2007 is almost over!

Can you believe how fast this year has gone by? From engagements, races, European vacations, spills, thrills, late nights, and rock & roll, this year has not ceased to amaze me or leave me twiddling my thumbs. So thrilling in fact, that Jay and I have been practically hibernating for the last couple weeks in some feeble attempt to recover.

So, our adventures have been a much smaller scale of grandeur and spaced farther apart, but they've been fun none the less!

Sad to say it, but I had to say Goodbye to the Jordan Slayer. Sure, it never really was mine, but I loved her none the less....and man did we have some good times. No worries though, Hollywood Cycles and I have some TT'in plans up our sleeves for my next new ride.
Jay and I got to get a super tour of Freaky Useless & Terri Harriets new abode. Rockin! Talk about a house where someone thought of everything!!! True to form, we loaded up the shower w/ 5 grown adults and Houma, their massively lovely dog! Terri & I tested out the hardwood's while the boys planned rock sessions and summer bashes.
On Friday nite, Jay and I hit up Grumpy's to catch the cold sprints. Still hybernating, Jay and I strategically waited until 9:00 to head down there with the entire intention of NOT participating. I always love getting out there though, catching everyone out on the town! Maria Stewart dominated the women with ease, and Homme put up a spectacular fight for 2nd. Lala was in the house, before returning to his life as a 19 yr. old Texan college student - Lala, you slut!
Personally, I think I did a great job on Christmas by getting Jay Guitar Hero 3 (Legends of Rock)! It's now been 6 or 7 days and he's already beat the game on Medium, and is tearing his way through hard. I'm not much of a video game enthusiast (I like the fresh air too much), but I'll admit its a fun way to stay in on cold nights. And, it makes for a great break to offer friends when they come over for a visit.

Crossmax stopped by for an hour on Saturday night. Little did he know that it would be 2 1/2 hours later that they'd finally peal their eyes away from the TV screen. Tisk tisk. It's been forever, though, since Cross came over so we were just thrilled to see him again.
As for me, Jay got me skiing lessons for Christmas!!! I got 4 hours of CX lessons with none other than Super Bella, Maria Stewart! On Saturday, we met up at Highland for my first lesson. After an hour, I was exhausted and hungry but I had a head full of new things to work on. Thanks, Maria! You're an amazing teacher!

To practice, Jay and I headed over to Theodore Wirth this afternoon. It was the first time that I actually felt like I had some sort of rhyme or reason to my movements. Sure, I have a LONG way to go....but this was the first time that Jay could actually ski with me, rather than skiing ahead, stopping, waiting, repeat. I can't wait to get back out there and practice some more.

And, since Jay is so sweet to always take pictures of me wiping out, I thought I'd return the favor!
Spending time at Theodore Wirth is sometimes so surreal....seeing Jay standing there in front of the chalet with the snow falling all around us. Just 10 months from now, I'll be the one in white, taking that next step to becoming Mrs. Hollywood Henderson. (I can only hope he won't show up in lycra!) hehehe
Until 2008, Happy New Year everyone!
Kristy Kreme

Merry Christmas!

So, it's slightly delayed, but Merry Christmas everyone!
Jay and I got to spend our first Christmas together (same state, same day), bouncing from my mom's to my dad's house for good food and some great family bonding. Unfortunately, we haven't gotten to spend any time with Jay's fam yet since his dad's a little under the weather... Merry Christmas, D&B! I hope we get to see you soon. Feel better!

Jay is officially part of the family - getting his own stocking at my dad's house!

As for us, we had a fabulous time sleeping in after a long season, eating more crap than veggies, indulging on that extra glass of wine, and staying up til 3:00 in the morning! It was a wonderful week of winter bliss. I hope everyone had a superb holiday!

Merry Christmas,
Kristy Kreme

MN Cross '07 Unleashed

That's right, all the hype and now the delivery! Check out Hwood's & my production of the MN 2007 Cyclocross Season!



Paryin' on,
Kristy Kreme

Skiin' & Party Crashin'

Jay and I waited until it got over 10 degrees yesterday before we layered up and headed to Theodore Wirth for Round 2 of CX skiing already this year. Last year we really didn't have any snow til February, so I only got to get out 3 times. As one could imagine, it felt like it was the first time all over again. Even our night-ski earlier this week with Timmer & Stickman wasn't enough to bring back what little experience I have. Oh well, maybe we'll actually have a snowy winter to ski this year!
Sure, I look like an albatross on skis, but it's a silly fun time. And Jay, as always, is so patient with me as I learn. Man, at times I still can't believe he's real. Shouting encouragements along the trails, laughing and taking pictures when I fall.....I am so in love!So, after a quick and chilly workout, we headed home for some hot food in front of the fireplace (aka space heater). After a little R&R, we loaded up in the Cruck to pick up the boys for some fun! Jay and I picked up Mean Dog and Vegas, and headed to Canada (aka Andover) to crash the LSC party at Dominator's new pad!

We caught a few people off guard when we walked through the door, but I think the cases of beer paved the way for a rockin' good time.Some good laughs & a whole lotta beer paved the way for some INSANE antics that night. Picture Vegas & Pete Hannah in a Slap war......followed up by the Dominator takin' on Mean Dog!!! Unreal! Hit up Hwood's site for my video tribute by clicking HERE.

After a great night and a long a$$ drive home, we were all pretty pooped...

Jingle Cross vids!

Day 2 of Jingle Cross was so cold! There was frost covering the ground at the start of our race....leading to extremely slippery, off camber downhills like this.....


The BIG SHOW was Wells bunny hoppin the barriers at the base of Mt Krumpet, then riding up the entire hill! SICK! That's Horner & our local boy Bjorn struggling just to run up it after them. Gives ya a perspective of how steep and rough it actually was.

Greatest State CX vid yet!

Check out this sweet recap of the State CX race by clicking the link below! It's a fun shot in case you missed out, drank too much to remember, or just want to relive it again!!!

Summit Series #35

And, when you're done with that, click on the small vid icons just below the show to see the Grumpy's Crit from this summer!

Sittin' home w/ some hot cocoa,
Kristy Kreme

Wood Wedding Update

So, we've finally got the placed booked n' ready to rock!
What better place for a pair of cyclist who love to CX ski to tie the knot than Theodore Wirth Ski Chalet??


Now if only we could get our hands on a bicycle sidecar and a double surrey or two, we'd be set to ride off into the sunset for a rockin' reception. If anyone has an in, let me know. We'll be riding in style come October 2008, wedding garb n' all.

Super-plannin' a super bash,
Kristy Kreme

One thing I forgot

Jay reminded me, after reading my last blog post, that there was one major thing I forgot to pay homage to this cycling season....

This year I accomplished my one and only goal -
Finish each and every race I start!!!

That's right. 47 races entered, 47 races finished!!! Whoohoo : )

I hope I can keep it up next year.

First weekend to sleep in since March!

My first year of racing finally came to an end last weekend at Jingle Cross. I know in a week or so I'll probably start twitching but, for now, I'm just happy to vegg out for a while!

The season was great, though. It started on Jan. 28th with my first ice race! I got second place with my single speed, studded wonder. It was as cold as the Grinch's heart, but it was a riotous good time. Then, in April, we were off to Belgium and doing the Amateur Flanders! That was definitely the most wonderful road race of the year!
My favorite Crit had to have been the St. Cloud Stage Race Crit...I got 6th, riding with an amazing group of girls, and feeling like it was all starting to make sense. Spring Cup Mtn Bike race was one of my fav's too - I got to charge into a sprint finish with Nora B! And close behind that would be the Cable Classic, where I took 2nd in W 25-29 Cat. It was so much fun charging around the WI trails on my little Single Speed! As you can see, these races were be for the defection....
My favorite TT's had to be all of the Black Dogs! It was the most amazing venue to race our bikes mid-week and spend more time building friendships. Black Dog was where the light switch finally turned on and I discovered how much harder I could push myself than I had been. I got to hang out with Ray & Mrs., Jimmer and Jordan, get into more trouble with Timmer, Jay, and Ronnie, and just be free some 9 hot summer nights.
With the Cross season just wrapping up, it's kinda hard to pick just one favorite. It was such a rollercoaster season - charging by without a will to slow down, weeks off for rest & recovery, great races, and one or two completely crappy races. Funnest Large-Crowd race had to be State Championships! I raced like cow dung, but it was the 2nd race my Dad's ever seen, the course was a blast, and everyone was out to cheer! Jingle Cross, however, was my all-around fav. The crowds were huge, I got my first ever prime, and I felt amazing on my bike both days (taking 5th in each)! On top of our fellow MN's cheering, Jay's dad came out and cheered us on as well!

The best compliment I got all season was at the Silver Cycling Year End banquet. I had started the season racing for Peace Coffee, but switched teams after a major explosion when I raced in Jay's skin suit at the State TT Championships. Needless to say, I wanted to support the team that was always supporting me....so I did. I raced my heart and soul for the Black n White this year, and learned so much from the other racers. Timmer taught me when to eat, Steve Knowlton got me to ride in a draft better, Jay taught me cornering and virtually everything else I could think of. At our banquet to celebrate the year's successes and friendships, I was awarded the MAA....Most Awesome Acquisition!!! Thank you so much SC, I will cherish this forever!

As for now, I'm ordering up naps, extra dessert, maybe another beer or two...that is until we have enough snow on the trails for some wicked clumsy skate skiing with Jay. It's been a long and fabulous racing season, and now it's time to rest up for next year. The racing may be over for a month or two, but not the adventures, so don't go far!

Partyin' On,
Kristy Kreme