Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Fontana Fun

By Judi Mumm

Dirt, yummy. Maybe that's not the best way to begin a race report, but it is DH after all.

V and I raced the Sport class DH at Fontana on Sunday. It was a nice course, rocky, ruts, and a bit technical. During the practice runs I had a few good looks at the ground - note to self, keep feet on the pedals when you're in the air.

V had great runs until race day. She bit it hard on the last practice run. She was forced into a bad line over a rocky section, her front wheel stuck between 2 rocks and sent her over the bars, smacked her head onto the rocks, then to add insult to injury the bike came over and hit her in the head again!

Did I mention that we love our body armor and full face helmets?

V had a clean run and got 1st and I came in 2nd. Velo Bella Swept the Podium!

But wait, that's out of 2 people racing - there's not very many of us 40+ gals out there doing DH. Which reminds me, come on out Bellas, do some DH! I started last year at 40, it's never too late, and really, it's fun. You get up close and personal with nature.

Next weekend is Bootleg Canyon - scary fun.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

CCCX Junior Report


By Katy Kintz

It was long, the course was tough, but I finished it anyway. My second-ever mountain bike race was eleven miles long in Fort Ord last Sunday near the East Garrison gate. I trained only one and a half weeks for this, and I didn’t want to do it unless there was a thirteen-and-under category. Unfortunately, and to everyone’s surprise, the race directors didn’t listen. They made the category eighteen and under.

I borrowed my oldest sister’s Velo Bella jersey to race in. She never wears it anymore. In fact, she never rides anymore. When my mom and I got in the car I was nervous and shaking. When we arrived, my dad already there, I got even more nervous. I rode on the trainer until my other two friends arrived. Then it was time to start the race. We rode up to the start with my aunt, my aunt’s boyfriend, my oldest sister, my oldest sister’s boyfriend, my parents and my brother there to see me.

We lined up, not knowing exactly where to go. Then, they told us to move back farther and let the others come through. After we were all lined up and my mom helped me start in the right gear, the race director blew his whistle and the first group went off. After a few more groups went, it was our turn.

At the blow of the whistle, we went off all in one giant spring. Then we separated and the group expanded into an angry mob of riders. I eventually took the back, trying to conserve energy. I soon realized how little training I had and how much training my friends had. It was a road start, but soon we came to a sharp right turn, into the trees and onto the trails. I rode with the group for a while, and then they all kept getting farther and farther ahead--soon I rode alone. I wanted to die on my first lap. There were three really hard hills. One of the old mean ladies wouldn’t let me pass. She kept moving in front of me every time I told her I was going to pass.

Later in the race, but on the first lap, I was riding over on a really bumpy trail when I shifted up, right as I hit a bump, and I lost my chain. I was frantically pedaling when I realized it. I had never changed a chain before by myself, only watched my dad do it. I jumped off my bike, looked at it for about two seconds, I looked around seeing if anybody was coming, then I quickly, like a instinct I never knew I had, I pulled the chain and put it on half way. Next, I jumped on my bike and I was off again.

Most people were really nice and cheered me on, even the grown up racers. But some racers, like this one older teenager, were really rude. Still heavily breathing and recovering from a hill, a stinky rotten teenager (which is what our family calls some teenagers) came blazing down the trail, almost knocking off the trail and not saying anything. He had no trail etiquette. I would have yelled at him, but I had no breath to speak. I just swerved to the right. At least he knew to pass on the left.

On my second lap was surprisingly easier than my first. The hills were still hard, but once I finished the race I was really glad I did. Even though it wasn’t easy, it was worth it. But, I will not race it again if they don’t have a thirteen-and-under category!

CCCX Senior Report

By Kathleen Bortolussi

EVENT: CCCX race #1 of a 5 race series
LOCATION: East Garrison of Ft. Ord
WEATHER: 72F (those California Winters)
PLACE: 1st, Expert Women
BELLAS at the race: Julie Starting & Daphne (sport), Katrina (Beginner?), and a young gal wearing a Hawaiian lei...who are you?

I was really wondering why I was going to spend $10 in gas, and $30 entry to race in February for another training ride when my legs were already fried for the week. I decided to just sit-in and see how the race progressed.

There were 6 gals in the race: Bev Chaney, Janel Lodge, Amy Bowen, Melanie Dominguez, Paula from Fairfax, Gal from Santa Barbara whose name I forget. The whistle blew and Paula jumped and I settled into the chase pack withBev and SB-gal. We immediately dropped Janel and Mel, and Paula was way ahead.

On lap 1 it was clear that climbing was not SB-gals forte and I got in front of her and was happy to let Bev pull us around the course. At the beginning of the second lap she and I passed Bev to chase down Paula, I pushed the pace up a hill and we dropped Bev. At the end of lap2 we had Paula in sight and at start/finish I caught Paula for the start of lap 3. SB-gal disappeared from behind me and I really just put my head down and didn't look back. Meanwhile there was some nice cheering going on and especially from the young Bella wearing the lei...thank you and please let us know your name?!

I let Paula drag me around for lap 3, and then passed her at the start finish hill and led her around for most of lap 4 (and 2 guys on singlespeeds who also wanted the draft). Paula would fall back on the climbs and then claw her way back. Tough gal (35-39 age group).

On the second half of the last lap I finally dropped her for good and hooked up with one of the single speed dudes who really should be in the Marines. He yelled at me to keep going, and 'harder, harder' for the last 2 miles. I thought he was trying to get me to kill myself. Dino from LGBRC who says he knows Liz Beneshin....nice guy and certainly motivating. I was happy just to pedal to the finish but apparently Dino the gym spin coach wouldnot have it.

Paula was second, Janel was 3rd, I think Bev was 4th, then Mel, andSB-gal dropped out of the race. She was "just here for a wedding and had ridden a bunch the day before"....oh well. I was super surprised at the win and am very happy and motivated. You never know how an early season training race will pan out, and it was just supposed to be another workout. Of course who knows who will show up at the next race and how things will end. One ride at a time, but for now.....it's definitely all good.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

The Boulevard Mountains of Pain Road Race


By Raja

As the lone bella representitive at The Boulevard Road Race, I'd just like to say that they should re-name the race to "The Boulevard Mountains of Pain Road Race". With a bit under 4000' of climbing in 45 miles... I was in a world of hurt! You know those cycling muscles in your legs? Well, turns out I'm missing those! No really, I had a great time. (Does that mean I'm a "sick twisted little monkey"??) This was my first road race and considering I've only owned a road bike for 10 months, I'm excited! I finished just behind the lead group... hum, lots of motivation to train a bit harder!

The race actually started last night.. with the careful application of alternating pink & blue nail polish.... limited to supplies on hand, I'm afraid my flair was just not up to par... needed a little more "zing".

The second race (according to my heart rate monitor) was this morning... attempting to warm up on my trainer. I'm spinning easy and notice that my heart rate is already in the 180's. Hum, someone a little nervous? The 30 degree chill didn't help me much, pure So Cal girl... below 70 it's freezing.

Once the race started things got better. I was able to hang with the lead group until the last hill on the first lap (2 lap course) when 4 of us gals got together and attempted to close the gap to the lead group. A friend of mine in CO said "make friends"... so Lisa, thanks! We got within reach and then hit the hills again. Once again, all hell broke loose and I though I was going to die. By the last climb I had managed to out climb the remaining girl that I was riding with and knew the finish was just a solid 4 mile climb away.... and then finished.

So to all your Bellas - you ROCK! All you racers - WOW! This s*^t is HARD! A world of pain.... so where do I sign up for the next one??