We can do this!

Cycling Women Unite!
by
John Benenate

Empowering leadership!

Under a looming gray sky and the auspices of unity, Cyclisme women led us into the 2011 racing season Saturday.

Featuring the recovered return of Jenn Leonard, the introduction of Lori Bernardini, the Rockstar power of Mielle Blomberg, and the rock steady hand of leadership from Ms. Sandra Clark, Saturday's Women's Led Ride was perfect.

All dedicated to the gentle handling of Leonards recovering calf, the tempo out was slow. But three snacks into the wind later, the turn home was raging.

Blomberg pulled out the stops and this young team started to fly. Arguably the cycling sportswriters' prediction for biggest "out of nowhere" OBRA women's team in 2011, they are still going to have to conquer some big miles in the preseason to get there.

Certainly for the coaching staff at Cyclisme Saturday's result was edifying, because Women's Development is the cornerstone their elite training strategy for '11.

Calling out the plan, soothing the politics, and fortifying the personnel has been two months in the making. Meeting people and working with them in Pursuit of Glory, then after hours developing and posting recruitment flyers all over town has made for full time work.

Fortunate is the artisan who can make a plan reality!

Tough Racers Conquer Wet Winter!

Pursuit Class Report Week Two
by
Jake Hansen

In the Pursuit of Glory Winter Training Class, all systems are go! As the calender turns over, we are launching into a new racing year.

Always ready to ride Junior Cyclocross Star, Keegan O'Neill and his trusty new teammate Kent Ross have been practicing their team time trialing around Fairmont Loop and up Terwilliger Blvd with occasional additions to their paceline like Sarah Hunter and Kent's Mom, Lori Bernadini.

Timing our intervals has been aided by a brand new stopwatch from El Presidente Greg O'Brien and support from UofO's b.i.k.e. Graduate Aaron Boothby on the road.
Sandra Clark, Sarah Hunter, and Lori Bernadini have been consistent in their efforts and are a great foundation for our new Women's team.

While the rain has been constant and the air chilly we have seen our classy riders flow around Ladd's Addition with grace in a tight pack.

DeyShaun Lee gave his cousin, Ahmad, from San Jose, a ride he will not soon forget as he got to stoke the tandem across town.

After class, Ahmad showed us all some of his kickboxing skills that have won him five of five MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fights. This 16 year old may be one to watch for, all you UFC fans out there.

Crank bicycle owners, Justin and Chris, have been selfless with their shop providing OUTSTANDING service, space and comfort for our brave crew of Pursuiters. Yoga, abdominals and handstand pushups against the wall are just 3 of our many secrets that we teach at the Pursuit of Glory Class.

Directuer Sportife John Benenate has provided us with a quality training environment and a class that will make you fast.

Come test yourself against the clock over the next three weeks!

Aching for Mud

WITHDRAWALS
By M.M.Blomberg
12/28/10


Veins are missing something,
That kept me rolling on.
For months OBRA
Kept me high
Now it’s all dried up and gone.

A NEED that I paid for,
in blood, sweat and knees.
To play in the rain,
and the dirt,
and the trees.
Every week had a plan, of what, when and where.
Now my schedule is empty,
Left with nothing but air.

My craving, not satisfied,
the heaviness grows.
I’ve got no one to cheer for,
and no races of my own.
Shaking and vibrating,
Anxiety builds.
Wishing Cross Crusade came
in an off season pill.

Desperately I search the web,
I ache for muddy action,
But I’ve seen all the videos
At least three times,
Denied my satisfaction.

Don’t try an intervention,
It’s the grit and speed I love.
The ringing of the cowbell
And the bleeding and the mud.
It’s what I eat
And live and breathe,
Four months out of the year,
It’s the only fix I know of,
That comes in spinning gears.

So go load up
my weekly dose,
Inject that vitamin “C”,
Cause if you raced cyclocross
You’d be and addict.

Just like me.

Baseline Pursuits

Week One of The Pursuit of Glory Winter Training Class has been a hoot. Why? Because folks went fast!

Even in the cold air amidst Christmas car chaos, stress was light and recovery easy in the high intensity, but low volume program.

Time Trials on Terwilliger, Fairmont Loop and Willamette Blvd. gave racers an opportunity to open up the engines - test them at speed, and evaluate data.

Cruising around town strong and fresh, big tempo changes people's perspective about themselves on the bike. Micheal Palmer of Veloce is one fast guy to watch for next season. These intervals reveal his form only improves as the riding hours pass.

Mike Girard of Portland Velo is another "up and comer" who is fired up and focused on championship in OBRA-land next year. Always giving hard effort both on the road in these TTs, and back in the yoga studio.

If you Cat 4/5s see him go long next year, you better jump cause he is going to stay away!

Legspeed, long intervals, yoga... it all adds up!

After meeting up at River City Bicycles, the bike shop Crank is where the class retires, and the real work begins.

Jake Hansen has been learning Bikram Yoga and he shows others the way. Whether they like it or not is another story.
As you can see, we had to stick OBRA Track Champ Maya Bergmann to the ceiling.

Yoga, abs, pushups, plyos, and handstands are just some of the agonizing details in the Pursuit of Glory Winter Training.

Afterwards Non-Profit Executives and new b.i.k.e. CEO Sandra Clark led a discussion with Uof O student and b.i.k.e grad Aaron Boothby about a protocol for quantifying improvement in health and resilience in youth who ride bikes. OHSU Nurse Sarah Hunter,
PSU Intern/Interim Director Jake Hansen, and Bike Board Chair Tim Bergmann added game to the name.

Bortolami's Awards Dinner

Gianluca Bortolami (see his Palmare's here) would have been proud to see the amature bicycle racers gathered in the American Pizzeria named after him, one Belgium-wet/cold Saturday in December.

Word-RCB and the Kids of b.i.k.e. by Cyclisme Racing Programs were in the house once again to celebrate The Lore.


"El Presidente," Greg O'Brien called for the end of season event, and with home made medals fashioned by Masters Racer and dedicated volunteer, Dave Wingard, Randy Word used team funds to buy Pizza for all.

Highlights of the 2010 season were recalled as many received special accolades for their accomplishments.

Bortolami was a Euro Star who exemplified class and finished in Paris Roubaix most notably in a "1,2,3 Victory" with his Mapei Teamates Museaw and Taffi. The class of the "Team Pursuits" we acknowledged ourselves with The Women's Team, the Junior Boys, and the "Family Pursuiters" the Bergmann's were all recognized for their Team prowess.


Keegan O'Niell and Sunny Chiago were recognized for their great improvement, and Naiqwan was recognized for being the Fastest.

Others were recognized for kindness and leadership.

The Introduction of the Cyclisme Awards for Service was a hit as recycled things made glorious awards. Recipients included Cooper, Blomberg, Bergmann, Word, Lanners, Bedford and Hansen.

SEVEN MINUTES

Cyclocross Nationals 12/9/2010
By M.M.Blomberg

Folks around P-Town avoid driving in the snow let alone riding their bikes in it, especially during a workday commute. But racing in the snow? You mean people really do that? Until this week, I’d only seen bike races in the snow on youtube. How are you supposed to stay warm in a lycra? Go fast till you can feel your toes again? Nope. I’ve tried that one. Suitcase crammed full cold weather gear and a tub of embrocation, the goal was to finish my race at Nationals hypothermia and frost bite free.

Leaving my hotel for the race venue early Thursday morning, it’s very cold (35 degrees) and smells like Christmas. Think fir trees and the comforting smell of a wood burning fire in the air. Unfortunately, no Bing Crosby song and fuzzy Snuggie to cuddle up with. Just the cold, harsh reality of cyclocross racing lay ahead that I paid good money to suffer in. Upon arrival, I wandered the grounds, hoping to find a familiar face in the team tent area. Like a beacon in the gloomy morning rain, I found the Portland Velo tent with my friend Malcolm Johnson tucked inside. Complete with propane heater (so nice), trainers and completely sheltered from the low 30’s wind, I am offered a spot in the tent and use of a trainer. Sweeeeeet.

Snow still covered parts of the race course, and the lake we were to paddle through looked like an arctic thaw with huge shards of ice floating on top. I did not pre ride so I had to study the lines of the morning racers in preparation. Malcolm gave me his report and suggestions since he had already raced. With a smirk, he lays his golden nugget of wisdom on me. “Don’t Crash.” Super. With that gem I’m ready to conquer the world. The start is a long pavement stretch to a 90 degree left turn slightly uphill into muck and deep grooves carved by wheels and weather. No barriers in my race but they did add two barriers on Friday. Short steep punchy hills, small sections of pavement, rugged loops through trees and one big set of wood stairs. One large hill was rideable for some depending on traffic and course conditions. Lots of off spectator friendly off camber sections ready to throw riders into the stakes & tape against their will to the chagrin of fans. Having run into my friend and neighbor Johnny Vergis (CyclePath) before my race, he volunteered to pit for me.

My dumb toes were still cold even though I was in a heated tent warming up on my trainer for 45 minutes before my race. Conveniently located next to the start, it was a short trip to the line up. 46 women in the 40-44 age group. And, two time National Champion Wendy Williams (River City) was in the front row. Nobody said this would be a fair fight. To my surprise, I received a nice talk up from my hometown race announcer Splinter as we waited for the whistle. Malcolm took control of my camera and accepted the role of jacket collector at the line. In front and behind me are Ann Kennedy (unattached) and Jill Hardiman (Existential Velo). Brain chatter says, “Keep Wendy in your sites. Stay with Wendy”. Oh silly pipe dreams.

Whistle blows and we jump into action on the long pavement start. The whole field almost slows to a halt when we bottleneck at the first left turn onto dirt. Rounding the corner, Jill gets tangled up with Stephanie Utrecht (WebCyclery) in the tape and they both hit the ground. As I pass the carnage, I see Wendy and the lead group have already turned the next corner past the pit and are sailing through the frozen lake ahead of us. That was the last time I saw her until the end of the race when she gave me a smile of acknowledgement. My own trip through the frozen water was shocking to the system, like watery daggers on my legs and worse on the toes as the water filled my shoes. Trying to find a pace and catch up with the leaders (ha,ha catch up), it’s through the soggy grass, 90 degree turn in more soggy grass and mud, then briefly onto pavement. A high muddy berm looked rideable but the ladies in front of me got stuck and I ended up pushing my bike. Elise Huggins (Veloforma) and Ann are ahead of me so my plan is to pass them. Through the rocky muddy sections in the trees and through the first run up, all is well as I chase Ann. Just before the next run up, my rear wheel hits a rut and I go down hard in big mud puddle, covering my face in dirty water (Malcolm got a photo seconds before this happened). Riding the small hills I am still pursuing. Too much traffic on the big hill so I opt to run it every time and avoid a time sucking crash.

Lap 2, I manage to pass Elise when she gets tangled up in the tape before the run up. Unfortunately, Stephanie and Jill both got around me and I am not able to stay on their wheels. Losing bits of time on the muddy berm because I am to stubborn to run it, I end up getting stuck, almost falling down hill in the ankle deep mud. Elise is chasing me and I know she is a strong rider having raced with her during Cross Crusade. She passes me once but I am able to come around her again on a flat muddy straight section. She says “good job” when I pass her and looks like she is suffering. Lap three and Elise is behind me again at the stairs but in an attempt to pass me, slips on the outside edge of the steps and crashes knees first into and off of the side of the stairway. Yowza, that’s gonna leave a mark. Only slightly better for me as poor line selections sends me into the tape in two different off camber sections, one leaving me under my bike in the fabric barrier. Get up, Get up! Both allow me to be passed by other riders only making me more determined to pass them back.

Final lap and Virginie Calme (CyclePath) comes around me. This action is not lost on our local race announcer. Splinter’s microphone echoes as he announces this new battle between the “Portland Locals” to the crowd. “Who will it be with final bragging rites?!” booms over the loud speaker. At this point, Wendy Williams had long since won the race and in the process, lapped the back 10 of the pack (you get pulled if you get lapped). Glad it wasn’t me. Making my final push on the off camber section before the pavement finish, trying to keep solid lines in slippery mess of grass and mud. Virginie is farther ahead of me than I wanted so with everything I had, I pushed my legs into a final big chain ring sprint to the end. She beat me by 1 second with Ann Kennedy 5 seconds ahead of her and Splinter verbally documenting Virginie earning P-Town bragging rites. Wendy however, beat me by 7 MINUTES for her third National Championship win. I think she needs to Cat up.

Post race, Malcolm made my day by offering to take my Kona to the bike wash and pick up Pinky in the pit while I got dry and warm at Camp Portland Velo. Thank you Malcolm! I owe you a beer or three.


Special Thanks to Eric Tonkin at Sellwood for making my stay in Bend possible. Big thanks to the Chris Snyder (Bicycle Attorney) and Jill Hardiman for inviting me to continue my stay through the weekend in Bend with the team at the Bicycle Attorney team house. You guys Rock!
Lastly, thanks to Kevin O'connell for use of his fancy wheels.

Mielle

My Vacation of Pain

HIGH DESERT SNOW CONE
Cyclocross Nationals Prologue 12/7-8/2010
By M.M.Blomberg

It’s Tuesday afternoon and I am driving through the Mt. Hood National forest on my way to Bend. My vacation of pain and I’ve been looking forward to this all year. Fresh powder leaves a sparkling glow on our northwest wonderland. Can’t remember the last time I was in the mountains but I am soaking up the beauty before me. Dropping into Warm Springs, the entire desert is also covered in white. Strange to see a normally dusty red barren landscape like this covered in snow. I actually considered pulling over to go for a ride but the miles of fences made me think better of it.

Pulling into town, Bend has plenty of snow on the ground but the weather is supposed to bring warmer temperatures and rain. I don’t know that 38 degrees is warmer but it’s better than 25 degrees back in Warm Springs. After picking up my race packet at the Old Mill and scoring a sweet discount on dinner, I settled into my hotel for a nice evening of bike cleaning and cable TV. My sweetie Shane has been left behind at home to tackle his own challenge of finals for school.

Arriving too late in the day on Tuesday to pre ride the time trial course, I set out early Wednesday morning to walk it before my 11:30 am race time. Low 30’s with wind and rain off and on made for an icy, snowy course and the early riders spend more time on foot. Sorta missing the point of a cycling time trial. Walking the course, I found much of it to be just a treacherous. In many sections the snow had melted and refroze leaving a hard shiny coating of ice on top, making it very difficult to walk on. A dangerous turn at the bottom of a steep snowy hill was shoveled down to the red dirt by race officials, as it had been too sketchy to ride. Officials went back and forth about possibly canceling the time trial but in the end, our race was back on, an hour later than scheduled.

After a trainer warm up at the Showers Pass tent (thanks Dave & Vern), I started behind Ann Kennedy (unattached), one of my fellow Blind Date and Cross Crusaders from Portland. Pavement start to a 90-degree turn into a snowy curving downhill and some ladies chose to run it to avoid an “endo”. I rode it and tried to think of the snow as really slick mud. It reminded me of racing the Battle at Barlow in the pouring rain with wheels spinning in the mud. Speed was difficult until I hit flatter sun covered sections with just dirt and sand but those were few and far between. Icy puddles dumped water through the holes of my shoes leaving my already cold toes frozen. I am heeding the warning of others to avoid high speeds in the shady snow as that leads to crashing in the ice. Rounding a left turn in the frustrating snow, it’s time for a dismount. The run up is very steep, covered in snow and ice with few line options. I take the right side with more snow and dig my toes in like I’m ice climbing with crampons. At the top, it’s a remount and back into the slush leading to a steep down hill. I don’t fight my steed as it skips and lurches back and forth underneath me across the cold crunchy surface. Can’t help thinking the ground looks like a big snow cone. I’ll have cherry and high desert flavor on mine! Easy on the brakes, cutting my line in almost an S pattern down the hill, rolling over deep lines from previous races. Successfully maneuvering to the bottom, it’s a right turn and a low climb in more snow. Staying low and to the rear, I try to be consistent with my pedal strokes but the snow is playing catch with my tires, throwing me side to side and preventing any serious speed. The sun has come out (weather changes every 20 minutes around here), leaving my decent mostly melted with a clean line to the bottom. More S turns and it’s the final run up (no barriers in the time trial) before the cement. With a lap time of 10:30, I came in 1 second behind Ann, leaving me 15^th out of 33 for the 40-44 master ladies (time trial was optional) and possible 3^rd row position for call-ups on Thursday. Points were also awarded for this race giving me my first national standing. I spent the afternoon in my tiny hotel gym doing weights and cardio, and had a super sexy evening eating take-out, watching cable and cleaning my bike. Bike racers have all the fun.

Mielle