How goes the battle? (Mary Canning)

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 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 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 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)

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)

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.

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.