Favre's Legacy...

My Dad sent this next photo to me in an e-mail... I thought I'd share with everyone...

If you're not from Wisconsin, or you don't follow the Green Bay Packers... this is what they are all devastated about:

I'd say that it is just weird.

~~
k

Boulder Roubaix.

Check out http://www.teamamericasdairyland.blogspot.com/ for my latest race report... and photos... Here's one to keep you interested!

MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2008

Boulder Roubaix 2008.

After Raining for 3 days straight (which is NOT normal!),

the rain hung around for one MORE day just in time for the Boulder Roubaix. I was planning on doing this race, but since it was raining, the thought about bagging it was looming about.... SO here is the short story...

I was working at the bike shop on Friday and this junior racer kid came in looking for leg warmers-- we joked about how much fun the race was going to be...

... the next morning I awoke to MORE RAIN. Sill raining... I was positive that the course was going to be miserable, so I decided before I totally bagged I would drive out to check out the condition of the gravel. I drove out to be slightly pleased, it was still hard packed- just really wet. Still not convinced I wanted to race, I drove up to the parking area to talk to some people... and guess what I saw. THAT SAME JUNIOR KID warming up underneath the back hatch of his parents' wagon. NOW there was no way that I could skip it.

The race was to be 5 laps, but was shortened to 4 because our lap times were taking so long. Only a few parts of the course turned out to be really mushy, otherwise for the most part, there was just a whole lot of mud spray happening, which made it interesting to draft. It stayed together for the first lap and then Mara Abbott rode away from the field. For real. I jumped on her wheel, but she kept motoring! She is super strong!

The race for me personally-- didn't go all that well- I am beginning to feel some knee pain after the 1st lap and I was hesitant to go really hard. ANYWaYS. It was really fun to be out with all those who showed up! Hopefully next year it won't be so messy! BUT, then again, isn't that what the Roubaix is all about??? :)

I was still able to smile after--- and if you're wondering, I and STILL cleaning all of my stuff! :)

Kate

Dad's Wood Pile...

Last week, I was able to head up to Hayward with Gabe to visit the Hayward Fam! We had an excellent time-- got in some rides, a mini-reunion/bbq, and even went to see the BIG FISH! Any how, here is some photo documentation of the past few weeks! Sit tight...

My dad acquired a whole lot of wood throughout this summer... I have seen domestic woodpiles before, but never this size. You can't see it, but you should know that he has already been chopping wood... 3 nights a week-- gettin' buff. His grand plan is to stay away from natural gas- Pretty cool I reckon.

I am only sharing two photos- I have more, but I think I'm going to bed instead-- race tomorrow- Boulder Roubaix-- hopefully it isn't too much of a sloppy mud fest!

tutu

k

Breif update on the return from Wisco.

After the race on Sunday in Evanston- Clare and I headed south a bit to my mom's and spent a relaxing day chillin' by the pool, basking in the sun. We drove home on Tuesday- through Kansas. We hit some storms- but made it safely. Here are some photos of the past week.

A photo of the Sram guys that worked Superweek... and are probably STILL working superweek- Jose rocks!! Thanks to ya'll for taking care of us.

Before the race, we met up with John Hanson, a good friend of mine from Chicago- he is a pro photographer and wanted to get some shots of us. Check it! http://www.hansonimages.com/

John was able to get some sweet shots during the race- there are more!!

I have some photos from shelbyville and will be posting them soon... sorry Mom! :) hang tight.

This is where we were in Kansas. Kansas is a long, long state. for sure. Almost as exciting as Nebraska.

Clare is a good driver.... I was able to get some rest and some zzzz's.

Off to work.

gotta RUN!!!

tutu,

K

Richton Park!

 

MONDAY, JULY 14, 2008

Richton Park!

We landed in another awesome host housing situation! How do we get so lucky? Dan and Susan live in Naperville and are our most gracious hosts! They cooked up a full-on breakfast and also a dinner too! We couldn't do what we do with out our hosts! THANK YOU so much!! :)

We kicked superweek off tonight with a criterium in Richton Park. It is a new addition to this year's superweek -- and it was an excellent addition at that! The course was fun and most of the people who lived in the neighborhood were out enjoying the race-- always nice to see. The course consisted of four left turns with a couple of chicanes thrown in. The back straight had a nice head wind and some of the corners could be considered, well, undesirable. But nonetheless... we did 50 laps and it was a beautiful day.

The field turned to be about 50 riders deep, with some talented riders showing up. During the race, there were a couple minor attacks and a couple gaps, but nothing would stick. With about 15ish to go, it seemed as if everyone knew that it would come down to a field sprint- which it did. Cari had a great wheel to follow and ended up 3rd- Kate 22ish and Clare 24ish. It was a good race to get our legs under us.

Clare had a nasty crash with about 20 to go. She was off the front with one other girl and while glancing back to check their gap, the girl in front of her slowed down a bit... she ended up overlapping wheels and went down hard. She trashed her helmet and scraped up her back/hip/knee. Ouch. She got back in and continued to race. I'm sure she'll feel it tomorrow. :(

Until tomrrow!
~~Kate

P.S. Cari wants everyone to know that the podium consisted of girls who race the track. (Cari has highjacked Kate's computer and hoping Kate doesn't notice this.)

If you like Eastern Colorado... You'll LOVE Nebraska!

Before heading to Superweek yesterday morning, Clare and I stumbled upon some GREAT morningtime TV while flipping around on the tele waiting for the tour to come back on... We found the best aerobics show ever. Anyone can do these aerobics because they are specifically for senior citizens... they even had big band music to work out too and silk flowers lingering in the background.

Off too Galena IL for the night, then Chicago Sunday morning. We ended up getting a late start b/c our car wasn't ready... etc...etc. We left at 10:00 mtn time and made it to Galena just before midnight (cst). We made good time, listened to a lot of bad music, looked at a lot of cows, and ate some good snacks. Here are some photos. This is what it is like to drive from Boulder to the Chicagoland area...

Hour #1--- excited to be on the road... loving Eastern Colorado.

Hour #2--- still loving Eastern Colorado...
Hour #2.5--- Colorado Cows- probably happier than California cows, but LESS happier than Wisconsin cows.
Hour #2.75 Welcome to Nebraska... Home of "Arbor Day" Thankfully someone had the foresight to plant some stinkin' trees around the Arbor Day sign...

Hour #4-- Clare isn't showing it, but she LOVES Nebraska.

Hour 5--- I love sandwiches.

Hour 6-- Nebraska Cows... See Colorado Cows... (still happier than California).

Hour 8.15-- What is worse than driving through Nebraska ? Driving through NE in the afternoon... worse than that??? Driving through Nebraska with road construction, traveling at 55 when you could be driving 77.
We found this independent burger joint that had a bunch of gorillas in front of it. They were all chained to the ground... We would have probably taken one if they hadn't been secured to the cement ground.

Hour #7-- IOWA

My friends Kelly and Joe hosted Clare and I last night in Galena, IL (where I lived for a good 3 years). We got in around 11:30 and left at 9 am-- her kids are great-- Nick and Mia- Nick is the next Shaun White and Mia the next Picaboo Street! :) It was great to see them-- the kiddos are getting so big! I was also able to make quick stops to see my friends Jim and Josie (and new baby Lilliana Sophia) AND my bud Jennifer!

I do miss Galena! It is a great place. Here is a photo that Peter Fraterdeaus took a couple years ago:

good night!

K

It's embarassing.... but....

While usually, we're training-- working on bikes-- eating... and resting... Today we've been packing for our journey to Superweek--Today is also the day that happened to to be the day that MTV aired the entire season 7 of America's Next Top Model. Clare was VERY excited about this reality tv marathon. I, well, I'm honestly pretty sick of the television. BUT after the first episode, I was very interested... I did do some errands, work in the yard, go on a short ride all while this marathon was airing... but It was fun!!! And Clare and I would like to congratulate CARIDEE!!!

America's Next Top Model:
Okay... don't hold this against me. But if you haven't seen it... it is a pretty cool show-- I have to confess that I liked it and we were pretty excited when Caridee kicked Melrose's ass. Sorry Melrose.

tutu.
Kate