Evolution is inevitable

The final touches to my website are being added, so I am now taking the plunge and continuing my blog there. The address is: http://www.davinasummers.com/ and I have named the tab for my blog "my cycling life". You will need to re-register with feeder if you want to be emailed when new updates are added.
Thank you for reading and supporting my journey through cycling-land.
On a final note (how cool is this...a whole cycling article on me): http://www.cyclesportnews.com/aus/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2031&Itemid=48
And...I finished 2nd overall on the NRS http://www.cycling.org.au/?page=17813&format=

All these people in the race, there is only going to be one winner, do you want it more than everyone else?

NRS- Celtic Country Classic de Femme, Northern NSW – 96kms
Glen Innes to Inverell (via Elsmore Loop)
(The women’s race of the Grafton to Inverell)


Results:
1. Davina Summers (Fleet Cycles/Plan B)
2. Kirsty Braun (MB Cycles)
3. Jodie Willett (Virgin Blue Cycling)
4. Leonie Burford (Illawarra CC); with a FAB lead-out
5. Carly Hibberd (MB Cycles)
finishing times


The weather was beautiful for today’s race, the sun was shining, some were saying it was hot, but I love racing in the heat. There was headwind, but no rain so I was not complaining. I felt better than yesterday, not FAB still, but I had come to the race with what I had. At sign-on our bikes were fitted with the timing transponders, and we were informed that Chloe Hoskings (ACT) had scratched (it was cited that she was focusing on training post Junior World Championships).

The neutral peleton was lead through town in a show lap for the locals, which was great. Some of local women were kitted up nicely in the Inverell Cycles kit and were very welcoming. With a relatively small field of just under 30, there were riders from all over the country for the final NRS race. The pace was steady through the undulations, as expected there were attacks on the QOM climbs, Leonie had a good solo attack about half way through the race and stayed away for a bit prior to the final QOM. The whole bunch missed the spot sprint, except Miffy Galloway (who won it), we were all wondering what she was doing and realized as we crossed the flag and line. The 2nd sprint held a great deal of prestige with the winning of the sapphire from a local family in memory of their son (I found this out at presentation) Kirsty Braun won this.

After completion of the Elsmore Loop and over the final hill, the remaining kms were all downhill. By this stage we all knew it would come down to a bunch sprint, with 13 women left in the front bunch. As expected, MB Cycles teamed up pretty well for the finish. A massive thank you to Leonie Burford (Illawarra CC) for leading me out for the finish. No act of kindness is ever wasted on me and in this wonderful team sport of road cycling, the favour will be returned. Anyhow, back to the race…I kicked and was now pedal for pedal with Kirsty, with the line approaching. I was just in the lead, to make sure I threw on the line. I have been well advised not to celebrate or ease up until it is all over. Not that I am a victory salute kinda girl anyway. I usually just smile. Again, I love getting my name and photo in cyclingnews

The local race radio coverage was a nice touch that allowed support people and the race audience a chance to follow the race, we could hear how the men were traveling before and after our race over the loud speakers.

The presentation dinner was a good feed, that could not come quick enough. We sat on the “WA table” with Chris Thompson (CWA CEO, and 2nd place getting in Division 2), Megan Harrison (CWA Program Co-ordinator), Brendon Nichols (Aussie Crates), Jody Lenson (CWA), and the Michaels. At the end of the presentation dinner, Carly Hibberd was presented with the overall NRS winner jersey. It was a little disappointing that most of the audience had left with the end of the night being announced prior. Winning the 2008 Women’s NRS series jersey is a prestigious achievement, in my opinion it should have been one of the premier presentations of the evening.


In line with the Team Summers/NAM&S Financial support I have received to enter/transport and lodge for this event, we stayed in another quality hotel in Inverell. What you pay for is what you get, Andrew reminded me. The Glen Innes hotel at least had shower taps that matched and no mould on the roof, the hwy noise had been replaced with the bass from the band next door at the local pub. You get the idea. The commentary on the motels is more for comical value and I could have slept in the car for all I cared after my pleasing result.

A special thank you to Fleet Perth for arranging a Polar display unit for me to be able to see race distance today (it was very helpful). Pretty good work by the Event Managers (pictured here), hope to see them again next year.

There is nothing to fear, but fear itself (someone important).

‘T was the night before race day, registration was done, bike was ready and the rider was feeling uneasy. I have been here before and just have to remember that I don’t travel well (mental note: this is the last time I am catching a midnight flight to race anywhere, I don’t care how much cheaper it is…my body hates me for days afterwards). I am stretching, resting and doing everything right to feel good for the race, remembering to have faith in my training.

One of my road cycling aims for 2008 was to place in the top 3 of the NRS. I have come to this event to protect my current third placing. The standings are currently (and don’t ask me how they work out the points, I am still waiting for a reply from Cycling Australia):
1. Carly Hibberd (MB Cycles) 684 points
2. Bridie O’Donnell (AIS) 510 points
3. Davina Summers (Fleet Cycles/Plan B)441 points
4. Carlee Taylor (SASI) 380 points
5. Kirsty Braun (MB Cycles) 335 points
I need to note also:
7. Chloe Hoskings (ACT) 245 points

Winning the race would be the best outcome, but securing the points over other riders is the reason I am here.

Today we drove/rode over the course to ensure I was familiar with it. The overall gradient is downhill, but there is consistent undulations (I would call them hills, others may not). I struggled to ride with lots of aeroplane in my legs. Luke saw an echidna and mooed at the big cows.

We have been sitting on the edge of our seats like some sort of thriller movie, watching the stock markets. It was great to hear the Australian market rallied back up again today- I would not like to be retiring in the next few weeks.

The drive from Brisbane was largely uneventful, I managed to sleep in the car for one of the first times in my life. We did get caught up in Brisbane peak hour traffic and a cattle crossing however. My instructions for the accommodation were “cheap cheap”. Over the last 12 months I have discovered that being a ‘financially struggling’ cyclist has resulted in a re-adjustment of my princessness. I once had an attitude of “work hard to have nice things” but women’s elite cycling goes against this (in my experience anyway, or I perhaps I have not yet worked hard enough). Luke couldn’t believe that I was pleased with our 3-star accommodation as it smelt nice and was clean. That was all I need to race my bike.

Goodnight xx

If it is to be, it is up to me

I have 30 minutes before we are off to the airport and thought I might let you know what I am up to. Tonight Luke and I are flying to Brisbane, then driving for about 6 hours or so to get to Glen Innes, northern NSW. It is a romantic getaway, with a cycling twist- the final women’s NRS race for the 2008 winter season. I have made these events a priority this year and supported the series as best I can. Being a good wife, I packed up Luke’s bike this arvo so he can also get some riding in, in preparation for some more SPR group rides.

The race: Celtic Country Classic de Femme which is effectively Glen Innes to Inverell (via Elsmore Loop)- 95km. There are some other competitors from WA going, but no women. The men are racing a longer course and commencing in Grafton. We will see them at presentations.

The current start list looks pretty good, with some good riders having a hit out. The consistently strong MB Cycles girls, Leonie Burford and her team mates racing under Team Kinselas, Myfanwy Galloway and Chloe Hoskings.

In an effort to pack more bikes into my house, Steve has loaned me his BMX bike for a little while. I will need to see just how BMX fits in with my current training program, but I am quite excited to get back into some sprint BMX efforts and get better at jumps.

Goodluck to everyone racing the State Team Time Trial this weekend, I hear of another women’s team that will be quite strong, should be good clean fun.

I just got the ‘5 minutes honey’ call, so have to catch my plane…

“Welcome sports fans” (Art T-town velo announcer)

Cyclosportif 108km- A distance
Macquarie Bank Sur le Rivet a York Grand Fondo
Plan B Team event- York, WA

Registration was great, there was heap of riders (and their supporters) that I had not seen for ages…of course I had to stop and say hello. We parked up next to Paulie (whom I have been in many a Cyclo team with) and Brad (elite triathlete). I was waiting for one of the team members to locate me to give out the final timing transponder and race number so my warm-up was non-existent. As Cyclosportif is a participation event, warm-up is not usually required so I was not that worried. We hustled to the start line and before we knew it were off.

As the racing was effectively a handicap race, but with the ‘glory’ (it is not a race remember) going to the fastest team time using the transponders, not necessarily the first across the line. I expected that we would ride it as a handicap, working the combined 5 teams together, rolling it over. I could not have been more wrong. I became worried about not warming up around 30 seconds into the start when about 10 of the guys smashed it off the front right from the word go. Pleasingly both Neil and Duane were in there, but the team time was going to go on the top 3 times, so one of us Ladies needed to have a go to bridge and get across. As I started to go, Neil came back for us. I jumped on his wheel and he towed me up to the front group.

The front group (from our start time of 9:55am) was catching teams in front and collecting riders that could stay on the wheels. As it was a Grand Fondo, there was no necessity to stay with your team. Some teams chose to ride together, others were out for a ‘race’. I stayed with this group for about 40kms, doing what I needed to, the wind made it very hard, and against the men I was not strong enough to stay with them for any longer.


I dropped back to the group of about 50 who had been sitting on our ‘front group’. We picked up Bobby Barnes along the way for a bit. I would like to credit the Elite Racing Cycles Team (K) for keeping this group together and keeping the pace high and consistent…until the crash. Around 90kms in we were single-file overtaking three riders who were on the inside. I felt someone clip my rear wheel and then heard that terrible noise. This obviously splintered our group. With some riders still going, some slowing to make sure everyone was okay and others stopping to help (or were on the ground).

This was about the time that I was starting to feel my extra training from yesterday and didn’t have a great deal left in the tank. I knew that I was still the third rider for our team so did what I could to get to the finish as fast as I could. But I will guess (without my polar as it getting a new battery) that I was not very fast solo into the wind at this point. The timing mats could not come fast enough and I was very glad to get off my bike for the day.

Yummy lunch was served in the usual fashion (see photo), feeding a massive 660 bike riders and their support is no small feat itself, but pulling it off so we are not all waiting in line and have a seat to sit on, was impressive. It was good to have a chat to Neil Manning (Plan B Racing Team rider) whom I have not met before, and some of the Plan B Corporate Team riders. Hamish (who took Ryan on for last week’s SPR Saturday Sprint) was riding for them.

The gang (Bec, Anna, Brett, Steve and I- pictured here) had a bit of a catch-up before the journey back home.

And for the rest of the non-cycling world, we finally have a decision with the WA state election. We got there in the end.

The decisions, outcomes and achievements of today, affect tomorrow. There is no clean slate.

The week in summary: too many hours on the bike left little time to plan and organize. Base kms, base kms, base kms…just ticking them over. Thankfully I have had plenty to daydream about this week. It has kept my mind off not drinking diet coke (for the most part) anyway.

Luke and I are going away next week to NSW (for the final women’s NRS race of the year- Celtic Country Classic de Femme). This 95km race is from Glen Innes to Inverall via Elsmore Loop. It will be a nice chance for us to spend some quality time together.

This weekend our Plan B Team is entered into the Cyclosportif Grand Fondo- 108kms. Bec H will pick me up extra early in the morning for the drive to York. She is racing in a team with Anna, Brett and Steve. With 640 riders total entered into the event, just finding my team mates will be interesting. Plan B team will have: Neil Manning, Duane Johansen, John Dunlop, Davina Summers, Josie Tomic and Sarah Kent. I love Cyclo events as there is so much bike candy everywhere.

I tried some dry needling with my massage this week. It was an interesting experience (see the attached photo). I didn’t have any spots that are so tight it was required, but in preparation for this time, Patsie (Subiaco Sports Massage) was good enough to entertain my curiosity. The needles are hard to see in the photo, but it was a little bit freaky. Nothing about my tan lines or chunky legs.

Today the Plan B girls went motorpacing with Darryl. I was up for extra kms so took the windy option down the coast to Fremantle. In total 7.5 hours that I was on the bike I got rained on about 5 times. But the good thing about the tragic weather is the lack of people out and about. I got most of the bike path to myself and there was little traffic on the road. The tail wind was awesome and...well the head wind will only make me stronger.

Fleet Cycles have arranged for me to try some new pedals that some of the girls in the USA were raving about. The (new version) of Speedplay pedals/cleats. I wanted to try them as you can clip in on either side of the pedal, which is faster. The girls with Speedplay pedals in the USA were the ones going from the gun in the Criteriums. I had to spend the first few laps just making it back to the front if I didn’t clip straight in. I will have them on my bike next week and will let you know if they are all that they say they are.

On a final note, because of the interest shown in my blog I have decided to set up a website. Currently it is half-functional and the address is: http://www.davinasummers.com/ If you have time to take a look and let me know what you think or have any suggestions. A very special thank you for the help in getting this set-up.

Til next time- ride lots.

Bonkfest and beyond

Sunday 7th September- SPR Hills ride

A reasonable turn out for the Fathers’ Day ride, pleasing to also see quite a few of these were women. I was not overly excited as it is still a little cold in the mornings (I would much prefer to ride in the sweltering heat than the cold) and we had ridden about an hour from home to get to the start. Luke joined me today for the first bit of the ride, which was very ‘cute couple’ for us to go riding together. I was planning a big day, I needed to take it steady.

All was good until we got to the base of Greenmount and Luke had decided that he had ridden far enough before work and turned around. A few hills later we lost a few of the women, then the crash. A few of the guys in front of me went down, the crash was happening in slow-motion and it was like…is this really happening? All were okay minus some lost skin, a broken rear derailleur and the usual bike scrapes.

We all got back to it and it was about this time that I was starting to feel “the bonk”. I had eaten my usual breakfast, but have changed my diet slightly and was certainly feeling the affects of limited liver glycogen levels. I reached into my pocket for my snack bar and managed to get it down whilst waving the guys on, telling them I would meet them in Kalamunda…when I got there. So in the throes of my bonk, desperate for food; coke (full strength) and a chicken sandwich came to my rescue.

After a little rest at the coffee shop I was as good as new and ready for my favourite part of the hills ride, the descent. We were smashing it down Welshpool and then continued pushing it once on the flat. Back at South Perth, I was feeling pretty good (although a little cautious to avoid the nasty sequel ‘return of the bonk’). I stuck to my original plan to have a big day and tagged along with Steve and Brendon as they did a lap around the river before heading back north to home. Just over 170kms for the day- nice.

My training focus for the moment is base road kms, so my speed work will be a little ordinary (and is for the record), but it will hopefully pay off in the summer- when it counts.

For anyone interested in inquiring about Altitude training- please send Andrew Ivey an email on: andrew@elitesportz.com.au

Ciao ciao xx

Be the change that you want to see in the world.

Not much to report, but checking in just for those who love me…or love not to.

My final City to Surf time was: 1:00:29- nice, not bad for a sickalist with no running training. Cycling training has slowly re-commenced (officially tomorrow) and I have some work to do in a number of areas over the next 8 weeks or so. Oh, it is going to hurt but I am there. Summer 08/09 is hopefully going to be great. Altitude training has started again and I am back in the gym with the good fun Wildcats boys making me feel like a midget. It is great to see some new faces at altitude sessions, one of the guys from Tuesday’s “Open Adult” Track Session (Speed dome 6-8pm) was there this week.


Fantastic results from Lorraine Schultz and Tracy Ober from the Masters World Road & TT Champs. Lorraine taking gold in the TT for her age category. Congratulations Ladies. Dougie rode the race of his life in the deciding race (I am told from someone who was there) to take the prestigious Trexlertown velo "Rider of the Year" title.

The local women in the state are getting organized for the State Team Time Trial Champs in 2 weeks time. It seems as though there will be a few teams entered and will be a good race; I am actually a little disappointed to be missing it.

TTT Teams (the ones I am aware of and to the best of my knowledge):
Danielle, Dannika...TBA
Holly, Cherie and Anna
Jo, Linda and another SW rider
Bec H, Tracy and Claire McLean
Amanda Betts, Katrina...TBA
Sarah K, Melissa and Josie- Plan B Team

Our WA racing team with title sponsor; Plan B Wealth Management, is up and running. It will get a full report all of its own as soon as we finalise some details. Also, I am in the process of setting up an official website- but just like everything in life there is a trade-off (between having it looking too basic and cost).

I went out and rode this morning (Saturday) with SPR. A nice big group of about 60 riders turned up for the start. I was pleased to see people who looked newish to riding (wearing WCE jerseys and the like) turning up to the start. Also the “infamous” Barista Boys were pointed out and it was good that they came to play. I caught up with all of the familiar faces and chatted about the latest bike bling, cycling news and who currently has the SPR Saturday sprint title. I am still yet to work out where the sprint finish is, not that it matters, I was just out for the roll. But maybe one day, when everyone does not suspect it…

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel...

...that you, too, can become great (Mark Twain)

City to Surf 12km run (cross-training/competing)
Sunday 31st August, 2008

This is my favourite ‘community’ event of the year and since becoming a cyclist I have been advised against entering. But because of the current ‘off-season’ situation and needing to take a few weeks break from competitive cycling, Andrew said that it wouldn’t be a bad thing to do (NB: kids do not try this at home).

My running training for this event over the last two years has consisted of short sprints to the port-a-potty prior to cycling race starts, running from the car park into the grocery store at closing time and after the dogs at the park…you get the idea. A few of my friends (inc Matt- pictured here) were entered and most of us were a part of the Flight Centre team.

I was impressed that someone at the Good Sammys (clothing recycling store) has been thinking and the competitors wore their old, warm clothes to the start line. Just before the start they could whip them off and then donate them in the Good Sammy’s bin. I took along a woolen number of Luke’s from a few seasons ago.

The usual jostling for start positions occurred- which is redundant amongst 37 000 people unless you are actually in the hunt for a final placing. The individual timing transponders are not activated until you go through the start banner, so seeding yourself too high only serves to create a hazard when reverse gear is located up the first hill, less than 1 km into the race. The first 6kms involves weeding out most of these hazardous punters. Sometimes there is a warning, like the (I am putting way too much stress on my heart) heavy breathers or the swayers (unable to run in a straight line/pick up ones feet). But often there is nothing and before you know it, the person you are pacing behind has put on their brakes.

For me, the second half of the race is about targeting people (usually any random women in distinctive clothing 100m or so in front). I was being very conscious of not pushing myself as an injury would not be good at this stage. So I was chatting to people around me and waving back at the spectators on the side of the roads- keeping a eye on the lady in the bright pink running dress and the tall girl in the yellow top further down the road.

We came to the final uphill, it is quite a long drag and I remember motivating Meghan (pictured)last time we raced with something to the affect of “walking is not an option, toughen up”. Mrs Pink Dress and Miss Yellow Top had taken the walking option about ¾ up the hill, shame. The final km came and I was hopeful for a sprint opponent…Miss Pink Tank-top appeared, weaving her way through all of the runners. Unfortunately she started her final run too early and ran out of gas well before the line, but a good effort nonetheless.

I found Andrew (coach) and Jane (Andrew’s wife) after the finish line to confirm that no permanent injuries had been sustained. Flight Centre had arranged a joy team breakfast and massage at a Restaurant across the road, good deal. I will wait for the final times to be posted, but assume, like every year, it will be about 1 hour.

Home sweet home

Upon settling back into Perth so quickly I keep asking myself, did I really just go to the USA and race for the last couple of months? How did that happen again? Nothing much has changed with the exception of the launch and team confirmation of our Plan B WA Racing Team. I have been busy preparing my next 3 months of training and racing- picking focus events, intense training periods and the formation of a new plan to keep my cycling improving. I am as motivated as ever.

It has been great to spend time with my husband, family and friends, plus catching up with everyone from cycling. Our state juniors are about to head off the Junior Road Nationals for U/15 and U/17 year olds, and their training is focused around this. Training last night with the Handsome Ladies (minus Dannika) is always a pleasure.

My puppy, Scofield, has doubled in size and thankfully remembered who I was (he has only known me for about half of his life). He is now on a crash course to learn some doggie discipline- party days with Daddy are over. Minkie (our other dog) is still gorgeous.

I have treated Luke (husband) with a new bike (pictured here) from Fleet Cycles, very stylish- the bike that seems to do everything well. Luke was impressed with the service from Perth Fleet- and the efficient and well-informed Mario.

Very special thank you to everyone who were integral to the success of my USA trip (you know who you are). It could have been bad, it could have been ugly…but instead it was amazing- because of you all. The standard of racing, the women racers, the events- maybe one day we can have a cycling culture like that in Perth. This trip has made me see those who strongly support my cycling pathway. In particular, I wanted to mention Rae and her perfectly timed message, with the pink sparkley “Go Davina” bringing a tear to my eye.

Some really impressive results from the US National champs, with the top 2 U/23s being my friends; Kacey Manderfield (Verducci Breakaway Racing) and Lindsay Myers (Dewars Racing Team). It is good to be able to see the results from the Elite women and to know you have raced with these women, strong performances by the sprint sensation Brooke Miller (TIBCO), and Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Verducci Breakaway Racing).

So as I adapt to the cold weather, lack of peanut butter flavour in every food group and dropping the word ‘dude’ from my vocabulary, I am home. For a few weeks anyway.

Who needs a flashy kit when you have flashy riders (G. Britain 2008 Olympics)

NRS- Australian Cycling Grand Prix (& Victorian Open Road Cycling Championships)
August 15-17th, 2008
Ballarat, NSW, Australia

Road Race Championships- Buninyong
Sunday 17th August- 8am start
81.6kms (8 laps of 10.2km circuit); 6 sprints, 7 hill climbs
Final results (top 10):
1 Kirsty Broun (Qld)
2 Carly Hibberd (Qld)
3 Bridie O'Donnell (Vic)
4 Suzanne Always (Vic)
5 Rebecca Locke (Vic)
6 Lisa Jacobs (Vic)
7 Fiona Spargo (Vic)
8 Davina Summers (WA)
9 Simone Spykers (Vic)
10 Radele Berriman (Vic)

With a start temp of 2 degrees, I was rugged up with two layers for the race. Over heat vs freeze, most of the girls chose to freeze and I pleasingly did not overheat (there was not enough sun!) MB Coaching were the dominant team today, Bridie not seeming to have many effective teammates. I was just going to try and survive Mount Buninyong 8 times over as best I could.

The circuit has a 2.5km long climb (Mount Buninyong) at the start and the pace was reasonable from the word go. There were a few attacks, mostly on or just before the start of the ascent. A couple of girls got away solo and were slowly brought back in. A strong effort by one of the riders caused the bunch to react after staying away for more than a lap. Unfortunately I was not able to stick with the front group of 7 girls on the 6th lap. I worked well with Simone Spykers (VIC) and Radele Berriman (VIC) for the remaining 2 laps, the girls put in a good effort and I enjoyed working with them to the finish.

For what happened in the rest of the race…cyclingnews.

Race data:
HR av: 159bpm, HR max: 185bpm
Speed av: 30.2km/hr, Speed max: 64.7km/hr

Post-race Andrew and I had to rush off to a Perth Wildcats Basketball pre-season game (Andrew is the head strength and conditioning coach for the team). An enormous thank you to my coach, Andrew for supporting me in Ballarat this week.

She who hesitates…comes 6th

NRS- Australian Cycling Grand Prix (& Victorian Open Road Cycling Championships)
August 15-17th, 2008
Ballarat, NSW, Australia

Criterium Championships- Ballarat CBD
Saturday 16th August
33kms; 30 laps of a 1.1km course (basically uphill then downhill)

Results (top 6):
1. Bridie O’Donnell (Landlink)
2. Carly Hibberd (MB Coaching)
3. Kirsty Braun (MB Coaching)
4. Jenny MacPherson (Landlink)
5. Belinda Goss (TIS)
6. Davina Summers (Fleet Cycles)


In addition to the FAB riders in the TT, my competition now included; Belinda Goss (Australian Track World Cup Points Race rider), Jenny MacPherson (2006 AIS team member) and Kirsty Braun (National Criterium Champ).

Race summary: Landlink vs MB Coaching, and the rest of us doing what we could. Unfortunately there was only 14 women in the race and with half the field in the two dominate teams, it was going to make an interesting race. The attacks were constant, mostly on the uphill section. The race was made active with Sprint Points every two laps between laps 24-4. Sprint points (top 5); Bridie (15), Kirsty (11), Carly (11), Chloe (8), Davina (6).

The race winning move was Bridie counter attacking, Carly got her wheel, I saw the move and went with it, but could not keep it going up the hill and was caught in no-mans land. I re-joined the bunch, there were some good efforts to bridge but they were well blocked. For the final sprint (for 3rd) I was well positioned through the final corner, sitting second wheel. I told myself to go, but then hesitated and the girls swarmed. Bridie got Carly on the line for the win. Cyclingnews report- great to see my name in there again.

Race data:
HR av: 175bpm, HR max: 183bpm
Speed av: 34.7km/hr, Speed max: 52.9km/hr

Race hard when the race is hard

NRS- Australian Cycling Grand Prix (& Victorian Open Road Cycling Championships)
August 15-17th, 2008
Ballarat, NSW, Australia

Stage 1: Time Trial Championships- Learmonth
Friday 15th August
27.4km undulating, windy circuit. 11:02am start
Weather: rainy, very cold with icy winds (max 10 degrees)

Results (top 5):
1. Bridie O’Donnell (VIC)
2. Stephanie Frawnley (VIC)
3. Davina Summers (WA)
4. Suzanne Always (VIC)
5. Tess Downing (VIC)
Full results

In the field was Australian National Time Trial Champion; Bridie O’Donnell, proven TTlists; Nicole Whitburn and Stephanie Frawnley (both top 20 at TT Nationals). Ever improving; Rebecca Barwick (who finished closely behind me at Murwillumbah NRS earlier this year) plus strong riders; Suzanne Always, Liz Young (MB Coaching) and track rider; Tess Downing.

I was going to do everything that I could to exceed the expectation of coming second last (where I was seeded). I had a great start and caught Irene Digenis-VIC (1min ahead) within the first 5kms, I now had no ‘rabbit’ and was going around the course first. We had chosen not to use a disc wheel as the cross-winds were so strong in some sections, just staying on your bike was a challenge. There were two main hills in the course, one hurt everyone particularly. I focused on not over-gearing and instead may have under-geared in sections. I finished off well and was happy with my race, and for someone who does not do specific TT training, I had ridden well.

The wait began and Andrew was at the line taking times. There were big gaps in the girls arriving at the finish and my time was still the fastest with 4 girls left. Then Bridie zoomed in (she had overtaken a couple of girls) for a fantastic time and was clear in the lead by about 3 minutes. I was listening for the times as the girls crossed the line, Stephanie Frawnley was 18 seconds faster than me to take second and I was third.

We all jumped up on the podium for a champagne spray, and were given some nice local wine, a fancy medal, and good prize money. The race highlights were on WIN TV, it is great to see cycling getting TV coverage. Cyclingnews report, I love getting my name in cyclingnews. Another WA rider at this event is Ben King (southaustralia.com/AIS) placed 7th today in the men’s TT.

Oh, how I miss the sunshine and warm weather.

Its all in your headset

Four weeks I have been here (in Trexlertown/Kutztown, PA) and only now I discover the joy of the Thursday evening ‘training’ criterium. Licence and numbers are required, but there is only glory (no money or prizes) in the winning. It is a fast, undulating, windy, smooth circuit in the park across the road from the velo. I was pleased that there were a few other women racing; some I had raced before, plus Jess MacLean and Teresa Cliff-Ryan (Verducci/Breakaway). I had been a guest coach at a USA U/23 TID camp earlier that arvo with Jess and Teresa and met them for the first time there.

No warm-up was undertaken, this was a bad move as today I wasn’t interested in sitting in much, the first 15 (of the 30) laps HURT. The guys were playing team tactics and attacking constantly (with sprint points every 3rd lap), there was obviously a great deal of local prestige for winning the weekly ‘training’ event. I was riding actively until 5 or so laps to go when started to rain. On the final lap I was sure my rear tire was flat as it was slipping so much. I reminded myself that there was no money and the potential winning glory would be short-lived (as I am leaving town in a day) and the affects of getting in (another) wreck would last much longer. I eased up out of my good position and slowed to increase my traction, finishing at the rear of the front bunch. A nice, fun hit out.

My final Friday night velo racing rolled around with the Golden Wheel race the feature event of the night. Three races for the women;
* 5km Scratch race: 5th place
* Elimination: I did not place in the money and unfortunately did not have a great race, learnt a great lesson however.
* Golden Wheel race: 4th place
The stars for the night were Laura McCaughey and Kaarle McCullock, both also from Australia. I had my own cheer squad, special thanks to Sarah and Lenore (Sturdy Girls Cycling) for yelling from the sideline. There was a corporate challenge Italian pursuit (each of the velo’s sponsors put in a team). Marty Nothstein (the velo’s assistant Director, and past Olympic medalist) even kitted-up to race for one of the sponsors (pictured here). Lowlight of the night was Simon van Velthooven crashing and fracturing his shoulder blade. Every night I have seen track racing here, the men have crashed with at least one broken bone as a result.

As I sit at Toyko airport, reflecting on the past few weeks, I wanted to share with you that root beer DOES taste like mouthwash, I can take or leave S’mores and I love racing in the USA. The USA is a great place to visit, but I am still yet to find a better place to live than home.

Winners are grinners, losers can please themselves (Peter Fitzpatrick)

24-7 Fitness Clubs pro-am Tuesday night velo racing 5th August, 2008 The angels were bowling again (thunder) and lightening was in the sky, with no roof over the velo, rain meant no racing. The program tonight was going to really suit me, so despite my soreness I was KEEN AS to race. 10-lap Point-a-lap: (similar to a points race, 1 point for the first rider across the line each lap with 3-2-1 points for the final lap). The girls went out so hard from the gun, it was like a kilo effort for the first 4 laps (only on a bigger track). I was hanging in about 5-6th wheel, thinking that I must be in more pain from last week's crashes than I had realized. With 6 laps to go, no points on the board, I needed to step up and do something to win the bike race. So I did…and most of the other girls were done. I was first across the line for every lap thereafter and took the final lap win by about ¼ of a lap. Variations on this race are the tempo (points go to 1st and 2nd across the line) and the super tempo (points go to 1st, 2nd and 3rd across the line) each lap. Interesting races that would be good fun to have in Perth. Back in Trexlertown, it was starting to rain and the racing night was called off. We missed out on the points race and the 12-lap snowball. I was paid out for the omnium win, Fitzy won the men’s so it was a good night for the athlete house.

Roller racing…talk about cycling nerdiness. Wednesday night at the Allentown Brew-works I witnessed roller racing (with $1 beers) for the first time. I will be attaching some video and photos when I receive them from Kate, for your viewing pleasure.

For those who it interests, the guys back home (Pete mainly) has organised an Olympic tipping contest. This is more good, clean bike nerdiness.

You have to learn what is good pain and what is bad pain (Laura Charameda)

3rd Annual Cycle Sports Circuit Race
Presented byCycle Sports of Doylestown/Zaveta Construction
Doylestown, PA
Sunday, August 03, 2008

Circuit race: 20mi; - 2.8 mile rolling course, course profile
A good field for today’s race, the dominate team with numbers was Sturdy Girls Cycling I really like the mission of this team, the values they present and their commitment to women’s cycling development. Today they adopted me and helped me out to get ready at the last minute (getting to the race is a whole other story). The pre-registrations had the start list as about 30 women. The course was fantastic, quite technical and fast. There were two main hills, one I loved as it was after a big downhill, with a flat finish.

C3-Sollay.com were again represented with strong riders, not quite in the same numbers as yesterday though. I did not have a chance to ride the course before the first lap, so just sat in steady, surveying. Unfortunately someone attacked right near the start/finish line, so I had to wait for the next lap to check out the finish.

Going through one of the corners on the second lap a Guys team rider (I am unsure of her name, and hope she is okay now) came down in front of me, we all went everywhere to avoid her as she slid out. I made it around her but was basically too off balance to stay on my bike and came down as well. Apparently it was quite a sight and my bike landed mostly on top of me.

I was bending my levers back into place, jumping back onto my bike quickly and asking the moto if I was allowed to take a lap or not. He was not responding or could not understand my accent perhaps. On the fifth time I asked him, he said that I could not re-join the bunch (after taking a lap out and had to sit off the back of the bunch for the rest of the race). I rode around to the race director, I explained the situation said that I would forgo any placing/money I may receive but really wanted to contest the race. I had come to the race for racing experience, prizes were secondary. He agreed and I was allowed to re-join the bunch. I was happy as racing the course was so much fun.

There was a preme next lap and I was first over the line (and finally had a chance to check out the finish line). For the rest of the race, there were some good attacks, but we were not letting anything get away today. It came down to a bunch sprint, I was on the front through the final corner 400m or so from the finish. Maria Elena Collazo (Tri-State Velo/Amoroso's/Victory Brewing) took a great opportunity for a quick, early run up the inside, she was coming fast and I had to kick early to get on her wheel. The girls started their runs to the line from there, I was pretty sure I got to the line first (but one lap down because of the crash), and the winner on the day was Sonja with her well-timed run that I could see on my left. The race director complimented me on my sprinting, I was happy with that.

Again, we had an informal race debrief and most of us stuck around to cheer at the women’s presentations. I jumped into the Mens Cat 1/2/3 race for a few laps to do a little bit more in preparation for 3 days of racing in Ballarat in 2 weeks time, I was too sore to stay in for all that long. The ladies wished me all the best for my summer racing at home and seemed keen to have me back next year, today would be my last road event in the USA.

“…and one for the team”

The Hammer Creek Road Race
Presented by Swashbuckler/ PaRenFaire.com Cycling Team

Lititz, Lancaster County, PA

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Race results:
1. Diane Grim (C3-Sollay.com)
2. Davina Summers (Fleet Cycles)
(bike reg has not posted official results yet)

A late finish last night from the velo…to an early start this morning for the road. The lovely, Kristy Swope (EPS/CSS/Riptide Cycling) gave me a lift to the race. Dominate in today’s field was the team C3-Sollay.com with about 7 or 8 girls in the relatively small field of about 20 riders. I was impressed by their teamwork today (as I have been in other races I have raced with them here in PA) and clever moves. From how I saw it, everyone else pretty much unofficially teamed up against them for a good race.

The yellow-line rule was applied (the road is not closed and you are not able to advance yourself in the race by crossing the middle line to the other side of the road). On this mostly narrow course, the yellow-line rule made it difficult to pass/attack (except off the front) especially if the front riders were three wide. C3-Sollay.com were using this well, bringing all of their riders up to the front and blocking allowing another team rider to go off the front and this was the move of the day. Previous to this, there were many other good moves in which small breaks formed, but were again caught. From what I can remember, nice moves were made my Sarah Iepson and Lenore Pipes (Sturdy Girl Cycling- for their race report I have borrowed some pics) and Kristy Swope (EPS/CSS/Riptide Cycling).

The lowlights were:
*Melissa O'Reilly (Van Dessel Factory Team) breaking her chain after riding strong all race
*Beth Mason (C3-Sollay.com) linked bars with a team mate and came off and broke her bike forks, (the link has pics) and I can still hear that carbon breaking noise

*a unknown rider did the most spectacular off-road effort through a corner and down into a grassed ditch

There was a huge down pour of rain about ¾ the way through the race. In the final laps (it was a circuit style road race) some of the bunch were unaware that C3-Sollay.com had Di off the front and were preparing for a bunch sprint rather than chasing. I was still trying, but my attempts were ineffective, she was too far in front and Sonja Evers (C3-Sollay.com) was too efficient at covering my moves. So we were sprinting for 2nd place.

Sonja wound up very early, so strong that I had to push hard to hold her wheel. Colleen Gulick (Colavita Racing), who is an up and coming star on the track, started coming around Sonja, so too Jackie Paull (Watchung Wheelmen/High Gear Cyclery). I was being patient in the slightly-uphill finish, waited for my mark and kicked for the bunch win (2nd overall).

After the race I was wondering where all the girls had gone. I rolled back into the car park and saw them all standing around having a race debrief. They were all complementing each other on good race moves, congratulating each other on place wins and discussing Category points etc. These women had just raced so hard against each other and then all smiles and hugs no less than 30 seconds later. A credit to all the ladies for having such a positive, good fun women’s racing scene.

“Fastest Man on Wheels”

Hilton Garden Inn Allentown West
“Fastest Man on Wheels” velodrome racing

Kerien heat at 10am in the morning, only one chance to make it to the final; first three go through. The velo staff cancelled the second chance repecharge for the women scheduled for that morning.

The lowlights were:
*Rear puncture 10 minutes before the start
*No spare track wheels in the USA
*One of the velo staff members, Ben (who is a legend) ran and grabbed me his wheel so I could race
*No time to change into my correct gear
*I miscalculated the “rear flyer” move and was backpedaling (three wide) to not overtake Bob on the moto as he came off with 2 (666m) to go
*Didn’t finish in the top 3, (4th or 5th maybe) so was in the 7-12th place race tonight.

It could have been worse, I could have punctured whilst in the race and gone down.

My evening race program was:
*One-mile Track Record Attempt: 3rd place
*Five-mile Track Record Attempt: 6th place (plus a preme win)
*Kerien 7-12th place-off: I finished 2nd (in a photo finish), so 8th overall.

The Record attempts (as I am told) were meant to be like really big team pursuits with all the riders in together taking even pulls to reduce the overall time and the best women left standing for the sprint at the end. Our races on the night just seemed like scratch races to me.

There are two types of bike riders…the ones that have fallen off and the ones that are about to (Brian Taylor).

My new residence for the remaining time in the USA will be in Kutztown, PA. The athlete accommodation is located about 16kms from the (Valley Preferred) Lehigh Valley velodrome. In my apartment (which is pictured both from the front and rear) is Peter Fitzpatrick (AUS), Warren Scott (AUS), Haseem Mclean (TRI) and Jude Codrington (TRI). In the apartment next door is Dougie (Repacholi- from my home town, Perth) and Simon van Velthooven (NZL).

I have been getting out on some nice recovery rides and taking in the beautiful country side…not that I am a country type of girl, but after visiting New York the other week, I am not sure I am a city girl so much either.

The complete champ, Kacey Manderfield (Verducci/Breakaway) has loaned me her car for the time whilst I am here (she is off racing in Carolina), so I have ventured out (only as required) and driven very carefully on the right hand side of the road. It would be pure gold entertainment to have been able to watch me constantly chant “keep right” at myself.

So onto the crashes…
We were waiting for the rain to pass to ride the Derby (the main local group ride, legend has it that Darryl Benson was one of the first riders to start the Derby…back in the day). The rain did pass, but too late to get to the start of the ride so we just went on our own; Pete, Wazza, Simon and I - Dougie decided to do windtrainer training instead, smart move. We rode across this one-way metal grated bridge; Peter and Simon first, then Warren and I. Wazz's bike slipped on the still damp bridge and he stacked it right in front of me, I had nowhere to go but slide into him and his bike. Just think of 2 people and 2 bikes sliding on a cheese grater.

So I am okay, just very stiff, sore, bruised and cut up a bit. My wrist is clicking funny and I can't use my left thumb, my back hurts to pedal/walk/move etc. My bike will need some work done to it and some new stuff, thank goodness I brought that spare pair of shoes as mine will need to be fixed also.

Wazza is now at hospital with a broken wrist/hand (requiring both pins and a plate), stitches in his lip and a 7cm long, very deep cut on his other hand- he had lost a lot of blood (photo attached, he was smiling at the jokes we were telling him to try and keep him with us until the car arrived to get him to hospital). I was very impressed with Simon’s responsiveness and first aid in the situation. Wazz was not wearing a helmet...so I have two suggestions for the punters: Learn first aid and always wear your helmet (even if you are just rolling down the street).

On a similar note, Scott Sunderland broke his collarbone at the track last night (Tuesday), he came down with Haseem and another guy. I understand Scott will be coming home on the weekend to have some surgery.

I have entered both a local road race and circuit race for the weekend after track racing on Friday, assuming I feel up to it. Friday night's race program is kerien’s (with the heats in the morning), 1-mile track record attempt and 5-mile track record attempt. I am going to do them all, the money is up to 12th in the keriens and 6th in both the record attempts.

Control the controllables; your attitude and your effort (Jennie Finch, Softball Player)

The International Tour de Toona (NRC) Criterium
(version 1, still waiting for video and photos)
Altoona, PA
Sunday, 27th July, 2008
65km criterium

Results (top 5):
1 Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine Cycling)
2 Iona Wynter Parks (Colavita/Sutter Home)
3 Jacquelyn Crowell (Team Kenda Tire)
4 Davina Summers
5 Tina Pic (Colavita/Sutter Home)
Full results

Race Data:
HR avg: 179bpm
HR max: 184bpm
Speed avg: 37.5km/hr
Speed max: 58.3km/hr

Race report (edited from cyclingnews.com): (and just for the record, I am not racing for the USA).

Laura Van Gilder added another victory to her career tally of over three hundred career wins, winning the International Tour de Toona’s downtown criterium. Van Gilder won a two-up sprint ahead of break away companion Iona Wynter Park (Colavita-Sutter Home). Jacquelyn Crowell (Kenda Tire) won a two-up sprint to take third place ahead of chase group companion Davina Summers (USA). The pair broke away from the main field with nine laps to go and held off the chasing bunch for the last podium place.
"I didn’t know what to expect because it’s a really well known race with a lot of money so I thought I should come out and see what would happen," said Crowell pleased with a podium finish.

The Tour de Toona was well known for offering equal prize money between the Pro men and women peloton, unchanged in lieu of the event’s considerable downsize. Race directors Larry Bilotto and Rick Geist continued to pave the way for sport parity offering a $15,000 prize purse to each field. "I have always been a big believer in the women’s peloton deserving the same prize money as the men but, for the same distance raced," said Geist.
The pro women’s field took on the same 65-kilometre criterium as the men and with the same vigor.

Third placed, Crowell started a string of attacks on the first lap. She was eventually pegged back by the third lap and immediately countered by Van Gilder and Wynter-Park.
The pair gained a sizeable lead over the circuit’s grueling hills and technical chicanes, courtesy of Van Gilders fast-paced tempo. "I didn’t have that many options available for me in a break with Van Gilder," said Wynter-Park. She was obliged to sit on the winner’s wheel given that her team’s leading sprinter, Tina Pic, sat back in the field. "There are some classy ways to do it and some not so classy ways to do it," continued Wynter-Park. "Once we got further away, my only options were to try to attack her on certain points of the course or lastly to sprint in the end, hoping that she was tired from her work in the break."

With no significant organization from the main field, the pair’s lead grew to over one minute. Upon seeing twelve laps to go, Australian Laura McCaughey (Juice Plus) launched herself into what looked like a potential bridge to the leaders. However, the main field felt her threat to the remaining podium place and quickly pulled her back.

Summers countered McCaughey’s return, gaining ten seconds on the field before Crowell bridged across to her. The pair dangled behind the leaders, securing their third and fourth places.

My attack was not calculated, I was just riding up the main hill, thinking: I don’t like the way this race is playing out, some of the teams needed to get together and attack, we turned the corner and before I knew it I was off, around the moto (Damian (XP Multimedia), who was videoing the race) and down the hill.

We had a fun 3 ½ hour drive to the race, my temporary room mate; the hilarious Kacey Manderfield (Verducci/Breakaway) and I were catching a ride with Kate Veronneau (Kutztown Cutters) and her fiancee, Mike (plus their dog, Major). I was extremely impressed with the organisation of the event and was asked by the Director if I would “come back and do the stage race next year?”

So, for my last NRC race in the USA for 2008, I was pleased with my result. How incredibly impressive was it to be standing on the podium with some of the most awesome riders in the USA/world.

Sometimes in life it’s the little things that are the big things

Grandview Grand Prix
Presented by Spinners Cycling
Lancaster, PA
Saturday, July 26, 2008

18 laps of a 1mi neighbourhood course (29kms), 6 turns/lap; a little rise and a slightly downhill sweeping left hand finish. Weather: 84F, low humidity, winds light variable. 52 starters, including the Cat 4 women.

Results (top 5):
1 SUMMERS Davina
2 PAULL Jacqueline (Watchung Wheelmen/High Gear Cyclery)
3 FARINA Robin (Cheerwine/Southeastern Cyclisomo)
4 EVERS Sonja (C3-Sollay.com)
5 WHITSON Genevieve (Port Nicholson)
Full results

With the NRC Tour de Toona criterium tomorrow, I wanted to race today… but didn’t. I always worry about getting in a wreck, doing too much etc etc. After my aggressive effort last week in the local criterium, I was going to make myself race a little smarter, sit in a little more today. Also, there were some good riders and significant team numbers, so before the race started I decided to back myself for a bunch sprint.

Most dominate was the (single) Cheerwine rider, Robin Farina. Right from the word go she wanted to control the race, keeping the pace high or form a break, which was great to see. The girls started to drop, one by one and I could hear their laboured breathing as I rode past. The Cheerwine rider got away with a HUB team member (HUB had a team of 5 riders in the race). I was happy to let them be away for a little bit, then another HUB rider went off the front to join them, I followed her wheel up to the break. Of the break of four, Robin (Cheerwine) was pulling hard, one of the HUB girls was rolling through, the other was not. The bunch had now split into two and the front bunch (or chase group) had now caught us (making about 10 or so riders).

I was having some bike problems, one of my brakes was not working (perhaps due to one of the many potholes I had just ridden over). I was trying to stay wide out of the path of other riders for a few laps whilst working out whether it was legitimate to pull into the pits and take a free lap. I have seen at the Bay Crits how the guys take a free lap for the smallest bike mechanical, I didn’t want it to seem like I was having a free lap to rest. In the end, I decided I had one brake and I shouldn’t really need to use it.

A preme announced with around 7 laps to go, I was too far back in the field to go for it, well I could have gone, but some of the teams looked as though they were teaming up for the preme win. Then with about 4 laps to go there was another preme, more money was up this time and I was in a better position to go for it. I was thinking that Robin (Cheerwine) would be the one to beat overall, she deserved the money, and I got to have a practice run at the final sprint.

The final lap came and I was in a reasonable position about 5th wheel when Robin (Cheerwine) attacked up the small hill the course had before the finish, maybe 500-600 metres to go. She had a rider on her wheel (Jacqueline PAULL (Watchung Wheelmen/High Gear Cyclery), I kicked a little to go with them and the three of us were away (I had a bit of chasing to do to get on). I was patient and sat third wheel for the corner and start of the decline, with about 100m to go, Jacqueline started to sprint around the Cheerwine rider, I went around them both for the win, by about a bike length.

I liked how the race organizers included the Cat 4 women in our race, asking them to start towards the rear of the field on the startline and they had their own Category prizes. I thought this was a good way of introducing new women into racing, almost a separate race, but keeping the overall numbers high.

Special thanks to Nina Santiago (and her Mum) for driving me to the race.