An Update in Pictures

[caption id="attachment_4639" align="alignnone" width="517"] Nobody cares about this except me, but my car hit 50,000 miles and I felt like it was a special moment. Not special enough to warrant pulling over for the photo, evidently, but still special.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4635" align="alignnone" width="491"] I joined my parents at the beach for a few [BICYCLE FREE!] days and decided one afternoon to walk to the Starbucks in a nearby town. Several HOURS of walking later, the old folks were going strong while I was lagging and limping and complaining down the beach. Apparently a career professional cycling prepares you for absolutely no other physical activity.[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="467"] My father generously held my bag on the walk back so I could get in the water. I got new bathing suits recently at my mother's insistence ("A sports bra and shorts are not swimming apparel!") and after she watched my first ...continue reading.

Expect the Unexpected

The Race: NRC Tour of Elk Grove The Course: Prologue - a 4.78 mile TT, Stage 1 - a 51.8 mile (14 laps) circuit race, Stage 2 - a 44.1 mile (7 laps) circuit race The Field: Pro women The Finish: Stage 1 - 19th, Stage 2 - who knows, Stage 3 - 4th I took a few days entirely off the bike after being an exhausted mess at Crit Nationals. When I started riding again, I took it easy and did everything possible to preserve my legs in the few days before the next race began. I didn't know what to expect at Elk Grove - I was concerned about being physically worn in a way that would require more than a few days of recovery, so I knew I needed to be conservative, minimize unnecessary efforts, and rest as much as possible between the stages. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="614"] Team Colavita ...continue reading.

10 hours and 32 minutes of JOY

The Race: NRC Cascade Cycling Classic in Bend, OR The Course: An all-you-can-pedal buffet of climbs spread out over six stages The Field: Pro women The Finish: Dead tired but alive Oh jesus, I'm still like three HUNDRED race reports behind schedule. UGH. The only reason I'm even bothering with this one is because I took the time to stick photos and course maps into a draft of the post weeks ago and it would be a shame to let that tiny trickle of motivation and effort go to waste. [caption id="attachment_4487" align="alignnone" width="574"] Driving in the team van from the crit in Boise, ID over to Bend, OR.[/caption] Tetherow Prologue TT (2.5 miles) I rode as hard as I could for a few minutes and then it was over. Teammate Laura ended up on the podium in 3rd! I ended up relieved to be done with the first stage and amused ...continue reading.

In which we visit Park Tool HQ and proceed to touch everything

[caption id="attachment_4393" align="alignnone" width="614"] The main work area at Park Tool HQ in Minnesota. Team Colavita is sponsored by Park Tool and we were invited in for a tour while we're in town for the Nature Valley Grand Prix. Those are all vintage Schwinn bikes hanging from the ceiling.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4394" align="alignnone" width="614"] A bike mechanic's dream work area. I know what to do with approximately 1% of those tools.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4391" align="alignnone" width="505"] This guy has welded every Park Tool professional workstand ever made; he's been with the company for over 35 years. It seemed like the right place for a photo bomb.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4392" align="alignnone" width="500"] Scoots getting ready to race on her slick new ride.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4398" align="alignnone" width="553"] I got a new toy with my name on it.[/caption]

Oh, Canada: Getting ready for Grand Prix Cycliste de Gatineau

[caption id="attachment_4270" align="alignnone" width="614"] Every professional cyclist has their mom drive them to another country to race, right? Here we are just after crossing the Canadian border. I was stupidly caught off guard by the instant cessation of easy cell phone service, to the point of wanting to squeak in panic, "Wait, can we just go back to America for one more second? I need to tweet."[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4272" align="alignnone" width="614"] Team territory outside the race hotel in Gatineau. It's fun to see how we all play so nicely when we're not actually wearing numbers and bumping elbows.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4273" align="alignnone" width="520"] You don't take your coffee and croissant on a porcelain saucer while eating in a parking lot?[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4271" align="alignnone" width="612"] Trying to be equally prim while waiting to pre-ride.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4279" align="alignnone" width="590"] My first UCI team presentation. We were situated slightly off center at first, so ...continue reading.

Meet Me in St. Louis

The Race: Tour de Grove The Course: 60-minutes on a 1.2-mile, triangle-shaped course The Field: 1/2 women The Finish: Gasping and limping post-leadout Team Colavita is focusing on NCC events this season and decided a few weeks ago to send a small squad to the Tour de Grove to earn points for the overall NCC competition. It’s been a long season of travel already and this weekend was to be my first one at home in six weeks, but when asked if I’d be interested in representing the team in St. Louis, I didn’t hesitate. I was joined by Jen, our sprinter, and Whitney, recent team addition after her strong showing at Speed Week. [caption id="attachment_4258" align="alignnone" width="612"] Whitney debuting the Colavita kit for the first time.[/caption] The course was a triangle with two very long/wide sides and a corner leading into the start/finish stretch that was more like a U-turn. While the ...continue reading.