Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Abby's First Race


Barry Wicks Dominates, Lynn Bessette Hangs Tough, and A.J. Hendricks DeclaresVictory!

As the rest of the US has already gone through a cord of firewood this fall, ther ace venue for Surf City 3 & USGP 5 was baked by an offshore wind this Saturday. People unfamiliar to this region might have been surprised, but fall furnace-like conditions aren' tunknown along the California coast, as evidenced in the Oakland Hills not too many years ago.

While I was lucky enough to attend all 3 of this years Bella sponsored CXevents, this would be my 3-year old daughter Abby's second all-day CX outing of the season. We visited CCCX event a week prior, but the stay was short-lived, as Abby "A.J."wanted to avoid the starter's whistle and venture off to a nearby farm stand for hot french fried artichokes and an ice-cold "Squirt (which she likes because it has a "Zippytaste").

Anyway, through the night before Surf City, I packed the family SUV packed tothe gills with:
3 cases of freshly-labeled podium champagne;
1 6-pack of similarly labeled bubbly Apple Juice;
2 cases of ultra-cool "U Bastard" tiki mugs;
1 bottle of Silver-Label Patron;
4 limes;
1 large shaker of Morton Salt;
1 red stake-bed Radio Flyer wagon;
and
Abby's Pink with White Kitties Specialized Singlespeed.

This might have been an odd packing list for anything else, but for a Velo Bella"Event", it seemed just right.

Since Abby has all but ignored the bike for the last few weeks, I wasn't too sure how much action the bike would see, but I loaded it up "just in case". For some reason on the drive up, Abby became quite clear that she was ready toget her hula on with the Bellas. We had packed her baby-sized pink hula skirt, which shewasn't interested in, but the flower bracelet from flair princess Laura was gladly received. As soon as champagne and tiki mug deliveries were done, we had to rush over tothe "Patron Feed Zone" for Robin. We had forgotten just about everything to properly attend to her, including our limes, but after a quick detour to parking, Robin was back on her way with a bit more than endorphins about to kick in.

By that time, Abby decided to get warmed up for her race, and she demanded that the race should begin once she jumped on her pink kitty bike with her helmet on. If there was apoint in her life where she decided she was a Bella, there was no question now,as she proudly proclaimed to any that would listen what her club affiliation was. Finally, after signing the waiver, warming up, having Laura pin on her "lucky"number, and figuring out which way to spin her pedals, we were ready to head to "The MainEvent". As we headed over, there was already a couple of 8 to 10 years olds tearing up thecourse with their CX converted 20" BMX rigs. No worries for 3 year old Abby on her 16inch kitty bike - once I explained that the older kids would soon be spent, she was sure to dominate the course.

By the way, great course layout on the Kiddies – It even had a zigzag around some barns and a dirt run-up.

As the last of kids started lining up, trying their best to position themselves for their sprint to the first barrier, Abby remained calm, and even laid downsome smack to the bigger riders. (One great footnote – as the kiddie riders lined up fortheir race, Kona Pro Wendy Simms was there to cheer on their start – now that's a class act).

Once the flag dropped, the other kids were off through the tall grass like wounded banshees. One kiddie-"pro" took a face-plant within a couple feet of the start, so Abby actually made it over the first set of barriers without being last (I guess I should mention Iwas "helping" with horsepower, steering, and occasional lift). Even though her rig was Papa-powered, I was extremely proud of Abby - she smiled the whole way, she did her best to pedal the whole time, and she stayed glued to that bike, through ditches, grass, off-camber turns, and even while "flying" over the barriers. While Abby was ready to take the race the whole distance, I was dropping fast. The crowd wildly cheered us on as we gassed it down the home stretch. As we came to a stop, I had Abby give out a very deserving victory salute, after which she pretty much assumed that she was ready to take the podium and claim her prizes and treats from Valerie.

From that point on, Abby was a veteran. For a long while after, she practiced her dismounts by taking somersaults off her bike onto her back into the grass. She even discovered the "real" USGP podium, upon which she hopped from level to level, trying them on for size while reaching her arms in the air (She even had to be shooedoff whenthe Women's pros arrived to accept their awards).

And oh, yeah, Bessette and Wicks won their respective races. And ChristineVardaros kicked some serious ass in that heat. Frankly, all of the Bella pros were amazing to watch, and congrats to all therest of Bellas in their races and to all the amazing volunteers – women who hula are coola, & girls who wear grass haul ass.

Surf City Afterthoughts

The ladies write:

***
Thanks to all of the great people that were involved in today's event!

The Fresno Bellas decided at the last minute to join the festivities and we are so glad we made the trip. It was our first cross event ever; we borrowed bikes, learned to shift, adapted to those crazy egg beater pedals and boy.......was it worth it! We had a blast.

We donned our lei's and rolled up to the starting line amongst our fellow teammates, all of which were incredible encouraging. With only 2 miles of mountain biking experience under my belt, I was a bit worried for those around me.I won a super cute Pearl Izumi jersey and Liz took home the Lemond! Thanks for coordinating such a beginner friendly race!
-Denise

***

As always - you guys rock!!
If you have not already heard the news - we are the second coming! We not only threw a great race but we wowed the UCI -no mean feat!

I want to thank everyone who came out, not just yesterday, but for the whole series. We could never do what we did without all of the wonderful and dedicated help we have. I for one, am most thankful to all of you for spending your days in the trenches doing what ever it takes to put on such fabulous races - and with frizzle frazzle too!! How many otherclubs/promoters can do that, I ask you!

Untill next time,
-Amy (I never want to see a waiver again) Hall

***
Hi Bellas and Fellas and everyone that made Watsonville happen:

I'd like to send my thanks out to everyone that worked their arses off to put the race together. The course was outstanding, one of the best I've ever ridden, the vibe was second to none. Everyone in their grass skirts and officials in leis made me smile. It seemed like the weather was in on the tiki theme, next year how about igloos and polar bears?
one million thanks
-Barbarella

***
Yay, Bellas!
I loved my first cyclocross experience on Saturday--every time I think about it I get this big sh*&-eatin' grin on my face (and my imitations trying to get myself and my mtb over barriers have convulsed everyone in my office).

True confession: this roadie was TERRIFIED after pre-riding the course. I ride my mountain bike maybe 5x/year and don't really quite have the hang of clipping into spd pedals (or not crashing). So my first lap was pretty tentative--mostly about staying up and not taking anyone else out. On my second lap, I started to think about moving up and passing people. On my third lap, I finally rode that loose dirt section w/out having to dab. On the final lap, I was downright aggressive (so much so that I finally took myself out in one of the corners).

Thank you for the first-timer kit, the friendly advice, and the generous cheering. I'll be back next year!
-Katie

***
What a way to finish up my birthday:
Loved meeting so many bellas, listening to training talk and getting my first experience of 'crossracing ... I am definitely hooked and looking forward to racing on "Julius," the gorgeous orange Lemond I was thrilled to win! I haven't stopped talking about the Bellas, the race ... and of course I'm now sleeping with Julius in my Surf City tee. BTW: the food was incredible!
-Fresno Bella 'Liz

Friday, November 11, 2005

Halloween Bella Cross: A good excuse to bust out the pink fishnets (again)


By Heather Kirkby

Can bike racing get any more fun than this?

The Bella Halloween race at Soquel High represented everything I love about this sport: lots of fun people everywhere, Bella flair everywhere, crazy costumes everywhere, bicycles everywhere and a hands-down-killer-sweet-awesome cyclocross course that doled out plenty of sweat and tears.

Yes, another Sunday in cross heaven. I love love loooooved this course. Thanks to Jeff and Brent and all the awesome course creators and destroyers & race volunteers.

Highlights definitely included the scary corner full of tombstones and ghouls, the curb rollover, the off-camber descent with a few sketchy lines, the bomber-fast sections past the ball diamonds and all the Bella Love through the start/finish. I had a great race, feeling strong and very pretty in pink. My cx mojo went south in the final lap as I saw the girl behind me closing the gap. Argh, after all that work, I can't let her catch me! The adrenalin surged and I promptly crashed. That photo cracks me up. I love the dust trail.

Since pictures are indeed worth a 1000 words I thought I'd share the experience of this day with a few of my favorite memories. There so many good costumes I don't know where to begin.

Andie Mackie, Amy A and ??? definitely gave a solid performance.
Eyeball man was really freaky to look at.
Sabine was resplendent as the Queen Bee.
Don's car was possibly the most beautiful thing on the course:
The chain gang showed some impressive group-bike handling skills (Iwarmed up behind them for a long time because they were impossible to pass and fun to watch).

Until next time, happy trails...
At least it wasn't a real bare ass, like last year.
Kudos to all the great photographers! Thanks again to the race organizers.

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Highland Happenings


****
Check out my story on the Velo Bella founders in Bay Area Business Women. It's also in their magazine. But more importantly, check out Flying Erin's photo!

By the way, she went in for stitches on her calf after cutting herself during the race today. And for those of you who didn't hear, erin placed 5th in yesterday's race! On another note, there were a bunch of velo bella supporters at the race today as the VB gals put in great performances. Lisa, Erin, Barb and I raced (sami cheered for us). The course was twisty, turny, muddy with a couple of run-ups. After a self-induced slide-out in yesterday's race that put an early end to my efforts, I'm happy to say i made the top spot on the podium at today's event. Barb placed 2nd and erin and Lisa were just behind.
-Christine

****
Thanks for the healing words from all who've written. I had a really great racing weekend but kicked my pedal with my calf when running with the bike around a tight corner on Sunday (note to self - hold the bike alittle further away next time). The calf opened up ina really ugly way and I had to get it all stitched back together on the way to the airport. The funny thing is that I was having a pretty good race and was so amped up that I didn't even notice and just kept racing!

Fortunately Barb, Christine, and Sami all rallied together to get my bikes packed up really quick so I could go the ER and still make my flight. And the girl I was battling with during the race came over and gave Barb a sports-bra full of Burt's Bees stuff to help with healing. Barb was suddenly a Dcup! It was so fun to be on the East Coast this weekend with Barb, Christine, Sami, the fellas, and Lisa, a sweetheart who I had not met before. The announcers everywhere love us and are so proud to have women travel across the country to attend their races. And the compliments on our jersey have no geographic boundaries.I'll be back on the bike for our race. I can't wait.
-erin

****
Don't know if a link was made to this coverage & pics yet:http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross.php?id=cross/2005/nov05/highland05

This one just plain rocks:http://www.cyclingnews.com/crossphotos.php?id=photos/2005/nov05/highland05/5569
-Don

****
I just received a link to more photos of highland park cx race featuring the fab bellas - barb, erin, lisa and me. (scroll down and click on coverage of bike race)

My favorite photo of the bunch is Lisa turning a corner with her legout - well done. They did an interview with me as well. By the way, in the sprint photo between barb and me, it looks like wewere somewhat even in the sprint. But I actually had a gap on her going into the pavement straightaway that she easily closed in a short distance. If the race would have been a couple of meters longer, she would have taken me at the line! Her sprint really impressed me.
-Christine

****
I just wanted to chime in that it was great racing behind Christine, Barb, Erin and Sami this weekend. Also good to see bella Susan Gabriel in the Women B's.

At Saturday's race I saw Sami wipeout in front of me coming off a fast grass decent into a 90 degree gravelly turn. Very dicey corner and she immediately said 'I'm ok' and all I could think was good thing she's wearing those blue'granny' leggins. They saved her from road rash on top of her already injured calf.You gals are inspiring me to race faster so I can learn some more skills. Barb raced phenomenally both days...ok so no surprize to you all out West. Great come back ride to Christine after some tough luck at Camp Hill. Hey, but that's racing. Just when you think you've raced your worst race ever you cancome back & win the next day...nice! Looking forward to seeing ya'll again at Nats.
-DElabella-Lisa