NTC Adventure-Fixed Gear Classic-Blaine, MN

Ok folks, Fixed Gear Classic (FGC) in Blaine, MN was stop number two for Korina and I on the NTC.  I am going to keep this one short because in less then 3 days we will be back at it and on our way to Indianapolis IN.  Therefore, I don’t have tons of time to talk nonsense....... OK, actually I have tons of time for that.  I’ll just cut the racing part short.

The Travel: We departed SFO late Wednesday night and took a red eye over to Cleveland, Ohio.  The flight was full (why?!) Anyway, little to no sleep was had.  That was rough because I was up at 5 am and worked a 10-hour shift prior to boarding the plane.  Generally I hate layovers, but the napping on the CLE airport floor was the highlight of my night.... sleep!  We boarded our plane for Minneapolis, MN and luckily no one was on it.  Korina and I both took up a row of seats and went to sleep!  As soon as we arrived to MSP we grabbed our oversized bags and met our awesome shuttle driver/tour guide extraordinaire Adam.  We weren’t too exciting since we had been up all night.  He took us straight to the National Sports Center (NSC) dorm.  After a little power nap, we built up the bikes and tested out the NSC Velodrome.  LOVE IT.  It’s a beautiful 250m wooden outdoor track.  We met up with Lindsey who had helped us a ton in the previous weeks with getting travel details worked out.  She got us some rollers and took us to target to stock up on some food.  This time Korina and I spent 20 bucks each at the Super Target.  We had left all of our money at that natural food store in TX, so SUPER Target was!

Testing out the post flight legs

Korina checking out the rail.

Our Racing Schedule:

Thursday

            20 lap Scratch- FUN

            60 Lap Points- FGC Endurance Omnium/NTC

Friday

            20 Lap Win and Out- FUN

            40 Lap Scratch- FGC Endurance Omnium/NTC

Saturday

            Miss and Out- FGC Endurance Omnium

            Team Sprint- FUN

            40 Lap Scratch- NTC (replaced Madison)

Just to clear up the importance of each race........ The Fun races were low pressure and just plain fun.  Granola bars and sweatshirt prizes were at stake.  Results of the FGC races were tallied up to determined the overall winner of the FGC Omnium.  Prize money and PR is the incentive.  The NTC races count toward the overall USAC NTC endurance standings.  ALL races...... are great training!!

Korina and I representing Hellyer (yes- mine is the retro version) 

There wasn't much time to rest, because racing was on tap for Thursday night.  Luckily we had taken several power naps and felt ready.  First up was the 20 lap scratch race.  This was a great leg opener for the points race that was to be held later in the evening.  Korina had gone out on a solo attack with about 5 laps to go.  The field never got anything going, but a few riders did some IP’s to catch.  Kate chased, followed by myself, and Shelby.  I was able to catch Kate and sit on her wheel until we made contact with Korina.  At that time Shelby had made contact, the group was now 4 and I made an attack.  I was able to hold to the finish with two to go for the win.  I won a sweet sweatshirt........ it was cold, so that was great! Haha.  The points race was fun and fast.  Korina is always an aggressive rock star in the points race and  took 2^nd just behind Cari Higgins. 

The sweatshirt I won was a large, but it fits Keith well.  Mahoney likes to fur it up:)

After the racing a BBQ was held for the riders.  By the time we arrived, the sprinters had already gotten to the beer, as their events were earlier in the evening.  We may have missed the beer, but we didn’t miss the food.  We were sure to stack our plates high; head back to the dorms and hit the shower!  I think we went to bed at 1am.  It had been a looooooooong 48 hours.

Post Race Jakroo Hotness

Friday racing was again in the evening, so I slept till 10!!  Oh that felt great! I strolled across the street and enjoyed a soy latte and fruit parfait at Caribou Coffee.  I spent the rest of the day hydrating, riding the rollers, reading, and facebooking-(is that a word?!)  The line up for the night was a W&O and 40 lap scratch race.  The W&O turned out to be a 29 lap race for me as I was the 5^th rider out (ie 5^th place). The scratch race was of course fast and fun again, only with an even more competitive field then the one the previous night.  Korina and I both stayed with the front group for the bunch sprint finishing 4^th and 6^th.  The racing ended late that night and everything was closed.  Korina and I huddled around our dorm room floor eating carrots, crackers and hummus for dinner. 

It's freshmen year dorm room fun....... bathroom and shower down the hall!
The dorms were super great though.  We just walked right out the door and onto the track.  

Saturday racing was at noon, so we didn’t get to sleep in like a couple teenagers.  The M&O was the last race of the FGC omnium.  The M&O is a tactical race and can be very difficult for riders like myself (ie. Not always smart).  Omnium points were close and we needed to ride smart.  We both got to the rail quick and stayed up front.  We ended up succeeding in not only maintaining Korina’s second in the omnium, but bringing me all the way up to a 4^th place tie with Kate Wilson.  If only I had gotten 1 more point!!!  Ag.  Beth had told us to sprint for EVERY spot.  I wish wish wish so bad that I had done a better job of that as I ended up getting 5^th due to the tiebreaker rule.  Kate has scored a 3^rd place in the scratch, which entitled her to the 4^th and me the 5^th.  I have to say though; I can’t be ashamed of 5^th place.  My points were short of Cari Higgins, Korina and Shelby Reynolds..... all exceptional and talented women.

Awesome picture taken by Erika Fulk

The team sprint looked like a fun little event and the officials were looking for more women to join in, so Korina and I did.  We were both total armatures.  The official went over the rules and yada yada.... the gun went off........ neither Korina or I moved a muscle.  The official came over to us, confused as to why we did not go at the sound of the gun.  We asked him, “Well, don’t we get a count down?”  He replied, “No, you said you were ready.” Ok Ok, apparently that fancy beeper and someone counting down with their fingers is not done in MN.  I swear you learn so many things when you travel to different tracks.  No booties.  No countdown.  Got it. 

Ok..... Ready

GOOOOOOOO

We headed back to our dorm room to shower and relax before the big catered rider dinner at one of the local restaurants.  We had a yummy salad, pasta, bread, chicken and fruit.  It sure beat the cracker and carrot dinner we had the night before. 

Sunday was fun day!  Korina and I got up and did our ritual morning rollers.  We turned up the techno and chatted.  When we were finished the other riders in the dorm asked what was going on and if we were arguing........ haha.  Ooops.  I guess we were screaming over the rollers and the techno music! The funny part was, we were actually brainstorming ways to get more people out racing the track. 

I almost forgot about the pants!!!  Pants like these will for sure get people out to Hellyer!  

Our flight wasn’t until the evening, so we had the day to kill.  We packed up our stuff and had Adam show us around Minneapolis before heading to the airport.  We ate at an amazing local joint for lunch and headed to Minneapolis for some tourist fun....... we rented bikes and practiced our Madison of course. 

How does this work?

I think we have our Madison technique down... Michael?

It had just rained, and everything was green and beautiful! 

Waterfall- Say Cheese!

We found out Batmobile!!!! Later- Mario Cart!

Hmmmmm Ya- I STRAVA'd the Cruiser rental ride!!!!

We had a straight flight over to SFO, watched Parks and Rec, the office, and Top Chef.  It’s always a bummer when the pilot or attendant gets on the intercom and disrupts the show!  Aaaaaa. I didn’t care about a seat belt or turbulence..... I wanted to know who was getting kicked off Top Chef!  Whew, well it ended up being a dude that made too big of an appetizer.  I would have kicked off the deli meat soup guy.

Anyway, Korina and I are home for exactly 68 hours.  At that time we will be at SFO again and headed to Major Taylor Velodrome in Indiana.

Thanks for Reading,

JenniferMarie

Addendum: Korina and I are waiting to board for IN now!  Sorry it took 3 days to post this.... life is busy!  Wish us luck.... thank you all for everything!!!!

The First NTC Adventure-Frisco TX- Part 2

THE RACING

Part 1 was all about the travels, yes stressful and never ending.  Part 2 is all about the races...... ok and maybe a little entertainment fluff.  Duh, this is my blog.

Friday Night

Match sprints, ya, I probably wouldn’t have competed in this event if I was at home, but it was a perfect opportunity to get in some track time and do a couple of leg openers before the endurance racing the next day.  We were seeded based on our flying 200.  Why did no one tell us to bring an aero helmet for this?!  Sprinter newbie’s:/  We ended up 4^th (K) and 6^th(J), so we got seeded with people slower then us for the first heat......... and yes we both won.  Unfortunately, we both lost the second, which was soooo frustrating!  I just don’t know what I’m doing.  Sprinting is mentally challenging.  Korina and I were both a little disappointed, but then we had to remember the purpose of this trip.  It was not to win the match sprints.  It was to contest the NTC endurance events and the match sprints were to be smaller gear leg openers.  That they were!

Always a Mishap or Two or Three. We got out of the track late and back to the house around 12pm.  We decided to change up the bars before bed since we needed to be up early.  Korina over tightened her headset and stripped it.  Oh CRAP!  Thank goodness for wonderful hosts that worked until 2am calling people, finding parts, setting up a meeting with a mechanic, etc so that we could get everything resolved.  I packed up the car and got our food ready for the next LONG day. 

Bike building- well trying

Busting out all the tools for Korina's broken headset 

Saturday Morning

I woke up STARVING, ate and we headed to the track for the morning IP session.  I decided I wanted to be cool too, so I over tightened my front skewer resulting in totally stripping it!  The front wheel was so loose I couldn’t ride.  I tried to remain calm since the IP was in 2 hours.  Thank heaven we arrived early.  I found a super nice guy that gave me a new skewer. Yay!  Why do these things ONLY happen when we are a couple states away from home?  A Wednesday night track race would have been a much better time for a mishap. NOT before my first NTC IP.  Ag.  To top it off, my name wasn’t even on the start list!  I had to run up to the officials and enquire about why I wasn’t on the list.  They quickly added me on. Whew, just another thing to deal with.  I needed to clear my head.  I got on the track for a few efforts and made sure I was comfortable on the bike and in the pursuit bars.  I got on the rollers, hydrated, more rollers, stretched, more rollers, hydrated, more rollers, repeat and repeat.........

Korina on Rollers

Me on Rollers.... with my booties before I was told to take them off.

This is what track racing is all about- putting your feet up

The Individual Pursuit. Korina and I somehow kept it together and totally rocked the IP. We didn’t know what a good IP time for the Superdrome was or what our splits should be. We just did as we were taught and rode consistent and smooth as we encouraged and cheered for each other. We ended IP 2^nd and 3^rd at 4:08 and 4:11.  We had a few hours before the evening races, so we headed back to the host house and got in the nice ICE pool and ate some lunch. 

IP Podium 

Pinnacle Poolside

Saturday Night Racing

Korina’s Aunt and Cousin happily greeted us as we returned to the Superdrome for the evening races.  It was sooooo wonderful to have some support away from home.   We wanted to show off for them in the 250, Points and Elimination.

Flying 250.  They flying 250 was a new one for me.  I got to practice a bit during the match sprints night, so I knew what to do. It was just a matter of executing that!  I finished 3^rd... who knows how.  Keith says the only reason why I did well was because it was a “flying” start as opposed to a “standing.”  Oh, I did find out that aero booties are not allowed on outdoor tracks.  I must have missed that memo.  I tried to tell the official that my feet were cold, but he wasn’t buying it in the 90+ degree heat and horrible humidity. Geeee.  Can’t give the endurance gal a break.

Points.  I just love the Points race.  There really isn’t all that much to tell.  Korina and I just did a lot of attacking so that we could get gaps on the field to take points.  She finished 1^st and myself 2^nd.

Elimination.  Oh my.  I generally hate this race.  I am soooo horrible at it.  I attended one of Larry Nolans Elimination clinics a few weeks ago to get a little practice in.  I learned a few tricks of the trade.  My trick of the trade (not so sure I learned this in the clinic) was to ride the front the entire race.  Yes, that IS exactly what I did.  I couldn’t complain when Korina got me at the line for 1^st.  I was completely satisfied with second and I didn’t have to slow and surge and slow and surge.  I just got to ride my own happy pace.

Points and Elimination Podium

 (Yes i know this is upside down- Ill fix it later)

The races were over for the evening and we were in serious need of some calories.  Before we headed out for Applebee’s I had to demonstrate to Korina’s family the magic of a changing skirt.  Well, it was windy.  Lets just say the demonstration ended with, “Well, it works at Hellyer.”  My love for her family grew to an entire new level when I found out her aunt is a nurse and totally into nutrition and physiology while her cousin loves cats! YAY.  It was another late night.  We did some hand washing of the Jakroo Hellyer skinsuits and went to bed around 1am. 

Sunday Morning

I AGAIN woke up starving a 5:30am. Ag.  I even ate a big dinner!  A girl can’t sleep with a growling belly.  I grabbed a snack and headed back to bed till 8am, and got up to eat again.  Haha.  We packed our bags and headed for the track!  I again tried to be cool..... but this time decided NOT tighten my front screwer before getting on the rollers. Doh!  I forgot I had only hand tightneded my wheel when I took it out of the car. It took 20 min of wabbly rollers before I realized it.  I swear someone up above was watching over me this weekend.  That could have been bad, really bad.  Luckly I had survived to compete in the last two races, scratch and 500.

Drying Jakroo skinsuits on our way to the track

Scratch.  The scratch race was 40 laps.  Korina and I were pretty excited about that.  The longer the better!  We ended up lapping the field with Lauren Stevens (who rode the TOC TT!) and one other rider.  Lauren, Myself and Korina got off the front again taking 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd respectively.

Scratch Podium

500.  Oh the 500... you suck!!!! I suck.  I need to work on my standing start for a start. Oh my, I don’t want to talk about it. Korina got 5^th though.  We would both really like to get better at that one.

Wrapping Up The Omnium. The races were over.  We had competed in 7 events over the course of 3 days.  We were pooped.  We ended up taking 1^st and 2^nd in both the Matrix Cup Omnium (accumulative overall) and the NTC endurance omnium (IP, Points, Scratch).  It looks like I not only need to work on my 500, but my podium pictures. Oh well.  After the podium shots I was told by one of the officials that I was needed in the Press Box. I had never been called away to a Press Box before.... Fancy business!  I made my way up to the official Superdrome headquarters and met with the race promoter.  The weekend races were dedicated to a local teenage girl (Megan) that lost her life too soon in a tragic biking accident.  Encased in a large glass frame was a pink jersey with her beautiful young image imprinted on it.  The promoter handed it too me and explained that as an omnium winner, my name would be added to the frame in Megan’s honor.  I was so honored and touched as I met her father and shook his hand.  Tears were brought to my eyes as I gave him my condolences. It was such an emotional moment for me on so many levels.

Overall Matrix Cup Omnium

Photo With Megan Baab Scholarship Jersey

The Rush. The evening wrapped up and Korina and I quickly dismantling our bikes.  We packed them away in the Mario cart and headed out on the road.  We were low on gas and siri once again gave us a run for our money.  We made it to the car rental, missed our first shuttle, couldn’t fit the bike bags in the elevators and had a heck of a time checking our oversized “massage tables” .... nope, didn’t get a discount, but we tried.  Darn UNITED.  Well, we made it!  Sweaty, gross, bike greasy and tired, but we made it!

Lugging these bags around is even more difficult on no sleep and lots of exercise!

Waiting for our "Odd size baggage"

After Keith so kindly picked us up from the airport, he quickly began

checking for travel (aka Jen) damages.  I passed!!

Upon my arrival I was completely surprised to find a little

something from a special friend, Sara Clafferty.

Our NTC adventure will continue in Blaine MN for Nature Valley Fixed Gear Classic June 6-8. Maybe next time we will get a batmobile?!  For now- signing out - Luigi.

Korina found this picture- I love it!

Stay Tune, Ride Safe, Have Fun!

Thank you for reading,

Jennifer Marie

Thank you again to all of our sponsors.  Without you the NTC would not be possible for us.

HWTPP Sponsors Jakroo           Fast Forward Wheels           Rocktape         Enduro Bearings      SportVelo  Hughes Allmart  Insurance         Limar Helmets         Selle SMP Saddles       Betwixt Chamois Cream   Clif Bar            Clean Bottle         Rose Garden Health        Zealios Sun Barrier        Albabici  Pinnacle p/b Argon 18 sponsors Pinnacle Argon 18 OSMO Nutrition  Goodbye Frisco, TX and until next time!   Thank you to all the people that made the Matrix Cup possible. In Honor of Megan



The First NTC Adventure-Frisco TX (Day1-3)

Day 1: The Travel

Mr. Keith Hillier was kind enough to pack up my bike after a late night of pursuit training at Hellyer and chauffeur me and Korina to SFO to catch our flight.  Korina and I lugged our (actually Lala's and Franks that they let us borrow) bike bags (that are as big as us) around the airport until a fine airport employee gentleman offered to carry and check our bags priority.  Yep- pro status!  We got through security without a hitch...... well apparently Korina was trying to smuggle a jar of Peanut Butter through security! Haha.  Duh Korina, PB is a “liquid” and that jar is more then 3OZ..... who knew?  I guess I couldn’t remember what side of the periodic table PB was on!  What good is this Master of Science degree I hold? Hmmmmm. We made it through the gates and ordered some grande, never ending, super expensive chicken salads at the airport.  Beth Newell had given us a few words of advice; 1) Everything takes twice as long as you think and 2) Have fun and laugh a lot.  Those words proved to be true as we encountered some flight delays due to a tornado that roared through TX.  We touched down safe and sound, grabbed our luggage and took a shuttle to our rental car. Ohhhhhh, the joy of meeting our little Mario Cart for the first time.  We were tired from the late travel, but our Mario Cart only provided laughter as we attempted to fit 2 huge bike bags and duffle bags in the back seat.  We did it!

(Bags are packed and we are ready to go!)

(resemblance?) 

We decided that Korina gets to be Mario and I get to be Luigi for this trip.  Ya Ya – we did about 50 circles around the DFW airport a 2am........ Siri hates us!  We finally made it out and on the road to our wonderful host house Christine and Toby.

Looks like we made it to the correct house!

Day 2: Getting Settled

We slept in, ate breakfast, built up our bikes, did a little grocery shopping and tested out our legs at the Superdrome.  We spent an arm and a leg at a local natural food store and then went to a nice and cheap food mart that resembled a grocery outlet.  Just in case you were wondering, the stores do not give you bags or give you the option to buy one for 10 cents!  If you come to TX bring some bags or be prepared to carry your $150 worth of food........ yes, we eat a lot.  After the shopping adventure we were able to get to the track early to test out the legs and get a feel for the track.  The track is a bit of a Home Depot/Hellyer mixture being a wooden 250 meters and outdoor. I can’t wait to wear my custom Jakroo Hellyer skinsuit and race!  I have a feeling we are going to kick some a$$......... take a look at our STRAVA segment! (haha)

(I built my bike all by myself!)

(The Frisco Superdrome)

Checking out the track - How am I going to ride on that?!

(Look at those speeds!)

Today is Day 3.....

We rode the rollers, did some stretching and now I am updating everyone. :) We even had a wonderful little visit from two very nice Mormon girls this morning.  Their first question was, “What kind of pants are you wearing?” Answer, “Compression tights.” The second was, “Have you read the book of Mormon.”  Answer, “It’s a big book.”  Haha.  Question priorities.  

(Korina chatting with the ladies in her compression tights) 

Tonight the racing kicks off with match sprints.  Oh my...... I have never actually competed in this event, but it will be a great way to get comfortable on the track and do a few leg openers before the endurance racing begins!!! YAY!  We will be competing in all of the Women 1/2 events..... yes, even the sprints!

http://www.superdrome.com/admin/pdfs/2013_Matrix_Track_Cup_NTC_Schedule.pdf

Big thanks to all of our Hellyer sponsors and supporters: 

Jakroo         Fast Forward Wheels         Rocktape      Enduro Bearings     SportVelo

Hughes Allmart  Insurance       

Limar Helmets       Selle SMP Saddles     Betwixt Chamois Cream

Clif Bar           

Clean Bottle       Rose Garden Health      Zealios Sun Barrier      Albabici

Check back for racing details and wish us luck!

Thanks for reading,

Jennifer Marie (aka Zierke)

Central Coast Circuit Race (CCCX#1)

My January training has focused on pack skills, threshold work and time trialing.  Team captain Jane Despas has been very good about taking me out of my comfort zone and getting me on the local group rides; Spectrum and Noon.  This is something I have NEVER done until now.  I feared getting dropped or crashing.  I have now been on several group rides this January and have been just fine!  Stage racing is right around the corner and the time trial bike has become my new friend.  Time trialing is something I enjoy actually.  I love being the only one on the road with no one around to break my zone.  Now it is February.  It’s time to transition from training to racing.  Jane, Tanja and I decided to give our legs a bit of that early season race leg zap.  Valley of the Sun is in 2 weeks and we want to be ready.  We have all been training hard, but there is a mental component about racing that just can’t be achieved when training solo. 

Goals for CCCX: My goal for CCCX was to get tired.  My coach wanted me to have some fatigue in my legs in preparation for a time trial workout under fatigue for the next day (today).  I am procrastinating that workout.  Time trials are not always first in stage races, so yes, I need to practice them post racing.  Do I have a smart coach or what?  I would have never thought of that. 

Tanja and I showed up to the race early to register and warm up.  Jane is a complete stud and decided to do the local Spectrum ride as a “warm-up.”  For those who don’t know, that is not an easy ride!  We met up with Jane before the race for a little spin and pre race chat.  Jane gave us some Pinnacle jerseys to wear (we don’t have our official kits yet) and some OSMO active hydrate and acute recovery product.  Our sponsors are so good to us!!!

(Race Start)

 We lined up at the start with a small field of 10 riders, which isn’t bad for an early season women’s race actually.  The race started with a series of attacks and Jane made sure to cover them.  Tanja then counter attacked and Jane got right up front to control the field as I sat in.  It was the first lap and my teammate Tanja was out of site.  No one was attacking or chasing.  I have no clue how, but on the second lap a crash managed to happen which slowed the race a bit.  This just meant that Tanja was further gone and I knew I could probably liven up the race a bit and not have to worry about bringing the field up to my teammate.  Ideally, I was in a great position to just sit in, but I had to remember what the goal of the race was.  The goal was to get tired, not sit in and try to contest a field sprint.  This race was part of my training.  I went out on an attack and no one was quick enough to respond to my wheel.  Jane said the girls tried and tried to get me, but they just weren’t making ground.  Jane continued to monitor the pack and I continued on my 5 laps solo.  I couldn’t see the field, but I didn’t want to risk getting caught, so I picked up the pace on the last lap.  Each climb I felt the burn in my legs and each descent felt like heaven.  I opted for the smaller gear and a higher cadence.  Being on a rolling course for 5laps (20miles) solo is not easy on the legs.  I crossed the finish line alone for 2^nd.  My teammate Tanja was there waiting for me after her first place domination.  We waited and watched the bunch sprint.  Jane came in 4^th just behind Kira (FolsomBike).  

(Women 1/2 Podium.  Keith says I look like a Cat 4 in my first race. So sweet. PUNK!) 

Collectively,  Pinnacle left CCCX#1 with 70 bucks that we split amongst each other.  We got some registration fees back and had a wonderful time racing. Sweeet!

(I guess this is how P1/2 Men do the podium)

(Post race team picture with the Argon18 and yellow potty in the background)

I am very happy about yesterdays race and so thankful for the girls on my team.  I know full well that Jane could have dominated that race and tore my legs off!  She wasn't there to do that though.  She was there to mentor Tanja and I.  Thank you Jane for your leadership and helping Tanya and I score a podium finish!

(Post race sunset cool-down with Tanya and Keith)

Ted Burns is working on a Norcal News write-up.  I will post the link here when I see it.  

There were a ton of photographers out as well.  I'll add some pictures when they surface, so check back!

I better get out for my TT workout!

Thanks for reading, 

JenniferMarie