When there's no snow, gotta race ice!

Just over a week ago, Hollywood and I saddled up for the 4th Annual Lake Mtka Ice Race.  The weather was calling for an afternoon of 30+ mph winds and the temps were to drop some 20-30 degrees... but luckily, it wasn't set to roll into town until after our race.

Jay designed the course again this year and was ecstatic when we got a dusting of snow the day before they shoveled off the course, exposing clear, glare ice to test even the best studded tires out there.  How do you keep the advantage? More studs!

 We raced the Advanced race, running the women 10 sec. behind the men.  There were only 4 of us ladies in it, but we put it to the men just as well, catching the first handful by the time we entered the massive pinwheel.  The course was wicked fast and we were tearing it up.  Me, Danielle, and Patti kept passing the lead around for the first couple laps and it was awesome!

Though I didn't have much of a season in 2012, I pulled out all the stops and rode out of my mind!  It felt so great catching dudes and passing them with ease and not letting them pass me back.  Unfortunately, my endurance was 2nd best and Patti rode away from us.  Danielle and I worked together, but couldn't close the gap as the laps counted down and the winds began to build.

I began to bonk and Danielle went on solo pursuit of the win as I dug deep to retain my position.  Exhausted, sweating, and out of breath, I crossed the finish line in third behind two of the best competitors out there - it was awesome!

Fatigued hugs and high-5's awaited me at the finish as I got there just in time to watch Hollywood lose his breakfast on the shoreline.  H-WooD had suffered a poor start, slipping a pedal instantly and fell into place in the top five or so at the go.   Super-charged and sporting a new kit, he threw it into high gear fast and started picking off riders at an aggressive pace.

He rode up to 5th, but didn't relent.  Lap after lap he caught his rabbits, moving into 2nd place behind Brendon Moore.  Although he got faster and faster each lap, he wasn't able to close the gap all the way and finished proudly in 2nd place.  Way to go, hun!

Two races down for 2013, two podium finishes... 2013 is gonna be a good year for Girl Fiend Cycling!

Kristy Kreme

Oprah vs. Lance

Yeah, I won't deny that I spent the last two nights watching Oprah's interview with Lance Armstrong.

Last night, there were no surprises.  No $h!t he was doping!

Tonight, I won't deny getting teary-eyed.  Not because I felt bad for Lance and sympathized with him now that he was 'sorry' for all he did...

I felt broken hearted for the people out there he bullied and pressured that still suffer to this day for what he did.  What about those teammates that refused to dope but now struggle to find work thanks to your tarnished persona, with coaches assuming they doped by association?  That is something I find unacceptable.. people choosing to take the High Road still shunned thanks to you..

F - U.

No worries though... this lil cyclist is going to move forward in a drug-free cycling mission to ride hard, move fast, and have fun!

Kristy Kreme

"Too Frozen" Frolic

H-wood and I got up early today to get to the Frozen Frolic for another weekend of Fat bikin'.  After the last couple days' rain, we were hesitant to participate, knowing the course could be icy and treacherous for non-studded rigs.  Still, we'd paid for the whole series, so why not give it a good ole college try, right?

Yeah....

I mean, heck, last week was AWESOME!  Even pulled off a second place finish after bonking super hard in the bird sanctuary.  Not a bad start to the year.   But, then again, conditions had been PERFECT!

Hwood had to remind me, though, to drop my hands next time so the team logo can be seen.  So, today was my chance to get back on the podium.

Yeah.....

Since the course was so icy, most riders showed up with studded tires.  My little Mad Max rig was left at home, so all I had was my 9Zero7 with regular tires.  But hey, how bad could it be?  We lined up for the start ala Time Trial style and I was having a blast at the beginning loop, catching two rabbits before we hit the 'Point of No Return' even aside from a couple crashes.

Then, it just started getting worse from there.  It was like we brought pillows to a knife fight....

Slipping out for no reason at all and landing on the frozen tundra started getting old FAST.  I already missed one year of racing due to injury, I'm not about to repeat it again so soon.  So, I laid off the gas a bit and tried to ride smarter, but it did no good.  Repeated crashes on the slippery trail found me standing next to my bike with the chain artfully wedged between my cassette and spokes... seriously?

It was just then that Hwood found me from the trail up above and came down to help.  He got the chain back on, but we'd both had enough.  We headed back down the trail towards the exit, knowing full well we'd rather save the ice racing for the lakes, not the trail.

Sadly, I don't know what was safer - walking the trail or riding it.  I was falling all over the place, or 'skating' down slippery slopes like a boot hockey player lost in the woods.  Jay took my bike for me so I could have both hands for grabbing trees and we finally made it back to the lot.

We didn't dilly dally much - just loaded up the gear and took off.  Why way for everyone to finish for an after party of a race we didn't complete?  Nah, lets nap before the Broncos game!  Hopefully we can get some snow in the next two weeks cuz I'm loving these fat bikes!  Can't wait to do it again.

Happy to be back in the race,
Kristy Kreme