I haven’t finished my “roll call” for Thanksgiving for a very important reason. I am thankful for home.
Enjoy the time at home. Take no moment for granted.
Nothing like the foothills of Lassen and the Trinity Alps...
Enough said.
Photo by my SISTER, Jennifer Tetrick
In my summary of things I am thankful for, I was contemplating what the theme of my next post would be. I thought about everything I love. Food. Coffee. Kittens. Post-It Notes. The list goes on and on. Then it hit me. I get to ride an amazing bicycle for a living.
I will never take my equipment for granted. If it weren’t for some generous sponsors, well, I guess I would be walking. I have some pretty sweet bicycle swag that I get to use and call my own.
I am thankful for my equipment. Thank you to each of Team Exergy TWENTY12′s sponsors that make this possible! I love to ride my bike, and I love trusting my equipment!
Here is the equipment “roll call”.
Bicycle: Felt F-1. Sweet. Sassy. Freaking fast.
Wheels: Zipp Speed Weaponry. Hot. Very hot. My favorite? The 808 Firecrest Carbon Tubular. They are weapons all right. And I am not afraid to use them. I train on the Zipp 101 Clinchers. Amazing.
Components: SRAM Is there anything else besides SRAM? Double-click. RTC Shifters. Frogs. My name is Alison Starnes, and I chose SRAM.
Nice...bike.... Photo by Jim Fryer, BrakeThrough Media
Powermeter: SRM. Enough said. SRAM compact SRM for road bike, and regular crankset for TT Bike. SRM is the gold standard in powermeters. I am a data junkie, and I love, love, love my SRM. We are best friends.
Food: Clif. I like food. I need food. My Favorite? Peanut Butter Crunch Mojo Bars.
Clothing/Shoes: Pearl Izumi. Where they make you a custom speedsuit. The very best. I wear the OCTANE SL II RD shoes.
Pedals: Speedplay. Their name says it all. Speed.
Glasses: Oakley. I am so thankful to be working with Steve Blick and Oakely. A great product. Good looks. Excellent mission.
Oakleys. Photo by PodiumInsight.com
Helmet: Catlike. I like cats, and I love my helmet.
A yellow Catlike Helmet to match a yellow jersey!? Absolutely.
Family often extends blood relations and obligatory birthday cards. Sometimes family can be created from times of need, disaster, challenge and humility. When you realize that you cannot conquer the mission alone, and you need someone there. You need a shoulder to cry on, or a ecstatic hug for a minor accomplishment. You need understanding. You need a leadout. You need a bottle in a long hot road race. You need a reminder that you do need a bottle. You need coffee in the morning, and a dinner at night. You need a massage, or just a time to process. You need a therapist. You need direction. You need support. You need laughter. You need a team, and your team is your family.
My team is my family on the road and off of it. We are there for each other.
The personal nature of TT numbers...Me and Nicola. Photo by Jack Apple
I am so grateful for a tremendous year on Team TWENTY12, and excited to begin a new year on Team Exergy TWENTY12 for 2012. This team began with a vision from Nicola Cranmer and she has poured her heart and soul into growing and developing this family. A family of women and believers in a dream. A family that is willing to sacrifice and to build. A family that is there for you when you exceed their expectations, and do not give up on you when you fail. It is about building strength, integrity, and focus. It is an incredible team. It is a family.
Thank you, Nicola and Kristin Armstrong for allowing me to become a part of this family. Thank you for each of my teammates that have suffered through tears of frustration and tears of happiness. For allowing my bag to “explode” in the host housing, and lending me a pair of forgotten socks. For giving me a feed or taking one for me. For showing me your perfect recipe for an authentic street taco, and providing me with a sandwich after the race. Thank you for developing a synchronized dance with me when we were delirious in Europe. Thank you for offering words of encouragement, which sometimes was saying nothing at all. Thank you for invading my space when I needed the invasion and giving me space when I required solitude. Thank you for loving me even if I did blow up too soon, and letting me throw a brief tantrum when needed if only to laugh at me later.
Thank you, team.
Have you seen the video introducing the team? Team Exergy Twenty12?
Thank you.
I might say this every year, but Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Who needs Christmas when you have Thanksgiving. Maybe it is because I love my mom’s rotisserie turkey. Maybe it is because Thanksgiving has always been simple with my family. Just family. Just food. Just a bike ride before the meal. My mouth is watering just thinking about it, and it is a little early in the morning to be thinking of a roasted turkey, dressing, gravy and mashed potatoes. Or is it that I think whip cream should be in its own exclusive food group of deliciousness and pumpkin is one of my favorite foods.
Pumpkin everything. Yes. Everything.
There is no expectations of gifts or fake festivities. Thanksgiving is just for food, family, and warmth. I am craving that now. One more week to go. It couldn’t come soon enough, yet I want to relish it. Cherish it. Not let these moments slip away.
In honor of Thanksgiving. I am going to begin my 2011 wrap-up with a Thanksgiving “Roll Call”. To thank those who have been a part of the year. For those who have picked me up when I was down (literally), and for those that have provided me the support and framework to pursue my dreams.
First things first.
Sister & parents on the Ranch. Fearsome Threesome. Then I showed up...
My family. My family is simple incredible.
Yes, my parents really are that gorgeous.
This year my grandfather won 2 National titles at USAC Master’s Nationals and has not only inspired me, but many others. My parents have loved me no matter what. They love me in spite of my failures, and regardless of my successes. They may have recently replaced me with the cat and the hummingbird feeder outside of the kitchen window, but I know they are there for me. Their example is impeccable and their love is resilient.
Grandparents, Dave Towle, and my dad!
My sister has talked to me at all hours to bolster my confidence and lift my spirit. She is beautiful inside and out, and I love her. My grandma has filled my heart with laughter and smiles. Thank you, family. I would not be here without you.
I love my sister.
That completes the Thanksgiving Roll Call, Day 1. My family. If they are still “subscribed” to my blog they will get this. If not, they are already sick of me. But thank you!
If someone tells you not to touch something, what do you do? Well, you want to reach out and touch. If it is a red button with a “do not push” warning sign, or an immaculate Ferrari in a show room with a big sign that says “kindly refrain from touching”, it takes far more than just sheer will power for me to resist the urge to touch.
It is the off-season. I am healing. I am not supposed to be riding. I am supposed to be enjoying other activities, like pumpkin carving and trail runs. I am healing, or that’s what I am trying to convince myself is taking place. I was told to not ride my bike for safety reasons. Fine. I don’t need to ride my bike. There are so many other things I want to do. Hikes, brunch, beach, and tennis. Wait. You said I wasn’t allowed to ride my bike? So, I cannot ride my bike? Everything else blurs around me, and suddenly, I can only think about one thing and one thing only. That is all I can see. Bikes. Bikes. Bikes. I must ride my bike. I have to ride my bike. My bike is calling me. Do you see that view? No. I see a multitude of cyclists enjoying the view. Wow. Am I really that one-dimensional? No. Not at all, but I am happy riding my bike. Am I happiest? Sometimes I think so.
I should apologize in advance, if you waved at me on an 80 degree October day in West Marin as you pedaled on by, and all I could summon was a glare. Just be glad I didn’t through a temper tantrum. Or throw rocks. Healing requires rest. Rest and safety. Not bikes. Darn.
I am happy in some other places too, but in times like these, I think I am happiest on my bike.
It is time for me to come back to the land of the living. It is now November 2011. A rare day, actually, it is a palindrome, 11-02-2011. That date in itself should be enough reason to come back to life.
In order to clear the air, we can address a couple of facts and fictions.
The Pan Am Games have come and gone, and albeit it was a dissapointing end of the season, you can only move onward. Or once again, so I am told.
Fact: I did have a mishap before the TT at the PAG and ended up with a concussion. Concussions should not be taken lightly. No amount of road rash can equal the damage that can be done to the brain. A storm grate on a dark morning in Mexico and an impressive face plant may have left me with a couple of weeks of letting that brain rest and regenerate. Black eye? Sure. Broken heart? Absolutely. Resolve? I will have to find it.
Positive: I can learn from my preparation and experience, and I did not lose any teeth in the fall.
Fiction: After this I decided to stay in Mexico and live off of street tacos and rice pudding.
Fact: My sister did point out that my bruised face and body did resemble the fall colors of deep purples and reds. What are sisters for.
Positive: I think she hit that one on the head, pardon the pun.
Fiction: I intended to make my face look like the season.
Fact: I have so many people to thank for an incredible, challenging year, and I am bery humbled and looking to keep my priorites right, and my goals focused.
Positive: I am very blessed.
Fiction: I am going to give up.
Entering November. Time to reevaluate. Renew. Reset.
I continue to be humbled by the support, by the patience, and the sacrifice. Thank you for joining the mission.
