Back to Santa Fe

After Gila ended I drove up to Santa Fe and spent 2 weeks resting, training, packing and getting myself ready for the next adventure on the road.  It was a bit stressful because I was packing to be away for about 5-6 months.

Aside from training and packing I made time for something very important to me.  I visited my old elementary school and talked to the 6th graders about being a pro cyclist.  Ted Freedman, my PE teacher from the school, was my biggest motivator to begin running and still follows my journey.

It was great to be back on home desert roads in New Mexico

I was also in Santa Fe at the perfect time for this years Bike & Brew Festival.  Its only the second year but it was a great event and so many people.  I spent time at my sponsors tent, Santa Fe Brewing Company and met some new bike lovers too.

Once I left the plan becomes a bit complicated with travel and racing all over … the world.

So here’s a rundown update on results and travel so far:

North Carolina

-USA Pro Nationals, 28 May – 35th

For Winston-Salem, Since they were UCI races I had to be a part of a team, so I guest rode for Fearless Femme.  It was great to put on the kit and race for such a great team.

-Winston-Salem Crit, 29 May- 7th

-Winston-Salem UCI Road Race, 30 May- 20th

Canada

-Gatineau GP RR, 1 June- 9th

-Gatineau GP TT, 2 June- 17th

Now I am in Ontario Canada to train for just over a week with my coach before heading to Wisconsin for Tour of America’s Dairyland.  A 10 Day crit series.

Then I’ll come back to Canada for some more training

6 July – To France and Belgium- Tour of Brittany and a couple races in Belgium with my team

Then I’ll stay in Europe to keep racing until mid September

After that I plan to spend some time working and/or resting away from racing.

This past week I raced in my second ever Tour of the Gila.  It was 5 days of hills, sun, wind, and low oxygen.

Stage 1: Mogollon Road Race

I went into this day with the objective of sprint points.  There were 2 intermediate sprints in the race before the steep uphill climb to the finish.  I felt good and went for the first, but after avoiding a crash about 100m to go I was 4th, so no points.  Not too long after there were attacks and I made the break that stuck.  10 of us stayed away for 60km until 5km to the climb.  Since the intermediate sprint came while we were away I went for that and snagged 3rd for 1 point.  When we hit the base I turned on tempo mode in my legs and rode up smooth.  It was a great start to the race and had a lot of fun overall.

Stage 2: Inner Loop Road Race

I set myself up to go for the first of 2 sprints, but 12km in when the sprinters attacked for the line my legs didn’t have the same idea.  I crossed with the group but that was also when the first hill began.  The effort from the first 10km and fatigue hit me hard and I struggled on this climb.  I focused however on the technical downhill and used that to catch the group in front of me.  We rode pace lining through the valley that presented a challenging wind the whole way.  I was a bit mad to not stick with the front pack, but considering the girls in this pack, they were all the main sprinters and non climbers, so I felt a little better about my position.  Getting to the last climb and over towards the finish we continued to work together. It was a VERY hard day and even though it was a group of about 20 there was no hiding or relaxing the whole race.

Stage 3: Tyrone Time Trial

Since I was not sitting in a top GC spot, this was a race that I put in a good effort, but also didn’t dig into deep fatigue.  Even though it was a TT, this course didn’t lack in hills.  Here’s a shot from the turnaround.

Stage 4: Downtown Criterium

My favorite stage of the race.  I wanted to be top 10 and knew I could even be top 5.  I stayed relaxed throughout the race and in good position.  There was a crash on the hill about 5 laps in which I had to get around and catch back on, but it wasn’t any big worry. Just left a little apprehension in the midst of riding so close to others. With 9 laps to go I focused more and set myself to stay in the top 20.  3 laps to go was hard and fast with everyone moving and working for position.  At 1 to go I was set up perfect, 7th or so wheel and holding strong.  But when the turn came going into the hill a couple girls came up on the corner and “pinched” me off my wheel. Meaning they got in a position and so close that I had to ease off or risk a crash.  Up the hill I worked as hard as I could knowing it was the crucial moment.  Into the downhill in about 20th, then passed some girls before the final turn.  In the finishing stretch I gave it my all and crossed in 16th.  I know I could have done better, but after this hard week I held strong.  This is a picture from the race, my dad came to watch and cheer me on.

Stage 5: Gila Monster Road Race

Last day, I was so ready to be done, but as a Pro and loving to race I sucked it up and got out to fight hard.  This course was basically the same as the 2nd day course but backwards, and finishing on top of the climb (the gila monster).  The first set of hills were tough and my legs felt like bricks, but I stayed calm and hung onto the pack.  Into the valley it was a huge fight as the wind split up the group and made it hard just to stay in.  Through the rollers and slight uphill the wind did ease however and I was able to settle in the pack for some “rest”.  The race went by so fast that by the time I looked at my garmin we had already done 50km, in just over an hour.  The pack got to the bottom of the climb, the Gila Monster, which is basically 16km up, and the group shattered. I stayed relaxed and started at a good pace.  By about 3km in I had passed quite a few people and found myself with a couple other riders going at the same speed.  I stayed with them and then just as the hill turned into rollers and some downhill 3 of them dropped back and our group became 5.  We rode steady all the way to the finish and I was really happy with my performance and how I felt on this last grueling day.

Tour of the Gila was an amazing experience.  I did not finish very high in the GC, but I also entered this race not expecting to do well.  The objective was more for fitness, experience and to keep racing.  Each day I had ups and downs, but I am happy with how I pushed myself each day and came out with solid results.

Awesome mural in Silver City done for the 30th anniversary of the Tour of the Gila

Now I am back in Santa Fe and ready for some big time REST! Going through over a month of travel, racing, and packing I am stronger but also tired.  Redlands, Joe Martin, and Gila have given me another gear and I am excited to keep racing…. soon.

I will be here for 2 weeks, and then travel to Winston-Salem, NC for USA Pro Nationals and the Winston-Salem Classic UCI race.

This past week I raced Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  It was 4 days and this year UCI, so the level of competition was much higher.  With teams like United Healthcare, Tibco, DNA, and Colavita there was a fight for each stage.  I wasn’t with my SAS Mazda team, but guest road for a smaller team out of Tucson, AZ.

Stage 1: Time Trial

3 Miles uphill.  I gave a good effort but did not place very well in this.  Hills are not my specialty and a TT that is just that does not favor my strengths.

Stage 2: 95km/65mile Road Race

From the start it was hard and fast, with lots of attacks and attempts to break away.  There was one larger climb, but nothing major to break up the front of the field.  I stayed comfortable in the pack and it wasn’t until the last 10km that attacks were being shot off and everyone was pushing for position.  I went into the last technical section in a great position.  I made the final turn and into the finishing stretch feeling great.  The sprint was a slight uphill and I stayed strong to the line.  24th for the day. Wanted top 10, but my legs are building sprint power so cant quite compete with sprinters like Coryn Rivera.

Stage 3: 95km/65miles Road Race

Another day of attacks from the start. I felt comfortable though and stayed with the pack.  The course did 2 loops of a circuit with a few steeper but short hills.  The first lap was pretty calm, but then the second lap consisted of catching one breakaway and then another getting away.  So this made the pace pick up a lot. At the top of the loop there was a clean break between the more climber specific riders and the tt and sprinters.  The groups ended up joining though before long.  Once we hit the final 20km the pace picked up and went hard.  Into 10km to go attacks were going and making things really exciting.  At 2km to go Lauren Stephens attacked and Linda Villumsen (world champion in time trial) got on her wheel, I was in good positioning and went with it.  We broke away for a brief moment but then as I pulled through we were caught.  Going into a right curve there was a crash in front of me and at that point I was in about 20th place and just wanted to be safe.  So I got around it and got to the finish line without a problem and with the pack.

Stage 4: 50min Criterium

This was a really hard day.  The course has a technical section at the top through town and then flies downhill before making it around to Church hill where the finish is at the top.  It was hard every time up.  I was working and struggling just a couple laps in, but still staying in.  About 10 minutes in my stomach started really hurting and cramping.  I was pretty certain I would drop back and off the group, but I stayed calm and didn’t panic.  I managed to drink and get the pain to go away.  But the race didn’t get any easier, teams kept attacking and pushing the pace so the downhill was always strung out and fast as hell.  Into the last couple laps there was one rider that got away and I had to dig extra deep to stay near the front of the pack.  Then the last lap was all out and I was pushing so hard.  Into the final climb I worked as hard as I could but was content finishing with the pack.  31st .

GC 35th. out of 65 finishers. 104 started.

Now I’m at a friend’s farm for a couple days before I head back to Tucson.  It’s nice to relax and recover a bit after the race.  Next up will be Tour of the Gila in Silver City, NM starting next Wednesday.

After the San Dimas Stage Race, we packed up and made a quick transfer to Redlands, CA.  The race started on Wednesday so there wasn’t much time for relax and recovery, but that was ok because I was excited to keep racing.

Highlands Circuit: The first day was really hot and a delay at the start made sitting on our bikes in the sun a bit more of a strain.  But once the race started the tough circuit settled in quickly and made me remember the difficulty of this race.  I felt good until the last couple laps when I started feeling overheated and my mind wasn’t as clear.  I finished just at the back of the front pack as it came single file to the finish line.

Oak Glenn Road Race: The morning was cool and cloudy but luckily no rain.  I stayed comfortable in the pack and near the front so didn’t get caught up or even notice any of the couple crashes that happened.  After 3 long loops the course turned left and up a 10km climb to the finish.  I was with the front group, but about 4km in started to struggle with the hard pace.  It was at that point that the pack split up anyway and riders went up at their own pace.  I didn’t have any wonderful result or high expectation with this hilly stage, but was satisfied with a solid finish.

Greenspot TT:  Not such a great day.  The 7 mile course was fun, and without rain the right hand downhill turn was fun and not dangerous, but my legs just weren’t there.  I couldn’t get the power I needed on the uphill and turning the big gears just felt like going backwards.  I put in a good effort though and pushed.

Downtown Crit:  Probably my favorite stage.  It was fast, technical and my best result.  After multiple crashes and near crashes on the course I stayed in good position and felt good throughout.  Going into the last couple laps I had great positioning and worked to keep it into the final.  In the last couple corners though I didn’t maintain top 10 and that was the deciding factor for placement.  So I could have done better, but 13th was a great result for this tough race.

Sunset Loop:  This was a day I could have a really great result.  I was ready and excited going into it.  Through the not so neutral start I positioned myself well and worked to stay near the front.  Once the technical part and hill started I dug to stay in.  I was with the front group for 2 laps, but then the fatigue of the suffering sunk in and I had trouble staying on.  In retrospect I was really stupid and made the big mistake of not eating or taking a gel during those first 20 miles.  So that fatigue was lack of sugar and my muscles were having enough of the strain.  I dropped back, but was still with a couple riders (that ended up making back to the front group).  Unfortunately at this point it is hard to come back from bonking and I worked to stay up.  Ive learned with this race though that anything can happen and to keep working, because not too long after it began to pour rain and the group I was with got split up very quickly.  At the top of the hill I noticed my tired was dragging and it tended up being a flat.  So I kept riding and knew I had to get to the feed zone or I would be stuck, out, and without a new wheel.  Once I made it however I was pretty far back and not much I could do to get back on.  So I kept riding with a few other riders that had gotten dropped way before me, and sure enough on the next lap we got pulled from the race.  Not the finish or result I wanted at this race, but I learned a lot and had a great experience with my team.

Even though we had a small team at Redlands it was a fun group and our director worked really hard to help us have the best race we possibly could.  3 of the 5 of us made it to the last stage.  Lindsey was 3rd for Amatuer Rider’s Jersey.  And Audrey finished solid all around.

After the race it was a very fast pack up and fly out to Montreal, Canada.  I am now here for the week and we have already had a team photo shoot, sponsor party/event where the team was presented, and then this morning a bike fit for my TT bike.  It has been a lot, but I am so excited to be a part of this and the team has been really great.  I fly out on Monday for Arkansas where I’ll compete next week in the Joe Martin Stage Race.

Some pictures from Montreal

the photo shoot and having fun with my teammates heels 🙂Getting my TT bike fitted and dialed in

Let the racing begin!

San Dimas Stage Race Results:

Time Trial: Bad

Road Race: 9th

Criterium: 7th

Picture of my team this year

This weekend was the San Dimas Stage Race.  The first step to big national stage racing of the season.  First day was the Time Trial which is a 4.25 mile uphill TT.  I’ll just say that didn’t go so well.  But I focused on my strengths and what I could do in the Road Race and Criterium.

That worked out well for me.  Yesterday in the road race I finished 9th.  It was a tough circuit of 8 laps with a kicker hill of about 200m.  I stayed in and comfortable through the attacks and set up well for the finishing sprint.  My goal was top 10 for the race, so 9th was very solid.

Today in the Criterium the race started fast, but nothing I couldn’t handle.  There was an early break about 15minutes in and I made an attack to bridge to it.  We stayed away about 2 laps and then the group caught us on an intermediate sprint lap (a lap within the race where the first to the line can gain an extra time bonus for the overall race).  The rest of the race remained controlled with a few attacks and a couple other breaks, but they didn’t last long and were soon pulled back.  I set up very well for the finish and went into the last turn in 5th position.  Coming out of the fast turn it was a matter of giving it my all and sprinting to the line.  I was passed by 2 girls but held the 7th spot over the line.  It was a fun and fast race.  Each day I am getting faster and stronger.

Next week, wednesday starts Redlands Bicycle Classic, a 5 day stage race in Redlands California.  I am excited for the tough race and know I can perform well.

Out in Tucson still and training as hard as ever.  My fitness is coming around and I am really strong after these past couple months of hard training.  I have been doing some local racing also and been on the podium for nearly all of them.

This past weekend I had quite the saturday… I did the “shootout” which is a huge group ride that goes every Saturday and is always around 50-150 people.  It’s basically an unofficial race since it goes so hard and drops about 70% of the starters by the end.  My total morning ride was 100miles.  Then in the afternoon I raced a local crit. Since there were only 3 women racing we asked to be combined with the men’s race.  That was a lot of fun and a really hard pace.  I was the only woman of the three to be able to hold onto the men long enough that the group lapped the other women giving me the win.  My coach is really happy with my progress and believes in my capability.  He is really excited to see what I can do this year also.

I’ll be here all of March still and am so excited to see how much stronger I will be by the end of the month.  Then at the beginning of April I head to California to start racing the big races.  Redlands is the first bit National race of the year.  The rest of the year is a bit up in the air as the calendar isn’t super clear from my team.  I know I’ll be up in Canada for some training and racing, and then hopefully I’ll go over to Europe for some racing also.  Big season ahead.

It’s been quite the delay since my last posting, but the past few weeks have been busy.  Between travel, training, and moving, I haven’t exactly been on top of posting.  In December I spent the month in Tucson training, riding looong hours on my time trial bike in the brutal hunched over position.  But it was worth it to get in base miles and riding in the sunshine.

At the end of the month I headed back to Santa Fe for a couple weeks.  I had my doctors appointment which gave me the best Christmas gift ever; the news that my wrist was healed.  I, nor could the doctor believe that in only 8 weeks it had healed (so much sooner then the 14-16 he had predicted).  I spent a couple week in Santa Fe to enjoy the holidays and seeing family/friends.  But that was enough cold and snow for me and so with the news that I could start training on my road bike and put pressure on my wrist I was excited for my return to Tucson.

Since I got back I’ve been picking up intensity to get ready for racing.  It has been some tough training on Gates Pass, Mt. Lemmon, and long drags of desert roads.  Last week I also moved to a new house.. or casita, for my winter training.  It’s a lot further east, but it is absolutely beautiful.  Actually as I’m sitting here typing I’m watching the sunset out the large west facing window.  It is so quite and the morning sun makes me fall even more in love with the desert, … as I ride my bike on rollers and stare at hills of saquaros of course.

My casita and the view outside

This year has started out on a pretty high note.  I’m excited about the new opportunities ahead and some of my newest sponsors, like Santa Fe Brewing Company and Voxxsocks (a socks company that has developed a unique technology that uses the stitching to hit neuro-points on the foot).  I will be racing with a small Canadian team called SAS-MACOGEP-ACQUISIO p\p Mazda.  Yea, the name is a bit much, but it will be a great team to race for.  I’ll be starting out the season in California then racing in Arkansas (probably) and Canada, and potentially Europe in the later part of the year.

This weekend will be my first race back.  Just a small local AZ race, but I’m excited to get my legs going again.

Without further delay here is the big update

I have come out to Tucson, AZ, and have been here since thanksgiving, so about 2 weeks of sunshine and shorts. I do not have my road bike, but have been getting some good quality training time on my time trial bike. It is hard to ride hours in the tight, crunched up position, but I am just grateful to be here training and able to stay/get fit.

It has been a fun couple weeks of big gear training and hills on Mt. Lemmon. Climbing for 50min and then turning around and flying down the hill in under 10min is better then any rollercoaster. 50mph around swooping turns is such an adrenaline rush. I am very happy with my training so far and it isn’t even 2016 yet. I will go back to Santa Fe for the holidays and a doctor’s visit where I hope to get good news about the progress of my wrist.

A bit more about my wrist surgery

During the period post surgery it was a struggle with balancing rest and wanting to get back into fitness. The first couple days were a blur of bed rest, movies, and working on a puzzle to keep me occupied. I got to the gym after only 3 days and was able to spin on the recumbent bike. Then after my 1 week checkup the dr said I could be active and get back onto my TT bike. I could ride TT because there is no pressure on my wrist. So I started building up activity again by getting out for hikes on a nice day, and spinning on the trainer. I was trying to do anything that wouldn’t bother my wrist but keep my body moving.

I also made a big move and decided to cut off all my hair.  I did it for many reasons, but the reason that started it all was because it hurt my hand to take care of and I didn’t want that.  But it also got me thinking, because since I cut my hair a lot of people had said “wow, you’re brave”.  I think about that and usually bravery is associated with facing a challenge in height, speed, danger or heroism.  But then I see there are also other kinds of bravery connected with society. Where this is a bravery in the face of judgement, or what is accepted by others, of image.  This is something I have always thought to do, but probably for the same reasons didn’t out of fear or concern of what others might think.  So I did it, and whatever your desires, dreams, or goals are, don’t be afraid… Be brave

Only 3 weeks post op I was already annoyed with the cast and ready to be rid of it and training normal and hard. I missed and still miss certain things, like stretching, certain core exercises (I have never missed pushups more than I do now), yoga, and most of all, my road bike. But also the little things you might not think of I have grown to appreciate; pealing an orange, zipping a jacket normally, opening nutrition bars not with my teeth, making food more complicated then a salad, putting on socks without a struggle, buttoning/unbuttoning a shirt.

But I have learned to adapt and through the process have become stronger and learned to be more patient, especially with myself.

Nutrition through this process

Going into my surgery I focused intently on my diet and stayed as clean as possible. Coming out of surgery I had trouble eating with the medication, but what I did eat was mainly soup and smoothies.   Since the post op I have been focused on eating healthy and getting on a routine diet, but I will be the first to admit that in the off season I indulge in cravings … Cause chocolate is sooo good.

I have learned that my body does not like sugar very much and so I feel the immediate effect when I have anything processed or high in sugar. It is incredible to see the effect I feel from taking my supplements and using rejuvenate regularly.  By staying consistent on taking vitamins from Integrated Health I feel better and know I am getting stronger each day.  When I am eating clean my energy is higher and longer, I don’t feel held down through the day by food, but strong throughout the day.  So the past couple weeks here in Tucson I have been focused on my routine of eating eggs in the morning, a recovery smoothie, and then a dinner with salad/vegetables and protein.

I am looking forward to the next couple months of continuing to build and get stronger for the season. I will try to be more consistent on posting pictures and updates on my training.  Thanks for reading 🙂

Arriving back in New Mexico I wasted no time in getting back into healthy training and living. And with the amazing fall weather here, I really couldn’t help it.

Trying to take care of my wrist I’ve decided not to pull my road bike out just yet. I am focusing on exploring the hiking trails in Santa Fe, and getting in some good time with my TT bike. After only 3 hikes I can’t believe what I have missed out on after living in Santa Fe so many years. Being a runner and then a cyclist, I was always focused on flatter running trails/roads and cycling doesn’t really like tired fatigued legs. But there are some amazing places to explore here.

I have been focused on my nutrition also since returning. Back into a routine and settled at home life is easier to eat clean. I jumped into a juice cleanse as my training is in off season mode and I want to feel good going into my wrist surgery.

I have been following the same plan and kidney cleanse as before I left, but have tried a couple new things.

I bought a citrus hand juicer and use that for my morning lemonade, but I have also been using it to juice some oranges and grapefruit as well. This juice I then add to the bottles of juice I make from the larger juicing machine. It adds a little different taste and lightness which I like.

I will admit that being in Italy and all the delicious food and wine did get the best of me this year. But hey, when in Rome… The bread, pasta, and heavy meals paired with amazing wine was something I just couldn’t pass up. So with that, I will say it is a balance in life, I don’t like to keep myself too strict and limited that I regret or don’t experience some of the greater indulgences of life. But I do keep in mind that I am a professional athlete and all is done with moderation and I must follow a healthy track in my general lifestyle.

The Addiction

Being back this week I notice my athletic addiction return quickly. The enjoyment of filling my day with fresh air, dirt trails, gym mats, yoga balls, kick boards and lane lines takes me over like a bear coming out of hybernation.  It is hard for me to understand when people do not enjoy exercise or the outdoors as it becomes such an addiction. And I guess that is just it, it takes starting to become hooked. Fitness and routine are such a part of my life that I feel physically bad without it. It is a time for me to wander the trails of my mind and find those new ideas or remember that old friend I should call. So much of our society says our body needs a calculated number of minutes of exercise per day. But I think that is crap. Our bodies need exercise and movement all the time. A moment or period each day to reestablish those natural roots and let our minds separate from screens and be in that place they are meant to be.

So don’t join a class or push yourself through a boot camp just because you’re supposed to or because you need to loose weight. Get out and find that activity YOU love and draws you to become addicted.

This past month I have been in Italy working as a guide in Tuscany for Butterfield & Robinson

To support myself as a cyclist during the rest of the year I spend September and October in Italy working as a tour guide.  It is a wonderful company to work for and an experience where I am able to put forward my talent of cycling, knowledge of the Italian culture, and ability to work and organize as a guide.  Like with every job there are moments of difficulty and stress, but also moments of incredible beauty and fun.

This year I have been guiding in Tuscany, where we spend 2 nights in Val di Chiana, 1 night in Siena, and 2 nights in Chianti.  The riding is difficult but the travelers have been tough … and if the hills seemed too daunting then some opted for the ebike.  The last trip with 13 ebikes was a bit tough for logistics, but everyone had fun.  Next week I head back for one more tour, then to the US to prepare for the next season of racing.

Here are some pictures from the last few weeks of what I have been up to.

Spent a couple days in France

Beautiful roads and views of Tuscany

  In Siena did the famous B&R T-shirt drop in Piazza Del Campo

13 eBikes on the last trip through tuscany, lots of batteries

Amazing sunset in Florence