Thundastruck at the Nature Valley Grand Prix

Posted on by Lindsay
The Race: Nature Valley Grand Prix The Course: A 7.7-mile time trial, a 1-hour crit, a 93-mile road race, another 1-hour crit, an 83-mile road race, and a circuit race with 14 trips up Chilkoot Hill The Field: Pro women The Finish: A team effort to bring home the Xcel Sprinter's Jersey In a past life, I would have written a race report for each stage of Nature Valley. However, in that life, I also had free time and motivation and one fewer full-time job. So instead there's going to be one report that recaps the entire race in an efficient manner that allows me to get back to more pressing matters: watching three movies on Netflix. The time trial was an out-and-back just short of eight miles without any significant technical features. Official race rules prohibited use of time trial equipment, which was fine by me. The ride was uneventful - I ...continue reading.

In which we visit Park Tool HQ and proceed to touch everything

Posted on by Lindsay
[caption id="attachment_4393" align="alignnone" width="614"] The main work area at Park Tool HQ in Minnesota. Team Colavita is sponsored by Park Tool and we were invited in for a tour while we're in town for the Nature Valley Grand Prix. Those are all vintage Schwinn bikes hanging from the ceiling.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4394" align="alignnone" width="614"] A bike mechanic's dream work area. I know what to do with approximately 1% of those tools.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4391" align="alignnone" width="505"] This guy has welded every Park Tool professional workstand ever made; he's been with the company for over 35 years. It seemed like the right place for a photo bomb.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4392" align="alignnone" width="500"] Scoots getting ready to race on her slick new ride.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4398" align="alignnone" width="553"] I got a new toy with my name on it.[/caption]

Air Force Cycling Classic

Posted on by Lindsay
The Race: Air Force Cycling Classic, Day 1 - Clarendon Cup The Course: 50 laps The Field: Pro women The Finish: 7th My teammate Leah Guloien and I represented Team Colavita last weekend at the NCC Air Force Cycling Classic while the rest of the team raced the NCC Tulsa Tough. After so much travel, I was excited to be at home for a few days and racing in familiar territory. The field was an interesting mix, with several solo and pairs of riders from pro teams like Exergy and Vanderkitten, super sprinter Laura Van Gilder, a number of strong regional riders, and a full squad from Team Tibco. Leah and I suspected the biggest challenge would come from trying to stay on top of Tibco’s tactics without burning ourselves out. The race went exactly as anticipated. Tibco launched one attack after another from the start; with six riders, they could afford to burn ...continue reading.

“I heard that you refused to leave the race.”

Posted on by Lindsay
The Race: Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic The Course: 5 laps of a 12-mile course, finishing at the top of the Manayunk Wall The Field: Pro women The Finish: Right next to Freddy Rodriguez Oh, Philly. What a day. When the Liberty Classic race was cancelled earlier this year, I was crushed. It was a great race - one of the few UCI events on my schedule with the added bonus of being a 3-hour drive from my house. Then it was revived as the Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic, with a slightly modified course and equal prize money for the women. I was thrilled. When I was at a race press conference last Thursday, it was all I could do to keep from grabbing the microphone to babble about my gratitude and how awesome it was that people had come together to save the race. Instead I grabbed the microphone and babbled ...continue reading.

Nationals

Posted on by Lindsay
The Race: USA Cycling Professional National Championships The Course: 63.1 miles, including 2 trips over Lookout Mountain (a steep 3-mile climb) The Field: Pro women The Finish: 32nd Nationals was held over Memorial Day weekend in Chattanooga, TN. I didn't get around to doing a race report and now there's the Philly race to write about, so this will be quick. It was a tough day. I was still dealing with a cold-like virus that left me uncomfortable, and I hadn't managed my work/cycling balance well during the previous week, which meant a lot of unnecessary stress. It wasn't a good combination and it showed in my riding. My mental game was weak and I cracked a bit on the 3-mile climb. I didn't push as hard as I should have and let gaps open that proved too much to close. It wasn't a terrible day and my performance wasn't hugely disappointing, but it ...continue reading.

Time Trials and Tribulations

Posted on by Lindsay
Upon leaving Gatineau last Sunday, the team sent me home with a time trial (TT) bike to build up and practice riding, specifically in preparation for the TT at Nationals this Saturday. Since I’d never ridden a TT bike before, I was eager to set it up as soon as possible and start dialing it in. Because clearly three days of practice was going to be enough for me to CRUSH it at Nationals. The bike was ready on Wednesday. Well, ready is a strong word. The bike was able to roll forward (sort of) and be pedaled (with some effort). Andrew labored intensively to build it but ran into a number of minor issues that had to be set aside in favor of getting me on the bike as quickly as possible. When I set out for the inaugural ride that morning, the shifting was temperamental, the fit was ...continue reading.