A Swany's Tale

Taylor's Excellent Adventure

2007-09-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

It began with picking up a former short person from camp a couple of weeks ago...as you can see he was real excited to see us...

Summer was winding down so we decided to take off and go camping. Here's the firemaster at work. On the menu? Fried Salted Pork And Meat, bacon and beans.

We did a little fishing but really we just hung out in the sun and paddled around.

After we got tired of Spam we headed in and got real food from Chair 6. That air works up an appetite.

Speaking of air as I had promised to take Tay up in a planethis summer we went over to the airport and Jim the pilot took us up for a scenic flight! It was gorgeous but this was the best pic. He had fun, really...it was just bumpy. It made for a nice pre-back-to-school adventure.

After our busiest summer ever, Shelley and I needed a few days of R&R by ourselves so we headed for the Cape for a few days. We rode bikes, walked on the beach & did the cape triathalon: lobstah, chowdah & beeyah.

Watched a few sunsets too.
A peaceful end to a great summer.

Namaste

Tim

Some Photos from Nats

2007-08-23T22:02:00.000-07:00

http://flickr.com/photos/seemann/1177434357/in/datetaken/
http://flickr.com/photos/seemann/1178360514/in/datetaken/
http://flickr.com/photos/seemann/1178384054/in/datetaken/

Crit Nats

2007-08-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well, it was another weekend of great racing where the team rode hard, smart and had some bittersweet results. Bowlsie got in a fantastic break on Saturday and Heather got the big prime on Sunday's Crit Nats, with Jen just getting pipped on the line for the win by none other than Tina Pic. See the story here.

Me, I was home adjusting my derailleur. Cuz someone's got to do it.

Congrats and great job to the Advil Ladies and Tina too!

Ironman LP/Palfest

2007-08-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

The start, 7:01 am

Doug "Lucky Charm" Berner, Sarah T and Shelley cheer them on

Post ride pub fare at Lisa G's with Pat Scannell and pals Eric G and John D

Well it was that time again, when thousands of triathletes swarm Lake Placid. It's definitely our busiest time of year for massage but I feel right at home. Shelley and I work as much as we can but we have to pace ourselves; our Ironman lasts for 2 weeks. These people were our guinea pigs when we were learning massage and some of our first clients, so they're like family.

This was the first year in 6 or 7 years that I chose not to work the volunteer massage tent on race day. It was a tough choice because it's always very fulfilling and fun to work the tent, but my hands, arms and back really needed a break so I did my usual ride backwards (the hard way) on the course and just cheered on friends and clients for the rest of the day. It felt wierd being "out of the loop", so I'm sure I'll be back in it next year.

Lots of friends came to visit; Sarah Tillotson stayed a few days and Annette from Colavita too, along with Doug B who was wrenching for Timex. Funny story: a local triathalete who comes to see us always has to have Doug touch her bike before every Ironman she does, just for luck, hence the "lucky charm" moniker. I hope it catches on. Or should it be Lucky Star cuz Doug's such a Madonna fan?

John Drenning came back from lawyering in Seattle to do some wrenching at HPC and buy bike parts at cost and is staying a few weeks. It's been awesome; we need a JD fix regularly to whip us into shape before we all become boring. Eric and Alyssa Goodson came too so it was a pal reunion from the early 90s at HPC, aw yeah. Pat Scannell raced and there was even a Todd Eastman sighting. And of course GW was here to entertain all. All in all it's a big partay and people come out of the woodwork to be a part of it. It's a great tight group and a blast to be part of.

I was toying of the idea of going down to Toona for the team but I was booked solid through Friday and honestly, by the time I closed up that evening I had nothing left to give. Sorry ladies, but I'm sure Cindy and Randy did a great job. Way to hang tough and I'll see you all soon, I hope.

Crazy girls

2007-05-01T21:10:00.000-07:00

....Too much girl energy!

Looks like the team is having fun with their new SheBeest clothing. They've got a race a day all week and they're going to need all the energy they can get! Good luck ladies!

Season '07-US Open, Richmond, Va

2007-04-18T05:20:00.000-07:00

Alright I have been a slacker so I've got a lot to catch you up on. This is some old news now but I've got to start somewhere so here tiz since I don't have any bad pics of Bowles to post...oh well...BTW if you want to see bad pics go look at Sue P-K's blog at the post titled, you guessed it, Bad Pics. I especially love the socks...ah, we've all been there, eh?

So anyway April 6 The Advil/Chapstick team descended on Richmond Va for the inaugural US Open Cycling Championships and kicked some butt! Or should it be butts? All the butts that showed up, actually, except Tina's...I guess if someone else has to win it might as well be Tina. Jen took second and Heather third after Bowlsie was off the front making the other teams work. She still hung in for 10th.

Heather, Mara (that's Mrs. National Masters Crit Champ to you) and Natalie ( US Collegiate Crit Champ) did a school visit to talk about being professionals and athletes and women in sports and I think made a few converts. Mara was the master and had those kids eating out of her hand.

I got to be director as well as doing my usual swancanic duties. So far I'm 1-1 as a director. Just my good fortune cuz the team does all the work but I think we had a good plan this time and the racers made it happen. I'll get you next time JW...
More soon!

West coast shenanigans

2007-04-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

Redlands, California, and the Redlands Classic can be summed up by saying that the team rode hard and we all learned a lot. It was a super hard race for everyone and we made it through thanks in large part to our host families who allowed us to invade their homes for a few days. It's not an easy thing to open up your house to a bike team, who are appreciative but have a definite schedule and agenda to keep. Sometimes it doesn't leave much time for socializing; that can be bumped by the realities of training, racing, and recovering for the next day to do it again. So when the opportunities arise, it can be a welcome chance to experience something new.

Here's Heather having her first real hamburger in 18 years at her hosts who were wonderful cooks and own Redlands finest restaurant, Caprice. A hard act to follow so it may be a while till the next one.

After Redlands I was briefly at liberty to do whatever I wanted. I decided to go to Santa Barbara to visit with our Time Bike sponsors and to learn about the bikes. I was met by Doug Knox and Frazer Hazlett who took me through the bikes and loaded me up with some parts and goodies for the team. They're a funny couple of guys and they know their stuff. They have a warehouse there and a nice showroom/outlet store downtown with signed jerseys from Boonen and Bettini and all the Time bikes you'd ever want. After talking with them and getting the skinny on Time I must say that we are pretty dang lucky to be on such great bikes, handmade in France from their own tubular woven carbon/vectran mix, not just prefab carbon sheets assembled in Asia like almost every other carbon bike. They've won the World championships the last two years.

TheTT bike. It's a pretty sweet machine, custom built. I offered to trade the van for one but they said "Mais Non!" Just kidding, the van has been a champ this trip so far. Runs like a top. Knock on wood.

While I was there I wanted to ride, of course! Frazer took me on one of his favorite routes and I have to say that it was the most spectacular ride I've ever done. Starting out on the coast road, we wound along the beach and then headed up into the hills above the city. It was a cool but gorgeous day and we ended up on Mountain road which follows the contours of the mountains, a few hundred feet above the city. Turn after turn there were fantastic views on a narrow little curvy road, very much like the south of France or Italy. After a bit of up and down we turned onto Gibraltar road, which climbs 8 miles up to the top of the mountain, gaining about the same elevation as Alpe D'Huez and Whiteface. I guess it takes Lance about half an hour but I wasn't keeping track of time, just enjoying the scenery. Frazer had to go to work so I was on my own, just winding up and up. The road topped out along the ridge and I could ride the crest, looking down the coast towards LA on the right or into the St. Ynez mountains for 60 miles to the left. Not a car in sight, just a few fellow cyclists, birds, lizards, sun, wind....this ride paid all the bills. The way down was equally fun and it only took about 25 minutes to get back to the shop. Then it was on the road again to Ojai, to stay with hosts extrordinaire Lori and Roy and the Colavita Team for a few days in exchange for a few rubs. They were gracious and welcoming as always and made everyone feel at home. I met up with "Superstar"Sarah Tillotson and crew for a ride or two and had a great time. Ojai is a cool little mountain town like Placid but the region has all kinds of roads that you don't find at home, miles and miles of grades so gentle that you can climb in an easy rhythm for hours, with a return trip that tests your cornering, not just your brakes.

The race in Ojai was attended by just one Advil/Chapstick rider, Kirsten "The Toronto Destroyer" Robbins who had the sprinters shaking in their shoes. Actually Kirsten is more known for her climbing but she had great legs in the crit, making some moves and was quite at home. I decided to jump in the 3's race myself but my training regimen of not training proved somehow faulty and I was eventually spit out on the hill. I took comfort in the victory in the 2's race by Fresno host Jonathan Eropkin, who countered a late move with one of his own to solo in for a well-deserved win. Jonathan is one of those great guys you rarely meet and his family has provided a welcome haven for teams for a few years now. He is also instrumental in organizing the Central Valley Classic. So, good on ya Jonathan!

Afterwards it was time to hit the road for the 4 day drive to the east coast. I want to say thanks to everyone who helped us and made this trip possible. more updates coming soon!

Redlands red-eye

2007-03-24T23:30:00.000-07:00

Well we're in Redlands, California for the Redlands classic, a, well, classic 4 day stage race. Been around for a long time and very hard. Not only for the racers who flog themselves like rented mules ( a classic Tolweism) but for your friendly neighborhood soignanic (or mecheur) it means late nights and early morns, keeping six riders and six bikes tip top. The racers are great even though no one is flying right now, and I have to say that these Time bikes are the shizzle. Tomorrow the race does it's final day around the Sunset Loop; check it out here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJyhCcZOYYE

FYI it's climbing from where the sun flashes in your eyes to the feed zone, and they do it 9 times.

Yee-haw! I am headed to bed.

I'm all Advil

2007-03-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

What a crew...It's Team Advil/Chapstick!

I get a lot of harem jokes.

Let's see; we've got Natalie, Elisa, yours truly, Cindy, Mara, Kirsten and Reem in front.

We're having a blast here in California. we've done some really nice rides and it's been in the 70's and 80's all the time.

This is my view alot of the time. sometimes the riders are a lot smaller because they're way ahead.

This is their view of me most of the time, driving the van. And yes, it's the same van as last year.

Flying the inept and confused skies

2007-03-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not one to complain. I'm usually a half-full kind of guy when things aren't ideal; I prefer to be positive. However, my US AIRWAYS/AMERICA WEST flight out to California was pretty bad. 2 canceled flights. First it was due to weather and that didn't upset me; what can you do? After an hour and a half of standing on line, however, I was reaching a challenging state of mind They finally rescheduled my flight for the next day. They made no mention of hotels, etc. The second cancellation was due to a mechanical, one they had known about the day before but had neglected to schedule a mechanic to come fix. Even that would have been ok, but they didn't catch it until everyone was on the plane. After they realized something was wrong, they stalled while they tried to find a mechanic, and then just cancelled the flight outright. I was not impressed and neither were the hundred or so others with as it took 4 hours of standing on line to reach an agent who rescheduled me for a later flight.

The third try was the charm, and the best part of the trip was running into Jason and Brandi Van buskirk from home in the airport on their way to Vegas! We had a lunchtime beer which I really needed and once we left the ground everything was fine. However, I think that US AIRWAYS / AMERICA WEST has a long way to go and are now my last choice of airline.
Did I mention that this was US AIRWAYS / AMERICA WEST? Good.

Headin back to Cali

2007-03-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

This Massage Therapist is going to Hit The Road Again!

I’ll be working with the Advil/Chapstick professional women’s cycling team as well as the Colavita/Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light womens team as they compete in spring races in California. This reprises my duties from last year, where Shelley and I helped the Colavita/Cooking Light team to a very successful spring campaign which saw them garner several wins, podium finishes in every race and to go into the middle of the season leading the National Racing Calendar points classification. Team rider Tina Pic won the series overall.
I will again juggle duties as soigneur for the teams, mechanic and occasionally filling in as team director.
I will fly out on March 7 to join the team for the Central Valley Classic in Fresno. Balanced Bodywork and Massage of Lake Placid will remain open, as Shelley will maintain her normal schedule and other therapists will fill in during my trip. I'll be back in the office in early April, with new skills and experience to aid my clients. I'll be updating from the road, so stay tuned and check it out!
Peace

More Colavita pics

2006-12-08T08:29:00.000-08:00

Racer Sue
One of the great pleasures this season was working with Sue Palmer-Komar and her husband Chris. Sue has a long and impressive palmares (I won't get into it, google her if you want to know more and check out her blog) and was the steady influence and the go-to rider for many GC races on the team. Always great to work with, she went from being reluctant about massage to being one of the first to jump on the table by the end of the season. She is retiring but will continue to be involved in cycling. Here she is making her one appearance in her Canadian TT Champion jersey at Nature Valley.

I was happy to be there for Sue's final win, at the Green Mountain Stage Race in Vermont. Since I live just over the lake from there, I was able to load up my van and head over to support her and Sarah. A great weekend of racing: lousy weather but Sue won the "Queen" stage on top of the Appalachian Gap, the overall, and Sarah won the QOM. I had to head home before the final day, but Sue, Chris and daughter Trinity treated me to a terrific Vermont dinner as thanks. Next time it's my turn.
Just cruising up the 18% finish ramp for the win!

Thanks Sue for a great year!

Tim

Images from a great season!

2006-12-07T15:50:00.000-08:00

I admit it: I've been a slacker. Not a sitting-on-the-couch-with-the-hash-pipe kind, just a not-making-enough-time-for-people&being-out-of-touch kind. But I was brought back by a call from Willie (Jim Williams, Colavita team director). I'm happy to say that it looks like I will be helping out again, in my kind of do-everything-when-there's-noone-else-to-do-it role. So I'll be available to fill in as swany (swaine?) when the full-timer can't or whatever is needed here and there. I had contemplated throwing my hat in full time, but family, office and relationship are keeping me in Placid. So it's up in the air what exactly I'll be doing. Which I'm o-tay with, you know me.

I had so much fun and learned a lot with the team this season! I've got some pics to share, enjoy.

My favorite racers! Audrey, Brooke, Sima, Sarah, Tina, Sue, Dotsie, Gina after Tina's win at Joe Martin. Missing here are Meshy and Iona, favorites too...

Yay Tina Won! MY pic from Ojai which found it's way onto the team site and thence to Velo News...I'm still waiting for the check. You reading, Felix?

Here's Doog laughing at my paper cup/ scotch tape flash diffuser...

Here's what he looks like without it. Who's laughing now?

I'll check in again soon, and post more pics.

Thanks everyone!

Tim

Road Rules

2006-09-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been a long time. I have tales to tell about the rest of the season with the Colavitas, but today I'm posting a letter I wrote for our club and for the local paper. It's about spelling out ways for cars and bikes to interact on the local roads, and spelling out the laws. It's not the "pro" way to ride, and it's not necessarily true outside of New York, but most people who ride a bike on the road a lot might learn something. And, since pretty much all cyclists are drivers, there are points there to live by behind the wheel. Just cuz you ride doesn't make you a courteous or safe driver.
If anyone is still reading, let me know what you think. Safe riding!

Hello everyone,
Nowadays with more and more cyclists and motor vehicles sharing the roads it's important to know how to live with each other. I've been riding and driving these roads for 25 years, safely so far (knock on wood), and have developed some habits which have saved my skin and others a few times, both on the bike and behind the wheel. I’ve also witnessed some very dangerous, dumb and illegal behavior by both cyclists and motorists. Several bicycle/car accidents and recent events such as a local cyclist being pushed off the road by a motorcyclist have shown that there are misconceptions, bad information and bad habits on both sides, and I’m writing to clear some of them up.

The first and most dangerous misconception is motorists believing that they have exclusive rights to the road, can drive on the shoulder and pass at will, and that cyclists must always yield to cars. These are not true; bicycles are legal vehicles, with their own conditions for use but with the same rights and responsibilities as cars. To show this, let’s look at the laws.
The NY laws as they pertain to bicycles can be accessed on the internet at the following link: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcode.pl?frame=right2&code=NY&ls=claws&law=127&art=57. I'd suggest giving them a good read, both from the viewpoint of cyclist and motorist. Some of the quotes I use are taken directly from these statutes.

According to those laws, no matter what anyone yelling out of their car window says, it is absolutely legal to ride your bike on the roadways unless that particular roadway specifically bans bicycles (the only local example being the interstate). This is found in Article S 1231 of the NY vehicle code which states: "Every person riding a bicycle or skating or gliding on in-line skates upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this title, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions of this title which by their nature can have no application."

To paraphrase, that means that as long as cyclists obey traffic laws as they pertain to bicycles then you have as much right as anyone to be out there and are entitled to the protection of the law. The flip side is that if you are breaking those laws you have as much duty to be ticketed, fined, etc as any motorist. In general the laws are similar for both bikes and cars; use the right side, signal, stop for stop signs, red lights, closed railroad crossings, stopped school busses and when entering the roadway, etc., but there are a few differences I will point out.

1) S 1234 (a) says bicycles should ride to the right on the shoulder whenever possible. However, it also leaves it up to the cyclist to determine what they deem as possible and safe for them. If the shoulder is too narrow, cracked, broken or contains debris or other hazards, cyclists have the right to move to the left of the white line.

There are a couple of other notable circumstances which make it acceptable for cyclists to ride in the traffic lane. First, to make a left hand turn, it is necessary for a cyclist to first take control of the lane. Cyclists should signal, check to make sure that you have room to move left, and move left into the middle of the lane, making eye contact with drivers, then signal again to make their turn. It may be more prudent to wait on the right shoulder for an opening if you're crossing busy, uncontrolled high speed traffic lanes, but in town this is the way to go, especially where there is a left-turn only lane. More on that later.

The second is if the road has "traffic lanes too narrow for a bicycle or person on in-line skates and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane". That means that if there is not enough room to the right of the yellow line for a cyclist and another vehicle, then cyclists have the right to take control of the lane to prevent an accident. The most notable place where this occurs locally is the Wilmington notch in both directions. Again, cyclists should signal to and make eye contact with any drivers, and move left for as long as necessary, no more. It is especially important for cyclists to take charge here because the same spot that is narrow also has very limited sight distance. If you hear or see vehicles coming from both directions, be determined and signal vehemently to the cars behind to stay back and to the right. It's better to attract misguided ire for making someone slow down than to be scraped along that wall when the passing driver realizes there isn't enough room, or to witness (or be caught in) a head-on collision. You may save more lives than your own. In other places there may be better visibility or you can always stop in a pull off and wait for an opening, but that isn't always an option. Be vigilant!

2) S 1234 (b) says that bicycles can ride up to two abreast in the roadway but must switch to riding single file to let traffic pass. If two abreast can fit to the right of the white line or in the bicycle lane or if there is an open passing lane then it's ok to stay that way. Otherwise, "car back" means "single file". It doesn't specify exactly how long you have to single up, but precedents have established that 30 seconds to several minutes is reasonable.

3) These are the hand signals a cyclist is required to use.
"1. Left turn. Left hand and arm extended horizontally. 2. Right turn. Left hand and arm extended upward or right hand and arm extended horizontally. 3. Stop or decrease speed. Left hand and arm extended downward."Note that there are two ways to signal a right hand turn. I recommend that a cyclist’s or motorcyclist’s right-turn signal option be to simply extend your right arm. The traditional “left hand up” signal is often mistaken as a wave. While cycling, eye contact is an integral part of signaling.

4) Now that the days are getting shorter, be aware that it's the law for cyclists to show lights 1/2 hr from dark. See S 1236 for details. You're also supposed to have an “audible device” and those ultra cool reflectors. At least be able to shout and always wear bright or reflective clothing. Reflective ankle bands or shoes are also very visible and distinctive.

So what can we all do to make the roads safer while still having fun and getting where we need to go?

As motorists, there are several things we can do.

1) SLOW DOWN. “Speed too fast for conditions” is a common cause of accidents. When there are other road users present, conditions are different from having a clear road. It is a motorist’s duty to drive at a speed where you can react to sudden hazards and to slow down when there are cyclists, poor road conditions, other slow moving vehicles or pedestrians in the road. This is the open road, not NASCAR; bumping is not allowed and causing an accident will definitely make you late for work and a lot poorer.
2) STAY BETWEEN THE LINES. Keep your vehicle entirely between the yellow and white lines as you’re driving. That is the designated driving lane for cars. If you can’t, you’re going too fast.
3) PASS SAFELY. It’s your decision to pass, so it’s your responsibility to do it safely. If in doubt, don’t. Stay back, keep right and wait for a safe opportunity. When you do pass, slow down and leave several feet between yourself and cyclists, but DO NOT cross the yellow line unless you can see that it is safe. If you think that you are being “forced” to cross the yellow line in the face of oncoming traffic or on a blind curve just to pass a bicycle riding legally, be aware that you’re not being forced to pass at all by anything other than impatience or excess speed. Really, you have chosen to drive out of control. DO NOT pass just before you are going to make a right turn, as you will be cutting off the cyclists you just passed. Remember, cyclists can be traveling 20-40 miles per hour or more. Check your mirrors to make sure you are well clear before you turn. Otherwise, stay back, keep right and wait for a safe opportunity. Usually, it’s only a few seconds.
4) KNOW YOUR VEHICLE. Specifically, know how wide and long it is. Do you have wide mirrors? Do you have cargo that sticks out to the sides? Are you towing a trailer? If so, you must leave extra room and/or extra time to pass.
5) PAY ATTENTION. Driving is not the time to multitask. Remember that you are piloting a ton of steel at speeds fast enough to kill any man, woman or child you hit.

As far as safe cycling habits go, besides obeying the law, here are a few general tips.

1) BE PREDICTABLE. Motorists object more to cyclist's unpredictable quick movements than anything. Signal to and communicate with other road users, ride a straight line, check before you move and don't just make assumptions, like that cars see you and will move over for you. I also strongly encourage cyclists to practice the skills necessary to safely ride on rough surfaces so that you can use the shoulder more often.
2) KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON BEHIND YOU. Look and listen. Either be able to look over your shoulders without swerving or use a mirror. Leave the Ipod at home.
3) BE VIGILANT AND ACT PROACTIVELY. On a bike you have more senses available to you to tell you what's happening. You can hear cars, often before you can see them. You can see road hazards more clearly. Act when you see the danger and it’s safe to act; don't wait until the last second.
4) SPEED IS YOUR FRIEND. Riding at a fast pace reduces the difference in speed between yourself and overtaking cars, giving everyone more time to react. One of the most dangerous things you can do is to stop in the traffic lane.
5) ADAPT YOUR HABITS DOWNTOWN. When you can ride near the speed limit and there are parked cars, act completely like a car. Ride at least 6 feet from the right edge and the parked cars, in the middle of the lane. Here you are much more visible and you avoid the greater danger from pedestrians coming out from in between parked cars and from opening car doors. Don't pass stopped traffic at speed because there may be pedestrians or cars may suddenly turn into you. Stay off the sidewalk unless you’re at walking speed, it's for pedestrians. Obey signals and signs, and only let cars by where it's safe.
6) PRACTICE PACK RIDING. If you ride with others, make a plan so that you know who’s going to move over first in the group when there’s traffic.
7) WAVE, DON'T FINGER. Don't forget to smile. You're having fun, right? And gas is $3 a gallon.

Remember: ride a bike within the law and you're not impeding traffic, you ARE traffic.

Back In The Saddle

2006-05-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

May 6th: It's raining; this must be the Jiminy Peak Road Race! Or the other way around. Here I am holding what my friend Joe christened"the Jiminy Jacket" so many years ago. It was quiet at the office so I decided to take a drive and jump in the 35+ field to try out my legs. I'm not sure what posessed me; was it the memories of the great rides this spring out west? The opportunity to flaunt the Colavita/Cooking Light team's threads during my warm up? Inspiration from working with an amazing team of women racers who make it look easy? Or is it just Altzheimers setting in? Anyway, it was my first race in...well, let's just say it's been awhile, and it was...illuminating. Fun, though, good training for events more suited to me and it was good to see the old crowd again. (And getting older all the time!) Still fast enough to pass the 3's; after all what would Jiminy be without wet roads and a couple of fields joining up to make a pack of 300 riders? Boring!

So, Sima, can I pull now?

Dotsina wins stage at Gila

2006-05-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

Just another example of great teamwork...even when the teammates aren't at the same race! Raising each other's levels; that's what it's all about. Way to go, Dotsie, Brooke...and Tina!

Bausch channels Pic's sprint (Cyclingnews.com report)
By Kirsten Robbins
Dotsie Bausch (Colavita-Cooking Light) won the third stage of the Tour of the Gila today, beating Rachel Heal (Victory Brewing) and Anne Samplonius (Team Biovail) in a field sprint. Afterwards, Bausch told Cyclingnews that today’s Fort Bayard Inner Loop Road Race had been, “a really tough stage! There is a lot of climbing from the beginning. It has always been tough for me. There are some good climbs and Victory Brewing attacking in the beginning and Willock drilling them at the end, it made it really hard for me.”
The women climbed out of Silver City toward Pinos Altos during the first 30-miles of the race. Biovail rider Anne Samplonius took the first time bonus points which moved her into second place in the general classification, just in front of Webcor’s Erinne Willock. “It seems like Rachel Heal and Dotsie Bausch are racing for third and Erinne Willock and I are racing for second,” said Samplonius.
The climb up to Pinos Altos began directly after the intermediate sprint line where Victory Brewing riders began their attacks to try to separate the field. “We had a team plan to get a group away over the first climb and the decent so that it was a smaller group to work through the flats trying to avoid yesterdays rolling along at a ‘club ride’ pace,” said Victory Brewing team leader Rachel Heal.
A small group that managed to escape off the front on the steepest portion of the climb, including Erinne Willock, Dotsie Bausch, Anne Samplonius, Rachel Heal, Kristin Armstrong and Kirsten Robbins. The break was driven by Willock over the top and down the descent. A small group of riders reattached during the descent and though the break looked good the field regrouped during the rolling 30-miles section of road before the final climb.
Victory Brewing rider Rachel Heal grabbed the second intermediate sprint points moving her into fourth place of the general classification.
Team Lipton Photo ©: Jon Devich

Team Lipton controlled the pace of the field coming into the 10-mile climb. There was a very strong head wind and most teams were satisfied with Lipton taking the initiative. Colavita Cooking Lite rider Brooke Ourada made an attempt to break away but the wind was too strong and she was brought back before the decent to the fast 4-mile descent finish.
Dotsie Bausch said the finish was, “very windy and sketchy. I got kind of lucky in the finish. I have a long sprint but I’m not so speedy -- I am channeling Tina Pic. Pic is such an inspiration for me so I watch how she does things. She is so crafty and I have to be more like that.
“There was fighting for position and I went a little earlier on the left and it worked out well today. I just muscled it up there and tried to stay where I wasn’t going to get boxed in. Sprints are always half lucky and half sprinting, I was in the right place at the right time.”
Tomorrow the race changes pace with a speedy criterium in downtown Silver City criterium. “I don’t think the criterium will do much to change the G.C. Some of the sprints might have a minor effect and shuffle things a bit with the time bonuses but the overall is going to be decided on the final day,” said Heal.

Spring? Please?

2006-04-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, I don't know if you can tell from this pic but it was dumping snow here today! I shouldn't be surprised because it always does this at some point this time of year every year, but come on, there's ridin' to do! Pretty small turnout at Jack's Jay ride tonight. I'd rather go play in the woods when it's this cold but the trails are pretty sensitive right now. All we need is a week or so of nice, sunny weather and they'll be great. At this rate they should be good by August.

Thye best news of the day was that my Velo News came and in it were 2 items of note. First there was a pic in the "hot" section of Tina in one of Lori's belly dancing outfits, although there was really no mention of the race itself. In fact, there was no mention of the team's Sea Otter win either, although they covered the men's race. Don't any women work there? I think complaints are in order. My favorite bit, though, was a nutrition article extolling the virtues of chocolate milk as a recovery drink! Now for years after rides my favorite thing to have has been a glass of ovaltine and a PBJ. So it was nothing I didn't know, but now there's proof. It was a refreshing article to see in a magazine so stuffed with recovery product ads. Plus it doesn't cost $50 a jug or give me gas. More ovaltine please!

Pals

2006-04-17T20:26:00.000-07:00

While we were at Sea Otter we got a visit from an old pal wearing an ugly shirt. No, not Tom Schuler! Actually it was Chris Goodson. Here it's Sarah (I'm camera shy) Tillotson, Tom, me and "UB" Chris in his old old University of Buffalo jersey. It was great to see Chris again; he used to live in Lake Placid but is now living in Santa Cruz. I pestered him into coming down and checking out the action; sorry we didn't get to hang out much but duty called; tired racers and all. Doesn't Sarah look tired? This is what 22 laps with a gazillion feet of climbing does to a girl. Look tired, Sarah!

Insert your caption here! Best one wins a prize.

Many people have wanted to know about the racer's diet; you know, what their special nutritional needs are. Sima kept knocking back these things; I didn't get the name of them but they were lo-carb, lo-sodium and high in protien. Funny, everytime she'd pick up the jar the cat came running. Good energy for racing or a night of blogging; Jim looks like he's going off the back, wouldn't you say?

Here's Sima congratulating Tina on a great win at the Redlands crit. Nice lids, Tima!

Who'd a thunk it?

Shelley and I dipping our feet in the Pacific off 17 mile drive. They normally charge you to drive down here but we dropped Beat's name at the gate and they let us in for free. Thanks Beat!

High Plains Drifter

2006-04-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

All things must end so it was time for Shelley and I to set off for home in the now famous van. Shelley called shotgun and there's no room in the back, so looks like Sarah's getting ready to run alongside. Nice shoes!

Sarah treated Shelley and I to a goodbye lunch in trendy Carmel, where we found a perfect olive shaded parking spot. We saw a guy downtown trying to parallel park in a Ferrari; with help he managed to get about 18 inches from the curb. Our ride's much cooler. As soon as we got out a guy said Congratulations for the win! Tina, you're famous! I like California.

Sarah saying "You guys are fired!". But will it fit in your carry-on? Or make it to the feed zone? And how about the towel thing? Girls. You don't really need your quads worked anyway....right?

Here we are enjoying California's lovely views. We were going to go to Yosemite but this seemed so much more fun. What's with this place? It's not like there's no more room to add another lane, or a whole other highway, for that matter. Sabotage!

Ill Communication....We came across this helpful sign after about an hour-and-a-half of stopping-and-going. Got it, thanks!

After I dropped Shelley at the Salt Lake airport I copped a snooze by the side of the road. Sleep high, train low!

My shadow somewhere in Wyoming, listening to the Beatie Boys. Sarah lent me some of her cd's for the drive. She's crafty. Thanks, Sarah! You're a superstar.

Hey Doug! Know where I can find a good place to ride around here? Or a Pepsi?

That's all for now but there's so much more to say...drop by the office and I'll tell you all about it.

Finishing with a bang

2006-04-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

Yeah! Tina Pic doubles up at Sea Otter, with Dotsie Bausch in third. The last few times they came through the feed zone they were on the front just hammering! A lot of the field dropped out but we ended up finishing 5 out of 6 in the front group, and as for the 6th, I don't see anyone else who raced in Commonwealth games out racing now; they need rest and so do you, so no worries. Way to go, team!

Pre-race duties

2006-04-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

For the staff, the race is to get the racers ready for the race. Here I am loading up the big guns of the destroyer Audrey. Ka-BOOM!

Team Sports boss Tom "plow" Schuler makes sure the bikes are stacked just right against our new team car. That's a photo of Dotsie Bausch on the car, who won the first NRC road race in Merced, Ca.

Seems like Doug doesn't do anything before races except entertain the racers; actually, he's got the routine down so well that most of his work is done before I really know it. I still feel like I've got a lot to learn.

Here's Doug all set up in the crit pit in Fresno. The early bird gets to lean his wheels wherever he wants. Better luck next time dude!
If all goes to plan you have the racers ready to lay down some rubber. Here's Sima, Brooke and Sue at the line in Fresno. Go get 'em, girls!

What a trip!

2006-04-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

Greetings from California! It's taken me a month to finally start updating people on my doings but since it's pouring today I'm hiding out in our host house and figuring out this blog thing. There's a lot to catch everyone up on so I'm just going to post things in no particular order-more fun that way! Enjoy...

In case you didn't know, I'm doing a stint as the soigneur for the Colavita/Cooking Light Women's Cycling Team. An awesome bunch of ladies and second to none on the bike. One of the perks of the job is riding with them! Here it's (l to r) Audrey "the Face" Lemieux, mechanic "I'm a man" Doug Berner, Sima "for Real" Trapp, Sarah "podium girl" Tillotson, me, and Tina "Oops, I won!" Pic, pausing at Ventura beach.

One of the best things about this trip is that Shelley could join me for a little working vacation, taking a little r&r and taking over as soigneur for a couple of days while I shift my attention to the bikes because Doug leaves to go the Ironman in Arizona to work with the Timex Tri Team. Here she is sporting the team duds at the Garrett Lemiere Memorial Grand Prix in sunny Ojai. Looking good, girl!

Oops, Tina won! I got to call this race on the radio because Jim, the team director, is back home. The team all wear an earpiece during the race so that they can hear the director and talk to each other. It was great; when I said "move up", they moved up, when I said "watch for attacks", they were vigilant, and when I said "go now!!!", they went! Then I found out after the race that my mic was broken and they didn't hear a word I said. Oh well! Great minds....

A World O' Hurt

2006-03-20T08:46:00.000-08:00

Audrey Lemieux has a great pain face. Get out of the way!