Nationals

This year has really flown by. Junior nationals is my biggest targeted event every year. It is exciting as racers around the country pack up their bikes and converge into one town to race for glory.

The road race was on Tuesday followed by two days off and then the TT on Friday and the crit Saturday.

The road race course was really cool. It wasn't insanely hilly but it had a good climb in it. It started in a local high school parking lot and headed out to the 3.5 mi loop. The loop started by going up 1 mile to the feed zone. Then it was a quick descent, a sharp left, and up another little kicker. After that it was pretty much downhill to the next lap.

The field was a little different this year. There were some of the favorites but there were also alot of new faces.

I was stoked to race. At the start they called myself and 5 other riders to the line ahead of the field. I have seen it done it the tour de France or pro races but had never experienced it myself so that was cool.

It was a neutral rolling start for the first couple kilometers. The first lap was slow. We spun up the hills and everyone was just trying to feel out the race.

The race wasn't super fast. All of the favorites stayed together and there were only a few attacks. Roughly every other lap I got a cold bottle from my dad and a nice dousing of water from Mr. Eddie Braga.

As we came around to two laps to go Alexis Ryan began an attacking frenzy. I knew she was strong and followed every move she made. We made it safely around the right hand corner into the last 3k of the course. We all looked at each other and started jogging for position.

ATTACK!! someone went hard on the left but it was quickly chased down. The group swarmed as we reached 1k to go. I messed myself up and was tucked into the middle of the field. I came through the final corner around 9th but managed to move up to 5th. I made podium but knew I could do better.

My teammates also did well with Tommy Lucas 8th (10-12) Stanley Goto 24th, Ryan Grant 38th, and Phil Kinney 43rd (13-14) and John Piasta 18th and Christopher Flanagan 4th (15-16). Nate Geoffrion, Sam Basseti, and Nick Kinney race later and finished 11th, 7th, and 83rd.

All juniors 15-16 and under had 2 days off before the TT. My little sister was sick and I was resting up for my next races so we spent most of our time chilling at home.

The TT course was 12K up a hill and then 12K back down. I had gone out and pre rode the course the day before but had underestimated the distance and was surprised to find that the TT course went 2k down a hill to the turn around.

I had pretty good legs for the TT. I started near the end of our field and I was stoked to go. I had started out feeling pretty good. I caught a few riders but was also caught by 1 rider. I knew I wasn't going to win but I felt like my time would be decent.

The way back was super fast (30+ the entire way). I felt like I died a little on the way out but I really regained my legs on the way back in. My time was 44min and some second in change. My time was good enough for 5th but unfortunately it got messed up and I received a different time and officially 8th place.

Another good All Sport/Team Swift showing with high placing throughout all categories ( we had 11 swifties out at the TT!!!!!!)

I was out for vengeance in the crit. Coach and I both knew my previous races hadn't really shown the type of rider that I am and I was ready to get out and race the crit. With a good race plan and good legs I was ready to go. I was happily surprised to get called to the front of the field again at the line. I was in the zone.

The race was either going 5 or 30 miles per hour. I raced at the front and followed all the moves. I was feeling pretty good but I knew that these girls were fast. As we reached 5 laps to go I began to get antsy. I was ready to go. I took a deep breath and sat in for the ride.

1 to go, 1 to go, 1 lap to go! I could see some people coming up my left. I made sure to stay ahead of them through the first corner. Attack up the hill. Summersby Jenkins attacked hard on the right followed by Grace Alexander. I followed the train and was 5th wheel. I was able to pass 1 girl but we were flying. The entire last lap was around 34 mph.

As we came around to sprint I was tired but I kept hearing coach Laura "grab the bars and GO!" so I went. I finished 4th.

Team Swift went on to get several top 20es in the junior mens field that were 60+ riders strong.

All in all it wasn't my most impressive nationals on paper but I gained alot from it. I have come away super motivated and ready to go. I have my new goals set and within reach.

Not only was the racing experience great but so was the team experience. For the most part it was a group of total strangers to me yet they welcomed me in with open arm and it showed that All Sport/Team Swift really is a very special organization and it made me feel very blessed to be involved with Coach Laura and the team.

Also I want to acknowledge the sponsors who made everything possible (ALL Sport, BMC, Squadra, Sidi, and Mavic) along with my parents, family and friends who supported me through the entire season leading up to and during nationals.

Thanks to everyone!

The Florida fall season is right around the bend. I am looking forward to racing hard and getting my cat up points to reach category 2. I don't have any races for the rest of this month but my mom has body building shows and my little sister has gymnastics competitions. Competing is in our blood!

I'll have some pictures up soon!

ciao

Blog Burning

Getting burned is bad...getting burned behind your back is worse...getting BLOG BURNED is the ultimatum. Whats a blog burn? It is when you get removed from a friends blog list when you the ONLY one on the list...

Oh...there is nothing worse than a blog burn right? WRONG

the only thing worse than a blog burn is being burned...then REPLACED =(

~cough~ you know who you are ;-P

Lake County Stage Race

Baking in the Heat



Saturday's Womens Crit



Craig Creeden (Team ASV), Jos Chalmers (Team Colivita) and I after the juniors race



The start of the womens circuit race



Have a drink!!!



Melted Ice Water...BBRRR!!!!



Womens Finish (Sunday)





Juniors crit



Womens Crit



Sprint Finish (Saturday)

It’s the last race of the spring season...Father’s Day weekend...AND a 110 degree heat index...WOW

This past weekend was the Lake County Stage Race. Saturday was a crit. The course was in an unfinished neighborhood. The roads were nice and there was a small finishing hill.

I started off with the juniors race. The race was FAST and the attacks were flying. About 10 minutes into the race the winning break got up the road. There were a few chase attempts but no one was able to get really organized.

As we came around to the last lap I moved up to about 4th wheel. The field had cranked up the speed and I was prepping for the sprint. As we came around to the final corner most of the field was getting ready to take the inside line but a rider had sat up on the inside. I lost momentum and never quite gained it again. I ended up finishing towards the end of the field but had felt good the entire race.

The womens race was HOT. I felt pretty good and was able to react to all the attacks. The field stayed together for the entire race. No one was super aggressive because of the heat.

As we came to the final lap I tried to move up a little bit. I was caught up in the final corner when the rider in front of me nearly overshot the turn. I managed to keep enough of my momentum and sprinted for 6th in the 1, 2, 3’s.

Sunday’s race was a lot of fun. The course was a flat and curvy 2 miles. It was ridiculously hot out (we got into our car at 6 AM and the thermo. read 92!!!! yikes)

In the juniors race my goal was to try and have a good finish but to just have fun. The race was really fast. Most riders were competing in the stage race and that led to more attacks than usual. My legs were hurting a little but I felt pretty good. I tried to stay up front but for the most part ended up just enjoying the ride.

As we came around to the finish I was a little farther back then I would have liked. I ended up towards the back of the field in the sprint but was totally stoked for the womens race.

The all category womens race was the last race of the day. I didn’t need much of a warm up and hung out under the tent keeping cool.

The first lap was pretty calm. The field was staying together and trying to feel everything out. As we came around the finish line I saw the line of juniors with bottles of ice cold water...I couldn’t get a feed but I did get a shower just about every lap. It felt great (a special thanks to everyone =)

There were a couple attacks but nothing was really sticking. As we were coming around to start 3 laps to go I was second wheel. When I looked back the field had started to slow down and had given us a small 20 meter gap.

"LETS GO" I sprinted past the rider in front of me and told her we had a gap. I ended up on my own hammering up the final hill. I was off the front for a little while but was eventually caught.

The next 2 laps were uneventful. I knew it was coming to a field sprint and began to pick my wheel.

As we approached the final corner the field was still spread across the road. I was behind the 4 women who rotate winning the races. As we rounded the final corner they shot up the outside and I followed. My legs were pretty tired but I was able to keep my 5th place.


It was a great chance to learn a little more before nationals. We are going up to GA one more time and have one more race in Gwinett, GA before nationals.

thanks for reading,

ciao

Ocala Race Weekend

This past weekend was the Ocala Omnium with a RR and TT on Saturday and another RR on Sunday. I felt good all week and was stoked to race.

Saturday's road race was rolling but there wasn't anything to difficult. All the women categories raced together.

The course was very nice. I felt great on all the climbs and felt like my climbing improved since the last time I raced on this course.

The first lap was pretty steady. There were a couple little attacks but nothing stuck. When we came up the final hill there was a split in the field. I found myself in a break of 8 with all the big names. We were soon pulled back and the group settled back down.

There was a KOM about 5 miles into the second lap. I felt good during the sprint and finished around 5th.

In the last 5 miles I moved up to the front. I was prepared for the sprint but was concerned with the downhill finish. In the last mile I was stuck against the yellow line. As we began to crest the final hill I attacked to try and get a gap before the downhill. Another women followed me and came flying by me. I tried to jump on her wheel but wasn't able to. I ended up finishing 11th.

Later that day we had a 4.88 mile timetrial. It was wicked hot out and I felt pretty tired. The TT course was the finishing section of the morning's road race course. I felt okay in the TT and had a time of 12:42.

Sunday's road race course was a lolly-pop shape. The terrain was mostly flat with 1 or 2 little rollers. It wasn't as selective as the previous race.

I felt really good during my warm up. At the start I was totally ready to race. I drifted back into the middle of the field and tried to just stay out of the wind and conserve energy.

For the first 10 miles the field kept a steady tempo around 22mph. There were a few attacks but there wasn't much going on. It was getting pretty hot out and it was really starting to get to me. I took the opportunity to pore water on my back and legs. It felt great and really saved me.

As we came around to start our final lap a group of 5 including Tina Elliot were just of the front. I bridged up but we were soon pulled back.

The next lap, the pace was a little faster and the attacks were starting to fly. With 5 miles to go Julie Walker (Team Florida Velo) was a little off the front of the field. A group of 3 women tried to bridge. We had soon reeled the chase group back into the field but Julie had put the hammer down and was already a few hundred meters away.

As we made the final left and exited the loop I began to move up. I searched for Jennie Collin's (Team ASV) wheel and marked it. She is one of the best sprinters and I wanted to follow her to the line. For the last 3 miles I fought for her wheel. I managed to hold it until the sprint.

As we rounded the final corner I could see a girl trying to sneak in on my inside. I moved up a little and got in front of her. Once we straightened out the sprint started. I felt great in the sprint and moved up two places. I finished 4th in the sprint and 5th overall. It was my best sprint finish of the year.

Next weekend is the Clermont Omnium. It is the last race in Florida before nationals and I am really looking forward to it.

thanks for reading,

ciao

Pics from the TRC weekend

Here are some pics form the TRC race weekend. ENJOY!



Off the Front in the Women's Race



Women's 1,2,3,4 Start



Junior Sprint finish



First place women in the Female Junior 15-16 LAJRS ;-P



Junior Race



Junior Start



Saturdays women's race



Bombing the First Corner



Warming up under the All Sport Tent

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

Sweet 16

This past Friday was my 16th B-day. My parents were awesome and helped me throw a sweet 16. Here are some pics.

In our spare time....cyclists dont dance

craig creeden made an awesome slideshow for me (thanks Craig!!!!!!!)



to the left! to the left! to the left! to the left!!!!

My mom made an awesome cake!

HEY MACARANA!!!we had a record long macarana!


My family really made it a night to remember, and a special thanks to Mrs Onna for the amazing decorations!

drivers beware...here I come! =)

ciao