What's Up with the Weahter

I came back from Arizona on Valentine's Day with a sunburn only to meet the snow of Mount Shasta once again. This weekend I will be racing down in Merced. On Saturday will be the famous Snelling Road Race, know to some as the Smelling Road Race (there was a misprint  on the t-shirts one year). On Sunday will be the Original Merced Criterium. I hear the weather is suppose to be cold down there too.

Until then I will be riding my trainer indoors watching movies. 2 to 3 hour rides require lots of movies. Any suggestions?

Valley of the Sun Stage Race, Arizona

I left the snow of Mount Shasta for the warmth and sunshine of Arizona. I was off to Phoenix to race in the Valley of the Sun Stage Race that would take place from 02-11-11 to 02-13-11.

VOS is a three day stage race on flat terrain that includes a 14 mile time trial , a 57 mile road race, and end with a criterium in downtown Phoenix. I went out and gave it my all in the time trial, consequently a little too much at the start. I placed 4th and learned a great deal about my body to take with me to my next race.

Molly Van Houwelling of Metronmint came in first was in position to win the VOS for the second year in a row.

With my 4th place finish I knew I had the opportunity to maintain a 4th place finish overall in the GC and that is what I set out to do. The road race was up next. The road race was fast and very aggressive from the start with breakaways throughout the race but was all was unsuccessful in the end resulting in a bunch sprint at the end.At the end of the race, I learned my carbon wheel was cracked and so I would be on my training wheels for the criterium.

Emily Kachorek of Primal, Anna Sanders of TriSports, and Alisha Welsh of Peanut Butter came in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectfully. Primal brought a full team and met their goal for the day. Molly remained 1st in the GC.

I was in 4th place for the GC going into the Criterium. Bonus points being given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the criterium set the stage for some jostling in the overall GC of the race. That I chose not to concern myself with, but rather race a smart, keep myself in good position and finish with no loss of time. When the race was over I knew I had secured my 4th place in the GC.

Nicole Wangsgard and Tiffany Pezzulo of Primal came in 1st and 2nd, and Jane Despas of Yahoo Cycling finished in 3rd.

To my surprise I learned I place 3rd in the Women's !/2 GC and 1st in the Espoire GC.