Dirty Du--Great Teamwork

So I took a little vacation and thought the biking world would come to halt. Alas, I was wrong. Oh boy did I miss a doozie. But not to fear, with a little investigative work (I am a trained journalist) I have uncovered the true racing spirit that happened in my absence. So a little race took place near the center trails. It involved trail running, mountain bike racing and another trail run. Now many folks that race mountain bikes do not spend considerable time running. There are not many tris that involve trail running and mountain biking. So for one to compete in this event..........remember it is a 2 mile trail run (hilly, muddy) and 14 miles of mountain biking (see prior note) and then 2 more miles of the same running. If you think there are no hills in the middle of Des Moines, well, simply put, you are wrong.

So do the Pink Gals have the ability to put all of this together? Ha ha! I scoff at your silly question. Of course! This is VELOROSA!!!! But before I go to the details, here is little story of what happens when you don the Pink Kit. So, Michelle has been riding, training, showing up on Mondays, learning the ropes. She has done some trail riding. I am guessing she saw the email about the Du and said I can do this with a little running help. She recruited a runner. On race day, the runner was not able to run. Now what would another racer do? Likely drink beer and talk about next year. But that would a Pink Gal racer do? Take on the whole dang race herself. We do let quitters wear pink! She ran and then rode her little legs to the bone. Upon dismounting and preparing for the last 2 mile run, it seemed daunting. That is when super teammate Megan stepped in and decided another two miles was not too much to give to a teammate. Of course, she took her post-race beverage with her. Now that is true pink spirit. CONGRATS!!!! to Michelle on her awesome jump off of high dive and more so for sticking the landing!

 Kim teamed up with Megan to take 15th in the team competition. Joann took 4th in the solo competition. Sara 6th and Michelle 7th. Big kudos to all of the gals that raced this grueling race!


Your Roving Race Reporter, Luann

Lee Takes 5th at Spooky Cross

Lee brought her A game to the Spooky Cross race on Saturday at Living History Farms.

With the women only being offered the choice of racing Cat1/2/3 or Cat 4  Lee was not discouraged by not having a Master's category (besides it seems she likes to race the 35+ instead of the 45+........a strange gal indeed!).  She she donned her Miss Kitty outfit and left a lung somewhere on the course.  As the only VeloRosa racer, she had great fan support.  Thanks to the recent mountain bike clinic she even hopped the top barrier on the hill.   The first time she hopped it, celebrated and promptly fell off of her bike.   Not to be dissuaded by that, the next time she hopped it, and started to grind up the hill.  Maria was kind enough to give her that last push over the top.  By the next lap, her quads were burning.  The crowd was yelling at her to hop it again.  Not wanted to disappoint and truly being motivated by cheers, she hopped it again and this time Pete gave her the final lift over the hill.   Could she do it one more time?  On the final lap Lee was yelling that she was not going to hop it only to have Pete sit on the barrier.  Would she run him over?  Nope she gutted it out, got over the barrier and Pete took her the rest of the way. 

Sunday brought out a few more racers with Erika taking on her first cyclocross race as the Crash Test Dummy.   A very fitting outfit with plenty of padding.............just in case.   She raced hard without crashing to finish 9th.  A great showing for her first outing.

Julie G raced dressed as a real racer (Luann did not know that Julie owned a regular helmet or a kit!).  Lee reverted back to her usual cyclocross racing style by enjoying the course.  At one point Lee was seen giving hand-downs of Fireball, Hamm's beer and candy.   As she is always taking hand-ups, this seemed a very fitting way to end her cross season.  Julie and Lee raced for DFL with Lee winning that race.

Your Roving Race Reporter,

Luann

Kim, Joann go 1-2 at Oakley Night Cap Cross

Congrats to Kim and Joann

for placing first and second, respectively in the W45+ section at Mullet's. Kim took off like a shot and held enough of a lead to tempt Joann to chase her down but never let her quite catch up. The race was grueling at times with a long off camber climb, a tough, steep downhill with a shape turn and barriers and plenty of twists and turns. The Pink Gals showed up in fine fashion showing off the superb pink and black kits under the lights. The VeloRosa kits was the most commented on by the

spectators!! In the Cat 4 race Ali took 5th and Sara took 8th in a race that was packed with young, talented racers. In the W35+ Karolyn took 5th, Lee 7th and Jen V 9th. Julie G took 6th in the 45+. What an awesome night with black skies, rocking music, crazy fans and great fun. There were plenty of VeloRosa riders cheering on teammates and handing up beers. All it was a hot pink night!




Your Roving Race Reporter, Luann

Cap City Cross Pictures

Cap City Cyclocross

Capitol City opened the cyclocross season in central Iowa. It was great to see all of the pink gals out there racing. If you have not come to watch, get out this Saturday evening at Mullet's. It is night racing under the lights. It is a rowdy crowd for a sport where hackling is cherished. Close your eyes and imagine..........live bands rocking the night; brightly clad bikers pedaling, running and carrying bikes over barriers; racing fans mixed with local just looking for a fun night of beer and friendship. Did I say BEER! Yes a beer tent usually with great prices. So what are you waiting for.................come on out. The women race at 8:45 p.m. Full sked at www.usacycling.org But back to the races...............Saturday's race was fast and furious. The course was dry and fast. There was a large hill to race down with a funky turn in it. For those unable to navigate the tight turn, it was a run off through the yellow tape. Rumor has it that this was one of our own pink gals on nice new Jamis bike! Congrats to Michelle Smith Jones for taking 6th and Abby for taking 9th in the very competitive Cat 4 race. Lee finished 4th and Julie G 5th in 45+ race. The Sunday version switched the uphill with a downward route. There was a fast downhill that allowed many riders to catch some air. The uphill was a double barrier climb. Those folks on heckler hill were kind enough to install a chair where one could rest and enjoy a beer. The proof is in the pictures. Lee personally thanks Pete for bike transportation while she was taking a breather. Boy, you have to love cyclocross. Rumor has it that even the women's winner stopped for a quick beer hand-up. The race was brimming with Pink Gals! Congrats to Ali on her 4th place finish in the tough Women's Cat 4. Kim pulled off a 7th place finish in the Cat1/2/3. Lee and Amy each took second in the Masters 35+ and 45+ respectively. Your Roving Race Reporter, Luann I am having trouble putting up photos.............will try in a second blog!

Just Cool Race Photos

Thanks to Kirschen Seah, most awesome photographer! Your Roving Race Reporter, Luann

Pink Places at Big Pig

With bike racing season winding down, VeloRosa teammate Heather set off for her first half Ironman distance triathlon.  On August 19, she ventured out to test her mettle at 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a half marathon run.   In her usually calm manner, she set her goal to just complete the first one and ended up on the podium earning an awesome beer mug.  She completed the grueling race in 5:37:47 for 4th place in the 25-29 age group.

Note the rocking pink socks!

KPav (Kristin) took the slightly easier route and entered the women's team competition. 

They rocked the course in 5:22:08 to finish in 2nd place in the women's team division.

It was great to see the Pink Gals rocking the long distance triathlon.

Your Roving Race Reporter,

Luann
Below is Heather with her brother Rob in the yellow cap (TOMRAV pink guest rider) and as she shows off her medal and mug.

Race Like a Girl

Race Like a Girl was formed to give women a chance to experience racing without entering a large, weekend event.  On the third Thursday of each  summer month, various races are held at Union Park in Des Moines.  The women's races are usually split into A and B groups with the women choosing which group to race.

It was great to see the VeloRosa women showing up each time to race.  A few of the regulars showed up almost each race but new women came out to give it a try.  It is always such a good mix of long-time member and newcomers. 

We were also graced with the MCing of Dave and Jason whom both rocked the park!

As the following photos show, a good time is always to be had at RLG!!!

Your Very-Proud-to-be-Pink Roving Race Reporter,

Luann