World's Wrap up!!

I had such an awesome experience racing my first European race! Going into the race, I was pretty nervous because I had no idea what to expect. I have heard so many stories about how other countries race, and I was worried it was going to be a shock! It was no more aggressive or fast than an NRC race, it was so cool to race against all these girls that are the same age as me!

I was so happy to finish the race with the field, I tried to set up Alexis for the sprint, but it was so hard to move her up in to position in the last 2k, there was a crash in the last 400 meters that messed up her sprint and so we finished 41st and 43rd. Not exactly our goal, but we were happy to call it a season!

I describe the race step by step in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA6MbakeAlc&feature=player_embedded

I am very excited for the next year and I can't wait to race world championships next year (well hopefully, I have to qualify first)

This is right before the start, it was pretty cold!

Staging for the start, keeping my focus!
Racing!
Congratulating Alexis on a job well done!
Talking about the race!
Making friends with our neighbors, the Canadians

Happy after the road race!
We got pudding and cookies for our recovery.... it was so good!!!!
I have really enjoyed my time here in Copenhagen! Leaving tomorrow to head back to the US, I'm going to miss this place! Let the off season begin!!

(These pictures come from Velonews.com)

Copenhagen Time Trial

I got to ride the course several times which was good because it was very technical with 2 cobbled turns and a cobble section, I knew it was going to be tricky. The course had lots of speed bumps, road furniture (medians) and lots of turns, some technical, others not so technical. The course was good for me because it was completely flat, short, and I handeled my bike well through the technical sections.

I got took advice from some amazing people like Connie Carpenter, Evie Stevens, Amber Neben, and Taylor Phinney. With their time trialing experience and good knowledge of the course, they told me good lines to take through the corners and things to look out for.

When I started my warm up, I knew I was in good position; I felt good and focused. I was not intimidated by the other girls because I had met all the big names at track worlds, so that took away the fear factor. I kept myself calm, cool, and collected but very excited to race!

I was lucky to go 3rd from last so I got to see the times of the other girls. I started and it was very windy, it felt like I was being blown all over the course! At the halfway mark, Ben (Junior National Team Coach) told me I was sitting in top 5 over the intercom. I couldn't believe it! Then about 2 minutes later, I started to feel the burn! Instead of increasing the pace over the last half, I was doing everything I could to maintain the pace.

I started to get blurry vision, which typically happens but with a technical course it seemed 2x as hard. After just barely dodging barriers that narrowed the course, I was ready to get the race over with! Thank goodness Ben was in the car behind me to tell me exactly what was up the road and how to take some of the corners.

When I finished, I was in 12th place, but the 2 girls behind me got first and second place so, that bumped me down to 14th out of the 39 starters. I was so exstatic! I did much better than I thought I was going to do. After a not so great track worlds, I was happy to end my time trialing season on a good note!

Enjoy the pictures below!

This is at a train station, off in the distance is about 300 bikes parked for a daily commute.

Riding the TT course the day before, we got lost several times:

I was watching all the girls before me race on TV: (usacycling.org)
Warming up~ It was pretty cold that morning! (usacycling.org)
The start: (Velonews.com)
The cobble section in the heart of Copenhagen! About 3k to go from here (cyclingnews.com)
Crawling to the finish line! (usacycling.org)
DEAD!!!!! (velonews.com)
Got to watch the U23 men on TV. Lawson Craddock as a first year in the U23!
Riding the TT course the day before (uci.com)
I had an awesome time and I can't wait for next year! I'm so glad to be here! Road race on Friday~

Copenhagen Arrival Day

I arrived in Copenhagen yesterday early in the morning! Th flight was pretty short and I got like 1 hour of sleep in, which is good! USA Cycling came to pick me up and I met one of our swanny and mechanic.

We got to our hotel in this is the view from our window:
This is our hotel room.... yes... the American flag! So cool! PS, the beds are half the size of a twin bed, its cool there are a lot of English channels on TV so that is helpful!
If you look straight ahead out of our window this is the view, another hotel and a courtyard down below with a swing set.... that will be fun!
If you look to the right out side our hotel room, this is the view. Our hotel is so cute!
This is our area for the riders to get ready for the ride... in the BMC trailer! One of the sawnny and mechanics works for BMC and will be taking care of us this week.
Grace and I went for a ride... we got a lost on the way back but we found our way home, eventually!
This is right outside our hotel, there are a lot of shops and markets. It's pretty nice!
A bakery/Cafe right near hotel:
A super steep stairway in a cafe/ are gallery
Right outside the hotel
Everyone rides bikes here! Its so cool!
Copenhagen is SO COOL I can' wait for more activities~

One Big Thank You Note

As the date comes closer and closer for departure for the World Championships, I keep thinking how lucky I am to have such a strong community to support my every move. I couldn't have possibly achieved some of the things I have without certain people donating their time to me to make my dreams possible! This blog is a thank you to the people who have impacted and inspired me to do what I do in my life!

This first picture is one of my absolute favorites, I took this at the dock of my Grandparents' house in Charleston, SC. It's a way of how I view a beautiful day in life!

Parental Units- Let's be honest, I would not be alive without my parents. They have supported me every step of the way. Even though divorced, they have come together to support me! They drive me everywhere and adjust their schedules to help me with my workouts. They encourage me to do my best in any sport I am in.

My dad has introduced me into this sport, he has given up many things of his own wants and desires to buy me equipment and dedicate his time and energy to take me to races. This was our first event together, "24 Hours of Booty" a fundraiser ride to raise money for brain tumors and cancer research.

July, 31 2004 (I was 10!)

6 years later, my dad and I climbed Mt. Mitchell together, a challenging, yet rewarding climb! The best part is a 30-ish mile decent! The time I get to spend with my dad is very special to me because as I am getting older, our paths are slowly growing apart. As I am getting ready for college and "the real world", he is keeping busy with his new life!

August 2010

My mom has always supported me in cycling, she may not know much about cycling, but she tries hard and she does her research and always finds race results faster than I can! She is someone who always prays for me and I can rely on her for anything! She is a nurse for when I crash and a hero when I feel like everything spirals out of control.

The picture on the left was at a swim meet 4 years ago, when I was so excited about cycling, I always wore hand-me-down clothes!

ROBIN/ TEAMMATE/ COACH/ TRAINING PARTNER/ BOSS:

Any way you put it, Robin has been the biggest impact in my life so far. She is the main reason why I am have done all I have achieved. She gives me guidance to just about everything in my life! I could write a book of all the adventures we've had together. We've had ups and downs, but mostly ups. She is someone I can always turn to if anything EVER happens to me, she will tell me to "figure it out", or "lets find a way to fix it". I have learned so much from her and she deserves a huge thank you!

Cascade Classic, Bend, OR. July 2011

UPTOWN CYCLES:

The one stop shop! I get training done here in the world-class training center! Not only will they help me with any bike/ equipment needs, but you can get coffee from the giant espresso machine! Francisco (the mechanic) is one of the best! He works on my bike so quickly and he is very thorough. My bikes are perfect after he has gotten his hands on it! Uptown has the best brands with the best service and have paved the way for all of my trips, especially helping me fully fund raise my trip to Russia!
This was when the shop re-opened the training center! I had spent 2 days painting that wall from black to lime green!
The uptown cycles family: coming back from some racing in Charleston,SC. One packed car!
This picture is just awesome, I'm probably saying something knowledgeable, Robin makes questions me, and Uncle Chris just stands there! :D
Uptown Cycles hosted my 16th surprise birthday party last year, it was a surprise because so many people showed up!
Angela "Ang" Olson, an employee at Uptown Cycles gives me tips in life and treats me as one of her own, she has 3 girls so she understands me!

GREENAPPLE SPORTS AND WELLNESS:

Dr. Duffy has been working on my back for a year. If I ever get injured or out of line, he will take me right in and fix it in an instant! He has saved me from continuous injuries and body maintenance. After I see Dr. Duffy, I feel 100% for my races!

TEAM USA FAMILY:

This is probably my favorite thing about all the racing i get to do! Being with kids my own age that race bikes as well! Bike racing connects us all from all over the nation that would not otherwise met each other had it not been for bikes!

This picture is at the 2010 Jr. Development National Camp. Major trust on this drill!
A close net family picture of the 2011 Jr. Track National Team. I am amazed by how much we respect each other. We are truly a family!
NOW AND NOVARTIS FOR MS:

I got the biggest opportunity of a lifetime to race for a professional women's team this year. I spent about 3 months away from home this summer racing around the country all thanks to my amazing team! I've been able to experience things average 17 year olds do not get to experience. I feel so lucky to have been on this team this year!

This picture is teammate Devon and I getting ice cream after San Dimas Stage Race in Pasadena, CA. She is in love with ice cream!
Our beautiful team! Devon, Anne, Robin, Christina "Pokey", and Erika:

Thank you for including me in everything and teaching me great life skills, its been a great season! I have learned so much in such a small time! Kurt, Phil and Louise; No Opportunity Wasted, that was this year for me!
FOREST HILL CHURCH/ADVANCED YOUTH GROUP:

A big thank you to all of my church friends and Matt and life group leaders, you have given me the support I need to succeed and always a place to fall back on no matter what. Church is a place for me to escape the cycling world and reconnecting with my faith! I have been able to see God's wonders in my life!

EAST MECKLENBURG HIGH SCHOOL:
Everywhere I go, people ask me how I do both cycling and school. I tell them, I couldn't have done it without my schools' support! I miss a lot of days and my teachers really care about me and getting me back on track. I get shout outs on the school's announcements and my teachers and friends congratulate me on my success!

Thank you to all the East Meck teachers who help me especially Mrs. Turner, Frau Conklin and Mrs. Rauss for putting up with me for the past 4 years :)

This is a picture of my freshman year with my 2 best friends at homecoming game.

A trip to Banner Elk, NC with East Meck Ski team
A swim meet at Providence High school.... fun times!
This blog is a tribute to everyone! Thank you! There are many many many many more people who have helped me! 2 days until I leave for Denmark!! Thanks for reading!