Time is UP

I signed up for Transrockies eons ago and here it is.....less than 2 weeks away.

I've packed, trained, made lists of lists, made copies of all itineraries, numbers and contact information to easy my parents' minds, rode and strategized with my teammate Tim Dougherty, and finally memorized that 1.0mile = 1.6km.

I feel good. I am satisfied, knowing that I've prepared to the best of my ability and as long as my focus remains present and positive, I will be successful.
I do have many people who have encouraged and supported me through the season thus far.......for that I am forever in debt and know that I will repay your kindness with kindness to someone else along the way.

Thank you:
Cannondale, for your support along the way...without you I'd be bikeless!
Wes, Ry, Hebe, and Yozell--Thanks for your sage advice and role-modeling at Mt. Snow.

My Carrot: Seeing my sister at the final stage.
My Prayer: Lord, may my ups be longer than my downs. Amen

Michelle

P.S. I'll be posting abridged versions of the stages after I return and settle back into life, so stay tuned.....

Next Generation

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of riding with these fine young folks along the Pine Creek Rail Trail, Pine Creek, PA. DCNR hosts an Adventure Camp for local urban youth and I led the mountain bike exploration/clinic for these day campers. Of course we had to find some single track to explore. These kids were strong, energetic and eager to share and learn about bikes and riding. For some, it was their first time on singletrack....but they ripped and rode the trail with speed and confidence.....who knows, maybe I'll be seeing them on the podium someday.....

Much thanks to DCNR for the effort and time to make this a positive learning experience for kids! Also, thanks to R.B. Winter State Park for loaning Cannondale bikes to this wonderful group!!

Michelle

Mt Snow eyes

Here are some images from Mt Snow:














Michelle Winning the Expert Womens race
















Old Popeye
















SemiPro podium with Wes (1st) & Ryan (4th)

In what might have been...

The best five days I have spent on vacation...
The most fun I have had with friends...
The most dominant performance of an MTB team at a National Championship event...
The funniest picture shoot ever, OK second funniest after the Stage Race...
That is a decent start to sum up the VisitPA.com National Championship weekend. On the business end we walked away with not one, not two, not three but FOUR Jerseys for the weekend. Throw in three more podium performances and yes we were over the moon.
From working the feed zone for Wes & Ry's awesome Semi-Pro race and the ensuing awards, to warming up with Yozell, watching Sunshine get her due, and finally standing on a podium at a National Championship race, then standing on the top step the next morning. This was about as surreal as it comes.
On behalf of the team I would like to thank everyone who has had a part in our success. Our friends and family who support us unconditionally. Our incredible sponsors, Cannondale, Ergon, Deuter, Cadence, High Speed Cycling, SRAM, Northwave, Rudy Project and most certainly, VisitPA.com. Without your generous support we could not enjoy racing and riding like we do. I hope in some way we do our share to increase awareness of your products, and make you proud the we represent you.
Thanks again and we hope to see everyone soon.

The Big Bike Game

Next Friday, Saturday and Sunday is the big Bike Game of the year. Mt. Snow National Championships for the VisitPA.com squad.
I have the great fortune to be on a team with three national Champions, two of which are defending national MTB Champs, a National Series champion, a Pro and one of the most respected Endurance racers around. Riding with these guys totally ups my game. Yet with all of the talent that abounds on the team, egos are set aside. We are racers, and more than that, we are friends. I can not wait to go to Mt. Snow this coming week and watch my friends be crowned National Champions again. Who knows, maybe yours truly will find a little magic and ward off the boo-boo belly this year.
Enjoy your riding and best of luck to all MASS racers going to Mt Snow for a shot at the Stars and Stripes.

Sooooo close...

... I can almost taste it
Twiddle your little fingies across the keys and register. If you do not you will miss, in no particular order:
the World's tannest human
The vanity of getting your pic taken
Little buddies family cooking you breakfast, lunch and dinner
This guy in a sleep deprived, semi to fully neurotic state
One of the final MASS appearances of Euro style
Some of the best singletrack fun known to man
Slow races, fast races, kid's races, bands, beer, marshmallow guns
Yours truly, OK that is not really a good reason. Still register now

You can eat watermelon, brownies and burgers any weekend of the summer. This weekend your inner sadist is screamin' to pedal your little bikey-bike down on the farm.
There is more fun to be had than you can possibly shake a stick at. Register now, so you will not be envious of all the cool kids who spent their weekend down on the farm