Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Chico Weekend Extravaganza!


This past weekend the Cal Cycling team packed up bikes, sleeping bags, Camel Paks, and kits to head to head north to Chico's MTB Race! We were lucky to have some lovely hospitality from the Chico team and were able to crash on some very comfy floors. Due to the rain on Friday, the race was moved from Bidwell Upper Park to Oroville Dam. Unfortunately this meant that the short track was canceled. And we all know how much I love to suffer on a quick short course for 30 minutes! No I seriously do!


The XC was quick and short. It was two laps of a 4.5 mile loop. The first half was smooth and up down double track, followed by a gruesome 10 minute rock climb, and then a 5 minute rock descent, and when I mean rock, I mean ROCK!!! The climb sucked and the end of the race was a climb, but I WON! Then it was a leisurely munching session and bullshitting back at the cars and then gearing up for the Super D. A very fun course that was about 6 and half minutes for me. I barreled down the descents, spun spun spun up the climbs and only slowed for the tight turns! It paid off because I WON AGAIN! I was so stoked! You should of seen my sprint for the end...very strong!


A nice dinner at Sierra Brewery, and a early evening for myself, allowed me to wake up refreshed and ready for the downhill on Sunday. We trekked out to Oroville Dam once again, with coffee and bagels in hand, ready for some downhill practice runs. And for the first time in Cal MTM history we had a shuttle for the downhill...it was awesome. So three practice runs later I was ready to race, a win. My dad came up to Oroville to watch my race which was really cool. However, he only got to see me wizzing by on one of the straightaways. He enjoyed it though. So after waiting for every category to go down the hill, Women's Bs were up! I went last, and simply flew down the hill, pedaling as much as I could, where I could, and taking the turns as fast as I could. I turned towards the final stretch and put on the big burners, going to the biggest gear I could crank out. With the time I got I would have been 3rd in Women's As and beat a bunch of the Men's Cs. So I WON AGAIN! That would be three wins in a weekend! How great is that!

So after a great weekend I am totally ready for this weekend and Surf City CX!!!! I can't wait! See you all there!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Leading Women's Bs Omnium! YAY!

I can't believe it, I am the Women's B Omnium Leader! I am so stoked! Just though I would let everyone know!

http://wccc-info.com/2007/MTB/index.html

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

It's Raining...but maybe the sun will come out!



Alas the sun has dawned itself on Berkeley, as students, faculty, staff and all the other mishmash make their way across campus. As I tried to make it through Sproul Plaza and underneath Sather Gate unscathed by fliers from who knows what club, the singing group of boys, the people too busy on their cell phones to pay attention where their next step is going, and the random people who you just don't want to go near, I began to ask myself the age old question: WHAT THE HELL ARE PEOPLE DOING WEARING UGGS AND MINISKIRTS???

I will admit, I have Uggs, and I even have a few short skirts. Both are nice. The former nice and fuzzy and great to put on when its chilly and the latter for nice warm summer days that never ever come to San Francisco. But I can honestly say that the two types of weather I just described, are totally different. And it is very rare that you have a nice summer day that requires nice warm and fuzzy boots. So why, I ask, do people insist on putting these two things together. Obviously it is a fashion statement, duhhhh!...but this is Berkeley, people here are supposed to be smart! Right!? Well Uggs and miniskirts together is not smart, it's ugly and weird, and totally five minutes ago! And a SoCal thing! So bizarre and I will never get it!

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In other news, I have been doing great this season! Best placings yet and I feel great! Other than being dog tired all week, I feel great when I am on a bike! This past weekend I even podiumed, 3rd in the dual slalom. 4th in the downhill, 4th in the short track, and 10th in the cross country. I got a flat! Ick! This weekend we are dragging ourselves all the way north to Chico for a more than likely very wet race! But it'll be fun! Good college fun! Oh yeah, and we'll be cycling too!

And school is going well. Lots of work, but well. Other than hating 3 out 5 of my classes! Why do I have to finish poli sci!? Why? It's kind of like the Ugg miniskirt thing, I will never understand it!

But I am totally stoked, and I totally understand, the Halloween race! I can't wait. Costumes, beer, registration, barriers, maybe even some mud...it sounds fantastic! But for now I am off to office hours with my british reader from my medieval drama class, he should know this stuff, isn't it like in his blood or something! He's english right? Back soon...

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Have I Mentioned Lately How Much I Love The Fall! MTBing and CX! Too much awesomeness!


Just thought I would tell everyone! Despite being knee deep in school work, gone every weekend, behind on everything usually, I love the Fall! Mtbing is rocking and CX, what can I say. So here's some more pictures.


Monday, October 8, 2007

Cross Freakin Rocks! Period!!!



Cross rocked this weekend, and an 8th place in Women's C category was perfect for me! I went the whole race strong, consistent, clean, and with a big smile! It was definitely my best race ever! And the cross country race in San Jose on Saturday was pretty great as well! Racing season is off to a wonderful start!