Together in MS - Duluth, MN

I'm going to Duluth this weekend, because I get to have the opportunity to do a Together in MS ride on a tandem bicycle!  One of the coolest perks of being on N.O.W. and Novartis for MS.  I can't wait!

 For more information on what this event is all about (and the other ones that will be held across the country) visit : www.TogetherInMS.com

Redlands Bicycle Classic : Stage 1

This year, stage 1 of the Redlands Bicycle Classic was held in Big Bear, CA for the first time ever.  It was a 10km time-trial at altitude, on a slightly rolling, and twisty course. 



Erik prepared our Specialized S-Works SHIV bikes the day before the race, as always. Here they are out by the team car, near his workspace.

It was a good thing that NOW and Novartis for MS made the 1hr drive up the mountain to Big Bear to pre-ride the race course a day early with our Specialized Shiv time-trial bikes.  That way we knew what to expect, and weren't suprised by any of those twists and turns on race day.  It probably would have been an even better idea ride it with race wheels on our bikes.  Having a full disc on the back, and deep dish (high rims) on the front kind of changes how the bike handles, mostly in sharp corners. 

It didn't matter much because we still arrived early enough on race day to ride on the road with our Specialized Shivs and race wheels.  Afterwards, I warmed up a little less intensely than I normally would for a time trial.  I figured that it would be a good idea considering how thin the air was up at 7000ft.  Your body just doesn't react the same way...

Alison Tetrick from the Exergy2016 team started 30seconds behind me.  The problem with that was that it was her birthday.   I know what birthday magic can do.  It can work wonders.  Plus, she's already fast.  Nobody likes getting passed in a time trial, so I knew I had to haul ..."keister".  Okay, it wasn't the first thing on my mind but I still thought about it.

 

I ended up finishing 5th place in the day, and passed a few people instead of getting passed (phewf.  OK, I'm joking, but I'm not).  However, the highlight was definitely my teammate's VICTORY.  Alison Powers SMOKED the field, winning with a 30second gap over the second place athlete (Taylor Wiles of Lululemon)  Alison is now the current leader of the race, and our goal is no secret.  We want her in the yellow jersey all of the way until Sunday, when the race ends.   

 

 

I got home and pulled out my Travel Roller, like always, before my massage from our soigneur Michelle.  (Want one? Click the link below)  Stage 2, here we come. 

 



Top 10 Results:
(for the rest: click HERE)

1	Alison Powers (NOW and Novartis for MS)	0:16:10
2	Tayler Wiles (Specialized lululemon)	0:00:31
3	Rhae Shaw (Vanderkitten)	0:00:44
4	Brianna Walle (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies)	0:00:49
5	Lex Albrecht (NOW and Novartis for MS)	0:00:55
6	Amber Neben (The Dare to Be Project)	0:00:56
7	Janel Holcomb (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies)	0:00:59
8	Alison Tetrick (Exergy Twenty 16)	0:00:59
9	Robin Farina (NOW and Novartis for MS)	0:01:02
10	Denise Ramsden (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies)	0:01:07

I love fish.

I'm at training camp with NOW and Novartis for MS Womens' Pro Cycling Team. 

My life has been changed forever.  Okay I'm kidding.  But I tried something new.  A few years ago my dad told me that I "needed" to try a fish taco in California.  I'd never heard of a fish taco before, and it sounded like a greasy, deep-fried  fast food item on a value menu to me.  Had he not suggested I try one, I probably would have just stuck with eating pickled herring out of a jar.  Mmm.  My favorite.

So after riding, we took the FORD C-Max Hybrid team car and drove out to State Street Santa Barbara, and found me a fish taco.  I had been putting it off for 3 years, and that was long enough.

 So what's the verdict?  Ah, they're alright.  But they sure do not come close to beating NordSee's pickled herring sandwiches.  I hope franchises start opening up on this side of The Pond ... SOON!

Team Training Camp

Check out a few of the things I did at the beginning of NOW and Novarts for MS Pro Cycling's training camp in Santa Barbara, CA!

Speedy Delivery

Mr. McFeely passed by my place in Québec City with a special "Speedy Delivery".  Just kidding.  The UPS guy did though.  I posted the photo of the mystery box on Facebook and Twitter, and asked what you thought could be inside.

A lot of people presumed it was nailpolish.  I hope that one day I get a box of nailpolish delivered to my door.  My birthday is in April.  (Hint, hint.)

But there was actually a fancy tin box inside from TIME-SPORT USA.  TIME is a French company that makes high quality carbon bikes and frames, bike accessories, and pedals.

Check out the stats on Xpresso 8 carbon pedals HERE on TIME's website 

They had shipped me a brand new pair of TIME Xpresso 8 carbon pedals.  I knew they were coming but didn't expect them to arrive this quickly.  It's uncannily fitting though.  They say Xpresso is the FASTEST PEDAL EVER INVENTED.  Sweet, because I'll be racing and training with them this season! 

...I love special, speedy deliveries.  Thanks TIME.