Aug 3, 2012

Speaking With People my Own Size

I used to think I was 5'4''.  Apparently I'm only 5'3''.  I don't feel short, but I'm told I am...

The Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove begins this afternoon, but to get us into the spirt, and the school aged kids of Elk Grove IL, I went and gave a little speech at an elementary school with three of my Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies teammates.

We spoke about the team, our Orbea bikes, our Champion Systems kits (with pads for comfort, jersey pockets for snacks, and gloves for safety), our Lazer Helmets and our Look pedals.  We mentioned training and our skills, and why it's important to dream big. 

We answered a few great questions, like whether or not we need to adjust our bikes before every ride, at what age we knew we wanted to be pro cyclists, and, how hard it is to ride uphill.  What a super group of kids, and I'm looking forward to hearing lots of them cheer from the roadside while we're out racing hard.

Aug 2, 2012

Acura : Naperville, IL

The Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies Acura TSX Sportwagon team car
My teammates and I went and hung out at the Naperville, IL Acura dealership, and brought along of a few of our Acura TSX Sportwagon team cars. The dealership even let us drive one right inside the showroom!

Hanging out in Chicago


The flag of the city of Chicago
Normally, I don't get a lot of time to be a tourist when I'm on the road.  I see a lot of pelotons, gorgeous race courses, hotel rooms and host homes, but not a lot of the cities I am in.

Exceptionally,  I hung up my Champion Systems cycling kit, and went out to explore Chicago, IL with my teammates Jade and Leah, and Ken (the new American Criterium Champion!) and Tom from the men's team joined us. 
Tom introduced me to Italian Ice at the Navy Pier, and Ken brought us on a boat tour for an architectural tour of the city.  Too cool. 

I'm not a fan of pizza but the others were keen on getting some authentic deep-dish Chicago-style stuff.  After they scouted some out, we hit up the Wrigley Field to watch a Chicago Cubs game
Wrigley Field

The drive home was extra special as Tom took Jade, Leah, Ken and I on a tour of some of the roads that Batman films have been shot on.  Chicago, you're a fun city to be a tourist in.

NEXT RACE:  TOUR OF ELK GROVE.

Jul 31, 2012

More Winners

Congratulations to ADAM of Windsor who has won this week's bonus prize of a Mathieu Performance and Passion Vélos double prize pack! Adam has won a BLACKBURN light, (c/o Mathieu Performance), a Passion Vélos TR T-shirt, and two water bottles. Congratulations Adam! Your prize will be shipped next Tuesday...I'm in Chicago getting ready for my next race: ELK GROVE.

There are more Mathieu Performance prizes to be won next week, along with a pair of OPTUM arm warmers!  Cool!  Follow me on Facebook to stay up to date on the winners.

Thanks for supporting World Bicycle Relief and the 2012 Season!

Félicitations à Adam de Windsor qui a gagné deux bidons (Passion Vélos et Mathieu Performance) une lumière Blackburn de Mathieu Performance, ainis qu'un T-shirt de chez Passion Vélos.  Merci Adam, et félicitations!

Encore d'autres prix Mathieu Performance à gagner la semaine prochaine, ainsi que des MANCHETTES OPTUM!   Visitez la boutique Mathieu Performance à Québec, ou la boutique Passion Vélos-TR à Trois-Rivières pour acheter vos billets. Merci, merci, merci de supporter la cause! :)

Jul 29, 2012

Prairie Classic, St. Charles IL


La course a été parfaite.  Nous sommes à St. Charles IL pour faire le critérium Prairie Classic.  Notre directrice d'équipe, Rachel l'a même fait avec nous!

La course est partie à bloc, ensuite nous avons lancé plusieurs attaques.  Elles ont toutes été couvertes et ramenées.  À un moment quand la vitesse a ralenti, je savais que c'était un bon moment pour essayer de faire mal aux autres de nouveau.  J'ai fait une bonne accélération et une fille colombienne m'a suivi, mais le peloton n'était pas loin.  Alors j'ai donné un autre coup et je nous ai fait un bon écart.  Je fait comprendre à la fille que je voulais travailler avec elle (elle ne parlais pas anglais).  Et c'est ce qu'on fait, augmentant l'écart entre nous et le peloton. 

Notre méchano, Adrian, qui était sur le bord de la route (dans la ''pit'') m'a signalé que ma co-équipière Jade voulait venir nous joindre.  Le peloton était une quarantaine de seconds en arrière de moi, mais j'ai essayé de maintenir une vitesse qui permettrait à Jade de venir nous joindre sans avoir à trop, trop forcer, tout en faisant que le peloton soit incapable de revenir sur nous.  Une deuxième Colombienne a suivi Jade  Quand elles se sont joindre à nous, Jade et moi avons lancé des attaques, une après l'autre.  Jade s'est échappée, et on a réussi à larguer une des deux filles.  Jade s'est rejointe au peloton de nouveau (elle a ''lappé'' le pack) et j'ai joué au chat et souris avec la Colombienne restante.  Je voulais rester en échappée sans brûler les cartouches qu'il me prendrait pour gagner au sprint pour avoir 2e place.  J'ai réussi, alors on a fait 1 et 2, (la Colombienne 3) et Leah a gagné le sprint du peloton pour avoir 4e place. 
Lex et Jade, 1 et 2 à la course Prairie Classic
Avec les bouquets de fleurs sur le podium, on nous a offert du blé d'inde.  Je l'ai mangé tout crû, délicieux.

Prochaine course: Elk Grove.

Herman Miller Classic: Grand Rapids, Michigan.

On Saturday July 28, 2012, Jade Wilcoxson, Leah Kirchmann and I raced the Herman MIller Classic Crtierium in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  After the expected slew of attacks and counters, Jade broke away with two other riders.  

Jade was just barely outsprinted by the American national criterium champion, Cliff-Ryan, and still managed to stand atop the 2nd step of the podium.  Hoping to round out the top 4 or 5 but only behind the break, I made one final attack with 1 lap to go.  I got caught just after exiting the final corner heading into the start finish. 

Great team racing, and an excellent first race for Leah who is back from her collarbone breaking crash at Nature Valley in MN.

Following our race, we watched the pro men race for their national crit champion title.  Optum ruled the race especially at the end where they took control with more than 5 laps to go.  The leadout train they gave Ken Hanson was perfect, and Ken delivered the goods, taking the national title.  I cheered so hard at the finish line that I had to sit down, very, very fast because I thought I was going to pass out. 

Way to go OPTUM!

Jul 27, 2012

Mirrors, No Mirrors

Without making an absolute generalization, I can still report that the last few individuals that I've pedaled by who had mirrors on their helmets or their bikes, were ironically those who were the most nerve wracking to ride around, and the least aware of their surroundings. 

At the beginning of the week, I came home to Québec from Bend, OR to find that some dufus had ripped the driver's side mirror right off of my car.  I hope it was thrilling.  Because it sucks driving without side mirrors.

I'm not convinced yet that I need a mirror on my bike, but I still want them on my car.

I'm on my way to Grand Rapids MI for a weekend of criteriums with Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies.  I'm looking forward to racing like always, and crusing around in one of Optum's Acura TSX Sportwagons with the mirrors still in tact...

Let's go tear up these crit courses the way we love to do, girls.