Jeff & I up at Arrowhead Lake

Yes, I know there was a bike race this weekend...but it was really nice to get some pictures of non-racing! Stay tuned for a photo of the one of the fastest crits I've ever done!  

Yes, we're still in California!

This is what it looked like as Jeff and I drove up the mountain to Arrowhead Lake (only 30 minutes from Redlands!) It was an incredible drive. We went from warmth and sunshine, through fog and snow, to a crisp, sunny winter's day up at the lake! 

Jeff's Here! :-)

The day before the race and we're all out riding the Sunset Loop (for the third time!) Jeff wasn't able to rent a bike, but fortunately we had a spare Ruby he got to try out! I think he's hooked!

Can you see the mountains?

We were fortunate to arrive in clear weather! Many riders will attest to the fact that these mountains are rarely visible during the Redlands Classic. Some people have been doing this race for years and have yet to see them appear! 

Redlands, CA

A lot has happened in the last few days! We packed up and left one of the best host families I've ever stayed with! Thank you Willy and Lori for all your hospitality. We then travelled to Redlands for one of the biggest races of the spring. We're staying with another wonderful family just minutes from the start of the races. Finally, and best of all, Jeff has arrived from Canada! He's here for a week and has brought some of that unseasonably warm East-coast weather with him!  

Sequoia Classic Criterium

I must say that although there were less than twenty women in this race, it was one of the toughest criteriums thus far. Victory Brewing was extremely active in launching their many riders off the front while Colavita and Touchstone were equally active in reeling us in. It was impressive to see everyone bring everything to the table! At the end of the hour Laura Yoisten took 1st, Laura Bowles took 2nd and Sara Tillotson took 3rd. A big thank you to the organizer for bringing back one of the best races in California and for offering equal prize money to both the men and women! 

Sequoia Time Trial

Saturday we got up at the crack of dawn to get to Visalia in time to start our 30km time trial. The course went up Rocky Hill and out 15 km and then turned us around so that we got to climb the other side of Rocky Hill on the way back! I placed 1st today! :-)  

Training ride with Lori :)

 

Rest Day!

Between races we're staying in Fresno with our amazing hosts Willy and Lori. We'll spend the week resting up from the race and training on some of the beautiful routes in this area. Next weekend is a non-NRC race (National Race Calendar) in Visalia, CA. Saturday is a 30km time trail and Sunday is a 50km crit. It will be our last chance to practice as a team before we go to Redlands for one of the biggest races of the spring! 

One, Two, and Three!

The final day of the Central Valley Omnium was a technical crit with a 180 degree turn right after the finish line! We raced incredibly well as a team and surprised even ourselves with the podium domination! It was a great finish to a very challenging weekend. 

Day 2 of Central Valley - The Road Race

This is the after shot of a COLD, RAINY/HAILING road race! We won the race with Laura Yoisten three bike lengths ahead of her closest competitior! You'll notice I'm fully changed and warm at this point. Unfortunatley I got caught in a crash and and wasn't able to get back on to the group. Fortunately I was close to the feed zone, had no injuries and could call it a day. 

On The Podium at the Time Trial, Central Valley

I appear to have placed 3rd, but I was actually 5th (the 2 other riders had left). It was a great 5th place finish - especially on a flat course! In 1st was Christine Thorburne, in 2nd, Kristen Armstrong (who didn't have a time trial bike!), in 3rd, Erinne Willock, in 4th, Felicia Gomez, and in 5th...me :-). 

Central Valley Weekend of Racing

This weekend we packed up and headed to Fresno, CA to race in a three day Omnium (points are accumulated for an overall placing rather than an accumulated time for a GC placing as you typically find in a stage race). The forecast was for snow at the top of the hillcliimb time trial Friday! At 8am that morning, the race organizers changed the venue to a flat route which avoided the snow; yet, left a lot of teams scrambling for time trial equipment. Kudos to Mike (our team manager) for his foresight and planning!

Our First Podium Placing!

The first race of the weekend was a 30 mile criterium in the downtown core of Merced. Our team worked incredibly well together with everyone digging deep for the entire race! Laura Yoisten beat out some of the best sprinters on the circuit to finish in 2nd and Brenda Lyons, after leading Laura out, placed 4th. For a complete race report see www.victorycycling.com  

On our way to Merced for the first race of the season!

 

On the Road in California

I arrived in Santa Rosa last week to begin the first set of races of the season. Over the next six weeks, our team will travel to Merced, Fresno, Visalia, Redlands, Ojai, and Monterey. The weather in Northern California has been quite rainy this winter. As we ride along the rivers in Santa Rosa we can see remnants of the flooding stuck near the tops of the trees!