tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37035163931095837092024-02-19T22:00:06.145-08:00Courteney LoweCourteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-15476532349290324702013-09-16T04:02:00.003-07:002013-09-16T04:02:43.601-07:00Website change!Hey everyone. I hope you are well and are having a great start to Spring/Fall.<br />
Just wanted to let you know I have changed my website page. If you want to carry on following my Cycling journey and see what I am up to the new website is; www.courteneylowe.com. I will be updating that just like I do this (except more often, that's the plan), and it is a little more sleeker ;)<br />
<br />
Thanks! CourteneyCourteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-19231123747963230762013-05-27T22:37:00.002-07:002013-05-27T22:40:38.969-07:00Long time no talk!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Well hello
there. I would like to apologise for my lack of updates since Redlands, I have
no excuses as to why I have been so useless just that my brain has been
else-where for the past month or so and everything has been go-go-go. Ever
since Redlands I have been on the road, completing 7 Criteriums and 2 stage
races all over the US. I have had an amazing time, our team has been riding
awesome and my form is coming around. Below is a very brief description on what
I have been up to;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-NZ">Charlotte
Criterium, Charlotte, NC.<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Ouch.
This was a fast, aggressive race. There is a lot of money on the line so people
risk everything for the win. Finished with a bunch sprint, 4<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Next
day we did another Criterium in charlotte. The team rode the front for a large
quantity of the race, until Jade got away with Crowell (Exergy). Jade finished
2<sup>nd</sup>. We had an awesome race, may not have got the win but we rode
like a team supposed to ride, it was awesome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-NZ">Joe Martin Stage Race, Fayetteville, AR.<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Stage
1 TT = Ouch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Stage
2 RR – Aggressive and fast for the first half. There was a long 15ish km climb
and I got into about 4 breaks, none stuck, the team rode great but we couldn’t
get a breakaway. Finished with a sprint and Joelle got 2<sup>nd</sup>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Stage
3 RR – Fantastic race, team rode to perfection. Amber got in a break with one
other rider for half the race, caught with 10kms to go and Joelle wins the
sprint finish. Awesome team effort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> -</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Stage
4 Crit – More ouch!!! Bunch split to pieces on the first lap, Joelle 3<sup>rd</sup>
in a very long hard sprint. She rode like a superstar!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-NZ">Gila, Silver City New Mexico (7000 feet above
see level.. ouch).<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Stage
1 RR- Not much happened at the start, occasional attacking and little breaks.
Biggest highlight would be my wheel change and my shoe break after a rider
decided to ride her front wheel into me. Bunch together at the base of the 15km
pain hill. Was a grovel, I rode it with Brie and we pushed each other up. Happy
to get to the top! But unfortunately Brie suffered some pretty bad heat stroke at the end of the stage and was out for the rest of the week =(. Thanks to two of the top climbers in the World, Claudia and
Mara for making it so damn painful!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlX1F0k4zeDH2TQEYn99XghVyvHvqta7ZOfa70o0ihFCNFWYQK8kMCGFSbJZz_WIWLZ-EaUnrPDkbrGeQQFBbMuK6ciphrv06owyE7nH772W0mlvxVrVK9gI2C8V7zchwvTNKpr-8MPfI/s1600/photo+(61).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlX1F0k4zeDH2TQEYn99XghVyvHvqta7ZOfa70o0ihFCNFWYQK8kMCGFSbJZz_WIWLZ-EaUnrPDkbrGeQQFBbMuK6ciphrv06owyE7nH772W0mlvxVrVK9gI2C8V7zchwvTNKpr-8MPfI/s400/photo+(61).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Day Complete. Pretty shattered after one hard climb . </td></tr>
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<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> - Stage
2 RR- Denise and I did some early attacks and chasing which helped our legs
suffer for the rest. Jade and Lauren rode awesome while Joelle came off on the
downhill =(. Janel did ok too, soloing off the front and doing a time trial for
about half the race. SHE WON!! Beating some of the World’s best and showing
everyone how it’s done.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Stage
3 TT – Janel, after doing a 60 odd km TT the day before, finished 2<sup>nd</sup>
to Alison Powers, by only 10 seconds!!! My aim for this was to finish in the
time cut and save my legs for the following days so I could have something left
to help the team as much as possible. It went well and I was nice and comfortable
=)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM0Nu_LEpJHzxcu3HGdF8vHoR4Y1xgzHJ9B-E2Qfu8xov2_zQLsJMEtEYJb1OC2ePouaygh2WUFlYU12txe64N00NEVGW_6yQnvBjWBV0m9B5duX29PNV_QJpR5Q1Y4wIX2I6EnjSVM4/s1600/BJeCrupCcAA261Y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM0Nu_LEpJHzxcu3HGdF8vHoR4Y1xgzHJ9B-E2Qfu8xov2_zQLsJMEtEYJb1OC2ePouaygh2WUFlYU12txe64N00NEVGW_6yQnvBjWBV0m9B5duX29PNV_QJpR5Q1Y4wIX2I6EnjSVM4/s400/BJeCrupCcAA261Y.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren and Joelle killing it in the Crit. </td></tr>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Stage
4 Crit - The team rode great, Joelle did a fantastic lead-out for Lauren who
won! And Joelle hung on for 2<sup>nd</sup>. Awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkfIqiwsUkmsLWLv5BROL3vZigh-RHqOWMJp__h7IsDEv2EZFprlN7WywEB9OqmhbKIJRGO2zHHKINGeiuUKd3sMstS60QZYMRD61hs0OmQxgKWKfLOmnilQv2BxBio21WS8w5-M2fJQ/s1600/255793_611045558242_1361269573_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkfIqiwsUkmsLWLv5BROL3vZigh-RHqOWMJp__h7IsDEv2EZFprlN7WywEB9OqmhbKIJRGO2zHHKINGeiuUKd3sMstS60QZYMRD61hs0OmQxgKWKfLOmnilQv2BxBio21WS8w5-M2fJQ/s400/255793_611045558242_1361269573_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-race meeting with Rach. The knowledge that Rachel has with the tactics is amazing and I hold onto every word she tells us. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3QjJsJkJ8cOyOWAWe0SsZ19Zsx9OSuM09M3fJ4EACNT7XMIZtS5vbA5qSlF83MZ6RmPakP0LegOqn8gsh3YxEUVt0h1dU4chCHSAu2Q-MsikSiIlxc4Z3l-p31BKEhGn1t8BsVw5Jdc/s1600/919944_407446396029464_479773811_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3QjJsJkJ8cOyOWAWe0SsZ19Zsx9OSuM09M3fJ4EACNT7XMIZtS5vbA5qSlF83MZ6RmPakP0LegOqn8gsh3YxEUVt0h1dU4chCHSAu2Q-MsikSiIlxc4Z3l-p31BKEhGn1t8BsVw5Jdc/s400/919944_407446396029464_479773811_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the front earlier on in the Crit. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG12YMn4t_D9ImVmiDf4xSqx36rFpF-CxmDRxAyBRfDXQg42VZgEtinXM2NZF6XV7KTTzHwbf_Ix-mw0XRzj1wO5Iezq2TmI3vr1SZATIleJfGUuyQLeCyimIHUmwBoKqg6ZxpL7xVS1Y/s1600/463939_407444452696325_641648521_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG12YMn4t_D9ImVmiDf4xSqx36rFpF-CxmDRxAyBRfDXQg42VZgEtinXM2NZF6XV7KTTzHwbf_Ix-mw0XRzj1wO5Iezq2TmI3vr1SZATIleJfGUuyQLeCyimIHUmwBoKqg6ZxpL7xVS1Y/s400/463939_407444452696325_641648521_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the TT at Gila. </td></tr>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Stage
5 RR – Last day, legs tired. We protected Janel and Jade as much as we could by
chasing every break that went off the front, (Joelle staying away in a small
break) and delivering them to the base of the hill well rested and ready to rip
legs off. Janel finished 3<sup>rd</sup>, racing two of the World’s BEST hill
climbers up one painful climb!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Tour De Grove, St Louis, Missouri.<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Crit
#1 ; starting at 8 :30 pm, in the dark. It was fast from the start.
Optum P/B KBS rode awesome making the race exciting. I got off solo, then Annie
went off solo, then Amber went off.. etc. Unfortunately Annie had a terrible
crash half way through. She hit the barrier and it came over top, breaking her
Scapula in the process. She is so tough, and is now home in Canada on her way
to recovery. The race was re-started after about 20 minutes. Knowing your team
mate and close friend is in a really bad way was not good for me mentally so I
wasn’t really in it for the rest of the race. I just wanted to ride off the
front, so I did, but got caught and it was a sprint finish. Leah 4<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"> <span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Crit
#2 ; Super aggressive race. The team attacked like crazy, it was hard and fast.
Having only 3 riders was hard, the larger teams took advantage of their numbers
and made us hurt. Unfortunately nothing stuck and came to a sprint again with
Leah in 5<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpZNdtXeLKcAI4AL1VqzaGbPLxgJJokFnGjX1ywAIt3xarR47kAMTebM-7i2x1D6dWTVpu6OnNUbml8B5_qiKgN2xu7uff1Usul0fCLV6JW5Okbw9YgPtJk4LHqGrDSz7cOgdOTY9NWY/s1600/photo+%252858%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpZNdtXeLKcAI4AL1VqzaGbPLxgJJokFnGjX1ywAIt3xarR47kAMTebM-7i2x1D6dWTVpu6OnNUbml8B5_qiKgN2xu7uff1Usul0fCLV6JW5Okbw9YgPtJk4LHqGrDSz7cOgdOTY9NWY/s320/photo+%252858%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leah and Amber doing sprint training down the Hotel corridor. </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64MmrviXHuk2JXi5UKPrLvvihuoDnMmasxjz8t6XD66ktR9jrxcNl3j3s9X1i3Frt-vIVCY_7Oz2g7aDFrWmOQNaF0WMw2c91ILMv2CSAiaPkpQZv8LX6YppiAzLnw4fHaktDEJ0GM3U/s1600/photo+%252860%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64MmrviXHuk2JXi5UKPrLvvihuoDnMmasxjz8t6XD66ktR9jrxcNl3j3s9X1i3Frt-vIVCY_7Oz2g7aDFrWmOQNaF0WMw2c91ILMv2CSAiaPkpQZv8LX6YppiAzLnw4fHaktDEJ0GM3U/s320/photo+%252860%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing some 'touristy' things. The arch at St Louis. </td></tr>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Crit
#3 ; Fun day! Again attacking, attacking, attacking. This time something stuck!
Leah got in the break with 4 others and they drilled it at the front. All I had
to do was chase attacks from the main field to try and keep it together. Leah
sprinted to an impressive 2<sup>nd</sup> place to Theresa Cliff-Ryan. Last lap
someone came down in front of me. I had to jump her bike and unfortunately got
gaped from what was left of the small bunch. I got back on but had nothing left
to contest the sprint, which did not really matter as it was for 5<sup>th</sup>
or 6<sup>th</sup> place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoB-OusSAVsC2EQumPyG8ZtR5VaQrw5cO6giz4gkCnMj-ASyD-R8bSdAwl0rlIAhq4w_unlelnt5l5Ljmy59aaKPaX9dxr94iDtBKET4qgJO2Kei17AVMCHOym-8xdeAiVJZ55k5rMlyA/s1600/photo+(57).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoB-OusSAVsC2EQumPyG8ZtR5VaQrw5cO6giz4gkCnMj-ASyD-R8bSdAwl0rlIAhq4w_unlelnt5l5Ljmy59aaKPaX9dxr94iDtBKET4qgJO2Kei17AVMCHOym-8xdeAiVJZ55k5rMlyA/s320/photo+(57).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-NZ">Wilmington
Grand Prix, Wilmington.<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Only
a small Optum team in this one, which made it hard. Amber and I rode an
aggressive race, we are not sprinters so we wanted a break. I got in an early
break which stayed away for quite a few laps. We were caught and the attacks
started up again. Unfortunately one of my attacks was countered by a Colavita
rider forming a break. The rest of the race Amber and I tried everything we
could to bridge the gap. Felt like we had big signs on our backs telling
everyone to please chase EVERYTHING we do. It was hard, and we gave it
everything but couldn’t catch unfortunately. We made it fun and hard though,
dropping about half the field in the first half of the race with our continuous
attacks. So it wasn’t all bad. Fearless Femme rode awesome and took the win. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu66G0VjPDRWNyWHo8raX96yGQUG0-y8vTVSKr3f1bbV_T4wVRSewXF_Fg2G_ejxHCJR93vGnHrrFOVND9BF-Iq-9D7UNt8XrPEyjojewjFa9sqEc0ghoDEL6iWz-cHpXzElVHZQ_3mE/s1600/970302_542540449129719_1956092150_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu66G0VjPDRWNyWHo8raX96yGQUG0-y8vTVSKr3f1bbV_T4wVRSewXF_Fg2G_ejxHCJR93vGnHrrFOVND9BF-Iq-9D7UNt8XrPEyjojewjFa9sqEc0ghoDEL6iWz-cHpXzElVHZQ_3mE/s400/970302_542540449129719_1956092150_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amber and I at the front in Wilmington. </td></tr>
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<u><span lang="EN-NZ">Kelly Cup, Baltimore, MD.</span></u></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">A
smaller field on a cool course around a park in Baltimore. Once again, Amber
and I attacked like crazy women making it almost one of the hardest races I
have done. It was a 22 lap course and we would have attacked at least once
every lap. Once again we were covered like crazy. Amber went to lead me out at
the end and then she got a gap coming into the final 400 metres, she kept
drilling it but got caught on the line, finishing in 2<sup>nd</sup> place with
me in 3<sup>rd</sup>. Congrats to Amy Cutler for a very impressive sprint
finish!!</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ">I am now in
Bend, Oregon where I will be based for the rest of the season. I found a house
to rent with my team mate Jade Wilcoxson in one of my favourite towns in
America. It has incredible views of the mountains, a really cute little town
and the most important part REALLY GOOD COFFEE. The best part is is that I have
been here for a week now and have not seen ONE Starbucks. It means it’s a good
town when there is not a Starbucks on every corner!! On my drive over from Medford
It started snowing on me so I had to stop to take some photos. I haven’t been
in the snow like this since I was about 5 years old so I was pretty excited
about it! I even got to ride in it on my second ride here. Bend is at about
4000 feet altitude so the weather conditions change rapidly. The last week has
been cold, but from the start of June the temperature supposed to get pretty
high, up to around 30 degrees, that will be a nice change, but the views of the
snowy mountains are pretty spectacular. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJfQIwweA-xy2fUHPexr1VCBfzE6VC9082dYDEBfFqGL2UIRo49yGFzHx2h92x3dp6kH3itSAERiPXHxcHbi2nvRFiRa1N5hYMXH_aE_OSC0XdP4vF0rAMUVIRoNHrnoBkRvsWSIwV7k/s1600/photo+%252850%2529asdf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJfQIwweA-xy2fUHPexr1VCBfzE6VC9082dYDEBfFqGL2UIRo49yGFzHx2h92x3dp6kH3itSAERiPXHxcHbi2nvRFiRa1N5hYMXH_aE_OSC0XdP4vF0rAMUVIRoNHrnoBkRvsWSIwV7k/s320/photo+%252850%2529asdf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving through the snow on my way to Bend. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4xQNz47ISh4LhjpC5MUJNDabLnCUJt8kZJjdy6q5QhlwR0uJIlR1jUdrdtJARuQUPulhuVGopMKcpekoOPmfRkGgtijqp10NLwIAfMIzndVeRxWTiL5sT91mJON7ANRk7v11nNmhUEo/s1600/photo+%252850%2529sda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4xQNz47ISh4LhjpC5MUJNDabLnCUJt8kZJjdy6q5QhlwR0uJIlR1jUdrdtJARuQUPulhuVGopMKcpekoOPmfRkGgtijqp10NLwIAfMIzndVeRxWTiL5sT91mJON7ANRk7v11nNmhUEo/s320/photo+%252850%2529sda.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views I get to enjoy on my rides. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmeTC5pKZWinvpW9pydHkLM5uAyq-JQAcVy71SS1aDFpQCjEHnI7V3u9kedQAKsuD8U9xM0KPetZ4U1EP6zHSmSc2zb2xRnhwNcl6mrVfoaMuaiwJbUlMtnhiZ3BvuKdclwbJPfHAThQ/s1600/photo+%252854%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmeTC5pKZWinvpW9pydHkLM5uAyq-JQAcVy71SS1aDFpQCjEHnI7V3u9kedQAKsuD8U9xM0KPetZ4U1EP6zHSmSc2zb2xRnhwNcl6mrVfoaMuaiwJbUlMtnhiZ3BvuKdclwbJPfHAThQ/s320/photo+%252854%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Mckenzie Pass, amazing climb! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am not
sure of my next race yet, so just doing some training on the beautiful Country
roads of Bend, and meeting some cool new people.</div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">So far the
season has been awesome and I am really looking forward to the next race with
the team. It’s been a week and I miss everyone like crazy already!!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-NZ">Thanks for
reading and once again I apologise for my lack of contact. Things are a lot
more settled having a base and now I can get things ticked off the list =) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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CourteneyCourteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-70111161299974913062013-04-14T21:59:00.004-07:002013-04-15T08:20:00.675-07:00Kelly Benefit Strategies and the American Diabetes Association meet and greet. <br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ">This past
week Janel, Rachel, Mike Sherer, Ian Moir and myself flew to Baltimore to visit
Kelly Benefit Strategies and to learn about the American Diabetes Association.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Kelly
Benefit Strategies (KBS) is one of Optum P/B Kelly Benefit Strategies title
sponsors, and is one of the top Insurance Consultants in the Country. (<a href="http://www.kellybenefitstrategies.com/">http://www.kellybenefitstrategies.com/</a>).
KBS also supports the American Diabetes Association which includes the sponsorship
of a huge Nation-wide cycling event called the ‘Tour De Cure’.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-NZ">John Kelly and myself talking before the start of the ride. John is one of the main reasons this team exists and not only does he support ADA he also helps to raise funds and awareness for World Bicycle Relief (</span><a href="http://worldbicyclerelief.org/">http://worldbicyclerelief.org/</a>).</b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The Tour De
Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 44 States Nationwide to
benefit the American Diabetes Association. Nearly 26 million Americans are
diagnosed with Diabetes so the mission of the ADA is to ‘prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected’.
KBS Sponsors two of the Maryland Tour De Cure events (Cooksville, MD and Easton,
MD). </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">John Kelly,
the President and Senior Consultant at KBS and the Diabetes Association organised
a fantastic event which the five of us were lucky enough to attend. John took
us for a ride around the beautiful Country roads of Baltimore where we met some
of the KBS staff and cyclists as well as ADA supporters, including the Executive
director of the Maryland Diabetes Association, Kathy Rogers. Everybody was so
lovely and the ride went really well thanks to John’s perfect organisation. We were
then greeted after the ride to a delicious BBQ dinner, some refreshments and
music as well as learning about the Tour De Cure and what the ADA do to help
prevent and support Diabetes within America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Thank you
John and Kathy and everybody else who was part of this event, I was so fortunate
to have been able to spend the afternoon with such inspiring people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><b>JK introducing Ian, Janel, Mike and myself. </b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><b>The five of us before we headed off for one beautiful ride!</b></span><br />
Thank you Umbrella Syndicate for all of the photos taken on the day; <a href="http://theumbrellasyndicate.com/">http://theumbrellasyndicate.com/</a></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">If you want
to learn more about Tour De Cure or if you are interested in donating the
website is; </span><a href="http://tour.diabetes.org/"><span lang="EN-NZ">http://tour.diabetes.org</span></a><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-33739477349971879942013-04-13T11:09:00.004-07:002013-04-13T11:14:58.238-07:00Redlands 2013<br />
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">Redlands Classic is the first NRC (National Racing Calendar) event of the year, and it was a big one! The start list was outstanding with close to 90 riders entered and the field was top, top quality. </pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">We had a strong team of 8 including; Annie, Joelle, Denise, Brie, Amber, Jade, Janel and myself. </pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">
</pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">The first stage was a Time Trial in Big Bear. With an altitude of about 7000 feet this stage really suited the riders who have just come from places like Boulder or from somewhere high up. The entire race felt like my throat was bleeding and everyone was coughing endlessly once we had finished. Imagine riding as hard as you can, through a straw, it is similar to that.. The legs and lungs definitely do not enjoy it. Anyway, the tt was hard, I went out all guns blazing and was completely done by 9kms. Unfortunately the tt was 12kms long so I fell a little short with my pacing. </pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">
</pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">Alison Powers had a phenomenal ride finishing close to 30 seconds in front of second place and beating a large quantity of the elite men's field. Our little pocket rocket Brie had a hugely impressive ride finishing in 4th place, Janel in 7th and Denise in 10th with the rest of us close behind. Unfortunately Jade got a very unfair time penalty which put her back 50 seconds, and I came in somewhere in the 20's about 1 and a half minutes back from Alison. </pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">
</pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">The next day was a 120km road race (thankfully back down to sea level).The race was fast, hard, and fun. The team rode awesome with Jade going for the QOM, Brie taking out the sprints and the rest of the team chasing the breaks and keeping things hard. On the final lap I got in a small break and stayed with them for a wee while, I was blown, my legs didn't have much, I hung on with gritted teeth until Joelle bridged across, then I hit the wall and came back to the bunch. On the last climb Janel was going backwards, unsure of the reason I tried to stay with her and we worked hard together in the final Km's to keep the time gap as small as possible. We later realised she had a slow leak on the front wheel which slowed her down considerably on the climb. Further up the road Brie sprinted to 3rd place, putting her up to 3rd on GC and Alison pulled out another win with fellow Kiwi rider Joe finishing 2nd.
</pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">
</pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">Day three was the Redlands Criterium, known to be one of the hardest, most technical crits on the American calendar. Fast it was! Denise got away in the final 15 minutes and stayed up the road for quite a few laps, Jade countered her but it ended up coming to a bunch sprint with Joelle coming a close 2nd, to Alison (again). Unfortunately I had some bad luck on one of the corners in the final laps with my bike coming to a holt. Once I got going again the bunch was up the road, Dang! </pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">
</pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">Last stage, the Sunset Loop, known to be the most brutal stage of the tour, and of most races in the US. Basically the main race is in the first 15kms. It starts with a long neutral section where everyone jostles for position, then it goes to a narrow, rough, windy downhill which runs straight into the climb of the day. If you are not at or near the front when you get to the base of the climb, you're toast. 20 riders got away on the climb, including 4 Optum girls. Denise and I were in a small (ish) bunch that was caught in the middle and the rest of the field was behind. In our bunch were some GC threats so there was no need to do any work or try to get up the road in case we got chased by these riders. Some of the teams got to the front to try and catch but the chasing was too inconsistent so it ended up being more of a bunch ride as riders would give up one by one. The front of the field was getting smashed to pieces, Marra Abbott and Claudia Haussler got away (Two of the best climbers in the worlds) while Joelle faught it out in the chasing group and Brie, Jade and Janel very close behind. Mara ended up staying away, just! With Joelle getting the bunch sprint in 2nd. </pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">
</pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">Overall it was an awesome race, the team rode extremely well together and we have some great times coming up. It is early season so we are not at our best yet, but it's not going to be long until we get there. Next up is Charlotte Criterium in the weekend after a stop off in Baltimore to catch up with John Kelly and the team from Kelly Benefit Strategies and the diabetes foundation.
The weather is getting warmer, the tan lines are at their best and the legs are on the up, time to win some bike races =)
Courteney</pre>
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Getting ready for the Time Trial at 7000 Feet.</div>
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Just starting the Time trial, with the beautiful lake next to me.
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Team Talk before stage three road race.
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Riding the front in my new awesome NZ champ jersey. Thank you so much Champion System for such a fantastic job!! <a href="http://www.champ-sys.com/">http://www.champ-sys.com/</a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJWqsfbw4gsM1GEySo1g-3weKNjiC_RQ1GQzsl8MCAIwknlj4IRSWBf_OPn8S3PzNHQemsJ6XjugcW4woja-LHk5QQ5vNXHj_ySA75LkUQbxTE5p-KYBUJr8vQRmvbBg4IiIE6Hw5OeM/s1600/dsc_7542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJWqsfbw4gsM1GEySo1g-3weKNjiC_RQ1GQzsl8MCAIwknlj4IRSWBf_OPn8S3PzNHQemsJ6XjugcW4woja-LHk5QQ5vNXHj_ySA75LkUQbxTE5p-KYBUJr8vQRmvbBg4IiIE6Hw5OeM/s320/dsc_7542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At some stage during one of the stages at Redlands.
<b style="color: #626262; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">
</b>
<b style="color: #626262; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Photos thanks to; Danny Munson, Cyclingillustrated.com</b></pre>
Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-40132872184715831592013-03-29T18:50:00.002-07:002013-03-29T18:50:59.709-07:00San Dimas 2013<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Update
time! I am back in the US of A and loving it. Once arriving in LA I was picked
up by my team mate Amber Gaffney and her partner Jacob and was spoilt rotten!
Not only had she come all the way out to LA to pick me up, she had gone via my
favourite super market (Trader Joes) and picked me up my favourite American
treat for the car trip. Once arriving at her house she made me an incredibly delicious
sandwich and then went for her second ride of the day so she could show me
where I could ride.. That is what I call one pretty awesome team mate! I then
spent the next week training with Amber and getting to know the area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">First race
for the season was the San Dimas Stage race which consists of a 4 mile uphill
time trial, a 50 mile road race and then finishes off with a 60 minute
Criterium around the streets of San Dimas. We had a small team of 5 rider,
Leah, Brie, Amber, Lauren and myself as well as Michael, Rachel and Jeremy
(Mechanic, Director/organiser/planner/do everything-er and the swanee). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Leah and I
stayed with Susie and Dennis, a lovely couple who looked after us incredibly
well during the few days of racing. They were both very accomplished sports
people so we had some good conversations. The morning of the time trial Leah and
I got up leisurely to have breakfast. By the time we left for the race Susie
had gone for a run, walked the dog and was about to head out the door for a
ride to watch us race. Once returning from her ride she then went for another
walk.. an incredibly fit lady!! I felt so lazy after just doing a little time
trial then riding home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The weekend
was a great success for the team. There were close to 80 strong starters in the
race, so we certainly had our work cut out for us! Brie rode to a very
impressive 4<sup>th</sup> place in the time trial with Lauren, Leah and Amber
not far behind. I finished somewhere in the 20’s. I was pretty disappointed with
my result as I felt great and had a great lead-up but not to fear I will be
there soon, just need to get some racing under my belt to wake the legs up
again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The Road
Race was pretty action-packed with a nasty crash happening near the start and
the race leader Mara Abbott came down. So for the next lap we neutralised the
race until she rejoined us and then the race was on! My job was to go for the
Queen of the Mountains, I won the first one, got 2<sup>nd</sup> in the 2<sup>nd</sup>
and then 3<sup>rd</sup> in the final time.. Unfortunately that put me in 1<sup>st</sup>
equal with Lex Albrecht and in the UCI rules the winner is determined by
whoever is sitting highest on GC, which in this case was Lex… Dammit!! So I didn’t
get the polka dot jersey for this one.. Next time =) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Amber and I
attempted a couple of lead-outs for Leah and Lauren for the mid-race sprints,
and they both did awesome, Leah got the first and then Brie (who also did the
leading out) got another one. Kathryn Donavon from NOW got away solo on the 5<sup>th</sup>
lap and rode strongly up the road for about 3 laps, with 1 lap to go Amber and
I went to the front and set the pace as no-one else seemed very interested in
catching Katy. Once we had about 5kms to go Amber drilled it on the front while
I totally blew up! Going up the last climb (so with around 5 kms to go) Brie
set the pace, ,and then kept setting it, and just kept going.. then won the
sprint!!! She is like a pocket rocket that just keeps going!!! So we finished
the stage with a stage victory, the sprint jersey (Brie), a place up in the GC
standings (now sitting in 3<sup>rd</sup>) and a first equal for QOM (Dang). Successful day all round!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The final
day was a Criterium, and boy was it on from the start. We averaged about 42kmh
for an hour.. it was hard! And I was hurting! Long story short Brie finished 2<sup>nd</sup>
in the stage thanks to a great lead-out from Amber, Lauren and Leah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">San Dimas
was a great first race of the season. I personally am not at where I want to be
but know it is the first race of the season and speed will come fast! I have
the strength and endurance, now I just need that speed. I am so stoked to be
riding with such a great team again this year, we all gel so well and get
along.. its going to be a great season =)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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Me going for the QOM points at SDSR.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOe0SvtGgLHpJne8_-LUA2AgQJ5kc44z4rxzXUHoJdIUKDAhloXxs563D6z3AM3QeDiig2dhn4O65KnQ3Gr5IdMzFL73h60vJxYz1qRErwZ2rN44mgBwt-zCOPJFT6vgCkgNf8Ly-47U/s1600/san-dimas-stage-race-bonelli-road-race-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOe0SvtGgLHpJne8_-LUA2AgQJ5kc44z4rxzXUHoJdIUKDAhloXxs563D6z3AM3QeDiig2dhn4O65KnQ3Gr5IdMzFL73h60vJxYz1qRErwZ2rN44mgBwt-zCOPJFT6vgCkgNf8Ly-47U/s320/san-dimas-stage-race-bonelli-road-race-28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One happy team after Bries win in the Road Race. Very well deserved!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> Both photos copyright of Danny Munson, Cyclingillustrated.com</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Now I am
off to San Diego with one of my closest friends Emma Grant. I have not seen her
since August last year and cannot wait to spend the week hanging out and riding
my bike. Then I am headed to Redlands for a 4 stage race. Fun times ahead, will
keep you all posted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Thanks for
reading =)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Courteney<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-53440061344100836972013-03-08T23:56:00.001-08:002013-03-08T23:56:21.622-08:00Critical Cargo Care<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I am really
excited to announce a new personal sponsor who has so generously decided to
help me (along with Craigs Investment Partners) to get through my 2013 racing year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Russell and
Sharon Jackman, along with their son Daniel Jackman run a fascinating business
called Critical Cargo Care. Sharon and Russell wanted to help financially support a young Athlete who had
set their heart on the Olympics as a goal, and thanks to Greg and Richard from Tauranga
Cycling Club, I was the one they chose to help support. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I was given
the opportunity to visit their business a few days ago</span> and see what happens and how it
all works. I have come home absolutely astounded by what I have seen, and how
little I take into account what goes on behind the scene at the Port of
Tauranga.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">After
meeting with Russell I got taken into the office and introduced to some of the
awesome team at CCC. Some young, down to earth men who were extremely
interested in what I do. I was then shown what they do, and my job seemed A LOT
easier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">What
Critical Cargo Care does is they take care of all the Ports refrigerated cargo.
From food products such as meat or fruit, to plants - it’s a lot of containers,
and a lot of pressure to get it right! Some of the containers have up to 1
million dollars of product in just the one container!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The shipper
provides CCC with information on what temperature the container must be at.
Once the container arrives they are connected and set up to the shippers’
requirements and are then constantly monitored throughout the stay at the Port.
Once it is time to go CCC will know when the containers are able to be
unplugged before heading onto a ship, train or truck for the next stop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I was given
the opportunity to go in one of the massive forklifts/moving thing on wheels
(no idea what it was called, but it was huge! And I had to climb a big ladder
to get to the top). Then I went along with one of CCC’s normal days of work
where we picked up containers, then dropped them onto the back of a truck, or
picked it up from the truck. I could not believe how someone in this tiny box
on the side of this MASSIVE crane was able to drop the container right between
the lines or into the perfect spot on the truck. It was very impressive and a
pretty cool experience!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I am so
excited about the new relationship with CCC and cannot thank them enough for
their support. I also now have a new found respect for how much it takes to get
things like apples or international fruits like mangos onto the supermarket
shelf. It doesn’t just appear, it involves a huge process and hard work to get
there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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Above are some photos of my trip, on the top are the crazy cool cranes on wheels that I sat on (yup, I climbed all the way up there, on a ladder!), then on the right is the tiny little glass-type box that the driver and I sat in. In the middle is taking a container off the truck and at the bottom is our awesome work, a loaded truck!<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Thanks
Russell, Sharon, Daniel and the awesome staff from CCC, you are helping make my 2013 year a successful
one and keep me on my road to Rio =)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-10508772254111438052013-03-08T23:20:00.002-08:002013-03-08T23:59:03.025-08:00Home Time.. For a Short Time..<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since
training camp I have been hanging out at home, in the beautiful sunshine
getting some even more beautiful tan-lines and making the most of this hot
weather. I have also been working hard with my chiropractor from England, Ali
McMaster. This lady is amazing, I really do not know what I would do without
her knowledge and the work she has put into me. Last year while I was suffering
from what I call the year long one legged effort, Ali would skype me weekly and
she is the reason I was able to keep riding at the level I was with all the
other issues going on. Sometimes I would make my room-mate and good friend Emma
Grant do manipulations to me, Ali, over Skype, would explain to Emma where and
how she could hit me as hard as she could on some part of my legs (she says she
didn’t like hitting me, I don’t believe her for a second). I would also use
rolls and rolls and rolls of Spider Tech tape (<a href="http://www.spidertech.com/">http://www.spidertech.com/</a>) to keep me
going forward.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">An example of a bit of taping effort after skyping Ali... got to cover all the options..right!?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Anyway, Ali
has been around here almost ever second day (while she is on holiday in NZ), making
me absolutely perfect and sorting out all my ‘issues’. She is not only the World’s
best Chiropractor but she sort of just knows everything. She has an answer for
everything and is just.. well.. AMAZING. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">When I am
not with Ali, and not on my bike, I am enjoying a bit of CrossFit here and
there with Mount (and the new Tauranga) CrossFit (<a href="http://mountcrossfit.com/">http://mountcrossfit.com/</a>). I have been
doing this since Surgery as I get really bored in the gym and because as a
cyclist I do not get any impact what-so-ever, which is terrible for my bone
density. Therefore by doing cross-fit I am not only working the muscles I would
in the gym, things like box jumps, skipping and running are also incorporated,
helping the impact side of things and also keeping things competitive (which
in-turn keeps me happy). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The past
few weeks I have also been meeting some really cool up and coming triathletes
and cyclists from all over Tauranga. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Last week I
was given the opportunity to join in on Lyndy Wickham’s ride with the junior
tri kids that she takes out for rides and bike handling skills each week. I
could not get over the enthusiasm and talent these juniors had, it is really
exciting for the future of the sport. One of the older girls, Amelia, has just
been selected for the Nationals in Christchurch because she had an outstanding
cycle split time in the selection race. I tried to turn her to the better side (cyclist) on the ride, I
think she will become a roady in no-time with that kind of talent. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSDUNflJXLFAB29llWoibLBO9Zd1SGJjolf62Tepua1ohqddbIB8-urHtZgtWvwR70M1y45RI2-T2yombsY3T5D6WnXFAfYYR18THzwKvpOSuRwL68_V0pX3c9zzE1ahWWyhbbn1XwjY/s1600/P1010123+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSDUNflJXLFAB29llWoibLBO9Zd1SGJjolf62Tepua1ohqddbIB8-urHtZgtWvwR70M1y45RI2-T2yombsY3T5D6WnXFAfYYR18THzwKvpOSuRwL68_V0pX3c9zzE1ahWWyhbbn1XwjY/s400/P1010123+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Me with some of the awesome up and coming riders, great group of Kids. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-NZ">It is so
impressive to see the time and work that people like Lyndy put in to motivate young people
to get out on their bikes. Iris Thomas is another example of someone who puts their
entire life into helping kids as young as Primary School level to get
introduced to the sport and use cycling as an alternate form of transport. Iris
also teaches the students road rules so that when they get their drivers
licenses they will appreciate cyclists and give them some space. Iris has
started up a Bright Sparks program which helps to encourage Intermediate
students who had learnt cycle safety earlier on to find safe and fun routes to
ride to school. I was lucky enough to come in to my old school Tauranga
Intermediate and see what it was all about as well as meeting some children who
were part of the program. The students had a really impressive understanding of
how to check their brakes were working, the tyres were pumped up and the helmet
was on properly, we then took some photos with Jamie Troughton (who is also
part of the program with Iris) and the two of them took the kids for a ride on
the road teaching them road etiquette and showing them how fun it is to ride a
bike!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Kurt Pickard and I with some Tauranga Intermediate students on the 'Bright Sparks' program. Picture Credit; J</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;">amie Troughton/Dscribe Journalism.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Now I have
just under a week left before I head back to the States to start the racing
season. I am pretty excited to get it kicked off and to see all the team again!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">I also just
want to say a huge Thank You to Richard Bates, Greg Taylor and members of the
Tauranga Cycling Club for your incredibly generous support in helping me get
overseas this year. I am overwhelmed by the kindness of some people who are so
passionate about cycling and the support of a young rider trying to live her
dream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">I have been
riding with Tauranga Cycling Club since I first started and being able to share
my stories and progress with the people who have been there from the start is
all worth it! Even if they still like to torture me on Tuesday night Worlds… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Thanks for
reading!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Courteney<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-48353113812117863092013-02-10T15:15:00.000-08:002013-02-10T15:45:07.296-08:002013 So Far. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Ok so, I am
very slack. So much has happened since my last post and it is about time I
started to keep everyone up to date in what’s been happening in my life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">January the
12<sup>th</sup> 2013 I lined up to start the Elite Road Nationals in
Christchurch. With no expectations I went in feeling pretty good. Andy and I
had worked hard together since surgery and I went into the race after some pretty
solid training. The race was hard; Dyers Pass has not got any flatter nor
easier. After some pretty hard laps a group of 8 of us got away including Linda
V, Kate C, Jaimie N, Joe K, Reta T, Emma C and Georgia W. Reta rode really
strong up the climbs but with riders like Linda it was almost impossible to
gain enough time on the climb and stay away on the flat, especially with the
new flat lap added into the race. After many break-away attempts it became
clear it was going to be a sprint finish. Usually this would daunt me, with the
likes of Joe, Kate and Linda I knew it was going to be a hard sprint, but I
still felt confident as I have been doing a lot of sprinting with Andy and I
wanted it so much that I knew I had a pretty good chance. Fast forward to the
last 100 metres and I found a gear that I didn’t know I had ,it was a head wind
so I left the sprint as late as I could, I almost left it a little too late as
it was pretty damn close at the end. But I got it! The biggest and best race of
my life so far, and the best part was that both my parents were there to watch
it all unfold.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ"> Abit too close for compfort!!</span></div>
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I wasnt last to open the champagne this year!! yuuus<br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">There are
so many people to thank for supporting me over the past few months and who have
believed and stuck with me through everything that has happened. There are too
many to mention but here are a few that I really do not know how to thank
enough;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">- My coach
Andy Reid, for being the best coach I could ever ask for!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">- Richard
Bates, my mentor, my mechanic, my go-to person whenever I have any cycling
issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">- Optum P/B
KBS for sticking with me and being so incredibly supportive (and being the best
team… ever!). In particular my director Rachel Heal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">- Koops
Cycles for being there from day one!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">- Craigs
Investment Partners for your amazing support. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">- Tauranga
Cycling Club, you guys are all awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">- Matt for
always being there and putting up with my biking obsessions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">- And last
but definitely not least, my Mum and Dad, you are the reason I am where I am
today. Thank you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Now for the
next chapter, I have recently arrived in Oxnard, California for the Optum P/B
Kelly Benefit Strategies training camp. It’s cold, 10 degrees, but the weather
has been pretty beautiful with blue sky almost every day. This year we have 11
in the team with 4 new riders; Brianna Walle, Lauren Hall, Grace Alexander and
Amber Gafney. We also have a new mechanic Mike Gavagan who is a lovely guy and
really good at what he does. He even made us afternoon tea when we got back
from a bike ride the other day! How cool is that!?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">It’s going
to be a really good year, Rachel has once again picked a team who already get
along so well together, and with her incredible knowledge I am sure we will
have another really successful season. I cannot wait!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The most
important part of the year is giving thanks to the people who allow this team
to run, and allow me to live my dream. The sponsers! The majority of the sponsers are
the same this year as last with the exception of a few. Thanks to the following
people for your incredible support! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Acura </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.acura.com&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2_bmb8-UIZyOOpeQXjxCNC0mnLqQA" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.acura.com</a></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Arundel </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.arundelbike.com/index.html&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2_lyF3qNfjD2GZcLYIdXIWWtuYbPQ" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.arundelbike.com/index.html</a></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Bicycling Magazine </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.bicycling.com/&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2-9UdcDWL6ILvRbjfgT3ePQFN4lgg" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.bicycling.com/</a></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Challenge </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.challengetech.it/products/en&sa=D&usg=ALhdy29GvA7nTwNqxtVvMNdOXR2FhtkLbQ" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.challengetech.it/products/en</a></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Chamois Butt'r <span style="color: #3d85c6;">http://www.pacelineproducts.com/</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Champion System </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://champ-sys.com/&sa=D&usg=ALhdy29RwlDk7UxZ8YNZTZaeXeoQTBODww" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://champ-sys.com/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Cliff Bar </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.clifbar.com/&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2-jlFwIPEpiNxVNmcpo81HpRL3Vaw" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.clifbar.com/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Compex <span style="color: #3d85c6;">http://www.compex.info</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Hed <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">http://www.hedcycling.com/true_speed.asp</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">K-Edge <span style="color: #3d85c6;">http://www.acecosportgroup.com</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Kelly Benefit Strategies </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.kellybenefitstrategies.com/&sa=D&usg=ALhdy29FxE3pZ0Xq-5lRjJ3-wSdy80_itg" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.kellybenefitstrategies.com/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Large Format Graphics <span style="color: #3d85c6;">http://www.largeformatgraphics.biz/</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Lazer </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.lazersport.com/&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2-9zbQMu4_sguLJF9I9CxgPDlx_4Q" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.lazersport.com/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Lemond Trainers <span style="color: #3d85c6;">http://www.lemondfitness.com/</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Look </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.lookcycle.com/&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2_TuwFiKE89MeNtR0bNgLZPJkZxZw" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.lookcycle.com/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Mavic </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mavic.com/en&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2-VoHBUDoBg3oqUx6dLeiSszhnJ0w" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.mavic.com/en</a></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Motorex <span style="color: #3d85c6;">http://www.motorexusa.com/musa/</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">MPC </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Optum <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.optum.com&sa=D&usg=ALhdy29vaKZw0xe6CxVuEasEjhPbW3vVmQ" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">www.optum.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Orbea <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.orbea.com/us-en/&sa=D&usg=ALhdy29R-mm69r7GijX18TbzVP5AwzeAxw" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.orbea.com/us-en/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Park Tool <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.parktool.com/&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2-PB2cFcWojHm5sl6JZRmm-148t1A" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.parktool.com/</a></div>
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Schick <span style="color: #3d85c6;">http://www.schick.com/</span></div>
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Selle Italia <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.selleitalia.com/&sa=D&usg=ALhdy28mnQowqxPzm_H00XhmVKfLHVUcPQ" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.selleitalia.com/</a></div>
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SRAM <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.sram.com/&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2-XFUUC9cFlOAgPrUl7vn3zACScqQ" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.sram.com/</a></div>
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Street Factory Media <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.streetfactorymedia.com&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2-qU_qlL9LrbUIFi78PVoJ5fH__QQ" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.streetfactorymedia.com</a></div>
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Thule <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://Http://www.thule.com&sa=D&usg=ALhdy280dLt6CZKBBd_CkhkxLGCiyJMLrg" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">Http://www.thule.com</a></div>
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World Bicycle Relief <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.worldbicyclerelief.org/&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2-ONDGV5ofPvGjgCAI5T72C8amHaQ" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.worldbicyclerelief.org/</a></div>
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SpiderTech <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.spidertech.com&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2_9ZNj-IJ_Gjq_NeFpnXnkMm26z9Q" style="color: #0077cc; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.spidertech.com</a><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-NZ"> (Photos below courtesy of</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 18px;"> Sam Wiebe).</span></div>
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Our awesome wet bags that Rachel made for us!</div>
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Bike, bikes, and more bikes. The team trailer equipped with training and racing bikes. </div>
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Bring on 2013! Its going to be a good one =)</div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Courteney</div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-44536976764957429362013-01-02T00:48:00.000-08:002013-01-02T00:48:10.910-08:00New Year, New legs, New beginning!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">So its 2013
all ready! I cannot believe how fast 2012 went, and how incredible it was. But
I have so much more to come for 2013, and I cannot wait!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">It is close
to 3 months since my surgery and everything is getting back to normal, the
regular training routine, and now my first race since America and since surgery.
Rather than coming back slowly, I thought I would jump straight into it and do
one of my biggest races of the season; Elite Nationals. I think I’m nuts… I
probably am. But the starting list was the best I have seen in a long time with
the likes of Linda Villumsen, Rushlee Buchanan and Jo Kiesanowski. To be able
to race with NZ’s best and see where I am at after my recovery there is no
better race then Elites. So I am entered, and leave for Christchurch next
Thursday with the race being on the 12<sup>th</sup> of January. I may do great,
I may also do terribly.. but I will never know unless I try. So I am
excited/nervous to see what happens. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I also have
some very exciting news. I have been invited back to my dream team; Optum P/B Kelly
Benefit Strategies for 2013 (http://www.optumprocycling.com/). The fact that
they have stuck with me and given me another chance after my very on and off
year is overwhelming and I am not sure how to thank Rachel and the team enough.
With some help from Craigs Investment Partners I leave at the start of February
for training camp in LA. It’s going to be another awesome year, only this time I
can race with two legs, no excuses, just a whole lot of pain!! It’s going to be
epic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">I hope
everyone had a fantastic Christmas and New Year, ate lots, had some time off
and relaxed. Now to start a new year.. it’s going to be a good one! </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-NZ">Happy New
Year!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Courteney<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-61929024263564074632012-10-22T19:36:00.003-07:002012-10-22T19:36:58.156-07:00Back on Track<br />
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Today is
exactly 6 weeks after surgery, and I am feeling FANTASTIC!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">It has been
a very long month, I have felt lazy, bored, grumpy and have driven my family
crazy. But that has (almost) come to an end; me and my bike have FINALLY been
reunited.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-NZ">The past
month I have been working with Mark Hollands, he has been incredible and has
given me little exercises to build my strength back up and get back out on the
road. Every day I have felt stronger and more excited. Now 6 weeks on I feel
like I am back to normal, the scars are healing and the leg is feeling good. It
has been a slow process, and as irritating as it has been to be forced to sit
down and recover I have understood the importance of letting the body heal. The
surgery couldn’t have come at a better time, I was urged to have a month off
even if surgery wasn’t on the cards and I know if I was able to ride, that
would not have happened. So this forced rest was perfect! The amount of
recovery time for this was short too, compared to something like breaking a
bone. So positives all round!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">I have been
riding every second day for the past 2 weeks; it started off with 15 minutes on
the rollers and is now up to 90 minutes on the road. I am feeling great, and cannot
wait to start racing Dad again! (He has been doing a lot of secret training
during my time off, so I have a bit of catching up to do). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ever since the surgery I have been getting emails from people all over the world with this same issue, asking for advice and reassurance. The surgeons say it is an extremely rare case, but around the cycling circle it seems very common. </div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Will stay
in touch =)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Courteney<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-52600049136949169062012-09-12T02:58:00.000-07:002012-09-12T03:02:37.119-07:00Well over-due update !<br />
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I have been
home from America for almost 2 weeks now after spending the past 7 months with some
awesome people and have had a ball. Racing the top races throughout America
with the top team, Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies. The
amount I have learnt and experienced, the friends I have made and the people I
have met has been incredible.</div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I am now home
and getting fixed. The past year I have been having major issues with my left
leg. It started off with the occasional leg pain and power loss when doing some
efforts, and then it seemed to get worse to the point of having to pull out of
races because I had absolutely no power coming from my left leg. Pulling out of
races is not something I enjoy doing, especially when you have team mates to
look after. After seeing a handful of chiropractors, physios and neurologists I
finally got tested for iliac endofribosis. I was told about this at the start
of the year, but typical me disagreed and tried to find any other possible
cause. By the end of the season I was at the point where I needed to know what
it was, and fast, because I couldn’t handle not being able to ride to my
potential. So I changed my flights and came home via Christchurch to get a Doppler,
ultrasound and MRI from Prof Justin Roake, a well-know surgeon who has fixed
this issue with a couple other cyclists from NZ. The results came out that my
ABPI had dropped </span>0.6 on
my left leg with no significant abnormality on the right side. This basically
means when I do hard efforts my left external iliac artery narrows and I do not
get enough blood flow to the leg, which causes the pain and power loss.. pretty
annoying when my job is to ride my bike as fast as I can!<br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Anyway,
fast forward 11 days and I am counting down from 30 in St Georges hospital in
Chrsitchurch, next minute… asleep! I had decided to get a vein patch repair of
the left external iliac artery. Which is where they take the vein from my ankle
on my left leg and put it in the artery on my hip.. easy right!? It was a big
call to make. I basically had two choices, one was to not get the surgery,
carry on living life but I wouldn’t be able to race my bike.. YEA RIGHT. Next
option was to get the surgery, live with the risks but be able to race my bike
and reach my goals. So I took that one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">So here I
am, lying in the hospital the day after the surgery, feeling back to life and
rearing to go. The surgery was a success (phew) and was over in a couple of
hours. It is all a bit of a blur thanks to the much needed drugs. I had a
couple of goes of getting up this morning but only made the sitting up bit
before quickly lying back down. But as the day has gone on I’ve got my colour
back and mum has been taking me for walks around the ward. I am now only on
panadol and can get up pretty much by myself. Tomorrow will be even better!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquTWkO1QSIJSQPfgnUzGdDr0rC2RVAH4PYmfF0CgJNVoUrXutICiNcndsiYIQ1bs3-nND1IdZJKTNY1SfjXPbTldZYIYsd5IABt5QDSmTl-O14E5HGOg5x7rT90qvGp9jzl9Sj5RaooM/s1600/photo+(21).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquTWkO1QSIJSQPfgnUzGdDr0rC2RVAH4PYmfF0CgJNVoUrXutICiNcndsiYIQ1bs3-nND1IdZJKTNY1SfjXPbTldZYIYsd5IABt5QDSmTl-O14E5HGOg5x7rT90qvGp9jzl9Sj5RaooM/s400/photo+(21).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h4>
<span lang="EN-NZ">Just received some goodies from a good friend and team-mate Emma Grant (from England).. made my day!</span></h4>
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It is now
rest and recover time, which is perfect timing as it is now my off-season so I
should be having a month off anyhow. After 4-5 weeks I can get back on my bike
and start getting ready for next season. I have never been this motivated to
get going again. This whole thing has been a pain in the arse, but at the end
of the day it only makes me stronger.</div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Thanks so
much for everyones support. Cath, Josh, Mike and Hayden, thanks for re-assuring
me about the whole thing and teaching me everything I need to know about what
lies ahead, Andy for your incredible patience throughout the year, Haley for
the accommodation and running around after me and my team Optum P/B KBS for
being so supportive. Last but not least my family for understanding my reasons
for going ahead and supporting me the whole way. Thanks again and will keep you
updated on the recovery process!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Courteney<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-28827526288279439322012-06-23T19:46:00.003-07:002012-06-23T19:46:58.266-07:00Nature Valley Grand Prix<br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Nature
Valley Grand Prix is a 6 stage race in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is also where
many of our sponsers are based including Optum, HED and Lazer. Throughout the
week we all got to meet many of the people behind the team and try out some
awesome new Magneto Lazer glasses! Optum and HED threw some pretty sweet party’s
too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Stage 1 was
a 12km, no aero equipment, time trial. It was hard! Everyone totally killed it
with 4 Optum riders in the top 10 and Carmen taking the top of the podium to
beat one of the world’s fastest time trialists Amber Neban! That put Carmen in
the yellow jersey. The strangest thing was that there was also a Queen of the
mountains in the time trial (which I found out afterwards). They timed from the
bottom of one of the hills in the to the top and Jade got the fastest time!!
That put Jade in the mountains jersey. Great start to the race!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-NZ"> Warming up before the time trial.</span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">Stage 2 was
the St Paul downtime criterium. With 100 odd riders and a course that is fast with
lots of corners, I learnt that it is CRUCIAL to start at or close to the front.
So when you start near the back and cannot get your foot in, your race is
almost over before it even starts. For the remainder of the race I tried to
work my way to the front, and failed miserably. I also had one leg that decided
not to turn on so overall the race was a total disaster for me. However further
up in the pack my team mates were drilling it. In the end Leah finished 2</span><sup style="background-color: white;">nd</sup><span style="background-color: white;">
and Carmen 3</span><sup style="background-color: white;">rd</sup><span style="background-color: white;"> thanks to a lead out from Janel and Jade. Another
great day!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Stage 3 was
the Cannon Falls road race. Finally! A Road Race! The crazy part is that it is
a 120km race starting at 5 pm, who does that? We woke up to rain, and then it
just kept raining and raining and raining. We headed out to the race, an hours
drive. By the time we got there it had started thundering and lightening and was
absolutely persisting down. After a lot of managers meetings, standing around
and plans on changing the race it got cancelled, for the second year in a row.
We then got back in the car and drove home. Another day of intense
carbo-loading and defending the yellow jersey complete. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-NZ">This basically sums up stage 3 of NVGP (photo thanks to Jasmin Hurikino)</span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Stage 4 was
the uptown Minneapolis criterium. Today, I lined up at the front, half an hour
before the start. I debated even bringing the trainer onto the start line and
just warming up there but thought it wasn’t worth the looks. The race started
off fast and I actually got to see the front of the race for the first few laps.
Next minute there is a crash and I am braking while sliding sideways.
Thankfully I stayed on my bike but because half the field came down they
neutralised the race and we re-started. The team controlled most of the race sitting
on the front, and then with a few to go there was crash after crash after
crash. I think I counted 3 all on one lap, but apparently there were more at
the back. Unfortunately our sprinter Leah Kirchmann came down getting pretty
scratched up and hurting her shoulder. That changed the strategy for the finish
as we no longer had the sprinter, but Carmen once again changed her tt legs to
her sprinters and finished 3<sup>rd</sup>! This increased her lead over Neban
thanks to the time bonuses she not only got at the finish but also got
throughout the race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Finally,
stage 5 was a road race that we actually were able to start. However I was a
little ambivalent as we stood at the start line in the POURING rain. After
getting through the first few circuits and getting out on the course the rain
had eased and attacks were going. Anna, Annie and I sat on the front
controlling the speed and chasing down attacks. For the next 110ish kms we sat
on the front keeping the tempo and leaving the occasional rider up the road for
awhile to use their energy just to be picked up again before the finish. Coming
into the finishing circuits the three of us who had led pretty much the entire
race hit the wall and waved good bye to our team mates as they sprinted towards
the finish. Carmen sprinted her way to 5<sup>th</sup>, keeping the yellow
jersey for another day and Jade kept the Queen of the mountains jersey.
Success!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-NZ"> Beautiful weather conditions to start the day. </span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The final
day was the inaugural Stillwater criterium which included a very steep hill.
Today was a big day, we needed to keep the yellow jersey and queen of the
mountains. We went in with a really great plan to control the race (thanks to
the master of all plans, Rachel). The team delivered amazingly and Carmen won
the jersey, Jade secured the QOM jersey and the team won overall. Not only did
the women’s Optum team kick arse but the men’s team also won the yellow jersey
and team classification. So basically Optum Pro Cycling Presented by Kelly
Benefit Strategies owned Nature Valley Grand Prix. It must have been the
support from all of our sponsers that came out to watch each and every race.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_6sxI_Ebn7kxfZRc11gujyFHBG5tekvkOeyHAkOvRkOknq1pAkv6L6QZI8iD8DfX92kDNWV9yie7avELTnfh1y03ZIdfX2ie32rHdkZrld5LhI4qNHLdbIx4dx6lV6PWv6lexI4NEKg/s1600/NV6_612-045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_6sxI_Ebn7kxfZRc11gujyFHBG5tekvkOeyHAkOvRkOknq1pAkv6L6QZI8iD8DfX92kDNWV9yie7avELTnfh1y03ZIdfX2ie32rHdkZrld5LhI4qNHLdbIx4dx6lV6PWv6lexI4NEKg/s320/NV6_612-045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">A massive
thanks goes to Rachel, Adrian, Jeremy, Karen and Daniel for running around
after all of us and making life super easy. Also, I would like to mention Leah
just found out that she had actually broken her collarbone in the Minneapolis
criterium. She then went on to riding the entire 130km race the next day and
finishing in the front bunch.. all with a broken collarbone!! Amazing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-41289615197611420912012-06-22T19:20:00.005-07:002012-06-22T19:22:39.285-07:00Air force Cycle Classic 2012<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Next up was
Air force Classic which involved 2 criteriums just outside of Washington DC. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-NZ">Doing the touristy thing, infront of the white house and then infront of some other iconic American building (not a clue what the second one was). </span></h4>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Unfortunately
they did not go so well for me personally, I road to the first race and was
totally stuffed. Started, and then blew very early on. I was much too cooked going into this race with extra
hard training the previous week and was not completely recovered from Exergy.
Rachel decided Nature Valley, the race that was 2 days later, is much more
important to be going well at so instead I sat on the sidelines and watched my
team kick some butt instead. Hard to do, but still cool to watch. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The first
race the team rode awesomely. Emma got in a break of three including one Tibco
and pure energy rider. She totally killed it and with about 5 laps to go
attacked and got off the front by herself. The rest of the Optum girls did a
great job of slowing the bunch down and chasing attacks. Not only did Emma win
the race she also got very close to lapping the main field.. What a tank! Leah
brought the bunch home in 3</span><sup style="background-color: white;">rd</sup><span style="background-color: white;"> place, so a solid day for the team!</span></div>
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<h4>
<span style="background-color: white;"> Emma on her way to the win at Air Force classic. </span></h4>
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<h4>
Emma and Leah on the podium. </h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">The next
day was hot, so hot! Around about 40 degrees. The race was fast and Emma got in
a break for quite a lot of the race. The girls rode really well and Leah
finished 3</span><sup style="background-color: white;">rd</sup><span style="background-color: white;"> again in the bunch sprint (with a solid lead out from
Lex). With two third places she finished the omnium in 1</span><sup style="background-color: white;">st</sup><span style="background-color: white;"> overall.
She is now the Air force undefeated champ 2 years running.</span></div>
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<h4>
The team with some of the race organizers and people who do the hard work to make the race run. </h4>
<span style="background-color: white;">Next up is
the Nature Valley Grand Prix in Minneapolis. This is a big race as it is Optum
head quarters and there is a big starting list. It’s going to be a good race,
can just feel it. </span>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-17661137189185513582012-06-22T17:31:00.000-07:002012-06-22T17:32:04.776-07:00Exergy Tour 2012<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Exergy tour
was by far the most amazing race I have ever participated in, ever.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ">From the
moment I stepped off the plane I was looked after like a celebrity, the
organisers bent over backwards to support us and make sure we have an amazing
time. The night before the prologue was an official presentation with all the
teams and organisers, an amazing buffet and even an Exergy ice sculpture! There
were flags for almost every country represented, including Italy, Taiwan,
Canada, Australia, Germany, Belgium, US, Ireland, Columbia, Belgium… The start list was BIG.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The prologue
was first up, starting in the evening. We rode to the start on our road bikes
to find our amazing Orbea tt bikes sitting there waiting our arrival all
fancied up with our HED disks and tri-spokes and Lazer tt helmets. Couldn’t get
much better than that! Adrian and John were rushing around making sure the
bikes were all tuned, Karen and Jeremy were keeping us well fuelled and Rachel
was getting the bikes checked, sorting our start times, and making sure we were
all good.. So all I had to do was hop on my kinetic trainer, warm up, then bike
fast. Easy, right!? It was only 3.1 kms, and I was 3<sup>rd</sup> off. The
course was completely covered in people, it was awesome! 4 of the Optum riders
finished in the top 20 (out of over 100 riders) which was pretty dam
impressive. I had a bit of a disaster with my leg deciding to seize half way
through, but I am getting used to that. Unfortunately America’s top cyclist and
Olympic champion time-trialist, Kristen Armstrong came down on one of the 180
degree turns. In doing this she broke her collar-bone and was out for the rest
of the tour. She is strong though, and will no doubt be back and rearing to go
for the Olympics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> <u>Stage 1</u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The next
day was a 123km road race in Nampa, ID. It was wet, really wet, which just
makes the racing better. Most people turn off in the rain, but Optum definitely
does not, it just makes it more exciting! Nothing much happened at the start of
the race, there were a few attacks but other than that people were just
cruising along trying to stay on their bikes. When we got to the first climb I
felt great, although a little curious as to why my bike all of sudden had a lot
of suspension. I looked down to notice my tyre was slowly deflating. Not what I
wanted to find. After the climb I stopped to get a new wheel. Unfortunately
this took a lot longer then I was hoping, by the time I got back on the bunch
was no longer in sight. I put my head down and about 10kms later I had rejoined
the back of the main bunch, pretty much blown. At this time there was a small
group up the road which included Leah so I could recover for a little, then it
was full gas to the finish line. It ended with a big bunch sprint where
unfortunately the world champ Georgia Bronzini came down with a few others.
Leah came super close finishing in 4<sup>th</sup> place with Theresa Cliff-Ryan
from Exergy in first. Optum riders did a great job coming into the finish, but
unfortunately it was not our day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> <u>Stage 2</u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Stage 2 was
a 16.6km out and back time trial, again in the pouring rain. The start was
super dodgy with tight, narrow corners and a very slippery road surface. A
handful of riders came off before the race had even started, in the starting
gates. Luckily all Optum riders stayed on top of their bikes! It was a hard
head down, butt up race and we all did our best. Specialised Lululemon crowded
the podium finishing 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-NZ">Awesome photo taken by veloimages of Denise and Joelle crossing paths in the time trial. </span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: white;">Stage 3</u></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Stage 3,
finally what we do best.. road racing! The race started off fast and my job
involved a lot of chasing. From go I followed every attack I could. After what
felt like 100km’s I was at blowing point, looked down.. 15kms!! Only 15kms into
the race. I will not repeat what went through my head at this point but it was
not pretty. Thankfully Janel and a few others went off the front in a small
brake so the attacking slowed down a little and I could have a breather. We
then hit a 15km climb, all of a sudden I felt good (I think the BlueRidge
parkway riding came in handy for this one). I rode in the bunch as people
dropped one after the other. The bunch split in half and I was about to join the
front halfit until I sore a team mate that should be in it miss the gap. I
dropped back and helped pull her back on, then blew.. then felt good again and
got back on (this happened a lot this race). We started a descent, then went up
again, followed some more attacks, made a couple of attacks then we started the
long descent to the finish. It started raining, which made some pretty exciting
conditions. I played it safe but stayed in-tact with the front bunch. With 5kms
to go Optum blasted off the front one after another, I tried at 5kms, got
caught (dam). Then with 1km to go Optum took control, Jade led out Janel who
led out Carmen who did a bloody AWESOME lead out to Leah. Leah went head to
head with Ina Teutenburg, one of the world’s best sprinters, and got 2<sup>nd</sup>
by what looked like an inch. So close! But so well deserved for Leah and the
girls. To finish 2<sup>nd</sup> in this classy field was pretty dam impressive.
To show how hard the race was there were 4 DNF’s and 21 people who missed the
time cut. I finished somewhere in the front bunch, glad to see the end!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span style="background-color: white;"> On one of the long climbs with snow surrounding us. Crazy views too. </span></h4>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-NZ"> So so so Close. </span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> <u>Stage 4</u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The 4<sup>th</sup>
and final stage was on a super hard, rolling course. Optum still had all 8
riders starting (which may I add, is pretty cool considering most teams had
halfed). The start was awesome, we had army planes fly over top and the crowds
were HUGE! Unfortunately the race did not last very long, however, for Janel
and myself. 100 metres after go there were people on the ground, Janel swerved
left to miss it I swerved right but it was too late, we were both down. I was
fine, scratched up and bike pretty screwed up (my poor HED wheel had snapped in
half). I jumped onto a spare bike that Adrian had got to me and set off again.
But it was too late, the bunch was gone, long gone. The race was over. Janel
was not in a good place, she had landed on her hip and had to go to hospital.
Luckily she is on the mend now and is able to race almost at 100% again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Back to the
race, it blew to pieces on the first climb. Carmen missed the break so the
optum girls got to the front to bring it back, then Joelle did a totally
awesome 100% pull to bring it back together. She was totally blown afterwards
but had got the team back with the leaders so did an amazing job. The rest of
the race looked brutal. 14 riders were off the front by a rather large margin
including Carmen. At the end Evelyn and Claudia (Lululemon and GreenEdge) rode
off the front and Carmen was close behind getting 2<sup>nd</sup> in the bunch
kick (4<sup>th</sup> overall). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">That last
night the Exergy organisers put on a Rodeo for all of the riders. First time
watching anything like this, was definitely an experience! We also got given
some super cool Exergy tour belt buckles to end the night, so country! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
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<h4>
<span style="background-color: white;">One of the many gifts we got from race organisers. A delicious chocolate shoe! How cool is that!!</span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">All up it
was a super awesome tour. So much fun, we were so well looked after. The race
organisers were incredible and Rachel, Adrian, Jeremy, Karen and John made life
so easy for all of us riders. Couldn’t ask for a better team! </span></div>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-69203965716993212242012-05-21T20:13:00.003-07:002012-05-21T20:13:49.091-07:00Wilmington Grand Prix and Kelly Cup.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emma, Anna
and I headed off to Baltimore to compete in the NCC Criterium; Wilmington Grand
Prix and the Kelly Cup. The field for Wilmington was pretty strong with 50 odd
riders and with the likes of Van Gilder and Erica Aller, it was going to be a
hard race.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">We were
fortunate enough to be able to stay at one of our main sponsor’s guest houses.
John Kelly, the owner of ‘Kelly Benefit Strategies’ was an incredible host. On
the Friday night they invited us to watch a game of Lacrosse where their son was playing in a very
high-end match. I had never seen this game played before, but I now have a new
favourite team sport! Kind of like a mix between hockey/netball and rugby,
super aggressive, and fast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The next
day was the Wilmington Grand Prix. The course was great, had ups and downs and
long stretches. Unfortunately the hill was not quite long enough to do any damage;
it was more like a power climb which meant everyone could get over it. After 20
minutes or so the pace had been very off and on. Emma and I started launching
attacks to try and get in a break, we got some good gaps, but we were heavily
marked by all the riders (it’s hard to play under-cover when you wear bright
orange cycling kits with bright yellow shoes…apparently). After a few attempts
and chases two riders countered one of Emma and my attacks, and got a good gap on
the field. Everybody seemed to want to wave them goodbye.. We were not so keen.
So with 7 to go we did some solid attacks, we didn’t get away (thanks to our
permanent shadows) but we did bring the break back from the changes in pace.
Another rider went off the front, the pack sat up. After some more hard
attempts at bridging across , the finish line was there and we had burnt most
of our matches, bugger. We both ended up in the top 10 but it was not a good
result for us. That’s ok though, onwards and upwards to the next one!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The next
day was the Bike Jam/Kelly Cup which was sponsored by Kelly Benefit Strategies,
one of our main sponsors. We were looked after hugely having passes to the VIP
tent which had an amazing buffet (which you could smell every lap) and some
great company. This time our plan was to go hard from the start, tire everyone
out and then go a little harder. So from go Anna put in a solid attack, stayed
away for a lap, got caught, I went, stayed away for half a lap, got caught,
Emma went, stayed away , got caught (you probably get the picture). This
continued for quite a few laps until Emma got off the front with Debbie Milne.
I got a 2 or so minute break to catch my breath until the winner from the
previous day, Lindsay Bayer launched
off the front. I got straight on and we eventually bridged across to Emma and
Debbie. The next 4 or so laps Emma and I tried attacking the 2 riders,
countering them and trying to make them tired. Unfortunately we couldn’t get a
gap and coming up to the finish our eyes were very much set on the wrong person
and left the sprint too late. We got 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> which
was god to get both of us on the podium but pretty disappointed we couldn’t win
it for the sponsors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Arm needed a rest, bad timing. </div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I am now
sitting on the plane on the way to Boise, Idaho for the Exergy tour via Austin,
Texas and Phoenix, Arizona. I am so excited to be going to this race; it is
going to be an amazing week racing against who’s who in cycling. I will keep
you updated!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Thanks for
reading =)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Courteney<o:p></o:p></span></div>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-11353745448137572582012-05-13T08:46:00.003-07:002012-05-13T08:51:10.109-07:00Five days of some intense pain.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tour of the
Gila has been a race I have always heard about, its supposedly one of the
hardest stage races in America. This isn’t just because of the ridiculously
long hills or the high level of competition but because it is at altitude,
which makes everything you do that much harder.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">We had a
strong team with our GC riders Janel, Carmen and Jade. As well as Anna, Emma,
Lex and myself. The other good teams there included Exergy, Tibco, NOW, Rouse,
Primal and a few others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> The first stage was 118km finishing at the top
of a hard 11km climb. From the gun there was attack after attack. Emma, Anna,
Lex and I tried to cover every attack. The hard thing about racing in altitude
is that when you go all out to catch a break or do an attack your legs tend to
give up a lot faster. Mentally you can keep pushing but physically you are done
so we had to be careful not to kill ourselves too earlier on. The plan was for
Jade to go for the sprint points, and that she did. On the first sprint Jade
went for it and straight after a gap formed which included Jade, Armstrong,
Alison Powers and a couple of others. We didn’t have to do anything other than
covering attacks as Jade was in the break and she is super strong so we knew
she would do well on the climb. Tibco went to the front and drove the pace as
they didn’t have anyone up the road. Once the gap got to 2 minutes Anna and I
went up to keep it constant and not let the gap get any bigger as we had Carmen
and Janel in the bunch who couldn’t afford to lose too much time on Powers and
Armstrong. Once reaching the base of the climb a group of us got a wee gap on
the field, then next minute girls are flying in the air.. Emma came off and I
did a bit of cross country. My bike crashed but I managed to stay standing up.
Emma luckily had a comfortable landing on top of another rider. We then set-off
again but unfortunately the bunch had left us for dead and I did a massive
effort to get back on, got close, then blew. The rest of the hill was a
struggle but I did not want to kill myself too much as there were 4 more days
of pain coming up and we had riders to
protect. Emma, Anna and I pretty much rode the climb together with Emma
powering off on the last km. Once crossing the line we found out Carmen had
come in at 2<sup>nd</sup>, Jade in 3<sup>rd</sup> and Janel in 5<sup>th</sup>.
It was a bloody awesome effort for the team. Armstrong won about 2 minutes
ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Hurting, at some stage during the tour, this face became pretty normal for me.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The next
day was a 125km stage with a few hills and a technical down hill. On the first
climb an attack went and I got on the wheel, the hill was hard. When I looked
behind I found that a bunch of 20 of us had gotten away (out of about 67
riders) which included Jade, Carmen, Janel and myself. The next 20kms of
descending split the break up quite a bit but once we regrouped I did a big
attack. Everybody sat up so I just kept pedalling. I was off the front for
about 5kms until a NOW rider, Robin Farena (USA National Road Champ) bridged up
to me. She sat on the front and I called up the team car to get some advice on
what I should be doing (and to get a feed). Robin was sitting just behind Jade
on GC (general classification) so I was to help out a little bit but when the
gap got to just over a minute I had to sit on as we didn’t want to get any time
on Jade. We stayed away for about 40-50kms
and when the bunch was about 200 metres behind Jade jumped across. I
went to the front and tried to help her out as much as I could, then after hard turn on the front I sore a bit of red,
then a wall appeared. The bunch eventually caught and I held on for dare life
(after dropping and then getting some energy out of know-where). On the final
King of the mountain a group of 5 got up the road including Janel and Carmen.
So again all Jade and I had to do was chase the breaks, which we did, and it
hurt! With 2kms to go, straight after a series of attacks from NOW, Jade
launched off the front and no-one could catch her. She finished about 6 seconds
infront of our bunch in 6<sup>th</sup> place. Further up Janel had broken away
from the group of 5 with Armstrong, sprinting to 2<sup>nd</sup> and Carmen
finished 3<sup>rd</sup>. I finished about 14<sup>th</sup>. The rest of the
field came in about 18minutes later, Emma, Anna and Lex didn’t have to do a
thing in the bunch as we were up the road, and other teams were in similar
positions so that helped with the big time gap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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After stage 2, quick de-brief.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuII-HEdoR_FU8XKbL-CT-yx6JFGsz-tBtqtFybklRJw5bzatIJFKEYhXfW8vv40FLNNB8FJ-1EktJHE0SVn7Rw0lB5d8f0Ind5Dt6YAz59LhD7PgIZOnePU8eX-_LF_zC6w00Oir-pM/s1600/Gila2_512-121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuII-HEdoR_FU8XKbL-CT-yx6JFGsz-tBtqtFybklRJw5bzatIJFKEYhXfW8vv40FLNNB8FJ-1EktJHE0SVn7Rw0lB5d8f0Ind5Dt6YAz59LhD7PgIZOnePU8eX-_LF_zC6w00Oir-pM/s400/Gila2_512-121.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In a short-lived break away with Jade. </div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Day 3
consisted of a 26km timetrial that had a 7km slow climb at the start, then a
few rollers, then you turn around and come back. Our Orbea tt bikes were
awesome! It was the 3<sup>rd</sup> time I had ridden my one but the 1<sup>st</sup>
time I had ever done an actual effort on it. They look good, feel great, and
are super fast. I went all out on the tt, but my legs were pretty smashed. It
wasn’t a good result for me but with that under my belt I will only get faster.
Carmen had an awesome one finishing 3<sup>rd</sup>, only 6 seconds behind
Alison Powers who is one of the countries strongest time trialists. Kristen
Armstrong did what she does best, totally blitzing the 26kms in a new record of
37 minutes. Jade and Janel also had great ones, both finishing in the top 15. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"> Theres that face again. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzNe1uA8Kvm7_yormK1O97dRsaHsx_9Q-YByMfY9fuVesvtwLsb9U-ISRrx8XLJd2a51UBXbadInNBt_H39uVVFilQvPWigtcRZXBUD3XlzVpNjYXgxCW4AxWGExUy-S2O4hP5Q3yXhA/s1600/578269_247047888735983_183316318442474_453148_1049817097_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzNe1uA8Kvm7_yormK1O97dRsaHsx_9Q-YByMfY9fuVesvtwLsb9U-ISRrx8XLJd2a51UBXbadInNBt_H39uVVFilQvPWigtcRZXBUD3XlzVpNjYXgxCW4AxWGExUy-S2O4hP5Q3yXhA/s640/578269_247047888735983_183316318442474_453148_1049817097_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Warming down on some amazing Kurt Kinetic trainers.</div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The second
to last day was an hour criterium around the streets of Silver City. It was
hard, so hard. We averaged 43kms an hour and did 430metres of climbing within
the race. Everyone seemed like they were in the mood to attack so that’s
exactly what happened, one would attack, one would chase, another would
attack.. this continued for an hour. I hit the wall about 5 times in this race,
sore red 3 times, and threw up in my mouth twice. Riders were getting dropped
two laps into it! I chased a few attacks that didn’t have any Optum riders in
it, got in a break for about 10 seconds, and basically just bit my handlebars
for the rest. Anna did a great job earlier on in the race chasing all the
breaks, and so did Emma and Lex. Carmen, Jade and Janel controlled everything,
chasing what they needed to and not chasing when they didn’t need to. On the
last lap Janel gave an awesome lead out, to Jade. Jade then did a fantastic
lead out to Carmen, then Carmen finished it off with a 2<sup>nd</sup> in the
sprint. She is on fire!! Lauren Rowney won the sprint (member of the Specialised
Lululemon team but was guest riding for Rouse) with Christina Gockey-Smith
(NOW) in 3<sup>rd</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Pre-race tactics talk. </div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The final
day (thankfully) was basically the 2<sup>nd</sup> road race but backwards. It
was 125kms and finished on another long climb. I got in a small break at the
start of the race up a climb but it got swallowed up pretty fast. Then Anna got
in a break of 6. 3 got caught but Anna stayed away with another 2 who
eventually got caught on the climb. We started the climb off hard, Kristen
Armstrong powered ahead with Jade, Janel and Carmen close behind. I started off
good, stayed with the breakaway then my leg decided it didn’t really want to
pedal anymore which was a little inconvenient. So instead I rode up at a slower
pace, in a small group. Emma and I crossed the line together to find Carmen was
3<sup>rd</sup>, Janel 4<sup>th</sup> and Jade 6<sup>th</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Just before one of the climbs, alongside one of cycling's best, Kristen Armstrong. </div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Overall
Carmen finished 2<sup>nd</sup> and she won the points jersey, Jade finished 4<sup>th</sup> and Janel 5<sup>th</sup>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">I am pretty glad that one is over, but at the same
time cannot wait to come at it so much stronger next year (potentially with a
little more altitude training). Now time to head back to Asheville, rest up and
start some more racing. I love this job!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Thanks for reading =)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
CourteneyCourteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-40713316304601084742012-05-13T08:26:00.001-07:002012-05-13T08:57:20.364-07:00Joe Martin Stage Race 2012<br />
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Once arriving in
Fayetteville, Arkansas, we unloaded our bikes close to the start of the uphill
tt and then rode 40 miles to the host housing. We all got super nice hosts this
year, in amazing houses and all within 50 metres of each other. The
neighbourhood was over-run with black orange and yellow.</div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">After a couple days of
relaxing and soaking up the Arkansas sun we headed to the first stage, the 4km
uphill time trial. It was hot, hard, and not so much fun. Our team did well to
get a 4<sup>th</sup> and a 5<sup>th</sup> and the rest of us reasonably high up
there. Although we were firing on all cylinders to do some dominating the next
day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
Stage two was a 98km
road race. We started off aggressively with numerous attacks going off at the
start. Once we got to the ‘big hill’ (about 20km’s of pain) <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">I did an attack a quarter of the way up.
I got away with a rider sitting 2nd on GC so all I had to do was sit and
hopefully wait for my team mates to join. Going over the climb I looked back to
see Jade and Carmen had bridged up to us. With 15kms to go I drilled it on the
front to make sure we got a good gap. Then with 7ish km to go Carmen attacked
hard with the 2nd place rider on the chase, unfortunately she could not drop
her but she still did take the win!! Then Jade and I came in about 30 seconds
later. I gave Jade the 3rd spot as there is a sprinters points classification
in the race and she was sitting in 3rd so to get 3rd on the stage meant she
would move up to 2nd (Carmen is leading it). So I got 4th. I have the young rider’s
jersey now and I am sitting 4th overall. The now very small bunch came in 1
minute 30 back, our team also won the bunch sprint so we got 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th
and 6th and were rocking all three jerseys. Definitely a successful day for us.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">Adrian had changed our bar tape to match our jerseys. Jades is green for points jersey, Carmen's is pink for leaders and mine is white for young riders. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">The next day was about 110kms on a rolling to flat course (that we did
twice). Because we held the leaders jersey, the young riders jersey and the
points jersey we were in defence mode. We wanted to win the stage, and we
didn’t want anyone getting away so we chased everything. Anna and Annie
(teamies) pretty much set the tempo at the front of the pack for the entire
race while we separately chased down the attackers. The finish was fast, a long descent with some
hard attacks done by Tibco. We bridged each attack but the end was a bit of a
cluster. Jade sprinted to 3<sup>rd</sup> while Carmen came in one place back in
4<sup>th</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">The final day was the criterium. Today we went into it not only to win
the stage but to also hold onto all jerseys. It was a hard crit with a steep
uphill finish. After a few unsuccessful attacks Carmen and Jade got away with
Emma on their wheel. They got in a break of about 5 or 6 riders so all Anna,
Lex, Annie and I had to do was chase attacks and try to slow the bunch down as
much as possible as this was the perfect position for us. We did exactly that ,
and with 1 lap to go I look behind and see the lead vehicle coming up with a
single orange and black rider in tow. It was Jade!! She had broken away and was
coming into win the stage. My job of riding as slow as possible was a success!
In doing this I lost the young riders jersey but that didn’t matter one bit as
it went to my team mate Emma, I also went from 4<sup>th</sup> to 7<sup>th</sup>
overall but again, wasn’t an issue as it ended up that Jade took over the
leaders jersey from Carmen, who was now 2<sup>nd</sup> overall. So all up Jade
won, Carmen got 2<sup>nd</sup>, Jade got the points jersey, Emma got the young
riders jersey, we won the stage and won first team overall. Pretty successful
few days I must say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">We then headed straight back to Little Rock for a night and flew to
Albuquerque the next day for the Tour of the Gila. The start list for this race
is pretty dam impressive including the world’s strongest rider Kristen
Armstrong and some very impressive teams. Gila is raced in Silver City New
Mexico, in the desert, in the heat, at altitude, and up some hard climbs. It’s
going to hurt! And I can’t wait. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"> All the teams host families from Fayeteville. Awesome group of people!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">Will keep you updated (that’s if I have any energy left to type
afterwards).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">Courteney =)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">(More photos to come).</span></div>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-24727451472706977592012-05-13T08:09:00.003-07:002012-05-13T08:58:02.338-07:00Sunny King Criterium and Foothills road race.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The
Sunny King Criterium is a race through the streets of Anniston, Alabama. We had a 6 person team, a lot of
the more experienced riders in the team are in Europe at the moment so we had a
more young team taking on and using every bit of information given from our
manager Rachel. The criterium started good, 3 of our riders got in a break of 5
which included Laura Van Gilder (a sprinting hero from America) and Erica
Aller, another well known sprinter. Emma, Annie and Jade tried to attack and
wear out the two sprinters, while the other three of us sat in the front of the
chasing bunch getting straight onto any attacks that went and trying to slow it
down. Jade managed to pull off a 2</span><sup>nd</sup><span style="background-color: white;"> place in the sprint, which was
pretty dam impressive. We made mistakes, but that’s what happens, we learn and
come back even stronger. So we went into the race the next day with full guns
blazing. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dJ4j0rNIH5PgR1RHgJRVm8RWrwY1OQJ7gkPxujpLA1lib9BJubQx7LtAAinSuhqiLMvnt5B9Aj1_AbzxRLGDAfGC8VdkGhJ6_TN9mxmWfvsyiL-arqVSPHbPLvzyK9AzTqdieEPitRo/s1600/531407_10150779868475419_509400418_9775286_1909151955_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dJ4j0rNIH5PgR1RHgJRVm8RWrwY1OQJ7gkPxujpLA1lib9BJubQx7LtAAinSuhqiLMvnt5B9Aj1_AbzxRLGDAfGC8VdkGhJ6_TN9mxmWfvsyiL-arqVSPHbPLvzyK9AzTqdieEPitRo/s320/531407_10150779868475419_509400418_9775286_1909151955_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">The Foothills Classic Road Race was the day after the NCC Sunny King
criterium. About 20kms into the 90 km race I attacked on a steep climb. My team
mate Anna closely followed and we both team time trialled it for the next
70kms. We held about a 20 seconds lead for quite awhile and then it eventually
increased to about 4 minutes with 10kms to go. Anna and I crossed the line at
the same time (so I was 1st equal). Back in the bunch my team mates had chased
down all the attacks and tried to slow the race down, but with 10kms to go my
team mate Jade did a hard attack at the bottom of the climb, the riders chased
and Lex countered and got away. She then came across the line by herself in 3rd
place so we got a clean sweep of the podium!<span class="apple-converted-space"> Good
way of making up for the night before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBHAtpw1zmrSuootUf_Rah9JbvMGmF2vmPGBWWdwCHRJOA0JEgWrxNEqqHUP17SIz33z1m3ybvW7l_adRVyaRomAFI55r2LVDXkd40PAF_ziw8YRYqAU1TvQMHY40qvEFL4r3sB4R8Jg/s1600/asf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBHAtpw1zmrSuootUf_Rah9JbvMGmF2vmPGBWWdwCHRJOA0JEgWrxNEqqHUP17SIz33z1m3ybvW7l_adRVyaRomAFI55r2LVDXkd40PAF_ziw8YRYqAU1TvQMHY40qvEFL4r3sB4R8Jg/s400/asf.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">We then packed our bikes up and set
off to Little Rock, Arkansas where we stayed with friends of Rachel’s and
visited the Orbea USA headquarters as well as an awesome little bike shop
called Spokes. (Spokes is the local Orbea dealer and makes some pretty
delicious coffee, even for NZ standards). The Orbea factory was also amazing.
It is where the top Orbea bikes in America are built, photographed, and sent
off to customers. We were also lucky to be hooked up with some Orbea caps, tops
and some pretty dam cool orca compression socks. What a day!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">The next day we set-off to
Fayetteville, Arkansas to race the four day Joe Martin Stage Race. I did this
race last year and loved it. Should be another cool few days, can’t wait.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jcN5ePSPg1f_mJ-hlMASpbXWHUFm7LETR3ORztfeHx9ko7nKcl_72otbxAuF0QvM5FzSxPXAdst2NG-vaC0iU1rHlXSc1XwkpkpGbokC9nsrKLIuCBT7HuDohvFRIQO5-NtmVu1tQSA/s1600/578976_348874668502347_100001394494835_1015996_1134518071_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jcN5ePSPg1f_mJ-hlMASpbXWHUFm7LETR3ORztfeHx9ko7nKcl_72otbxAuF0QvM5FzSxPXAdst2NG-vaC0iU1rHlXSc1XwkpkpGbokC9nsrKLIuCBT7HuDohvFRIQO5-NtmVu1tQSA/s400/578976_348874668502347_100001394494835_1015996_1134518071_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I forgot to mention the amazing accomodation we had in Alabama, Kelle and Clyde were some amazing hosts (and Kelle was a chiropractor, double bonus). Definetely coming back to this place!<br />
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">Will keep you posted,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333;">Courteney =)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-70518673092660694542012-05-13T07:50:00.004-07:002012-05-13T07:50:50.536-07:00Charlotte Criterium 2012<br />
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A couple of weeks
after returning to Asheville we set off to Charlotte, NC for the <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333;">Presbyterian Hospital Invitational
Criterium</span>. There was a team of 6 of us, the less experienced ‘new
comers’ with no sprinters. So was going to be a good race to practice some
solid team work!</div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The race is known for
its huge prize purse and amazing atmosphere. It was a pretty technical course
with 8 sharp turns and a lot of cash primes so the pressure was on from the
start, then stayed on for the rest of the race.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The team rode great.
Unfortunately Lex had been hit with a cold a week before the race and she was
coughing up phlegm most of the way. She managed to hold on and finish with the
bunch so was an awesome effort. My left leg was in a lot of pain for the first
3 quarters of the race, had trouble even pedalling at times so the race seemed
to go on forever. I think I had straped it too tight so half way through I
ripped off the tape and through it at my manager, I was not in a good mood.
With one lap to go the plan was to do something if the bunch was together. So I
angrily got to the front and did a 100% win or blow attack. Unfortunately it went
the blow side but I did get a good gap for just under half a lap and some of
the lead out girls had to sacrifice that to chase me down. I then did the blow
part and waved the bunch goodbye as I attempted to pedal to the finish line.
Jade powered to the finish in 4<sup>th</sup> place against the top sprinters in
the country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Emma and Annie rode a
super strong race and Anna did some awesome attacks at the start. So all in all
a great team effort. We may not have got on the podium but we learnt heaps
which is all super beneficial for the next race. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLhYgiLkeWalRgicAK2oBRbUUcw7Dtkrsb_MicR5E3lIss36tOXyAiL8-csp99vBrumqNwx2JFFrIHTBuEmKj8M5yiCSuFRU3l7s_CRhV3pTO__ZepQWewXCVDDKeAEJ-SUZF6xbQf5w/s1600/1334523107892-dsc_0868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLhYgiLkeWalRgicAK2oBRbUUcw7Dtkrsb_MicR5E3lIss36tOXyAiL8-csp99vBrumqNwx2JFFrIHTBuEmKj8M5yiCSuFRU3l7s_CRhV3pTO__ZepQWewXCVDDKeAEJ-SUZF6xbQf5w/s320/1334523107892-dsc_0868.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"> After the race, having a quick de-brief. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The 6 of us are now
heading back to Asheville for the week for some training and then off to
Alabama for the Sunny King Criterium and Foothills Road Race. Looking forward
to it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Will stay in touch =)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Courteney<o:p></o:p></span></div>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-74062754606320882862012-04-11T12:08:00.007-07:002012-04-11T12:30:15.837-07:00A non spandex-related update!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">The good thing about being in America on your birthday is that you get to celebrate it for more than one day. Of course you have to celebrate it on New Zealand time, which is the day before America, than you cel</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">ebrate it on American time. So that is indeed what I did. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">This year is the ‘big’ 21. I don’t like it, I still don’t belie</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">ve I am this old. I remember looking at 21 what felt like yesterday thinking that it is so long away until I reach the ‘adult’ days. Now I have made it, it does not feel any different and my maturity level still seems the same as it was five years ago. But I guess what I think and what is true are really two different things.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span lang="EN-NZ">So this year I celebrated my NZ birthday racing the streets of Redlands. It w</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">as the most painful birthday I have ever had. People didn’t seem to make it any easier for me just because it was my birthday… rude. That night the team went out for a Thai dinner, Rachel and Adrian had secretly brought in an amazing, delicious, flourless (for the gluten free d</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">weebs in the team) chocolate browny cake. Yum. That was a pretty cool surprise to end a really </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">good day. I then got dropped off to my good friends Kate (Chilcott) and Emily (Collins) house, where all the Vanderkitten team were staying as the next day we were in for some big birthday celebrations.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span lang="EN-NZ">The next morning (my American birthday), Kate, Emily, Jazzy (Hurikino) and </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">I set-off to Disney Land! I had always dreamt of going to Disney land, but did not think it would actually happen. So to spend my 21</span><sup>st</sup><span style="font-size: 100%; "> there is going to be a pretty awesome memor</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">y. We met Lauren Rowney and Rebecca Warner (cyclists) there and spent the next 12.5 hours walking (and walking, and walking), going on incredible rides and experiencing something pretty cool. I loved it! Needless to say I was totally shattered when we left at 11:30pm that night. Bel</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">ow are some photos of the day;</span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQHqTocoxckqt05qpStg7YEtgJBgDgnD5u2B65HojpP24f0gTtBKjCVF75vGP2Xv1aG2buL3NvSl_NQm8X80d1UeMAuww23YRhmN1fmGATuGiSmGXXar_EFifg3z9I5K2iFT8pHC2hfA/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQHqTocoxckqt05qpStg7YEtgJBgDgnD5u2B65HojpP24f0gTtBKjCVF75vGP2Xv1aG2buL3NvSl_NQm8X80d1UeMAuww23YRhmN1fmGATuGiSmGXXar_EFifg3z9I5K2iFT8pHC2hfA/s400/IMG_1304.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730224929072300722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwN7stf5WxCOdi3Kz7ivIIyBTuPw1u4MasnGQ8l1cu8TSCYNtxx6C7PgKoAdTGGLh_hBlnJyznJLvXG-cgaOMTmr3lYqEP7nGOkb2BIDg-8JErn2TSvbTwkfYZn_tDkvO3JZG7DkMCJc/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwN7stf5WxCOdi3Kz7ivIIyBTuPw1u4MasnGQ8l1cu8TSCYNtxx6C7PgKoAdTGGLh_hBlnJyznJLvXG-cgaOMTmr3lYqEP7nGOkb2BIDg-8JErn2TSvbTwkfYZn_tDkvO3JZG7DkMCJc/s400/IMG_1354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730224924720450034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQHqTocoxckqt05qpStg7YEtgJBgDgnD5u2B65HojpP24f0gTtBKjCVF75vGP2Xv1aG2buL3NvSl_NQm8X80d1UeMAuww23YRhmN1fmGATuGiSmGXXar_EFifg3z9I5K2iFT8pHC2hfA/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG"><br /></a></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHkYt3F3vQ0sGlWaT6uvmLfLfACdfO0WcvzWjA25bmImFrnHuoYvQ0rqdMLYsD3yEQ7Vl5i44eTE7MTCuqW2ya44MSyhxK3qbm5zvEL8fQPHbWcmLDHgqJDwAXqikHVGAKI5zRfkmMec/s400/IMG_1289.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730224914553793490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_v0x-74J91b9zhX0ZKZbpT1AL7WcUvWME5FAKbdaWQbF-4O28TWOzHmkzCMGlpHO8Bvup5BNHwx2x5MIkYkC1lwItSjv5jyCMgH2rEPhm5Y4GgUoqZwMfh3-QSvmiu5pcSjVzcNfdps/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_v0x-74J91b9zhX0ZKZbpT1AL7WcUvWME5FAKbdaWQbF-4O28TWOzHmkzCMGlpHO8Bvup5BNHwx2x5MIkYkC1lwItSjv5jyCMgH2rEPhm5Y4GgUoqZwMfh3-QSvmiu5pcSjVzcNfdps/s400/IMG_1271.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730224905612817570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></div></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7p1uoidnCbduDiXyqtMXaXvQmkAiRymbAksGaDPeBpyYq-8MGfteC1-c6AqfV-5_ydfMjWVZck11Q5_LWHUMspC94FHsZautjq3la0k4fx5nv0_dzdoZKoaqqVZoQK2Rcgl7Npfc03Y/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7p1uoidnCbduDiXyqtMXaXvQmkAiRymbAksGaDPeBpyYq-8MGfteC1-c6AqfV-5_ydfMjWVZck11Q5_LWHUMspC94FHsZautjq3la0k4fx5nv0_dzdoZKoaqqVZoQK2Rcgl7Npfc03Y/s400/IMG_1281.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730224899009468626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></div></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbNZG9zd8Dr7-xJlBYkEQu6R-YSiJrZEG5EYQcIrF3Z0SVB6q3EiBcQBpzojo3QFcCs3cHbDKgTo7MbUgc2wUWe4R7u2Z65Qu8P6n25s_u9nxKB7bPWZMDsSh0qYp3QgmZcF5WLBHPOE/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbNZG9zd8Dr7-xJlBYkEQu6R-YSiJrZEG5EYQcIrF3Z0SVB6q3EiBcQBpzojo3QFcCs3cHbDKgTo7MbUgc2wUWe4R7u2Z65Qu8P6n25s_u9nxKB7bPWZMDsSh0qYp3QgmZcF5WLBHPOE/s400/IMG_1342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730223531663810738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7p1uoidnCbduDiXyqtMXaXvQmkAiRymbAksGaDPeBpyYq-8MGfteC1-c6AqfV-5_ydfMjWVZck11Q5_LWHUMspC94FHsZautjq3la0k4fx5nv0_dzdoZKoaqqVZoQK2Rcgl7Npfc03Y/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "></a><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7p1uoidnCbduDiXyqtMXaXvQmkAiRymbAksGaDPeBpyYq-8MGfteC1-c6AqfV-5_ydfMjWVZck11Q5_LWHUMspC94FHsZautjq3la0k4fx5nv0_dzdoZKoaqqVZoQK2Rcgl7Npfc03Y/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9O5r9QimDBhzmlB0aJlU3eWjqNcfVf4dIKtSaW9eDwu6Nam7431lhJydUBN3-IMXZKCrVXRXLeWGWcTQp4iHo7RTB-jP5rbg-iWk4lG4RUNtfliTVI9nuATCEJHtei00zAsPLYiMsTY/s1600/IMG_1285.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9O5r9QimDBhzmlB0aJlU3eWjqNcfVf4dIKtSaW9eDwu6Nam7431lhJydUBN3-IMXZKCrVXRXLeWGWcTQp4iHo7RTB-jP5rbg-iWk4lG4RUNtfliTVI9nuATCEJHtei00zAsPLYiMsTY/s400/IMG_1285.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730223519589296370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbNZG9zd8Dr7-xJlBYkEQu6R-YSiJrZEG5EYQcIrF3Z0SVB6q3EiBcQBpzojo3QFcCs3cHbDKgTo7MbUgc2wUWe4R7u2Z65Qu8P6n25s_u9nxKB7bPWZMDsSh0qYp3QgmZcF5WLBHPOE/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbNZG9zd8Dr7-xJlBYkEQu6R-YSiJrZEG5EYQcIrF3Z0SVB6q3EiBcQBpzojo3QFcCs3cHbDKgTo7MbUgc2wUWe4R7u2Z65Qu8P6n25s_u9nxKB7bPWZMDsSh0qYp3QgmZcF5WLBHPOE/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG"></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaVN4fHirjgyjEb3wkRelu1F5xkAbUdComxJjflSHTdNAOaJuDyaZbKQeTs1-1nGUsXsVc6W5OLFHsQWmeaSpdgmZuLck6LcPDb9LYGW14H1Q4vataGzxopn94bd_LL66sKFaRfedrB8/s1600/IMG_1273.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaVN4fHirjgyjEb3wkRelu1F5xkAbUdComxJjflSHTdNAOaJuDyaZbKQeTs1-1nGUsXsVc6W5OLFHsQWmeaSpdgmZuLck6LcPDb9LYGW14H1Q4vataGzxopn94bd_LL66sKFaRfedrB8/s400/IMG_1273.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730223513253864674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9O5r9QimDBhzmlB0aJlU3eWjqNcfVf4dIKtSaW9eDwu6Nam7431lhJydUBN3-IMXZKCrVXRXLeWGWcTQp4iHo7RTB-jP5rbg-iWk4lG4RUNtfliTVI9nuATCEJHtei00zAsPLYiMsTY/s1600/IMG_1285.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqVuI0wrkPh2GOGFRN7db-u6Xm_wjSaWQjVp9yelhyphenhypheno0B76_wDxTGdJP7Wcff6bI1A3A6E23UbPwEaSPwSyEjlCipWFNZsslgrelNZwIsjzQl-ptWXjm3Z5bhRBzlTXfIyEV_n3PmJqQ/s400/IMG_1266.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730223492922610210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /><div style="text-align: center; "><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">That night I stayed with a good friend, Monica Martinez, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">who I had </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">met in New Zealand when she was on an exchange from America. She kindly woke up a 5:30 the next morning and dropped me at the LA airport to fly back to Asheville. Once returning back to Asheville I had mail and presents on my bed as well as a happy birthday sign on the door from Emma. Yep, that’s right, Birthday number 3. Rachel cooked up a delicious Mexican dinner and then Emma had made two DELICIOUS cakes. A polenta berry cake and chocolate toffee brownie made into the shape of 21. Let’s just say I am glad I had done some hard racing because there was no way I was going to leave them to waste. They were incredible!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLCHZGlTB9icqFKLXzEKaLdMXQJs3kIkqwbpfkHbBIf-lQ_TVrme_iFEsp-F8KjmtFkb9-x0zlvqTa80oogyFHlsqpurp-ibl-7CjOOlYtOXvBNKqxcANsclJJ2pDNDC0jNJyhmDy_A4/s400/IMG_0803.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730226551287033842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQHqTocoxckqt05qpStg7YEtgJBgDgnD5u2B65HojpP24f0gTtBKjCVF75vGP2Xv1aG2buL3NvSl_NQm8X80d1UeMAuww23YRhmN1fmGATuGiSmGXXar_EFifg3z9I5K2iFT8pHC2hfA/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xbrq8anUaXI8IfbOLIXGrrW9fl4gVxVsl17dvJgpHcIb1LHomCzgPu2LA3_sAQ7x1j38AYsUJFla25O0bp1CKsnJv9cgvUeGOTJ9w5ZFBnDDGWbV-iBHqp7Lx2f8EAR5J5TSWc7NLNg/s1600/IMG_1358.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xbrq8anUaXI8IfbOLIXGrrW9fl4gVxVsl17dvJgpHcIb1LHomCzgPu2LA3_sAQ7x1j38AYsUJFla25O0bp1CKsnJv9cgvUeGOTJ9w5ZFBnDDGWbV-iBHqp7Lx2f8EAR5J5TSWc7NLNg/s400/IMG_1358.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730226050271228722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span lang="EN-NZ">So now I am a bit gutted my birthday(s) are over, only 349 days until </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">my next one =)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span lang="EN-NZ">Charlotte criterium is the next race up on Saturday, A big crit because of the rather large purse available, so will be some big names there I am sure. Will keep you posted.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span lang="EN-NZ">Thanks for reading,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span lang="EN-NZ">Courteney</span></p></div></div></div>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-45758945996038956582012-04-08T05:57:00.013-07:002012-04-08T06:45:41.809-07:00San Dimas and Redlands<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; ">After returning from Florida to Asheville for a couple of days, Emma, Annie, Rachel, Adrian and I flew to California for some more racing. This time it was the Redlands Cycle Classic which is a 4 day, 4 stage tour and is part of the NRC series (the National Racing Calendar) so has all the biggest names in it (from America, to Australia, to Europe (and NZ =).. everyone).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvXN0R3wEWZszquQrHBvPpLntLtdWm4Qf9xpQuNFgKwc_3AY7VdZrPxyl-DJQaKFu82AJKffCUHhnaB14SBTlJKrtX_bdAXqSIEWaggIC7jFb9Fr6uhI43S4TPwRppiQT1D1w75ere3w/s400/IMG_1256.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729023426854893970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left; "></div></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 11.55pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI";color:#2A2A2A; mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ;mso-fareast-language:FR"> </span><span style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; ">Before Redlands was a build up 3 stage tour call</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; ">ed S</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; ">an Dimas. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; ">Lining up next to people like Kristin Armstrong an</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; ">d Clara Hughes was pretty cool, as well as all the top teams from over the world. The first stage was an up-hill prologue.. Lets just say I am glad I don't have to do that again for another year. Then the next day was the road race, in the absolute pou</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; ">ring rain and freezing cold. It was miserable, and fast! Our team again rode rea</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; ">lly well, Joelle (team mate) got in the break with</span></p></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left; "></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; ">Kristen Armstrong, Clara Hughes and Alison Starnes and then we tried to control the bunch and let them stay away. Because Joelle </span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; ">was up the front it mean</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; ">t we did not have to do a thing, just stay safe up the front and chase anything that went. We ended up dropping a bit over half the field. They screwed the finish up for the leaders so Joelle finished 3</span><sup style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; ">rd</sup><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; ">. It supposed to be 8 laps, then when we came through for the 6</span><sup style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; ">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; "> they said there was one lap to go, so we only completed 7 (think it was something to do with everyone being border-line hypothermic) whereas for Joelle’s group, they made them start the 8</span><sup style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; ">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; "> lap, then stopped them half way through saying what-ever order they rode through the start/finish line on the 7</span><sup style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; ">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; "> lap is there finishing place.. A bit screwed up! When we eventually rolled in I was able to give my team mate Jade a big lead out before the finish (she was higher on GC so we wanted to get her as much time as possible). </span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; ">She </span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; ">did great and g</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; ">ot 3rd in the field sprint.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyLXQgNS6h7_TiiGkmWhaB2IMsl7WJN93-AN1ytjPLU9uUCMEZrS3swbZ6iMDPuPv-D5vDCvM8yklEginYW54iknGrGhMvh-itN_0TZUGMdnQv30I7bnmGNo2sWCSKBOZ39WEi2qCqXU/s400/421338_3132272539243_1037667102_32300085_733282899_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729022970335556274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left; "></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; ">Time-trialing it up the San Dimas climb.. Terrible choice of aerodynamics.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; "> </span></span></div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0rzO2CSJmeiiXLVCGbSODCtyz-_l4_Xv5wPxbYgznGp0-kLfEPhBu9z5461Rfxj7Xfw2LRd1-mawfleNJtyV7AXomBfvppJElOAUY-t1O6XCDOM8QuJIKWo8gyqouhlhk6obR7nNeEw/s400/429975_10150682471612179_136912217178_9199465_701322301_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729022727818742066" style="text-align: center; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></div><div> Riding in the beautiful Californian sun.</div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; ">The next day was a criterium. It was hard, and fast. Jade got in a break up the rode with Ina Yoko-Teutenburg (German National Champion) and a couple others. So again our job was to sit in the bunch and chase breaks. Jade did awesome and got second in the sprint to Ina (one of the fastest sprinters in the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; ">world). </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofwMBsR9-X-LSApwM6ydmIU0qA_Npj3NDp-G8R2NhQBHCXgctnM9hvI4Gy-ksYZx7PLt_C6Qd2klntffDJaCAAC0dHYFoZI_OkLNmz9T1Iz8m8rLHvcZ7rn3am2XiQHVk3Hd9NTkKu8s/s400/LoweRedlands3_312-171.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729020028093683458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; ">The next couple of days were spent relaxing and get</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; ">ting l</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; ">o</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; ">ts of massage! We then went to Redlands for the next 4 day race, the big one! Again it started with a prologue, and again my legs did not like it particularly. The next day was a 115km road race. It was pretty fast but was good fun at the same tim</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; ">e. The aim was for me and a team mate to go fo</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; ">r the KOM points (King of the mountain) and my other team mate, Joelle, to get the sprint points as they were also time bonuses. We did exactly that, with my team mate and I getting first and 2nd each time up the climb and Joelle getting a handfull of time bonuses. Co</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; ">ming into the finish was fast. We had dropped about 3 quart</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; ">ers of the field by this stage, starting with about 85 and finishing with about 25. Joelle finished 2nd, literally mm away from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; ">first. Great race for her!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitg-34z39fC5YZVnHtHxJaktOrFXCBIYyiz5Qm6OQ7nRZkXlS9Zb0iT1NdtDunrsKy4eGneFO4KKlaoY9O0CacJvOkDkN8T3gF5lX7QzVmZB6_zDiWfBya05HgeXFUIKIDD6T-86oYRaE/s400/Aomrl9GCMAEXnso.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729022100023214354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting the tt bars set-up before the tt.</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 11.55pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI";color:#2A2A2A; mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ;mso-fareast-language:FR"> </span><span style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; ">The next day was a criterium around the streets o</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; ">f Redla</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 11.55pt; ">nds. It was fast, it was hard. My job was to try some attacks and start the big lead out with one lap to go. With 1 to go I went to the front, lead out super hard and then blew up.. it was awesome. Further up ahead my team mate Joelle had managed to dodge a crash right in-front of her on the last corner, and come from a standing start to winning!!</span></p><div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 11.55pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; background-color: white; line-height: 11.55pt; "><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofwMBsR9-X-LSApwM6ydmIU0qA_Npj3NDp-G8R2NhQBHCXgctnM9hvI4Gy-ksYZx7PLt_C6Qd2klntffDJaCAAC0dHYFoZI_OkLNmz9T1Iz8m8rLHvcZ7rn3am2XiQHVk3Hd9NTkKu8s/s1600/LoweRedlands3_312-171.jpg" style="text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRbuinIBc1VcvdPRFgjFI5QnAecZOMmPli2AMt_O3qajbbmCY2z2k3hGzz8SENLqEx0C-3euUBqAITJ20b3n3PZUnXE-jQ_MfQc12sGLi3vMfG1l7Iz4v5NnjPak8A4Dj90jI2J4VHyE/s400/NumainvillecelebRedlands3_312-061.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729020035964284978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left; "></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 11.55pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Cambria, serif; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); ">The last day was another road race. 9 Laps of this har</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%; ">d, fast course with a rather large hill in it (total of about 110km). It was fast from the start, and was p</span><span style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%; background-color: white; ">ainful. The first time up the climb bout 25 of us broke away, and then as the race went along it slowly dwindled to about 19. With the KOM points Jade, my team mate, was a couple up on me from the previous day so it was important to help her out so she could be assured of the jersey. There were 3 laps that were up for points and on one I lead her out with about 200 metres to go, she got on my wheel and then past me with about 50 </span><span style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%; background-color: white; ">to go.. I blew with about 35...Still got 3rd though.. Success! Leah and Denise were both super aggressive ad got in some long break-a ways, unfortunately getting caught but working for us as it makes the other teams use their energy to chase. With 4kms to go the plan was for me to attack and give it everything, just to attempt a break.. I did that but could only stay up for a short while; the teams were on me fast. The rest was a grovel holding o</span><span style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%; background-color: white; ">n for dear life. Joelle got a 2nd bringing her up to 3r</span><span style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%; background-color: white; ">d place overall. Jade won the KOM Jersey (I got 3rd by 1 point) and Joelle won the sprint ace Jersey. So was a very successful first NRC race for the tea</span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Cambria, serif; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); ">m. I c</span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Cambria, serif; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); ">an not wait for many more ahead!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 11.55pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Cambria, serif; color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07YQyc9g8d3L98vVEir4QTu2f1_RRsS8LSkm7EUPVRkTCfe_7QcA5OV1uDfxw8eN0vDBCu6Af_lAg_-Lj71bjjGWMACoA-24THJegfM_98u995zyGIFt5FISm52j3TnpUjF22N00jJ54/s400/jd12rdlndsstg4016_600.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729021181619986066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left; "></div><div style="text-align: left; "></div></div><div> The start of Jade's leadout for KOM. Spot the shoes.</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-y591d6TNGkgm5zWrXcP8-nI9w0E_iCHuXpNAN1c6lqDomjDQDGJUP-a4nBDm2sxcPNUjs9hmAGEEBfWfWuXH6tTH7-Xsb4HMPJUlCH27lUTwDJ4yY-g66huwtsGRiyH9QfThGYv2_c/s400/OptummtgRedlands2_312-029.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729019359672585602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /><div> Team meeting before one of the road stage at Redlands. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Next stop, Disney Land!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading =)</div><div>Courteney</div>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-46975911946363893572012-04-06T07:03:00.012-07:002012-04-06T07:45:57.093-07:00Delray Beach Criterium<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">Si</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">nce my last blog I have been to Florida, back to Asheville, California (</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">Redlands and San Dimas) and now back in Asheville again. The first race on my calendar </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">was the Delray twi</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">light criterium which is part of the American Cri</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">terium series and is raced in </span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">Delray, Florida. We then had another small criterium to do the next day before returning home to Asheville. </span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">Here is where I supposed to break down the race, lap by lap, but </span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">instead the expe</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">rience of Delray was pretty surreal, so I’m going to st</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">art with that. W</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">e arrived outside our host house, which thanks to Kristen (team mate) was a super nice place. A 3 storied town-type house next to the river, with a Jacuzzi, a boat docked up right outside the </span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">front door and a plasma flat screen outside on the d</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">eck (which you could watch while in the Jacuzzi). So the a</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">ccommodati</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">on was pretty top-notch. Then after the last race we visited friends of the family we were staying with. We drove there in their Porsche and super cool </span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">mini. Once arr</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">iving we got on a boat and boated to a restaurant about half an hour away. The views on the </span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">boat were incredible; the houses were stuff you see on </span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">TV, was definitely a </span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">city for the wealthy. We then d</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left; ">ocked up, had dinner and boated back. Was an awesome night, but the houses we sore were pretty ridiculous.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmdYcOsclezmOqxMAnGaiVoeq83zdE-xt1TN7qqj12X4SSRczPqePBdkiZNS-GPIw_6lTzfCQsIEQK5YwbU0Se2qH1Y0Ti41Z5GGSueVjvkz_9E2UhwV4Abg0D8Sa_4TpspOubhGtLA/s400/IMG_0030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728297774413945842" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzi7QmbYbLXEBWC1oJ0xWDOGQKEP9Fqz6qlyw8w7AgcexeagVj03b2nXuHTVw0_fVJ9aiDroj7tDXN_MvdhoN-pyu3XmR844lIFouMj4DWME3koEq2Gzh15HETNSS5rj32aasaRyo5zk/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMjxHqeiXHFV4GSpe3rVW1f_HfqbF3bQO2iS2XcKz1lL8-f4Qo60tRJO6NWfOpxUhlN-O6qUksV0hYQRGpvCP5demtVcU0uDhCKQxgL4bT1a-ENcnIU_E9jGg4EItZxjNipSspvCv7rU/s400/IMG_0045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728293424570640642" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzi7QmbYbLXEBWC1oJ0xWDOGQKEP9Fqz6qlyw8w7AgcexeagVj03b2nXuHTVw0_fVJ9aiDroj7tDXN_MvdhoN-pyu3XmR844lIFouMj4DWME3koEq2Gzh15HETNSS5rj32aasaRyo5zk/s400/IMG_0777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728293416428455522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><u><br /></u></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpNQwFiQzceWA3z-HuRW9WOulXu_kM4yYN1hbEeO6wRyrMToNsuUPQ2yXNbrsT1qBj4_Xk80aHCjwQyyDtfPd7waG9LzAowwWudLhtGiKBfYnNXzkoVAbr2KCrQbCNej_G19LCPg2Zfc/s400/IMG_0054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728293406380759090" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; font-family: Cambria, serif; ">Now for the racing. </span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; font-family: Cambria, serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; ">the Delray beah criterium is part </span><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; ">of th</span><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; ">e USA Criterium racing series. Our team was all over the worl</span><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; ">d, with some in Europe and others at another race in America so the team that went to this criterium had no sprinters, so was going to be more of a practice working together kind of thing (as criteriums generally turn into a sprint). Our team rode </span><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; ">really </span><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; ">well, making the race alive, where we attacked the entire way through. Then Kristen (team mate) got up the road and stayed away for about 3 laps, unfortunately getting caught with 200 meters to go. I then got into 'sprint' mode (Which I don't re</span><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; ">ally have) and managed to get a 3rd place.. So was happy with the first race! Then the next day was another criterium, not quite as important but still a good one. Our team rode agressively again and gave me a perfect lead out (I was now the team sp</span><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; ">rinter for this race, which for me is a bit of a laugh), unfortunately I </span><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; ">could not win it but g</span><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; ">ot 2nd by about a tire width.. damn.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwZSpVTqkppHF0TJxvXEZB7tFpoNNCeRhH-RW-nvoREVSSA3lbWF0YjYE_2I2aWEBtve1g1Yv5Tq2RCLT5KLnnTx1xqJg0kjw4UHGQ6Kyp0qdgNbnw36rMhyqnZgPz5b8TJQ6RDvWUa4/s400/IMG_0036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728296729013232866" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; "> The finishing straight at the race. Love racing in the dark!</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjhyQ5ARcveVYgs3E_rFgzNE6nsoEeZEoMED2DW2icAt64Q3_28OmZ3zdNjFk3nslWoP_M3bPWTNdA7VNjsBDrd2mnZeNFq7pJPCSnZqfdJQCw5kKz80XwkoMAH8RltH2X_PdK2ReYkA/s400/424846_3549553702096_1370214223_3370666_409624883_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728295811533471842" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Cambria, serif; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px; " /></div><div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; "> Not the best photo, but the only one I could find on the podium.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 100%; ">The next day we got up at about 3:30am </span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; ">to catch the 6:00 </span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Cambria, serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; ">flight. We are all getting quite used to these ridiculously early mornings. Below is a pictu</span><span style="font-size: 100%; background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; ">re of us at the airport, after a solid 3-4 hours of sleep (I think I am eating my breakfast out of some Tupperware).</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%; background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjAxB76GaprnZyotbejy4T0LB8eAA03KCk9E71YVdxEyYtND_3YDwa1CrKHyTmQ8ouOTHSylSm63fpRKk6-krOufyhRFDusmgegvt18W8_1qjynCagZXE7dJmYUnc3AU2RkQ__Bc_poU/s400/use.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728292790977688194" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /><div style="text-align: left; "></div></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Now it is Asheville for 2 days, then to California for Redlands and San Dimas Stage races! I cannot wait!!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Will keep you posted,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Courteney</span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; "><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-69838181765464190432012-03-04T10:02:00.012-08:002012-03-04T13:19:57.430-08:00Time to start racing!!<div><div><div><div><div><div>I have now been in America for just under a month and am loving every minute of it. After leaving California, Emma (team mate), Rachel (Manager) and I flew across to Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville is where I will be based for the next 7 months and I could not have come to a better place.<br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 299px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716152911579927794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CIlt0StYj8ynOs7FhaGYGet_NGxkIIk94u0TuWLJJofK9rMMrIyjw3UHsh-JC3lseX_PoFzzytwu4XSL-HmczYHbSxZdXCR1SitLvO-4UyXbBEIWU24u3CJeSmaDn7macUrKXE-yQ8E/s400/IMG_1131.JPG" /></div><div> Down the road from where I am living, going to be awesome in summer!</div><div> </div><div>At first I was a little worried when Emma described the town as “full of hippies,” although this is very true it is also full of mountains and amazing super markets. We are living in a cute little house about 2km’s outside of the main Asheville town and about 10 minutes (riding) away from<br />endless climbing. The first day we got here Rachel took us on an ‘easy’ ride, when returning home I had a look at my computer.. 1000 metres of climbing in an hour and a half!! A little different to Dallas last year, where all the locals couldn’t stop talking about their ‘massive’ hill (this consisted of a 3-4% climb lasting around 300 metres), I would go for 5 hours on what was considered<br />a ‘hilly loop’ and would return having done about 400 metres of climbing.. This is going to be a good year!</div><div> </div><div><br />Last week I went on a ride with Rachel so she could show me a good loop to go riding on. A week later and I am still buzzing about how awesome it was! Once we had got out of the town part we hit a 30-40 minute windy and steep climb, once reaching the top (and taking some photos of the<br />view) we got to a road called Blue Ridge Parkway. This road carries on for 500 miles between Virginia and North Carolina and is wide, smooth, and super hilly (ranging in elevation from 600 to 6000 feet). It is often closed off to motor vehicles it certain parts, which it was on this ride, so Rachel and I got the entire road to cruise on, for about 90kms. It also contains a few tunnels which are good to mix it up a bit, except for the part where you cannot see anything for a split second.. adds some excitement to the ride. During the descent we came across some icicles hanging on the side of the road (so had to stop for some photos.. obviously). Once I arrived home I took a look at the computer, this time I had done 2,200 metres, personal best!! Did I mention I love this place? Here’s a link to the Blue Ridge Parkway website, if you ever want to travel to America to do some riding.. come here! <a href="http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/">http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/</a></div><div> </div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 239px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716146586309210994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1scK3heXRy-HYvTNnvyDPktmd80GihDLxz402IpDugbZkStxZcXAxzLKLLq9wmFyCDQzt0bpz0vCOfWdtk53t8Y9M7Q5htOWx81VJGNldmQAbYnqzfD7jYCZ4afTBLzEWKPMrX22gLP8/s320/IMG_1092.JPG" /><div>The view from Blue Ridge Parkway, the road follows around all of the mountains.... heaven. </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 299px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716154041521742034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDallZ7Jc5Fa6GT7v1IJ-Ia5DRE3kDfB9WDLAmrUMHnk9SG2TSXTAO7o_ycBtY8ronom89Aymsq-pZ9V_GxgdcZYtbXGPD2loDTPzljmsD-UfyfGyJzPUxFGz1jDkX1PTyCzuRZbw_RBc/s400/photo+1.JPG" /></div><div>When you look left you get the views over Asheville, when you look right you get icicles. </div><div> </div><div>I have also been doing a lot of indoor training on my sweet new Kinetic trainer.. Usually when I am given efforts to do at home on the wind trainer I get a little depressed and leave training to the last minute, but this new trainer is awesome. It literally feels as though you are riding on a smooth road with no jolting at all, it also came with a super large trainer mat, which we use for gym stuff.. Its about the size of two people. I love the feeling of doing sprints on the trainer and knowing that I am not going to be taking off into the wall on the other side of the room (my one back at home, theres about a 50/50 chance of this happening). </div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716152135803334354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QdqMJ6Oyjl40IhtP8wOCapYaKalTX6Tj3rFSckmQzyEk7usMH1iZn6Qj8u0K0x2W-UXmzNu77kcOBfX-hjSUgSPD-A9uI_9N8Sdmodh-E-SvIURaPIqx22geJi6IlbuGM7HgzKZdGN8/s400/IMG_1152.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>Getting in some trainer efforts on the Kurt Kinetic trainer; <a href="http://www.kurtkinetic.com/">http://www.kurtkinetic.com/</a></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 299px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716147825143727730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqebWouDOeU5YBpUma2KX6ZVLHWUehpru_qRIiMeEWUxpNxj0O9sYdd7gybXeLK0Hh0SIkNq-2Wr93ZHoD9COC3Jovs9qOTO6eW4I2EwDxw505LAhwUv0oGn_85ozOoOrs8ijL78Rxcc4/s400/IMG_1124.JPG" /></div><div>One of the many hills I get to ride on every day, if you look closely you can see it zig-zagging down. </div><div><br />I have had the house to myself for the past couple of days while Emma and Rachel headed back to California for the Merco Cycling Classic. This is the first race of the season and we have started off awesomely! The line up for this race is super strong and our girls managed to come away with 4 in the top 10 for the time trial and a 2nd and 3rd in the criterium just yesterday (the winner, Ina Teutenberg is one of the world’s best, and Joelle was less than a wheel away from getting her)! The final stage is today and then they are back in Asheville tomorrow. Then on Friday, the three of us head to Florida to race the Delray beach criterium which is part of the NRC series (National Race Calendar), then we fly back to Asheville, have two days here and then back to California for San Dimas stage race, then to Redlands for another stage race, then Disney Land for my Birthday!! Can’t wait.</div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 180px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716145960382565106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8jPIm1uSCibfCWpsA_41Vm4gHbm6n4JWHSbF_pkyR3bB1Z7a-40zbFCfrdtuxB1hY0KfmhxR-zKuYlpUoIDV0XkePqI1lli2atcNu4a-MCFgoBLZR8yFTYsQ527T7GeXf4bAa1lOq0w/s320/IMG_0694.JPG" /></div><div> Emma and my home made gym.. </div><div> </div><div>And just as I finish writting this blog it starts snowing outside! This weather is so unpredictable. One day its 20 degrees the next its negative 5.. Love it!</div><div><br />Will keep everyone updated on how it’s all going.<br />Thanks for reading,<br />Courteney</div></div></div></div></div></div>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-72292267581240562642012-02-24T10:58:00.015-08:002012-02-24T11:50:38.753-08:00Training camp, Ventura, California.<div><div>When I eventually arrived at LA airport I met up with my new team and then Rachel (team manager) picked us all up and we travelled to Ventura, about an hour outside of LA. The next 10 days were spent training, eating, sleeping, getting regular massages and getting to know our team mates. It was amazing. We were handed on head to toe. Adrian, the team mechanic spent hours<br />and hours getting all the bikes fitted, running perfectly, cleaned and set to ride (there are 12 of us, we have two bikes each that mean 24 bikes, he is amazing.. not to mention the time trial bikes that will be arriving soon). Jeremy, the soigneur, gave us massage, filled and cleaned all of our bottles and provided us with delicious Cliff bars every morning before we rode. Last but definitely not least, Rachel Heal the team manager. Rachel makes everything happen, run smoothly and teaches us everything whether it be on or off the bike. So basically the only thing we had to be concerned about was having a good time, getting to know each other and riding fast.. I could get very used to this.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div><div>At the end of the 10 days we had a sponsor evening at the guys house (There are 18 males and 12 females in the Optum Health p/b KBS team). A marquee was set up on the beach with tiki torches around the sides and tables in the middle, with some pretty delicious catering. Was an awesome<br />evening getting to know the men’s team and all of the sponsers. It was finished off by the guys having a ‘plank off’ where they try to do a plank for 15 minutes, and if they made it then 200 dollars would be put towards World Bicycle Relief. Unfortunately the longest was about 9 minutes.. So Emma and I have made a goal of reaching 15 minutes by the end of the season. We are up to 6 so almost half way.. sort of.<br /></div><div>Below are some photos of the camp, thanks to photographer Casey B. Gibson and Emma Grant;</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712784217360250850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBOw0PEbYPncyBl4mu5yqD9fnsIzsL0iaU38CYD8_qownI3hWfNPQgZiDMgrVkDASwO4bt5Hr6MdrP-Fw3YRsaQGU5d6BCi-8bwQXeRSkEVPeR0aUdZu_ofqAi3V88rG7j-VEcuZCbkc/s320/optumtc212-119.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712784217048737090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZkX9DjcGZ7txIlG9nz71HBm6TEykw5fIwHL90iy10Pvrj46kh8S3jRZJGh0D9QGRRh9x99QEr-87z6CR8l3C4_yozCiAUgDfXQ71CAmBNJ_6tz9MCpiMxdfgdLBAoxmASapezxAm34Q/s320/420517_3295746151906_1215394639_33430978_688364125_n.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712784203663143074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCvapN7PTGQeBqrUFUSK5iMURIWYRk_Kg77NTEL_7SRIdf5Rrlm2gJ6WyhpChKyGgQPxJ5c1kQOmZ4MHNF6yg3TARsmKqzPNRXBMHUYjeC23kPwa6emkBefKQcmZA6bqh6hb0xcHp4GI/s320/397109_3303585107875_1215394639_33434699_1873867338_n.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712784203170102866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5vBa9FW5SeSu8xg4bRz_M-dvuI8u_S514XhtR4t0sexBe0SAL-14c3iCUHX-y8yMUotVJUtR6Y9zhIMTwpwB5big4CDd4AfMK2MYP5QvRuMDen2l2zPsB1CQ_X8yuHPb3BcVVLzlOTM/s320/395260_10150619813435419_509400418_9248059_175037224_n.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712784194730054642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsA9qOBFGy6imumkCbv0mBbXJXhxA6yWyqjiyz86mehk88Z8Ah6Lbwk0tzLDsGwY9SPcmRcweNJCqe4UJJNt0QycpeCcOiL0OpF1BscdQTlqJ1opAe5LQHpIHwOSWrJlRmcU1Jfz-jVo/s320/418567_10150629945550419_509400418_9279214_1260702503_n.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 180px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712783204916518194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtD75Yaia-MLyku02Ng_3__IwemMIt9aLLXeyBphphKmP7owFFeLN3DDk8nYDklHAD-OEU6rASgh-86Kle4p6PQzosKcq3S3MhFC9vNTvyxUEk2GNdPsoDOBd-iFLUijYeHUS3tTlnzO4/s320/IMG_0665.JPG" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 239px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712783195796873122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eYb9yq2YNpifY2NA5l3Q4LGkJPollrjoeaXtm8SuZnSSxrsFyvBl3Wma9kRQJL44qZO98fiiAH1OQaVIkYvabeosiLKFuxbGv6AIFX-ucQ9l28lq05tBTftI6KcY0v2euhLxjXN89IU/s320/IMG_1025.JPG" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 239px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712783185329631714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOFAlIDrh7FH8JKFDYgf1FWjaYM1BujfJWy_pPbsichyphenhyphen-mEuhuJGvADus0x4V8eYiY2jlP79NaqFI2XGvmouy88N2cokTC7rt1KjmvSfHFdMQShy8sjDe0YygQk3XJQnSrFtUoKJl4Ow/s320/IMG_1053.JPG" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712783181079018818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc-VpUAxRJdffo98OuQkKgRCepS9zjApeRffhlH_7vHQzkbSnHKVugIt7lx3p5iBPwEVGQ42_YP_O-cD8WJqUN8kRvvWLO1K3ld7ufyUR-5k6HvAkJmOGXbResgPb4BdZZWYbBJ4LXgs/s320/IMG_3518.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712783172385803538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowaY0wevnbgW33VlSP4NPzFCSS5OXynGe5TaKFF0XDJhWpt-z5bNb1XeQax8XwXEbVrysYzKROqkxGLZ_wXfZpkMBoY0qYgEw2_OIR8FGrkCmK6ZbHF5RCzlRx4D9WieJwJp0DibwhIo/s320/Optum+Team+Camp+2012+014.JPG" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712782559506076994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLyYP32atKEmA_CZWJAbaOtSSbRWDUkj7w048WxeUErihs4KsLrz8Q_4K0sUJfONdIkiTH512oadaPtHpNxfeIBpDWN-kdaoXQjBMC8E_VLUR9HLPRH_29fdDv6CiTHd8aZFqEDs-ngY/s320/IMG_3777.jpg" /></div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 205px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712781995259154594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqeU3mjv4lWEHMHQhO0-PvWND9myBa9aa7hSZPjOUX95L8KSqdi6ovA44pWPZQgDR3t_kVTwv7nQw27WPkEqU-OSfkc1_dgAAg0JNwBMJQMfi8nyd2vv1QuGmqyIzuEbI0Jd03ndrgcs/s320/optumtc212-142.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 190px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712781682412830146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lSvmtp-K4A32k4-mBuvzIIui8N9n7sJKrQLrQcbERoZwvFQw44l8cTAGGsS0apFvPAequqnl9cr7mSRjOsJFnu06BdTVIg_hZYW8BmKGGWiA-8Hkk-OsTFnu3T96FxM6fMlrlJFR0WY/s320/optumtc212-131.jpg" />It is going to be one awesome year and I cannot wait to be part of Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies. Thanks to all of the sponsers who make this possible; </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>- World Bicycle Relief <a href="http://www.worldbicyclerelief.org/" target="_blank">http://www.worldbicyclerelief.org/</a>. </div><div>- Solve <a href="http://www.solve-ideas.com/">http://www.solve-ideas.com/</a></div><div>- Schick <a href="http://www.schick.com/">http://www.schick.com/</a></div><div>- Orbea <a href="http://www.orbea.com/">http://www.orbea.com/</a></div><div>- OptumHealth Performance <a href="http://www.optumhealthperformance.com/index.php">http://www.optumhealthperformance.com/index.php</a></div><div>- Medifast <a href="http://www.medifast1.com/index.jsp">http://www.medifast1.com/index.jsp</a></div><div>- Mavic <a href="http://www.mavic.com/en">http://www.mavic.com/en</a></div><div>- Look <a href="http://www.lookcycle.com">http://www.lookcycle.com</a></div><div>- Large Format Graphics. inc <a href="http://www.largeformatgraphics.biz/">http://www.largeformatgraphics.biz/</a></div><div>- Kuhl <a href="https://www.kuhl.com/">https://www.kuhl.com/</a></div><div>- Kurt Kinetic <a href="http://www.kurtkinetic.com/">http://www.kurtkinetic.com/</a></div><div>- HED <a href="http://www.hedcycling.com/">http://www.hedcycling.com/</a></div><div>- Colavita <a href="http://www.colavita.com/index.htm">http://www.colavita.com/index.htm</a></div><div>- Circuit Global Sports Management <a href="http://www.circuitsport.com">http://www.circuitsport.com</a></div><div>- Challenge <a href="http://www.challengetech.it/home.php">http://www.challengetech.it/home.php</a></div><div>- Bicycling <a href="http://www.bicycling.com/">http://www.bicycling.com/</a> </div><div>- Arundel <a href="http://www.arundelbike.com/index.html">http://www.arundelbike.com/index.html</a></div><div>- Acura <a href="http://www.acura.com/">http://www.acura.com/</a></div><div>- SRAM <a href="http://www.sram.com/">http://www.sram.com/</a></div><div>- Champion System <a href="http://www.champ-sys.com/">http://www.champ-sys.com/</a></div><div>- Lazer <a href="http://www.lazersport.com/">http://www.lazersport.com/</a></div><div>- Cliff Bar <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/">http://www.clifbar.com/</a></div><div>- Street Factory Media <a href="http://www.streetfactorymedia.com/">http://www.streetfactorymedia.com/</a></div><div>- Thule <a href="http://www.thule.com/en-us/US">http://www.thule.com/en-us/US</a></div><div>- Park Tool <a href="http://www.parktool.com/">http://www.parktool.com/</a></div><div>- Selle Italia <a href="http://www.selleitalia.com/">http://www.selleitalia.com/</a></div><div>- Xterra Footwear <a href="http://xterrafootwear.com/">http://xterrafootwear.com/</a></div><div>- Motorex <a href="http://www.motorexusa.com/">http://www.motorexusa.com/</a></div><div>- Kelly Benefit Strategies <a href="http://www.kellybenefitstrategies.com/">http://www.kellybenefitstrategies.com/</a></div><div>- Compex <a href="http://www.compex.info">http://www.compex.info</a></div><div>- Optum Health <a href="http://www.optumhealth.com">www.optumhealth.com</a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>If anybody is interested here is the link to the team website; <a href="http://www.optumprocycling.com/">http://www.optumprocycling.com/</a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Watch this space..</div><div>Courteney =)</div><div><br /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3703516393109583709.post-88638588708649335972012-02-22T18:52:00.000-08:002012-02-22T18:57:57.171-08:00America 2012, Team Optum Pro Cycling P/B Kelly Benefit StrategiesThis morning I woke up to a quaking duck at 3.30am (that's my alarm). Then by 4am dad, mum and I set off for Auckland airport. First stop was Sydney, a nice smooth trip where i watched a movie called TOAST, and slept for the rest. I am now sitting in Sydney. In 3 hours I leave for a 14 hour flight to LA where I will stay for 2 weeks for training camp with my new team Optum pro cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies (bit of a mouthful). I have never felt so many emotions before, I am so excited for the 7 months ahead, as well as super nervous. But I am also going to miss home and the people there a lot. I have never been away from home for this long so it's going to be interesting.<br /><br />The aim is to keep this updated on a regular basis.. Lets see how that goes.<br /><br />Courteney =)Courteney Lowe, roadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10973958599159369294noreply@blogger.com0