Pics from the Olympics... er RAGBRAI

Most of the Wednesday group - and some fans!


Dalena and Dee looking great in pink! Check out the Women's Radar's from Oakley - sweet!


One of the things that makes RAGBRAI fun- lunch in the shade of an old oak. Yep - about the only time any of us make time for that!


Catheryn and Kristin gettin' ready to wind it up for the sprint into town - to win RAGBRAI.


Dee's best view of Lance. I mean of her son and husband.... no, of Lance. Sorry Ryan and Dave...


See ya next year! I think Wednesday is evolving into Pink Day - so be prepared!!!

What a week!!

While some were off to Missouri Valley (which redeemed itself from the last RAGBRAI and it's nickname of Missery Valley with beautiful weather, great food and a breathtaking view from our camping spot (and far far above the trains!)) - others were off to California to compete in the Vineman Half Ironman Triathlon.

Kristin Rinderknecht joined a large group from Des Moines as she continues preparation for her first ever ironman distance tri in November. She rocked out in a 5:09:11 finishing 32nd overall in the women's race! Krista Bartholomew shaved an hour off her Wildflower time from this May to finish in 5:39:36! Congratulations to both on a great race - and we'll be following Kristin on her way to becoming an Ironman!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch - Dalena Feller stayed in Des Moines as she prepared for the Big Creek Triathlon - hosted by Race Director Jenny Weber - but was able to join in on a day of RAGBRAI on Wednesday (more on that in a minute). turned out to be a good choice as she finished a strong race at Big Creek. Resluts Here

Others in pink were seen trapsing across the state throughout the week - meeting up for Pink Day on Wednesday - leaving Ames and riding to Tama. 13 pink ladies made the ride, joined by some friends and hubbies - making a splash as folks from across the land were impressed by the jerseys and joined in for a smooth paceline! Kim Hopkins recieved lots and lots of compliments on her design and probly could have sold a couple of dozen as the ladies rode from town to town!

Other RAGBRAI moments included Kris Collum making the umpteenth RAGBRAI with her Dad, Tom. (I've (your editor, Dave) known Kris since my first RAGBRAI in 1985 - and she was a veteran then!!) Dee and her family spending a few miles riding on Lance's wheel heading into Ames - and was mentioned as a RAGBRAI highlight by Lance that night - and was drawn into a cartoon by Duffy in Thursday's DSM Register!
Find Waldo (or the Mable Train...)

Wednesday was Pink Day and 13 ladies in pink joined forces for a team ride to Tama - All had fun sharing the work of the pace line, sharing coffee, pie, pork chops.. and an occasional beer! We'll post some pics when I get some!

And finally - highlight - or lowlight - of the week was Joe Schmidt (Joanns hubby) - on Monday, as a large handful of us were doing the Century together, Joe was knocked down as some guy veered across the road in front of him - Joe went down hard and lost lots of skin to the pavement - enough for some stitches in his hand - and landed hard on his shoulder breaking his collar bone in three places - help was quick and Joe was in good hands - but we all hated to send he and Joann off to the hospital and home - and we certainly wish him the best as he heals.

Lastly - and another topic - the Pink Team recieved some major press in the Des Moines Registers "Mom's Magazine" Some great pictures and an accompanying story - we sure wish all the stories and quotes submitted had been told - but you do leave that up to the editor... so stop by the store and pick up a pink copy - and if you have your own personal story - I'd love to publish it here! Mom or not - we'd love to hear what you enjoy about joining a group of like minded women on two wheels!

Still Lots Coming Up!!!

Not only will pink be well represented on the little ride across the state -

But this weekend Kristin Rinderknecht is doing the Vineman 1/2 Ironman in California as, well, as fun...and prep for her participation in the Florida Ironman in November.

Next weekend Dalena (anyone else??) is doing Big Creek Tri next Sunday - of course our good friend Jenny Weber is head honcho of Big Creek - and many of us will be there volunteering in some capacity, and cheering Dalena et. all on to the line!!! While Jenny is putting on these great races (Copper Creek and Big Creek) she continues to train for her own Ironman - the Wisconsin Ironman in September!

AND the following weekend, newly pinked Jana Severson will be tackling her own 1/2 Ironman at the Steelman Half in Michigan as she continues to prepare for her Duathlon World Championship in September!

Of course we'll be fielding a strong team in the State Road Race Championships that same weekend of August 2nd...

Then Dee and Dave load up the tandem to tackle the Leadville 100 Mtb race in Colorado - their third go-round at the buckle - and hopefully thier third buckle (awarded to everyone who finishes the 100 mile race in under 12 hours!)

Then we've got State Criterium Championships, Hickory Grove Triathlon, Cy-Man Triathlon, 24 hours of Iowa Mountain Bike Race, Chiquamegon Mtn Bike Race..... then, of course... it's CROSS SEASON!!! Stay tuned!

Dang - this is a busy bunch!!!
Good luck ladies!

What A Weekend!!

I don't really even know where to begin... so I'll tell the stories as we read a book - from top to bottom - from North to South!

Up north - Newly pinked, Jana Severson, traveled to the Lifetime Fitness Olympic Distance Triathlon on Saturday the 12th of July. Entered in the Elite category, she was matched up with 76 of the Midwests finest ameture triathletes. After the 1500m swim, she found herself as 16th Elite female - and duked it out on the twisting, tight...and windy bike portion - with, ironically, Mackenzie Madison - a local ZOOM Performance coach and athlete! The two kept it close together for the rest of the race, with Mackenzie finishing in 14th and Jana in 15th in a time of 2:23 - and only seconds apart!

Jana is in training for the World Duathlon Championships to be held in Italy on September 27th of this year - and appears to be coming into great form. Next on her agenda is the Steelhead 1/2 Ironman Championship on August 2nd. Congratulations and Good Luck!

A bit further south, in Clear Lake, Kim Hopkins, Dee Mable, Kristin Pavlovitch and Joann Schmidt took on the "juggernaut" of PRC in the Clear Lake Criterium on Saturday afternoon and Clear Lake Road Race on Sunday Morning. At stake was not only the finish of each race, but the Iowa Cup Championship - culminating on Sunday.

Dee started the day in first of active Cat 4 Women - followed by Kristin Reese, (of All9yards) and then Chris Maravelis (of PRC). As Kristin was not able to race this weekend, it was up to Dee to defend her lead - and had the full support of pink (and green)for the weekend.

The Criterium started fast, with Chris attacking from the gun in the 20 min race. She quickly gained a 3-4 block lead and settled into her strong time trial mode. Kim, Kristin and Joann mounted a chase, splintering the field, eventually leaving Dee with Maria Rutenburg (PRC) and Kristin Gallager (PRC) in tow. A moments hesitation gave Kristin the opportunity to attack Dee and put a gap on her, leaving Dee to chase the rest of the way, with Maria on her wheel. With the final straight looming to the finish, Dee put her head down sprinting against Maria for the important 3rd place points, beating her by mere inches.

Iowa Cup standings: Dee, 34 points; Chris, 32 points.... It was to come down to the Road Race to determine who would wear the Iowa Cup jersey!

A very windy day greeted the field of 12 Cat 4 Women for thier 42 mile road race. They mostly stayed together throughout the race, with an interuption of a two person crash about 8 miles into the race. The field waited and rode slowly for a bit, giving the crash victims some time to recover. The wind also played a major role in keeping the group together, though pink was active in putting forth some attacks to try and split the field. Kristin Pavlovich was instrumental in driving the train and ensuring Dee was well protected!

PRC was quick to react to each attack and close each gap - and going into the final 3.5 mile tailwind straight to the line, there were 10 women all together. That didn't last long as Chris, having patiently waited her time, put forth a strong attack. Kim and Joann were first on the scene, covering the attack and making it to Chris' wheel. Kim did her work to close the gap, and eventually pulled off to let Joann duke it out with Chris. Back in the pack, Dee found herself mid pack with 1/2 mile to go. Knowing it meant the Iowa Cup... or not... she dug deep and with a generous lead-out from fellow Leadville 100 participant (2008) Kat Porter (Bike Tech, Dee closed the gap on Chris and Joann as they all neared the line. Joann lept around Chris with 200 to go and Dee powered by a spent Chris, who'd put all her energy into her very strong attack - they finished 1 and 2 with Chris in 3rd and Kristin Gallager (PRC) in 4th. Kim finished in 7th and Kristin Pavlovich finished in 9th.

With her win over Chris, Dee takes the Iowa Cup and ALL9Yards takes 1-2 in a very exciting road race!

We're not done yet - keep reading!!!

A bit further south, in Ogden, Kristin Rinderknecht and her son, Josh, raced in the Iowa Games Triathlon. Kristin, having great form as the result of her Ironman training, put the hurt on the competition finishing first among all women! She appears to be on track for her big summer goal of competing in the Ironman Florida this November! Her (and Speedy Reedy's) son Josh competed in his first ever triathlon, and, like father and mother... like son - Josh won his 15 and under age group! Hey JJ and TJ - watch out for this kid, his name has a 'J' in it too!!!

We'd like to congratulate Kristin, Josh, Dee, Jana, Kim, Kristin and Joann for a great weekend of racing - and thank all who made it possible:

Bike World and LeMond Bicycles for the equipment support!
Zanzibars for the great coffee!
Cumming Tap for the financial support!
Whitewater Consulting and Schneiders Auto Service for the financial support
Zoom Performance for the coaching help!
True Life Chiropractic for keeping us straight!

...and of course, our team-mates who make this all so fun!

Finally - the best is saved for last -
Thursday, July 10, the pink team grew by 1! Sherri and Steve Robinson welcomed into this world, thier latest, a little girl, Keaghlan! Mom, baby, sister - and Dad are all doing well! Congratulations!!!

OK - I am done - you can go on with whatever you were doing!

Sunday and Monday Results - and a Cup of Iowa!

Sorry this is sooo late - but we drove home last night through the stormes that hammered through Iowa - and I wasn't about to sit down at the computer when I got home!

The Mellon City Bike Race was on Sunday and a large field of Cat 4 Women toed the line - 30 in all - the largest Cat 4 Women's race this year in the state. Dee, Kim, Kristin P. and Lindsey were joined by Kristin Reese, who just couldn't stay away for the whole weekend!!!

The race started fast and furious - and the fast pace took it's toll on the field. The field of 30 was paired down after about 4 laps to a lead group of about 14 or 15 and then small groups of 4 or 5, and some solo riders trying to bridge the gaps.

Dee and Kim made the front group, which was driven by Kelli Menti, Lindsey Koren (winner of Snake Alley), Ana Nelson among others. Lindsey was tucked into the 2nd group, along with Maria Rutenburg, Kristin Pavlovich was stuck in no-man's land between this group and the next, which included Kristin Reese.

At this point -all the groups settled into strong tempos, either trying to bridge to the next group, or, in the case of the front group, position themselves for the win.

With about 3 laps to go, Kelli made a strong attack, helped along by Lindsey Koren (of Indiana). Sarah Huang - a 12 year old phenom - made the cut as the trio flew down the back side hill. Dee got caught in front, as Ana and Emily, who both had excelent races at the Snake, made an attack, trying to round out the top 5 from Iowa and steal some Iowa Cup points from Dee. Kim came around Dee, lending her wheel, and draft, pulling her back up to Ana and Emily. About this time, 3 other riders, including Kris Maraves of Waukee, attacked the group, bridging to the front 3. This made a group of 6 with 2 laps to go. Lindsey and Kelli continued to ride strong, resulting in shattering the front group, leaving Kris, Ginger Sides and Anna Loney to fend for themselves to the line.

On the last lap, Ana and Emily lead down the back stretch, nearly catching the next rider, Anna Loney, at the bottom, Dee attacked this group of about 8, charging up the hill.

In the mean time, Kelli, Lindsey and Sarah sprinted for the line - with Lindsey winning, followed by Kellin and then Sarah. (did I mention that Sarah Huang is 12?! WOW! Amazing!! - remember that name in the 2012 Olympics!!)

Meanwhile, back on the hill, Dee was leading the group up up up to the top, around the last corner and into the downhill straight, 200 yards to go - with Ana and Emily stuck firmly to her wheel. What looked like a sure PRC 1-2 punch was thwarted by pure guts and determination as Dee rounded the corner, downshifted and hammered it home to the line - taking pack sprint for 7th place - and five precious Iowa Cup points, placing her in the lead by one point over Kelli Menti.

Kim Hopkins charged from the group, throwing her bike at the line to move up one more spot to finish in 11th, having ridden a strong ride in support of Dee. Lindsey Hiem finished in 15th, just ahead of Maria Rutenburg - who also rode strongly all weekend - Kristin Pavlovich and Kristin Reese both soloed home to finish in 21st and 24th respectively.


Rock Island Criterium

Not much of an editorial for this, as Dee and Dave broke the tandem out to begin thier official Leadville Training on Monday (so I didn't actually get to see this race...) but Kristin Pavlovich and Lindsey Heim both toed the line on the pool-table flat, 8 corner course in downtown Rock Island. Lindsey had a strong race finishing 13th in the 26 rider field and Kristin smiled her way to 20th.

Congratulations to one and all for fine performances throughout the entire weekend - I'm proud of all that you have ALL accomplished in this past year!!

While not everyone could make the trip to eastern Iowa this weekend - everyone DID play a role in the great results - from the great bikes and support from Forrest and Ben at Bike World, the shades from Oakley, the testing from Jenny and Zoom, the awesome group rides, the cheering from the hill on the snake, and even a warm cup of coffee from Zanzibars - the think that makes this group click is the common love of bicycling - and the universal support that is exhuded from all and to all - has the power to lift everyone to reach for thier best!

I'll post some pics here as soon as possible - in the mean time - watch for some fun group rides being scheduled soon, and a "learn to ride in a group" session by Dave in the upcoming weeks.

Peace - Dave

Missing Pink!

What a phenomenal start to the memorial race weekend girls. I’ve enjoyed hearing about the road race on Friday night and the legendary Snake Alley on Saturday, but it really makes me feel like I’m “Missing Pink”. I decided Friday afternoon that I was too buried with work and family commitments, to try and partake in the festivities this weekend with the ladies in Pink. Reading about it just isn’t the same as being there with you and I probably should have said, “to heck with it” and went!!!

I think back to last year when we were all just starting to learn about cycling, envisioning a team of our own and wondering where it would take us. Now, we are there and I am so proud to be part of a team that looks out for one another, encourages others to excel and take their cycling dreams to whatever level they like!!! I made the decision not to go this weekend, but I was never made to feel like it was a wrong decision. That is what is great about my team and why I am “Missing Pink”!!!

I met with my Chiropractor Saturday morning to try and relieve a migraine that I had since Friday. Fortunately, it was very successful, so I decided that I would head out at the first break of sunshine about 4:00 pm to get in a 2 hour ride. I started down Westown Pkwy to 63rd Street, Hwy 28 to Park Avenue and then the Great Western Trail head to Orilla/Norwalk and through the south side (my old stopping grounds) and Hwy 28 and back home. It was a pretty relaxing 2 hour ride until I started down 50th Street south on my way home, about where Prairie Life fitness club is, and some young wiper snapper decided that he had something to say to me about riding on the road instead of the trail. I decided that I wasn’t going to put up with his belligerent comments and said a few choice words to him and gave him a thumbs up or I guess it was a middle finger up to let him know I didn’t appreciate his comments. At that point in my ride I was “Missing Pink”!

I guess it just doesn’t feel the same without my teammates there to practice rotations, chatting about the days stresses or just seeing the smiles as we gracefully flip off those belligerent a_ _ whips that drive by. I wish I could hear and see the smiles on your faces this weekend as you all cross the finish line at Snake Alley and the other races that bring each of us closer together as a team. Way to go girls!!!! I was cheering for you from a far and I know that you will represent women in cycling well!!!
- Dalena

SSSsssssNake Bite!!

Kim Hopins, Kristin Pavlovich, Lindsey Heim and Dee Mable lined up with 20 other women in this morning's Cat 4 Snake Alley Criterium.

Snake Alley is, known as the 'Crookedest Street In The World' is a 7 switchback brick street that climbs the hight of a 10 story building in one short block - of course there is a one block climb right before entering the Snake - just to zap any momentum you might have had - yum.

After a pre-race lecture about safety and stuff by the race officials - the ladies were off - on the kaotic (get it - Kaos!?! - that was for Matt!) first lap - it is all about staying moving and not getting caught behind a miss-shift or crash. Of course - crashes on the Snake are in slow-mo, as riders are moving up the steep climb at 6-8mph. While the crashes may not be too painful, they are disruptive and will cause a dominoe effect on the riders caught behind.

Luckily all the pink riders made it to the top in one piece, and the race was on! The race spread out into a single file line and as the pack made it around to the Snake for the 2nd of 6 laps, the 20 racers stretched from top to bottom of the hill.

One girl from Wisconsin then hit the gas, breaking away on her own, leaving the rest to fight for 2nd. Dee found herself in about 10th with Kim close behind - then Kristin a couple places yet, then Lindsey rounding out the top 15. As the race wore on, Dee began picking off riders one by one, moving up a spot or two on each lap - with Kim and Kristin doing the same. Lindsey found her place in 15th!

On the last lap, Dee found herself alone in 5th place up the Snake for the last time - and that is where she would finish. Kim fought her way into the top 10, finishing 9th. Kristin duked it out with Maria Rutenburg, with Maria finishing in 11th and Kristin in 12th. Lindsey finished in 15th, not DFL - which made her proud!

From learning to ride in a group only one short year ago - None of these ladies would have imagined racing in this legendary race - much less finishing - and finishing well no less! Very - VERY impressive - for one and all!

After the 5th race in the Iowa Cup - the All9Yards Ladies still hold the lead. Kristin Reese holds the lead with 27 points and Dee close behind with 26. Three more races to go - Mellon City Critierium, May 25th; and the Clear Lake Road Race and Clear Lake Criterium the 2nd weekend in July.

Tomorrow - The Mellon City Criterium - and Kristin Reese made the drive from Des Moines to join in on the fun! Tune in tomorrow night to see what happened!

On the boys team - Herbie took on a large Cat 5 field of about 40 to finish 16th. Jerome moved up from a bad start in the 4s race to finish a very respectable 7th (I'm pretty sure). Dave Lippold had a great start in the Masters 40+ and finished in the top ten in a very strong field. Steve Robinson had a great race in the Cat 3 race to finish in the top 15. In the 1/2/Pro race - Lane had some trouble shifting on the Snake and couldn't make up for his horrible start and Jerod's busy week with his new baby and his start at the back conspired against him, and both guys were out by lap 10 of their 20 lap race.