Orange is the New Black: Gateway Cup Edition

Posted on by Lindsay
Four weekends ago, I raced the four Gateway Cup crits in St. Louis, MO. Three weekends ago, I raced the Criterium National Championships in High Point, SC. Last weekend, I raced the Thompson Doylestown Criterium in Doylestown, PA. This weekend, I'm in Boston for the TD Bank Mayor's Cup Criterium. It's been a lot of time in the car (because why fly when you can drive and hit every Wendy's along the way) but I have used approximately none of that time to catch up on race reports. And so now here we are, four weeks past Gateway Cup and I'm just getting caught up. And really, even that's a lie, because I'm only posting a bunch of photos. If you want to read about the actual races, allow me to suggest a visit to CyclingNews.com, your #1 source for extremely light and intermittently factual coverage of women's cycling. So, brief backstory: After racing unattached at ...continue reading.

A handy primer on critical issues in cycling today

Posted on by Lindsay
Cycling is a small world filled with heaps of exciting news, gossip, and drama. Somebody doped! Somebody has a motor in their bike! A guy over in Europe went from one team where he was paid a lot to another team where he'll be paid a lot! New products were released that will make you totally faster right after you pay a lot of money to replace those now-worthless parts you just bought! Hooray bicycles! Lately it seems we're overly preoccupied with a few key issues. I'd like to address them once and for all so we can get back to focusing on the more important things, like disc brakes versus dying of obsolescence. CrossVegas Beergate! Issue: Rowdy spectators sprayed beer and threw beer cans at riders during the race. Debate: Who were the naughty spectators? Who should have intervened? What is reasonable spectator/racer behavior? Why do people drink PBR anyway? Suggested Resolution: ...continue reading.

Boom Clap The Sound Of My Heart

Posted on by Lindsay
When I went to registration at Chris Thater yesterday to pick up my race numbers, the man at the table looked down at his registration list and said,"Oh, your team name is blank. Do you want me to fill that in?" I teared up immediately because, duh, I cry over everything. "No," I squeaked. "I'm unattached." He didn't flinch, but I did for what was probably the hundredth time in the past few weeks, since everything went to shit and I bought my new unattached cycling license. It's hard to tell the story of how things unfolded this season without saying too much. Team Colavita has been my home for the past two seasons; my friends, my family on the road, my sole concern in races. I went from being a lone mercenary rider in 2012 hunting for results to being a part of a team plan and I loved the role. ...continue reading.

Tour of Utah Bicycle Awesome Fun Time

Posted on by Lindsay
When it was time to fly to Utah last Saturday, I didn't want to go. Traveling this year hasn't been the joyfest it was in the past. I sat with my bike bag and backpack in front of the check-in counter for nearly thirty minutes, stifling tears and unable to find the motivation to get up and go. "Check in," came the blunt text from the friend I asked for advice. So I did. He was right. Check in. Move forward. Give things a chance to happen. I am so glad I did. This trip was wonderful. Team Colavita had a small squad for the Utah races consisting of Olivia Dillon, Whitney Schultz, myself, and a guest rider, Anna Grace Christensen. Everything about the trip was perfect - our group dynamic was great, we stayed with incredibly cool people, the racing was hard and fun, the scenery was beautiful, and we had so many ...continue reading.

A Happy Anniversary

Posted on by Lindsay
My cycling career began seven years ago today. It was the second race of the Wednesdays at Wakefield mountain bike race series, but my first race ever after only owning a mountain bike for a few weeks. Clipless pedals still freaked me out. I distinctly remember the race not being very fun; it felt like taking an activity I enjoyed and adding urgency to it. Why would I want to do that? Life is urgent enough; why do I have to ride fast too? [caption id="attachment_5190" align="alignnone" width="600"] Wakefield Park, circa 2007. This outfit and my posture are amazing.[/caption] But then the results were posted and it turned out that I'd finished 3rd in the beginner women field. WHOA. I placed, which meant I was actually decent (!), but also that two women had ridden faster than me. I collected my bronze medal and free water bottle and then went on to let ...continue reading.

Never Gonna Give You Up

Posted on by Lindsay
There have been a lot of things that have gone wrong this season. I've struggled, cried, freaked out, and lost my head a few times, but in the end, I have come to this: I love to race my bike. It is easy to love racing when it is fun, when things are going well, when your results and your physical health are glowing. It is another thing entirely to come to the brink of quitting, to fail repeatedly and be totally broken down, and then claw your way back and decide you still love racing. I still love racing. Love training. Love riding. I am still here. Some people will probably remember me as the fragile person that imploded for several months this year. The rider with the eating issues who cried at race starts and backed away from challenges. I can't change everybody's minds. You can't win 'em all. But ...continue reading.