Success!

And this says it all... a note of thanks from Batuke in Africa.

"Dear riders,

With the success of your participation in the Aspen Ride for entrepreneurs in Zambia, a number of families will be supported to get bike loans that will contribute to their household income. In so doing, children will be enabled to go to school, to eat better, and live healthier lives. In general, you have contributed towards the well being of children and families in Zambia. This is truly a great cause, one to be proud of.

Please accept our message of appreciation on behalf of these families. Through your contribution lives will be touched, lives will be changed; lives will be transformed for the better.

Thank you,

Batuke Walusiku
Director, Advocacy and Communications
World Vision - Zambia"


Please watch the video below...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI8OgFpRrFU 


Yes, we had a very successful first (hopefully annual!) Aspen Invitational.  We fell slightly short of our fundraising goals and are keeping the books open for a couple more days to hit the $300,000k goal.  That's 3,000 Bikes for Africa!  So, please click here if you can donate!

Aspen Invitational

A Bike Ride for Africa.

I have never asked for money from anyone for my bike racing career.  This is a first.  But, wait... this money has nothing to do with me.  This money is for bicycles for children and families in Africa.  Please click HERE and donate.

For several months now, I have been working steadily on helping to organize and promote the Aspen Invitational that will take place on July 21st.  Our goal with this event is to raise $300k that goes directly towards bikes in Africa.

If you want to become more involved with this event, please contact me directly- runcari "at" mac.com

We are currently looking for housing for a couple volunteers.  Ideally, we could find a vacation home someone owns and could donate for the weekend.  Is that you?  Someone you know?

Here are some photos taken in Aspen on a scouting ride that Greg and I took a couple months ago.

Change a life!  Donate.

Month of May

Started training again at the beginning of May and it's been non-stop racing since.  In mid-May I did 11 races in 16 days of all different disciplines.  Road, Crit, Track, TT.  Learning how to TT has been a new passion of mine! Next up, going to learn how to race in the dirt- short track and cross :)

Went to St. Louis for 3 days of racing during the second week of May.  Raced in my favorite local race Superior Morgul Classic- 3 day Omnium style which includes a TT, RR, and Crit.  I got down to the velodrome in Colorado Springs to get some early season track work in the legs.  All the while I had a weekly TT series.  The results for all these races were pretty good considering I was coming off my break and just raced myself into shape.

Although I am sitting in a hotel room in Chicago as I write this, it has been refreshing being back in Boulder for most of May.  Ahh!  Where does the time go?  That month flew by.

A picture of some friends that joined me on one of my rides in Boulder and blocked my path.

Time Off?

Time off the bike still includes bikes.  Two weeks off... first time in over 2.5 years.  Mistake. 

Vacation with Greg? No. Home to see the family and friends?  No.

But, don't feel sorry for me!  I had a couple great weeks.  Wind tunnel with Pearlizumi and Sea Otter with my Exergy TWENTY12 Junior Elite team.

For 5 days I was in beautiful Monterey and Carmel, CA with the 6 junior women at Sea Otter Classic.  They raced and I organized/drove/directed/cooked/had fun.

First thing is first... this trip would never have been possible if not for the support of Donna Woods who donated her own cash to sponsor us by renting a beautiful vacation home steps away from the ocean.  This cycling community has never failed to amaze me with the generosity produced by people who love the sport and can appreciate what women racers are doing.

THANKS DONNA!  Not only did we love the house but you made a huge impression on the girls on how to give back to the sport.

The girls raced... and WON everything.... spent time with our equipment sponsors and learned how to speak in a public forum.  They were the road "pro's" representing at a Ladies Lounge held by Rebecca Rausch.    This team is lucky to have the equipment sponsors we do... and these juniors are lucky to be riding the best!

We made time for fun!

And, some team bonding.

Here is an interview I did with Lyne of Podium Insight about this awesome Exergy TWENTY12 junior squad.  Expect big things from these ladies... this year and many years to come!

Team:
Sarah Huang
Jen Valente
Tara McCormick
Maddy Tuggle
Kayla Sterling
Veronica Church

Last Week...

Well, a couple weeks off the bike doesn't mean I stop traveling. Quite the opposite actually! Right now I am sitting in Carmel, CA but that blog post comes later.

Last week, I traveled with Pearlizumi to:

After flying into Houston, we had 2 hour car ride to College Station. Lunch anyone? Yes, we ate here and yes, it was good.

In the 48 hours that we were here, we had some true Texas culinary choices. It took my stomach some time to recover from this trip.

Interesting facts about the prop used in the wind tunnel.

Getting everything ready!
The machine!
I can't tell you how much more respect I have for Pearlizumi knowing how much research they put into their products. What I learned was pretty impressive. I loved the quality of their products before and now that I know the thought that goes into making their athletes the fastest in the world... I'm a believer!

That's all she wrote! What an awesome couple days with Pearlizumi. Thanks guys!

So close, yet...

My immediate reaction was to tear up. It only lasted about 3 seconds. No, it wasn't because I was so excited. It was because I was so close. So freaking close to taking a step on the podium at the Track World Championships. Yet, the reality is that I was 5th place in the Scratch race and I am fired up for more. I want it bad.

After the Points Race, I regrouped and reminded myself that the physical part was, for the most part, there. Now, I had one race in me and had the race brain activated.

It wasn't a fluke or lucky. I deserved to be in the top 5 tonight. I raced smart... was active enough to be where I needed to be... but also knew when to stop panicking and not waste energy I didn't need to.

I can't wait to see the video. There was plenty of bumping and a couple "I need a new chamois" moments. I owe the girl from Lithuania or beer/coffee/or whatever they drink there... she saved something major in the last lap (or 2 to go, I can't remember now). All I know is she was next to me sprinting, she got knocked, and then she had both feet unclipped and just hanging there. I don't know how she didn't go down but I do know I took a quick dive under her and then opened my eyes again.

The end was a like a keirin and I got a bit boxed in... didn't panic but couldn't make it out until the home straight. At this point, it was a bit late. 10 more meters and I am confident I would have been on the podium... don't know that I would be wearing rainbows but it's all hindsight anyway.

It's good ending to a long winter. I say it again... I am a bike racer and I thrive off that adrenalin. But, for now, the hard part will be cooling my jets for a couple weeks. It's been maybe 2-3 years since I have had a proper break. So, it's time to set the helmet aside and remind myself what rest means.

A couple photos from tonight...

My friend from Marietta, GA who now lives in Melbourne. Small world! Scott Gillies and his son, Austin. So great seeing them! (Kara- you are next!)

Austin as superfan! According to Scott he held this sign up the whole time I raced. If you know AUS sports fans you will know that this takes guts!

Ok... how to start my rest block? Well, the first thing I did was sit and drink enough water to hydrate a camel but yet just barely enough to squeeze out my 90ml for WADA.

How about a 3 hour beach ride tomorrow with Scott! Yes please Vitamin D. (Yes, Nicola, I PROMISE this will be the last ride!)

World Points Recap...

Real quick recap since I am full of adrenalin and won't sleep anyway.

The end result wasn't impressive. Last year I came in 6th in the Points Race at Worlds and this year 15th. 15th from 6th sounds like I sucked it up but that doesn't tell the story.

Frankly, I think I raced a much better race then last year. Much better. Last year I won the first sprint and hung on for dear life the next 90 laps. By the end, I was seeing stars. Somewhere in there I ended up with points in another sprint for a total of 6 points and ended 6th.

This year, I followed more stuff at the beginning but tried to be "smarter" about how hard to sprint. I missed out on points in the first sprint by one place and got 1 point in the second sprint. it took me a bit to recover from those opening 20 laps meanwhile a bunch of 4 lapped the field. After that I was setting myself well but not keeping that position... maybe setting myself up too soon? Maybe not physical enough to hold it? But, the key, was that I was thinking things through. I knew what the hell was going on... who were the players... what wheels to go with... etc. It just didn't work out. But, this statement doesn't end with the typical cyclists' statement, "that's just bike racing." No, champions are smarter then that and I will fight until I learn.

All the data was similar to last year. The difference was that last year I spent a winter racing my bike. This year, I spent a winter dedicated to trying to make the Team Pursuit squad. No regrets at all! But, I am happiest racing my dang bike and tonight I got the rush. The adrenalin hit me hard. Like a junkie, I need more! Luckily I have the Scratch tomorrow and I am stoked!

So cool seeing a high school friend, Scott Gillies, out there tonight. His new hometown is Melbourne and he has caught the cycling fever. Can't wait to have a chance to actually chat!

Super big thanks to the best USA Cycling staff ever. Alec and Woody are the best mechanics I have ever worked with... James, even though he is Australian :), is a perfect soigneur... and of course Neal and Ben keeping me level headed. Oh, before I forget, thanks to Dotsie (couldn't miss that voice), Lauren, and Jennie/Brandon for coming out to yell. I value your support. For all of you... I wish my result was more so we could rightfully celebrate. Tomorrow?

Ok... I think I will drown this brain with a sleeping pill so I'm not up for another 3 hours.