Stay tuned!

A new website will be launched in a couple days.  News, updates, and more personal information for those whom are interested!

Back into the swing of things

This guy keeps me grounded.  I love his Monday emails and videos that remind me of important things in my pursuit of the best life possible.

One of his videos several weeks ago caught my attention and sealed the deal... I was finally taking some time off!



I'm back now.  Training.  Coaching. Volunteering.  The best part is that I'm back with more energy and focus then I've had in a long time.

Thanks to Eric Plantenburg for being my voice of reason.

Normalcy

Picking up where I left off...

You talkin' to me?!?  Oh ya...   (p.s. this place actually exists in Amsterdam)

I ended the Rotterdam 6-day in 5th place overall.  Good?  Well, let's see... 1st place Kirsten Wild (NED) just went on to win 3 out of 4 stages and the overall at the Tour of Qatar which is the first big women's stage race for the road season.  2nd place Leire Olaberria (SPA) went on to 3rd place in the World Cup Omnium that next week.  3rd place Kasia Powlowska (POL) went on to win the Individual Pursuit and the Points race at the World Cup that next week. 4th place Jarmila Machacova (CZE) went on to place 2nd at the Points race and do pretty well in the Omnium at the World Cup that next week.  She's currently the UCI Points Race leader.  So, 5th for my form and timing... I'm not satisfied but I'll take it considering.

Pretty bike and wheels, eh?

 I came back to the States and stopped in Atlanta on my way home.  I was long overdue for some quality family time and to meet one of my besties' babies.  It was a quick trip but I got to see mom, dad, brother, sister in-law, mother in-law, Peter, George, Mande, Kara, Joe... and my old childhood bed.  Ahh.

I did some hiking with my brother and my nephew, Charlie.  Hiking is all relative when you are from Colorado.  But, I miss the damp southern forests.

Back home in Colorado, there was plenty of relaxing going on.  I finished a 5 day cleanse- no meat, dairy, grain, coffee, legumes, or Facebook.  

Then added in some hiking.  

 Now, that's a mountain.  (Thanks Jesse!)

I have been doing a handful of fun workouts at my gym- TRX, Kettlebell, all kinds of yoga.

A couple days in Vail thanks to our generous friends Nick and Megan.  No alpine skiing for me.  Just some days on the skate skis just to remind me how much I LOVE that sport.

Maybe a little costumer party along the way.  70's disco!!

WAIT!  Did 3 weeks just fly by and no mention of riding a bike?  What?

Yes.  I did it.  I finally, finally, finally, took a real off season.  Ok, before someone rats me out.  I was seen on a bike a couple times but only when I felt like it.  It was only twice.

I decided after Rotterdam that I needed to rejuvenate the body and mind which meant giving up the opportunity to go to Pan Am Championships or World Championships.  But, I've been dreaming about doing this for a while.  Last year I took 2 weeks off the bike for the first time ever but made the mistake of still doing 2 weeks of bike related things... wind tunnel and Sea Otter with the juniors and I snuck in an early season TT.  So, in reality, I only had 3 days at home doing nothing.

My training started back on February 1.  I may feel out of shape right now but this is going to pay off big dividends this season.  I'm stoked!

I feel like I have been home forever doing "home" things.  Is this what normal people feel like?

Brilliant!

No, not me!  The Alabama Crimson Tide are National Champions AGAIN!  I will be sensitive in how I describe the game since I come from a family where the number of Notre Dame grads far outweigh us Bama grads.  Something like 8-1 in the Higgins family!  But, I think my cousins, aunts, and uncles would all agree that the game wasn't all they hoped it would be but everything the SEC knew it would be.  Sorry Notre Dame.  Thanks for showing up :)

Roll Tide Roll.

So after not sleeping at all last night (I think 4-5 hours) because I was too excited about the dang football game, all I have in me is enough to post some pictures from the racing.  I still sit in 5th place in the Omnium and continue to have some good races and ones I wish I could press the revere button.

For my family who might not get it... that's me on the far left looking down.

Leading out the sprint in the scratch race. (from a night or two ago... can't remember)

Winning the sprint in the scratch race. 

 The track is little and sometimes we get tight.  I am looking for every free inch of track during this sprint in trying to come around the Danish girl in pink.

 Check out that fancy Felt TK1 and Zipp 808s!  People have asked and those are my D2 custom shoes.

With one night of racing left, I am tired and ready to go home.  That's not to say this hasn't been great!  This racing is not like any others I can get in the States or even at World Cups.  In the States, the racing just isn't this hard.  At World Cups, you get once chance and then you are done.  No learning and trying again.  Or, trying new things from the beginning.

A couple of us have come up with a handicap system though.  For every one of the following that you can say "yes" to, then you have to add a 1 point to your Omnium total.
1- Traveling w/ a coach?
2- Have a mechanic?
3- Have a soignuer?
4- Every rub/massage you have received this week is 1 point.
5- Have a road bike with you?
6- Have a boyfriend or husband or dad here?
7- Have a disc wheel for flying lap?
8- Have an aero helmet for flying lap?
9- Have a "teammate"?

That's our new Omnium.

...and, I'm tired...

As I write this, I am trying to stay awake long enough to join some girls for dinner tonight.

First, an addition that I missed yesterday when describing the women I'm competing against.  The other  Polish girl happens to be the current Scratch Race World Champion.  Ya, no big deal.  Just a World Champ.

We raced last night and then the program started earlier this morning.  So, less recovery and sleep.  It's the same for all of us but I think my lack of sleep caught up with me today.  I was just plain tired.  I'm not sure I can blame it on jet lag.  Each night has been progressively harder to sleep since my adrenalin is running high after racing.  I tried some Advil PM last night but I think that made me drowsy this morning.

I figured since everyone was tired and there was limited warm-up (10 minutes?), the first scratch race of the day would start off tame.  So, I chose a smaller gear.  Wow.  Wrong choice!  It was fast from the start.  A group was off the front for the win and all I could do was follow wheels in the bunch sprint.  I ended somewhere around 6th or 7th.  SPINNNNNNN those gears.

Then, my experiment with gearing FAILED big on the flying lap.  I have one more shot at this flying lap thing and I think I have the solution. Three times a charm!  I went slower this time but still ended 5th.

Ok, the points race was my worst race yet... aside from the time I pulled myself out of the elimination early :)  I'm not sure why.  Maybe I was just tired.  I don't have reasons or excuses, it was just a bad race.  I am not sure where I ended since I only had 2 points.

In the overall, I went from 3rd to 5th today.  Time to rally!  Two days left!

I did have some time to enjoy watching the men's races today for the first time.  Here are some photos and videos.

The sprint boys tightening the straps and getting ready!

 Tonight's winner of the team sprint. There is a presentation after each race for the winners.

The derny drivers getting set up.

And, the final couple laps of the derny race.

Way. Too. Tired.

Dinner and sleep is on tap tonight. :)

Getting tired...

Tonight is short and sweet since it's an early morning tomorrow.

Two highlights of the night.

1) The American crew!  Imagine that, 4 Americans at the Rotterdam 6-day.  John, on the left, is my host here in Holland.  Without him, this whole trip would be close to impossible.  As an Amsterdam local, he has helped most Americans who come over here to race.  Jason, on the right, is my friend from Minnesota and he is working on a really exciting project for me.  If I would "help him, help me" we would have it finished soon.  Lisa, on the right, is Jason's wife.  They have moved to Belgium for the month and watching all kinds of fun bike racing on the weekends!

A little video of the velodrome before all the doors open.  Notice all the bars and dining options in the infield.

2) The second highlight of the night was that I won the Scratch race!  See, I told you I would win one :)

In the Elimination race, I found myself playing the devil again.  It is SOOO much fun to do on this track.  But, it is also very tiring.  I ended 7th and simply because I had no more legs to play the devil.  A couple times I would sprint and then quickly go to the black line in the back for recovery but as it ended up the girl in front of me was eliminated so she would stop pedaling.  Ahh!  My fault for playing the game that way but it was a lot of extra energy as I would get gapped off the back.  Next time I will play some and then tuck in the front a little some too.

In the Points race, my goal was to be involved in more sprints.  The past couple nights I have done well by "going big."  In other words, I put a big effort into winning a sprint here and there and then recovering.  Well, I wanted to be involved in all the sprints tonight if even for less points each time.  I need to work on moving in the bunch in the sprint.... which is scary as hell on this track!  So, I was involved in 4 out of the 5 sprints but only ended in 5th or 6th place.  I am not sure.

I think I ended up 2nd overall tonight.  So, clearly, I am figuring out the gears and the track.  Now, the legs are starting to get tired.  I remember though... all the girls are getting tired.  So, here's to more victories over the next 3 days!

Good night.  Early morning!

Women's Start List

As promised here is the list of women in order of the numbers we were given.  I also included what I know, off the top of my head without doing internet research, about them and recent races/results.

1. Kirsten Wild, NED  Crowd favorite.  Wins a lot.  2012 Olympian, Track
2. Leire Olaberria, ESP Currently in 2nd place overall.  2012 Olympian, Track
3. Cari Higgins, USA  ME :)
4. Vera Koedooder, NED 2012 Olympian Track
5. Malgorzata Wojtyra, POL 2012 Olympian Track
6. Janine Bubner, GER Young German rising star.  Moving to AUS this month to train/race/study.
7. Jarmila Machacova, CZE Several podiums at World Cups and World Championships.
8. Laura Basso, ITA Don't know much about her.
9. Lucie Zaleska, CZE Strong.  That's all I know.
10. Chantal Blaak, NED Well known professional on the road.
11. Charline Joiner, GBR (she would tell you she's Scottish for clarification) 2010 Commonwealth Games Team Sprint Champion
12. Julie Leth, DEN Won Points Race at Junior World Championships a couple years ago
13. Nina Kessler, NED Another crowd favorite.  Strong and smart racer. Pro roadie.
14. Katarzyna Pawlowska, POL New face for POL and REALLY STRONG.  She made the podium in the Omnium at Glasgow I believe.
15. Nicky Zijlaard, NED super young Dutch girl who has grown up in the 6-day culture. Her grandpa was who I got the picture with last night.  Her dad is also a derny driver.  She will be big one day!
16. Lucy Martin, GBR 2012 Olympian, Road.  Like most pro roadies in Europe, she has a history of success on the track.
17. Samantha van Steenis, NED young Dutch girl learning the ropes

Here is the link to follow results- http://www.zesdaagserotterdam.nl/uitslagen/vrouwenzesdaagse
Here is a link to maybe find a live feed- http://www.zesdaagserotterdam.nl/home

Goals- stay safe, have fun, try new racing tactics!

Day 2 Rotterdam

Let's start with photos.  Most people are more interested in these anyway.

At the start of one of the races.  Me, Janine from Germany, Kirsten from The Netherlands.

We wear sponsor jerseys.  So, a company pays for a certain rider/jersey.

 The amount of bikes and wheels in the infield is crazy.  And, none of these are women's or U-23.   The infield is about 20% for riders/mechanics (men only) and 80% for entertainment.  The women and U-23 are all in some back hallway. :)

 These are what the stalls for the men look like.  They come here in between races and get massage, food, etc.  This looks dreamy to me!

 The is a FAMOUS (huge star in 6-day racing!) derny driver.  That type of race is something I will have to get video of for anyone to understand. (One of the pictures from yesterday was of 4 of the derny drivers.)  Anyway, this guy is retiring from the derny races tomorrow and they are having a huge celebration for him.  Again, believe it or not, this guy is a rockstar in Holland.  He was making me laugh in this photo!

Racing:
I am starting to get a hang of this track.  It's little and sometimes makes for sketchy racing.

The first race tonight was the Scratch.  Again I went a bit early but I had more gear under me tonight and held off everyone except Kirsten Wild, The Netherlands rider who has won every single race so far.  So, 2nd place.  But, damn, I will win one!

The second race was a flying lap and I totally screwed up my gear selection.  It was silly but I had no one to advise me and I had never done a flying lap on a tiny little track like this.  5th place I think.  Maybe 6th.  12.6 for the 200m flying lap.  I promise I will take at least .3 second off this time the next time I get to do this simply by having a different gear.  Oh, no fancy disc wheel for me!  :)

The last race of the night was the Points race again.  Unfortunately, I wasn't having a good go at it.  Sometimes races just feel like they are flowing and sometimes, like tonight in the points, nothing was flowing for me.  I was just out of sync.  I was 5th in 2 sprints for 0 points.  Worst place to be!  I ended by getting anxious and taking a flier off the front to win the last sprint.  This 5 points put me in 5th place.  Bummer I missed out on those 2 other sprints or else I would have been 2nd place again.  Oh, and, this was the sketchiest race yet!

The beautiful thing about 6-day racing is I can make all these corrections tomorrow!

In the morning I will write about the start list and "who's who" here.  It's pretty impressive!

Good night!

What is a 6-day?

Party meets bike racing.  Drinking.  Live music.  Catered dinners. Entertainment.  Light show. Disco balls. Unruly crowds. Characters.  History. And, a little bike racing in between.

If you want a short intro:  http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/track/?id=sixdayintro00


If you want to see the different races: http://www.6dayracing.ca


If you want all the history and fun information, check out this movie: http://www.sixdaybicyclerace.com

A pretty short video that will give you an idea:

Tonight I will remember to bring my camera to the velodrome and get my own photos and video.

More to come!

I will try...

That's all I will say.   I will try to update this everyday of this 6-day.  Well, besides the night 6 because there will be bike packing and driving and stress.

I'm here.  It's crazy.  The track is little.  The racing is fast.

He's here too.

 Them too.

 I don't know him... or her.  I hope he doesn't drop her.

 And, this was my little corner where my bag exploded.  Not too glamorous.  

Ok, only race reports tonight.  Maybe tomorrow I can explain a little more to those who are new to this whole racing thing.

10 minutes of roller warm-up which averaged 85 watts.  Not a good prep.  I just kept telling myself to go with the flow.  Not knowing the track, I didn't know what gear to ride.  Everything was guess work.

First race was the Scratch.  All was good.  Three off the front and we are chasing hard with 5 laps to go.  I'm in good position and jump.  Ah, crap!  Too early.  I ended 6th or so.  I just remember not knowing how to sprint on the small track last time (3 years ago in Amsterdam) and going too late always. Ok, better idea of gear, competition, and track... moving on!

Elimination race.  I thought all was good but the announcer kept saying my name and "United States." He was saying it over and over and over.  I didn't think I was out but I was fearing disqualification by not pulling myself out when my name is called.  It seems the UCI officials have me well trained!  Well, apparently the announcer just liked talking about me and my "playing the devil."  So, I pulled myself out early because of stupidity.  Next time I hear my name, I will know he just likes saying "Cari Higgins from United States!" and realize it has no bearing on the race.  The officials apologized if that's any consolation. :(  I think I ended 11th or somewhere in there.

Points race I came in 2nd!  A little extra motivation after the elimination.

Here's the start list.  http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/rotterdam-six-day-start-list-1  Tough one!  Love it!

Wee bit dank

After a bad experience with some food sickness at the Columbia UCI Track World Cup (that didn't warrant any blog!), I continued my 2012 season to include the UCI Track World Cup here in Glasgow, Scotland.  

Besides the excitement of racing, there is a buzz in the air because of the beautiful new facility that everybody is seeing for the first time.  Welcome to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome!  I haven't yet caught a picture from the outside because of rain but here are a couple shots from the inside.

Lockers under the velodrome for the local, club riders.  Nice!

 The building is enormous and houses several other indoor sports.  Here is a shot of some basketball courts which are surrounded by a indoor track.  I here there is a gymnastics facility also.  Upstairs is a fitness club with glass windows that overlook the velodrome.  I would pay good money to belong to this club if I lived in Glasgow.

 First day at the velodrome and the sponsors' signs weren't yet painted.  It's shaped much like a cigar.  So much so that the start/finish line is inside of turn 1.  Sprinters track?  I don't know.  But, I think there was a sprinter involved in this design!

I am positive that this message was intended for specific nationals teams... like maybe the Japanese.  I wonder if they are going to have enforcement?

 The USA team mechanic, coach, manager, soigneur (not massage!), and generally good guy.... Ben Sharp.  Oh, wait, you can't see him because he is working on my bike!  Well then, take a look at that sweet Felt TK1 with Zipp Weaponry!  One fast bike and one lucky girl.

 What's that?  Sun!?!  First and only spotting was this morning for approximately 10 minutes.  I had to document the moment.

The first day we arrived, the weather person said the outlook for the week was cloudy and dank. Strange choice of vocabulary but nothing could describe it better.  It's a funny topic of conversation here in Glasgow.  The first thing that the locals do when they meet you is apologize for the weather.  As if it was unexpected or within their control? :)

 I did, however, manage a quick spin outside today since it was the first day it hasn't rained all 24 hours.  Cold but dry.  Next to our hotel is what the local call the Armadillo.  I never caught it's real name but it is an interesting architectural design. 

And... you wouldn't be in Europe without seeing this selection for breakfast.

Racing starts tomorrow! I am, once again, honored to be representing the USA and looking forward to racing to the best of my ability.  Go Fast, Turn Left!

2012 Track Nationals

Mostly in pictures...

It's been a busy schedule the last 4 days.  5 events (racing 7 times), lots of driving, and not enough sleep.

Individual Pursuit- the bane of my existence.  I continue to see improvements but still question my sanity every time I am on the starting line for this event.  Why?  I ended up 3rd missing the Gold medal ride my .4 seconds.  The girl who beat me by .4 seconds ended up winning the Gold.  So close, yet...

Team Pursuit... oh how I love this event!  Added bonus was the team that Exergy TWENTY12 put together.  Lauren Tamayo fresh off a Silver medal at the Olympics.  And, Jackie Crowell who is strong like bull but had never raced the event before.  Lauren and I took over the pace setting and thinking and just told Jackie to hang on.  A little rough around the edges but GOLD none the less.

The winning Team Pursuit team!

Scratch and Points- I love racing my bike!

I ended up working for a teammate in the Scratch and she took Silver.  The Points was a bit of a mess but I ended up Silver with a teammate in Gold.

 I can't believe I actually get that low without thinking about it.  Weird position!

 And, for my favorite event ever... the Madison!  It is a race with a partner.  Imagine a track and field event where 2 runners sprint for 400m and hand the baton off to their partner who then sprints for 400m and this happens for 25 kilometers.  Well, basically, this would be the Madison.  It's a tag team event where you are sprinting for points like a points race.

 I was SO fortunate to have my good friend and local Colorado girl agree to fly into LA to race this one with me.  Katie Compton is the most accomplished cyclocross racers in the world and arguably the most versatile cyclists in our country.  She and I love to beat up on each other in local Colorado racing so we decided to join forces and represent the great state of CO!  Thanks to Pearlizumi for the custom Mach 5 Speedsuits.

Katie in action... no brakes, no mud, no gears, just speed!  She went from winning a cyclocross races Saturday/Sunday of last week, Wednesday, Saturday... flying to LA Saturday night and racing the Madison on Sunday.  I say 5/5 wins in 8 days deserves a day of rest tomorrow.

 And... we took home the GOLD!

Thanks, always, to our sponsors.  The best deserve the best and Exergy TWENTY12 has the best- Felt Bicycles, Zipp, Catlike, Oakley, Pearlizumi.

Also, a HUGE thank you to Nicola Cranmer, Neal Henderson, and Mark Tyson for all your help this week.  I would be lost without you!

Mooove

My first team was America's Dairyland which was sponsored by the Milk Marketing Board.  We learned all about chocolate milk for recovery and got to wear cow uniforms.

Back in the day- my pink cow kit.  Ahh, memories!

When Greg and I moved to Colorado, we learned that local dairy farms in the area actually still deliver milk.  Once a week our glass bottles are delivered and every week it's a treat.  In irony, that same local dairy farm we have been using asked me to take part in a campaign they are starting for healthy and active living.  Check out the link here and the pictures below... 

Another fun and local media thing.... During the Pro Challenge (a major "tour" style race in Colorado for Men's World Pro Tour teams), a local restaurant named pizza's after Boulder pro cyclists.  I made the menu!  The only female and way down there at the bottom but cool all the same.  I hope some of my friends ordered and enjoyed!

Going for more...

Rock Hill was a blast!  Ok, winning another National Championship jersey has to be fun but to do it 1) on a new track with the friendliest/most excited staff of volunteers, 2) back in the Dirty South, 3) in front of my family and Greg's family, 4) along side of Greg racing the Master's category where he rocked a solid silver medal, and 5) staying with our close friends Stratos, Margarita, and their sweet kids... pure goodness!

I got some pictures in hand since it's way more fun to review racing in pictures.

Time to get serious!

Greg, not as serious but racing hard all the same.

Wow, the pain faces in this picture.

Yelling a bit of encouragement to Greg as he won the 4k IP!

Ok, that is a better pain face.  This might have been the 37th time he attacked in the Scratch race.

Pursuit.  It wasn't as painful as it should have been.  

Great racing to all the women!

Greg's podium for the Master's Omnium.

Happy couple :)

 So, for those who are confused here are some definitions:

Omnium- 6 different races over 2 days of all different styles and distances.  The winner has the best cumulative placing essentially.  Kind of like the decathlon in track and field.

Master's- Ages 35+.  Old but strong.

Pain Face- when you no longer care.

And, now, I leave for the "other" Nationals which is all the individual events over the course of 4 days. I still race every day and sometimes twice a day.  For me, it's like an extended Omnium because I am not focused on any single event.  I kind of like being really good at all of them and the master of none. :) But, that doesn't mean I won't try my hardest to bring home a couple more jerseys!