Palooza Cross

The photos say most all that you need to know as to why bikers swarmed Altoona on a hot summer day. Cyclocross is just plain fun. The VeloRosa women took to the course and proved that biking, running, falling and smiling make for a great day. Erika led the team with a podium, third-place finish in the Women's Masters 35+ categoy. Congrats to Kim, Amy and Michelle for tackling this challenging course. As much as the photos above show fun there is more to 'cross than just serious racing. If you really want to enjoy this sport you need to look beyond the race track and have some fun. Kim demonstrates how to stop and smell the green flowers along the course! Many more races to come. So get out and ride! Your Roving Race Reporter, Luann

Dee Takes Water Works Crit; Aryn and Heather Place Top 5

Sunday was pink day at Water Works Crit.  There was so much VeloRosa gear on guys, gals and kids that I thought it was the annual party ride.  But in the early afternoon a bike race broke out.  The women in all categories raced together.  That pitted seasoned Cat 1,2,3 races against newer Cat 4 racers.   There was no forgiveness for the master's racer either; they also raced the top gals.

The pack rode together for several laps.  Heather, Dee and Aryn pulled the pack most of the way.  The other top finishers seemed content to just sit on a wheel and enjoy the pull.  That is the downside of tight crit racing.............some folks just sit and cruise.    A Prim lap was an attempt to break up the field and Dee was just edged out for that prize.  It would be the last thing she was edged out of on this glorious day.

You could tell when the pack came around.............pink cheers were loud and encouraging.   The VeloRosa gals rode a little stronger with each rousing cheer.  Finally the pack came down to include Dee, Aryn and Heather along with three other gals.  As the bell sounded the intensity picked up and you could taste the excitement.

As they rounded the last curve and headed home, it was hard to tell which gal had the front.  Dee used a very hard charge to clear by a bike length to claim the victory followed by two Mercy Specialized racers.  Aryn was 4th and the 2nd Cat 4 racer followed directly by Heather.  After racing strong just off of the main pack, Erika held on to 10th.  Abby chose to skip the last lap and watch the exciting finish.

What an awesome showing of the racing prowess of Team VeloRosa.    The ladies came out to race and to cheer.  Many of the teammates showed up with their families as it was Mother's Day and this was what our teammate-Mothers wanted to do for their day.

Here are some of the photos of the fun:

THIS IS BETTER THAN A WINNING MEDAL!

 

Your Roving Race Reporter,

WE ARE, VR

Luann

Kim and Sherry Go 2, 3 at Colfax Spring Classic

Big pink congrats to Kim H and Sherry K for finishing second and third, respectively, in the Colfax Spring Classic Gravel race.  They worked together for a muddy, hard 24 miles.   The conditions were windy and gravel slushy creating quite the challenge for these strong ladies.   Add in several long, grinding hills and it makes for a long race.  This one had rich rewards.

Abby started off strong but the cold, damp conditions resulted in leg cramps that shortened her day. 

VeloRosa salutes both ladies on podium finishes and Abby for a brave effort for this first race of the series.

The next race is at The Tap in Cumming this Saturday.  Details at usacycling.org

Your Roving (used to) Race Reporter,

Luann

Sherry, Kim, Abby ready to roll!

Dee Smokes CIRREM--New Record

CIRREM promises to challenge the riders on the 100K/60 mile course.  Mother Nature can throw a wrench in every one's well-rehearsed plans.  Even with hundreds of miles under your belt, you may just not finish.   That is why it is a revered race.  Many try to enter but only about 100 get the opportunity to try it.  The weather threatened to put a dagger in the hearts of those well trained.

But none of that pertains when Dee Mable mounts her bike.  Dee combined with Jason Simpson to put down the hammer on the other women in the field.  The previous course record was 5 hours;  the new one  is 4:19.  That folks is not just a record breaker, it is record demolisher.   Many have tried to ride that far for that long at a hard pace but Dee accomplished it on a cold somewhat windy day.

All should bow down to Dee for this awesome feat but she would not like that. So give her 5 or a hug and reiterate that the hammer has been thrown down.  Who dares to take it up next year?

Not that Dee was the only pink gal out there toiling over gravel and hills that reminded me of Colorado.  OK, I have never ridden my bike in Colorado but my job as blogger to image that I have raced everywhere.  Joann S left it all out on the dirt and came in 4th place.  That is also an outstanding effort.  Kim H was not far behind finishing 5th.   All VeloRosians in the top 5!!!!

Pink Rocks!!!!!

Your Roving Race Reporter,

Luann

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

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

Allison Wins Age Group at Bluff Creek Tri

Big Congrats to newcomer Allison L for winning the Athena division of the Bluff Creek Sprint Tri.  Not only was she the first woman in her category she was the sixth finisher in the Athena/Clydesdale division (25 total).  What does that mean?  It means she smoked a ton of guys as well as all of the women in that section.

With her continued developement as a bike racer, her times will only improve!

In the long distance race, Aryn  continued her prowess by placing third overall and first in her age group..  Aryn has been a force to be reconned with in all of the tris which she has entered this year.   Congrats Aryn!

Kim B also raced the long course and finished sixth overall and second in her age group.  This was a very strong showing for Kim.

Congrats to Allison, Aryn and Kim for making the Pink Ladies proud!!


Your Roving Reporter,

Luann

Pink Rules Water Works Circuit Race

Eight ladies showed up at Water Works park for the circuit race last Saturday.  This was an outstanding showing for the open Cat race.  This put all racers on the route at the same time.  

The ladies in pink road a strong race.  Kim, Lee and Megan took turns out front helping to protect Dee.  Lisa and Ali hung close in the pack and picked up the flow of the pack.  Ali and  Abby rounded out the showing.

Loren and Leah had a photo finish with Dee right on their rear wheel taking third.  Megan took fourth.  Newcomer Lisa (Carp) finished fifth in her first race. Kim and Ali finished seventh and eight, respectively.  Erika took 11th and Abby 15th.   This strong showing allowed VeloRosa to win the Team title for this race.

Congrats to all of the ladies but especially to those first time racers.   Welcome to the game.



Abby and Ali post race with team beer





Listening to the directions



Kim worked hard all race

Megan charges for the line

Pink dominates the final results

Tha is a lot of pink!

Pre-race strategy

Your Roving Race Reporter,

Luann