Collegiate Racing

(Devon and I at Depauw, IN)

Since Devon took off to make the rounds of European racing (and boy am I ever jealous!), I've been left to fend for myself in our Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference. I have to say, it can be very tough not having at least one teammate (even if she was a "secret" one; I race for UWM, she races for U of Chicago). Each weekend seems to bring out bigger and bigger teams and changes my usual tactics. I enjoy attacking frequently (to the point where, "Patience little grasshopper!!!!") was the most constant advice I got. But now with only me, I DO actually have to race smarter, more patiently and follow the dominating team's leads.
(Sprinting for a finish that ended too close to call in IN)

Collegiate weekends are fun but definetely involve little sleep, long days in the cold and wet, long hours of travel, but of course LOTS of FUN and team bonding. This year we have a really good women's field with some heavy hitters that has made things fast and interesting. I've managed to place top 5 in every race so far-enjoying some much more then others. So far this year I've raced in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan and gotten to go on two school training trips to Arizona and North Carolina!!!
(Our "pro" UWM set-up; we might not be a scholarship team like several in our conference but we do our best and are sure we have more fun!)

Still on the docket:
-Marian Crit (IN) April 5
-MKE RR/Madison Crit (WI) April 18-19
-Ohio State RR/Crit/TT (Regionals!!!) April 25-26
-AND the pinnacle: Nationals held in Colorado this year (not so nice for us from sea level) May 8-10
(My boyfriend and I hamming it up at the Murray, KY crit-2nd place in a 13corner crit!)

So plenty of fun ahead. But I do have to say, I am VERY excited to be racing as part of TEAM BH USA this weekend (April 4) at Hillsboro (IL) where I'll have teammates, tactics, and the chance to show what we've got!!!
(Devon and I at the Depauw crit-a 2nd and 3rd place finish for us!)

-Madeleine

Dolmans Classic

Sunday was my first race in Europe -- the Dolmans Classic.  The race was held in Holland and the route weaved through small towns, along narrow country roads, and around several roundabouts.  Holland is supposed to be rather flat, but the course covered 13 hills.  The steepest hill was the Cauberg which we rode 3 times.  

The race began with 150 women rolling out for a neutral start... which wasn't really a neutral start at all.  Everyone was fighting for a position near the front. It wasn't much different than racing except that you had to stay (mostly) behind the lead car.  As we rolled out of town, all the people along the sidewalks sent us off with lots of cheers -- it was a great atmosphere every time we hit a town.  Once we arrived at the bottom of the first hill, the racing began!

We followed this guy around... (two of the motorcycles crashed!  ... that doesn't happen often)

Through some nice farmlands... 

And we went up...

and Up...

and UP!

The hills were pretty tiring by the end.  The field widdled away from the beginning and by the time we hit the final climb, there were probably only about 60 remaining, with 3 off the front.  I think the spectators were walking up the climb faster than we were able to ride it on the last time up. I was bonking a little and not sure i was going to make it, but i managed up it and finished a bit off the front group in 37th.  

We were all pretty tired afterwards... and huddled into the warm van...

Later, we found a yummy restaurant in Leuven, Belgium for some post race recovery drinks/food...

 

Most normal people order beer when in belgium...

but i like post race ice cream... MMMmmm milkshake...

Overall, a fun first European racing experience!

~devon

Bonjour de France

Yesterday I arrived in Limoux, France to begin a month+ long USAcycling development camp. I was sad to leave right before Team BH makes their midwest racing debut, but am looking forward to a great experience and lots of learning. During the camp, we will live and train in southern France -- learning race tactics, practicing time trial skills and experiencing lots of climbing(!). On the weekends, we will travel around France and Holland for some international racing experience -- here is the race lineup:

March 29: Dolman's Classic

April 4-5: Tour of Burgundy

April 13: Pujols French Cup

April 18: Ronde van Gelderland

May 3: Trophee des Grimeurs French Cup

May 10: Grand Prix d'Amancey

I've arrived and settled in our cozy team house. Unfortunately my bike has not finished its journey. I think whoever opened my bike box for inspection decided to take my pretty BH bike out for a test ride. I hope they send it along soon!

Fortunately I was able to borrow a bike and get my first taste of riding around here. The roads are narrow, but the cars are sparse; the temps are 60s and sunny (I am not missing Chicago!); and the scenery is spectacular. Sometimes i find myself enjoying the views and almost riding off road. Yikes! Pictures often don't do the views justice, but I tried to get a couple shots...

Tomorrow is an easy spin and then off to Holland for my first race -- I'll try to post updates along the way...

-Devon

Kenosha Velosport Spring Training Crit

I'm still doing base work right now and my workouts can be very long. It was great going to CA to log in a bunch of miles outside, but it made it tough to come back to finish up our Chicago winter and back to my dreaded trainer. Really I have made peace with the trainer. My indoor workout program, "Pedaling with a Purpose" and the people who attend make the time inside bearable. But after a long grueling winter of trainer riding, then going to CA and getting a taste of the outside, my heart longs to be riding outside. It was great to have a training race to mix things up, help get in some intensity and race experience, and decent weather to boot! After doing two hours of PWP this morning, (we go until the end of March) I headed up to Pleasant Prairie, WI for my first local outside race. It's part of a nice series of training races that has been going on for years, but lately has been without a regular venue. The course this year was lovely! I hope it works out that they can keep this location for years to come. It was easy to get to, and the weather cooperated with sunny and comfortable temps. I raced the men's 3's and my goal was to work on positioning. I didn't really care about final placing but I was hoping to ride near the front and possibly get in a break. The race was dominated by Get-a-Grip. They attacked at the gun and got a rider up the road in a two person break. The remaining teammates did an excellent job of blocking and disrupting any chase efforts. I rode at the front and made some unsuccessful bridge attempts. It was hard organizing with the other individual riders. We eventually caught the break, but then GAG launched another attack and another group got away and this time it stuck. At one to go the field picked up the pace and I finished somewhere midfield. On the whole it was a nice safe race and I got to see some good team tactics executed. Hopefully I can use some of them when I have my teammates to race with! I was happy to have stayed near the front for most of the race. I then decided to jump in the men's 1/2 race immediately following the 3's. Whoops! Wasn't feeling it and pulled out shortly after the start. That's it for now. Hopefully I'll get to do it again next week.

-Kristen

Videos from TOC

http://www.deltavelo.com/09_race_videos/tour_of_california/womens_criterium.html

http://www.thefredcast.com/?p=595

A Big Thank You to our Hosts

(Chillin in CA wine country)

Just wanted to say thank you to our amazing hosts. Really. We mean it. We couldn't have done the trip without you guys. Hopefully someday we can pay it forward.

Chris and Theresa Coursey and Greg, Jane and Meredith Durbin.