be important to specialize in time trials, but I will also be learning the art of the attack (we won’t call it a sprint just quite yet), and many more entities in the arsenal of the cyclist.  Maybe it won’t be bike love every time I go outside, but the work will provide me with the love that I will always have.  The work will make the races more fun, more successful, and of course, more painful.  I need to buck up and get out there and do some intervals.  I need to push myself when no one is watching.  What will always drive me will be the riding, the outdoors, and the adventure, but what will continue my growth as a cyclist is going to be the training.  Does my riding always have to be training?  Absolutely not.  The great thing about riding a bike is that the training sneaks in there sometimes, and that’s what makes us stronger but also spurs our love.  But, ultimately with a coach, and with power and with structure, I can continue to build on the base and learn to become a champion even when no one is looking.  Learn to suffer on my own to be confident and familiar with the suffering in a race situation.  Enjoy the pain slightly, but most importantly, it will have been done before.  It will be familiar, and welcomed.

Training or riding–it doesn’t turn out to be all that bad after all. The adventure continues.

Lake Tahoe is beautiful, eh?  It was Kiwi and Z’s first time to see Lake Tahoe.  Although I couldn’t convince them to ride completely around the lake, at least they got to ride alongside some of it.  That lake continues to amaze me with its pure, aqua color.  I love it.

Bob Cullinan, of CycleTo, has posted a video of me after the TdN race.  Check it out!   He is a great guy, with a great site!  (not that I want to think about this race anymore…my SRM died before the race started, so technically I have no record of ever doing it…)  He also has some awesome shots of the races…

Back to sea level, and I am loving the plentiful oxygen.  At least I am getting some satisfaction in my breaths.  The minute I got home, I noticed the sea breeze, and although I loved the alpine air, the slightly salty tinge of the Bay Area air offered a welcoming taste of pure oxygen. 

I did return to sea level with a bit of a bittersweet ending of something that I loved, and the excitement for hopefully the continuation of something special.  As of July 1st, EPTC SF is closing its doors.  I have loved working here full time for over 2 years.  It is a very unique place with amazing clientele and a good product.  I am still hopeful that something will occur to help this location.  On the brighter side, EPTC MV is remaining open.  EPTC has played such a unique role in my development as a cyclist, and I owe so much to not only the staff there, but also my 4pm class.  These guys have been with me for 2 years, and I know I won’t lose them, but I look forward to my time with them.  They each have providing me with advice and support through all my racing and other life escapades.  These friendships are truly irreplaceable.   I am sad, but I know this isn’t the end, just merely the beginning of a new adventure.  More to come on this.

Well, I honestly didn’t want to write about this, but I guess I should.

I will begin with saying that the Tour de Nez is an incredible race.  Each venue was unique with amazing fans, good food, positive energy, and plenty of parties after the races.  It was an awesome experience to be a part of this race.  Tim Healion (race promoter) did a superb job organizing this race and including the stages for the women this year.  You better believe that I will return next year!

The final stage was held at Northstar, Tahoe.  How cool is that?  The circuit race was a 1.1 mile loop that started in the village, on the cobblestones, blasted out into the turnabout, and then up a hill (about 1k long) looping back into the village after a steep incline onto the cobbles.  The streets were lined and the energy was high.  You gotta love it. 

AFR was first in the omnium, so we just needed to make sure that she held her position, and finished high.  A break could happen, we just needed to make sure no one who was in omnium contention was represented in the break.  Aggressive racing was the plan, but also the freedom to be in a break and work the break if it was a good selection.  We started the race and Jerika dictated at the front.  It was awesome to see her bridge the gap to an unsatisfactory break…and jump onto attacks.  It was a killer effort by JH.  AFR kept good position.  The race was fast and the hill caused a selection of about 10 riders. AFR and JH were present.

I struggled at first with some mechanical issues, and was forced to get some adjustments.  There was a slight misunderstanding on the rules of the race, and when re-entering the race, I was put towards the back of the strung out peloton.  I chased solo up to the lead break for 2 laps, and attacked the break.  With the attack, I was able to solo the last 4 laps of the circuit race.  However, there was no “free lap” rule in effect, therefore, even though I crossed the line first, I was relegated to a lap behind.  I was more embarassed then anything else.  AFR took the win, which is awesome.  Not only did she win 2 of the stage of the TdN, she won the overall.  I was so satisfied in this, I was not looking for a personal win at all.  I was supposed to attack the break, and our race had gone according to our team plan.  I was thrilled for the Team TIBCO success.  Not at a bad day at the office at all.

Through this experience, I learned that paying attention to the specific rules is always important, and bike racing will be bike racing.  A slight technicality may have cost me a podium, but it didn’t matter because AFR was there to take the stage win as well as the omnium.  I am so proud of the way she raced, and took control of the situation.  This whole race was such a great experience for me to continue to build on my experience, not take “free laps” for granted, and once again, humble you like bike racing always seems to do.  Just when you think you got it covered, it throws another hairpin corner at you, and you are stuck trying to find the right line to follow.

Thank you for understanding. 

There may be no such things as a free lunch, or a free lap, but I will return to the mighty mighty Tour de Nez, and I will take on that Northstar Circuit Race once again.  I know I can attack that course, free lap or not.  I would never want to take it unjustly, so there is always next year.  Team TIBCO will be at Burlingame Criterium on Sunday in full force, if you are in the area and want to check it out…

Excuses. Excuses. Last night was just one of those nights.

Downtown Reno Criterium. This was another awesome location for an epic crit. With the city skyline around us, the crit started on a false flat in downtown and took 10 turns in its short .7mile path. It went over the Truckee River, up a two-tiered hill, then a fast corkscrew S-turn back to the start/finish line. The mighty, mighty, Tour de Nez delivered once again with a great location, awesome course, and good music and fun crowds.

As the race started, the winds were swirling and making positioning everything. We began the race, ready to dictate the pace and make it fast from the gun. With a course like this one, it is important to gain position fast or else you will be out of the race. When the selection process occurred, I made a rookie mistake and was in very, very bad position. I found myself fighting somewhere in the middle. BY in the middle, I mean in middle of no-man’s land. Somewhere between the break, and the peloton, I was dangling. I was fighting to get to the front to help Amber, but fighting to keep my position. What I find are my strengths as a bike racer were barely visible on such a course, yet it was as if someone were taking a magnifying glass to my weaknesses and showing the Reno population what mistakes to not make in a bike race. AFR was doing great in the break, keeping it fast and aggressive. Rush was covering all the moves, and with a bold attack, she went down on a sharp corner. Meanwhile, I was struggling to stay in the bike race, and try to help AFR in the break. With Rush out, it was more important then ever to get up there. Why couldn’t I?

I will admit that I found myself searching for a possible explanation for my lack of assistance. Was I sick? Surely, I was. Nope. Maybe my food wasn’t settling quite right? Nope. Brakes rubbing? Nope. It must be a flat. Nope. I was already thinking of what excuse I could use for such poor position and performance, yet could not bring myself to do that. With 3 laps to go, I got back to the break, just in time to see the barrage of attacking occurring. Brutal. AFR got 2^nd, I rolled across the line in 11^th. AFR had a great race, no thanks to me tonight. Bold racing in her hometown of Reno. With frustration, I admitted my mistakes. And that, is bike racing. It can’t be perfect every time, as much as I wish it could be.

I guess we all have those days, the days that you wish you had a button to release that either transports you out of the humbling experience, or at least lets you start the race over. Oh well. AFR told me to not beat myself up over it, but it is hard not to. Each race we need to approach with new resolve and focus to not make those mistakes, and each race we cannot let ourselves become passive. No excuses for last night. Rookie mistake, and I am moving on…NorthStar Circuit Race tonight.

Rush is fine and in good spirits. She just has a little road rash, some deeper than others, but her wrist survived.

This is a cool VeloNews article on Stage 1… Check it out!

Ahh…Bike racing. I was really anticipating racing. Like, really really wanting to race. This morning I kind of felt like I was anxiously awaiting a big surprise present or something. It was almost like Christmas morning, where you know all the presents are underneath the tree, yet you have to wait until your grandparents come for Christmas dinner before you can open a single one. So instead, you think about all the presents just wishing you could open just one.

In my head this morning, I was just thinking… “I get to race my bike today…I get to race today…and on and on…” Pathetic, I know, but I am just being honest.

So, hence begins the Tour de Nez. The TdN takes place in epic proportions. Three stages, omnium style. Points taken at every race, cumulative points for each race, and a winner overall. Sweet. Three crits/circuits. Players include, four TIBCO teamies. Rush. AFR. Jerika. Me. Game on.

Day 1: Truckee Criterium, 6:30pm

Day 2: Downtown Reno Criterium, 5:5pm

Day 3: Northstar Circuit Race, 3pm

Truckee Criterium. It was a balmy 75 degrees outside, and the warm weather brought the locals out to watch the race in full force. The streets were lined with people, live bands, music, beer gardens, and a great crit course. 6 turns on a .627 mile loop. This criterium was actually the National HandCycle Criterium, and it was awesome to see those guys out there. You should check out their bikes! Fully equipped with carbon wheels, and race ready these machines were made to go fast.

Rush and Z got to the race early, and so we could spin out the travel in Rush’s legs. Nice and easy to Donner Lake, and then back to Truckee to check out the scene. All day I was just thinking about racing my bike. The countdown began at 8am when I realized that I was going to be able to race in 10hrs. I know I sent an e-mail at noon saying that I was going to be able to race in 6.5 hours. Wow. Then, suddenly it was 5pm and Rush and I were meeting up with AFR to get our sweet race wheels. Bring on the Hed Stinger 60s. If those don’t make you fast, I don’t know what will. All my prior preparation was then thrown out the window. The adventure began as I attempted to change my own brake pads. Before I knew it, I had managed to dismantle my brakes into 10,000 pieces. Good work, Alison. Where is the Big Ugly Rooster when you need him (That’s Steve, our mechanic, by the way). Good thing Z was there to assist. Then the disasters started occurring. Where are my keys. Why doesn’t the sensor work on the SRM. I need gloves. I need a gel. I need to register and pin my number on. Where are my keys? Ah. Have I ever raced before? Geez. Got that all sorted, and it as 20 minutes to the start. Nice.

Start line. Does anyone have a multi-tool? I need a 4 Allen key. Perfect. And we were off.

The goal, as always, is to race our bikes. And by racing our bikes, I mean to not necessarily be idiotic out there but make it a hard, fast race. And, of course, our goal was to win. If you are going to race, you might as well win, right? Starting off, the race was fast and hard. We didn’t start attacking until about 5 laps in, and AFR took off on a solo attack for 5 laps. I countered. Rush countered. Jerika covered. Beautiful. As we covered moves, and countered moves, the full pain was setting in. I am not going to lie, there were a couple moments that I asked myself why I was doing this. My legs were burning, my lungs were gasping for air, and this was something I was intentionally doing. Crazy. Yet, when it starts hurting you, that is the best time to attack, right? At least that is what I think. I attacked with 8 to go, and was solo off the front until 4 to go. Ouch. I was in full TT mode and feeling the headwind, but loving the fans. They were great, although it may have been the New Belgium Beer flowing freely, but I loved the crowds. 2 to go. 1 to go, and Rush delivers AFR to the finishing stretch. AFR wins the bike race, and Rush and I finish in the top 10. That is teamwork. Teamwork is reacting, it’s initiating, and it’s racing your bike hard with full faith in delivery. And let me tell you, AFR delivered tonight. Win number one.

Stage 1 complete and it was awesome. A great venue and a great race. Historic Downtown Truckee could not have painted a better picture for a bike race, and the people and race promoters were amazing. It was everything a bike race should be. Tonight was a real, bon-a-fide bike race, in a perfect town setting with the ideal backdrop of the Sierras around us. Bike racing doesn’t get much better than this. Tomorrow. Reno. Different backdrop and a different race. I’m thinking neon lights and bikes are going to be pretty sweet.

I grew up a ranch and I will always be a cowgirl.  I have lived two places in my life.  Los Alamos, California (Santa Barabara County) and Redding, California (Shasta, County).  I have always lived on a ranch and am very accustomed to wide open spaces.  There is something about bare feet and the the open land that just reminds me of home. Being up here in the mountains this week, I have been able to be in the quiet, and to see every star glimmering in the sky.  Silence reminds me of home, and the complete darkness of night reminds me of home.  I may try to fit in other places, but I think I belong under the big blue sky.  

Riding in the back country here gives me the same sense of freedom that I had when I was growing up exploring the great expanses of our cattle ranch on my horse.  It makes me feel young, unstoppable, and completely free.  Our ranch is about 35 miles west of Mt. Lassen.  When I saw a sign for Mt. Lassen in 80 miles, I was so tempted to take that left turn, not look back, and head home.  My dad used to tell me that riding a bike made him feel like a kid again.  I don’t think I ever understood that until today.  I had complete freedom, me and my bike, exploring the land.  It made me a little homesick, but it also solidified where my roots are.  I belong outside and I belong in Northern California and I most likely belong on a ranch, but that may have to wait.  That sense of freedom and exploration is what I love about riding.  The pain and the thrill of competition are merely the icing on the cake. 

Not too unlike riding a bike...

I guess this time in Tahoe has allowed a little nostalgia to creep in, and I am completely satisfied with that.  My dad came up to watch me at the TT, and although my results were less then impressive, it was so nice to have him there.  In that picture above, that was my first rodeo that I competed in.  Don’t worry, I won, but it probably had nothing to do with me, but my horse, Blackie, and my supportive family.  I think I knew how to ride a horse long before I ever considered riding a bike.  Horseback riding is not too different from bike riding.  At least you don’t have to worry about feeding your bike, but I guess you have to fuel yourself in the process. 

Tour de Nez starts tomorrow, and we have four Team TIBCO ladies out to dominate.  I am looking forward to it. 

The time here in the mountains has been wonderful, and apparently makes me think of where I have been, where I am going, and most importantly, where I will always belong. 

How about them cowgirls… I guess I will always know where I belong, and for now, it is on my bike… taking on the world, one race, one mountain pass, and one wide open space at a time…

Riding in Tahoe has been great, although I am trying to figure out this weather thing.  I started the ride, it was beautiful, 75 degrees, and just gorgeous.  I realized that I had forgotten my SRM mount for my road bike, it was still living on my TT bike.  I know, I need another SRM.  As you can see, I used the old improvisation routine…used some hair ties to securely fasten my SRM on my handle bars.  So pro.

I started the ride around the lake, admiring the thunder clouds developing over the Sierras… I was loving life.  Then, I entered Nevada.  I started noticing the cars’ lights.  Was it getting late?  No.  It was just ominous dark clouds, and a flood was quickly approaching.  Drenching rain soaked me to the core.  I couldn’t even see the road.  I barely made it through South Lake Tahoe.  When I had started the ride,  I thought I would bring along a check to deposit.  It was an easy day, I wouldn’t sweat too much…right?  I just put the check in my back pocket.  Stupid.  At 5:01pm, I found myself being washed down into the BofA in SLT.  They let me in, after hours, and even negotiated my disintegrated check.  What nice people.  I must have looked really pathetic.  I continued on my way, and as I entered the CA side of the lake.  The sun started shining.  I always knew I like CA better, but really?  Does our 10% taxes really help contribute to better weather?

I think the majority of cyclists are a good group of people.  We often stop in middle of our training rides to make sure a fellow cyclist doesn’t need our assistance when they are on the side of the road.  We wave and are generally friendly.  When I parked to start my ride yesterday, I realized that I had forgotten a tired lever.  Started a ride into the great expanses of the Tahoe National Forest, I figured it would be in my best interest to have all the tools necessary to fix a flat.  I asked a couple on State Road A23, and they graciously gave me a lever.  Luckily, I didn’t flat.  However, I did get caught in another thundershower.  It may take me a while, but I am beginning to notice a trend here.  Something about these mountains, brings afternoon thunderstorms.  They aren’t kidding around about that.  I found myself getting wet, and my clean shoes getting dirty.  What is that saying?  Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me?  You would think I would learn my lesson.

Normally people wait in anticipation for the fourth of July fireworks.  There is something about that holiday that demonstrates summer at its finest.  The sky is lit with colorful display of sparklers, fire, smoke, and screeching rockets. 

Today is June 14th, still 20 days from this spectacular display of explosions.  Yet, if you were around the high Sierras this morning at approximately 8:53PST, you may have witnessed an early display of some pretty impressive fireworks. 

The location was Sattley, California.  Population: 32, plus a couple of goats, horses, and Sierra basin wind.  Elevation: 4948 ft. Purpose: Norcal/Nevada District TT Championships. 

A normally quiet county road was suddenly transformed into a line of 150+ cars and trainers as cyclists lined the roads to try to race against the clock on a flat, out and back, 40k TT course.  Time trials are always an interesting event to watch as the competitors roll around vaguely appearing like space cadets and superheroes.  Skinsuitsrun amok with pointy aero helmets, dimpled waters bottles, disc wheels, and anything else that might give the edge against the wind, the speed, and the course. 

I rolled up to the event feeling pretty confident.  I have been learning a lot about the TT.  I had a couple of goals.  I was going to win, I was going to put out a lot of power, and I was going to go fast.  Nothing was going to stop me.  No more excuses.  I was ready to push it to the limit, and compete in the race of truth.  Nothing but you and the clock.  I have been trying not to stare at the SRM lately because I want to just force myself to not confine myself to any predetermined limitations.  Instead, I wanted to see what I was made of today.  Just go for it and see what happens.  This has worked in the past, so why not now?

Started the race.  Felt great.  Wow.  This is nothing.  I am going fast, I am aero…I love the Look 496(especially with a tri-spoke and disc).  I even noticed my shadow, and how impressive that bike looked.  I was hammering down the miles.  Flying.  Due to the elements in the winter, there are huge crevices in the road about every 6 ft.  Bump  BUMP. Bump BUMP.  That is the rhythm.  Mile 5, 6…7….8…Get ready, and suddenly I realized something very important.  I still had 4.3 miles to go to the turnaround.  Then I had to repeat the whole 12.3miles to the finish.  Hold nothing back, eh?  I had nothing left.  I started hearing patriotic music.  I heard the looming screech before the fireworks explode into the sky.  And then it happened.  I blew.  I completely blew up.  The heart rate that had been building and building suddenly crashed.  Sparks flew.  Welcome to the 4th of July fireworks in Sattley, California, provided to you by Alison Starnes.  It was a true explosion. 

I limped to the turn around and tried to “sail” home.  The CHP patrolling the course road alongside of me trying to convince me to ride in a straight line, or else I was in a threat to receive a DUI charge.  I definitely was an imparired time trialist.  My vision was blurred, and I was on the verge of hurling up my shots (ClifEspresso) onto the pavement.  2k to go.  I thought I would give it all I had.  Which, I think I already did.  I tried to dig deep and at least come up with a solid Z3 effort.  Cadence slowed.  It all happened in slow motion.  Finally, I crossed the line.  My breathing could be heard for miles.  My ears were still smoking, showing remenents of the previous show of fireworks.

I learned that a 40k is a long time trial.  Pacing yourself may be necessary.  With all the 15-20k time trials I have been doing, I entered today ready to tackle this challenge, yet found myself just learning another lesson.  However, I am glad that I blew up.  Not only for the entertainment of Plumas, Nevada, Sierra, and Lassen counties, but also for the fact that I didn’t play it safe.  I went for it.  I failed, but in this instance, that is acceptable.  I need to learn to what I can accomplish, and there is no way I can do that without taking these risks.  I sure hope to have this dialed in before Nationals, and I will.  Don’t you worry.  Time trialing hurts.  It hurts the entire time, and you need to learn to harness that pain and use it to your advantage.  You need to learn what you can do, and how you make yourself achieve that.  Being so new in the sport, I have no idea what I can accomplish.  I did learn today that I cannot accomplish those watts that I first attempted. 

I am feeling a little beat up right now from my TT bike.  Bruises have formed on my fingers from the shifter jamming into my hands with each bump, BUMP, bump, BUMP.  A poor out of the saddle execution has left its tainted mark on my left knee, and my back, legs, and arms are sore from the effort.  Who knew that a measley 40k could require so much out of someone.  On a positive note, Nationals is 35k.  Nice.

Summer has sneaked up upon us, and I am glad to have provided a glimpse of what is to come.  4th of July fireworks…and strong time trials to come.

Today is a big turning point.  A new chapter of my life is beginning.  I do not know where it will lead, or what it will entail but it will be a journey regardless.  That is the adventure of it all. 

I like to take one day at a time.  I like to not worry about the small things, and just know that most things unravel the way they should.  I plan.  I actually even tend to overplan.  But, like most events in life, even bike racing, you can plan out all you want, but in the end, the race happens the way it will regardless of all your prior planning.

I have a peace about things.  I have faith that God has a plan for me, and whatever that is,  will work according to those plans.  What is there to worry about?  Absolutely nothing.  Peace is good.

Postives:

• Time to focus on the bike, and time to put the feet up
• I am going to Cascade, then Nationals, then France in July-Aug
• Headed to Tahoe to race TT, then Tour de Nez with Rushums, AFR, and JJ. Go Team TIBCO and pah-tay dresses and altitude.
• More time with the cat.
• Marin time.
• Time to find some sponsors for a starving female cyclist?
• Every sock will be folded
• Might start writing more, that or scrapbooking…
• Could start another biochemistry research extravaganza…maybe a cure for something

Random picture insertion...what is going on with me and AFR? Crazy.

All I can say, is that one door closes…surely there is another door that will open, or we can sit here with the lights out momentarily, and take a long nap…then go outside, enjoy the beautiful Marin summer on a Look 585.  Life is good.