Dirty Du--Running and Riding Through the Woods

Saturday morning showed a bit of rain before clearing off and allowing the Dirty Du to take place.

Lauren raced in the open women's division tackling the course in the solo division. She rocked the run, quickly turned her novice mountain biking skills into veteran form.

Kim and Mary R teamed up on the relay with Mary running and jumping the creek while Kim showed her mastery of both the Hillside and Roller Coaster segments. Our team was the first all female team to cross the line in a close race.

Elaine popped into town to help run the races and then was the running leg of a relay team.

Once again pink stood out in the heavily wooded, urban biking oasis behind the Art Center.

Your Roving Race Reporter,

Luann

FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS

One of the tags for Mullet's night cyclocross race was "to put something fun between your legs" for this first-time event. VeloRosa women showed up in mass to do just that. Both spectators and racers spent the night cheering and racing.

Cyclocross is a rather unique event in and of itself. Take what is usually a wide open course, make it compact and put it under the lights. Then overload the races, add a band and wash it all down with plenty of adult beverages and you have one rocking evening. This truly was an awesome party.


The pink and black kits really stood out under the lights as the ladies showed up to race. Several cross first timers including Julie H and Lee took to the night race like, well bikers to the road. Rumor has it that Lee wiped out once, pulled a dollar bill from Squirrel and drank 3 beers while riding with an assist from non-riding teammate Sam. Several other riders also collected dollar bills as part of the fun-filled evening.


VeloRosa placed well in several categories. If you have been thinking about racing, come out and join the fun on both Saturday and Sunday over Halloween weekend at Living History Farms.



Kate raced hard in the women's Cat 4 before her bike betrayed her sending her to the sidelines. In the W45+ Melinda, Lee, Julie G and Julie Hfinished 4th, 5th 6th and 7th respectively.

Thanks to all teammates and friends that showed up to support the racing efforts!

Your Roving, Racing Reporter,

Luann

VeloRosa IS Moutain Biking

Wow! Pink showed up in full force to ride Mullett's Mountain Bike race this past Sunday. After many hesitant emails, the ladies showed up, bucked up and rode as individuals. This is a show of the gumption that this team has shown; taking the challenge head on.

Big CONGRATS to Joann for taking her category in her very first mountain bike race. Joann has really branched out this fall racing both cyclocross and now mountain bike racing. Joining in for the first time also were Angie, DeAnn, Jane and Julie H.

VeloRosa Finishers:

Sport Women
Joann 1st
Elaine 6th


Beginner Women
DeAnn 3rd
Angie 5th
Julie S 8th
Julie G 9th
Julie H 10th
Jane 11th

Dave Mable 4rd Marathon Solo Men

Dee and Kim 3rd Tag Team Marathon and first all woman team.

Kim West and Sue Cook 1st Place Tandem

Yes Kim and Sue have taken the tandem to new and interesting places like this mountain bike race and cyclocross. It is great to see such teamwork flowing along with nary a heated word between them. It could be because they are both gasping for breath. Anyway, it is great to see them streaking by!

Your roving race reporter,

Luann
Thanks to Karolyn for the great photos!

Pedal, Mud, Stump, Hill, Pedal, Jump, Carry...Repeat

Wow! VeloRosa women rocked the Dirty Wooden Shoe and Altoona cyclocross races on Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3. These were hilly and challenging races. There may have been a near mountain with a barrier about 1/3 of the way up in Pella. Ah ha, you ask "So what?" The what is this: ride your bike at full speed, start to swing your right leg over the seat while still moving, unclip your left cleat and hop off at a run. Don't take a breath here because you are just getting started. Hoist up your bike and run over the 18" barrier or two and run, either carrying or pushing you bike, up the rest of that big hill. Whew! But not done yet because while still running hop on to your seat and pedal off hoping that your cleats clip in before the next hole, 180 degree turn or heckler offers you a beer.

The rest of the ride has sand, mud, grass, rolling hills, steep down hills and more 180 degree turns. Do this for 45 minutes non-stop while chasing down the gal in front of you. Don't forget to watch for Kim E.(Iowa City) or Lisa V. (PRC) whom may be passing you like you are not moving at all. And while your mouth is bone dry attempt to grab your water bottle, drink and put it back before any other above hazards come at you like a freight train.........again.

That makes me tired just writing about it. This is what our crazy, challenge-loving teammates were up to this last weekend. The good thing about cross is that you can ride at your own pace. Yes, some folks like our newest teammate Loren are busting it up at break-neck speeds that have lead her to first places in the Cat 4 races or you can be more social by heckling the heckler or saying hi to a cheering teammate all while trying to enjoy the fun that around minute 35 seems like torture.

Congrats to all of the VeloRosa racers list below. Remember that everyone who rides is a winner.

ALTOONA:
Loren....1st..WCX4
Kate.....4th..WCX4
Joann....2nd..W45+
Melinda..5th..W45+
Julie G..6th..W45+
Dee......7th..W45+

PELLA:
Loren....1st..WCX4
Melinda..4th..W45+
Julie G..5th..W45+

Your roving and hopefully someday a big enough bike to ride with these fine ladies roving reporter,

Luann