Palo Pinto Race Report

The Women that are out racing this year, are really out racing. So, different from the past years of Womens racing in Texas. Better Competition ? I guess .. Their are some really strong girls out there and I hope to continue to see the Women come out and race. We all started to work together from the start so it was very Fair , this makes it easier when you are riding into the strong Winds that Texas racing seems to bring. I am very impressed with our Lone Star Works racing team. Annick (AT&T) decided to attack as we were approaching the feed zone, (personally, I think this is wrong) . She was quickly joined by Christina Moore (Austin Flyers) and they worked together , so of course it was up to Lone Star Works to chase them down, and that We Did. We get to the climb, (which, I wasn't sure if it Was THE Climb) As Tracie informs me, it's a long climb. I thought she had said, it was not the Climb, though, it worked out better. She set the pace up the Climb, and I looked back, And the field was gone. We had a Huge Gap. We get to the top, and Tracie takes off. She was able to Solo it in from the top of the climb for the Win, and I solo' d it for 2nd and Tammy was able to sprint in from the chasers. Michelle ended up in 8th place.

Thanks Tim! And the rest of the Gang at Colonel's

The Giant needed some attention after Saturday's race. So, Toby and I headed to Colonel's Bicycle shop in Ft. Worth for some major TLC for the TCR! Tim is one of the mechanics at Colonels and is one of the best mechanics around. He is very Thorough, and takes very much pride in his Work. Not only did he take care of my bike, but he also worked on Toby's bike, as someone ran into his derailler on the sprint finish. Luckily he didn't go down! Thanks again Tim!

LoneStarWorks.com Race Reports

Lone Star Works had an Awesome Weekend Of Racing. The Lone Star Works Women's racing team took the top three spots for both days of racing. On the Dirt, My Clients all had podium finishes as well. Bibi Martinez Won the Women's Expert Category and Ranger Kim also Won her expert Class. Mike Norman had his first 2nd place finish. And Steve remains as one of the top contenders in his division with a 5th place finish at Warda. Race Report for Saturday's Road Race in Possum Kingdom The course was a beautiful route, the Women's race did two 24 mile loops. At the climb, Tracie A. jumped on the climb, meanwhile I was stuck in the back, so I decided to wait and get a ride up to her, as we made it up the top of the climb, Chris Wolfe from San Hose, tried to bridge up, so I jumped on her wheel bridged up to Tracie and then it was followed by two counters in a row, by Smith and Mini Pizzini, the two had created a gap and a break, which was joined by Michelle Montoya,aka M&M and we were quickly pulling through and then, joined by Tracie Ak. (Wow!!) We had a break for a while, but we would eventually get caught . So, the main group stays away until another attempt by Pizzini, Wolfe managed to bridge up with Smith on her wheel. then, a major slow up and Wolfe moving right, took Smith's wheel out. The field went around and I got up quickly to chase back to the group. Of course, this time I looked down and opened up the break lever, which was rubbing on the wheel. I noticed the group ahead and making attacks. With less then, 2 miles from the finish, I managed to get back on. We ended up with a Sprint Finish. I squeezed in between two riders, noticed Tracie on the right, Lead me out for the Win, and Tracie came in 2nd and MM 3rd. Tammy ended up with a 6th place finish.

Day 2 Rain, Manda Road Race

The rain started early for us today, a 7:55 a.m. Start. Not my ideal time to race, but we had brought along the Orbea mountain bikes to get a ride in after the road race. Didn't expect we would be doing a bit of mtb'ing in the race. In Toby's race he ended up going off the road into a cornfield, managed to get right back into the race without putting a foot down.
Luckily the women's race had no crashes. The roads were wet and the course involved several turns through out the race, made the course for a very technical ride.
We had a descent field size, as they combined the women for an open race. The break that stuck was probably about half way through the race. Christina Moore made an attack, and no one went, I seized the opportunity when we had two turns approaching. I jumped before the corner and yelled as I was approaching for Moore to jump on, she couldn't react at the time. I decided to keep on going through the second corner. Of course, I had chasers and as soon as they arrived, I heard Daniele S. yell, "Christina, PoP It", so I did. And jumped again and we were Off. Kate Sherwin, Chris Wolfe, myself and then joined by Natalie Klemko. We all rotated through as the chase group followed closely behind. Team mate, Bibi was the only cat 4 in the chase group. Way to Go Bibi!! As we approached the finishing stretch Chris W. attacked and we bridged up fast , though, we had stopped pulling thru. I looked back, I noted the field and Natalie suggested we still pull thru. We pulled thru a bit, but then Chris W. and Natalie stopped pulling thru. So, Kate was pulling and I was waiting for the jump, which I figured it would come from behind. But, we got closer and Kate decided to go for it. I was on the right and started to go, but noticed there wasn't that much room to the right, so I decided to back off and go to the left and ended up having to throw my bike out in front of me to the line. I missed it by a hair! I should have Jumped. But, I am learning! No one came around . Kate with the win and I took 2nd, Klemko 3rd . The chase group sprinted in and Bibi finished 11th overall. Way to Go Beebs! Thanks again, Colonels for the Awesome Giant and Kenda tires, and Gu energy gels.

Racing in the Rain! Belterra Road Race

I actually don't mind the wet conditions for a road race. I do however feel the urge to give a last minute prep course on wet conditions 101

Well, we had several "breaks" that just would not stay away, due to the fast descents . So, it came down to the Sprint finish. I was a bit unlucky for my position. As Natalie Klemko jumped, Shontell was to the left of me I had to go right, and ran out of room, literally. I found myself sprinting alongside the curb, not even on the pavement, you know the concrete that is only a foot wide from the curb, yeah, that is where I was . I just didn't have enough room to really get my sprint going. So, managed to get 3rd place. Kim Coilli came around at the end for the win, Shontell 2nd. Not so happy with 3rd .



Cat 4 race-Bibi decided to chase down the unfortunate break that didn't quite make it. (Big Girls can Descend with very little effort) So, ended up getting swallowed up by the field and took 7th overall. Not bad for the effort and the conditions.


On The Home Front
Team mate Tracie A. went out for the Aledo Rally, The first Women to cross the finish line for a 150. bucks..But, what was more impressive she tied for 3rd overall. That girl is Smokin' Fast!
Team Mate Becky Reilly went out for some Friday Night Lights, thats Track Racing, Becky finished 4th place. Way To Go Becky!

Waco-Bicycles Outback Presents Outback Blowout

This years race course added a long climb before finishing the 7.7 mile loop with 864 feet of elevation gain, that makes just under 3,000 feet of climbing. The Expert Women ages 19-39 did 2 1/2 laps. We all lined up for a fast road start around the big median, a crowd pleasing start. I like to start hard and sprint from the gun. No drafting off this Wheel.
I actually was not feeling so great for this race, so luckily for me the race course suited me pretty well. Pro Kim Jennings was behind me, followed on her wheel Bibi Martinez. Yee Haw! Bibi eventually would get passed by Leslie Reuter, whom is a very strong all around mtb'er. Though, managed to have a 3rd place finish for the 30-39 age group. And Kim Jennings won the 19-29 age group. The carbon Absalon Alma hardtail helped me win the Race. I would like to congratulate Steve Innes for getting 3rd in his category and Mike Norman who placed 7th in his category. And congrats to Kim Colli for winning her age category in the Sport Class.

Photo Shoot www.gotstrong.com

I did a photo shoot last year for a bike messenger company. T. Strong transportation service. Again, this year Torrance (the president of T. Strong) asked if I would do the photo shoot for their web site. So, check it out at www.gotstrong.com