TRC Race Weekend

This weekend I was determined to turn my racing around. I had a new strategy and was pumped up and ready to race.

Day 1 was a flat, curvy and fast. The course was in a not yet developed subdivision. It was very open and the wind was really blowing during my race.

At the start line I was really stoked. My legs felt great and the field was much bigger than normal. From go I settled into the front of the field. I tried to mark strong wheels. I found myself on Jackie Kurths (Team Kenda) wheel. As we came around to finish our first lap she attacked. I followed but once we were caught we were countered by Tina Elliot (Florida Velo).

During this lap 2 other girls bridged up to Tina and they were slowly getting a bigger gap on the field. Our main field had shredded to about 8 riders. I sat on the back and prepped for the sprint.

As we came around to 3 laps to go the sky had grown ominously black. The rain held off but the lighting and thunder had started to roll in. As we came around to what should have been bell lap we were told that it was our finish. I followed Jackie Kurths wheel and got second in the sprint and 6th overall.

On Sunday the course was almost a mile long. It had 4 corners and wasn't very technical.

I started off with the juniors race. About 10 minutes into the race, the field split. I found myself in the middle of two, seven men groups with another rider. We rotated for a little while and tried to bridge to the lead group but ended up just floating back to the second group.

For the most part we did a tempo pace line. There were couple attacks but they were quickly pulled back. With 5 laps to go we were caught by the 2 leaders. I jumped onto their wheel and stayed there.

On the last lap an attack went. I followed the first chaser and was getting ready for the sprint. As we rounded the final corner the guy in front of me (Matao Zaluaga-Team Paisa- had given me a good lead out to the final corner =) peeled off and left me with open road. With the 1 rider still in front I sprinted. I could see a shadow behind me but managed to hold him off to the line. I got 5th overall and was very pleased with my result.

In the womens race later I was a little tired. About 10 minutes into the race Jackie Kurth and Julie Bishop (Florida Velo) formed a break together and were gone for the rest of the race.

I tried to stay attentive but my legs were feeling the previous races. There were plenty of attacks throughout the race and the pace was kept high. With 5 laps to go the rider in front of me (Cristi An Hansley - Team Tri Star Cycling) attacked and I followed. At the line we had a huge gap but she gave me a look and sat up.

I made the choice to keep going. I held the field off for 3 laps and was caught. Right before the field caught me, there was a crash in the final corner. When the group came up to me I hopped into about 5th wheel where I stayed until the last lap when I moved up to 3rd wheel. Coming around the final corner I ran out of elbow room and lost a lot of positioning.

I ended up finishing towards the back of the field. I took alot from the races and gained some confidence form my junior race.

Next weekend is the Ocala Stage Race. With nationals only 2 months away I am getting very excited.

ciao

Practical Jokes

Well when you throw together a few teenagers, a week in a hotel, and an easy target this is what you get. Will Willis made a Wall-Mart run and bought 4 tubes of cling wrap and went to town on David Bush's car. We all had a good laugh and Dave was a good sport and laughed along.
-If you cant cling wrap your friends car, who can you cling wrap?? - Will Willis and Stephen Gerber

NEW BMC!!!!!! =)

I just got a new bike so here is a pic. I love it so far!!! I've only ridden it for a week and it is FAST!

GA Camp

Well this week has been great. I have gotten in some great training and I am so stoked to get back up here.

Todays ride was super tough. The weather was amazing. It was raining all week until yesterday and today. We were able to enjoy beautiful mountains and postcard worthy scenes.

Here are some pics from the week. My next race is in a week (the Stuart Weekend). I am super excited and hopefully will have a good weekend of racing.



Enjoying the rolling hills =)



mmmmmmm yummy cinnamon raisin bagel!



The top of Neel's Gap



David Bush (Team ORC) and I enjoying a spin after Wolf Pen Gap.



The top of Wolf Pen Gap



Craig Creeden having a good time



Will Willis (Team MyoGenisis)



The view from the top of Woody Gap



The Crew (Left to Right: David Bush, Craig Creeden, Casey Gerber, Me, and Will Willis)

GA Ride 1

We are up in GA training in the mountians. Yesterday was our first ride. We took it fairly easy and just goofed off. (we took tons of pics) There were quite a few dogs out on the roads...including the terrible 10 pound EARL the jack russel terrier. That dog could flat out run. Enjoy the pics I'll keep you updated through out the week.



Will and I at the Halfway mark



Mr. Creeden (Craig's Dad) drove sag for us today and deserves some props



Ouch!! =)

Riding Partners Will Willis (Team Myogenisis)and Craig Creeden (Team ASV)







KOM



FLAT!!! =(



After Ride "nutrition"



poker face

Thanks for reading

ciao

State Crit Pics

State Crit Weekend

This past weekend we traveled down to Lakeland for the State Crit weekend.We started off with a pre race on Saturday.

The course was flat with 4 corners in the heart of downtown. It was only .5 mi and the corners were all smooth so it made for a fast race.

I started off with the junior 15-18 race. I hung in until 5 laps to go and then dropped and started prepping for the womens race that followed immediately after.

I was pretty pumped up at the start of my womens race. It was an all cat. race and we had a fairly large field. It was really hot out and I was ready to get out and race.

It started off with some cat and mouse games to see who would go first. Finally the pace started to pick up. The field was pretty stacked so nothing was getting away. I put in a couple attacks and got some gaps. I was off the front once with two other 3's. We had a good sized gap but with some bad luck through a corner we ended up integrating back into the field.

When we came to 5 laps to go I could feel my legs start to tighten when I stood up. I tried to slide up in the field. I could feel my legs get tighter and tighter. I ended up finishing in the field. I had a good race but hoped for better luck the next day.

State Championships...

I was a little nervous at the start. I planned on racing aggressive and going for it. There were plenty of women but some of the big name power houses didn't show up.

The course was the same at Saturday's only we were racing it backwards.

From the gun I was first clipped in..."lets do this" I took off sprinting. I glanced back and the only rider on my wheel was Michelle Blake (Team Colavita-13-14 junior). I drilled it and continued to hammer. We rotated for 4 laps and then I found myself on my own. I was off for a couple more laps before I was finally caught.I hopped back into the field and tried to recover.

I stayed in the field for a while and then tried a couple more attacks. I got some gaps but didn't hold them or get other riders to go with me. On my last attack I was countered and found myself off the back...

After a while I was caught by the 3 leaders and hopped onto their wheel. Soon we were down to 8 laps to go. I sat on the back of the group for the next 6 laps. One of the riders (Tina Elliot-Florida Velo) took off and soloed to victory. I led out Elizabeth Morse-Hill to a 2nd place.

I was happy with the substance of my races but still hope to finally nail the finish. I've taken alot away from the weekend and deffinately have a possative outlook towards my next race.

Next week I travel to GA for a race on Monday and a week in the mountains.

ciao