Sip & Swap - Feb. 25, 2016

Got a bunch of bike parts laying around? Have a closet full of bike clothing you don't wear any more?

Well - join Velorosa at the annual Sip & Swap this Thursday, Feb. 25 from 6 - 8:30 at the Jasper Winery.

Bring your stuff in - and swap it for other people stuff. Super cool. Bring bigger stuff for an auction!

While there - you can enjoy the good wine and beer from Jasper Winery, the company of a bunch of biker-friendly friends all while supporting a couple of great causes. Auction proceeds benefit the Des Moines Bicycle Collective and all extra clothing will be donated to the Dream Team!

This Thursday - Feb. 25. 6-8:30 PM. Jasper Winery. 2400 George Flagg Parkway in Des Moines.

See ya there!

VeloRosa Domninates Cat 3 at Sunderbruch

It was a pink domination at the slick single track in Davenport.  The rain that fell the day before left the trails and the multitude of tree roots quite slick.  Nary a gal came out mud free.  Not one pink gal in the Cat 3 race showed a sign of fear.   They took off in a pack and held off all but one competitor to finish first, third and fourth (Zoe, Kari, Amy).  This two-lap course had plenty of climbing and tricky descents further enhanced by the slick conditions.

In the Cat 2 race, Lee took on her first set of black-rated trails full of mud, rock and wood features and hung on to finish third.

Your Roving Race Reporter,  Luann

Winners at Seven Oaks: Lee Cat 2; Kari Cat 3; Zoe Juniors

The VeloRosa gals cleaned up at Seven Oaks mountain bike race in May. Lee took the first IMBCS Cat 2 race of year by a large margin. She did not let the hills and slick conditions deter her effort. Kari and Amy took first and second, respectively, in the Cat 3 race. This course was challenging for the season opener on Iowa trails but both ladies blew off the dust in fine fashion. Joann and Kim raced the Cat 1 race and finished second and fourth, respectively. The repeated gruelling climbs took its toll on both ladies. Katherine raced the Comp category but the conditions were not favorable to her bike. There was a great showing of fans out to cheer on the ladies as they raced. It is always great to see friends and fans when the racers speed by during a race. Your Roving Race Reporter, Luann

Pink Gals Make Successful Run in Nebraska's Psycowpath Mountain Bike Series

The Psycowpath mountain bike series took place at four venues in Nebraska this year. Our pink gals traveled over the state line and looked quite impressive. Kari in her first year racing in Cat 3 blew away the competition to win the series. She had two first place finishes out of the four races to tally the most points over all. It was impressive to watch Kari gain confidence with each race as she knocked out the competition. In the same series, Lee moved up to Cat 2 and had a great year. The transition from Cat 3 up to Cat 2 proved to be quite challenging. The first race was a lesson in how the next level races as far as course difficulty and length. Lee persevered to garner enough points to place second overall in Cat 2. Joann chose to do the four-hour, Marathon category races. Out of the two races she raced she garnered a first and a second place. This was enough points to finish 5th overall. Katherine and Zoe also traveled over for the first race in the series. Zoe won the junior division and finished second overall. Katherine took third in her Cat 2 race. This is a great showing for the VeloRosa mountain bikers! Your Roving Race Reporter, Luann

Oh What a Party!

Next to riding bikes VeloRosa sure knows how to throw a party. Big THANKS to Jason and Sakari for hosting a great shindig. About 45 members, spouses, friends and sponsors showed up to celebrate what a great year 2013 was for biking, friendship and racing.

DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP BY FEBRUARY 15 FOR THE 2014 TEAM. It is the only way to stay informed of social rides, training rides, rides to find good food, ride just because we can! Look to the right and up to see the link (BUY NOW). Enjoy the photos from the party! Your Roving Race Reporter, Luann

Lee Wins State Cyclocross

With the temperatures hovering just above zero and north winds cutting across the field, eight brave women started the Masters State Cyclocross race last Saturday. It was the kind of bitter cold that makes one wonder why anyone would be on a bike nonetheless be a cheering fool! Pink racer Lee decided that it would warmer to go fast. She took off right behind Cat 1/2/3 racer Robin and let 'er rip. There was one master's racer that got in between Lee and Robin but she knew she was a hunted woman. Lee used great strategy to stay close and then surge into second place. Once she was there, she pushed the pace to create an insurmountable gap between the other master racers behind her. This caps a great 2013 campaign for Lee where she climbed the podium in all 13 mountain bike races (11 wins) and won both master's cross races (Capital City and State)which she entered. A big VeloRosa cheer to Lee, racing for the Pink! Your Roving Race Reporter (now heading to warmer climates), Luann

VeloRosa Sweeps 45+ at Night Cap Cyclocross

The annual battle under the lights took place at the Night Cap Cyclocross on a crisp fall evening.  The air was cold but the racing hot.  The added vibe was provided by fans, some three deep, cheering and jeering the riders along.  The course packs a lot of distance in a small patch of land behind Mullets.

When around 40 women take off in one bunch, it is quite a scene.  Nestled in the group was a contigent of pink racers including Ali, Michelle, Erika, Dee, Kim, and Joann.  The race spread out a bit and the real race was in the Master's 45+.  Lap after lap three ladies exchanged the lead.  Kim held it at the start but Dee and Joann were working to hunt her down.  Pretty soon it was clear that this category was a VeloRosa race.   These seasoned bike racers were putting on quite the show.  There was little time for plucking dollars or grabbing a chug of beer.   They put on quite a show in the multi-lap race.   In the end, Dee came out on top with Joann second and Kim third.  What a great showing for the pink racing gals.

In the 35+ race, Erika held on for fourth place.  She has been tearing up the courses this fall prior to a break to rest her body.  She came back with a full charge and showed it at this race.

Ali and Michelle took on the super large Cat 4 race.  Both ladies put down a superb effort and represented VeloRosa in fine fashion.

Even with all of these racers, the crowd contained tons of pink-clad teammates.  If there was one certainty on this night, VeloRosa is the premier women's biking team in Iowa.

Congrats to all that raced and cheered!

Your Roving Race Reporter,

Luann

The blog site is not allowing photos at this time.  Hopefully they can be added later!