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SO MANY RACES!! Part I

OK, I have been racing so much I haven't had enough time to catch on my blog! So, I don't wear you out and I'll split these up into at least two posts! Sorry but this is going to cover many races. I will try to not write too much! BUT...No Promises!

  

OKC Velo TT March 19, 2011



It was a chilly day!

So, after the Salt Creek and Talk Chief races I was preparing for my first TT of the season. I love participating in the OKC Velo TT Series. Although, I didn't post the fastest time that day I still set a personal best. Last year was this was my first TT of the season too and from that TT to this one I have taken a total of 4 minutes and 26 seconds off my time. Although I am not as fast as I want to be yet I am pleased with my progress.

  

I love my Honey Stingers!

 


Bringing it Home!

NW Arkansas Spring Classic March 27, 2011

Can you say COLD?  This was a crazy race for many reasons but I will only talk about some of it! First, a cold front came through Arkansas this weekend and temperatures dropped into the 30's and it was sleeting on us during the race. This was a 24 mile road race and it was part of the Lance Armstrong Junior Race Series. Well, it all started pretty good but I learned a valuable lesson on this day. And, that is no matter who they are or what their intentions I will NEVER let anyone work on my bike during a race again. Anyway, after this happened I was never able to get my bike to shift properly again. This was not the course to be stuck in a bad gear...Weaver Hill was looming. OK, it is a 1/2 mile climb and it's not pretty but I didn't quit! I climbed that hill...ugly...but I climbed it! I really can't remember ever being unhappy on a bike but I have to say this was my worst day ever. I just kept thinking "Lance Armstrong Never Quit" and neither would I. I got a medal but wished I'd had a better day on the bike. 

I just have to tell you it was so cold my buddy Ryan, a Cat 2 racer, lost complete feeling in his left arm. They, obviously, went longer than the Jr.s but he had to reach over his body to shift his front derailleur and he still had a great placing! Great job buddy! 

Trying to bring it

 

LAJRS Medal



Lincoln Road Race April 10, 2011

1st Place

I have one word for this race...WIND!! Wind gusts close to 50 mph is what I heard people saying! I just know it was WINDY! I left the race with a 1st place trophy and I felt strong. I was still having some gear problems but I just trying to work through them! Good day overall!

OK, I will not post anymore tonight! Stay tuned Part II will be along shortly! And, remember always LIVESTRONG.



LIVESTRONG 2011 UPDATE

I started my 2011 LIVESTRONG journey by sending out a bunch of letters and emails. I posted to my blog and signed up on Twitter. OMG...things have really been happening! I have already received many donations and it's been great to hear from so many people! One person I was very excited to hear from was a gentleman I met at last year's LIVESTRONG Challenge! We became buddies and this year he made a donation via my fundraising page. I was so excited to later receive an email from him telling me more awesome news...he works for a company who is matching his donation! I can't tell you how excited I was when I read this news and to know we are going to see each other again this year! It has been so fun watching my LIVESTRONG themometer going up and up! 

I also made a donation bucket and put it at the bicycle shop, Buchanan Bicycles, who is a sponsor of my racing team!  So, if you happen to be in Buchanan Bicycles be sure to drop your change or a dollar or ten in my bucket!

 Ok, I told you I started a Twitter page and I have met so many really neat LIVESTRONGers! I have even met a couple who were married last year in Dripping Springs, TX the weekend of LIVESTRONG 2010. Their names are Brad and Jennifer! Brad even sent me a picture of their surprise wedding cake! Check it out! We've decided we are going to meet this year in Austin! It will be lots of fun!

There is also this really neat guy, Dylan Trakas, who works for LIVESTRONG. He and I were emailing each other as he was helping me with some questions I had. I felt really special when the other day I got the mail and there was a handwritten note from Dylan! He has been really helpful! Thanks Dylan! I hope we get to meet in Austin! 

I know I set a much bigger goal this year over last year but I really feel like I can reach it! My Poppy always told me I could do anything I really wanted and this is something I really want to do! HELPING OTHERS ROCKS! Poppy, I am going to do it! OK...so drumroll please...I have raised...wait for it...$1, 640 (including the matching gift that hasn't posted yet)!!! I am really excited! I still have many different types of fundraisers planned so I'm really feeling confident that I can reach my goal! It takes all of us working together to help defeat cancer! I even saw a show today on how nano technology may one day help attack and destroy cancer! It takes research and your donation helps! If you can help please click here to go to my fundraising page! Thank you for all you do!

Salty & Tall Race-March 12 & 13, 2011

Racing has Officially begun for 2011!

The long awaited race season has begun and it started just like last year. My first race was the Salt Creek Criterium. I was very excited to finally get started this year but I think I wasted a lot of energy just thinking about Saturday. I felt like a soda bottle that had been shaken up and ready to explode but it didn't really go the way I planned!

Part of Team Rad-Dallas, Jay & Luke

There were five Jr.'s in Saturday's race and three of us were from the same team, Team Rad Racing. We had a good plan and most of it was executed like our coach wanted. The trouble for me started when the older boys jumped out early in the race. I felt like I needed to get more from my gears to catch them but when climbing my first hill I got cross geared. I know about crossing the chain, big ring + big gear = no no! But, there I was cross geared and trying to climb the first hill! I was trying to get my gearing corrected but it would not move! I just kept falling further and further behind! It was so frustrating!



Trying to climb...come on gears...CHANGE!



I can do this!



I finally got my gearing to move and I was starting to gain on the boy in front of me but time just wasn't on my side. I'd run out of time and laps! I believe I would have caught him if I'd been able to complete that last 1/2 lap! Oh, well, my teammates place 2nd and 3rd which was awesome! It was their first criterium ever and so I was really happy for them. I came in 5th out of 5...LAST!!! I was really mad I had made such a big mistake and couldn't help my team more! I realized that evening I had really tried to ride someone else's race instead of my own. GOOFY!! But, I had a chance for redemption! I was glad I'd signed up for the Tall Chief Cove Road Race the following day! I needed it to regain some confidence and focus on riding MY race!



Getting ready to start Tall Chief



Start of 1st climb



What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was warm with a nice breeze...today's race FREEZING, VERY WINDY...BRUTAL! This was a road race and to quote the flyer "A beautiful 20.5 mile course with demanding hills and challenging turns." They were not kidding! It was all true...beautiful, DEMANDING hills and CHALLENGING turns...I loved it! Today, I was determined to ride my race. I had a little rough start. Right off the start line my left foot slipped off the pedal while trying to get clipped in and we were starting up the 1st hill! Luckily, I saved it and no one crashed! I felt good as I started climbing and soon we were crossing the dam and heading towards some big climbs! I felt strong on the bike today and  didn't make any of the mistakes from the previous day. It was a great day on the bike! I stuck to my plan and road my race! I knew what I had in the tank and used it! When I saw the little one lane bridge I knew I was in the home stretch! I just put my head down and powered through to the end! I placed 2nd and got a silver medal! I was really proud of how much better I road on this TOUGH course!




Coming across the finish line-2nd place



1st medal of 2011 season



It was a fun weekend! I love getting out there and seeing so many racing friends! I am never happier than when I'm on my bike and doing well on it is even better! I'm so happy my season has started! Stay tuned as I have many more races scheduled!

PASSIONS

I have two passions! Cycling and LIVESTRONG!

If you read my blog enough you probably know this but if you don't well...I'm a 13 year old competitive Jr. cyclist. I believe in going fast and giving back!

I need your help! I am raising money again this year so I can participate in the LIVESTRONG Challenge in Austin, TX! This became my non-profit of choice because I lost one of my best friends to prostate cancer and Lance Armstrong is one of my heroes. My Poppy was an awesome grandfather! He was also a father, a husband, a brother, a friend, an awesome golfer (he shot a 70 on his 70th birthday) and one of my best buddies. Unfortunately, he didn't get diagnosed soon enough and passed away in November 2007. It was the saddest day of my life!

I put on my yellow LIVESTRONG bracelet and have never taken it off! I am raising money to continue the fight Poppy lost! I don't want anybody else to lose someone they love like I did. It hurts really bad! If we all pull together we can be sure others get the help they need. You never know it could be you who needs the help! Please give what you can...because every $1 helps. Click here to visit my fundraising website or print off a donation form. Please write my PARTICIPANT ID #297759208 on the check. All donations must have a form attached. I want to thank you for doing whatever you can to help me reach my goal of $5,000. Together we can all LIVESTRONG!

DREAMS

I hope everyone survived all the ice and snow! It was sort of fun to play in but it meant no bike training outside...BUMMER! So, I just kept spinning for hours on the trainer and looking at the beautiful white stuff while dreaming of days like we are experiencing now! I mean we all knew it would melt but when it really does it is AWESOME! It is like a dream come true!

I got the biggest surprise right before the snow fell! My NEW Team BIKE!!! My mom picked it up on a Saturday and before I could get my fit the snow fell and fell and fell and fell. I was finally able to get fit and ride outside and I LOVE MY BIKE!!!!

THANK YOU, Coach Green with TEAM RAD RACING for this incredible gift! Thank you BUCHANAN BICYCLES for your sponsorship! Thank you Ryan Lenhart for your amazing BG Fit and the special gift you gave me! I have let my mom wash it a couple of times but then I put it right back on! Thank you SPECIALIZED for this incredible ride! Wow...it feels like I'm just floating on air when I ride! I can't even feel the road beneath me! ANOTHER DREAM COME TRUE!

Well, I begin racing next month and I am so excited! We have been very busy lining out my racing schedule and the anticipation is growing! I am DREAMING of another amazing year!   

I am also getting ready to begin my fundraising for LIVESTRONG! I will be riding again this year in the LIVESTRONG Challenge in Austin. I am DREAMING of raising even more money than I did last year! Soon, I will be posting a way for you to make donations so we can help others DREAMS come true. A life without CANCER!

So, I'm DREAMING of an AMAZING year. Maybe this is a good sign, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit...hmmm! I hope this translates to me being Fast like a Rabbit! I'll keep you posted!

Unique Gift Ideas for Cyclists-2010

Ok, so we've been looking for some unique or great ideas to give my friends who are cyclists but many sites had some very lame ideas, i.e., 1. Get them a Helmet! REALLY??? If you are a cyclist I bet you already have a helmet...unless you had a crash and busted up your old one. In which case, you might not be riding for awhile since you'll have to lay low while your injuries heal! So, I decided to put together a list of my favorite gift ideas (links to the sites are provided)! And, if anybody wants to get me something for the holidays well, I would love any of these things!

HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
(sounds like that could be a catchy song...hmmm)

1. Ok, by now you know I support LIVESTRONG. So, here are several ideas along this line.

     a.  Make a donation to your athlete's favorite charity in their name. Any Charity--Any Amount
     b. Anything on the LIVESTRONG store site
     c. Or, how about for those who can't be without their phone a new LIVESTRONG cover, earbuds  or itouch arm band from Radioshack  Price: $9.99-49.99

2.  Road ID-This will be a priceless gift if it is ever needed in an emergency! This is an awesome gift for anyone-cyclist, runner, swimmer, anyone who travels or drives a car, walks to work or rides the train. And, for those of you who shop late...they even have eCards available. The best part is they will make a donation to one of 7 charities, of your choice, just because you bought their product.
Price: $21.49-31.48 (includes shipping...no shipping costs for eCard).

3.  Basket of Energy-fill a basket your athlete's favorite goodies! I love the Honey Stinger Waffles, Bonk Breakers, Jelly Belly Sport Beans, Shot Blocks and Clif Bars ( usually buy these at my sponsor's shop Buchanan Bicycles in Norman), Gatorade or Powerade. My mom says, "Make it fun and festive with bright colored tissue paper or be green and use the comic pages from your newspaper...then they have some reading material as well!" She's always looking for ways to get people to read!
Price: Varies by how small or big you want to make your basket

4.  Speaking of reading how about a book about cycling? There are tons and so, I provided a link that will take you thousands with just one click! BOOKS will take you straight there and if they have a Kindle you will save money and trees!
Price: Varies

5.  What about keeping our feet warm and dry? Neoprene shoe covers (with zippers or velco please) would be awesome! These are available from lots of different companies but you've got to know their shoe size! I wear a EURO 40...hint, hint!
Price: Varies


6.  True Religion T-shirt: Great gift to give so that when your not on your bike and wearing your favorite jersey you can still honor the lifestyle you love and it's pretty cool looking!
Price: $29.95 plus shipping

 

Front View

 

Back View


 7.  Wool Socks-another amazing gift...I must be cold today! Anyway, these make a perfect standalone gift or stocking stuffer! There are many companies that make these but here are a few:
     a.  SmartWool Price: $13.95-39.95
     b.  Specialized Price: $16.00
     c.  Pearl Izumi Price: $18.00

8.  There are loads of ideas for under $30 at VeloGear. They have apparel, home & office, books & dvd's, accessories. Here's a couple of pictures of my favorites!



Ornament

   

Business Card holder



9. Grease Monkey Wipes-They will love these degreaser wipes! You can carry them in your jersey pocket and clean up after you complete a tire change or put your chain back on! We've all been there and then trying to clean our hands in the grass. These are awesome and have a citrus scent...nothing flowery!

Price: $24 for a box of 24 but this link list them at $20.98

There are many more ideas but hopefully this will help you surprise that special athlete in your life with something they will LOVE! Mostly, I hope you've been good and Santa doesn't have to bring you coal for your stocking!

I hope you have a very HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a super NEW YEAR!