Reforestation Ramble

Started off on Friday night with dinner for two at our favorite Italian villa. We had enough leftovers to feed an army. I also tried for the first time, this bottle of stuff called" MONA VIE" that Marcum surprised me with. I guess someone gave him a free case of this stuff and it cost 45.00 a bottle. It's tastes pretty sweet and heavy almost like a syrup. I think it would mix well for a Martini.

Saturday morning we had a few pit stops to make before heading up to Greenbay for the race. Our first stop was Lake Front Brewery one of our team sponsors. We picked up a few cases for Trail days this week in prep for the Alterra race. We thought maybe we can bribe people with beer to come out and help clean up the mess that Mother Nature had left us to deal with.

Another stop at our other sponsor, BENS CYCLE off 13th & Lincoln street on the fashionable South side of town. Vince's new shop is up and running and looks pretty cool from the curbside.

Last minute, I decide to get a new chain before the race and Evershed was so kind to help the damsel in distress. Luckily I checked, it was stretched to the limit. Thank you again for the last minute service call!

And I can't forget the stuff to save my ass on Sundays big ride.

Finally off to Green bay as the sky turns a lovely shade of grey

Just as we enter town from sunny skies south of here, the rain had welcomed us.

The smart race director Shawn decided to close the pre-ride for the day to make sure it was fast and fun for Sundays Big Show Down.

So Ty and I decided to spin out on the road for a pre-ride before Sundays race.

Rusty's lovely map of the 12 mile course

Friend Sue who came to watch at Big Ring, again showed up to watch me this weekend with her husband. This was sure a nice surprise.

photo courtesy of Greg Krieger

I was not feeling the love on my warm up before the race and was nervous that I was going to have a shitty start. Sure enough after DON said GOOOOOOOOOO I was suffering and could not wait for the motor to start running on cruise control. The first lap was a challenge since I did not know what to expect without a pre-ride. I knew the single track was about 5 miles to the hole shot last year and Sean had told me that it was 4 point something this year and it seemed like forever. I axed the heart rate monitor for the race thanks to this smart fellow and went with how I feel. I have to say I felt pretty good out there and had a lot of fun. Amelia and I raced together for pretty much the entire race, trading off pulling, catching COMP wheels and pulling a few others to victory.

Photo courtesy of NACHOBAR.COM

I learned quite a bit out there on Sunday and remember every moment so vividly. Every turn of my pedal every cheer on the sidelines which kept me motivated. Thanks Stephanie for saving me with hand ups! Thanks to my husband for all his love and support! 4th in age 9th overall minus the pros. 15 minutes or so behind an x-pro. Props to Ben Griggs and crew for a great race event and the great flowy single track which made the long race all that more sweet!

Elite Men Overall

The ride home was perfect and I could not wait to have a glass of vino to celebrate!