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October & November 2002
11/19/02 We Did It!
Wow. We actually did it! We actually convinced 12 women to try out a cross race. We are pleased as punch to introduce our 2002 Velo Bella Dirty Dozen. But we wont stop there. We will keep adding to our list as long as there are races and racers willing to give it a go. Also cool to note is that each of our first timers listed have come back for at least one more cross race, most have done five or six more...so cross cant be all that bad. Read all about their cross experiences.
We will be proud to present each of these brave ladies with a special gift pack courtesy of Velo Bella, Clif Bar and The Spokesman Bicycle. We are also presenting the series prizes to the overall leaders in the C category at Surf City. Man, I cant believe that the last Surf City race is already approaching. Sigh... If you havent done so already, please take some time to thank the promotors and sponsors of the event. After several years of hard work running the nations largest attended cross race series, Jenny Robinson and Nicole Amaral are resigning as race promotors. I can only hope that a team as equally talented and cross devoted will take the reigns. Thank you for some awesome memories ladies, your hard work does not go unnoticed. Now, get out of here before I get all misty eyed, dammit!
Speaking of hard work, Shelly worked it to win the NCNCA Cyclocross District Championships in the Women 35+ category. Yay Shelly! It must have been Alysons signs. My own Velo Fella won the Men 35+. (While not officially a Bella, he has been known to sport the VB jersey when no one is looking.) Big and burly, Justin Robinson won the Elite Mens title and by no means big and burly, Carmen DAlusio won the Womens. With the exception of too-closely spaced barriers, it was a good day in Vacaville.
Well, I wish I could think of something non-cross related to write about right now. But I cant.
10/31/02 - Are you sick of me talking about Cross yet?
Oh my god! How fun is cross?! The Bellas just had a blast at Surf City #2. Not only are we up to 10 first timers in our Dirty Dozen Contest, I think we may have discovered some cross phenoms in our midst. Ann Cigan, fresh off of winning the Cs in her first ever cross race. Moved up to Bs and won again! Shelly Whisenhant continues to amaze and inspire us by securing a solid 2nd in the As. And all the first timers admit to having a blast and promise to come back for more. We had about 12 racers out there all smiles and costumes and fun. If I dont say so myself, we were the life of that party.
Speaking of parties, gotta say thanks to the folks at Spokesman Bicycles for throwing a fun anniversary party. Man, that was like a whos who of Santa Cruz County cycling. I hear even the Marzsmoochie girls made an appearance.
Weve got some mighty fine cross racers in our neck of the woods.
Unfortunately we dont have any UCI sanctioned races. That means the best of the best have to travel to get coveted UCI points. On the womens side, the Clif Bar duo of Carmen DAlusio and Gina Hall, and Sally Spicers Christine Vardaros have been showing them how its done. Carmen, is on fire (and so is her beautiful sparkly red cross bike) and already has several major wins under her belt (skinsuit?) Check out Steelmans take on the action and dont miss race reports by Spokesman/Bullion Steel rider, Ben Jacques-Maynes and Clif Bars Gina Hall.
Well, at least we have Nationals. Cyclocross Nationals
will be held on December 14th and 15th at Domaine Chandon Vineyards (the former site of the Napa World Cup) in Yountville, CA. In addition to Elite categories, there are National Championships for masters and racing fun for Bs and Cs. Velo Bella will have a booth at Nationals. So stop by and say Hi, you guys are really cool, if youre in town.
And at the total opposite spectrum of cyclocross, there is the Ironman. Our own Amy White went to Kona to report on the event. Read what she had to say on Slowtwitch (yeah, no kidding).com.
With the exception of cross, this is the off season. A quiet time to reflect on the prior season while downing large quantities of chocolate and beer. But soon, it will be time to get ready for next year. We are currently organizing our 2003 team. If your priority in racing is fun, teamwork and travel to exotic places like Madera, California, then we may be the team for you. Email me at if you are interested in racing and would like more info. If you are interested in sponsoring our team and being a part of a fun team with incredible attitude and an even incredibler jersey and website, give me a jingle. We need your continuing support to keep this energy alive.
10/18/02 - Finally
We went to Vegas for Interbike. What a scene. All things bicycles were on display. We took pictures. Were still tired. Check out the stuff that caught our rapidly degenerating attention:
Anticipating cross season is like waiting for Christmas. In summer, it seems so far away. But suddenly, it's here before you know it and youre nowhere near prepared for it. Ah, but now we get to play! Our Dirty Dozen Contest is on. We have 3 Dirties already, Adriel Dealy, Jeni Udall and Ann Cigan - only 9 more to go. Have no idea what Im talking about? Go here, then come out and race. Keep updated on the fun by checking out the reports, results and photos.
The mountain bike season ended for most of us Bellas. The last race in the CA State Championship was held in Big Bear on October 13th. We havent had a large contingent at this series because most of the races are held in Big Bear which is getting further and further away each time we drive it. But everyone who raced, ended up on the overall podium. So we had that going for us, which is nice.
Shelly Whisenhant, who only did a handful of the races as Pro and winning all but one, ended up 3rd overall in the Pro Women category. I finished 2nd in Expert Women 30-39, Alyson Lowery finished 2nd in Beginner Women 19-29, and Dana Lookadoo finished 4th in Sport Women 40-49 and might have won the damn thing were her season not cut short when she broke her chicken wing.
And now excuse me while I have a kvetching moment....Thank you Team Big Bear for running this series when no one else would, but where are the winners jerseys you advertised?! Shirts instead for the CA State Champions? Are you serious?! Thats weak.
Congrats to Stella Carey who won what many consider to be the hardest race ever, the Single Speed World Champinships. What was her prize for winning? She got branded. Yes, I wrote branded. And here I am complaining about jerseys!
Daylight savings time ends October 27th. Sigh. Goodbye Tuesday Crit, hello blustery cold night rides.
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