Merco Cycling Classic '13 - Stage 1

Photo Credit : Brian Hodes
...that's me in with the arm warmers

Stage 1 at the Merco Cycling Classic : Alison Powers from NOW and Novartis fom MS is 3rd in the first stage of the Merco Cycling Classic, 1st in the points competition (she'll be wearing the green jersey!)

Maura Kinsella from NOW and Novartis for MS won the most passionate rider award today.

I should have taken my armwarmers all of the way off instead of racing around with them half-way rolled down for most of the race.  I have funny tanlines now.

This evening there was a supper put on by the race organisation.  Davis Phinney came and gave an excellent talk in front of everyone.  He not only spoke about the Davis Phinney Foundation that raises funds and awareness for Parkinson's disease (that he now lives with), but also promoted women's cycling and donated an extra $2500 to our prizepurse! Like my teammate Robin Farina said : NOW that's support. Thanks Davis for your inspiring talk, excellent racing stories, and showing you back women's cycling.  It means a lot.

Stage two tomorrow: 19km time trial. Can't wait to try out my new Specialized SHIV time trial bike. I tweaked my position a little bit this evening...in some bibshorts and a cotton t-shirt.  You've got to be flexible in life.  

Today's results:
1. 463 WILES Tayler Team Specialized-lululemon 2.27'29"
2. 457 STEVENS Evelyn Specialized-lululemon 2.27'29"
3. 437 POWERS Alison NOW and Novartis for MS 2.27'44" 15"
4. 411 DVORAK Andera Exergy TWENTY16 2.29'14" 1'45"
5. 441 HALL Lauren Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 2.29'22" 1'53"
6. 443 WALLE Brianna Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 2.30'44" 3'15"
7. 442 KIRCHMANN Leah Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 2.30'44" ...
8. 436 NEWELL Elizabeth "Beth" NOW and Novartis for MS 2.30'44" ...
9. 464 KIESANOWSKI Joanne Team TIBCO 2.30'44" ...
10. 439 RYAN Alexis NOW and Novartis for MS 2.30'44" ...
11. 456 STACHER Ally Specialized-lululemon 2.30'44" ...
12. 408 OLIVEIRA Flavia DNA Cycling p/b Plan7 2.30'44" ...
13. 431 ALBRECHT Lex NOW and Novartis for MS 2.30'44" ...
14. 447 GRANT Emma Pinnacle p/b Argon 18 2.30'44" ...
15. 416 SANDERS Anna FCS/Zngine p/b Mr. Restore 2.30'44" ...
16. 459 DOEBEL-HICKOK Kristabel SPY GIANT RIDE 2.30'44" ...
17. 409 PERRY Anne DNA Cycling p/b Plan7 2.30'44" ...
18. 412 TAMAYO Lauren Exergy TWENTY16 2.30'44" ...
19. 450 THORNQUIST Amy Pinnacle p/b Argon 18 2.30'44" ...
20. 434 FARINA Robin NOW and Novartis for MS 2.30'44" ...
21. 458 TEUTENBERG Ina-Yoko Specialized-lululemon 2.30'44" ...
22. 414 ABBOTT Mara ExergyTWENTY16 2.30'44" ...
23. 446 GOMEZ Felicia Pinnacle p/b Argon 18 2.30'44" ...
24. 413 TETRICK Alison Exergy TWENTY16 2.30'44" ...
25. 440 GAFFNEY Amber Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 2.30'44" ...
26. 433 DONOVAN Kathryn NOW and Novartis for MS 2.30'44" ...
27. 438 RAUCK KOMANSKI Lauren NOW and Novartis for MS 2.34'51" 7'22"
28. 400 MCCULLOCH Joy CashCall Mortgage 2.34'51" ...
29. 407 NALDER Breanne DNA Cycling p/b Plan7 2.34'51" ... 20"
30. 466 MAROON Mary SB Racing 2.35'31" 8'02" 20"
31. 432 DILLON Olivia NOW and Novartis for MS 2.36'18" 8'49"
32. 417 MCGUIRE Amy FCS|Zngine powered by Mr. Restore 2.36'18" ...
33. 425 THURSTON Emily KENDA p/b RACC 2.37'32" 10'03"
34. 445 CLAFFERTY Sara Pinnacle p/b Argon 18 2.38'07" 10'38"
35. 420 TOWNSEND Sunshine Folsom Bike/Cervelo 2.38'07" ...
36. 444 EWART Annie Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies 2.38'07" ...
37. 415 BALBONI Rebecca ExergyTWENTY16 2.38'07" ...
38. 452 RIOS Jenny SC Velo/Incycle 2.38'07" ...
39. 418 MORGAN Claire Folsom Bike/Cervelo 2.38'07" ...
40. 460 LAROCHE Caitlin SPY GIANT RIDE 2.38'07" ...
41. 429 MUELLER Lisa Metromint Cycling 2.38'07" ...
42. 405 GIBSON Keri DNA Cycling p/b Plan7 2.38'07" ...
43. 435 KINSELLA Maura NOW and Novartis for MS 2.38'07" ...
44. 454 SIEGEL Becky SC Velo/Incycle 2.38'07" ...
45. 402 CIESLEWICZ Rachel DNA Cycling p/b Plan7 2.43'47" 16'18"
46. 465 BORELLI Rita Specialized 2.43'47" ...
47. 430 PREISLER Rikke Metromint Cycling 2.44'09" 16'40"
48. 422 MORGAN Josie Fremont Bank Cycling Team 2.44'09" ...
49. 451 ZIERKE Jennifer Pinnacle p/b Argon 18 2.44'09" ...
50. 455 BRECK Holly SC Velo/Incylce 2.44'09" ...
51. 449 SERR Rhonda Pinnacle p/b Argon 18 2.44'09" ...
52. 448 OLSON Juliette Pinnacle p/b Argon 18 2.44'09" ...
53. 426 MOKRES Lucia Los Gatos 2.44'09" ...
54. 421 PROKOPAKIS Kira Folsom Bike/Cervelo Women's Team 2.45'01" 17'32"
55. 461 AXELL Marissa Team Fremont Bank 2.47'51" 20'22"
56. 462 NIELSON Heather Team Fremont Bank 2.47'51" ...
57. 453 RODRIGUEZ Beatriz SC Velo/Incycle 2.48'55" 21'26"
58. 428 MAZZOCHETTE Eileen Metromint Cycling 2.55'23" 27'54"
59. 410 SCOTT Kaytie DNA Cycling p/b Plan7 2.55'23" ...
60. 406 HILL Megan DNA Cycling p/b Plan7 2.55'23" ...
61. 403 CLOWARD Megan DNA Cycling p/b Plan7 2.55'23" ...
62. 404 GARVIN Kemille DNA Cycling p/b Plan7 2.55'23" ...
63. 401 BELLIVEAU Adrienne CyclesFANATICRacing.com 3.00'00" 32'31"

Food Poisoning Adventure

If you don't follow on Facebook or Twitter, you missed being the first to see the news of the latest (not greatest, but not too shabby either) California adventure.  I went out West to meet some new riders and get some testing done at Athleticamps in Fulsom, CA.  We've got great facilities back at home, but why not explore a little bit when the opportunity presents itself.

I flew in to San Francisco, where apparently Rice-A-Roni isn't such a big deal anymore: street fare is the new hype. I wasn't hungry though and headed northbound and inland to NorCal where the next morning determined the fate of the rest of my stay.  I choose the breakfast panini over sugary, soupy oatmeal.  Bad choice.

Athleticamps gave me the opportunity to do a lactate threshold test.  They drew blood out of my earlobe at 3 minute intervals to measure and chart lactate concentration levels, while increasing the resistance that I had to pedal against.  Right up next, I was hooked up to a huge tube and a machine.  I wondered if I looked like Snuffy the Snuffalupagus, until I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a mirror: nah, I just I looked like I was about to do a VO2 max test.

VO2 max testing at Athleticamps -Copyright: Alex Chiu 2012

It was during the Retul bike fit that signs of what was about to hit the fan started to show.  All I had to do was push 150 watts for a few seconds while the Retul camera picked up data from the sensors that were stuck all over my body.  The program mapped and measured my movents and the Athleticamps experts used the data to analyze and tweak my position.  But every effort between adjustments was harder and harder for me to complete, I was not feeling good.

At the end of the day, all of the ''evil'' came out of me, you know, the way it does when you have really bad food poisoning.  I spent the next days in bed.  Then, being as lucky as I am, I got 3 seats to myself so I could sleep comfortably on the whole flight home.  My first purchase in Québec: high quality probiotics to get my digestive system back on track.  I'm on the road to a full recovery now.  Going-going, back-back, to Cali-Cali wasn't exactly what I expected.  But it was another great experience to add to the bank.

Ready to get Back in the Air, Like Biggie Smalls.

Who likes Biggie Smalls?  Because: ''I'm goin', goin', back, back, to Cali, Cali'' in two days. 

I scored again this time because I have a connection through ORD, Chicago O'Hare.  It's on my list of favorite airports for 1 reason: the tunnel between the B and C concours.  I'll be frank: riding through it on the moving sidewalk is a trippy experience.  Good, clean fun and I'm all for it.

Chicago O'Hare Int'l Airport: The tunnel between the B and C concourses with flashing neon lights, mirros, and echo-y warning messages to watch your step

I still haven't hooked myself up with Blue Suede Shoes to wear when I fly (you know, like in Mark Cohn's song, Walking in Memphis).  I'll have my yellow Mavic shoes in my Thule carry-on bag though, along with some Look pedals, just in case my checked baggaged doesn't make the connection.  To do otherwise would be a serious beginner's mistake.