Bullet Points, Because I am streamlining...

• The local gals: Tricia, Lisa, Wendy, and Cynthia did us all proud at San Dimas Stage Race...But Cynthia had a nasty crash. Booo.... The boys were there too - Jamie AKA Polly Pocket got business done in the Cat 4's and Mr. Freeman rolled out in the 35+ with the best of them and had a solid performance.


• I on the other hand, was stuck at Track and Field day officiating volleyball games, mile runs and mile relay and the 100 yard dash. The dashers pitched a fit because 100 was way too long. Look into these eyes! Do they look like they care?!


• I have banned myself from unneccessary blog reading and web searching. In the amount of time I have saved, I completed my taxes, smogged my car, went to the DMV, cleaned three bike, rode my bike and slept.


• Sponsor Mike McKovich hooked up the team bike fits. It is amazing how comfortable a bike can become!! I always get a smidge queamish when the carbon handle bars get cut down though....and he keeps telling me i pedal in squares. I should have been a Flintstone.


• My sister-in-law, Suzanne is in town for the Carnival. She gets people wheels and stuff.


• Here at the Carnival, lots of folks show up, like 400ish. But I only really wanted to watch these two:

Tara Llanes - World Cup downhiller, and my girl Erica Davis - she was in my undergrad program for PE. This is the first time i have seen Tara since she jumped into a Short Track race and destroyed half the XC girls. Gotta admit, I was a bit emotional...same with Erica, who is on track for the 2012 Paralympics. Us PowderPuff XC racers have no idea...

• Fontana US Cup is rolling out in full force this weekend. so many people are getting straight up frenetic about the course, which rock is where blah blah blah. Guess what. It is 5.2 mile laps. We get to do it 4 times. I think i can figure it out after the first one.
• Our community, meaning Redlands and Loma Linda and the SDA crew all across the country has been ROCKED by the Montana plane crash. The far reaching effects are staggering. The 6 degrees of separation are in full force. It is such a tragedy and so painful to know how affected so many of our close friends are due to losing their family members and loved ones. Once again, perspective has been handed to us in an extremely crude way.

Don't steal my Thunder!!

I put pictures up on Facebook, Matt Freemon stole them, I have nothing to add.

But since we all know that is a lie, I will put my two cents in.

What all started with an innocent "Do you think you would want to do a short track simulation on Thursday?" From Krista Park...was answered with "Heck yes! Me and ten of my friends!!!"

Matt calls us big mouths, But Adam and I are movers and shakers, we get stuff done, and we know "people."

Who wouldn't want to skip out on dinner with the family, or the Crit practice over way too close to San Bernardino?! Hit up our Dirt Crit, otherwise known as the late Short Track event!

20 minutes plus 3 laps or anaerobic fun! From my very humble opinion, our course rivals that of each national race last year, except the fact that we have a dicey figure 8! Winners get goodies, I snaked cones and soccer field paint from work for the course too.

Maybe one day we will throw a BBQ in the mix....

We had ALL levels out there, spectators, timers and lap cards!!

I think of times like these often

Like I wasn't busy enough...

Tricia is hosting a male cycling team for the Redlands Classic...thank goodness it is my spring break.

Tomorrow will be the trial run of Short Track/Dirt Crit *practice* at Hulda Crooks...Laying tracks, frothing with slobber, hittin' some knack-knacks off the jumps...full report to come on that one.

I picked up the hobby of Bowling on the Wii...I think it will help boost my stock. It was either that or Hip Hop dancing...

I freaked out (this is not a joke...fact on the freak out) on my diet and decided to Lock It UP! In anticipation of APRIL....dun dun dun.....

Directly following my week of vaction for spring break, I am going to Costa Rica!!!! Don't hate!! Remember, you get paid more than me...

Start of one of the stages last year!

What's the big deal down there? well, let me tell you! Check out the link to one of the COOLEST races in, um, Central America!?! I did the math. Costs me LESS TO GO THERE than to Vermont/NY for national races. Enough said!!

My Great friends from years ago, Justin and Amy Mace, did it last year and LOVED IT!!! They are going back again and only had to ask me half a time if I wanted to join!! I then convinced fellow fun-seeker Maureen Kunz - Team Lost Coast Brewery - to scrap the east coast Circus and head to the Jungle with me!!

I am stoked beyond belief to have this option!!! If you are really ambitious, check out the site and look at the course profiles...i should have done that before I mailed the check...but if not, just chew on this:

Stage 1: Parque del Este-Cabeza de Vaca-Parque del Este Time and departure place: Parque del Este 9:00 AM

Finish: Parque del Este

Total Distance: 40 miles

Estimated for the best time: 3 hours

Maximum time allowed: 7:30 hours

Irazú is Costa Rica’s highest volcano at over eleven thousand feet. Located just south of San José, the slopes of Irazú climb steadily to over eleven thousand feet above sea-level. The ride starts northeast of San Jose and climbs steadily from about 3500 feet to about 9000 feet over 30 KM until racers reach Cabeza de Vaca hill, names for the famous Spanish Conquistador that settled this area.

Stage 2: Hotel Montecampana-Volcán Barva-Finca La Paz, Poasito

Time and departure place: 8:00 Hotel Montecampana, Birri de Heredia

Finish: Finca La Paz, Poasito

Distance: 40 miles

Estimated for the best time: 3 hours

Maximum time allowed: 8 hours

This volcano’s pristine rainforest provides the stage for the second day of the race. After a 10 mile climb, racers enter the Barva Volcano National Park for a taste of primary rainforest and technical singletrack down to the foothills of Poás Volcano. The surrounding forest is home to the Resplandescent Quetzal bird, Tapirs and several species of wild cats.

This area was affected by the strong tremor in early January so part of the race proceeds will fund community reconstruction projects.

Stage 3: Finca La Paz Poasito-Volcan Poas-Finca La Paz Poasito

Time and departure place: 8:00 Finca La Paz

Finish: Finca la Paz Poasito

Total Distance: 40 miles

Estimated for the best time: 3 hours


Maximum time allowed: 8 hours

The last stage, with total distance of about 40 miles, will begin in the Finca La Paz near to the towm of Poasito, climbing to the Poas Volcano (world´s second widest crater). Once we reach the Poas National Park we will begin an small uphill and later we enter to a technical single track downhill, passing forest and pastures before finishing climbing up to Poasito Town.


Maybe it was the Villarica Volcano in Chile, or the freedom I felt traveling and experiencing life in such a different way, but I think I am hooked.

On that note, I have to go climb some mountains on my bike!!

I need to re-evaluate...nah...

The night before a race usually finds me with my feet up on the couch eating something delicious. Last Saturday night the scenario was much different.

This picture explains a lot.
1.) I have a better tan than most due to riding a bike and being outside all day
2.) The bilateral iliac crest bruises occured at this precise moment
3.) I have no problem taking kids down
4.) My boss/athletic directore, #4 sets the bar high for fitness

Would I have opted out of the game to prep mentally, physically and emotionally for the race Sunday? maybe last year. But not now. It has been hilarious all week hearing the students laugh about how bad the teachers were (even though we beat them) how we must have cheated, and how funny we looked. They were so stoked to be able to guard me, block my shot, or laugh with us on the court.

And at the end of the day, that is probably more important. Or so i believe today!

The life of a Socialite

I tend to gravitate towards chaos, or it to me. One way or the other though, we collided fantastically in such a cacophony that left me counting the hours until next weekend.

There were awards banquets to attend, high heels to wear, dresses to iron, birthdays to celebrate, basketball games to be played, oh, and a bike race.

1. Dad and Mom came to town for Dad to speak and to be an honored alumnis of the year! Banquets and plaques and...heels...

2. Paige turned 18!!! I stuck around and whipped up a delightful bfast Saturday morning, ironed a dress and headed to church!! i opted out of the heels on this occasion, my calfs were destroyed friday night! Here are, well, a bunch of Duerksens!3. When i got home after lunch with the fam, there was another lunch to attend! the house was packed with about 30 people for Paige's big 1-8, so more festivities and snacks were had!

4. Then i rode a bike.

5. Then i showered just so i could fix my hair again.

6. Life and death. Student vs. Faculty basketball game. The senior class raised over $2000!! It was a pretty important night, and no way in the world to get out of it!

We played 12 minute quarters, one against each class. Here we are playing the freshman. I am their teacher-sponsor, so i was key in helping them choose their color: Lilac. We are also studying the Excritory System in Health, so i gave Jordan a bit of Kidney shot...

7. Got home and tried to decompress. The senior boys must have been hitting the weights lately. One run in with one of them left me with whiplash and a pulled glute. By midnight I had everything under control...

8. Then I got to race my bike!!!

Things are getting wacky around here! Some excitement for the spectators...

Then the lead out for the pro men! Check out Sid Taberlay, left side Team Sho-Air! Totally busting out the wheelie, for a WIN!

Doing some "team" work with Cpop!! My team is very large...oh, and that is ME!! just because i am not in yellow or blue or whatever!!! So many people just WALKED by me! unacceptable...Krista, Heather and me...rollin' SoCal style....As soon as Krista won, she headed off to teach a clinic! Solid. Some podium love! It was super cool to have Melanie McQuaid here in town! This chick is an amazing athlete and seemed really nice, wished i had chatted it up with her a bit more!

Also Christie was out doing our feeds in the HOT sun! She did a phenomenal job!

9.Little Gwen turned 1 on Sunday!!!!

10. My original sponsors, Mom and Dad, took me to a post race dinner! I have been hooked up so far this season! Jeremy and Mom and Dad have both been able to see a race! The New Zealand crew just *might* be able to make one this summer! I am very grateful for all their support and love...

I am pretty sure...

Greg Johnson rocks this jersey too.... and he was at ToC that day.....

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...................

My Back is WACK!!

I found the missing link. I "get" nutrition, I flog myself with intervals, I will myself to sleep at early hours. But I have missed proper recovery.

Look no further! Jason Ravel from Ravel Therapy here in Redlands has given me a new lease on training. The best way I can describe it is that my legs feel OPEN and can endure much more during training and sooner after training, than prior years this time of year.

Basically, this therapy can make you cry (if you are weak of mind) or yell (if you are agro), or vomit. I think I yelled at him "are you SERIOUS?!?!" once, but the rest I kept to myself. He refered to my spine as an S and my back as a Rubik's Cube.

This is Massage at a whole new level. Soft tissue, muscle therapy, I am not sure exactly what to call it. But, There is nothing relaxing or pleasant about it except that the days and weeks following: YOUR LEGS WILL FEEL DIALED, TUNED, AND STRONG. I'm just saying...

Plus, he clocks in at $65 an HOUR...you can get one of those Sissy-Lala Swedish massages for maybe that price, for 30 minutes. (sign up online, $45 the first hour!)

I think any of us that spends large chunks of the day in the saddle, at a desk, or in a car have some serious back issues. I thought mine were just because i rode my bikes a lot and maybe didn't stretch enough and certainly had not consumed enough recovery drinks.

Oh contrare!

Come to find out I have some serious....real serious, Lordosis and Kyphosis. Do not fret, I won't get all techno on you, but I believe a TON of cyclists suffer one if not both of these!

It probably does not help that I spent a large amount of my younger years standing like this. No wonder my booty appears large, and my belly a bit round!

But seriously, for Lordosis, most of us have heard of it as swayback. Over the years it has put my pelvis way out of line because of excessive curvature of the lumbar spine, which in turn makes my muscle utilization sub-par and inefficiant. Basically a percent of the muscles become dormant and unused while over-taxing others such as my quads.

Kyphosis, when very pronounced, greats that hump on the upper back, one you may see a Grandma with. A lot of us tend to develop this curve of the back due to the relaxed upper body posture while in the saddle.

The cross section to the left is normal, the right has Lordosis, and is pretty much exactly what mine looked like! That's a lot of pressure on the lower spine!

After four weeks of intensive work, i am WAY better! Perhaps i will post some before and after pictures!!!

My suggestion to you is this: Before you go buy the newest energy drink, recovery potion, light bike part or what have you, figure out how to take care of the one part of your equipment you can not replace: YOUR BODY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love IT!

And my female cycling friends - read this and the link she has. Especially during base mile time, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!

Repetition is getting redundant

Although we didn't have to leave town Friday night this time, roll call came before the sun was up Saturday. We even finished the race day with our usual of Breakfast, but this time, I was able to make it at home!

Since I am following the road races like a hail storm, the activity of the day would mean a trip to the High Desert, near Big Pine past the large cactus on the left...pretty much nowhere. For the UCLA road race. Weird.

At the race one agro-racer was heard saying "why can't we race near civilization?" Mr. Freeman responded with "Well, that would mean it was a crit....pffff...."

After almost loosing my digits near Mexico, I visited the shop and bought some killer booties and gloves. AMAZING!!

The race start boasted temperatures in the 20's, snow covered cacti and ground, and a piercing blue sky. But i was warm and toasty in my new amenities and NOTHING rivaled the pain of uncontrollable shivering at BLVD the week prior. Oh, and i only had shorts on. That's right. Brilliant!! Lotion with Hot Stuff then a layer or vasaline....genious!! Plus the produce bag on the chest - it all worked!

Here's the deal. If you get to race Punchbowl or UCLA or whatever they decide to call the race, be ready to suffer. The combo of altitude and elevation gain can destroy you. Chew on this fact. The race was 9 miles shorter than BLVD. I had the EXACT...to the minute, same race time. Brutal.

Tricia had an AWESOME race! She hasn't raced since before her accident in September and has not had a lot of time in the saddle since! But she made the break, taught me a thing or two about roadie tactics, pushed and pulled me back into striking distance, and held onto her 4th place for the finish!

It came down to the same three on the break as the last three races...we just keep passing the baton around. Lisa, Abigail and me...Lisa introduced me to her husband as "the tall one i was telling you about." I did't get it until i saw this picture. But then again I did call her Polly Pocket.

On the holiday i bought some pants, but I could have been better off checking out the Tour of California In Angwin. That bad boy rolled right through my "hometown" of childhood and college. The town has one stop sign, I hope they had a CHP there. But we got wind of some footage of some boys i have known for oh, about 18 years who actually live down here now.

They did the town proud, cheering on Lance and Horner. Check it out. It will not be a waste of your time. You will have to scroll through to the 13th picture. Sorry girls, they are all taken.

"I think we can see Mexico from here..."

Some people are cranky-pants in the morning. I am not!!

Pictured here to the left is me (and Cynthia's husband...) getting ready for some racing action.

Now I truly hate doing race updates, so I will stick to vital facts.

Time: 7:00am
Place: So close to Mexico we all got texts from our carriers that we were being charged International rates.
Otherwise known as Boulevard...
Temp: 36 degrees
Conditions: Steady heavy rain with standing water and strong winds.
NICE!!!!!!


I have a tendency to over heat on the bike, so i opted for base layer, bibs, jersey, arm and leg warmers and wool socks. Oh, and a produce bag. Its not weird at all...Thanks to Brian M, this thing saved my vital organs.

Serious! The items that i thought i would lose were my feet, hands, and face. No biggies there...

Really though, there were times my whole body was shaking uncontrollably with cold. Maybe that's how my Garmin calculated the 2,800 calories burned.

My face hurt soooo bad because it was being pelted with ice cold rain. I looked at the girls with long sopping wet pony tails and actually thought i had the better end of the deal.

My nose was running uncontrollably and my eyes probably looked like I had been balling. That's hot, I know. But simply breathing hard wreaked havoc on the respiratory system.

Everyone finished safe, barring a few near-death encounters with the front grill of the Border Patrol trucks - LAME-O...

For the first time ever I had a very calculated plan and well, it worked.

Sometimes we set goals. And then we forget about them because they are so far-fetched or take so dang long to come to fruition. Well, four years ago when I got shelled off the back at BLVD, I vowed to win the dang thing. And although I did not remember that pact until I crossed the line, I realize this is something that has pushed me on many levels.

High light of the DAY, better than winning, was having brother Jeremy out on the course with teammate/hommie Tricia. They were giving us splits, encouragement, and cheers. At one point, we had up to 3+ minutes on the field!

Hopefully Tricia's shoulder will be fully healed SOON so i can have a teammate in the pack!!

Oh, my cute outfit for the road sports my FAVORITE coffee shop and local hot spot STELL and the best ever bike shop which i can walk to from work! Redlands Cyclery USA! And a lot of great riders and friends!

Dang, I totally lied about this being short, but I am still refusing to dish on the race itself!!

With 12 minutes to warm-up I realized i had broken my helmet in the car. AWESOME!! That is SOOO pro!! Tricia quickly coughed up hers, because she knew the rain water would wash my sweat out. It worked like a charm!

Also, the kits aren't in yet, so I made a pit stop at Christie's house Thursday night and she ponied up some goods! This is the first bib i have worn and i think i am hooked! It is a size smaller than I usually wear, so i was a bit self-conscious that the side panel no longer said Redlands, but yelled REDLANDS!! Who can really tell at race pace though...

Thank you girls for sharing!!

I am OBSESSED with FOOD!!!

And to deal with this, i started another blog!
I have been asked A LOT of questions about food lately and I have also been doing a fair amount of research and experiments in this area.

But I do not want to clog this blog with all that food stuff, so here is a taste of what you can find on Food On Bike!!

Tomorrow I will have add a Mobile Upload of a dessert Sushi roll i had last night. Devine...

But for now...
I really like food. I am consumed with finding ways to make edible and desirable food that doesn't make me squishy, that gives me the highest caloric bang for the buck, and is healthy.

PIE

That day i spent sitting in the Looney Bean Coffee shop in Mammoth, where i was supposed to be reading, but instead was double-fisting a Grande Coffee and a Grande Chai, not to mention the small coffee on the window sill i got for buying a bag of beans...I met this chap named Brian.

He told me about this!

All natural ingredients

CRUST:

Raw Almonds

Med Jule Dates (don't forget to take the pits out)

Put them in a food processor until they are pretty fine

Put into pie pan like you would a graham cracker crust

Chill over night

Next time, i may try baking it for 10 minutes




The Insides:

Raw cashews - soak in water AT LEAST 8 hours or MORE. Drain

Banana

Blueberries

Put it all into a food processor

I added a little agave nectar

Put into crust

Chill for a few hours

I put a garnish of strawberries because bananas change color!!

SUPER good!! i may try apricot in the crust next time, or silken tofu instead of cashews in the middle. Definately try it! It has a huge anti-oxidant punch!!

Its a little on the raw side, but if you are really cutting back on the sugars, this is a great option. Dates are a great option, but PRICEY! Dang!

While you eagerly await my next food post, which is already started, check out these blogs.

These folks seem to have a handle on healthy eating for athletes, with stellar recipes, ideas, and photos!

Check them out!!
VO2 Maxxed
Primal Fusion

While searching the Net for race results that probably will not be posted until next week, when i will find out I got DQ'd...i found other things

How's that for a blog post title!? Like it!

So no, I did not get Disqualified from a race, although i did get a muffled "center line warning" from a Large man on a motorcycle at the Poor Kids College race the other day. Its not my fault these chicas are more skittish than the men that crowd the Saturday ride.

Since I am coming up short on results, i am listening to my iPhone/iPod upstairs while others celebrate this Super bowl thing, wondering why the PE teacher doesn't care. I just don't want the youth of the nation to get fat. A lot of football players are in fact, fat.

Oh yes, I am also Facebooking.

I have 580 friends. It could be 581. Would you like to be 582? i deny no one.
I was asked if i actually know everyone on my list. Yes, i do. In same form or another, i know them by at least name.

Between 4th and 12th grade, i went to 8 educational institutions. (none of them court mandated, i know it looks suspicious) Thats a total of 15 extracurricular "teams" ie basketball, softball, orchestra, and band. Thats a lot of peeps. I also race bikes (if you didn't know that by now, please never read my blog again) and I talk a little bit. Ok, I talk a TON. So yes, I know everyone on my list.

Second issue i have with facebook at this precise moment are photos. My sister, who i thought was busy rearing children and working, is in fact busy copying photos from our youth and sharing them. With the world. Solid. you could have at least left out the ones where i was not at "my ideal fighting weight." People have commented that they would not have recongnized me had she not put that box around my head that lit up with my name. I pointed to the little plastic surgery issue...

What else....

I was reading a blog and i laughed out loud. But Mark, you forgot to mention Zeus, the Tap-Out boys, and Billy Idol. And in your defense, i don't think your posterior has grown. But the size of those biceps...yikes.

So yes, i did dust off my roadie shoes where i covered every...single....break. i thought it was interval work. But they were just trying to work me. Jokes on them. I got third. They got, well, not better than third.

I have some surfing to do...

MMmmmmm, Mammoth

I was trying to remember the last time i drove in snow. Maybe some ill-fated winter day up in Forest Falls. but what i do know is that my high level of loathing for the white stuff has vanished. Maybe its because while living up there the house was 44 degrees and i would find myself defreezing the pipes outside with a blow torch more mornings than should be legal.

Mammoth, was a blast.

Yes, they (like my MOM - rude) used to call me Butter Ball - i used to eat butter, plain. Yummmmmm....

Getting meal number one on the table...

The Table: Brian, me, Jesse and Shelli (their an item...), Steve, Staci - Shelli's sis and Dave

The view out the window. Since i am obsessed with hardship, i ventured out on a run once everyone had left. Since I DO NOT OWN PANTS....i only had running knickers. awesome. But i wore the tallest socks i own and lathered my legs with Hot Stuff, so it wasn't that bad.
I will probably never again have the option for this shot. 56 minutes of straight running while it was snowing. I loved it! Once i got back Condo-side, i set up the trainer, watched Ride for 24, and had some high quality saddle time.

But at one point my clear lense in my Haber glasses straight up POPPED OUT into the middle of the snowy road. I looked left and right. Trucks coming both ways. I spotted the lense by a glint of light from the sun and darted out into traffic and snagged it up before it could get crushed or lost in the snow. Phew...

Staci doing her thang'. This is about all i could have done myself...

The crew getting ready to play. You can tell by my tshirt i was playing House Wife - i stayed in sunday to clean the condo and take care of all the food.

I suppose i could have put some boots on and gone outside to help Brian. Nah...

BTW - although that LOOKS like my car, it's Shelli's. I know, i know. We both have Subaru's, race bikes and hang out all the time. We get made fun of all the time.

They said they got pretty cold out there...

Upon my return, i hit up Smiley for three trips of top secret training. This place ain't that bad after all!!

Rumor Patrol

True and False. Its a really fun game.


In the near past, i have had a plethora of "odd" questions, remarks or statements regarding me and my "personal" life. Although some are not suited for this forum, others are! So here is the most recent rundown:

• Joy never works: FALSE i have 196 contract days some of which last well over 12 hours, 180 teacher-student days. I punch the time clock alright. And if i am not, i am not getting paid. do the math. its not my fault you chose children and a high paying job...


• Joy stopped racing: FALSE. far from it!! I just may be racing different bikes, different venues, and different countries, its no big thing.


• Joy resurrected her social life: TRUE. i wrote on my "TO DO LIST" "hang out with people" and i do everything on my list.


• Joy is European: FALSE. Although my ancestors are, I claim the US of A as my turf.


• Joy is going to Mammoth to Snowboard this weekend: True and False. Yes - going to Mammoth. False on the activity. I am riding my MTB (either inside or out) and being the Chef for the weekend. Dont knock it until you try my food...and then you will be hooked.
• Joy was married at one time: TRUE. Come on, do some research.
• If not a cyclist, Joy would be into body building/figure competitions: Probably True
• Joy lives out of her car: FALSE. I live out of my host home ; )
• Fun has been known to follow Joy: TRUE
• Joy will always ride a Specialized: FALSE!!!!! Cleaning out the inventory!!

If there is anything else that actually "matters" that you would like me to clear up for you, please let me know! Otherwise, have a fantastic weekend!

I don't even think she walks yet...

But i am pretty sure little Gwen would groove to TLC with me as we cruise around town on our bikes. Good work sista'! Now get that kid some shoes and a helmet! At least the priority of the bike is there...

While Gwenny plays, Griffyn works on his Kung Fu Panda skills...don't mess!

What are YOU doing Easter Sunday?

JOY'S 2009 RACE SCHEDULE...

Tempting...

The following is copied from a recent stream on Facebook with Matt Hickman, who at one point played basketball at the same college i did. I got added to some mailing list that included this "event" TdA (which i still don't know what it stands for) ANYWAYS...they were tossing the gauntlet around, and mind you, i have no idea who the rest of "THEY" are. But i just pipped in and asked for time and place...here is the response...


"The TdA is a little event that we have done for two years. It is a race but not a race. Think of it like a club championship. We are talking about two days and 4 rides. There are locations where you can earn sprint or mountain points as well as points at the finish line. The ride is recreational in nature and we wait for people at some areas but where the points are is where the competition kicks in. Most points at the end of the weekend wins the title. There are rules like all CAT 1/PRO riders have to ride a Huffy mtn bike w/ a rusty chain and no tires. Do you still think you can win? Oh and it is in Hagerstown, MD."

It's been a long haul...

It started about 5 years ago at Snow Summit (back when we could actually race there...) It was a 12 hour race and someone from the shop knew a team that needed another chick. Me. But then they needed another one. I had heard that Shelli knew how to ride a bike, so i called her and asked her to be my wing-man. Now, lucky or not, she is my BFF!



While resting between laps, a conversation ensued that lead to the creation of Team Jose Ole, my sponsor and my mother ship for the past 4 years of racing. I have been completely supported, supplied for, cared for, looked after and loved by this team. I have had more backing at an expert level than many pros will ever see. And i am extremely and forever greatful!!!

The bright yellow took me many places. It made me a target with a huge X on my back too! I have had racers come up to me after races and say "i was watching your jersey the whole time and trying to get to you!" And i have had them say the same thing as they pass me..

Here in Vermont I made fast friends with Jackson and Anna as they began their quests on the bike.

At any given point, you could find me sporting my team Sworks Carbon Hardtail (hmmm, this years is pretty), Habervision glasses, and maybe even sipping on some RAD. COLE WHEELS took over as out title sponsor this past year, getting me ready and amped for my first season as a professional. Extended Stay America put me up many a night. I LOVE their kitchens!!!

The blue and white made me less of a target, allowing me to blend into the peleton, or become "pack-fill" as we fondly like to call it. The upgrade was exhilerating yet completely demoralizing. The pain mentally and physically was light years beyond what i had experienced as an expert. Yet completely wonderful!!

I made it through the season injury free - minus my "free brand" on my calf! I finished every race i entered and had only ONE flat! i must have started in over 20 some races, so i feel pretty good about that!!

As i close the chapter on 2008 bike racing and my first year as a professional, i can only look back and smile! it has been a blast! Painful, embarrasing, sad, exciting, fulfilling, perfect, the worst, fun, no fun to be found...but that's bike racing, and that's why i love it!

I could only find one photo that would be appropriate to sign off with for the last time as a racer for Team Jose Ole....

The Joy Trifecta! This was actually made into a POSTER for the team to take to interbike! this was right after I won the California State Series and the National MTB Series...and before i cut my hair again. Oh how times have changed...

Maybe tomorrow I will let you know what 2009 holds...

Out with the old, in with the new

Chile is so last week...

But to sign off on the magical quest, here are some parting shots of Mom and I at the Huife Hot Springs near Pucon. Ice cold river in the background that we would go sit in before jumping back into one of the hot pools! It was also about 80 degrees out so finally got some sun on the belly!!

Everyone bought these hats down there, it made my head sweat.

Laura, what do you think now? I used to think i was a child from anotha' motha'...but i am pretty sure that this one is mine...

This week, its all about the bike... and lifting weights, and yoga, and working, and trying to sleep, and facebooking, and eating and eating and eating...

Sunday brought clear skies and 80 degree weather...

Pretty cool when these trails are 1.11 miles from the garage door. And they are in really good shape...today!

Hook it up! SoCal MTB league starts with the first race March 8th, Temecula. here we have the Redlands Adventist Academy Varsity Team!! What-what!!! So far i have 7 riders and Krista Park was cool enough to come out and do a clinic for us on Sunday! The kids loved it! Adam and Shelli were on hand to lend some mad skills and comic relief, of course....

more to come on these topics later..

Ain't nothin' to it...

Lounging on top of the Villarica Volcano, Pucon Chile...

Climbing a Volcano that is. Pfff.

The brilliant thing about being an endurance athlete is that i can do anything - keep it one thing - continuously, for quite some time. Examples would be laying block, painting the roof, pouring grout, riding in a bus, and hiking 4 hours to the top of a volcano. Switch me onto auto-pilot and i can get it done.

this shot was taken on the way up: Looking out over the valley filled with lakes, mountains, and other volcanos. Here's a secret for you. I had no desire to go on this trip. I am addicted to my routine, my structure, my control. I am also addicted to cycling and my bike and the community it gives me. I had no idea how to cope without it.

The ONE thing i was completely looking forward to was trekking up the volcano. I researched it, opted out of the ever-fun white water rafting that day, and planned my outfit. I knew it would take all day and i would virtually be by myself. Things that i am used to.

Only 4 other people from our group of 71 joined me on the trek. The Sims family from Canada. Through a long process, we got outfitted along with 22 other "tourists" with crampons, ice picks, gaiters, snow clothes and a back pack.

It was a 15 minute drive to the base in a rickety mini-bus over packed with foreigners and gear. I heard German, Portuegues and Spanish. About 7 minutes into the ride it hit me like a flash. I am meant to be a teacher. All plans of hopping back on the education wagon flew out the window with the dust that had come in. I lost all desire to go to physical therapy school. I just KNEW I must teach. This, was a turning point in my mind frame, thought process and basic existance. Borderline creepy, but all too real.

We had 4 guides with us and through the process of natural selection, our group split in two within the first 20 minutes. I found myself with the front group of 8. A German couple, some Brazilians, Chileans, and Danny - a tenth grader from Canada, who became my Charge.
This is Guillermo, one of our guides. Classic...completely classic.


We began at 4,565 ft in elevation. OVer the course of the next four hours we Slowly trudged upwards beyond on the clouds and towards the sulfur steam of the volcano to a max of 9,305 ft.

Now i have raced at 11,000ft and not had much of a problem. But at those events, we were on flat ground. Here, we were pasted to the side of an extremely steep cliff. Each step was buffetted with a stamp of the ice ax into the snow. We stopped at one point and the swirling of the clouds around us had a dizzying effect that left me nauseated and stairing at the snow.

This was so much more than a ride in the woods....

Rumor has it the volcano erupted last January. Here you can see where the lava went....the white on the left side is the cliff...

Resting on a lava flow....looking down into the valley

Danny and I 30 minutes from the top. You can see the steam rising out of the crater...

Once on the top, we had to go see for ourselves...

And this is what we saw. 200 meters across, and you can find lava 50-100 meters down. The sulfur smell wasn't too bad, probably because of the gail-force winds. The volcano sounded like a giant hungry belly, growling and spewing.

We walked as far as we dared around the crater. We had come up there the light snow is...

YOu have to take at least one tourist shot...

Being summer, it was extremely warm. The backs of my hands got super sun burned. i Never even thought to put the gloves on.

Getting down was amazing.

We looked like snow Kayakers!!

With ice axe held between both hands, waterproof suite on, and helmets locked on, we literally jumped into snow slides and flew down the mountain. I felt like i was a human bobsled, you could catch air and a wave of snow started to follow us. There was snow spray behind us and you could use your ax as a paddle to get going faster.

I laughed so hard my eyes teared up and my abs hurt so bad!! Plus, your entire rear become completley numb. i still have bruises on my hips from hitting frozen spots or small rocks!! Amazing...

Watching 10th grader Danny get to the top and back down was another high light of my trip. If i was that overwhelmed with the experience, the sights, and the landscape, how did he feel? The sense of accomplishment and fulfillment is one that rivals when i won the expert MTB National Championships.....