Rapha Gentlemen's Race Video

So Sally sent us an email a few days ago with a link to a video of the Rapha Men's Race!

Check it out HERE

And I have to say, as I(SaraB) am a Lehigh Valley native . . . Sally, I TOTALLY agree with you when you say "The Lehigh Valley is so beautiful!"

Senior Olympics!!!!

Jody Twer is a rockstar. This year she went to the Senior Olympic Games in Texas, and podiumed in quite a few events including the 20K RR, the 5K TT, and she got 4th place in the 40K RR and 5th in the 10K TT!! Here are a few words from her. We love you Jody! AWESOME job on your Podiums!!!

"Hello from sunny, windy(30 mph!!), HOT. . . Texas! First of all, I had a great time racing the 15+ women in my age group. Met some fabulous athletes and made some new friends.

The road races were SO hot and SO windy and only a handful of us were willing to work...so they were very frustrating. the woman who won gold @ the 40K, did NOTHING! Not one pull..even when we got off with a break of 5 of us, she wouldn't work and the field caught us. The 20K should have been mine but I had a senior moment, forgot where I meant to start my sprint and gave the gold and silver medalists a perfect lead to the finish...now to recreate that for my team!!

The 10K TT was a cluster as the time keepers screwed up our start times( there was a 15 minute delay because the 90yr old man fell and one the the 80 yr olds ran over him!).The timers neglected to hold us back for a girl that was missing, gave a time to a girl who DNS...3 hours later, they sort of figured it out thanks to Scott who had a picture of my start time! So, I sat in the sun and drank beer(which I don't really like!) waiting for a 5th place ribbon....at least the time was a personal best @ 22.4, according to my computer.

Glad to be back!

See you all soon,

XO

Jody"

Emrick Boulevard Crit

Course: One mile loop that consisted of 4 left turns (two of which were 90 degrees)

Weather: Perfect! It was not too sunny or humid.

Sturdies: Barb Statton, Jen Rhodes, Dana Hanchin, Beth Fayant, Lara Marek and me.

There were 22 women on the starting line and I was extremely anxious about this race since I had surgery the week before and had been in bed on my back for 5 days straight. As soon as the race started though all my anxiety went away and I was pumped up and ready to go. Everyone’s positions were switching throughout the race, but I noticed that Dana Hanchin was consistently in the front of the pack and every time someone attacked she was on them. There was a slight incline after one of the turns and every lap somebody would attack on it, but then we would slow down a lot at the top of the hill and then gun it down the hill. In the 2nd to last lap I was trying to stay on the outside so that I would be able to sprint one the last lap. Then on the last lap one of the women came up by the side where I was and I heard Barb tell me to follow her wheel. So I grabbed onto it and followed her through to the finish line. Even though I thought it was going to be a horrible race it turned out to be awesome and I ended up winning my first race! Thank you to all my team mates that were out there helping and encouraging me throughout the race!!

Claire

New Bethlehem Crit

Date: June 18, 2011

Location: Bethlehem, PA

Number of Sturdies in Women's Open: 4 - Dana, Lara, Beth, me (Sara)

Weather: BEAUTIFUL! A little humid, but blue skies, and LOTS of sun.

Considering my last time in Bethlehem (when I crashed), I was a wee-bit nervous going into this crit. Especially since the ever-wickedly fast Wasabi Warrior Kacey Wander was pre-registered, along with Jessica Chong (Morgan-Stanley), Dana Walton (Alliance), Ruth Dickinson, Cheri Fager, and Michelle Mighdol (Pallas/Athena). Not to mention, our own Dana Hanchin, who has been ROCKING out this season!!

The Bethlehem Crit is a great 4-corner crit, with a downhill on the first stretch into the second turn, and a power-uphill on the second stretch into the third corner and up into the third stretch. The start-finish is mostly flat with a VERY slight downhill.

This race started out FAST for the first few laps. I was trying desperately just to hang on, and with Jessica Chong throwing attacks out all over the place, I was struggling a little bit. However, ten laps in, I was still sitting in, and I figured that since I was still in the field, it was time to move up and maybe even get on the front. I kept trying to find a position I could stick in, but the field was a little sketchy, and because of the bumpy roads, girls were a little freaked out on the corners. I kept looking for Dana and Lara who were in the front half of the peloton through the whole race, and also keeping my eye out for Ruth, Cheri, and Kelley Bethoney (also Pallas/Athena). Kelley and I were close together for much of the race (THANK YOU KELLEY for communicating with me during that whole race), and finally, with about 4 or 5 to go, I saw her move up on the right hand side. That was it. I saw my opening, and I moved up with her. I got up to about 5th position, and then moved up to 2nd. On the last lap, I was in 2nd position until the last time up the climb. My legs were on FIRE, and I tried to pick up speed as much as I could, but about 5 girls got in front of me, including Lara (who looked like a ROCKET going into the sprint)!!!

Lara wound up with 3rd in the CAT 4's, and I wound up with 4th!!! This was the most fun I have had in a crit to date. I felt awesome, and powering through those first few laps truly paid off. The fact that it was an open field with some REALLY fast CAT 2's made it even better. Congrats to Lara on her 3rd place! You rock!!!

George and Giorgia

Who dat wit George?

Oh, its just the World Champion and winner of the TD Bank International Championship Philly Liberty Classic ... Giorgia Bronzini.

Tina ... do you think it was the fresh Chestnut Hill air she was breathing for the week before the race?

Go Colavita/Forna D'asolo Pro Women's Cycling Team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Rapha Gentlemen's Race

The Rapha Gentlemen's race is an invitational, unsanctioned, un-marshalled race over 133 miles, that boasts 12k feet of climbing. The course was made up of lots of road, and what had to be an equal amount of gravel and dirt road climbs. Teams of 6 riders take off at 6 minute intervals and attack the course. The teams must start and finish together with all 6 riders. 25 teams took the start this year.

I was invited to stoker (rear seat on a tandem) for with Pat Engleman (captain, front of a tandem) for Team Bilenky. Pat and I were happily aboard a heavenly-hand built tandem that recently won top prizes at the North American Hand Built Bike Show in Austin, Tx. Check out the rest of the team at Bilenky’s Blog:
http://bilenkycycles.blogspot.com/

The Race:
I own now, my 2nd tandem, and have only captained so be in the stoker seat was going to be a huge change for me. But, after training for 20 minutes with Bob from Bilenky I was all set!
Our team set off Saturday AM, and things went fairly well. Pat and I suffered a few mechanicals:
1. Loose saddle bolt (Pat), seat height adjustment (me)
2. Tire blow out from over heating our rim on a super slick, technical descent that claimed an IF rider
3. Bent Derailleur
4. Oh, and we got fairly lost and off track for a while

Unfortunately, we did not make the time cut-off so at the last check point, so we were sent back on a short cut and only did 100 miles. We were able to finish at the T-town Velodrome and ride 2 laps on the track Paris Roubaix style!!
The route was beautiful, the climbs made me want to burst into tears, and descents were thrilling and scary at the same time. I feel like I also have 5 new friends! It was a great day on the bike.

Photos to come!
SP

The Route:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/33003878

Kelly Bike Jam - May , 2011

This is the first time I have competed in this race. This course has lots of technical turns with some sketchy road surfaces and a incline to the finish.

I was a bit nervous because I had heard a lot regarding prior races here. My plan was to hang in with the main group and race smart and stay upright. I needed to keep track of where the 4's were in the field, and stay with any that were at the front. George talked to us about tactics, he told us "Dana is going to work for you guys, so be aware" And work she did, she set out with a blistering pace that broke the field up pretty quickly, she kept the pace high for most of the race winning two premes in the process. I held my position, until I felt the sickening feeling of my back rim against the road surface, Dag Nabbit! I thought my day was done because, I did not have wheels in the pit. As I was walking off sadly with my bike, Sarah Ieps, yells "get over there and get a wheel, it's a neutral pit, move it"! I got my wheel changed and got back in! Hurray! another chance! (Thanks S1!) I was able to get back in and stay with the main pack, we had 4 of us Dana, Jen, Sally and me.

I stayed with the pack, riding close to either Dana, Jen or Sally, while still keeping my eye on the rider G had marked. Coming into the final sprint Sally pulled ahead of me and says, "I'll do what I can for you" I stuck her wheel and she lead me to the finish. I finished 3rd! for the cat 4's, Jen Rhodes finished 4th for the cat 3's. A good day for the Sturdies thanks to a lot of unselfish riding by my team mates!

Barb

Jersey TT report from Jody!!!

Well, after yesterday's 42 mile lung fest(10 miles of which I TT'd after dropping my chain on the hill and taking poor Barb with me! - I then, finally caught up with Beth and Patty-from Salamander) - I came in 7th out of 9 in my field(okay, so 2 didn't show up...!) - I was happy, cruising along @ 21 MPH...and then Carol(age 63!) passed me...then Betty, (who can't even get aero because of her torn up shoulder from last years debacle at Phillipsburg)...anyway, the head was willing but my legs thought it was all just a joke...I did get to see Bonnie and say "Hi" from all or us!

Turkey Hill Road Race

Race: Turkey Hill Road Race in Lancaster, PA.

Sturdy Girls in Attendance: Dana, Lara, Barb, Sara B(me), Lisa, Lindsey, Jen Rhodes

Turkey Hill is an absolutely beautiful course on mostly rolling hills, but with a few kickers in it. 3 laps around this course, an uphill start, and a flat finish after a downhill (in a headwind)!! The day was beautiful. Warm and sunny. After a nice long warm-up on the road, we lined up at the start with many other Philly based cyclists. (41 women started total!!) I felt like crap. I had been battling a horrible cold, and it was finally catching up to me. I honestly didn't even think I'd start, but I did!!

I worked HARD to stay in the race, but one lap in, I lost it. I battled through the whole race, and managed to finish, but it was tough going!! They pulled but still placed me on the last lap, so I was able to watch the finish. Dana came in 4th in a bunch sprint with Julia Lonchar (Human Zoom), Victoria Hanks (Human Zoom) and Sue McQuiston (ABRT). Lindsey Knast also rocked it out with a 10th place finish!!!

All told, the Sturdies had a great race! It was fun to race, and fun to watch! Besides, we got ice cream after!!!!

Tek Park - Mother's Day

Mother's Day report from Jody Twer:

Reason for entering, what I already knew, was a race for climbers:
#1 wanted to race on Mothers Day
#2 great safe challenging course

Slept in until 7am!
Ate a great, healthy breakfast
Planted my garden all morning
Packed the car up and headed for the Tek Park

Warmed up on trainer for 1/2hour then tooled around with the girls for 1/2
hour...
The field was 9 strong ladies when I registered...it had now grown to 18!

I hung in for the first 3 laps and was very proud of myself because the hill
was already taking it's toll on me
4th lap, I made the mistake of staying in my 54 instead of shifting down to
my small ring...I was having some chain issues on Saturday and afraid I'd
drop it...the field took off and I was done. NO way to catch that group of
girls.

I heard a voice behind me asking if I wanted to work together...and of
course I said YES! Kelly Bethony saved my life( I think we saved each
other!) She thought I was Doreen...a natural mistake since we look so much
alike!

We both wanted to quit several times but kept cursing at each other to
finish the damn thing...got lapped twice...geez!

Found out later, that the other 2 ladies that were dropped and kept waiting
for the field to come around and hang on the back, were allowed to do just
that! We thought that was not allowed. Lesson learned, wait for the race
officials to tell you what is or isn't legal.

Happy I finished!
Had too much good food and wine afterwards with my daughter and family!

A great Mothers Day!
Jody

Sturdy Girl Camp - Massanutten, VA

For the past few years, the Sturdy Girl Race Team has traveled to Massanutten, VA (near Harrisonburg) for a training camp. We ride the beautiful roads down there for 5 days, eat AWESOME food cooked by our amazing Dana Hanchin, sleep . . . a lot, and drink a little wine. This year, the weather wasn't quite as nice as it has been in the past. However, the one day it did rain, the team managed to get in a great ride! All of us love this trip, and look forward to it every year! It's great training and an excellent way for all of us to truly bond.

Special thanks: To George for doing all the SAG driving this year. You have no idea how much we appreciate everything you do for us!!!

To Dana for rocking out in the kitchen the way she always does.

Pics coming soon!!

Fifty Bucks He Eats It

Notes from the ever-hilarious Anne Rock - Dirty Girl extraordinaire:

The Sturdy Girls and Fatmarc were responsible for setting up a section of the course and I thought it wise to purloin Kuhn's idea to post inspirational quotes. While Kuhn went lowbrow and channeled Charlie Sheen, I went deep into the vault and called upon the sages ofCaddyshack. The boy suggested "Fifty bucks he eats it."

I opted for the more familiar:

Today was Diane's birthday. Happy B'day Diane! My mother used to declare every May first, "Hooray, Hooray the first of May! Outdoor screwing starts today!" And people wonder how I got this way. Anyway, thanks for sacrificing your birthday for the good of Granogue. What a fabulous day.

Some Philly folks represented in fine style, each arriving on the podium in their respective classes. Congrats, kids! You looked great out there.

This guy didn't make the podium, but he did get a coffee mug. Oh, and taught me a few tricks about taunting opponents. Clam sandwich and mayo indeed. I'll see you in hell, Hoover. Or McDonald's. Same difference.

And this Philly lady made it on the elite podium. I forgive you for hurling your water bottle at me. Indeed, I'm honored.

BABY BABY BABY! Who's your Daddy? Please. Slap a 'stache on this kid and you've got mini-Les Leach. So adorable.

Decorating the course, Sturdy Girl style. I thought for sure someone would tear through the tinsel with disastrous results. Thanks for keeping it safe, kids.

Velo Amis, the folks responsible for this great event. It's incredible how much work goes into this race. Hug your promoter! Even Tom.

With more prizes than winners, our fearless promoters offered an array of events to distribute the booty:

So another Granogue is in the books. If you mountain bike and have never done this race you should give it a go. The challenging single track, ludicrous climbs, and gorgeous setting (thanks, DuPonts!) make for a great ride. Even better: the people who organize the race and make it happen. You are mighty fine, Velo Amis. Mighty fine.