This looks familiar

Another podium finish with Jeannie, Megan and Terrie. This is looking all too familiar, I think we need someone new up there!!!

VonVon working hard

VonVon went out hot and set the pace high for our race, I thought this picture was so cool.

Fed Center Race

We had a great race. Seems like no other team wanted to race their bikes today. I think the presence of Jeannie freaks everyone out. Megan Hottman did her fair share of the work, but our thought was- we don't want Jeannie to think that the Colo. peloton doesn't know how to race bikes hard. We were not content to sit on her wheel the entire race, we worked hard to keep the pace high. In the end, Megan and Terrie got away with Jeannie until the last lap when Jeannie put the hurt on everyone and did what only she can do, leave everyone behind. Megan and Terrie battled it out between the two of them and the rest of us did our best to hold the peloton off. The MOB gals finally got out to race their bikes at the end of the race, which made it fun for the rest of us. They did a good job of attacking and trying to bridge the gap that Terrie and Megan had. In the end Megan was 2nd and Terrie was 3rd. VonVon who took a flyer early in the race to set the pace high ended up 4th. Turbomama hung in there for a 6th and I was 7th. Lisa Renee did a great job in working hard at this race, ending up with our chase group and finished 9th. Nice job ladies, 5 riders in the top 10 is the reason why we are winning the BAT this year.

Steamworks Beer for Prizes

I think a huge reason that everyone loves this race is because we give away Steamworks beer for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Who wouldn't want to go home from a race with a case of this awesome product???

Fed Center Race

Erin doing her best artwork at the start/finish line of the Federal Center race that we sponsor.

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!!