never, never, never give up

Evolution is inevitable

2008-09-23T22:10:00.003+08:00

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?

2008-09-22T07:56:00.007+08:00

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).

2008-09-22T07:44:00.002+08:00

‘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

2008-09-17T21:51:00.003+08:00

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)

2008-09-14T17:41:00.003+08:00

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.

2008-09-13T19:10:00.006+08:00

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

2008-09-10T21:25:00.000+08:00

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.

2008-09-06T17:46:00.010+08:00

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...

2008-08-31T14:12:00.007+08:00

...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

2008-08-26T08:13:00.007+08:00

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)

2008-08-18T18:52:00.007+08:00

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

2008-08-18T16:02:00.004+08:00

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

2008-08-16T05:46:00.008+08:00

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

2008-08-10T05:15:00.003+08:00

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)

2008-08-07T23:11:00.004+08:00

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)

2008-08-04T10:30:00.002+08:00

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”

2008-08-02T07:27:00.005+08:00

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”

2008-08-01T05:18:00.002+08:00

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).

2008-07-31T04:19:00.001+08:00

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)

2008-07-29T10:14:00.006+08:00

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

2008-07-29T04:54:00.004+08:00

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.

Don’t be afraid of the truth, just people’s interpretation of it

2008-07-25T00:57:00.005+08:00

Tuesday night pro-am Track Racing
Lehigh Valley Velo

I was feeling pretty good, and looking forward to racing. Kaarle McCullock and Laura McCaughney were racing in the Cat2/3Men for tonight. I felt that I had not raced well enough on the track to warrant upgrading myself just yet so was with the women, which for the most part were from the USA. I was on the watch for Dana Feiss and the crowd favourite, Nina Santiago (coached by Kurt).

First race for the night was a 2km Scratch race; 6 laps. I attacked from the beginning, it took about a lap to respond, not much happened until 1.5 to go, I was about 4th wheel and went and held it to win by about 4 bike lengths. NICE.

Second race was a 20 lap Scratch race. I attacked early in the race and went away with Nina for a few laps, we were caught by the field and the next lap a preme was called. There was money up (Luke loves it when I win food money) so I wanted to win it. I had to dig in hard to win it as being off the front hurt. There was a good counter attack from Kate. No one chased her and the race had a sketchy bit where I was encouraging the girls to keep riding through or taking turns. There was an instance where the first four girls all pulled up (I was fifth wheel) and it was a little unexpected. So the bunch slowed down significantly on the banking and the was little room for many of the riders at the back or up the top, a little hairy.

To keep the race honest, the organizers announced a bunch preme, that I won also and Kate Vereno was realed back in with the bunch responding to the preme. Some of the “Young Medalists” riders (a group of juniors coached by a lady named May-Britt) seemed to be racing in a style similar to the Rick Lee/Budget Forklift juniors. Dana Feiss attacked early with about 2 laps to go, I responded third wheel behind Kate. Kate did not have enough to get Dana, I went around Kate but could not get Dana on the line, and got second. I won the two premes, so was happy enough with that.

Third and final women’s race for the night was a 10km (30 lap) Points Race (Sprint every 6 laps; 24, 18, 12, 6, 0). The first sprint I came about 5th.. I remember thinking, this is no way to win the omnium for the night. I won the second sprint after blocking for Nina and the girls started coming over the top of me (I put them on the hip and Nina got second), third sprint Nina won and I got second. Forth sprint I thought it was a lap earlier than it was, so went. Dana was challenging me all the way (I crossed the line first, and we heard the bell and both realized what we had done) so it was game-on for the next lap, she came over me and then I over her again for the sprint win. By this stage I was seeing stars and I was hoping that Dana was too. I don’t even know who won the final sprint, I got about 3rd. But it was enough to win the race and the night. Each event had omnium points for the overall prize money. Tonight I was racing for experience, winning money was a bonus. Apologies to all of the girls’ names that I am still yet to learn who contributed to the races.
I have had time to reflect and am pleased that I am racing well and all of my training and efforts before I left are coming together. I am learning a great deal and am pleased with the positive response that I am getting from those who are reading about my achievements (and lessons).

Wednesday I had a day off and we went to New York for a look around. We went up the Empire State Building, to a super Guitar store to pick up something very important for my lovely husband and a look around the shops. We made it back to Trexlertown for the final drinks at the roller party (yes, there was races on the rollers). I am hoping there will be another one whilst I am here so I can see all the fun. There is no Track racing this Friday night, I have arranged a local criterium on Saturday, and the Tour de Toona NRC criterium on Sunday.

Stay safe

“…just pedal faster than the others” (Luke Summers)

2008-07-22T05:08:00.007+08:00

The Comeback Criterium presented by Swashbuckler/PaRenFaire.com
New Holland, Lancaster County, PA- 23 laps (0.7mi course), 6 left turns, 1 right turn.

Max Speed: 49.2km/hr
Av Speed: 36km/hr
Max HR: 182bpm
Av HR: 167bpm

A 12:05 start with just over 1 hour drive to get to the race. It was a local race with some reasonable riders (Sarah, Nonnie Howard, Kristy Swope, Betty Tyrell, Lorainne Lipfert, Jackie Paull). I felt very welcomed by the friendliness of the riders, this would assist in keeping their women's participation numbers high I remember thinking. Right from the time that I got out of Kurt's car, there were women riders saying hello, I had never met these women, yet they were so friendly and welcoming. It was an Open race, not a big field and there were some Cat 4 women at the start line. I had no idea what the standard would be like so I tested the waters by attacking in the first 20metres (before the first corner, like at the WA state 100km champs). I had been instructed (by Kurt) to attack through the corners particularly and hurt the girls as much as I could in the wind on the back side of the course. I was finding my legs, despite going on a hard 3 hr plus ride on Saturday after racing on Friday night. I was enjoying the left hand turns.

I attacked at least once every lap for the whole race- I was committed to hurting the field. I had split the field split from 18 to 10 early on, I felt for the Cat 3/4 women. With a good counter attack, there was a Masters USA TT champ (Betty)off the front, I was okay with letting her sit out there for a bit, just keeping an eye on her and making sure that I could go off the front and get to her, no one else was chasing, they were all looking at me. Then there was an announcement for the one and only prime for the race. There was a pair of $250 Hutchinson single tires up for grabs. The USA TT champ was about 9 secs in front of our group, I had just over 1km to make up this time and win the tires (I was thinking that Luke would be really impressed with this). So I dug in and went off the front and got her just before the line. It hurt and Kurt was encouraging me to work with her and stay away, but the bunch had chased me and we were joined by two other riders.

We picked up two lapped riders (one with a team mate in the four) but dropped then a few laps later. There was four of us with 5 laps to go, I kept attacking every lap. With one lap to go I was able to stay away for a 5 second win over the other three riders, with the bunch lead by Nonnie. You Tube video finish with thanks to Kristy Swope.

I chatted with some of the women at the end of the race, spoke to the Hutchinson tire rep and thanked him for my prime prize. The event organizer has encouraged me to race some more of their events whilst I am here. I deserved a Quiznos sandwich for lunch and a nap this afternoon. We watched Simon Gerrans win a stage of the tour and Cadel no longer be in yellow (for tomorrow anyway). Local race report(which will make you laugh) can be found: Sturdy Girls Cycling and final results will be posted on Bike reg in good time.
Thanks to Kurt for the race info, I had on idea on the timing between groups etc.

Legs nearly re-located...

2008-07-20T04:01:00.002+08:00

World Series of Bicycling- 2008 (Track)
Festival of Speed- Featuring the 10km International Women’s Challenge.
Friday night, 18th July, 2008

Sprint Qualifiers were at 5pm, I figured that I had nothing to lose by having a go at these, it had been nearly a year since I had done a flying 200m. On a longer track, such as this 333m, the (fastest) line that you take to maximise your speed is different from our home track in Perth. Kaarle McCullock (now known as McCola from Art the announcer), Laura McCaughney, Liz Reap-Carlson, Dana Feiss and a few more USA girls were all good sprinters. Only 12 would qualify and the enduros like Cath Cheatley were not having a go, like me, perhaps not wanted to shown up by the sprint talents of Kaarle. Kaarle qualified first with a time of 11.8secs. I was 5th with 12.6secs, I was happy enough with this actually. The wind was up and with my deep dish wheels I certainly felt the wind going through turns 3 and 4 on the effort, I was actually concerned that I would not stay on my bike, interesting experience for being on the track.
Sprint first round (3-up- 2 laps): I was against Nina Santiago (USA) coached by Kurt (pictured here), and Dana Fiess (USA). I played it well, taking them high, until I took my eye off Fiess for a second, as I was about to jump, she jumped first and it was all over (I got second).

Sprint repecharge: Again, Jack Simes was my holder (pictured below). We were told that the first three would make it through to the next round. This didn’t seem right as we would be here all night, so I asked again; it doesn’t matter if I come 1st, 2nd or third? The answer was again yes, so I am thinking we are in for a long night and all I needed to do was come second. So second I came.

There was some confusion after this, as basically I needed to come first in the repecharge to stay in the sprints, as Jack had heard them say the bit about coming 1-3rd and making it through, he went a questioned the decision. They could not even tell me when I was next racing and what places it would be for. I was a little bit disheartened by the organisation of the racing.

In the end they remembered us, I raced a 4-up for 7th-10th. Jack suggested that I keep the pace high, save something for the back straight, and something for the finsh. So I lead out (drawing 1- closest to the bottom of the track) and kept the lead for the whole race, coming 7th overall. I was disappointed, and would have like to had held onto my fifth spot from qualifying. I won money for this however.

Next race; moving forward. The Supersprint. I have never raced one of these before, basically it is a elimination/miss-and-out until half of the field is gone, then it turns into a scratch race. So if there is 20 girls, the first 10 laps are an elimination, then the last 10 are a scratch race (first across the line is the winner). I was playing (what is called) the Devil at the back of the race, not wanted to get caught underneath. So just sitting at the back and sprinting through turn 4 to come over the bunch just before the line. Girls were getting eliminated and the call over the loud speaker (whilst we were on the back straight) that everyone was safe and it was now a scratch race. I went to settle in at the back of the bunch (rather than sitting high on the track) and crossed the line last (half a lap later). I was called that I had been eliminated, I was confused as we had just been told that we were all safe. So I came off and watched the rest of the race from the pits. Needless to say I wasn’t happy.

Final race for the night was, 10km International Women’s Challenge. I was keen to do well in this, it was a straight out scratch race, nice and simple. Rick Lee’s Budget Forklift girls were there, so they were being aggressive off the front, no one was really chasing and there was a bit of negativity from the group. Mikala Anderson was off the front for a few laps, I was happy to leave her out there for a bit, but then the bunch was not pulling turning and bringing her back. I attacked and met up with her quickly (at this point, I should have kept on going, as we were pretty far ahead in the field, she sat up and the Budget girls were chasing me down, I know these tactics).

I started talking to the other girls in the bunch, explaining what was going to happen with the Budget girls continuing to attack and that we needed to work together the chase and counter. In the last few laps there was some good moves, I put in a big chase with about 4 laps to go and thought I was done, but then found something (granted, a little late) to move up from about 10th spot to finish third. I was happy with this, Laura McCaughney won (although it quite clearly says Cheatley on the electronic scoreboard (see photo). Main results. Interesting first experience at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome. I am now pretty comfortable with the track and look forward to racing again on Tuesday night for Pro-am (which is professional riders and amateurs mixed, for no prize money). There is no Friday night racing this week, so I am arranging some crit/road racing.

We watched the racing on TV on Saturday arvo (as you do when you are staying in Trexlertown) and had the commentry on it, which was good fun. I have been for rides and hanging out with such pioneers and influential people of cycling in the US; I went for a ride with Jack Simes (velos first Director and first Race Director of criterium racing in the USA) (pictured here with Kurt), chatted and rode with Paul Pearson (one American first pro team riders- Shimano/Panasonic) and met Bill Strickland (Bicycling Magazine Editor) at post-racing drinks. Dougie and Scottie are riding like champs.

Ciao for now, thanks for reading

The body is an adaptive organism

2008-07-18T04:09:00.007+08:00

A very long (fun) drive in Carson’s WRX from Bend, OR down to San Fran, CA (all day) and a midnight flight from the west coast to Philadelphia (east coast) brings me to Trexlertown, PA. I got a brief tour on the trip past CraterMountain, OR (pictured, with water in it), the Golden Gate Bridge, CA (also pictured), and a burger joint that served on rollerblades (very American). I have started the second section of my tour and it has a big track (velo) focus.

I have come half way around the world to one of the world’s most respected tracks: (Valley Prefferred) Lehigh Valley Velodrome http://www.lvvelo.org/ . I feel right at home as Dougie (Repacholi-WA) is here- there is yet more interesting variations in his surname. David Short (AIS) has a team of Scott Sunderland, Karlee McCullock, Jason Niblett. Laura McCaughney (TAS) has been in the US for quite a few months racing with Juice Plus NC and is doing a bit of track now. Rick Lee, Audrey Anderson and the Budget juniors from around Australia have been here for the last few weeks and are heading home at the end of the week. Cath Cheatley (NZ, Cheerwine) is training and racing here for the next week or so also.

So for the women, some great talent, along with the USA girls, that I will get to race against on Friday night at the International Women’s Challenge. The track is a 333m outdoor concrete track (photos attached) and it is quite different from our one at home in Perth. There are many big name guys here from all over the world, but I don’t know any of them. I am staying with a guy named Kurt Begemann from the velo in an apartment in Macungie (pictured here) about 1.5kms from the track. Just before I came there was a track meet called Tandemonium. There was 11 tandem bikes on the track, Kurt and Beers (aka Speedie- Team Rite Aid) won the National sprint title.

After Cascade Stage race and big road trip I have tried to take it easy for a few days…allow my body to adapt and recover a little. I have checked out the racing schedule (both for track and road) and tried to set myself up. I have got the ‘transitional’ shopping list down and are enjoying the warm weather. I did a quick roll over the track this morning, and motorpace with Jack (the original velo Director) who knows Darryl Benson.

I hear some terrible news from home, a serious crash involving a car and a group of cyclist on Brookton Hwy. I am thinking of those who are involved and sending my love. On another note, I hear the Bali Bombers who killed my brother are to face the firing squad in the next few days. I am struggling a little to deal with this so far away from home, my family and loved ones. I am enjoying everyone’s emails (or blog comments) so keep them coming. I am pleased the handsome ladies are training hard and having fun.

Congrats to the Australians at the Junior World Championships, all the USA juniors here cannot believe how we keep getting great results at a Junior level, year after year. Very impressive.

Now off to find some track legs…to have a crack at some UCI points for tomorrow night.

Cycling- a sport where suffering is admired

2008-07-16T11:38:00.005+08:00

2008 Bend Memorial Clinic CASCADE CYCLING CLASSIC, July 9-13, Bend Oregon
Sunday- Stage 6, 115km circuit race course profile (I thought circuit races are suppose to be flatter…).

Final day was here, and I had made it all in one piece. No wrecks, no timecuts and my legs were still working (well mostly). I was a bit sentimental when I got into Anny and Russ’s car this morning, my first stage race was nearly over. Today I was going to try and do what I could to speak to a few race directors about their team’s plans for 2009 and let them know that I was interested. I wanted to finish the tour in the top 20 on GC. There were two main hills in today’s race; the hill up to the Feed station and the QOM (plus the funky bit after that just kept going…and going…and hurting).
We had to do 4 laps of the circuit, it was again another HOT day and we were racing at 1:05pm. I knew that I would need to ride myself into the race (I could hear the voice of reason), but when your warm-up hurts it is not a good sign. I don’t usually train this much net alone race this distance. So, as usual, the pace was ON right from the start. Molly wanted to have a hit out in the first lap and we had planned to set up a lead-out and/or sweeper for her. I was keen to have a go at being a sweeper…but she decided to have a go solo. The counters, counter, counters began. I was being smarter today and sitting in more, these hills were going to HURT and I was not going to come 30th something today. I understand that this is still very respectable in this talent-full field of 90ish racer, but I wanted to do better still.

I got dropped on the first lap and got together with a group and chased like demons to get back on. On the next lap (still not quite ridden in yet) I got dropped again and we chased again, a smaller group now as riders were falling off and staying off everywhere. It came through the radio that Katherine Mathis (Webcor) had a mechanical issue and was just in front of us, if joined our group she would be able to work with us and pull us back to the main bunch. I yelled out to her as we rode past and asked if she was okay (being encouraging) as she seemed injured. It worked a treat and she was on our group within a few miles and we were working to get her (and us) back to the bunch. One of the SHO-VAC girls in our group came off going through the sharp right turn at the round-about. She was on the front, the rider second wheel had to take the other side of the median and I managed to make it through, watching her slide out and away from me, close call.

I was so badly in the hurt box that it did not hurt anymore and I just wanted to finish, but my polar said only 60kms, surely it can’t be that long. I was feeding well from the feed station which was great as going back to the car to get feed just seemed too hard today. Jane was around my group and the other girls were in bunches behind. The race had been all broken up from lap 1.

TIBCO and Kristin Armstrong were off the front, which meant the pace would slow down a little (just enough for me to be able to breathe). As we were climbing into greater altitude, the air was so dry and it was getting hotter. The final two laps were pure pain for me, there were times when I was thinking, what am I doing, this is crazy. It was very windy and I was missing radio instructions as I could not hear them. I called through that it was windy (the guys didn’t realize and had no idea what I was talking about) then a huge tumble weed flew across the road in front of us and nearly took out the riders. We had to brush the sticks and grass off the front of our bikes. The guys could understand what I was saying now and happily repeated the finishing instructions. It was good to have Jane around me, we were encouraging each other, depending on who was more in the hurt zone at any given time.

I was focusing on getting good position and Rob was doing a great job through the radio just being the calm voice of reason "position, position, position…it is everything". For me, it was a lack of confidence that I was not moving right to the front on the downhills, I knew where I needed to be, I just didn’t feel like I deserved to be at the front with these really awesome riders. But then, I had a choice to make, get over it and get good position and be able to make the climb with the group/at the front of the group or not.

We had the final QOM Climb and the call was to give it everything, this was going to decide the final race and GC placings. I found my extra bit (who knows where I hide it) and climbed with the front of the group, girls were dropping like flies and all I could hear was Rob talking me through the climb. I was just doing as I was told and the finish line could not come fast enough. We got to the QOM, but then the bit after that just kept going on. We started to descend and the sign was 5km to the finish (I was enjoying the signs being in kms, just one thing that I did not have to try and translate).
Apparently it was all downhill to the finish, but as we went straight through the round-about (where we had previously gone right and that girl had crashed in front of me) was unknown territory. I can’t really remember much but there were some little bergs and I was just hanging on. There was a bunch sprint for third and I could see all the teams lining up their riders for lead outs etc, again, so cool to watch, I was just wishing I had a lead-out rider. I got up as far to the front as I could and held it for as long as I could to cross the line 14th. I was so pleased with this on a stage that was not suited to me. But as one of the girls requested that I stop saying this as she is a hill climber and I have finished better than her on most of the hilly stages. Jane finished in the group behind some 36seconds later. Full results. 14th place today gave me 18th on final GC and first out of my team. Goal attained, I was stoked, final GC results

We celebrated with a yummy team BBQ for dinner at Jane’s host family house. I spent the night relaxing by the river, staring at the stars sipping my water to rehydrate. Carson had made up a slide show of great photos from the race and of the Metromint girls so we got a great little presentation. We watched Cadel (Evans) get back onto the bunch after coming down in the tour. Tomorrow, Carson is driving me down to San Fran airport for me to fly to the east coast for the next stage in my incredible journey. A big thank you to Metromint for their team support (team photo above) and Barry & Jessica for sharing their house (pictured here) with us for the last week.

How goes the battle? (Mary Canning)

2008-07-13T13:43:00.005+08:00

2008 Bend Memorial Clinic CASCADE CYCLING CLASSIC, July 9-13, Bend Oregon
Saturday- Stage 5, 110km road race course profile (the hilliest road race of them all).

avHR 142bpm
maxHR 179bpm
av speed 34.5km/hr
max speed 73.6km/hr

I struggled out of bed today and piled into Anny and Russ’s car, it seemed like groundhog day and we were a well-oiled machine with getting to the starts on time. This was the first day that we were doing a shorter course than the Pro 1 men. They started at the bottom of the first hill and we started halfway up it. I did a reasonable warm-up in case the girls wanted to go right from the start up the hill, but it didn’t help, they still smashed it and I was off the back on the first climb, in a world of hurt. All the girls that had taken the easier options in the TT and crit yesterday were making us all hurt. Most of us formed a group and chased back on, I was remembering something David Short said to me about riding myself back into the race. I rode myself back in alright, straight to the front to get in two breaks (that were caught) and basically sat too close to the front, taking the wind and being a part of bringing back breaks. It was really exciting, there were attacks, and counters and counters and counters…the whole time on the flats until TIBCO got a rider away. Yuki and I were encouraging the other team riders to come to the front, Anny did well. Molly was well positioned for the final long climb, I was well positioned but chose the wrong gear and when the moves went I thought that I just didn’t have anything left (which I didn’t but would have had more if I had of been in my small chain ring) so didn’t question the gear I was in. Once I realized, I made up positions on the climb, but it was so long and near the finish that I was never going to get back the 40 or so positions that I had lost. So I dragged a train of about 4 girls up the hill, none wanted to work, so once I felt good enough, I attacked off the front to get up to the next group (thanks the girls back home, I can now do this). I caught the next group and we had a sprint for the line, Jane was in this group, I let her have the sprint (for 39th place mind you). I am a little disappointed with today, but have again learnt so, so much. The photos tell my story of pain, I wasn’t giving in though. I am 21st on GC currently. Last stage tomorrow, I would like to finish top 20 on CG and highest out of my team, bring on the circuit race.

Chewing…then spewing

2008-07-13T09:58:00.006+08:00

2008 Bend Memorial Clinic CASCADE CYCLING CLASSIC, July 9-13, Bend Oregon

Stage 3 25km TT, course profile (half seriously uphill, then return).
no race data as I lost my polar just before the turn around...but for the first 10.4kms my avHR was 171bpm with a max of 179bpm.

I woke up early this morning to covert my road bike (with ksyriums) into the best time trial machine that I could, all the while really wishing that I had my TT bike here. I had packed some TT bars that I was loaning from Andrew, I had managed to borrow a spare TT HED front clincher from Molly and a rear Zipp 404 from Anny. I bought a TT helmet (everything in the US is cheaper and they gave me a good discount), so I would fit in with the gang. I am starting to like TTs, and despite the serious incline on the way out, it meant a romping downhill return. I have been climbing quite well this week, so I wouldn’t lose that much time on the uphill and do well on the downhill. All the girls had really nice TT bikes, discs or deep dish singles at least, the gear here is very impressive, I could spend all day just looking.

Rob (Metromint support and radio adviser extraordinaire) was going to follow Jane as she was now highest on GC, about 1 minute ahead of me after her awesome effort in yesterday’s break away. I was the 60th rider to start, with 30 second intervals and the guy holding me nearly dropped me on the line. I was going really well up the hill, I could see the girl in front and I was catching her, she was also catching the girl in front of her. All was good until about 11kms when I went over a big bump (the roads were not the best) and knocked my polar from my bars, it was about to fall off. I decided to pull it off and stuff it down my shirt, but as I did this I went over another bump and it flew off onto the road.

I didn’t know what to do, all I could think about was how much it costs and how Luke would be upset if I had to buy a new one and that I would be racing for primes at the crit tonight instead of a high placing to be able to pay for it. I couldn’t decide whether to stop and look for it or forget about it and keep going. Of course, I lost heaps of time as I was yelling at (anyone who would listen) that I had lost it and could they try and find it. I got to the turn-around point and then went past the spot I'd lost it, thinking again should I stop? It is hard to determine just how much time I wasted, but maybe 30-40 secs. Anyway, during this time I managed to pass all the girls that I had been chasing, they were very fatigued at the top of the hill and I passed a few together.

Then I got passed by a lady in red State Champion kit, (I now know to be Ruth Clemence, Bicycle Johns) and I was then like a bull to a red flag (or whatever the saying is). I was determined not to let anyone pass me, US state champion or not. I tried to re-focus on the race and forget about my polar. Ruth and I stuck within sight for the rest of the race, she would again pass me on the small sections of uphill and I would go past her on the downhill. She was clearly an awesome time trialist. I was unsure of where the finish line was and (incorrectly) assumed that it was the end of the cones, I got out of the saddle to start my sprint finish and crossed the line at the same time. I had no idea how I had gone, and all I was worried about was finding my polar.

Rob helped me speak to the Commasaires and one of the moto guys looked for ages and found it, a little scratched but as good as new, I was so happy. Most of my rest time between the TT and the crit had been taken up by looking for the polar, I was exhausted by the time we started the crit. We had not been advised of the results from the TT and were unsure if some of our girls had made the time cut. Some really fast times were put out in the TT, we had done the maths and it was going to be close depending on how generous they were going to be. Molly ended up being 12th and I was 15th, Jane 22nd with Full TT results. I was now 20th on GC, with Jane 16secs in front of me. Our team was 3rd for the TT team results. I assumed that we would ride for Jane in the Crit.

Stage 4- Downtown criterium, 60 minutes

I was starting to get nervous for the Criterium, which is out of character for me since being in the US. As there was no expectations for me at any of these races, I have just gone with the flow, done my best and that was that. I had expectations for this race and when people asked, I was marketing myself as a road sprinter. I would be happy with top 10. Jessica and Barry (my FAB host housing parents) were on the sideline waving an Australian flag, and I think the entire town of Bend was also there. The weather was still very warm despite the 5:45pm start time. The course was an L shape (refer to the course maps above) with 5 right turns and 1 left. There were cobbles, a median strip and drains on the course, just to make it interesting.

About 6 girls had been time-cut, then a protest and all the girls were allowed to start. Yuki was one of them and started the criterium without a warm-up. I chatted to Jane before the race, she had no expectations for the crit and was happy to do whatever she could to help me out. The pace was on from the word go, it seems Kristin Armstrong (going to the Olympics in a few weeks) wanted to stay out of trouble from wrecks so just put on the pace and strung us all out…and out…and out. I could hear through the radio that Molly was off the back early on and was making her way back when she got caught behind the first and only crash. I heard the girls going down behind me and shuttered at the thought it could be me next.

I was mostly well positioned and it was great to have Jen (dislocated shoulder from Stage 1) on the sidelines with a radio giving out guidance. But it all came to a stop as my radio was not working from about 15mins in (I got the one that Jen had crashed in and my sweat had gotten into where it had cracked and was not working). That was the last I heard or saw of a team mate for the rest of the race. Basically, it was one of the fastest races I had been in and with so many corners and your wheels slipping on the cobbles…but I had a choice to make, did I want to be there and hurt and be happy at the end, or pull out after the time cut and get an adjusted time. No one would have cared either way, but me. These girls are so skillful, so well trained and I wanted so much to beat all of them.
I was so badly in the hurt box but I guess so was everyone. I was looking for a good wheel and found one, Brooke Miller with one lap to go, then lost it. Found a Value-Act lead out train and thought this was as close to the front as I physically could make it. I then discovered what a “sweeper’s” job in a lead out is. I have never heard of this term or such a role, but basically as Russ (Metromint support that rivals my husband’s dedication) put it: where you tail the sprinter and deliberately drop the wheel of the sprinter to make it more difficult for the rider behind to get a ride, it is not done dangerously, but just enough to make it terribly difficult for someone to sprint over the sprinter. I finished 11th and 17th on GC out of 86 racers, Criterium full results. Happy to have survived another day, disappointed to not be in the top 10, but close. I have to get some perspective, as Murray Hall would say “you have only been in the sport 10 minutes”. I managed a quick hello to Peter Dawson (Rock Racing) as he was starting the men’s race. The night was topped off with a spew, as I was walking back to my team cars, past the BJs girls warming down I threw up all over my handlebars. So to Holly and her last comment on my blog about seeing suffering…suffered I did, straight home to sleep I went. Did I mention anywhere that my legs hurt?

still chewing...

2008-07-11T11:39:00.007+08:00

2008 Bend Memorial Clinic CASCADE CYCLING CLASSIC, July 9-13, Bend Oregon

Stage 2 128kms, course profile (big hill at the end).
Max speed: 70km/hr
Av speed: 32km/hr
Max HR: 184bpm
Av HR: 142bpm

Many more photos are on the race website or Carson's site.
Our team was sitting 6th in the team ratings and I was 20th on CG, it was good news after a day where we lost a rider (Jen does not need surgery but will be out for the rest of the season). BJs lost Kerryn Charmers (an Australian rider who had surgery this morning on her lower leg after breaking it yesterday). Yuki and I were sitting up towards the front of the bunch, there were quite a few attacks early, Yuki bridged a gap to get in a break, but it got caught. Touchstone and TIBCO were keen to get riders up on CG, all the main pro teams all had someone already there. I had not seen any of our other riders for a while and called through the radio “Where are you guys?”. Jane responded and came up to the front at the right time, a good break went off the front and she was in perfect position to bridge, and did she go for it. She made it to the break of 7 and it stayed away for the day.

There were many several attempts bridge but with the wind up so much it seemed difficult, we were not trying as we knew that Jane was up there. The final long climb came and I was again happy with how I climbed, I couldn’t stick with the front bunch but put in a good sprint for 22nd place (one of the girls who finished just behind me started the sprint…I had to). Jane finished 12th in a great day for our team. Full stage results are here. I have been racing quite conservatively in the hills, and just staying out of trouble. Tomorrow is the TT in the morning, we have Molly who is a TT specialist so should do well and the crit in the evening, which I am hoping to do well in. Tomorrow should be more my day, so we will see what it brings. Jane is now 1 minute ahead of me on CG, so we may be riding for her in the crit.
For what happened with all the really good riders, it is written up in cyclingnews.

Bite off more than you can chew, then chew like hell (Dr Meghan Thomas)

2008-07-10T13:29:00.007+08:00

2008 Bend Memorial Clinic CASCADE CYCLING CLASSIC, July 9-13, Bend Oregon

Bend is about 3900ft above sea level, so the air is pretty thin up here. There is still heaps of snow on the mountains (see photo) and one of our courses has needed to be adjusted.

Carson (the ROAD magazine photographer who drove me up here) and I are staying with a lovely couple, Jessica and Barry. Jessica is Australian, which is great. She left me a note at my door this morning, saying goodluck- I feel like I am at home. There is a bit of a circus about the stage race as Levi Leiphmer and Chris Horner are racing as Astana did not get a start in the tour de france. When we arrived in Bend, we went out for a quick ride of the TT course and waved at the riders going by just before we started (as you do), Carson tells me that I just waved to Levi (I was thinking he was joking) but it really was.

Peter Dawson (Rock Racing) is here, I am yet to see him though. Rock won the men’s race today. For the ladies, we have some of the best bike racers in the world, Kristin Armstrong, Katharine Mathis etc etc etc… perspective on a hilly 5-day (6 stage) race, I am going to get. Basically, I had not been able to arrange a team start for superweek (a huge week of criterium racing) so Cascade, as a race for experience was my next best option for this time. I have been working on my hill climbing and trying some new things…as you have to make it to the front of the finish to have a good sprint.

My team consists of Jen Joynt (climber), Jane Robertson (sprinter), Molly Van Houweling (TT specialist), Yukie Nakamura (climber), Anny Henry (all-rounder) and Carrie Eller (all-rounder) and I. Pre-race is pictured here.

Stage 1: 132km Road Race, stage profile
It was hot- about 44 degrees Celsius, which is well over 100 Farinheight. We were all sweating before warm up. The stage had two main hills in it, the QOM in the middle and the final finishing climb (up a ski slope mountain). I was seriously scared about not making the time cut, that would have to be embarrassing. After giving my spare gloves to a Cheerwine rider, Marisa Asplund-Owens (she now knows my name, we all have to start somewhere), we were off. We took a tea break early on (toilet stop, just like the men. Of course I had no idea what was going on when more than half of the field stopped and dropped their pants to urinate on the side of the road- it was very Kathy Watt).

There were a few attacks, before the first big climb (73kms). I took the hill pretty easy, as I was not sure what these mountains were like and ‘bonking’ (the USA word of choice for hitting the wall) on the first climb would not be a good start for me. But then got to the top and thought, was that it? I finished the QOM about half way through the field, and then chased solidly to get back up the positions as soon as I could as it flattened out. The race was then stopped for about an hour as there was a very serious crash in the mens’ race (in front of us). Ben Brooks (an Australian rider from Team Type 1) needed to be stabilized then taken to hospital after coming off on one of the (many) cattle crossings.

The little bunch that I finished with also re-started with everyone who finished behind. This was good for some of my team mates who had been caught up in a wreck (USA word for crash), but not so good for me. It would have come back together again on the descent however. The groups in front of us started with the time gaps that had been recorded at the QOM. The bunch caught the group in front, leaving a strong group of 7 in the lead. They stayed away for the whole race.

We battled the wind on the constant 40km rise up to the final steep hill finish (it was that special type of wind that keeps coming from all angles). Jen was caught behind a big wreck and separated her shoulder joint- she had to be taken to hospital and is now out of the race. Lindsay Myers and I were nearly taken out by a motorbike that had stopped in the left hand lane and I cannot believe that we did not come off.

I was not positioned as well as I would have liked for the final climb (according to my Polar and unit conversions we still had another few kms before turning at the base of the climb) but as we turned and the gradient seriously increased, it was clear. There was not many people that passed me on the climb and I was moving up. I went past all of our team riders that were in front of me and past Lindsay, I tried to catch yet another girl on the line with a bit of a sprint and a throw (you can always practice and I don’t care that I was trying for 19th place). So finished 20th, my goodness. I was so happy and the highest on CG for my team, and I was so worried about not making the time cut today. The results have been posted online and will also be on cycling news.

The end of the day finished with a recovery period at the hospital, waiting to see how Jen's shoulder was (pictured here). I need to get some rest for tomorrow, hoping for another survival day like today.
With love from your little “sickalist” who is claiming an all-rounder title for today. I think I might stick with my new climbing technique- a big thank you to Ben King for his advice on this.

There is a better way to do it; find it (Thomas Edison)

2008-07-07T14:09:00.009+08:00

Vacaville Gran Prix, Vacaville, CA, 28kms- Sunday 6th July 2008

Results (Top 10 places): or Full results
1. Lauren Ellis (Jazz Apples Cycling)
2. Sarah Bamberger (Cheerwine)
3. Ruth Corset (Jazz Apples Cycling)
4. Flavia Oliveira (Touchstone Climbing)
5. Jane Despas (Klein Real Estate)
6. Starla Teddergreen (Dolce Vita Cycling)
7. Davina Summers (Dewars Racing Team)
8. Taitt Sato (ValueAct Capital)
9. Amy Chandos (Cal Aggie Cycling)
10. Lindsay Myers (Dewars Racing Team) (pictured above with me)

David Albrecht (pictured here) is the complete champ who chauffeured Lindsay and I to this race and to Davis a few days earlier. Dave has raced as a pro in Europe in the 80’s and been on the US National Team, he had great stories and much great advice as we past the hours to travel to and from the races. Thanks for looking after us Dave.

I caught up with Ruth Corset at registrations, Ruth and I met at the Oceania RR in Nov 2007, she is currently racing for the NZ based team Jazz Apples Cycling. The course was technical with 8 corners and a big hill (the biggest hill I have ever done on a crit), it was like a figure 8. It was a very hot day and we started racing at 11:50 in the morning. As I saw it the race was dominated by Jazz Apples, Touchstone and ValueAct. Metromint had good attacks during the race, Lindsay and I got in a decent break of four, we were caught though.

Because of the course, I was pretty sure that a break would go and stay. I did everything to make sure I was going to be a part of it, too much in fact, such that I didn’t have anything really left for a final sprint. Lindsay was also racing in Dewars kit, we were not really working as a team, we just weren’t chasing each other down (what is the difference you ask?)…

I was really impressed by the dedication of some of the DNF team members to commit themselves (to hurting the bunch) so much for their team mates that they could not finish the race, and trust me they (and we) were hurting in that sun.

The highlight of my race was winning a prime, only one though.

This week is the start of our Cascade Classic stage race (hurt week). I am really looking forward to being a part of a team of 7 riders. I have a lift up there with a photographer from ROAD magazine, Carson Blume. We are staying in Redding tonight partway between Paradise and Bend (in the next state up), Oregan. The map shows the journey.

This week I have had some exciting retail experiences with automatic checkout at the grocery store, and because I never worked as a check-out chick, finding those bar codes is hard work. Also a drive thru ATM, now someone is thinking.

We have been watching a little bit of the tour, I was inspired this morning when the four man break managed to stay away for 200-odd kms. Usually, I go for the sprinters in the bunch and hope that they catch the break (being a sprinter myself), but this time I was going for the break, I think they deserved the places.

Hope all is good.

Next stop…the dias (podium)

2008-07-05T12:11:00.011+08:00

The 32nd Annual Fourth of July Criterium, Davis, North CA, USA (50mins)

Results (top 5):
1. Brooke Miller (Team TIBCO)
2. Katharine Carroll(Aaron’s Professional Cycling Team)
3. Davina Summers (Dewars Racing Team)
4. Taitt Sato (ValueAct Capital)
5. Anna Woldring (Code 3 Racing)

The online results also link to other US race results for these riders...but basically Brooke and Katharine are serious hot bike races (on the European circuit too).

My morning started early in LA, the lovely Sandra dropped me at the airport for my flight (and subsequent shuttle bus) to Davis. I arrived at the criterium registration and assembled my bike. Linds had not remembered my Dewars kit, so I was “Fleeting” it up today. The course was an “L” shape with 5 LEFT hand turns and 1 right. The road quality was a little poor in parts, but it just made it more interesting (and me worried that I had put too much pressure in my tires). We had about 43 starters, again some REALLY good riders; Brooke Miller (who ended up winning) also won the NRC Manhattan Beach Criterium on Sunday, and the good teams (PROMAN, ValueAct, TIBCO, Aarons, Cheerwine etc) were out in force.

I warmed up on rollers (Linds had arranged them, what a champ) and my legs didn’t feel too good. I was so excited about racing yesterday, but was sleepy and aeroplaney this morning. But before I knew it, we were off. The race had heaps of primes and heaps of attacks (normal racing I am learning) I can’t even remember them all, the pace was on from the start. As the course was short (0.7mi) with so many turns it was hard to move around in the bunch. There were a couple of breaks that got away, mostly from teams controlling the bunch, but not for long.

Lindsay was riding well, she was on the front working to bring back breaks and the commentator was talking her up. We came down to the last few laps and I was positioned well, on the wheel of Brooke Miller with 1/2 lap to go, but I was about 6-7 in line. Brooke was yelling at her lead-out rider to “kick”, but the poor girl wasn’t able to give her as much as she wanted. Into the final corner, I took the inside line to move up places (but slowed as a result) and kicked (I was in too hard a gear for kicking at that slower speed) and was not able to keep the wheel- plus I am sure her sprint is more refined than mine (well for now anyway).

One of the other girls in the front, who took a wider line fought it out with Brooke for first and second. I found my sprint (after changing down a gear) and threw for third, getting it by about ½ a wheel, a bike length or so behind first/second. More lessons learnt, I love sprinting against these girls, they are so good and the lead outs are well timed and organized. It is awesome just to be close enough to watch. My aim to finish on the podium can now be checked off. The race and sprint finish video can be seen here after you click on the Women 1/2 link. My red helmet stands out on the right hand side.

I met up with the Metromint Team that I will be riding with next week at Cascade and got my kits and passed most of my registration details to them. In preparation for today’s presentation, I was wearing Lindsay's jersey and she was in one of mine so I was promoting Dewars, but they were not very organized and in the end I collected my prize money and we packed up to go home (back to base camp in Paradise). We have decided not to race tomorrow, for a number of reasons, but will do a ride from Chico. All fired up for the state criterium race in Vacaville on Sunday.

Race stats:
HR max: 190bpm
HR avg: 168bpm
Speed max: 48.4km/hr
Speed avg: 39.4km/hr
Distance: 33.2kms

And finally, by anon. request, a photo of my fancy Specialized shoes…

"Ahh-zee" adventures in LA.

2008-07-04T07:32:00.005+08:00

The weather is nice and fairly warm (low thirties) - I love summer, but really by default as a really dislike the cold and rain. I have been on some group rides with "Team Hollywood" the local club, meeting at the Warner Bros Records Building. Some of the guys in the bunch ride with no helmets, as it is not compulsory. One day I found myself up (what could only be described as) a mountain after about 20kms of extra climbing, nice view (pictured below), and then had to work out how to get back home (translation- I was lost about 60kms from home). Another day I went on a mission to find the big "Hollywood" sign in Griffith Park, I did find it (also pictured below), then preceded to get very lost in downtown LA (I realized that I was really lost and looked at the signs- one way said Hollywood Blvd and the other Sunset Blvd, I had to laugh). Also, I have no problems with riding in the traffic now.

I do have the hang of riding on the right (wrong) side of the road, getting good service, bottom-less drinks, talking in miles, feet, pounds and using 25c pieces. I have bought us some new sneakers $25 - what a bargin. Sandra is picking up on my Aussie lingo and her favourite words are- whinging, sledging (we are watching some sports), rubbish (instead of trash) and boot (instead of trunk). Americans seem to find it very hard to prounce my name and I am really going by "The Auzzie".

I met John (of Bicycle Johns) and saw the biggest bike shop I have ever seen, and seriously if you actually stock aero helmets, you must just about have everything. Although the local men have been quizzing me on my shoes (my new Specialized ones) and that they want some, but cant find any in the stores. Sandra got me into an exclusive gym to do my program for the week- it is all about who you know, talk about feeling special.

I have done some training, in preparation for this Stage race next week, I am under no illusion about just how hard it is going to be. But before then, this weekend I have a regional criterium race on Friday (Fourth of July Criterium), a road race on Saturday (Leesville Gap RR) and another criterium on Sunday (Vacaville Gran Prix). The race on Sunday is the Elite Women’s Northern California/Nevada Criterium State Champs.

This weekend is the 4th July holiday (similar to Australia Day). I have seen a steady increase in American flags and baked food items over the last week or so. Tonight I am getting taken to Malibu beach and then first thing in the morning I fly up to Northern CA to drive straight the crit race. One week down, and all is good. I am happy with how I am riding, for where I am at, and my bike is going well- just for the record, red does go faster.

There is a lot of money in LA, flash cars, big houses etc. But I wouldn't give up my life and all that I have, for every cent in the world. No chance, sir.

They are no different from you, they have two arms and two legs and are just trying to do the same thing as you (M. Hall)

2008-06-30T16:28:00.013+08:00

47th Annual Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix (presented by Rock Racing), CA, USA Sunday, 30th July, 2008.

With 67 pre-registrations, and more lining up I could only guess that we had about 80 starters. It was a hotdog course (described by the organizers as a ‘bent paperclip’-only if you have a vivid imagination) with two hills, one shorter steeper one into Turn 1 and a longer uphill into the wind before Turn 2. There was 2 right hand 180 degree turns. We had 5 Bicycle John’s Team riders including Skye-Lee. Today we were wearing radios (see picture above), not that you wanted to take your hands off the bars to use them, it was rough from the road and the riders.

As it was a NRC race with big time pro racers and teams, I was a little nervous, it was great to have a hit out yesterday. But I went in there with clear direction, and a "nothing to lose" attitude, it really seemed to work for me. It was a really fun race, there were heaps of attempts to get away from the teams, but none successful. Stuff going on everywhere, half the effort was concentrating for 50 minutes solid. Because of the technical course, no one was really able to hold a position and everyone was constantly fighting to keep it.

There was a great purse of $7500 paid to 20th place for Cat1/2 women, my aim was to get prize money, so top 20 and I would be happy. In the last few laps the pace really was on, everyone knew that if you weren’t in the top 5 coming through the final corner you weren’t going to win. I moved up well on the final two laps, up the hill particularly and was happy with my position in about 6-8th wheel (behind a Cheerwine train of four, with Laura Van Guilder one in front of me) with ½ lap to go. There was a flyer up the inside and both girls in front of me hesitated or had nothing to go with it. Skye-lee was also around me at the time, I moved out and jumped on, now about 15-20th with a ¼ lap to go.

This was not good, I had to move…fast. So I got up and had a sprint coming into the final corner, there were people cutting in and chopping on the corner (worse that every other corner), then kicked hard out of the corner and just held on for as long as I could. I finished 14th, Skye-Lee 25th, Sandra Kolb 29th, and Anna and Charlyne thereafter (team photo-minus Skyee-Lee is below). Full results and details can be found on the event website. I took a photo of the results list (pictured here) as it said my team was Fleet Cycles, -you can double clink on it to make it bigger- it has since been changed to BJs. I had to be happy, my first NRC event, in a big field and I was winning decent prize money. So I was pleased, but I still want to win. I want to be on one of those big pro team trains I saw today, I want to be a part of that.

It was great to see Pete Dawson (Rock Racing) race, his team finished first and third in the Cat 1 Men. For a moment, talking with him I felt like I was home again. His team must have an enormous budget, the video show the cars/trucks etc. There was a great atmosphere with food stalls, promotional tents, music etc I was really impressed.

I have changed my flights and am now staying in LA (NoHo- North Hollywood) until Friday 4th July as the air quality is better, and I feel safer away from the bushfires. I am then racing 3 days straight, regional racing in Northern CA with Lindsay and Dewars Racing Team.

Sandra and Bicycle John's Elite Team has been fantastic, I have learnt so, so much and have been very well looked after. What an incredible journey I am on.

Thanks for reading.

If you arn’t going all the way, why go at all? Joe Namath

2008-06-29T14:11:00.000+08:00

I have settled into "base camp" at Lindsay Myers’ house (pictured here) in Paradise, close to Chico, CA. We have been out and done a few easy rides and some rollers, my legs are getting there. The Health Warning for the Northern California bush fires has been upgraded to Stage 2- basically stay inside the house, and obviously this is not ideal for us and our training, not to mention the concerns about my safety from home. We have discussed the merits of wearing a facemask whilst on a training ride and I tried asking a man about the mask he was riding in the other day, but he couldn’t understand "Australian" so Lindsay had to speak with him.

We have used this time to plan our races and options to get out of town (and the region) to get away from the smoke. Change of plan for this weekend and I am now flying to LA (instead of driving) for the NRC Manhattan Beach Criterium and a regional race; Green Trolley. I will be picked up from the airport and staying with Sandra Kolb (the DS of Bicycle John’s regional elite womens’ team). Skye-Lee Armstrong (NSW-Australia) is racing with this team too.

Green Trolley criterium (regional race) in San Diego, CA, USA (50 mins).
Sandra and I raced today (Saturday) and my goal was to win primes and help out Sandra where I could, she wanted a good overall placing for regional points (their road rider of the year). Cash primes were offered for the first four laps, then some prize primes throughout the race. The course was a square (all right hand turns) with an uphill section to the finish that reminded me of the Perth Criterium Series #3- Vic Park.

I honestly had no idea how I would go against the other girls, but felt okay and looking forward to learning, learning I did. I won the first two lap primes, then on the third lap/prime a group of three got away. Of the break, two of the riders were unattached and one was a Cat2. Shortly thereafter there was an attack and three of us got away. I wasn’t sure whether I should work with them or bring them back to the main group (as we wanted Sandra to place) so I decided not to work as it was very early in the 50 min race.

There were some good Cat 1 riders (and regional teams represented: Helens, DeWalt, SDBC) with only one team rider in the break, I thought that we would get plenty of opportunities to bring them back. In hindsight, Sandra was happy for me to go and wished that we had of worn the radios so she could tell me to. The teams did not seen to want to work to bring back the break, as Sandra is normally a dommestic rider (and a great time trialist) they seemed to be all looking at her to work to bring back the break. The couple of times I got on the front to help her out after my primes, they attacked. There was some bunch primes and I won another two.

Another attack went and Sandra was in front of me, she went and I saw it but didn’t react, keeping the rest of our bunch back (minus the other three riders in front of her). So there was a lead group of three, and then Sandra’s chase group of four, then the bunch. The lead group lapped the field and caught the bunch, and stayed in the bunch. I got on the front and slowed down the bunch (so that that Sandra’s chase group would also bridge to the bunch and I could lead her out for the finish). I copped a spray from a rider saying that I shouldn’t provide wind resistance to the lead riders (I am not sure they knew what I was trying to achieve).

It was clear that the front riders were content with staying in the bunch, I am not sure if they knew there was a chase group. So I changed tact as it was coming to the final few laps of the race and decided to drop off the bunch back to Sandra’s chase group to help them bridge the gap to the bunch and the front riders. I didn’t realize that you can’t do this according to the rules, so when I went past the start/finish the commasaire called my name to get off the front of the chase group. I did and rolled into the official stand the next lap. He told me what I did was against the rules, but because I came off straight away it was okay and I had some primes to claim that I should finish the race (with 2 laps to go) even though I was a lap and a ½ down on the bunch now.

The bunch slowed down and I got back on (now 1 lap down on the main field and 2 laps down on the leaders). We had a sprint for the finish (but because I was laps down I was not sure if I needed to complete these laps- just for the record you don’t) and came second in the sprint across the line. Sandra won her chase group sprint to take forth overall and wasn’t far behind the lead group in the end.

So all in all, I learnt heaps (that was the aim), we should have used radios, I cornered well and I won 4 primes (I would have been happy with one actually). I won some cash, $30 worth of Fluid powder (like Powerade) in a tub and some carbon brake pads. Luke will be happy, he loves it when I win prizes. Big NRC race tomorrow (Sunday), I will be racing for BJs in a team of 5, including Skye-Lee. There is 67 Cat1/2 women pre-registered (plus day- registrations) and I have to get up early (like 4:45am) to travel to the race.
So goodnight.

Footnote: Cat 1 = USA "A" grade/pro riders, Cat 2 = USA "B" grade riders etc.. down to Cat 4 for the women.

I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities (Whoopi Goldberg)

2008-06-26T20:54:00.007+08:00

Hello USA…
As I arrive at San Francisco airport (California) I try to pick Lindsay Myers (Dewars Racing Team) from the line-up of eagerly waiting friends/family at the international arrival gate. In the end it is the lycra tan-lines that are a give-away and she is not one of the ones waving an American flag. We had a 4 hour drive to her house in Paradise (yes folks, that is what the city is called) with plenty of stops along the way.

It is summer weather, about 30 degrees, a little humid and there has been some very big bushfires in the area, the air is thick with smoke and haze. It is pretty hilly so I am looking forward to the training (in a crazy sort of way). Immediately, I set up my bike in record speed, SO KEEN TO GET ON IT. I am not feeling so special at this stage, very sleepy, but nontheless my legs were going to start circling themselves if I didn’t ride soon.

Lindsay (pictured here) and I rolled for about 1.5hours before meeting up with a small group of guys for another couple of hours for some E1/2 training. I now understand why the boys at home are so worried about me riding alone…1) I had seriously no idea where I was 2) I really had some issues with working out which side of the road to be on. I kept thinking I was turning in front of on-coming traffic. Everyone is very nice, friendly and welcoming, I am so keen to find my legs and race on the weekend.

Lindsay pointed out the gym on the way home from the ride, Andrew has sent through a basic strength program for me if I can fit it in. So it is pretty much business as usual, I have some pretty specific goals for this training/racing block, it will hurt, but I can’t wait to (hopefully) yield the benefits in the Australian summer season.

I have just finished reading a Bicycling article on the DS (Director Sportif- person in charge of a team) of Dewars Racing, Laura Charameda. She is one of America's most successful pros ever and I am in awe of her ability and knowledge, she is a road/crit sprinter. She has just emailed me about my kit for the local races and Cascade.

My stopover in Tokyo was interesting, having studied Japanese at High School, I had some understanding of the culture and enough of the language to communicate. I was still pretty shocked to find a Japanese toilet, but after working out what all the buttons mean… I think they are onto something, I wonder if you can get them in Australia…

I have just update myself with my emails and the Sunday Hills ride blog - there is a nice photo of Bec and I. See, I am not that far away really.

Don’t forget to breathe (M. Thomas)

2008-06-24T07:22:00.007+08:00

Somewhere between Perth and Tokyo, I am reflecting on the week that has been and smile. I’ve almost made it to the USA. I still can’t think of anything I have forgotten which is surprising as I have not packed much. I have packed so little in fact that I was under my baggage weight (with two bikes) so have not had to pay any excess thus far.

We had another good turnout to the women’s track night on Friday, was great to see the ladies enjoying themselves. The “Handsome Ladies” went out to do some cornering practice on Saturday after the morning group ride. Unfortunately for me, the corners were left hand turns (after all we were still in Australia). The conclusion for the day was that very strange people hang out in car parks in South Perth…although the four of us were riding around and around in circles, so maybe we were the strange ones.

Andrew and I have invested a great deal of time getting my position on my new Specialized road bike as close to the set-up of my old bike as possible. This has involved spirit-levels, plumb bulbs and lots of measuring. I didn’t realize how much of a difference a few mms actually made. I have also received my fancy new red helmet (to match my go-fast bike), the shoes that I have always wanted (I almost slept in them) and glasses with light-adjustable lens. Red is fast becoming my new black.

To get an idea of where I am for the next few weeks click on the View Larger Map' Paradise/Chico/Reno/Manhattan Beach Map. I will be based in Paradise, (CA) with some days in Reno doing some altitude training. I will ride my ‘aeroplane’ legs in for the first 4 days and see how we go from there. My first race is part of the NRC Series (American National Road Calendar) at Manhattan Beach, CA (marked with the point on the map) and I have a guest ride with a pro team, Bicycle Johns. This is not New York-Manhattan (I had a slight panic thinking we were driving all the way across America earlier in the week, so it is funny now). It is a Pro1/2 womens’ criterium paying to 20th place with a purse of $7500. The race is sponsored by Rock Racing (Peter Dawson’s team) and I am impressed that 20th gets money.

The current plan for the following week is 3 straight days of local racing with Dewars Racing Team, this includes the Nevada/Northern California state criterium championships. Followed by 2 days of recovery, then Cascade Classic. This is a long NRC stage race, with some hilly sections and I am looking forward to the experience.

I have been instructed by both Luke and Andrew to not go riding on my own 1) I will get lost 2) I will likely turn in front of some traffic.
The phase-shift in my circadian rhythm begins, as I stretch my legs out over the three seats that I claimed with lightening speed as soon as the seat-belt sign went off…who says I am not a sprinter?

Goodnight xx

Life is change, growth is optional, choose wisely (Karen Clark)

2008-06-19T22:33:00.000+08:00

It is official, I am flying to the USA on Tuesday 24th June to race for 8 weeks, I have a mixed, jam-packed schedule with some team affiliations and people looking after me. A special thank you to the following people who have really helped to make this happen and create opportunities for me, at the last minute mind you: Janelle Graham, Lindsay Myers, Laura Charameda, Michelle Beltran, Rochelle Gilmore, Leonie Burford, Darryl Benson, Marty Nothstein and Andrew Ivey. Of course, my husband & family for letting me go and NAM&S for sponsoring my flights.

The reality is setting in as my flights are booked, my international licence has arrived and I am now telling people I am leaving in under a week. This is a massive opportunity that I have created for myself (very early in my career, I am aware) and I am very much looking forward to the experience and the very many lessons I know I will learn. I will be professional in my approach and as always, represent WA/Fleet Cycles/Avanti-Specialized to the best of my ability.
I’m not at all freaking out about spending the next two months (or so) on the other side of the world, with people I hardly know, to ride my guts out every day that I can. No, not at all. I will keep you updated with regular blog posts and you can follow me around the US. But don’t be expecting wins, I am going to be racing at an international level for some of the NRC races against seriously hot bike racers, just finishing these races will be (as good as) winning for where I am at. I am also going to get a crash course in right hand turns for criteriums (they ride on the opposite side of the road- yikes, I’m not even very good at left hand ones yet). I am also stopping in Toyko and hoping to see some of this crazy kerien racing Benny K once told me stories about...

I am already starting to work out what I am going to miss out on; starting with the HUGE track event that is planned for June 29th in conjunction with Cyclosportif. There is the cyclist reunion event in the middle of the track with food and drinks included, apparently the first time this has been offered. I have been told that the social aspect to watching track racing is huge overseas (I will let you know soon) and I can’t see why we can’t create something awesome here in Perth with everyone’s support. Cycling WA website has all the details, apparently some of the AIS boys will be racing, some NZ National guys, Trav Meyer and Graeme Brown- why wouldn’t you go? My husband is doing the sound, so half of me will be there.

At this event, our Plan B WA Racing Team will be announced and launched. This is the first of its kind for WA after some seriously hard work by Darryl Benson, Chris Thompson and the Team Management. I will be disappointed to not be at the official launch but honored to be in the women’s team.

So much to do, so little time.

Try? There is no try, there is only do or not to do.

2008-06-15T21:52:00.001+08:00

WA State Time Trial Championships SRS#8- 25kms; Dardanup, WA

With the top three podium places in last year’s race divided by only 5 seconds, and as defending state title holder I was fired up to ride well. The wind was up (the kind that seems to be coming from all angles) but the sun was shining. It was an undulating, out-and-back course and I was the last of the women off with a start time of 14:15, with 1 minute intervals between riders.
My aim was simple: win.

The starts were uneventful, Cherie (Symmetry CC) was granted a technical restart and was now starting 1 min behind me. The first half of the race was the worst, the overall gradient was uphill, there was a few hills that I overgeared slightly on (it is hard to change your gear if you are out of the saddle on a TT bike) and I picked the wrong one at the base of the hills. I tried to keep Lorraine (ATTA) in sight, but it was hard, she was really moving (and I was hurting). We turned the u-turn, it was confusing how to maneuver through the cones and I slowed considerably.

I had seen all the women come back from the turn; Danielle Longworth was riding on a flat tire, there were Claire (WAIS), Linda (SWCC) and Kelly (KD cycles) not separated by much, so I worked out Claire must be riding a fairly fast time. Sarah (EH Bike Services) came past, then Lorraine; at the time I estimated that Lorraine was 30secs behind Sarah and Lorraine was still 1 minute in front of me. I was on the final leg, and got (what I call) my second kick, the fun bit. I was starting to feel good and could finally see Sarah and Lorraine. We came to the finish and Lorraine was just in front of me, I tried so hard to catch her, but finished some 5 seconds behind.

As all good time trials should, it hurt, every single bit of it. I am trying to average 40km/hr over our standard distance (25kms), I can do it with 16km TTs, so am working on it over the longer distances, but with the hills and wind on our course in this race, I was happy enough with 39km/hr. I was just so happy to win.

Final results (top 5):
1. Davina Summers 0:38:28 (57sec faster than last year)
2. Lorraine Schutz 0:39:23 (7sec faster than last year)
3. Claire McLean 0:40:06 (DNS last year)
4. Sarah Fraser 0:40:50 (22sec faster than last year)
5. Linda Evans 0:41:14 (48sec faster than last year)

Tracey Ober took out the Masters title over Sue Munro. The junior racing had a good turnout, with Melissa Hoskins (JETS) taking out the U/19 girls in a great win over Sarah Kent (Drapac/WAIS). U/17s girls: Michaela Anderson 1st, Bella King (JETS) 2nd. Full results can be found on the ATTA website.

Pleasingly, I am now leading the SRS points table (unofficially) with 2 races to go in the season. I may not be in Perth for either of the races, so sadly this may be as close as I get to winning it for 2008.

Thanks to ATTA (Peter Meyer) & SWCC for organising a well run event. A special thank you to Mr Bobby Barnes (9th place Masters Men), for letting me use his rear disc wheel, and my coach; Andrew Ivey(pictured here with me) for driving me down to the race.

A wise man will make more opportunites than he finds (Frances Bacon)

2008-06-12T08:35:00.000+08:00

A week of organising and resting (I love organising and I am not so good at resting), and lots of NAM&S work.

My new road bike (pictured) has arrived and it is AWESOME! Sadly, I have not ridden on it much, due to the weather, resting and completing TT efforts on TT bike for Saturday's State TT Champs. It is much lighter than my Tarmac, it has Durace (as opposed to Ultegra) and I am looking forward to giving it a good run next week. I will test out the Rovel Fusee SL wheels and determine whether a red bike, in fact, does go faster. A massive thank you to Fleet Cycles and Specialized for arranging this for me.

The final (adjusted) results from Menzies have been published. I have been awarded 3rd overall. I had heard somewhere along the grapevine that the guy who ran second was on a day licence. The girls' protest for the Female prizes was upheld, great that it all has been sorted.

My thoughts are with all the male riders involved in the big crash at the 100km champs last weekend. Hope all of your bruises, scrapes and broken bones get better soon.

The training focus for the week has been on TTs, even at NDCC training on Weds night we were all doing TT efforts (good efforts by Allee Proud and Rebecca Mumme BTW). As the defending champion for all 4 state road events from 2007; I am hoping I can actually defend this one. Second is good, but I like to win and are not afraid to say it. With the 'race of truth' there is no wheel for me to sit on, me and my (still) fuzzy head will have hurt all on our own for 25kms.

According to Cycling WA there is 10 Open Women confirmed to start; DS, Lorraine Schultz (World Masters TT Champ), Claire McLean (Australian LC1 AWD athlete), Sarah-Jeanne Fraser, Linda Evans, Kelly Grey, Danielle Longworth, Cherie Bonasera, Tracey Ober and Anna Kauffmann. Lorraine and Claire have excelled in TT events past, everyone else seems to be in good form, should be a great race. Melissa and Sarah Kent will fight out for the U/19 title over less distance.

As far as the SRS WA Women's Points Table is going, I (unofficially) have Sarah-Jeanne in the lead on 370 points, with Holly McClellan and I joined second, Linda Evan 4th and Melissa Hoskins 5th. Sarah may just take out the award again this year, I must say, very impressive if she can.

Thanks to those who comment on my posts, I am hoping to see more.

You are the handicap you must face- James Allen

2008-06-08T19:11:00.001+08:00

State 100km (85km) Championships, SRS#7; 10 x 8.5km laps, Wandi, Perth WA.

Av speed 35km/hr
Max speed 56km/hr
Av HR 161bpm
Max HR 188bpm

We had a good turnout (for WA women’s racing) for our 2nd State race and 7th race of the state series, with 15 women at the start line. It was great to see riders like Kelly Harry (Glen Parker Cycles) and Jo Bennett (Kalamunda Cycles) who haven’t raced (cycling) for a while. Also, some of the regular, new faces like Kelly Grey (KD Cycles) and Anna Kauffmann. Despite resting, I still hadn’t been able to shake the headcold I’ve had for the last 3 weeks, so I was just going to see how warm-up and the first lap went. I figured I would work it out pretty soon, the course was flat but breathing was still not-optional. I thought I would set the scene early by attacking within the first few 100m of the race (unsure of how long I would last, at least I could contribute whilst I was there). This was counter-attacked by Melissa Hoskins (JETS). In comparison to what usually happens in our races, there were quite a few attacks, and a couple, but not nearly enough, counter-attacks. Without these counter and third attacks it would be pretty difficult to get away on such a flat course.

So not surprisingly, it came down to a bunch kick. I was thinking, surely someone didn’t want it to be a sprint finish. I was waiting for the early moves, and then they didn’t come…until the last km when Rebecca Armstrong (Cyclemania) came up the inside…fast. We all sort of looked at each other, someone had to chase but no one went immediately (Rebecca’s lead was growing). Jo Bennett got on the front and chased her down (a mighty effort after being on the front for a great deal of the day), Sarah-Jeanne kicked up the inside, with Melissa on her wheel and Cherie Bonasera (Symmetry CC)(pictured above) followed by the bunch. After getting out of my (poor) position through the corner, I started my sprint wheel-less and into the wind, not ideal, I am aware. I could see that Melissa had passed Sarah and was in the lead with only about 100m to go. I gave it all that I could to try and get there, but the line came too quick for me.
A great win to Melissa (pictured- special thanks to Pete (her Dad) for the photo), I was second, and Cherie third. I will need to check but I think it was Melissa’s first road race win (with the Open Women) and Cherie’s first podium finish. We all seemed pretty happy with the day.

Now, I need to rest for the final state race next weekend: State TT Champs.

Opinions are made to be changed - or how is truth to be got at? (Lord Byron)

2008-06-07T11:42:00.000+08:00

Interesting week this week, with some great track racing last night at the WA Speed dome. I was scheduled for more recovery so took the rollers down and watched the racing for a couple of hours whilst rolling. The rider participation numbers were good and I was itching to be out there. A grade had an ominium series, some great racing from Jordon VdT, Luke Durbridge and Duane Johanson which was very entertaining. B grade had Bella King giving her best in a big field, very impressive. C grade was a mix of new adults (like Bec Halliday, Anna Kauffmann (pictured below), Stephanie, and Dannika-returning from injury), some Masters (Bobby Barnes etc) and juniors (mostly NDCC; Kate Rendell, Allee Proud etc). Bec H was impressive (pictured above) and may have just earned herself a promotion to B grade. Next track racing is 29th June in conjunction with Cyclosportif, see WA Cycling website for more info.

There has been a little bit of discussion over the women’s prizes for the Menzies last weekend. As I understand, a formal complaint has been submitted and the results are being re-assessed. I have chosen not to support the formal complaint as I am happy with my 4th (overall) placing and prize money. As I read the rulings, I am not entitled to ‘women’s prizes’ as my outright placing is of greater monetary value than the first women (and you should be only able to receive one prize, of the highest value). As in my previous post, I had a top weekend.

We have our state WA 100km title on this weekend, the second of the road state titles up for grabs and the SRS #7 race for the year. It seems there will be a quality field of women with; myself, Anna K, Melissa Hoskins, Kelly Gray, Kelly Harry, Sue Johnston, Sarah-J F, Nadine, Jo Bennett, Cherie B, Danielle, Rebecca Armstrong and Nathalie L. I have been informed by Russell Miller (race organizer) that if we have 10 starters on the day there will be a separate women’s race. It will be my last race with my current Specialized bike; Specialized and Fleet have arranged me a new road bike that will be getting built on Monday. I am very excited, photos to follow soon. Apparently it has red in it…red goes fast doesn’t it?

The main event for the week was my birthday. This was a great opportunity to be reminded by my friends that life is not ‘all about the lycra’ as they put it. I had a great day starting with breakfast with my four best mates (pictured here). They have watched and been very supportive of my transition into being a cyclist over the last two years; thanks guys, you are the best. My day finished with a romantic dinner out with my husband to our favourite restaurant. What more could a girl ask for?

Living the dream

2008-06-02T19:26:00.001+08:00

Menzies-Kalgoorlie Australia’s Richest Handicap Race, May 31st and June 1st.
We missed all of the rain in Perth this weekend, and had a FAB weekend away in Kalgoorlie (6 hours drive east of Perth) for what is fast becoming my favourite race of the WACF calendar. The smooth running of the race(s) and events were a credit to the Eastern Goldfields Cycle Club and I encourage all WA (or Australian) riders to support the well-paying event next year. Saturday was the criterium racing and Sunday was the handicap road race.

Saturday 31st May, 2008 C grade Criterium: technical, hotdog circuit with slight uphill and round-about in the middle
Distance 25mins plus two laps,
Av speed 33.4km/hr
Max speed 49.2km/hr
Av HR 181bpm
Max HR 189bpm
Start # about 15 men, 2 women

I had a little cheer squad on the sidelines, the screams of "Go Davina" made my day each time I rode past, thank you very much for your support. I rode conservatively initially, the pace was on but no one was getting away, I just tried to settle in. There was good jostling for position, quite a few good attacks, and only one corner incident (affecting two riders). The round-about in the middle made it interesting when the group bunched, appropriately positioned hay-bails ready to soften any impact, thankfully were not required. In hindsight, I started my run for home a little early perhaps and may have done a bit too much to bring back attacks later in the race. Murray Hall rode a great race with good positioning, I was watching and learning. Out of the final corner, there was a clear leader and the bunch sprint was on for 2nd, I finished about 9th and was happy with my race.

The only other race I saw was the A grade criterium, an awesome effort by Luke Durbridge (Ward Cycles/WAIS) to win by lapping the field. I was impressed, and taking more mental notes.

Sunday 1st June, 2008
Menzies to Kalgoorlie Australia’s Richest Handicap Race
Distance 132kms
Av speed 42.5km/hr
Max speed 56.2km/hr
Av HR 159bpm
Max HR 187bpm
Start # 120 (inc E grade)

I was so very excited about this race and you could not wipe the smile off my face. C grade was smaller than last year (20 riders), with a big D grade (27 riders), B grade also looked strong (20 riders) with some of these riders knocking on the door of A grade (11 riders). E grade went off at 10am. E grade it is largely considered a participation grade with riders not being able to claim prize money- we will come back to this. D grade started with some haste a short time later and I remember thinking, I hope they don’t keep this pace up, there are some good female riders in D grade that we were going to need to catch for the first female prizes.

C grade lined up to start and lead by Murray Hall we agreed to work together right from the start. We had an awesome group that worked well rolling through, we were romping along and I looked down at my speedo and saw 52km/hr, I smiled, I love this. There was encouragement and organisation, in particular by a tall rider in orange Orbea kit to whom I would like to thank. (I will look at the video and try and get a name, my apologies). We caught D grade (with B/A nowhere in sight from behind) and did what we could to avoid them getting on, but they were on the ball and straight onto the back.

Unfortunately, this where our perfectly rolling through group finished, and the big bunch “cat and mouse” game began for the final sprint, with about 25kms still to go. I was worried that A/B would catch us as our pace had dropped dramatically. Murray Hall did about 3 attacks to stretch it out, with no one countering (I thought about it, need to go, not think). Paul Lamond did a stint on the front for a couple of kms and then the final attacks and fun really began.

I was towards the front of the bunch for the right turn into Hannan’s street but I was getting engulfed by the bunch and told myself to be patient, make it through the round-about and corner. We had a hairpin turn and a final 200m sprint to the line. The video (starts out of the turn) and says it all. Paul Lamond taking the win (awesome effort after a tough day), I had a good go for third with a great throw on the line, but Terry Andrews getting there by about a tire width, I started my second kick just a bit too late. I finished 4th, 2 places higher than last year. Last year, I was told that I was the highest placing female in the race’s history, so I guess I still am (assuming it was true). I was wrapped!

Results (unofficial): 1. Paul Lamond 2. Laszlo Sebestyen 3. Terry Andrews 4. Davina Summers 5. Sarah-Jeanne Fraser 6. David Berglund

There was a little bit of confusion with the female prizes at the presentation dinner, with the first female being awarded to the first female over the line (from E Grade), this is a new interpretation of the ruling that the women will be watching out for next year.

Best cycling wishes to you all

Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is (Vince Lombardi)

2008-05-26T17:06:00.001+08:00

My main road cycling goals for the year, thus far, have been:

* win (SRS) Pemberton criterium and Road Race- because it was my first road race ever (last year) and I came very last and remember the feeling like it was yesterday (won them both)
* win a stage at (NRS) Tour de Perth (won 2 stages)
* win a stage at (NRS) Mooball, NSW (won the TT stage, a little unexpected, but nonetheless meeting the goal)
* win the (SRS) state road race...well, this is where my story starts and attaining all road goals for the year finishes.

SRS #6- WA State Road Race; 114kms out and back + 1 x circuit lap; 1000m ascending

I had that feeling this morning (well, for the last few days, but I was hoping the rest would make it go away), that feeling where nothing works (inc. your bike) and everything hurts. To top it off, it was raining.

We had a reasonable group, with all of the usual suspects, plus a few new faces. Rebecca Halliday; having her second race, and Anna Kauffmann having her first- tough call with the first race being the State road race, but impressive to see them out there having a go. Someone I have never raced before; Nardine O'Connor (she may have done one of the SRS whilst I was racing over east) and Kelly Grey (who started with us for the Tour de Perth). I was disappointed that Clare Morgan was injured and unable to race, and Jo Bennett DNS, as both are skilled riders that would have made the race more interesting. Maybe next year, we need to be patient.

Not much happened until the turnaround point, a few attacks but nothing that was going to get away on this course. To be honest, I can't remember much of the race specifics, I wasn't feeling so good and coughing a fair bit, riding in a straight line even proved interesting. Andrew was riding in a following vehicle and has mostly filled me in. We had issues with rolling over, some riders just wanted to sit on the front, not roll through and time trial (which is fine is you can keep a decent pace), others who would roll through and then the others who wouldn't. The real race began from the turnaround point. Nardine O'Connor was off the front and no one seemed interested in chasing her. Someone attacked and Sarah, Rebecca, Melissa and I got away for a few minutes, but couldn't hold onto it and the bunch caught us.

The winning move came with a series of attacks (one attack and two counterattacks) on the same hill, Melissa, then Sarah (or the other way around) then Rebecca. I got the first two, but could not go with Rebecca and she was off the front solo. Lots of things were going through my mind as she was 50m in front.

We were slowly losing riders off the back, if the girls are not going to roll through and do turns, a group has to attack to avoid having riders "sitting on". If we all actively rolled through we would bring back breaks really easily, few wanted to put themselves on the line (I will come back to this) to make a good race of it. For the final 15kms I found myself with Sarah, Melissa and Cherie (I was impressed with Cherie's ride) and was again the main driver of the group, with the others mostly unable or unwilling to work. I felt for Melissa (she is still U19), I wouldn't wish restricted gears on anyone.

With Rebecca and Nardine still up the road, I worked to try and pull at least, Nardine back (we could see that she had fallen off Rebecca's wheel). We pulled onto the final circuit and I eased off the pace (expecting to get rolled for the sprint, for what we thought was third, assuming that the girls were too far in front). Unknown to me we had passed Nardine in amongst all of the men and Rebecca was only a few 100m in front of us. So Rebecca won, (there was unfortunately no sprint) for my second, Melissa third and Sarah forth (third Open Woman).

I was coming back to "laying it on the line…"Rebecca won because she laid it all on the line and had a go with a gutsy ride. I didn’t lay it all on the line and came second as a result. Congrats to Rebecca, I am not sure, but it may be her first state title, for road anyway. It was good to see Melissa actually putting her hand up for the ‘most aggressive rider’ jersey.

Cycling lesson #34: Have a go, why wouldn’t you have a red hot go?

Race data:
Av speed: 34km/hr, Max speed: 70km/hr
Av HR: 162bpm, Max HR: 190bpm

In the other state races for the day; a similar situation occurred with the U17 girls with my hill climbing buddy, Bella King (2nd) and the Rickettes (Michaela-4th and Jessica Allan-1st), with Rebecca Mumme (NDCC)- 3rd.

A few of my friends from my Sunday Hills ride were having a hit out in the Masters divisions (http://southperthcycling.blogspot.com/). I am unsure of the final results, but hear that Peter Mah came 2nd with Bruce doing a heap of work to bring back breaks. Good to see Stuart, Mark and a few of the other guys out there, who are much more hardcore than ‘I have pulled my hammy’ Ryan.

Off to Kalgoorlie for my favourite race of the year this week (Australia’s richest handicap race- Menzies to Kalgoorlie). Nothing serious, this will be for fun.

If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up some place else (Yogi Berra)

2008-05-22T22:14:00.000+08:00

Planning an overseas cycling trip would be easy- right? Perhaps, not at this stage of the season. But because of my tenacious-ness and desire to achieve it as a goal for the year, it might just all fall into place. A special thank you to those who are helping me out. All this training and I am busting at the seams to do a serious amount of new racing- soon!

We have our WA state road race this weekend, and as defending champion, I am looking forward to the race. I am hoping for a good turn out too, Cycling WA has about 15 women listed, surely that is some sort of record for WA, certainly since I have been riding anyway. Has anyone spoken to the weather man? Can we have less rain than the last time we did that course, please? I still remember my face hurting from the rain drops at Tour de Perth...so bring on the sunshine.
ciao ciao

Pain is weakness leaving the body

2008-05-19T22:38:00.001+08:00

SRS #5- Dardanup (WA) 65kms, 600m ascending.

An early, cold start this morning for the 2 and a bit hour drive to Dardanup. We were starting the same time as the C grade men (but not in the same race). This creates confusion as you need to keep an eye on the wheels you want to, mixed in with people who are not even in your race. If a woman goes up the road (the men have got smarter this year and do not chase), and you are in the wrong position and surrounded by men, it is harder to get out (of the bunch) to chase her down (because she is not in their race). The C grade men are mostly beginner or more mature riders with less tactical race skills, this makes rolling through, chasing down attacks and group riding more interesting. It proved to be an interesting training race in many ways. After a week of “Death Valley”, big gear efforts that made me cry-seriously (and I love big gears) and HR efforts, it was a matter of suck it and see how the little Fleet girl would back up.

There was a bit of alliance building in the Dardanup Hall carpark this morning and I was trying to guess who was working with who before the race started (or whom as it turned out…but I will come back to this). Early on in the race, Rebecca Armstrong was looking to go off the front, perhaps looking for someone to go with her, I thought about it (with only the two of us it was a bit early to stay away) and then I thought about letting her go for a bit and working to pull her back. I am trying to get away from negative racing and encourage the women to ‘have a go’ rather than rolling around and sprinting at the end, so we let her go unchallenged. The men make it interesting and she was joined by a few making a bunch of 4 or 5? and stayed away for just over half of the race.

Team EH Bike Services – Sarah Fraser (and Keith Gill) moved to the front, controlling the bunch. So my conclusion was Sarah and Rebecca were working together (it has been a while since this has happened, but all good). I wondered what Melissa’s plan was, it has been suggested strongly on numerous occasions that she try something different to avoid a bunch sprint. I rode up next to Melissa and straight out asked her if she was working with anyone today; “nothing, I am riding solo” (this is important to the story).

Rebecca’s break was caught with about 20kms to go, shortly thereafter Sarah attacked on the peak of the climb and got away solo. Shortly after one of the men did a big attack (catching me off guard) and joined Sarah. There were two of them, so I assumed (incorrectly) that our bunch (of about 6 now) was going to work to get them back. We were joined by a bunch from the back (making about 12 riders). In short, over about 15kms the bunch of 12 riders was unsuccessful in pulling back a 2 rider 30-40sec (max) break. I was so very disappointed that everyone seemed to be happy to sit in for the bunch sprint to take 3rd. I sat up for the final sprint.

At the end when I asked Melissa what was going on, she replied “We had Sarah up the road”. It was at this point that I felt honored, and confused, it seems 3 of the State’s best riders were working together to beat me? How awesome! I could not even respond to Mel's comment, I was so fatigued, and had to get off my bike and fall in a heap-soon. This is going to be great for me, making me a stronger, faster, smarter racer. What a perfect end to the training week!

Race data:

Av speed: 34km/h, Av HR: 164bpm, Max speed: 65km/hr, Max HR: 190bpm,

Women starters: 10 (with C grade Men starters: 20-ish).

Results: 1. Sarah-Jeanne Fraser 2. Melissa Hoskins 3. Holly McClellan

Luck is when opportunity knocks and you answer...

2008-05-15T19:21:00.000+08:00

Davina's training treat -what you have all been hanging onto your seat for, I am sure:

I have a few skills that I want to do some focus work on; bike handling and close riding. I thought that a fun way to do this would be to try...BMX. I got in contact with the State BMX coach; the FAB Mr Karl Mustchin (pictured here) and arranged to have a go. I got Mum to go through some of my brother's motorbike clothes to find something to wear (street cred. and all) and Karl was going to bring the rest for me, what a champ.

So I rock up with less apprehension than rocking up to the track for the first time, I can now ride a bike at least. There were the standard gags about me falling off (and just for the record, I didn't) and with the track being wet... The 'dirt' I was expecting was more like little rocks and the corners were concrete (like an outdoor track).

I have never seen BMX racing before so Karl took the time to explain the basic skills, starting in a gate (good track stand practise) and how to do jumps. I wasn't sure how I would go, but I seem to do okay and got excited about doing the smallest jumps (few cms max, no bigger I am sure). Thankfully no stacks (there was one close call), but it was seriously, really good fun. The clearly skilled, Karl was jumping left and right for metres in the air, showing me what is was really about, I was very impressed.

After quite a few course efforts, it was about 300-400m long, I was starting to feel my altitude training efforts from earlier in the afternoon. Andrew had me do a 55 min DVD session (on the windtrainer, with altitude) titled something like: Big Gear Effort Training. I loved it...after it was finished.

Anyway, I really like BMX (not that I need another cycling discipline to add to my cycling CV, nor another Bike to purchase/maintain- my Luke would be less than impressed). But I will be back to the BMX track. Karl will be off to China (for the BMX World Champs- WA has great representation) for a few weeks and this will give my still really sore, broken toe some more time to heal, BMX was not so good for it. A big thank you to Karl for looking after me and the loan of all his equipment.

On another note that brightened up my day further; I am starting to get some responses back about my US cycling race team queries...maybe, just maybe, it will happen. But we wont get too excited just yet, I don't like disappointment.

I'll be racing in Dardanup this weekend, round #5 of the Women's SRS. Need to win some more points to make up for the races I've missed, so watch out ladies (I am not at all competitive, am I?).

Sending a big smile xx

a week in the life of...

2008-05-08T14:26:00.000+08:00

Planning...

I am almost settled in back home, I love coming home after trips away. But I need a plan, what to do next. I am thinking of doing some criterium and road racing in the US, just a thought. How to do this, who or which team to do this with and (most importantly) how much is it all going to cost, is what I am trying to sort out this week. Anyone have any suggestions?

Training...somewhat different

The lovely Darryl Benson is having some time off from work, so I have taken this as an opportunity to try some different things in my training program. Rides with the Fleet Guys were not going to fit in so, this "little (or not so little, but getting smaller) Fleet Girl" rocked up to this week's Glen Parkers Thursday morning ride, unsure of what to expect. Based upon no real experience, just perception, I was scared. But I have to say I was pleasantly surprised when no one seemed to mind too much that I joined in- that was perfect for me. I was thankful for some adult conversation and impressed by the safe riding practices of the small group. I spend a great deal of my training riding with seriously awesome athletes (we will come back to this point on athletes) but are constantly impressed when someone I meet for the first time knows my name, or has seen me race (and has taken the time to remember).

A special thank you to Bryce MDR (Symmetry Cycle Coaching) for a motorpace session this morning. Just to make sure I was racing the Club race in York this weekend, completely baked (not half baked), I had my first introduction to "Death Valley". I can now relate to what Fitzy and Semple crap on about now. So (well before the crack of dawn) we set off. Cherie (Bonasera) seemed to be in the hurt box as much as me and Brad Robson (a promising junior) was smashing it up on the front. It was all good, until the rain. What was with that?

I have a special training treat lined up for myself next week...going to try something that might surprise a few people. Will keep you posted, will certainly make for good reading (if you enjoy laughing at my expense).

Bonus stuff...

Whilst on the search for a team to ride with in the US I came across this on the Proman Women's Cycling Team website (written by their Team Sprinter). If you are male, you might not be able to relate. http://www.promanracing.com/media/Are_you_an_Athlete.pdf
When I first started reading it, I thought: here we go. Then, it said a few things that hit a few spots in me that I have been hiding from. So I would like to announce that "I am an athlete", because I have been avoiding saying it.

Sad news, I have just seen on Adam Semple's website that Ben King has been involved in a huge crash and will be coming home from Europe today. We are thinking of you Ben and wish you all the best for a speedy and full recovery.

Til next week's training treat report.
Dxx

NRS- Murrwillambah (NSW) May 1-4th, 2008 (Mooball)

2008-05-05T08:55:00.001+08:00

I got a card once that said: The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving. This sums up how I feel about my last week of racing, and I am on the move. My story goes like this;

After flying to Brisbane on a midnight flight earlier than the team (it was cheaper) then hanging out in Brisbane for 8 hours until they arrived, we set out on our journey from Brisbane airport to Hastings Point (northern NSW). It should have taken about 2 hours, but after a number of very serious accidents on the M1 freeway, we were planning to stop for dinner en route at 7pm (some 5 hours later). Eventually we arrived and were all very keen to sleep.

The “WA Team” consisted of;
Elite Women: myself and Rebecca Armstrong (Beck was staying in alternate accommodation arranged through her Dirt Roads TID program)
U19 Girls: Melissa Hoskins, Camille Pallett, Sarah Kent
U19 Boys: Patrick Gill, Sam Davis (“aka DOC-Duty of Care”), Mark Bailey (Albany), Michael Freiberg, Luke Durbridge, Matt Puzey (Albany).
Our support crew was Darryl Benson, and Mels parents; Amanda and Peter Hoskins.
N.B. The Rickettes were staying with Ricki Lee in alternate accommodation and Matt Puzey was staying with Brett Gillespie, who is currently also based in Albany (so I am told).
For me, the event had three stages; Stage 1: 24.2km Time Trial (Thursday), Stage 2 105kms Road Race (Saturday), Stage 3 69km Road Race (combined with the U19 girls on Sunday).

Stage 1: 24.2km TT. It was pretty much flat, a little rough in parts, a little bit of undulation but nothing that you would call a hill. It was going to suit me nicely, the wind was up a bit, I felt it but no one else seemed to complain. I had been seeded first for the Elite Women, I told you it would only be a matter of time, and this seemed to give me some confidence because someone at Cycling Australia also expected that I might win (whoo hoo). But at the same time, the expectation was that I would win; and this works for me too.

Personally, I had a bit of a shocker of a morning and my race prep was less than ideal. However, the temperature was good, the sun was out, I was plenty warmed up and the very last rider off. I spoke with Andrew (over the phone back in Perth), he sorted me out and I was even early for the start line (somewhat of a novelty with me and TTs). In front of me was Carlee Taylor (Miss Amy Gillett scholarship 2008) and then Carly Hibberd (came 2nd on GC at Tour de Perth-MB coaching), Carlee was a good target one minute ahead of me.

Based on last years times I expected that I would need to average 41kms/hr. But after about 5-10kms I was sitting nowhere near that, I am not sure if it was windier, the roads were rougher (something about lots of rain to the region) or the standard of athletes was lower. We had to ride from the start, up the coast and back past the start; Darryl signaled that I was 3 seconds up on Carlee after about 4.5kms. I could see Carlee in her white Jayco SA Skinsuit at points off in the distance, once I was sure that I must have lost her and was convinced that I was riding crap, but then there she was with Carly Hibberd sitting just in front of her.

We were on the home stretch back with about 8kms to go, I watched Carlee go past a street pole and counted the seconds up to estimate how far I was behind her, about 30 seconds. I was very surprised, but smiled to myself, the pain was nearly over. It is about this stage in races that I get my second wind, somewhere close to the finish. But instead of pushing harder I seemed to cruise (it is easy for me to say this now as the race is over, maybe I had nothing left…). I sprinted for the line (remembering very clearly Ruth Corset beating me by less than a second in Tassie), nearly catching Carly Hibberd in the process (she started 2 mins in front of me). I crossed the line and immediately looked for someone to tell me how I went, a split time from Carlee to me, but no one was around. I rode up to the cars and everyone was packing up or had ridden home.

I rolled back to the start line and Carlee yells at me “I think you got it”, I was actually pretty stoked that she knew who I was…then her coach (SAIS Head Coach; Gary West) came and congratulated me “unofficially”. Do you know how good it was to see my name at the top of the results board? I seriously love that feeling. I am still not quite sure who Rebecca Barwick is, I am really not good with who the other girls are, but am compiling a list. There was a bit of a common theme happening with me and TTs…maybe it is just the flatter courses, because I dont think it is the TT bit.

Top 5 Elite Women Time Trial
1. SUMMERS, Davina (WA) 37:25.8
2. BARWICK, Rebecca (ACT) 37:30.0
3. TAYLOR, Carlee (SA) 37:57.5
4. ROWNEY, Loren (QLD) 37:59.4
5. GRIFFITHS, Helen (QLD) 38:01.9

In an effort to over-analyse things (as I do) I have compared the times of the girls who completed the TT in both 2007 and 2008;

GRIFFITHS, Helen 37:49.81 and 38:01.9 = 12 secs slower in 2008

ROY, Sarah 39:14.53 and 38:20.0 = 54 secs faster in 2008

YOUNG, Liz 37:19.01 and 38:32.8 = 1min, 13 secs slower in 2008

HIBBERD, Carly 38:38.48 and 39:10.0 = 32 secs slower in 2008

ALWAY, Suzanne 38:27.31 and 39:32.1 = 1 min, 5 secs slower in 2008

I find it hard to believe that all these girls (minus Sarah Roy, some training me thinks) would be in less form than 12 months earlier and come to the conclusion that the conditions were tougher- agree?

I won some money (this makes my Luke very happy) and this little Australian kangaroo stuffed toy thing. In the words of the great Muz- 'One small step for mankind, one giant leap for Davina'. Beck Armstrong (WA) came 15th. In the U19 girls; Sarah Kent came 3rd, Melissa came 5th, Camille DNS as she was unwell. In the U19 boys Patty chose not to ride the TT, Sam did well to finish 21st, Mark 27th, and Puzey 34th.

Stage 2: 105km Road Race- Elite Women.
This morning was an early start for me with everyone else racing later in the day. Darryl and I set off before sunrise (I had to find some lights to put on my bike). For me, today was 6 laps of a hilly circuit with over 2000m of ascending (ouch, seriously, ouch). They were shorter hills that the Sunday course, but after 6 laps, there was going to be so many hills. Basically, I was climbing quite well (for me), I was positioned well in the bunch, saw the moves as they happened and went with what I could. I am not sure if I am getting better at where to be in the bunch, or I have some street cred. after winning the TT, so the riders let me be where I want, just another dynamic to women’s racing, I am learning.

On the third lap, I was involved in chasing an attack on a hill, and then a counter attack, but I began to fatigue really quickly. I looked down and realized that I had been chasing up a hill in my big chain ring. Not a smart move. Before I popped, I eased off and climbed steadily over the hill. I was off the back with some of the other girls, we chased for most of the next (4th) lap to get back on and succeeded right before the start of the next set of climbs. Again, I was positioned well and saw the moves coming, went with the first few, then just didn’t have it to go with one. I was about mid-pack with #119 BEST, Tracey, a bunch of about 13 in front of me. Everyone else, that was still riding, was too far behind to wait for.

Tracey and I stayed together for about half a lap, but she was whipping-it up the hills and I had nothing left, I was spent and had dug deep in the first 4 laps. I time trialed home to finish 14th (or there about, official results are still to be posted). I was happy with my race, the efforts that I put in when it was really hurting. I saw a glimpse of something today, that made be really believe for the first time that I will be one of those girls smashing it on the front, sometime soon. I have to be patient, I know.

Beck finished about 9th, and had a good day, she should be happy. In the U19 girls race, Mel finished about 11th with some bad cramps, Camille DNF. Final results TBA.

Stage 3: 69km Road Race (combined with the U19 girls).
It was not a good sign when it hurt to get out of bed as I woke this morning. We were flying out tonight so had to get everything packed up as well as getting everything ready for the race. Our race was a reasonable sized group of about 50 with the U19 girls in addition to the Elite Women for a 10:05 start. The course had 4 main hills in it, we started in Murrwillumbah racing to Mooball and then doing a big lap of a circuit and come in for the same finish as yesterday.

The race was very aggressive, which was awesome and the top 8 or so girls were making the rest of us hurt and chase…a lot. So it went like this: 8kms into the race was the first main hill, I got dropped with quite a few other girls and got back on with help from the descent just before the turn around in Mooball. We then went back over the hill we had just come over and I got dropped again (there is a pattern here, I am aware) a bigger group this time and we fought to get back on successfully, just prior to the third hill.

About half the field got dropped on the third hill, less and less were making to back on to the main group of 8, who seemed to actually be hurting each other as well as the rest of us. The whole race had been on the rivet, I was not focusing on drinking and eating like I usually do, just hanging on, it was like a very long points score race, with hills. I was thirsty and looking forward to the feed station. The descents were quite technical in some parts, especially with the potholes and inexperienced riders. Not that I can talk, but I actually did well today on the cornering and descending, I think I was too fatigued to be scared so just went with it. It did occur to me that it would hurt considerably if I fell off at any stage.
The forth climb was the steepest after a gradual ascent to the base of the climb, the girls stomped up it, I could not hang on to the front 8 despite being in good position, just didn’t have enough kick in me. Some of the riders were out the hoop at the base, a few of us finished at the top together and formed a nice little chasing group for the final 10kms to the finish. If only the girls were interested in chasing. In this group there was Kirsty Braun (yesterday’s elite women winner), Ashlee Ankudinoff (NSW), Beck Armstrong (WA) and Melissa Hoskins (WA). Beck did some very strong efforts on the front, she was probably one to the closest ones to staying with the front group and I suggest may have been spewing that she had not been able to stay with them…thus chasing really hard. Kirsty also wanted to be up there and was working hard.

After a while it was clear that we were not going to get back on, no one else would catch us and hurting yourself on the front would not do you any favours for the finish, especially with everyone else sitting on. I did what I had to do on the front, no more, no less. Also, there were one or two AIS TID girls (they mostly look the same in their kits) who did some work, everyone else was along for the ride. I finished 3rd in our bunch sprint, I would have liked to win it but did a “Ryan” and over geared too early. The finish was flat, not downhill, 11 cog was not required for the final 250m. But my timing was perfect, thanks to a lesson I learnt in Albany last weekend. Mel finished right behind me and Beck somewhere in our bunch. I expect that I got somewhere between 10-12th place. Final results TBA. Again, I got the feeling today that I can be up there with these girls, I can see that I am improving and getting better every race. A block of training that will be coined “Operation Hill Climb” and I will be on track to win the RRs too. So I have 6 out of 10 podium finishes for the NRS events thus far, not a bad effort. The BBB wet-weather booties got a run all event (much to the embarrassment-by-association for Patty and Sam). They made my toe feel so much better, will stick with the cut out shoe, thongs and slippers for another week and see where we are at.

Whilst being away I missed the SRS race in Collie on the weekend. By all reports, it was a standard WA chicks race. Sarah Fraser winning the bunch sprint, Linda Evans 2nd, Hol third. I wonder if they awarded the jersey at the event, how the points table is traveling and whether I am going to have a chance of winning this series if I miss quite a few of the races being away at NRS events.

So what is next, you ask? I am racing York this weekend, hoping some of the newer girls to racing will come along (I am happy to help them out). Three weeks time is the State Road Race. But need to sit down and re-assess my aims and goals- job for this week.

Happy Riding xx

SRS- Great Southern Classic; Albany (April 26/27th, 2008)

2008-04-28T15:34:00.001+08:00

This weekend was a great opportunity for my husband and I to get away in the “Hearse-st” and have some quality time…cycling. Sure enough the rain started just as we drove into Albany on Friday (which is every bit of a 5 hour drive from Perth) but thankfully stayed away until we were walking out of the event presentations on Sunday. Friday night we had the most fabulous dinner with one of my cycling mentors- Mr Murray Hall and his family. Murray has won a whole bunch of medals…right up to the Commonwealth Games, and is basically a champion on so many levels. Murray was the first person to ‘identify’ me as a cyclist and asked me if I was interested in being competitive. Competitive, me…is there a question here?

Anyway, back to the racing. Albany Cycling Club put on a fantastic event, one that would put some Perth cycling event organizers to shame over and over again. They have purchased a fancy timing system; such that each individual bike is fitted with a transponder so your individual time is recorded…down to 1/100th of a second (which we will come back to). Every corner was perfectly marshaled, with clear instructions as to where we were meant to be going, and some words of encouragement as we went past. There was a course for climbers and one for the sprinters, something for everyone. I am hoping word will get out and the event will have even more support next year. My instructions for the weekend were to ‘have fun, have a hit out before next week, but not to bury yourself. Try things, if they work, great, if not don’t worry about it”.
There were some usual suspects that were ones to watch; Keith Gill (who excels consistently and is getting fitter by the minute) and Riley Patterson (who would definitely be in Open if he was fit…but something about doing his TEE). Murray was racing in Support, he is getting himself really fit to take on the Masters men at the World Masters Track Championships later in the year. All the other men in lycra look the same to me. For the women: Sarah Fraser (apparently not doing too many kms as she is working hard in her own recruitment business, but is very talented and has years of racing/bunch riding experience and knows how to win races), Clare Morgan and Holly McClennan (both keen to gain State Road Rider Series points from anyone, which is great to see; they have both been doing some hard-core training from the Time Trial expert- Lorraine Schultz) and a new face; Katherine Morrison.

Stage 1; Frenchmans Scratch (aka the hilly one)
It was only about 47kms long but it had some reasonable hills in it. Nothing in comparison to what I had been riding in Tasmania, but nonetheless…hills. We started with a group of just over 20 in Support. After we worked out who had the squeakiest bike that any of us had ever heard, and waited for the train to pass as a part of the neutral start we were off. I was racing with booties for the first time- trying to keep my toe warm so maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much; my Luke thought I looked like I was wearing my slippers. Anyway, the bunch was active right from the start with a few of the men having hit outs early. I was impressed that it wasn’t going to be a boring ‘sit in’ race. The wind was up, which was great for the wind turbines, but no good for my cycling.

We came to the first of the hills and a tall rider in Kalamunda Cycles kit did an awesome attack, a couple of guys jumped on his wheel and so did Sarah Fraser. ‘Kalamunda Cycles’ blew up spectacularly shortly thereafter, leaving the two guys and Sarah in a break 100m up the road. We could still see them down the descent prior to the turnaround point, I climbed the first hill after the turnaround point with about six others and we got a gap from the rest of the bunch. About ¾ the way up the hill Sarah was not able to stay with the two guys anymore and sat up and waited for our group to come past. The climb continued on for a bit more and Sarah and I got dropped from the boys, we were on our own.

Sarah seemed to be struggling more than me so I was doing a TT effort (good training I was thinking) on the front to try and get back on as it flattened out. At this point Murray came flying past (I knew he was coming, but failed to notice just how fast), we could not get on his wheel to work with him, and he seemed to be on a time trial mission himself. A couple of guys working well together joined us from behind and Keith Gill (who had punctured from the group in front) was just getting back out onto the road. Keith took charge and got us all rolling through (well most of us anyway).

Nothing much happened until the final 2km uphill finish (plus the bit of climbing before); Keith and one of the other guys (Matt Fletcher?) went off the front at the bottom of the hill and stayed away. I was happy with climbing at my own tempo, they were much stronger and I would end up out the hoop. Our little group climbed steadily and before I knew it we were nearly at the top (I remember thinking, is that it?), I kicked and sprinted for the line, a little disappointed that I had not given the hill and the race in general some more, winning our little bunch sprint to take 9th place and 1st female. That was fun, I thought. Race legs located…still on the search for “eye of the tiger”.

Stage 2; Ken Ingham Memorial (the longer, flatter one)
Luke and I and our fuzzy heads woke up this morning with the desire to sleep some more. We somewhat uninspirationaly got ready for Day 2. It was serious freezing but thankfully dry, the BBB booties got another run today; they were a winner yesterday. Fleet cycles have kitted me up with all the BBB winter gear; the little head warmer hat has been the biggest surprise, it is so toastie and is a fashion statement all to itself. Murray and I went out and planned out the finishing sprint to the line. So I knew what I was meant to do (again, I will come back to this). We talked about the wind, the long finish and the necessity to not go too early.

The race went out on South Coast Hwy (towards Denmark) with a strong tail wind. There were some good attacks, but it would be very difficult to get away with the wind. I did some work on the front, probably more than I should have, but I was racing to try new things. There were a couple of bergs and it was not surprising when a serious attack went about 50kms into the race. I chased and got into the break of 9 riders. Again, Keith Gill sorted us all out to roll through. I was struggling in the wind a little bit and Sarah had some words of encouragement to the affect of ‘come on Davina, you are a full time cyclist’. Even that didn’t fire me up, I had no bite (which is very unlike me).

We came to the last few kms with crossing the railway and a right hand turn. As I saw it; the support vehicle slowed turning the corner, splitting our group into two with five or so riders turning on the inside line in front of the car and me at the front of the second group. I thought that the vehicle was going to stop, then it kept going slowly around the corner. I had to brake (as I was unsure of where the car was actually going) then go slowly on the outside line of the corner around the car. There was about 40m between the two groups and I did a pretty serious effort to get back on just as we started the final little climb before the finish. I nearly reached my max heart rate just trying to get back on and was confused about what the car was trying to achieve.

We climbed steadily and I tried to get my breath back, I was not sure who else also got back on, Luke tells me that Sarah was right behind me. A couple of the guys started the sprint (or picked up the pace on the downhill) early, as expected. I let them go a bit and sat back, as I had planed. Then I am not sure what happened, but all I know is that I panicked. All my planning with Murray went out the window, when I saw the line. I kicked up to the back of the guys and went around them, smack into the wind. I thought about going back behind but there were riders there now and I was all dressed up with too far to go. I was in the lead and tried to hold it for as long as I could, but was so angry with myself for mucking it up even before the race was over. I watched as the guys came over the top of me before the line and counted up where I was going to be finishing. I was over it by then and if I needed icing on my cake Sarah came next to me and threw on the line to take 4th from me by 0.011second. She had timed her sprint to beat me very well and deserved the first female prize. I could not have mucked up the sprint more and are taking a valuable lesson away from today. In case you haven’t worked it out, I was disappointed with my sprint.
A special thank you to John Smith-pictured here with me (and his wife Betty) for keeping an eye on all of us at all of the events, I am not sure what Cycling WA would do without them. I had forgotten that I had lightheartedly said to Greg Connell (Albany Cycling Club Committee Member) that I would beat him on Sunday, as he could not race on the Saturday. Thankfully, I did, but not by much as he finished 9th. I get the impression he was a little surprised that the women did so well. The prize money was good and I was pleased that ACC supported womens’ racing by having specific womens’ prizes. My ‘eye of the tiger’ was re-located as I watched Sarah go up and accept her first women prize for Stage 2. So a productive weekend not specifically in terms of results but personal outcomes. I spent some quality time with Luke before going away and caught up with Clare & Hol- which is always good fun. I am hoping that this event and my training in the last two weeks have prepared me well for next week’s NRS race. Stay tuned.

The countdown is on...reality is setting in

2008-04-25T06:48:00.000+08:00

Jeepers! It is only a couple of days before we travel to Northern NSW for my next NRS event: Murrwillumbah/Mooball. My toe is (ever so slowly) getting better; I can do a half sprint and it doesn't hurt, but full on sprinting and climbing hills still really hurts. I am still using my modified shoe, which also has aerodynamic properties and increased ventilation (this is a bonus since winter decided to start last week). You can see in the pic below- it is a great look. The other "great look" is my Scofield.

But as I have said many times; "it is not about what you look like, it is how fast you go".In the B grade trophy race last weekend I focused on (trying to improve) bunch riding skills. I rode at the Track for the first time in two weeks and LOVED IT! "Operation freshen-up Davina" commenced this week and the plan is to be riding like a champ early next week (I love a good plan). I have been doing some prep on the courses for Mooball. 24km TT where I need to average around 41km/hr (according to last years times) to be up there (OOUUUUCCCCHHHHH!!!!). Me and my toe are going to love this. There is two road races; 105kms and 69km (Saturday and Sunday).

But before any of this happens I am off to Albany for the next SRS races. I am using it as some hilly climbing experience; apparently it is hilly. As Darryl (Benson) pointed out at yesterday's motorpace 'you need to be good in the hills to pull that jersey off- I was wearing my polka dotted shirt from MVT'. I am sure you can imagine my response as Bella King (my hill climbing buddy) and I were struggling to stay with the group post-sprint climb. Give it time; we will show them-wont we Bella?

I will report in on Monday with an Albany update and a last minute toe-update (because I know you are hanging onto your seat) pre-Mooball. Best wishes for Anzac Day Weekend.

Training...and things

2008-04-16T22:10:00.000+08:00

I have started doing some specific strength and conditioning training, and altitude training with Andrew Ivey (Elitesportz). Altitude training is something new for me... At the beginning of the week we tested my baseline levels at constant power output, alternating O2 concentrations. This baseline testing will be used to be able to track changes in my body's ability to perform under O2 deprived conditions. During this testing my SpO2 levels dropped quite low and from my days of working in the Sleep and Respiratory Clinic...I knew what this meant. I have had a couple of sessions this week training at around 2500-3000m above sea level, with my SpO2 sitting around 84-88%. Think just under sky-diving height, for those who have had the experience. Speaking of height, Andrew is the strength and conditioning coach for the Wildcats basketball team; so having an audience of giants interested in altitude (training) as I am sweating my box off on the windtrainer with my mask on...nice.

Gym work is not my favourite thing, but I know that I race so much better when I stick to my gym program. So now I have someone to follow-up on me and kick me into shape (so to speak). My skinfolds and weight are slowly dropping; but are a long way off where they should be. This reduction in body fat thing is hard work. I have not been to the gym regularly for a few months now...ahh the pain.

I have been interviewed by Flourish Magazine (WA womens' lifestyle magazine) and will be in the June issue (released June 25th) about 20 pages from the front. I think this is kinda cool. I am a little sceptical about the media so it will be interesting to see how it turns out. Thanks to all those who have contributed 'action photos' for me to submit- Megan Harrison and Amanda Graham.

I have entered the Club B grade trophy race for this weekend (I am hoping for no more rain) and will be going to Albany for the next SRS race and to support country racing. Going to try and get some SRS points back from Linda Evans, Clare and Hol (I missed the second SRS event whilst in Tassie).

And my toe? thanks for asking. It still hurts considerably but I am able to train better as Andrew has cut a whole section of my shoe out allowing my (swollen) toe to stick out the side. With a bit of luck I will be able to motorpace tomorrow.

For those non-cycling people who have asked; GC is an abreviation for General Classification. It is the placing/time that (someone) for the overall event/tour (which may have numerous individual races in it).

Everything since early March has been about Mooball...2 weeks to go...no pressure or anything. I would never put pressure on myself, would I?

NRS-Mersey Valley Tour, Tasmania

2008-04-16T20:55:00.001+08:00

Before we get started I need to admit to kicking my toe on the kitchen wall (accidentally) and that almost half of my foot and little toe are purple-the purpleness increased after I took this photo, but you get the idea. This was a little silly I know, and has resulted in me having great difficulties in walking and pedaling. Obviously less than ideal two days before the start of the Mersey Valley Tour (Second event of the Elite Womens’ National Road Series). We had a WA ‘Team’ that had come over for the event; Darryl Benson (coach/mechanic/chef/cleaner/driver etc), Elite Men: (Adam Semple), U/19 boys (John Dunlop, Sam Davis, Patrick Gill) and U/19 girls (Melissa Hoskins, Camille Pallett). I was the only Elite Woman from WA. There was 13 Elite women entered and we were going to race the road races with the 16x U/19 girls. They had seeded me #2, I am not sure where they were getting this information from, but with a few seriously good riders in the field I was very impressed with being #2 (NB: Second is still the first loser, in good time I will be seeded #1).

STAGE 1: TIME TRIAL (15kms of pain). I rode to the course with the U/19 boys and my warm-up was good, my toe was hurting (I was putting on a brave face). It started to rain just as I was rolling up to the start line. My start time was 10.32am, just behind Carlee Taylor (Miss Amy Gillett scholarship holder for 2008). I only began to be nervous as I saw Ruth Corset at the start line. I had picked her to win the tour. We had driven the course the day previous, Mel and Camille had ridden it but my toe/foot was too sore for me to do the course. It was undulating, but with just enough kicks to hurt, a bit of wind and 15kms of false flats. Before I knew it, I was off and the whole thing hurt, about ¾ the way through I had a bit of mouth spew and realized that I was either pushing it hard, or struggling. Seriously, I felt that I was struggling; the speeds that I estimated that I would be able to sit on, I was no where near what I was able to do. I did what I could, with everything that I felt I had and I had to be happy with that, but for some reason I wasn’t.
We had to wait until that night for the results. Darryl had to pick them up from the Race Director, Dave.
Elite Women- Top 5
1 Corset, Ruth 23.2.91
2 Summers, Davina 23.03.77
3 Taylor, Carlee 23.09.0
4 McDonald, Marilyn 23.38.6
5 Neylan, Rachel 23.41.4

Holy crap…I was really happy with that. Less than one second off the winning time. After time trialing reasonably well the last few TTs, maybe I could be really good at them if I did some specific training… There was some discussion about a mix up with the U19 women’s times. Mine is in the ballpark for what I recorded on my bike sensor, so I am confident that my time is accurate. The only downfall was my toe hurt even more now, I was really hoping it would get better for the next day.

STAGE 2: ROAD RACE #1 (The hilliest one).
This was the race that I feared…and I was presented with the polka dotted jersey to wear for the day (as I was second on GC after yesterday’s TTs). If you know anything about me you will also find this incredibly ironic as I would not be surprised if I went through my whole cycling career and never wore this jersey (climbing is not my strength). But as someone (important) pointed out to me on this day “you might not be the best, but you are far from the worst, and are not that bad”. Anyway, I learnt a few lessons today.
1. Be in the right position when a move goes. Because you are never going to know when this may be, ALWAYS BE IN THE RIGHT POSITION.
2. Don’t anticipate the people in front of you will chase. If you see the move, move too, don’t hesitate or it will be too late (I hear a little voice of Brian Taylor that I have heard before).
3. If you miss the move, don’t do ALL of the work to try and bridge the gap. Because, guess what, you will blow up (and it will be very messy when you can’t get on to any of the groups going past).
4. If it is raining, use ksyriums…not bonties (do we need to re-live the crash on the descent?). Did I mention that it rained for most of the race?
5. Sore toes hurt on climbing, descending and the flats. Actually, every pedal stroke, one legged pedaling helps only slightly.

Needless to say I was not able to retain my polka dotted jersey…finishing some 12 minutes behind the winner and 3 minutes behind the bunch. Bad day at the office today, my chin was still up and I was positive about tomorrow. I knew today was going to hurt, but I should have gone better, if I had of been a bit smarter in the race. Of the WA girls, ride of the day went to Melissa Hoskins.

STAGE 3: ROAD RACE #2 (The slightly less hilly one). I was so fired up this morning and all ready to have a go, did I mention at any stage that my toe hurt? The weather was better, but I was still going to use a ksyrium rear wheel, fearing for my life was not something that I wanted to do two days in a row, if the Tasmania weather wanted to make my day. There were hills, but they were mostly power climbs with recovery after. I could do this.

We started in Kimberley; out to Railton and back to Kimberley (where the first of the climbs were). This was the point at which I got a flat front tire. I was not sure at the base of the hill, and I found the climb hard so I focused on that (it was probably twice as hard due to my flat tire). At the top of the climb, I confirmed it was flat and pulled over…and waited for a spare. I was a little frustrated at this point- to say the least.

I got a new front tire (with thanks to MB coaching for the neutral spare), was officially coming last and time trialed like a crazy woman to try and get back onto the bunch. There were girls popping off the back everywhere…I was trying to get them to work with me, but I ended up riding off most of their wheels and catching the next person in front. Most of the comments from the girls were “where in the hell did you come from?”. Despite being a reasonable time trialist, I was no match for the bunch, and knew this all along. I finished around 7 ½ minutes behind the winner and 3 ½ minutes behind the bunch. I cried and was not happy. I know that the courses were never going to suit me and I was never going to win, but I still would have liked to finish better than 9th on GC. Of the WA girls, ride of the day went to Camille Pallett.
All in all, a mixture of emotions from the trip; some valuable lessons learnt. I have two weeks to get my toe better and my confidence back to have a red hot go in Mooball. I can't see any further ahead right now.

NRS-Tour de Perth; 5th & 6th April 2008

2008-04-06T19:07:00.000+08:00

Tour de Perth 2008; (Perth, WA).
Tour report: Davina Summers

Stage 1 (Road Race): For only the second day of rain for the year in Perth it certainly made up for all the rain we have not had. I had assured my friends from QLD, Liz Young and Carly Hibberd (MC coaching Team, QLD) that the weather would be fine. Apparently we set some sort of new max-rain record. On the drive to the course in the morning there was a road-weather-alert and I just kept thinking about how dangerous it was going to be racing, what wheels to use, what pressure to put in my tires, should I use my Time Trial bike for stage 2???

We arrived early in Roleystone, before the commasaires and most of the organizing staff/volunteers. I am pretty terrible in the mornings, but I am keen so I should at least arrive at ‘work’ early and get organized. I was familiar with Stage 1 as it had been our state road race course in 2007 (which I had won) according to the program it was 104kms. It was out and back along Brookton Hwy and then a small 4km loop around Roleystone before an uphill finish. I was nervous, but calm and under control.

As expected it came down to a bunch sprint, with nothing much else happening. It rained so hard that it was hurting my face and every 20kms or so I had to unfog my sunglasses. There was nearly an incident on the very first corner (some 300m from the start) and at the turnaround point (about 45kms out), but thankfully we all stayed on the bikes. Josie Tomic (WAIS) did a couple of attacks, MB Coaching Team kept the pace high with numerous attacks and some counter ones. Linda Evans had a go and went off the front, no one reacted and she re-joined the group a few kms later. I gave a couple of hits, but with no real intension of getting away, unless I could get a few others with me. There was a few in the group who should have put themselves in the race prior to the last 4kms but sitting in and sprinting at the end seemed to be their style- a little silly as they were not going to win the sprints either. I was happy to finish with a bunch sprint at the end.

We turned right off Brookton Hwy to commence the 4km loop prior to the finish and I thought to myself “I don’t know if you girls know this yet, but I am going to win this stage” I made sure the pace was high around the 4km loop. I was a little over the race by then (we were so, so wet) and just wanted to finish- but I felt pretty good. We came to the last 1km and there was some miscommunication within the group. Liz Young (MB coaching) went off the front as she was under the impression that the finish was at the bottom of the hill (where the 200m to go sign was). I had her wheel and started to accelerate with her for a few strokes then calmed down, remembering how to best conquer this little berg.

Liz rejoined the group in front of me again as we all started to climb. There was some movement in the bunch as people started their sprint, then realizing that it was too early, and then struggled. It is a special hill that I have spent some time working out. As we approached the top of the hill, I kicked in the spot I wanted before I could even think about it. I seriously gave it everything that I had and I was in the position that I wanted to be in. I expected to see someone roll me on the line but there was no one in sight (that I could see anyway). I crossed the line and thought “holy crap, I have just won a stage in a National Road Series Race” and then I nearly fell off my bike. My win certainly surprised a few people, Stage 1 down, soaking wet, freezing cold, and three stages to go.

Stage 2 (Time Trial): I still had not decided whether to ride my TT bike or road bike in this event an hour before the race. It was only 5kms and an undulating course. I had come to the course and completed a few efforts on my TT bike earlier in the week and it had been more difficult that I had expected. There were sections that you could definitely gain an advantage by using a TT bike, but then be quite disadvantaged by using it in other sections. Because of the (wet, slippery) conditions and my increased comfort on my road bike, I finally decided to use this.
The course was a square and I was overly worried about the corners. There was a huge mix up with the start times (I had the same time as Camille Pallett) and then there was a delay in starting the TTs. It was an organizational disaster and I was embarrassed for the organizers, Cycling WA and WA as a state. Regardless, we all lined up, Liz Young (MB coaching) started 30 seconds in front of me, I wanted to catch her. I started well, then freaked out going through the first corner and slowed right down to turn. I remember thinking that this sort of riding was no way to get a good time and to maintain my first GC placing (as I had been instructed to by Andrew).

Out of the first corner, I got back up to speed and was nearly puffed out with only 1km down. I had to find my rhythm and relax through the corners. The big descent was great (I like downhills that are not technical and with no one else around!), it made me relax, I know this course…I gave it everything that I had from that point on and crossed the line after sprinting up the imfamous ‘Roleystone School Hill’ (as for the finish of Stage 1).

There had been some mix up with the womens’ numbers so all the times that ATTA had collected needed to be transfer to the corresponding rider number. I was a little concerned with all the organizational mix-ups that our times would also be confused. Time trials are not my strong point, and I do not really do any TT efforts as a part of my program so I was not expecting to do well, and would be happy with the being in the top 5. After a great delay, I was given my time of 8:28 minutes and 3rd place. I was very surprised and quite impressed. Josie rode an awesome time of 8:02 to take first and Carly Hibberd took second five seconds ahead of me in 8:23. This set the scene for the overall CG. Holly (McClellan) went faster than Clare (Morgan) in a great effort.

Open – Women (Top 10)
1 75 Josie Tomic 08:01.8
2 80 Carly Hibberd 08:23.3
3 90 Davina Summers 08:28.0
4 94 Sarah Kent 08:36.3
5 81 Melissa Hoskins 08:45.2
6 92 Liz Young 08:48.6
7 88 Camille Pallett 08:51.1
8 76 Rebecca Armstrong 08:54.5
9 89 Patricia Palmer 09:06.1
10 85 Claire McLean 09:13.3

Stage 3 (Road Race #2): Post-wedding (last night), it was a little bit of a struggle to get up this morning. Not that I am any good in the morning anyway, but the drive (with Liz and Carly in the car behind) was hard work, I was so sleepy. At least the rain had stopped, but the hill course was about to begin. I had been dreading this race for the whole of the event. Even the neutral section down from Kalamunda to the Pickering Brook sanitarium start line hurt. I was the last one to the start line, even the support vehicles had overtaken me and I had witnessed all of the men urinating along the side of the road, nice. We were off on the 4 lap course.

In short, the move of the race went when Josie Tomic (WAIS) attacked on the Glenisla Rd Hill after the QOM (start of lap 3) and Carly Hibberd (MB Coaching) went with her, the rest of us were about 50m down the road still after the moves from the QOM. They stayed away for the whole of the race as MB Coaching girls would not chase (due to the team situation), and the others couldn’t (or wouldn’t) work with me and seemed happy to sprint off for third- I still wanted to win but did not have much choice as I had not been able to go with the winning move. Really, as a road sprinter in a hilly race, I should not expect to win, but still want to. In the final lap, we managed to pick up the pace in the last lap.

Liz Young keeping the pace high for the final, steep descent (leaving Trish Palmer at the rear doing minimal work). I was on Liz’s wheel for the descent, I took it easy up the first section of the final hill, a few of the girls were hitting it a bit harder. No one did a big attack- it seems as thought there was not much left in the tank of anyone. We made it up the hill and to the flat section 150m from the finish line. There was a few of us up the front (I had no energy to notice who, just that I wanted to beat them all), I started to kick, Trish was in front of me. I had time and a second kick to get her, with about 40m to go I kicked again, she changed gear and it didn’t change smoothly, I beat her to the line to take third. Josie had beaten Carly Hibberd by about ½ a bike length in the sprint for first and second. On the podium for the race that I had feared, with the hill that I hate, I was doing pretty okay. Obviously ASADA also thought so too as I was picked with Josie, Carly and Liz to be drug tested. We had minimal time in between stages 3 and 4 and we in Pickering Brook still, had to make it back up to Kalamunda for the drug testing and Stage 4.

The drug testing was about as organized as the whole event. I had a new friend “Mark” until the appropriate people also arrived back in Kalamunda. I had not had blood taken when being drug tested before and it made me feel quite dizzy. I don’t have issues with peeing in front of an audience (unlike some of the other girls) and was just trying to get it over and done with as soon as possible.

Stage 4 (Criterium): I was not going to be able in improve my GC in the criterium, so I decided to ride conservately to make sure I kept my 3rd place. The only was I was going to loose it was to not finish with the bunch. For the first 20 minutes I struggled with the cornering, and was fighting to stay with the group. Then it all came together (when I relaxed through the corners) and I felt really good. It was good to see Melissa putting herself on the line a bit for the first time this weekend, she did well to run second. Lizzie was quite aggressive, she later said that she had nothing to loose and hate it when people come out to watch women's racing and we all just roll around. Not much happened, no one really got away, it came down to a bunch sprint. I started my sprint with 600m to go, straight out of the corner- I little early you say??? well I realised that and kept an eye out for someone to come at me for the line, but no one came and my second kick was not required. I won the stage and Josie the tour. Below is video of the sprint finish. Note the "ugly husband syndrome" being exhibited in the background.

All in all a pretty good weekend- two stage wins, on the podium each stage, and a 3rd GC for a NRS event. Now to work on hills and Time Trialling...so I can win them all.

2008-03-25T17:27:00.000+09:00

Quick little update: I have the first three NRS events coming up in the next 6 weeks and are planning to have the best results for the third event in Mooball (NSW) at the beginning of May. There will not be all that many interstate riders for the first event; Tour de Perth, so I should go reasonably well, although there is some great riders in WA at the moment. Tasmania (TMV) will hurt me, but I am going for the experience anyway. Hill climbing is never going to be my thing based on my physiology, I need to accept this and so does everyone else. It doesn't help when my body fat % also needs to be improved. Many things to work on...
On a brighter note: my club NDCC have profiled me for this month; http://www.northerndistrictscycleclub.com/ it is good for a laugh.

I completed an ATTA club race this week and the race comments were: Davina Summers was the second fastest woman around the course and to achieve this she removed almost two minutes from her previous best and, in doing so was another to join the 40+kph club.

It is comments like these when I realise just how far I have come in the last 12 months. A special thank you to those who have supported me.

WA Women Cycling Forum

2008-03-16T10:25:00.000+09:00

On Wednesday 5 March 2008 a group of WA women cyclists (me included) gathered to discuss ways in which road racing in WA could be improved. The outcomes of this evening have been formulated into a draft strategy.

We are seeking feedback on this draft strategy through out March and early April from women (or men) and particularly those who have never or do not regularly race. The draft strategy can be viewed at: http://www.chickscyclingwa.blogspot.com/ and feedback can be given by posting a comment, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Once we have finalised this strategy we will then be calling for volunteers to make it happen. Our vision is to create a friendly, fun environment whereby a large number of Women in WA are catered for. Racing for fun as well as meeting the needs of the more serious athletes with a focus on skills and development.

Your support in providing us with feedback is appreciated and we need your help to make this happen.

SRS-Pemberton Road Race-Sunday 2nd March, 2008

2008-03-04T10:53:00.001+09:00

Pemberton, WA.
Race Report- Davina Summers

It was a pretty humid weekend in Pemberton and there had been threats of rain but thankfully nothing became of it. The positive support and atmosphere for the event in Pemberton was great and there had been some good racing in the Criteriums on Saturday. This race was the first of the 2008 State Road Series races, Open Women had an 8:15 start, and I nearly missed it as I was too busy trying to warm up- I am not very good in the mornings. The road race was 67kms (two laps of a figure-8 course), with about 1000m of ascending (it was pretty hilly). We had about ten starters; myself, Clare Morgan, Holly McClellan, Melissa Hoskins, Camille Pallett, Cherie Bonasera, Danielle Longworth, Linda Evans and Rebecca Armstrong. It was an average turnout for one of these types of races- hopefully we can increase this number over the 2008 season.

After signing on and our start line race briefing from the Commissaire, we were off, straight up the hill through the town of Pemberton. The first lap was fairly steady; a few of us (mainly Clare Morgan, Rebecca Armstrong, Camille Pallett and I) tried to keep the pace high. The Peleton banter consisted of the usual; “you go, no you go” to encourage each other to work on the front of the bunch. We discussed the merits of not littering carboshotz wrappers into the bush, dropping your bike chain in the race, the big cow that gave us all a loud “MMMOOOO” out of the blue and the group of cute ducks that we nearly ran over and had to shoo off the road.

The last few kms of the (first) lap included the infamous ‘Pump Hill’. From last years’ race I recalled how much this hill (really) hurt and the lesson that I learnt about doing too much work in the downhill sections prior to the hill (NB: I came last in this race last year). A couple of the women are pretty handy in the hills so I am sure I was not alone in hoping that they were not going to go too fast up it. From what I can remember, Rebecca attacked from the bottom of the hill until about the S-bend; Danielle, Cherie, Holly and Linda fell behind the bunch. Cherie and Linda got back on and Danielle time trialed (still in sight for the next ½ a lap). We completed the first lap mostly still bunched together.

Lap two was where the race really started, Melissa and Camille were hanging at the back making some small talk (I can only assume coming up with an attack plan). I was trying to stay near the front of the pack to make sure I was ready to go with any move, surely a couple of these girls didn’t want it to finish in a downhill bunch kick. I was impressed with the strength and improvement in riding from Linda Evans, Cherie Bonasera and Clare Morgan; Linda was pushing some big gears and Clare was marking every change of pace I made from the front. Cherie’s intense training in the last few months seems to have reward her with great improvements in her racing. With about 5kms left of the first loop before town I wanted to see how Camille and Melissa were traveling down the back so I swung off and slowed down. Within seconds they both moved up in the bunch and Camille launched a great attack, no one reacted and she got about 30m away. Melissa made an effort to catch her, I assume to go with her rather than bring her back to the group, but this was heavily marked by the Peleton. I had decided not to chase at this stage, leaving Camille to time trial on her own worked to my advantage in the criterium a day earlier, so I thought I would try it again. There were some strong riders with me in the group and we could work together quite easily to bring her back. No one else seemed all that interested in chasing her down at this stage either. Camille stayed out the front for a few kms, her lead growing, we were nearly back in town and I decided that I needed to chase her down, or she would get the roll of the course for the final 10km small loop and we would not be able to catch her. I really started to panic when we all did not seem to want/be able to roll through. In the end we sort of got it together as we came into Pemberton. The main group got caught up behind a slow-traveling car down the hill through town, we could see the break (so close, yet so far away) and then a little bit of confusion about which red flag was being pointed down which street. Melissa and Rebecca seemed to know what was going on and put the pace on very well through the back streets of Pemberton before Pump Hill. At the base of the Hill we were all strung out, Camille (first), Melissa (second), Rebecca (third), then the rest of us. I climbed with Melissa and Rebecca, and I gave the last ¼ of the hill everything I had, Melissa came with me and I encouraged her to work with me to catch Camille, but she was very fatigued. With Mel still on my wheel, we caught Camille after about 1km on the undulating section prior to the descent. With about 6kms to go Melissa and Camille maximised their recovery for the finish, I went for a longer sprint, picking it up from 500m out and kicked with 150m to go and somehow managed to hang on out in front.

All in all a great weekend.

Oceania Championships-Road Race Report; Rochelle Gilmore

2007-12-11T11:58:00.000+09:00

thanks to Rochelle Gilmore for this awesome write up: http://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/2007/diaries/rochelle/?id=rochelle0717
December 8, 2007

The 2008 Oceania Championships were held in Invercargill, NZ on the 18th of November 2007. Invercargill (dubbed as 'the friendly city') is New Zealand's southernmost city and I've been told it's the closest city to Antarctica. The city's architectural heritage reminded me of the main streets in places like Geelong and Ballarat.

The 18km road circuit was 60k out of town and featured a couple of short sharp hills, dead roads and a longer uphill drag before descending down to the finish line. The scenery was beautiful and although it was extremely windy the weather was expected to be much worse than it was on race day, we expected rain and freezing cold temperatures - instead we were blessed with sunshine!

Australia's women's road team consisted of only three riders; Bridie O'Donnell, Ruth Corset and myself - Davina Summers was also representing Australia as a club nomination. The four of us were certainly outnumbered by the twenty five kiwis. We knew we needed a clever race plan to beat them.

The four of us travelled to the circuit together, along with Australia's AIS women's road coach, David Short. We discussed and decided on a clear and very specific race plan which we executed perfectly. When we arrived at the race start we drove a lap of the circuit and decided where and when each one of us would perform our individual duties.

We entered the race feeling like we had an enormous task ahead. Winning the Oceania championships is important for any nation involved as it rewards the winning country with an 'extra' rider at the following world championships - in this case the 2008 world road cycling championships in Varese Italy - the home of the AIS and many Australian cyclist.

We learnt during the 112km road race that some of the Kiwi's were as equally desperate to win the championship, but their motivation was not to earn that extra worlds spot for New Zealand, they were after the generous 80 UCI points that were on offer in order to qualify them a maximum of three riders in Beijing.

The track events during the week provided us with the opportunity to observe the fitness levels of some of our most feared kiwi competitors, specifically Joanne Kiesanowski and Cath Cheatly who ultimately played the main rolls for NZ during the road race.

It was difficult for me to sit back and watch the track events as track racing has been my main focus in the past and I really wanted to be out there racing - but as I walked out of the velodrome my focus shifted immediately back to the job at hand, the road race. Road racing is and will be my main focus for the next few years with support from my Italian professional road team, Menikini-Selle Italia- Gysco.

Our race plan was to send Ruth Corset (our strongest climber) away on the first hill - Ruth powered away from the bunch just 2km into the race on a steep short power climb. This move took pressure off us (the Aussies) until New Zealand's Serena Sheridan drove it over to Ruth and pulled their lead out to 3 minutes and 30 seconds.

The New Zealanders who were back in the main bunch stopped taking turns, hoping to let the breakaway increase its lead. I had been informed by one of the kiwi's that Serena was feeling much stronger than Ruth out in the break, the kiwi's in the main group were forcing us to chase. We (Bridie, Davina and I) were faced with the decision to chase or to have faith in Ruth out there in the two person break.

It was our national team director David Short who made the call - he instructed Bridie and Davina to chase with about 35kms to go in order to set the race up for a sprint finish. The pressure all of a sudden had shifted back onto the us! Bridie and Davina did an unbelievable job, with just the two of them, we brought the break back. I've never witnessed such commitment from team-mates - the strength of these two girls was absolutely amazing - everyone was suffering behind them.

Bridie and Davina delivered me to the final 500m where I found myself on second wheel, the wheel of New Zealand's Cath Cheatley. I was pleased to be on the wheel of one of the strongest riders in the world but unfortunately Cath died, or purposely swung off much earlier than I would have liked, I had no choice but to kick and start my sprint early. I noticed a gap behind me and felt confident but the line was still so far away and I started to tire - Joanne Keisanowski was coming at me fast… luckily the line arrived before she did and I won, we (Australia) won!
I honestly would not have won the Oceania title for Australia without the team commitment from Bridie, Davina and Ruth.