Lacking the killer instinct...

Today I...

...showed up at work because I thought i was scheduled. Turns out I wasn't, but they let me work anyways and I got paid for it!

...raced for the first time on the road since May 12. Managed to get myself to the fairgrounds crit in time for the women's race. Lining up at the start line, I realized that this was the largest local women's field I've ever raced with. All the big names were racing, even after the NVGP. I got really excited with about 10 laps to go, attacked several times during a one lap period, and then ungracefully got popped off the back. I'm an idiot... oh well! It showed me I've got some work to do on my race form.

...ate a pint of ice cream after the race. Second idiot move today. But I just couldn't stop.

...resolved to eliminate ice cream from my diet.

shower time!

love steph

One way to Seattle...

I've been planning to move to Seattle since January. I've been talking about it, wishing - dreaming - thinking about it, and now I'm finally going. I bought my one way plane ticket yesterday. Sorry guys, no telling when I'm coming back!

One of my wonderful profs. found me an art contact, so hopefully I'll be able to work on some projects while I'm there. Also I'm bringing two bikes - track and road. I'm going to catch the FSA Grand Prix and Alpenrose Challenge (if I can hop a ride down there).

The past week of racing has proved to be one of the most fun in my life. I opped out of the NVGP due to a massive lack of training. Instead, I decided to try my legs at the Fixed Gear Classic. It was fantastic. After not being on a track for almost a year, it went fairly well. Even though I was scared sh*tless - those women pump through the turns crazy fast and close - I'm not disappointed with my results. I mainly sat on the back and attacked when I saw the opportunity, which usually wore me out just enough to cross the finish line near the back. Oh well, I've lot plenty to learn.

The wrong side of the track party ruled, I ate an amazing hamburger grilled by S-One and chilled with the out-of-towners. Next day was the same racing routine, but was followed by drinks at Psycho-Suzies with racers from Seattle, Arizona, Chicago, and lovely MN. Bowling ensued, and I became acquainted with the craziness that is Dan and Adrian. Got to drive Jen Triplett home, and my thanks goes out to her for being patient with my inability to properly shift into 1st gear.

Now we're well into the NVGP - congrats to all the local riders rocking the field.

More track racing tonight!

-steph

Wow - hah!

Breaking news: good finishes for the Thompson et al. crew in Duluth

After a grueling TT our racers stepped out with some excellent finishes. In his Cat 3 time trialing debut, Jameson pulled off a respectable 12th place finish during the TT, rocking without the aid of aero wheels. Today, Jameson improved on that effort and moved up to 11th place overall after a mid race breakaway effort. The only U of M rider remained away from the field for over 20 miles and was caught just short of the KOM sprint. He finished strong in the field sprint.

John "Dad" Thompson pulled off an 8th place in the Masters field after a decade off from road racing. Attacking the field six times today, John attempted to bridge up to Dave Pramen, who was soloing off the front. Although unsuccessful, John "had fun" ripping his own - and his competitors - legs off. John finished 6th in the field sprint.

Eric "Sasquatch" Thompson started off his Minnesota road season with a 3rd place Cat 1/2 TT effort. The giant eighteen year old powered over the rolling sunset-laden course in Wrenshall, casting a foreboding shadow over his competitors. The road race witnessed a mid race breakaway and the subsequent reel-in by the chase group. The last lap proved tactically difficult as teams jockeyed against the cross wind. On the second to last stretch of road, Tim Mulrooney launched a formidable attack and was followed by Sasquatch. Sasquatch pounded up to Mulrooney and they worked together, pulling away from the main pack and finishing with a 26 second lead. Eric's second place finish upgraded him to a second place overall, tied to Aric Hareland in the time standings.

Mike Smith Mike II rocked. As usual. (I don't know much about their races, I'll fill you in soon).

I got home, womaned the kitchen, made some kick-butt chicken pasta and green salad. Tonight. Ice cream and Oreos. 

Peace.

Steph

Duluth

A memorial weekend escape from the cities. Jameson and I headed up from Minneapolis today to enjoy four days of racing at the Duluth Classic. Although I'm currently out of racing commission, I'm up here taking over general soigneur duties. Today I made dinner for the five men in the house. I felt like a regular house mother, and I got my old I'll-kick-your-butt Travel Coordinator attitude back as I fried the hamburger to bits. Maybe its just the excitement of boiling water, but I was into it.

I'll try to continue to update my blog more often now and give updates from this weekend. 

love steph

Steph's blog sucks...

Yes, that's what Andy Cruse has to say about my blog, and I admit, 99% of the time my blog is quite lame. Due to loads of school work, responsibilities as U of M Travel Coordinator and the start of the collegiate race season, I've just been too busy.

What's new?

Last weekend I had my first collegiate race. Because the Women's collegiate A field boasts a grand total of two competitors in the NCCCC, Kari and I got bumped up to Men's A. In other words, we both had a hell of a road race, especially when we got dropped by the men and spent every ounce of energy we had time-trialing into a 25 mph head wind. I'm counting this routine to make me super fast - or at least make me tough.

This weekend its off to Lawrence, KS for more racing and more hurting. The weather is supposed to suck (less than MN!!!) but still suck all the same. It will be fun having a criterium at 8am Saturday with a high of 39, rain and predicted "Heavy winds"...

love steph

The Hot List: Part I

Its cold outside, so I think that I should post about something hot. Not hot like hot chocolate, or Florida, or ovens. Those are boring. I'm talking about man-hot. Now, it would be really difficult to whittle down all of the attractive men in the world to one blog post, so I've decided to be a little more specific. The Hot List is only cycling inclusive.

So what makes a cycling man hot? So far I've got it down to a couple of qualifications. Number One: they have to be famous enough for me to find their photo on the internet. Number Two: they must be fast. Number Three: the headshot. Yeah, I'm a sucker for the tall dark and handsome, the cute smiles, and the podium wave. What can I say, I'm a chick who likes cyclists.

Man Number One:
Franco Marvulli.

Since I'm too tired to look up all his palmares, just trust me, Franco is fast. Partnered with Bruno Risi this fall during the European Six-Day season, the pair dominated almost everything. Last October when I was sitting in the infield at the Dortmund Six-day I got to feel the air that Franco moved. Let me just say it was some beautiful air.

Judging from the headshot that I've selected, the outside viewer might think, "Ok, Franco looks a little crazy, is he possessed?" And the answer would probably be yes, and the response something like, "Yes, he is possessed by riding his bike." But either way, he gets extra points for being tall dark and handsome.

Man Number Two:
Tom Boonen

So, like, there's this guy named Tom Boonen, and he's like... a sprinter!!! HeHE!!! I heard that he wins stuff... like green colored jerseys...

There's nothing like a pair of aviators to make a man look super-rad. (This picture is ridiculous, I know. It also doesn't accurately represent his hottness.) But even without the shades, Tom Boonen is a hottie. Even though this pic makes Tom look casual cool, I know he's all race-day business. Even I'll admit that I root for Tom Boonen during the sprint stages of the TDF just because I think that he's attractive. Tom is a blond, so he only gets two points for being tall and handsome.

Man Number Three:
Ed (Eric) Stewart

I know this isn't a head shot. Its a leg shot. But don't worry, Ed Stewart has got it goin' on from head to toe. With this little known shot of Eric Stewart only just making its first internet debut on my blog today, everyone should already know that Ed Stewart is blistering fast and smokin' hott. Don't you think that those legs could power him right alongside Tom Boonen? And haven't you heard what happened when Ed just merely winked at a crowd of admiring female fans during a cool-down ride after one of his field-dominating performances? Yeah, all those women fainted. I heard that one was taken to the hospital. Long story short, every girl wants to be Ed's podium girl.

Well, this is the end of Hot List Part I. Hope you enjoyed it. Goodnight.