A non spandex-related update!

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 celebrate it on American time. So that is indeed what I did. This year is the ‘big’ 21. I don’t like it, I still don’t believe 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.

So this year I celebrated my NZ birthday racing the streets of Redlands. It was 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 dweebs in the team) chocolate browny cake. Yum. That was a pretty cool surprise to end a really 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.

The next morning (my American birthday), Kate, Emily, Jazzy (Hurikino) and 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^st there is going to be a pretty awesome memory. 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. Below are some photos of the day;

That night I stayed with a good friend, Monica Martinez, who I had 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!

So now I am a bit gutted my birthday(s) are over, only 349 days until my next one =)

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.

Thanks for reading,

Courteney

San Dimas and Redlands

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).

Before Redlands was a build up 3 stage tour called San Dimas. Lining up next to people like Kristin Armstrong and 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 pouring rain and freezing cold. It was miserable, and fast! Our team again rode really well, Joelle (team mate) got in the break with

Kristen Armstrong, Clara Hughes and Alison Starnes and then we tried to control the bunch and let them stay away. Because Joelle was up the front it meant 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^rd. It supposed to be 8 laps, then when we came through for the 6^th 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^th lap, then stopped them half way through saying what-ever order they rode through the start/finish line on the 7^th 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). She did great and got 3rd in the field sprint.

Time-trialing it up the San Dimas climb.. Terrible choice of aerodynamics.

Riding in the beautiful Californian sun.

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 world).

The next couple of days were spent relaxing and getting lots 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 time. The aim was for me and a team mate to go for 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. Coming into the finish was fast. We had dropped about 3 quarters of the field by this stage, starting with about 85 and finishing with about 25. Joelle finished 2nd, literally mm away from first. Great race for her!

Getting the tt bars set-up before the tt.

The next day was a criterium around the streets of Redlands. 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!!

The last day was another road race. 9 Laps of this hard, fast course with a rather large hill in it (total of about 110km). It was fast from the start, and was painful. 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 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 on for dear life. Joelle got a 2nd bringing her up to 3rd 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 team. I can not wait for many more ahead!!

The start of Jade's leadout for KOM. Spot the shoes.

Team meeting before one of the road stage at Redlands.

Next stop, Disney Land!!

Thanks for reading =)

Courteney

Delray Beach Criterium

Since my last blog I have been to Florida, back to Asheville, California (Redlands and San Dimas) and now back in Asheville again. The first race on my calendar was the Delray twilight criterium which is part of the American Criterium series and is raced in Delray, Florida. We then had another small criterium to do the next day before returning home to Asheville. Here is where I supposed to break down the race, lap by lap, but instead the experience of Delray was pretty surreal, so I’m going to start with that. We 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 front door and a plasma flat screen outside on the deck (which you could watch while in the Jacuzzi). So the accommodation 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 mini. Once arriving we got on a boat and boated to a restaurant about half an hour away. The views on the boat were incredible; the houses were stuff you see on TV, was definitely a city for the wealthy. We then docked up, had dinner and boated back. Was an awesome night, but the houses we sore were pretty ridiculous.

Now for the racing. the Delray beah criterium is part of the USA Criterium racing series. Our team was all over the world, 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 really 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 really 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 sprinter for this race, which for me is a bit of a laugh), unfortunately I could not win it but got 2nd by about a tire width.. damn.

The finishing straight at the race. Love racing in the dark!

Not the best photo, but the only one I could find on the podium.

The next day we got up at about 3:30am to catch the 6:00 flight. We are all getting quite used to these ridiculously early mornings. Below is a picture of us at the airport, after a solid 3-4 hours of sleep (I think I am eating my breakfast out of some Tupperware).

Now it is Asheville for 2 days, then to California for Redlands and San Dimas Stage races! I cannot wait!!

Will keep you posted,

Courteney

Time to start racing!!

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.

Down the road from where I am living, going to be awesome in summer!

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
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
a ‘hilly loop’ and would return having done about 400 metres of climbing.. This is going to be a good year!

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
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! http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

The view from Blue Ridge Parkway, the road follows around all of the mountains.... heaven.

When you look left you get the views over Asheville, when you look right you get icicles.

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).

Getting in some trainer efforts on the Kurt Kinetic trainer; http://www.kurtkinetic.com/

One of the many hills I get to ride on every day, if you look closely you can see it zig-zagging down.

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.

Emma and my home made gym..

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!

Will keep everyone updated on how it’s all going.
Thanks for reading,
Courteney

Training camp, Ventura, California.

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
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.

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
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.

Below are some photos of the camp, thanks to photographer Casey B. Gibson and Emma Grant;

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;

- World Bicycle Relief http://www.worldbicyclerelief.org/.

- Solve http://www.solve-ideas.com/

- Schick http://www.schick.com/

- Orbea http://www.orbea.com/

- OptumHealth Performance http://www.optumhealthperformance.com/index.php

- Medifast http://www.medifast1.com/index.jsp

- Mavic http://www.mavic.com/en

- Look http://www.lookcycle.com

- Large Format Graphics. inc http://www.largeformatgraphics.biz/

- Kuhl https://www.kuhl.com/

- Kurt Kinetic http://www.kurtkinetic.com/

- HED http://www.hedcycling.com/

- Colavita http://www.colavita.com/index.htm

- Circuit Global Sports Management http://www.circuitsport.com

- Challenge http://www.challengetech.it/home.php

- Bicycling http://www.bicycling.com/

- Arundel http://www.arundelbike.com/index.html

- Acura http://www.acura.com/

- SRAM http://www.sram.com/

- Champion System http://www.champ-sys.com/

- Lazer http://www.lazersport.com/

- Cliff Bar http://www.clifbar.com/

- Street Factory Media http://www.streetfactorymedia.com/

- Thule http://www.thule.com/en-us/US

- Park Tool http://www.parktool.com/

- Selle Italia http://www.selleitalia.com/

- Xterra Footwear http://xterrafootwear.com/

- Motorex http://www.motorexusa.com/

- Kelly Benefit Strategies http://www.kellybenefitstrategies.com/

- Compex http://www.compex.info

- Optum Health www.optumhealth.com

If anybody is interested here is the link to the team website; http://www.optumprocycling.com/

Watch this space..

Courteney =)

America 2012, Team Optum Pro Cycling P/B Kelly Benefit Strategies

This 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.

The aim is to keep this updated on a regular basis.. Lets see how that goes.

Courteney =)

Elite Nationals 2012

After Vineyards I flew to Christchurch with Emily and Kate to get ready for the 2012 elite nationals. This is my third year of competing in this race and I absolutely love it. The course is awesome with a 1.5 (ish) km climb up Dyers Pas on every lap (7 laps) and the rest on pretty flat roads that are fairly open to the wind. Unfortunately the start list was missing a few big names including Linda Villlumson and quite a few of the track riders, but it still had some pretty good talent including (dear I say it) some bloody good triathletes and also a handful of other International riders.

The race started off relatively slowly with most of the field in no particular rush. Sequoia Cooper and Lauren Ellis got in a break together early on and started gaining some good time on the main field. Coming up to the 4th lap Kate Mcilroy and I decided it would be a good idea to put some pressure on on the hill and try to get a little break going. Kate started the hill off at a good tempo, dropping quite a few of the riders, then half way up the hill I went to the front and had a go, forming a group of 4. We managed to catch Sequoia and Lauren and then dropped them on the hill. Coming into the last lap we had about 2 minutes on a chasing group of about 5. Reta Trotman unfortunately came off coming around the round-about and was unable to rejoin our group. So it was three of us battling it out on the climb. Nicky Samuels was too strong on the last 200 metres of the hill and rode away while Kate and I tried to keep her in sight. The last lap was quite a lot of pain, we worked hard together but were unable to pull her back in. I ended up finishing in 2nd place, which with all that has been going on in the last few months I was pretty happy about. Also, Reta Trotman had an amazing race after falling off. She got caught by the chasing 5 and then broke away from the on the hill finishing in 4th place.. a new rider who is super strong and one to watch for the future!

Need a little more practive opening champagne bottles I think.. a little bit slow.

Still trying...

On the subject of this year, I am now allowed to announce that I am in a professional womens cycling team called Kelly Benefit Strategies – Optum Health Pro Cycling. We will be managed by Rachel Heal who also managed the Colavita team last year (this team is basically Colavita except we have new sponsorship names and have joined up with the already existing men’s KBS team).
Because it is a top team I will be the worker for the year, trying to help out the top riders in the team as much as I can. This is an amazing opportunity and I really cannot wait. I would just like to thank some people who have made this possible for me, Including; Andy Reid, Richard Bates, Craigs Investment Partners, Koops Cycles, Tauranga Cycling Club, and most importantly, Mum and Dad!

I am off on February the 7th (just over a week eek) where I will be flying into LA for a 2 week training camp and then heading to Asheville, North Carolina where I will be based for the 7 months.

Will keep everyone updated!
Courteney =)