Salida Omnium, the last BAR/BAT race!!!!!

Whew- I made it through this season with this awesome team. We had an interesting Salida Omnium. This was the last of the BAT series races for the season, so our team wrapped up the Best All Around Team award for 2008 and I won the Best All Around Rider award as well.

It started with the TT on Friday, arriving in Salida we could tell the skies were going to open and let the rain pour down. Sure enough, 30 min. prior to the start, it did just that. So after a great warm up, we were forced to sit in our cars, let our muscles cool down and watch the temp. outside drop by 30 degrees. With the race being delayed, we were all being told different delay times as to when the race would actually start. We were being told there would be delays from 25-45 min. It was actually 35 min. So for those poor souls that were told 45 min. most missed their start times and some decided not to ride in the cold and wet conditions. But even in these conditions, we were all in the same situation and everyone basically had to ride with cooled down muscles in weather that was less than friendly.

In the end, I was 3rd, Terrie was back due to a flat disc at the 1/2 way cone, Lisa Renee was 4th, Turbomama was 5th, Carla was 12th. So off to the RR tomorrow.

It is a gorgeous day for the road race. A bit overcast, so not too hot. We rolled out on the 7 mile neutral zone, the the race began. I think the worst part of this course is the 3 mile section up Hwy. 50 in the headwind. It's a 12 mile circuit race, that you have to go around 4 times. There is a great climb, then a descent of about 6-7 miles, then it turns and heads back toward Hwy. 50. At the first climb, our group dwindled down to Megan Hottman, Amy D., Terrie, Lisa Renee, myself and Michelle Steiner attacking all the way up. By the time the descent came, we shook her off. Unfortunately with Lisa Renee's bad hip, we dropped her as well. Terrie, Megan, Amy and myself worked together well and made great time around this beautiful course. Lisa Renee finally hooked up with VonVon and Turbomama and rode the rest of the race with them. Carla and Kate S. were making their way around and Carla made a valiant effort at the end. At the top of lap 3, Terrie's stomach was not agreeing with her and she had to abandon the race for the day. Thank goodness it's an omnium and she can still ride the crit. In the end, and on the 5th and final climb, Amy and I were able to shake Megan. I rode a steady effort and tried to wear Amy out, but in the final few hundred yards she sprinted around me and took the win. Darn, this left us with a 2nd place finish in the Colorado Road Championships.

Another gorgeous day on Sunday, the crit day. We had breakfast at the Pancake Palace which actually has the BEST cinnamon rolls. Doug had raced earlier in the day, his boys did really well at the Omnium. 1/2 hour before our crit, the skies opened up and poured down rain, delaying our start once again by about 20 min. They decided to shorten our race to only 35 min. and I knew it would be fast and furious. From the start, our very own Vonvon took the lead and started with a nice pace. It was downhill from there on. Jeannie Longo decided to join us, as she had raced with the 35+ men all weekend and was using our race as a cooldown!:) The attacks were relentless and the pace high. I think my legs were screaming at me from the day before, because 20 min. into the crit, I bonked and was done. I tried to stay with the group, but it was a futile effort. Jeannie had left the group going the other direction (leading) and that left 6 ladies to race to the finish. Megan was leading for the omnium so she really needed to win. Amy and I were tied for 2nd/3rd so whoever finished ahead of the other was going to be 2nd in the omnium. Megan did some fine attacks, keeping the pace going. Terrie had no reason to attack, as I was off the back and she was waiting for me to get back on. Then Amy attacked at about 5 laps to go, I was not sure why, maybe trying to hang in front and beat Megan?? In the end, she popped off and I picked her up. We worked together to the end and I sprinted around her to beat her at the line. (humm, same move she made on me the day before!). It came down to a sprint finish for 2nd-6th place. Melissa Barker won that sprint, with Terrie on her wheel taking 3rd. Jeannie of course came in 1st- I don't think anyone had it in them to attack and try to catch back up with Jeannie. Once again, the rest of our fine ColoBikeLaw ladies finished together, helping each other and kept their race going. Nice job everyone.

In the final results, Megan won the omnium, I was 2nd and Amy was 3rd. Everyone rode well and deserved their final placings.

Next race is Gateway Canyon. Yes, this is a 82 mile RR in the 100 degree heat with lots of climbing! We all know how much I love that!! :)

Summer Camp Comes to an End

Well, Doug and I had a week of quiet, clean house, no driving to gymnastics 2X a day and riding Meridian when we felt like it come to an end on Friday.

The girls had a great time at camp and told us they want to go back for 2 weeks next year. I guess this means we will be set for more time off from parental duties! Meghan loved it so much that she cried for hours on friday night telling us she missed horse camp. This was a great opportunity for them, they loved everything about it.

I am glad they are home and we are back into the swing of things. School starts in 3 weeks and they start competing in gymnastics in 1 month. They better get busy and learn those routines!!

Podium Finish

It was very surreal being on top of the podium with Jeannie Longo and Kristin McGrath. Someday I will look back on this and think "wow, how did that happen?!!"

On top of Mt. Evans

Did you ever wonder what you find on the top of Mt. Evans after you race from Idaho Springs and ride your bike as fast as you can up 28 miles to the top of a 14'er? A LOT of tired cyclists. Mt. Evans was interesting this year, as we had the privilege of riding with Jeannie Longo (again). She holds the record to the top of under 2 hours. I asked her at the start line if she her plan was to break her own record. She smiled and told me no, she had just stepped off the plane from France 2 days prior and wasn't quiet acclimated yet! I was thinking to myself that it wouldn't matter if she was acclimated or not, she would still fly to the top. She rode it this year in 2:10.

My time was 2:22, which was 4 min. faster than last year. My goal had been to ride it in under 2:20. I guess next year I need to work just a bit harder. Once again, by default only, I ended up winning the Colorado State Hill Climb Championship title. Much like at the TT, Jeannie really won, but she is not a resident of Colorado, so by default I win the prize! Oh well, I won't complain, as a state title is a great thing to accomplish. Our team has won the State Titles for the Time Trial, Crit and Hill Climb. The only one left up for grabs is the Road Race. We are hoping to capture this title next weekend and sweep the state titles! Go ColoBikeLaw ladies!!!

It seemed kind of surreal to stand on the podium next to Jeannie and Kristin McGrath, who was an awesome competitor. I was thinking to myself, what I am doing here standing next to this awesome athlete who has won every cycling title known to the sport. From World Championships to an Olympic gold medal. She was actually very nice and I had a lot of fun getting to know her a bit. I wished her luck at the Olympics and that's when she asked me if I would be at the Salida Omnium? I'm thinking to myself, your kidding, yet another State Title that may get won by default......Oh well, it should be a fast race!!!

Erin took the picture of Tom Danielson, who holds the men's record up Mt. Evans. He was there to support the Junior program, leave it to Erin to get a picture of this gorgeous and very talented rider!

Another year gone, it was fun and a gorgeous day. At the top, Erin also enjoyed getting some shots of the local mountain goats. There was a huge herd at the top, the views were beautiful as well. This is the great part of living in Colorado.

Pictures Found!

It's amazing what happens when you download pictures from your camera. This is the problem with digital camera's, you take pictures and never download them.

In mid June, Erin entered the Hershey's Kids Track and Field race in Parker and won the 400m. She automatically qualified for the State Finals in Ft. Collins, which happened to be the same weekend as Rist Canyon Road Race in Ft. Collins. We were going to be up there anyway for the bike race, so why not make it a really busy weekend and do both! The Gordon way for sure!

Erin ended up placing 5th (I think) in her heat of the track race, and then headed over to Horsetooth reservoir to ride in the 14 mile, 3500 ft. of climbing Jr. Road Championship race. She was not too happy about all the climbing involved, but she did it and once she got over the major climbs she did great on the way in-even out sprinting her mom to finish line!

After 2 days of major racing, I told Erin that I would ride her race with her and chaperon the younger kids during the race. Nothing like a little more climbing! I think we had a total of 11,000 ft. of climbing and I added on another 3500 ft. when I rode with Erin! Yikes-I guess good practice for Mt. Evans!

Pictures Found!

Horse Camp!

The girls are spending the week at Camp Chief Ouray in Grandby, CO. This is their first time away from home for a week, and I think I must be having a harder time than they are with the separation. I miss my babies! They are enjoying spending half of their day with the horses, as they are participating in horse camp. The rest of the day is spent enjoying other camp activities such as archery, challenge courses, swimming or arts and crafts.

Erin was going to be rafting today, as she was old enough to have the option of spending one day on the river. I know they must be having a great time.

We delivered them on Sunday and will head back up on Friday for a family cookout and skits. They will be able to give us a tour of the camp and tell us all they did.

The cabins they stay in are dormitory style, with 1 counselor and 3 girls per room. They are in the same building, but in different rooms.

I can't wait to see them and find out how it was. I have been sending daily e-mails and even a care package, but they are unable to contact us.