tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1670558180284802302024-03-04T20:46:49.526-08:00Lise Olivier - Team MTN QhubekaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-85531267766970812742012-08-16T05:53:00.000-07:002012-08-16T05:56:52.789-07:00Why Women Race<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some people are driven by fancy things, some by fame and
others by fortune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the driving
force behind the women in cycling at the highest level?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Fancy?<o:p></o:p></h4>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is hardly anything fancy about life on the road as a female
cyclist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time while racing we
stay in hostels where you are considered fortunate to have a full complement
which includes a pillow, sheets and a towel (usually at least one of these is missing
in action).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Internet connection, usually
only strong enough to use Whatsapp or BBM, is the ultimate bonus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dining hall is a whole other story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from having to drink your coffee from a
bowl, which would give my Mom a heart attack if she ever had to witness me
doing that, we get yelled at daily by the food staff for taking a yogurt and a
fruit or a piece of cheese and a salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This usually turns into a funny game of who can get away with taking
more than what we are allowed without getting caught. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the race we do
not retreat to a five star bus but we are lucky if there is a shower within a
5km radius designated for us to use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Warm water is a luxury I am yet to experience after a race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is it about this group of women that I race with week
in and week out that turn all this into something to laugh about rather than to
constantly complain about it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Fame?<o:p></o:p></h4>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In other team sports like soccer or hockey it is not only
the person/(s) scoring the goal/(s) that get a medal or a podium position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire team gets to celebrate together on
the podium with medals around their necks or by holding some championship
trophy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as I know cycling is the
only sport in the Olympic Games that is considered a “team” sport with multiple
people working together to accomplish something but where only one teammate
gets a medal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In cycling only the teammate crossing the line first gets
celebrated on the podium and only one teammate gets to wear the leader’s jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time an average domestique on a
cycling team go about working for the team leader or sprinter on the day
without much recognition from the outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is a normal day in the office for the majority of the women in the
professional bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEhl8IfbCMMkmxHJOLsXV2NEwIS_3jQtfvDHNbDhktPjTbiMQcR-EAWK7SJctdcYo_nIJpBTA0IJGkRnvjzZmE4svdxeeC2J2k0gCivQIgDgYm2_NXFPb-1V6GVy3eYJDcIFRQIJeP9DXdY/s1600/For+the+Love+of+the+Sport.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8IfbCMMkmxHJOLsXV2NEwIS_3jQtfvDHNbDhktPjTbiMQcR-EAWK7SJctdcYo_nIJpBTA0IJGkRnvjzZmE4svdxeeC2J2k0gCivQIgDgYm2_NXFPb-1V6GVy3eYJDcIFRQIJeP9DXdY/s640/For+the+Love+of+the+Sport.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stark contrast between the podium celebrations for two team
sports (field hockey and cycling)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apart from the recognition and fame mainly being reserved
for the top riders on a team, the lack of coverage for the sport of women’s
cycling does not do us any favours either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have been a bit amazed by the surprised reactions of people after
witnessing the level of racing seen on TV during the Olympic Road Race for
women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a lot of reasons why
women’s racing is interesting and sometimes more entertaining than that of the
men (perhaps a topic for another blog post).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This level of racing is not just reserved for the televised events like
the Olympics and World Championships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just never realized before that we were probably the only ones who know just how
exciting our racing really is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is it about this group of women that keep them driven
and motivated to contribute to the success of the team through the vast periods
of no individual glory and little recognition?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Fortune?<o:p></o:p></h4>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I did a bit of research last night on the minimum prize
money requirements for races as well as the minimum rider salary requirements for
both men and women at the top level of the sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are being set forth by the UCI which is
the international cycling governing body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For one day racing I looked at La Fleche Wallonne, a World
Tour race for men and World Cup race for women held on the same day in Belgium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used the 9 day Giro Donne (most prestigious
women’s stage race) and compared it to the Giro d’Italia for men and also
looked at HC level tours for men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
is a summary of the differences in prize money between the women and the men:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnM38ujQnQQb2w4e6fgtqzelAiiwtfvXy6GrEpTcUZx7CtcQWSSfhoIGCITsr7g3fnk88N9x6LHC52OK7FxBi6AXrs5AEwHn1Lm8b-59cnqMjCgKExTaFW-AAD-4d-tpdsGtceHTlH5I/s1600/Prize+Money.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnM38ujQnQQb2w4e6fgtqzelAiiwtfvXy6GrEpTcUZx7CtcQWSSfhoIGCITsr7g3fnk88N9x6LHC52OK7FxBi6AXrs5AEwHn1Lm8b-59cnqMjCgKExTaFW-AAD-4d-tpdsGtceHTlH5I/s640/Prize+Money.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Full document found here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NDc1NzU&LangId=1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NDc1NzU&LangId=1</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is a summary of the minimum rider salary requirements:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDKJgCCR_VNVs-TIRBbYE9Uv06uztqgCuvDNwcwut7tFScZocFDVzmEjqUq1NOBZlmn7oXtF7588jt_HkfaA-M1k2_MX89nnyDiB5WFB2o_qZSyWg_ePzAxxpAUtd6YBF9yugtOpX13c/s1600/Salaries.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDKJgCCR_VNVs-TIRBbYE9Uv06uztqgCuvDNwcwut7tFScZocFDVzmEjqUq1NOBZlmn7oXtF7588jt_HkfaA-M1k2_MX89nnyDiB5WFB2o_qZSyWg_ePzAxxpAUtd6YBF9yugtOpX13c/s400/Salaries.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From this it should be pretty obvious that most women are
definitely not in the sport for the money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can only imagine that it must be a lot easier to sacrifice yourself in
a race if you are well compensated for your efforts and when you know that
there will be some kind of a reward in it for you personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The level we race at is shockingly high for a
sport where there is no real financial incentive (prize money, bonus, etc) to
perform.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If it is not to pay the bills to a million dollar mansion
like some of our male counterparts what is it that keeps women racing at the
highest level?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Conclusion:<o:p></o:p></h4>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the lack of common motivators for success such as fancy
things, fame and fortune what is it that keeps women on bikes racing at the highest
level?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What keeps women motivated to
give a 100% effort for a teammate or the greater goal of the team?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do women pursue a dream of achieving
something great?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have not been racing at the highest level for very long so
I am no expert but during the few months racing in Europe I have come to some
conclusions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some teams outperform
expectations while others just do not work well together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What gets results is a tightly knit team with
camaraderie that is a direct result only of the utmost respect for one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am surrounded daily by a special group of
women that ride purely out of love and passion for the sport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
</h2>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-56300436980736368942012-08-14T08:09:00.000-07:002012-08-14T08:09:45.082-07:00Race Report: Route de France Feminine UCI 2.1 Tour
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Race Report:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Route de
France Feminine UCI 2.1 Tour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After nine days of being in the same basic routine of
racing, eating, sleeping and travelling the days get somewhat blurred together
but some really great memories remain that stand out from the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spending so much time on the road together it is nice to get
to know some of the other riders in the bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Almost every woman in professional cycling has an interesting story worth
telling of how they ended up at this point in their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To keep things fun and entertaining along the
way we made up well suited nicknames for many riders in the bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In an effort not to get ridden off the road
at our next race these will stay within our team for now </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the 9 days of racing from the North to the East of
France we covered a total of 930km.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first 6 stages were mostly flat and somewhat windy and then we headed east for
the final 3 hilly stages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a
quick recap of all the stages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mKQ0rItPfOZD0-aOXT9eDhH1kiw7Mx_ZrkQPDC8MIIdwsdgZEblDUWH7UZMUhWmQX6ed40QQckMKnvZrpJAmFSJLxdzMNEJ3F5GQYWrrUMlnR_C0oLDTbF6RDW8WiXS4TpSK0sATa98/s1600/Route+de+France.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mKQ0rItPfOZD0-aOXT9eDhH1kiw7Mx_ZrkQPDC8MIIdwsdgZEblDUWH7UZMUhWmQX6ed40QQckMKnvZrpJAmFSJLxdzMNEJ3F5GQYWrrUMlnR_C0oLDTbF6RDW8WiXS4TpSK0sATa98/s320/Route+de+France.png" width="221" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 1:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saint Pol
Sur Mer, 5.1km Prologue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The race started in the harbour city of Dunkerque in the
north of France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This city with a lot of
war history, which includes World War II battles, again saw a battle for
supremacy on its streets during the 5.1km prologue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time around it was not just a fight between
Spain, Netherlands, England and France but rather a battle between 10 UCI Teams
from all over the globe as well as the French and US National Teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the Belarusian, Alena Amialiusik, from
the Be Pink team that walked away with the yellow jersey just 2 seconds ahead
of the American, Evelyn Stevens of Team Specialized-Lululemon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alena Amialiusik, Be Pink (Belarusia)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evelyn Stevens, Team Specialized-Lululemon (USA)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kristin McGrath, US National Team (USA)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEihVFfugVkKWod2nCbSosuvSjlJCe2m0eA5QtWOg4_Q7LZvJv3k63ZOlLrsrbYY9VZKmS-P7SAfGZIlDvUEUqbLouQHxY6IaygKCZHpavn-nSB1r4nED69-uYgceE_QLTz1Uk5crsp1-Sg/s1600/First+Night.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVFfugVkKWod2nCbSosuvSjlJCe2m0eA5QtWOg4_Q7LZvJv3k63ZOlLrsrbYY9VZKmS-P7SAfGZIlDvUEUqbLouQHxY6IaygKCZHpavn-nSB1r4nED69-uYgceE_QLTz1Uk5crsp1-Sg/s640/First+Night.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dunkerque harbour and the view from our hotel room<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dunkerque to
Noeux Les Mines, 102.4km<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This stage marked the biggest highlight of the tour for me with
teammate Cherise Taylor doing an astounding job by winning the stage in a bunch
sprint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a feeling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cherise has proven once again that she is in
a class of her own amongst the South African women when it comes to battling it
out in a sprint for the line in Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teammate
Ann Sophie Duyck was in a solo break for 65km from the start of the race and
was awarded the prize for the most aggressive rider on the day for her brave
effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two teammates on the podium was not
a bad start to the tour for the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alena
Amialiusik remained in yellow after the stage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cherise Taylor, Lotto Belisol (South Africa)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chloe Hosking, Team Specialized-Lululemon
(Australia)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Olena Andruk, Vaiano Tepso (Ukrain)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEh3KjZtMTrgixPKYNJKVAPJYV6PpRwHHbHC4irhXeylsy1mq0-w9hUoAvRxVWrsQUElX6_bKAItqDgP1Tk_pkBKYTYefI98FE-MpQVkj4UN8TuCkayvN-4kaSGLbekvaSQgbtOC3NxNRus/s1600/Stage+2+Podium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KjZtMTrgixPKYNJKVAPJYV6PpRwHHbHC4irhXeylsy1mq0-w9hUoAvRxVWrsQUElX6_bKAItqDgP1Tk_pkBKYTYefI98FE-MpQVkj4UN8TuCkayvN-4kaSGLbekvaSQgbtOC3NxNRus/s640/Stage+2+Podium.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Podium after stage 1 with Cherise Taylor and Ann Sophie
Duyck<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noeux Les
Mines to Tergnier, 130.7km<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have learnt in cycling to expect the unexpected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today was no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a flat, windy and rainy stage (not my favourite
racing conditions by any means) I end up in a break after countless attacks in
the gutter sections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing a break go
with two riders from strong teams I jumped across (ok it was more like dragged
myself over to them).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After taking a
minute to catch my breath we worked well together to establish a lead over the
chasing bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were away for about 10
minutes when 4 more riders bridged the gap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At any given time there were only about 4 of us contributing to the
break but knowing that we could gain valuable seconds in the general
classification standings I put in a 100% effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaining as much time as possible was more
important to me than saving energy for the sprint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing that I probably was not going to be
able to climb with the best riders in the race these would prove to be
important seconds when we got to the mountain stages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finished 1:39 ahead of the chasing bunch
with the Dutch rider, Lucinda Brand, from the AA Drink team crossing the line 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amanda Miller from the US National Team took
over the yellow jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After finishing
6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> in the break I moved up into 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> on the general
classification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucinda
Brand, AA Drink (Netherlands)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inga Cilvinaita, Diadora-Pasta Zara (Lithuania)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Silvia Valsecchi, Be Pink (Italy)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soissons to Pontault-Combault,
110.6km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was an interesting start location in one of the most
ancient towns of France with pretty ruins and cathedrals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The racing was not so interesting though
after a break of two riders went up the road and ended up staying away till the
finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having the US National Team
controlling the race gave us a bit of time to recover from the efforts of
yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chloe Hosking won the bunch
sprint for 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> place and Cherise was the top finisher of our team
coming in 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amanda Miller
retained the yellow jersey and I stayed in 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> on the general
classification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simona Frapporti,
Be Pink (Italy)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Valentina Bastianelli, Vaiano Tepso (Italy)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chloe Hosking, Team Specialized-Lululemon
(Australia)<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/AVvXsEgmT4Xo7zULlUHAvizn1PtEKBzjhkHMR950anshqy60l9kaZU0s7-78B3CM-jpMk3PCisLnY09HsQWOOtYgNXXF8bPsitxKaUf8KKOpxgU6VrrWedY3RPiDZuJHrNSHvqU0yCNwYlxKjM0/s1600/Cherise,+Ann+Sophie+and+Me+before+start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmT4Xo7zULlUHAvizn1PtEKBzjhkHMR950anshqy60l9kaZU0s7-78B3CM-jpMk3PCisLnY09HsQWOOtYgNXXF8bPsitxKaUf8KKOpxgU6VrrWedY3RPiDZuJHrNSHvqU0yCNwYlxKjM0/s320/Cherise,+Ann+Sophie+and+Me+before+start.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before the start of stage 4 with Cherise Taylor and Ann
Sophie Duyck<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 5:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pontault-Combault
to Chalette Sur Loing, 125.3km<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a controlled race yesterday it looked like the teams
were ready to race with attacks going left, right and centre which made for a
really fast and hard stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cherise
spent the whole day up front covering moves so that I could rest my legs for
the remaining stages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stage came
down to a bunch sprint with no attacks being able to stay clear of the chasing
bunch for very long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chloe Hosking claimed
the stage win after an impressive lead out by her Specialized-Lululemon team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The general classification remained mostly
unchanged from the previous day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chloe Hosking, Team Specialized-Lululemon
(Australia)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Olena Andruk, Vaiano Tepso (Ukrain)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fiona Dutriaux, Vienne Futuroscope (France)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 6:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dijon
Bourgogne to Arc et Senans, 99.8km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For those of you who were wondering about the city of Dijon…Dijon
Mustard did actually originate here in 1856.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the start all the teams seemed happy to let the US
National Team control the stage for Amanda Miller in yellow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought of approaching mountains might
have been in the back of the minds of most riders today which helped to calm
down the bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With only having one
teammate left in the race I was happy about a bit of an easier day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Towards the end of the stage the pace picked
up as the teams were trying to set up their riders for the sprint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was another victory for Team Specialized-Lululemon
with Loren Rowney crossing the line 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No real change in the overall standings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Loren Rowney, Team Specialized-Lululemon
(Australia)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Olena Andruk, Vaiano Tepso (Ukrain)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Giada Borgato, Diadora-Pasta Zara (Italy)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 7:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Morteau to
La Planche des Belles Filles, 126.4km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The race started in the beautiful town of Morteau which is
within close proximity of Switzerland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>La
Planche des Belles Filles, final climb of the day, was also the finish for
stage 7 of the Tour de France this year which was won by Chris Froome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made it look easy and the pictures really does
not do it justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You climb 5.9km (3.7mi)
to the finish at 1,035m (3,396ft), gaining 503m (1,650ft) at an average gradient
of 8.5% with a part that is between 22-28% near the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the type of climbing that I expected
in the Giro Donne this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Be Pink team attacked through the feed zone and had two
riders up the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a gap of over 2
minutes at one point teams were forced to bring it back before we got to the
last climb of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real racing
happened just before the slopes of La Planche des Belles Filles with Team Specialized-Lululemon
driving it hard into the climb to set it up for Evelyn Stevens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did that with great effect as it split
up the field as soon as we hit the base of the climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I missed the initial move up the climb with 4
riders and tried to just ride a good tempo up the climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evenlyn Stevens claimed the stage after an
impressive ride up the climb and took over the yellow jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished the stage in 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and moved
up into 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> in the general classification 6 seconds behind the race
leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was so unexpected that our
team left before the podium presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I missed getting my first ever podium flowers but was happy with how the
day turned out in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evelyn Stevens, Team Specialized-Lululemon (USA)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kristin McGrath, US National Team (USA)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Carlee Taylor, Vienne Futuroscope (Australia)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEibnwV5IvgDNok3mkb0i_JrHUHz15v4TSkSV7JzI3ilUy0ZZeG8gjn3J9HKb4YV5FrOzLtV_MLXftYZ1RJ3olcuOaLMWY7bPElEduoxj7_MljB-JdgXzvvm7F_nErR9mSS4mQwjefqN4oU/s1600/Stage+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnwV5IvgDNok3mkb0i_JrHUHz15v4TSkSV7JzI3ilUy0ZZeG8gjn3J9HKb4YV5FrOzLtV_MLXftYZ1RJ3olcuOaLMWY7bPElEduoxj7_MljB-JdgXzvvm7F_nErR9mSS4mQwjefqN4oU/s640/Stage+7.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Start in Morteau<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
the finish at the top of La Planche des Belles Filles<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 8:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lure to
Saint Die des Vosges, 115.3km<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With a break going early in the stage it was up to us and Team
Specialized-Lululemon to control the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Robyn did a stellar job pacing in the front with Team Specialized-Lululemon
for most of the day to keep the break within striking distance protecting my
overall position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two riders managed to just
stay clear of the chasing bunch in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were no big changes in the general classification and I ended up
on the podium for the first time in Europe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Andrea Dvorak, US National Team (USA)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Edwige Pitel, French National Team (France)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucinda Brand, AA Drink (Netherlands)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEicJ3FBbM8EAB2VQKi4Y6u47Rrw2SMnBw-6BUHcY-dQmR23XXKcO0YvJZh7qkp8N-ny1kKA5DgZk4JBu-zb57C3ix0QUBPisoK0Ii9Gs5azUZrMlyH3Urq4Sqcw03sdurQwt0rSMdJLRzA/s1600/Stage+8+Podium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ3FBbM8EAB2VQKi4Y6u47Rrw2SMnBw-6BUHcY-dQmR23XXKcO0YvJZh7qkp8N-ny1kKA5DgZk4JBu-zb57C3ix0QUBPisoK0Ii9Gs5azUZrMlyH3Urq4Sqcw03sdurQwt0rSMdJLRzA/s640/Stage+8+Podium.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Podium after stage 8<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 9:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Corcieux to
Munster<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I will remember as one of the prettiest race routes
that I have done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With high mountains,
forests, lakes far below in the valley and paragliders spiralling in the air above
it really was as good as it gets in terms of race scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a few split seconds I forgot about what
lies ahead and enjoyed what was around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a series of attacks on the first climb the bunch split
and a break went up the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was again
up to us and Team Specialized-Lululemon to control the race much like yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robyn and Katie Colclough did an amazing job
in the front for the first half of the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the second climb of the day at around 70km the attacks started and
when we went over the top there were only about 15 of us left with the break
still up the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We caught the break
just before the final climb of the day at 90km.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The climb started with an unexpected super steep section and 4 riders,
all general classification contenders, got away from the rest of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After missing the break I paced up the climb
trying to minimise the damage as I knew the race deciding move went up the
road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evelyn Stevens, in a class of her
own, ended up winning her second stage and the overall classification in fine
style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end my effort was not
enough to hold on to a podium position and I finished 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> overall in
the general classification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a slightly
disappointing day but I rode my heart out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I came to the race not expecting to do this well and am taking a lot of
positives away from this tour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evelyn Stevens, Team Specialized-Lululemon (USA)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Carlee Taylor, Vienne Futuroscope (Australia)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kristin McGrath, US National Team (USA)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEi_D3KLhE3iCpp7boIczK69x0Lu_Ck3D7oQznpJVqZXzCdPovl_GuseYeNX2QZ8fjJKjRHRark99TrnPweaue6_3XktJMzcJoJOPob9kqmTHx5JDT70Oyagn5TSMnzrQp1U5IxHJHEjEjM/s1600/Last+Night.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D3KLhE3iCpp7boIczK69x0Lu_Ck3D7oQznpJVqZXzCdPovl_GuseYeNX2QZ8fjJKjRHRark99TrnPweaue6_3XktJMzcJoJOPob9kqmTHx5JDT70Oyagn5TSMnzrQp1U5IxHJHEjEjM/s640/Last+Night.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">View from the hotel the last day<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Final General Classification:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evelyn Stevens, Team Specialized-Lululemon (USA)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kristin McGrath, US National Team (USA)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Carlee Taylor, Vienne Futuroscope (Australia)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lise Olivier, Lotto Belisol (South Africa)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucinda Brand, AA Drink (Netherlands)<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/AVvXsEgBMtvFZmCASkN8SoW8N6ngzos-xxqTgFWmdMn4NbK0HFRq-fm4gUj7a2gT4NDCzt9PGUZgTZ6PSAnhlMzOnmNgQj1bfLjsq14VX1KB_7wJ_ZX90yNMgHl4iWbgjRgUMjfVrlWqKe3NdVU/s1600/View+on+the+way+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMtvFZmCASkN8SoW8N6ngzos-xxqTgFWmdMn4NbK0HFRq-fm4gUj7a2gT4NDCzt9PGUZgTZ6PSAnhlMzOnmNgQj1bfLjsq14VX1KB_7wJ_ZX90yNMgHl4iWbgjRgUMjfVrlWqKe3NdVU/s320/View+on+the+way+back.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">View on the way back to Belgium after the final stage<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are back in Belgium for a few days till we leave for
Tophee d’Or, UCI 2.2 Tour in France, this weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-17885085925334741852012-08-02T23:52:00.000-07:002012-08-02T23:52:50.376-07:00Next Up Route de France<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;"><div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
In preparation for my next big race, Route de France Internationale
Feminine, I did a few local races in Belgium this past week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Last year I was in Belgium with Team MTN Qhubeka and we
raced a lot of these races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
nice to see my improvements technically, tactically and physically since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at my SRM files after this race I had
some new all-time best power efforts attacking and/or trying to stay away in a
break which is always a good confidence booster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end it was two of my teammates that
ended up in the race winning break finishing 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> and 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another great day in the office!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am looking forward going into this next big
race well prepared and in great form.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Apart from being great for racing, learning and training
these races are also great for creating photo album memories <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several great photographers show up at every
race taking pictures along the route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
are a few of these pictures taken by Krist Vanmelle at the last race in
Haaltert, Belgium:</div>
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdh864E-w62aMk4fdHbHNjHFQDq3hzmFN0BLYMfXMTomhK56cuia3GGZFKp_Bes8aE-fuUVzR7fNru7tIvvXShQyea_-WURbTQqZ3hK6HV2VSzfoIbiFsb2lZVw7VvTt6YYl286Fo7qQ/s1600/Haaltert+1.4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdh864E-w62aMk4fdHbHNjHFQDq3hzmFN0BLYMfXMTomhK56cuia3GGZFKp_Bes8aE-fuUVzR7fNru7tIvvXShQyea_-WURbTQqZ3hK6HV2VSzfoIbiFsb2lZVw7VvTt6YYl286Fo7qQ/s400/Haaltert+1.4.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hard solo break effort for the day</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEiTvUeI4d4FIxJg144Oxkjarwm49yCiIXA4n6dzTBlioJnNBdx7ve4c6l5xtZL6darNYomMqotsbyZA-Z9DvcvpOgqQqNLJMMtXd6BsDIMjZ5qcfmyA8J-MrOv1EoEIJabVrRxpF1RePAw/s1600/Haaltert+1.2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvUeI4d4FIxJg144Oxkjarwm49yCiIXA4n6dzTBlioJnNBdx7ve4c6l5xtZL6darNYomMqotsbyZA-Z9DvcvpOgqQqNLJMMtXd6BsDIMjZ5qcfmyA8J-MrOv1EoEIJabVrRxpF1RePAw/s400/Haaltert+1.2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Getting away from the bunch in a small break<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEigJy-Mni4gkG5OQ3Es41mvSgdcfamL2y5ZodqHQ6o_vBdNgy9uD0ZF0uPtFB3X-7knlf-ha_iq49Z8QGH7M27rK1-Nt6kjkjqaUD6606Otzs8Uvb6Kg-WKY1YMuM-DM-pfLVHQsxSUGxE/s1600/Haaltert+1.1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJy-Mni4gkG5OQ3Es41mvSgdcfamL2y5ZodqHQ6o_vBdNgy9uD0ZF0uPtFB3X-7knlf-ha_iq49Z8QGH7M27rK1-Nt6kjkjqaUD6606Otzs8Uvb6Kg-WKY1YMuM-DM-pfLVHQsxSUGxE/s400/Haaltert+1.1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Controlling the bunch for two teammates in a break up the
road<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Today we are travelling to the north of France for the 9
day Route de France Internationale Feminine (</span><a href="http://www.org-rc.fr/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">http://www.org-rc.fr/</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
that starts on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-38887353691592163762012-08-01T10:50:00.000-07:002012-08-01T10:50:11.497-07:00Spotting Sport Stars and Movie Stars<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I did not know that it was possible for the sun to be out
for a full 24 hour day but we have been blessed with some sunshine this past
week and I am loving it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the nice
weather we had some adventures out on the bike the past few days spotting sport
stars and movie stars along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today Cherise and I stopped for a coffee in Geraadsbergen
after a couple of intervals up the Muur (famous crazy steep cobble climb).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as we sat down we saw Robbie McEwen sitting
a table away from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a similar
idea of stopping for a coffee/lunch break to enjoy the sunshine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having seen him in action at the Post Tour Criterium
in Ninove just a few days ago I actually recognized someone famous for
once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After debating the entire time
while sitting there whether or not to ask him for a picture he made it easy for
us by walking over for a quick chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
recognized the Team MTN Qhubeka kit as being from South Africa and kindly asked
about our stay here in Beglium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a
nice guy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our second encounter with the famous was also while out
riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lying in the grass right next to
the road I spotted Bambi or what must have been some very close relatives of the
famous animation character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These along
with the South African Nyala are the prettiest antelope/deer I have ever seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHbYnC3z3z2LxDBHjspUoJgxOW8A8HeuPPDcDxR-Vhe6w2lMsKew2_qnAVOkoaRmANSye32wXRuKKwOsu_Id-I0YuyR50O_tyv67sC632e2qnJpaclWFOwOJ2IGJG8pX7uvhM3LsQTgE/s1600/Bambi+Family.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHbYnC3z3z2LxDBHjspUoJgxOW8A8HeuPPDcDxR-Vhe6w2lMsKew2_qnAVOkoaRmANSye32wXRuKKwOsu_Id-I0YuyR50O_tyv67sC632e2qnJpaclWFOwOJ2IGJG8pX7uvhM3LsQTgE/s640/Bambi+Family.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">More adventures to follow soon…<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-38387941370663888912012-07-31T12:21:00.000-07:002012-07-31T12:21:18.555-07:00Ninove Post Tour Criterium<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
World Champion Mark Cavendish vs Green Jersey Winner Peter
Sagan<o:p></o:p></h3>
<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/AVvXsEhEDD-2l5-Q5PFF2WbfAJRnOLBCy4QMDmvn4YBkCX7pol5hgpdrYkdgTNzn_dS6Iua3Mf4QZn3dsBIg-bK2zao5vztzFdv9FGKJgzAE0DWs6woKpAvzGOfyJIui12c3t5xp3-rzdLSubT0/s1600/Ninove+Criterium+Cavendish+Racing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDD-2l5-Q5PFF2WbfAJRnOLBCy4QMDmvn4YBkCX7pol5hgpdrYkdgTNzn_dS6Iua3Mf4QZn3dsBIg-bK2zao5vztzFdv9FGKJgzAE0DWs6woKpAvzGOfyJIui12c3t5xp3-rzdLSubT0/s320/Ninove+Criterium+Cavendish+Racing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mark Cavendish in action<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The posts Tour de France criteriums cause for some great excitement
in towns across Belgium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It usually is a
race on a short circuit through the centrum (city centre) where people line the
streets to cheer for their heroes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were able to watch one of these criteriums this past weekend in Ninove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not fully knowing what to expect we showed up
for the race and much to our surprise some really big names including Mark
Cavendish, Peter Sagan and Robbie McEwan were taking part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was one rider from almost every team
that participated in the Tour de France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From what I can understand this is a bit of a show and the finishing
places are usually predetermined but it is not every day that you get to see
top riders like this race right past you lap after lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As with many other typical Belgian events these events are also
enjoyed by the crowds drinking Jupiler drafts (well known Belgian beer) and
eating frites (Belgian style fries) bought from caravans or trucks next to the
road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the end it was Mark Cavendish that finished ahead of
Robbie McEwan and Peter Sagan.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEhWT6SG7dmGyTOQ-gitpbVqojFvcGBfyMJE-cqDby7eGQRpXn2_SdeGLNj9MYPcvZhTwAKezCOI7ftzzKG_Bgwp0RNfVkD3hgjEQx_jC4bu6_fe-mBIP7jXHK43KKi9hctlWlaV0nPLqJ4/s1600/Ninove+Criterium+Podium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWT6SG7dmGyTOQ-gitpbVqojFvcGBfyMJE-cqDby7eGQRpXn2_SdeGLNj9MYPcvZhTwAKezCOI7ftzzKG_Bgwp0RNfVkD3hgjEQx_jC4bu6_fe-mBIP7jXHK43KKi9hctlWlaV0nPLqJ4/s640/Ninove+Criterium+Podium.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Podium with Mark Cavendish in 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;">, Robbie McEwen
in 2</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> and Peter Sagan in 3</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was fun doing some watching instead of racing for a
change.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEja2qtFHRQrPGWemHL7CyII5q8klLKlAFJsLbsrMSXUq0Pf_vQ-9VAoFImQC6pk45L0kAbvciK33yn_HrSc-izezKOOoLf2c94aGw2H_2OCtJDJjGE2M5rFjqYCwXw3l46eE0quRa8G2QU/s1600/Ninove+Criterium+Sagan+Racing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2qtFHRQrPGWemHL7CyII5q8klLKlAFJsLbsrMSXUq0Pf_vQ-9VAoFImQC6pk45L0kAbvciK33yn_HrSc-izezKOOoLf2c94aGw2H_2OCtJDJjGE2M5rFjqYCwXw3l46eE0quRa8G2QU/s320/Ninove+Criterium+Sagan+Racing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Peter Sagan in action<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-34889785882521559812012-07-26T15:29:00.000-07:002012-07-27T02:38:42.421-07:00French Flair<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last weekend we raced in the province of Limousin,
France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the tour we stayed in a
little town named Aubusson on the Creuse River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The town is known for its rich tapestry history and is home to the Museum
of Tapestry which hosts a collection of tapestry some dating as far back as 400
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were definitely not in town to
explore carpets but did enjoy some of what the historic town had to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEj0i-C4dAgE7WQcjzmpIWvPM_YOohxnkQ3yqWLXEdvkx6FxiRNK9xuT6BNFKYByCyUcGJI0ZSVDpzdvvcKuCO7pDtJo7tedYfQFwrlrAndf9VGKqKoxo1ujAPxBVejrt5eW3AbTinOlaYE/s1600/Aubussin+Town+and+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0i-C4dAgE7WQcjzmpIWvPM_YOohxnkQ3yqWLXEdvkx6FxiRNK9xuT6BNFKYByCyUcGJI0ZSVDpzdvvcKuCO7pDtJo7tedYfQFwrlrAndf9VGKqKoxo1ujAPxBVejrt5eW3AbTinOlaYE/s640/Aubussin+Town+and+Bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
town of Aubusson and the Pont de Terrade - 17<sup>th</sup> century stone bride
over the river Creuse</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every day Cherise and I walked
over the 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> century stone bridge, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> t</span>he Pont de Terrade , to a little coffee shop
in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we cannot go without
cappuccino for a day the coffee shop also had internet which, believe it or not,
is as scarce as hen’s teeth while racing in France and Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have found that the lack of internet can
actually be really refreshing at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I finally had time to finish my book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Elephant Whisperer </i>by Lawrence Anthony (</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Elephant-Whisperer-Life-African/dp/031256578X"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.amazon.com/The-Elephant-Whisperer-Life-African/dp/031256578X</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the middle of France I had a little piece
of South Africa with me and this true life story about a conservationist that
was asked to accept a herd of ‘rogue’ elephants on his game reserve I just
could not put down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEjyCRDJr-WVwqZl4vsclh-1oDeQ2xNIxbJcUPLxa12y75KqztFIz1cTWx-xret9KlZCGPgmC2RkKOqM8H4X0rE8_Gd8lNKsIX8eoa70_GQqYaceC8zqRJJuMANniZMqFroO4pxfaPaGa40/s1600/Coffee+Shop+in+Limousin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCRDJr-WVwqZl4vsclh-1oDeQ2xNIxbJcUPLxa12y75KqztFIz1cTWx-xret9KlZCGPgmC2RkKOqM8H4X0rE8_Gd8lNKsIX8eoa70_GQqYaceC8zqRJJuMANniZMqFroO4pxfaPaGa40/s640/Coffee+Shop+in+Limousin.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Daily coffee shop stop<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seeing the Paris skyline with the Eiffel
Tower all lit up in the distance makes up for the 8 hour drive back to Belgium
and for only getting back at 3am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEj6WIq9BWrlccfW7gwG_vaLsmfROIFt3X5HfTdoBFsypXAWVEqd8zPA-dt_Ubrzcj9Fg8VAoGMLtFo_KE1QO9MKJ_znSecZS48uGRLcKNFWb37nUY_6zYCEM7Hc1hJkuYTi4MYLw9iq73g/s1600/Feet+Up+on+the+Way+Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WIq9BWrlccfW7gwG_vaLsmfROIFt3X5HfTdoBFsypXAWVEqd8zPA-dt_Ubrzcj9Fg8VAoGMLtFo_KE1QO9MKJ_znSecZS48uGRLcKNFWb37nUY_6zYCEM7Hc1hJkuYTi4MYLw9iq73g/s320/Feet+Up+on+the+Way+Back.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Feet up, relax and enjoy the drive </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEjQ7OZM3UNnRGSuSNcdNCV5t2tuLfkNt0zw8zN8lKdkperlkS1E7FCKbP49YOlayvw4ESUu2GDaQclVR-QVMYpuwfGfSAollZGhEC19LTHmGfDlIGYlSdY2ZiRaea9oSJhoc3qXujw7_Co/s1600/Limousin+Scenery.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7OZM3UNnRGSuSNcdNCV5t2tuLfkNt0zw8zN8lKdkperlkS1E7FCKbP49YOlayvw4ESUu2GDaQclVR-QVMYpuwfGfSAollZGhEC19LTHmGfDlIGYlSdY2ZiRaea9oSJhoc3qXujw7_Co/s640/Limousin+Scenery.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A random tower and part of the river Creuse which runs
through town – Postcard Pretty!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhvg5-QisTOBrZDH8vA65wKq_R2YNUWH7mYW_t-927H2xj0OxxMCoGvXIWWwdPFTASR-w4wc77yAFRUMMdm9f5QAM4gbRwNL1s6EaWzGd7rPg5w11tcdKYiaR02AKI4_TRK5h2XuWVb6wc/s1600/Limousin,+France.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg5-QisTOBrZDH8vA65wKq_R2YNUWH7mYW_t-927H2xj0OxxMCoGvXIWWwdPFTASR-w4wc77yAFRUMMdm9f5QAM4gbRwNL1s6EaWzGd7rPg5w11tcdKYiaR02AKI4_TRK5h2XuWVb6wc/s320/Limousin,+France.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Province of Limousin, France<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-77229941197407017692012-07-26T14:06:00.000-07:002012-07-26T14:06:50.643-07:00Race Report: Tour Feminin en Limousin<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is just the race report and a blog about my experience
in France will follow shortly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the first time in a Europe I lined up for a race that I
have done before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having competed in the
Tour Feminin en Limousin (UCI 2.2 Tour in the province of Limousin, France) last
year gave me an idea of what to expect this time around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Marianne Vos and her Dutch National Team
on the start list we knew that it was going to be a tough four days of racing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The race consisted of three road race stages and one
individual time trial on the second day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All three road stages were on rolling terrain through the countryside with
some low gradient climbs and twisty forest roads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our team for the race was Kaat Hannes, Kim Schoonbaert,
Cherise Taylor, Joline Goossen and I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A break with Marianne Vos and two other riders went early in
the first stage of 128km.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We attacked and
followed several moves on the first climb and got away with a small break on
several occasions but nothing was staying away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bunch split on this climb and a group of about 35 riders went to the
line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we realised that nothing was going
to stay away Cherise and I covered all the moves to try and set up our teammate
Kaat for the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was still in contention
for the best young rider jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
never race this hard for 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> place before and this would end up
being the second hardest day of racing I have ever done according to the data
from my SRM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The top finisher of our
team was Kaat in 13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cherise finished 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and I was 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second stage was the individual time trial on a very
technical and twisty 18km route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
we are not used to the handling of the time trial bikes I decided to just ride
it with my road bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished 28<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>,
Kaat 44<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and Cherise 47<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage three was another 128km stage similar to stage
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We attacked on the climb but
because of the low gradient a break could not get away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A break with seven riders went a few kilometres
later in the stage but neither of us was able to respond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bunch split into several groups after
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cherise and I finished in the
second group of about 20 riders in 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and 19<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was another top 10 finish for Cherise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all lined up with tired legs for the last 120km
stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the neutral zone in the
beginning of the race hurt like hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
a rocky start to the stage the legs warmed up a bit and after several attacks I
finally got away from the bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
idea was not to get in a solo break but I got a good tempo going and decided to
just give it a shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about 20km a
Norwegian rider, who was high up in the general classification, crossed over to
me and then the bunch was in full pursuit to bring back the move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The deciding break for the day went shortly
after that with three riders and I could not immediately respond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were a group of about 50 riders after
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kaat had good legs today so we
were going to try and set it up for her at the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cherise did a good job of helping Kaat to a 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
place on the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ended up
finishing in the top 10 again with a 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the general classification I finished 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>,
Cherise 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, Kaat 30<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and Kim 63<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To take the experience gained from the Giro
Donne to this race was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year
I was 31<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> in the general classification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being able to see that I am still improving
and learning with every race definitely builds confidence for the upcoming
races.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our next big race will be the nine day La Route de France
starting on the 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> of August. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEhzc6bWzkGJiPP3kC9Lw-3n4-eq9-GHkAGL9Cy3NsNpXb934Gs6j0ruhxBV6jXIAmqyx6huV2DJzZkJL4wXhQ22KhERS0ubPhWzIJWyWoc4OmUh6NjiIHn_VaNkrAbaU_FHtf3f9w8trOk/s1600/Stage+4.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc6bWzkGJiPP3kC9Lw-3n4-eq9-GHkAGL9Cy3NsNpXb934Gs6j0ruhxBV6jXIAmqyx6huV2DJzZkJL4wXhQ22KhERS0ubPhWzIJWyWoc4OmUh6NjiIHn_VaNkrAbaU_FHtf3f9w8trOk/s320/Stage+4.5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a solo break during the final stage<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_c8Jcu1hbySzgQ5lzrNpp7bq5nay4G2OEsJjj6yJQGpmnyeBm-HI6sbVPLpwCeFRvY-L_0IE5P4t-P_M-77kJR2GXw72PUqE6f3LxdmZyKk8BQSk9mJ_O_XxOQCj_90USEL5dg_WLf4/s1600/Stage+1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_c8Jcu1hbySzgQ5lzrNpp7bq5nay4G2OEsJjj6yJQGpmnyeBm-HI6sbVPLpwCeFRvY-L_0IE5P4t-P_M-77kJR2GXw72PUqE6f3LxdmZyKk8BQSk9mJ_O_XxOQCj_90USEL5dg_WLf4/s320/Stage+1.1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-48227258045827993582012-07-14T13:42:00.002-07:002012-07-15T00:20:31.784-07:00And It Was All Yellow…<h3>
Loving Yellow = “Life Is for Living and You Love to Live It
Up”<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I was out riding in typical Belgium weather that has
the potential of making you just as miserable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To fight those feelings I decided to look for all things yellow the last
few minutes of my ride seeing that it is the colour that I love the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within seconds I have identified several
things yellow around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did the same
the first few minutes I got home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We go through life focussing on the negative while the positive is
almost always staring us right in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEjZfCQZ7H-dhCEgCHOQfiV2oBzXMMeDEvLrmccuh-8xX5XsRBptTimj2tJa9MsGwOL5JKm8lx5OSle1oAVwhdXct-qOkZ_1K6Lfx3cpBvdc6-Xu0vmJfhVF27SSA87BRpnsKfX4q2K5RIM/s1600/All+Things+Yellow+Riding.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfCQZ7H-dhCEgCHOQfiV2oBzXMMeDEvLrmccuh-8xX5XsRBptTimj2tJa9MsGwOL5JKm8lx5OSle1oAVwhdXct-qOkZ_1K6Lfx3cpBvdc6-Xu0vmJfhVF27SSA87BRpnsKfX4q2K5RIM/s400/All+Things+Yellow+Riding.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All
things yellow while out training</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEg0ztaUpjrC0XksdgFxQmVH_m2k4ALwDN571oR7GlQxiP3zekdSjI3RxcAZbqNQSZsUpDKkRHi2JYjwTFLaJxs0VVSaxwhas_ILn491atdUFYaivUK91X38yX0XAkn_TFAEGcQksWG-JRM/s1600/All+Things+Yellow+Outside+House.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ztaUpjrC0XksdgFxQmVH_m2k4ALwDN571oR7GlQxiP3zekdSjI3RxcAZbqNQSZsUpDKkRHi2JYjwTFLaJxs0VVSaxwhas_ILn491atdUFYaivUK91X38yX0XAkn_TFAEGcQksWG-JRM/s400/All+Things+Yellow+Outside+House.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All things yellow around the house<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEh7xhbViLeH2evYhb-gky03Ev4YoBTA1w22tXGTj5aHCJXuG83KjeOvVSf6gkZR-EaVtNqp75odV_qQcDi2VS2NjA78Z15JEMl7BaT17_xSp7yYecco_XbQyUiLFovllpwAfdTmZi11zzI/s1600/All+Things+Yellow+Inside+House.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xhbViLeH2evYhb-gky03Ev4YoBTA1w22tXGTj5aHCJXuG83KjeOvVSf6gkZR-EaVtNqp75odV_qQcDi2VS2NjA78Z15JEMl7BaT17_xSp7yYecco_XbQyUiLFovllpwAfdTmZi11zzI/s400/All+Things+Yellow+Inside+House.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All things yellow inside the house<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This got me reading about what is being said about your personality according to your favourite colour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is a lot written on this topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whether this falls into the same category as horoscopes and psychic stuff or whether
there is actually some psychological value I still found it interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check what is said about your personality
here:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourfavoritecolorsayaboutyouquiz/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourfavoritecolorsayaboutyouquiz/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Born or bred for me it has always been yellow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Growing up I had a yellow room (do not go and
image something ugly because it was actually pretty stylish even back then), I
always picked the yellow flavoured milk, had a yellow toothbrush and got
presents wrapped in yellow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
goodness I have not extended this to the colour of my car. That would only be acceptable if you were driving a Lamborghini or a Team MTN Qhubeka team car. I am still enjoying my yellow watch, yellow
shoes and looking at my yellow SRM while out training.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psychic or psychological this phrase could not be more true for describing the character traits of a person that loves yellow: “Life is
for living and you love to live it up”. Even
Laa-Laa, the yellow teletubbie, is described as being full of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-FmeSJUpV9Y4SFjOpKVTwy0IqSyfIiQamxlDbg-gMiuXPPb7VFAun5sslwEAfzNBNYnHJg-Y1-CO0u_vOwmfPQ3i3ivY19Iou9iZUvuNXpPi-8AcFDMwn5KeNLRFcD3aYhXZ2HuVPaw/s1600/pic-meet-char-laalaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-FmeSJUpV9Y4SFjOpKVTwy0IqSyfIiQamxlDbg-gMiuXPPb7VFAun5sslwEAfzNBNYnHJg-Y1-CO0u_vOwmfPQ3i3ivY19Iou9iZUvuNXpPi-8AcFDMwn5KeNLRFcD3aYhXZ2HuVPaw/s320/pic-meet-char-laalaa.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good news for the Team MTN
Qhubeka boys and their Tour de France dream as shades of golden yellow (which
just so happen to be the colours of the Team MTN Qhubeka outfit) apparently carry the
promise of a positive future…</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M58mSCxPdYyj0klp0IPOlMOJnP7s1tLBxfXqQqxHStD5HYV7N0y4rfEyod6D-hMySHxCzOHzX-aAoJUU0va5SZxsImdKcVAVYiojvZFcq899yWzbFe6kudzNxVNpJYGolM_jUxu2LQw/s1600/tour_de_france_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M58mSCxPdYyj0klp0IPOlMOJnP7s1tLBxfXqQqxHStD5HYV7N0y4rfEyod6D-hMySHxCzOHzX-aAoJUU0va5SZxsImdKcVAVYiojvZFcq899yWzbFe6kudzNxVNpJYGolM_jUxu2LQw/s320/tour_de_france_logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Tour de France also just happens to be all about the
yellow<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What can you find, as small a spotting something in your
favourite colour, to brighten up your day?<o:p></o:p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-63708354825829753522012-07-10T15:12:00.001-07:002012-07-10T15:16:08.715-07:00A Giro in Review<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The Need for Speed<o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a country that is home to the makers of Ducati,
Lamborghini and Ferrari I should have expected nothing less than a serious need
for speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no other way to sum
up the Giro Donne 2012 than this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Fast and the Furious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEjgpLB1FOTJ-aDHAGJKJXRNGYEXa0XPdKxP7Sj9hLdGQANWSRuVLWBYfE1Sqz47WIR_xS9tKDmFSBydsozm2zWiBnCZB0XFcoxs2CbO8eKmky8Ss_5_OQ4XUkGsETDsgjq90odXuFomawE/s1600/Ferrari.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpLB1FOTJ-aDHAGJKJXRNGYEXa0XPdKxP7Sj9hLdGQANWSRuVLWBYfE1Sqz47WIR_xS9tKDmFSBydsozm2zWiBnCZB0XFcoxs2CbO8eKmky8Ss_5_OQ4XUkGsETDsgjq90odXuFomawE/s320/Ferrari.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Really could have used one of these at times<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The route was considered one of the “easiest” in Giro Donne
history with no famous or significant climbs but the riders took it upon themselves
to make it as hard and as fast as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Speaking to the ladies in the bunch this has been one of the hardest
Giro Donne races in recent years with the upcoming London Olympic Games probably
the reason for the depth and strength in the bunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With a race like this there is always the good, the bad and
the just plain ugly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mentally and physically
it is a bit of a rollercoaster ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
stages you feel great while others you hang on for dear life as the peloton is
strung out in one long line from start to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as you think that the racing cannot
possibly get any harder someone attacks again or it is your turn to go back to
the car to fetch bottles for the team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To give an indication of the level of racing that we
experienced I can compare Stage 6 of the Giro Donne to the Fast One which is probably
considered the fastest race in South Africa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This year the professional/elite men had an average of 46km/h for this
race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 5 stages on a much more
technical route than the Fast One with a lot of turns, traffic circles and road
furniture we had an average of 44km/h.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It surely must have been one for the record books this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you suffer together you really get to know the people
you compete with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see people giving away
the last bit of water out of their bottles on a 38<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C day (which in our case is
much more generous than the shirt off your back since in this heat another layer of clothing would be the last thing that you would want).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see some of the best riders in the world
trying to create opportunities for their teammates instead of themselves, team
leaders taking a turn to get bottles from the team car for the rest of the team
and teams celebrating together at the end of a stage for what they have achieved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I finished 25<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> overall in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You always hope for a better result but there
is some pride in knowing that you have been beaten by the best in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With there still being so much that I need to
improve on and learn I could hopefully only come back to this race mentally and
physically stronger in the future.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu68kHdlTTS_RRnltB7DtA_13xQmvkNIwXQR_dmIbIhg-SfAXuqyzk6AqU5Y8ZLJXNWm0H6lhhMsW5Uxs8MRg0r3n6kMjEKfu5awFjIqi5PTGh6xa9Ilxup2oBgnAf_JdL5Hd62o_2BM/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu68kHdlTTS_RRnltB7DtA_13xQmvkNIwXQR_dmIbIhg-SfAXuqyzk6AqU5Y8ZLJXNWm0H6lhhMsW5Uxs8MRg0r3n6kMjEKfu5awFjIqi5PTGh6xa9Ilxup2oBgnAf_JdL5Hd62o_2BM/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 186.8pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Been there, conquered that, got
the T-shirt<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a serious pasta overdose and cappuccino (which apparently
is only a breakfast drink in Italy) deprivation we can now spend a week catching
up on all the good food that we have been missing and craving for the past 9
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best part of it is that it is
100% guilt free and probably necessary to pick up some of the weight lost
during the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On that note it is time
for me to go eat again…</span></div>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEZVcvOS017oWoTvhBO8vy10FzzseepCibx2-tjCbNxIjOX19QLDRoiY4AAfRsjyGXrJm0Xj7rbY4L83uznU3Hn9aU6WRJhCu9F5Ro2U3sxEH35McHQ7DR8w146jy8Fy4MDv4oHM7GdI/s1600/M&M+Italy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEZVcvOS017oWoTvhBO8vy10FzzseepCibx2-tjCbNxIjOX19QLDRoiY4AAfRsjyGXrJm0Xj7rbY4L83uznU3Hn9aU6WRJhCu9F5Ro2U3sxEH35McHQ7DR8w146jy8Fy4MDv4oHM7GdI/s320/M&M+Italy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
in Rome…Eat tricolour M&Ms</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0x5JlpTGOwD4AjXc3o3un_dLXg7sJ8NAxSZ4WHiTM7VeLCRHSzUamIVIU4fRhRVPtu98_cAjO2b5XLkQu7gykEbouj4wRXd-gXydpJqkv3Bih0lajj_cvkDy0B5YnCsSr21RmTHyBMUw/s1600/Colosseum+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0x5JlpTGOwD4AjXc3o3un_dLXg7sJ8NAxSZ4WHiTM7VeLCRHSzUamIVIU4fRhRVPtu98_cAjO2b5XLkQu7gykEbouj4wRXd-gXydpJqkv3Bih0lajj_cvkDy0B5YnCsSr21RmTHyBMUw/s320/Colosseum+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Biggest highlight:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Racing past the Colosseum during the Stage 2 Time Trial in Rome<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnZkLnuImFIDoDfeSqaoyPIZDjdA0UKBvLj18vx39msOmzBczTDb9VdozGQgHkmsm7npIOVy_MzGY1SQhHdZQWCQigSpnGBsYgcPvNqQmp9zH5YTV3Z1aC-oK8lW5Aqx1l4WwfOgMgps/s1600/Stage+9+Team+Presentation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnZkLnuImFIDoDfeSqaoyPIZDjdA0UKBvLj18vx39msOmzBczTDb9VdozGQgHkmsm7npIOVy_MzGY1SQhHdZQWCQigSpnGBsYgcPvNqQmp9zH5YTV3Z1aC-oK8lW5Aqx1l4WwfOgMgps/s320/Stage+9+Team+Presentation.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Team presentation before the final stage<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-77853340045414294332012-07-09T02:21:00.000-07:002012-07-09T02:21:00.378-07:00Race Report: Giro Donne Stage 9<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Bittersweet<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would have loved to move into the top 20 on the final
stage from Sanrico to Bergamo but it was not the end to the Giro Donne that I
had hoped for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once dropped from the
front group on the climb a big group formed out of all the smaller groups
behind that were just riding easy to the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is never nice to finish a tour with a
“recovery” ride but looking back at the race as a whole I am happy with how it went.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ashleigh Moolman finished the final stage in 12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> place
and 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> overall in the general classification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I moved down a couple of places and finished
25<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We headed to the airport straight after the race and then had
to kill some time before the flight late at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a big shopping mall just across the
highway from the airport and as it goes with girls the temptation was just too
big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked to the shopping mall and then
almost missed our flight back to Belgium as we were taking our time enjoying
some pizza and fries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never a dull
moment!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aiJhkJswi4fyNXKzk1DyFx0eyXUF1iyTYo6YACgJPNgYvbxNkAB5luv6WT2qv0ufxU23qZnJ0jGWfNol38fjgJPqXfpAVj0Ab5ra_G0M7ThgA-dIJZRkuAMPpQOGjMciTDBJ0gICVno/s1600/Giro+Stage+9+Start.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aiJhkJswi4fyNXKzk1DyFx0eyXUF1iyTYo6YACgJPNgYvbxNkAB5luv6WT2qv0ufxU23qZnJ0jGWfNol38fjgJPqXfpAVj0Ab5ra_G0M7ThgA-dIJZRkuAMPpQOGjMciTDBJ0gICVno/s640/Giro+Stage+9+Start.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Swan Song of the Giro Donne 2012 - View at the start of the
stage in Sanrico</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfAH5wVSXD07DW-XAOz8WP2vnZ4FubvENO7SMHaH3k98E188GeKyzRxxTXDOwWcIEqCsIIJaznTlin8SF2HZwcvL8267Pg4TwDR0bnCJ4oy-hXnIHnloce_lILCpei8FHzWPGJl6kdo0/s1600/Airport+Fun.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfAH5wVSXD07DW-XAOz8WP2vnZ4FubvENO7SMHaH3k98E188GeKyzRxxTXDOwWcIEqCsIIJaznTlin8SF2HZwcvL8267Pg4TwDR0bnCJ4oy-hXnIHnloce_lILCpei8FHzWPGJl6kdo0/s400/Airport+Fun.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How many things can you find to do with a shopping cart while killing time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Felt a bit like a homeless person having to fly without taking a shower but the shopping cart definitely was the best seat in the house after a long stage waiting for the airport bus<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had great sports using the shopping cart when our luggage got too heavy to carry while shopping<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-55870251604278217722012-07-06T13:45:00.002-07:002012-07-06T13:45:39.273-07:00Race Report: Giro Donne Stage 8
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
8 Down 1 to Go!<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The stage today turned out to be a good stage for an
all-rounder with the climbs on the 3 local laps not being very steep and not
very long either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a technical
circuit with a lot of corners and downhills that had the bunch strung out for
the most part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bunch split on the 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>
local lap and a group of about 55 of us stayed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the local laps the route was flat all
the way to the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With an average
speed of 45km/h for the last hour of racing hearing that the race had been
shortened back to the original distance of 116km was the best news I have
received so far here at the Giro Donne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying
to go back to the car for bottles in a race this fast is not easy and a
puncture at a critical point in the race when the attacks were going off the
front did not make things any easier for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A break with three of the top riders (Marianne Vos, Judith Arndt and
Evelyn Stevens) got away with about 25km to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cherise Taylor just finished outside of the top 10 coming in 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished in the middle of the bunch in 31<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow is the final stage from Sarnico, over two category
2 climbs, to Bergamo with a total race distance of 106km.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRfiSwkHnHny5LnGMMfv49OC4SoHSU52_KIUnnDnZGDO7FFa2m3qBuiGqIzR-fzYiWQBYdh5dPeDCIz4Ez4i3h0dCHo1SI72lEMU-JhTnC1bfkyo8UuKHhh_VkxjDA16MJImTADQG06w/s1600/Giro+Stage+8+Finish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRfiSwkHnHny5LnGMMfv49OC4SoHSU52_KIUnnDnZGDO7FFa2m3qBuiGqIzR-fzYiWQBYdh5dPeDCIz4Ez4i3h0dCHo1SI72lEMU-JhTnC1bfkyo8UuKHhh_VkxjDA16MJImTADQG06w/s320/Giro+Stage+8+Finish.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me and Cherise after the stage today<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLIOsVxQN4MVZk-fkfzmaf-n3ua1Y46A_zEcjVmuBICBJwoBSHtM5GlpRauPTyp23y2j_IYEXpEvShgL4pbIB0kIfyQRzeJ3W1oG9WGNan0dtCiPw648jqVwaSjouwXhEpaPyfJv6ac4/s1600/Traffic+in+Milan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLIOsVxQN4MVZk-fkfzmaf-n3ua1Y46A_zEcjVmuBICBJwoBSHtM5GlpRauPTyp23y2j_IYEXpEvShgL4pbIB0kIfyQRzeJ3W1oG9WGNan0dtCiPw648jqVwaSjouwXhEpaPyfJv6ac4/s320/Traffic+in+Milan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The only thing we got to experience passing through Milan
was the crazy traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely not
the shoe and designer clothing shopping trip you associate with a city like
that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZYWO5mQrPo68vjSml5MOtLyZDK5zVVdm0bxB5e5SfXtg9iZVMOMzn9aOQE00EYP_vGeN4_QvnGAhVviVUh3EhpQkFEzJ4uyE6x2HmhXN2eTYuIA_bEUqViUhQLCXsnt17oeiymiNOQg/s1600/View+from+hotel+after+stage+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZYWO5mQrPo68vjSml5MOtLyZDK5zVVdm0bxB5e5SfXtg9iZVMOMzn9aOQE00EYP_vGeN4_QvnGAhVviVUh3EhpQkFEzJ4uyE6x2HmhXN2eTYuIA_bEUqViUhQLCXsnt17oeiymiNOQg/s320/View+from+hotel+after+stage+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">View from our hotel for the last night<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-90811530041339291922012-07-05T14:18:00.000-07:002012-07-05T14:18:04.033-07:00Race Report: Giro Donne Stage 7<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Pasta, Pasta, Pasta and More Pasta<o:p></o:p></h3>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am learning so much everyday but the one big lesson I have
learned here at the Giro Donne is to never call a stage a Tea Party like I did
for stage 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then it has been full
gas racing from start to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today
was nothing different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race was over
130km from Voghera to Castagnole Delle Lanze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again the stage started extremely fast with a lot of teams trying to get
into the early break. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A break of about
10 riders did eventually get away during the first half of the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The profile of the route changed from a flat first
half to a more rolling and hilly second half with one significant category 2
climb 11km from the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bunch
split a couple of times before about 15 of us, including all the race
favourites, got away on a section with rolling hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We caught the breakaway just before the climb
and several groups formed on the climb and the downhill towards the
finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ashleigh Moolman got her 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>
top 10 finish with a 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> place today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished in 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> place with
riders 16th-23rd all 3:43 down on the stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today was a long day with an hour and a half transfer to the
start and another hour and a half transfer after the stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to the hotel tired and hungry but
nothing a massage and yet another huge bowl of pasta cannot fix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must say that I am reaching the maximum
pasta intake capacity slowly but surely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Luckily I avoid this dish at all times when not racing. </span>Really do not
know how some of the ladies here eat pasta for breakfast, lunch and dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We just heard that they added 12km to the original 116km
route for tomorrow from Crugnola Di Mornago to Lonate Pozzolo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be another long and hard day of
racing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvE1A7OKBBHeTxWI6g_jNWWDBpQ9Il1Aqn2NnkYzTDkysXuPwcY_OuHjdg_2qGW28XY2P_8v0Fc2U-pTqCVkOpPE9HdYGwHIGL_0Z2IqvGm-O3wJIhGfAZkaASHOiXENh4eeZ3yLiKRw/s1600/Town+Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvE1A7OKBBHeTxWI6g_jNWWDBpQ9Il1Aqn2NnkYzTDkysXuPwcY_OuHjdg_2qGW28XY2P_8v0Fc2U-pTqCVkOpPE9HdYGwHIGL_0Z2IqvGm-O3wJIhGfAZkaASHOiXENh4eeZ3yLiKRw/s320/Town+Square.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Voghera Town Square at the start of the stage today<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-10893898378969003692012-07-05T00:34:00.002-07:002012-07-05T00:34:43.442-07:00Race Report: Giro Donne Stage 6<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The Fast and the Furious 2<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today there was not much time to worry about the heat with the
bunch averaging 43.9km/h over the 109km from Modena to Salsomaggiore Terme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the fastest race I have ever done
with attacks left, right and centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
route was a bit more technical than the previous stages with a lot of turns,
traffic circles and traffic furniture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At no point during the race did any of this slow down the pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After letting one rider ride away yesterday
the bunch did not want to let anything go today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times there were breaks going off the
front but it was all brought back quickly by the teams not represented in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cherise Taylor made it 2 top 10 finishes in 2
days with an excellent 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> place in the sprint to the line holding
her own against the biggest names in the sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was badly positioned in the last 2km after covering a move and lost a
few seconds in the last kilometre of the race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow the stage starts in Voghera and finishes in
Castagnole Delle Lanze after 130km.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
relatively flat first half of the race and hilly second half which includes one
category 2 climb should make for some interesting racing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEhuLv6clfOZqNCDX5bWjo8td9qK7Xk0y9DS1d6nIl0PZF-bBTLDcoAFWrW_f1M3T5g9B74LuNNDQclOlQVtv-7fOYtcE7vp5zrYJbiP5U2-69d0wc96yWGJYHn2J-Cqd3LiPbhEVm8hnwg/s1600/Giro+Decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLv6clfOZqNCDX5bWjo8td9qK7Xk0y9DS1d6nIl0PZF-bBTLDcoAFWrW_f1M3T5g9B74LuNNDQclOlQVtv-7fOYtcE7vp5zrYJbiP5U2-69d0wc96yWGJYHn2J-Cqd3LiPbhEVm8hnwg/s320/Giro+Decor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fat people and skinny people welcome?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interesting decor in the hotel lobby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strange Italians.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-53420985387214353552012-07-04T00:46:00.002-07:002012-07-04T00:46:46.778-07:00Race Report: Giro Donne Stage 5<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Tea Party<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I looked out my hotel window this morning and did not
see a hill in sight I was sure that it would be a day for the sprinters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a moment at the start of the race I
thought that I was back in Belgium between the windy corn fields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One rider, Tiffany Cromwell, of Team Orica
Green Edge got away about 20km into the race and the bunch seemed happy to let
her go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the look of things the
general classification riders were taking a “rest’’ day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rider quickly got a huge gap on the bunch
which by that time settled nicely into a tea party vibe with people chatting
along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only in the last 10km that
the pace picked up again when the teams were trying to set up their sprinters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cherise Taylor did an amazing job navigating through
the treacherous bunch to finish the race in 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the team, including me, all
finished in the bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow should
be another relatively flat stage that starts in Modena and finishes 122km later
in Salsomaggiore Terme.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEgmyRGlznUCO47O2LDFbwUJTM_kgXeSWFPgVH6WOJO0uLfkFUqV-_IDomsVqfVTp0ooaqr-pswATr7KsVKX1PUYVU5Rt7mcMEWeNGikoSV9JEn3suIQA8aqwl8nnAXHnSczBsZ1lOu17Ro/s1600/Giro+Travelling.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyRGlznUCO47O2LDFbwUJTM_kgXeSWFPgVH6WOJO0uLfkFUqV-_IDomsVqfVTp0ooaqr-pswATr7KsVKX1PUYVU5Rt7mcMEWeNGikoSV9JEn3suIQA8aqwl8nnAXHnSczBsZ1lOu17Ro/s400/Giro+Travelling.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The difference between the after race snacks of the riders
and the staff<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-56651913476923395712012-07-04T00:34:00.001-07:002012-07-04T00:34:55.309-07:00Race Report: Giro Donne Stage 4<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Learning Lessons the Hardest Way<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am getting new max readings on my SRM in the temperature department
with the temperature reaching a whopping 45<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not getting any cooler here in Italy
and the heat is not slowing down the bunch by any means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race again started out fast through the
first relatively flat 66km.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A break,
with no real significant riders, got away after about 30km and the stronger
teams went to the front and brought it back before the climb which kept the
pace high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really needed water and
went back to the car which was a terrible idea as the bunch quickly got
completely strung out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was chasing
back and started the climb at the back of the bunch and never could catch back
up to the front groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we learn the
hard way…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow is the flattest stage
of the tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a 119km stage from
Polesella to Milonella.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-8744559167311783192012-07-01T13:48:00.000-07:002012-07-01T13:48:12.346-07:00Race Report: Giro Donne Stage 3<h3>
And so the climbing begins…</h3>
<h3>
<o:p></o:p> </h3>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wanted climbing and today that was exactly what I got.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before a race like this you prepare for how
hard you think it will get but you can never fully anticipate just how hard it
will actually be on the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stage
today covered 124km (77mi) with total elevation gain of 1808m (5,832ft).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between the start at Vernio Po and the finish
at Dei Pepoli there were two categorised climbs and it was always going to be a
tough day out.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The race started really fast through the streets of Vernio
Po with an average speed of over 50km/h (31mph) for the first 10 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only when we hit the first climb (category
2) around the 27km mark that the pace slowed down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went over the top of the climb with a
group of about 55 riders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second
climb (category 1) of the day was where the real damage was done and from there
it was only 14km to the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> That</span> felt like
the longest 14km of my career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Racing in average
temperatures of 39.5<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C (103<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>F) take its toll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the stage the time difference
between the winner, Evelyn Stevens of Team Specialized Lululemon, and the last
bunch out on the road was 41:49.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
finished the stage in 25<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> place (riders 17-27 all with the same
time) and moved up to 26<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> on the general classification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You always want to do better but I am very
happy with that result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ashleigh Moolman
did a great job finishing 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> 2:22 behind the winner.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow is another climbing day with one category 2 climb
after 66km.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stage starts and
finishes in Montecatini.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<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/AVvXsEgpPMfSN10AkbMFRRb-1cLxZrOxFqnpSvG6y4g8j1DhG7ogpSnq6OwvtbipQIRthNa6Ya3Ps5yoRXfUtBC8-8LZB_jWSqROCqiEtvcGxFJapx5oxKCiUnjHSl34Nh7C66crlxzPKWlKBVg/s1600/Survival+kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPMfSN10AkbMFRRb-1cLxZrOxFqnpSvG6y4g8j1DhG7ogpSnq6OwvtbipQIRthNa6Ya3Ps5yoRXfUtBC8-8LZB_jWSqROCqiEtvcGxFJapx5oxKCiUnjHSl34Nh7C66crlxzPKWlKBVg/s320/Survival+kit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Giro Donne survival kit (the unhealthy stuff are considered
essential to balance out all the pasta)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9k-2DEKOe6TmeYdjeFULnVbVPYcnAc_hKHpfzsEV4Pb9M8Bsx8yJh5X6uK5C1UBhNtS2THwrnV3SmN6hlR-kzTOnWl-_uK9yOmQdJcByIMYgOmpSoJ4-nx068Jk99vdcKZ49lTACt5s/s1600/View+from+hotel+after+stage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-86765478202390071922012-06-30T13:04:00.001-07:002012-06-30T13:04:12.691-07:00Race Report: Giro Donne Stage 2<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
When in Rome…<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today was all about the fast and the furious with a short
7.2km time trial in Rome, Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
a relatively flat but somewhat technical time trial with a lot of corners and
two cobble stone sections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the
route we raced passed the Coloseum and other spectacular ancient ruins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
day I am coming back as a typical tourist.</span></span></span><br />
<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/AVvXsEjZ5v8Onf82F6S1oBm1xrgD9zO7TXREKGoVgwF6Hticu0CqmWGcTGrrpq9KhhNJxKSIms4UtCC_nD1ApMwBHYHqTXQjqwY_eNPaKSj9aHC2rCr03-GVOZI88nYwUSZFb6KbRpeKc1JNCzw/s1600/Pretty+building+in+Rome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5v8Onf82F6S1oBm1xrgD9zO7TXREKGoVgwF6Hticu0CqmWGcTGrrpq9KhhNJxKSIms4UtCC_nD1ApMwBHYHqTXQjqwY_eNPaKSj9aHC2rCr03-GVOZI88nYwUSZFb6KbRpeKc1JNCzw/s320/Pretty+building+in+Rome.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pretty buildings are lining the streets of Rome<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is always interesting lining up for a time trial with a brand
new bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The setup I had for the bike would
have surely not gotten the Activeworx seal of approval.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With it being such a short and technical time
trial I did not have big expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got to our hotel, where we will be staying for the next
two nights, after a 3:30 commute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEj-lf8J46IOZSMt4KgWGnGhTPe3st5p0NyqpYr6vK1TUGgy7knXcMMCbbvpIyWF3Kt0XPBTJY3RlhectlhFRKHDDYrQeD3ASvJN296Sqj6rcsnzFIPLLAj-3EZAhpqclJkiQHLqlc7dK0k/s1600/Flip+flops+after+stage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lf8J46IOZSMt4KgWGnGhTPe3st5p0NyqpYr6vK1TUGgy7knXcMMCbbvpIyWF3Kt0XPBTJY3RlhectlhFRKHDDYrQeD3ASvJN296Sqj6rcsnzFIPLLAj-3EZAhpqclJkiQHLqlc7dK0k/s320/Flip+flops+after+stage+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a long day it is always nice to arrive at the type of
hotel where they give you slippers<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow is the “queen” stage of the race that starts in
Vernio Po and finishes 124km later in Castiglione Dei Pepoli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will race over the only category 1 climb
of the tour as well as another category 2 climb. Now that is what I have been looking forward to.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-65891161430012527552012-06-29T13:02:00.000-07:002012-06-29T13:05:55.422-07:00Race Report: Giro Stage 1<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today
was the first stage of the Giro Donne 2012 over 140km from Napoli to Terracina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To say I was nervous before the start is an
understatement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After, what seemed to be,
a really hard “neutral”zone the bunch took off with crazy speed (49.7km average
according to my SRM) towards the first sprint of the day at 5km.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since there was a small break up the road
that contained relatively unknown riders for the main part of the race the
bunch sat up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We raced along the ocean
the last 50km or so and the not so very cool ocean breeze was still a welcome
change with the average temperatures for the day being 37</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">C (99</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">F).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From what I could see with a few very quick glances
to the left the oceanfront was really pretty and at times reminded me of
Champman’s Peak in Cape Town, South Africa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bunch caught the breakaway group with about 25km to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point it was anybody’s race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out, as expected, to be a perfect
day for the sprinters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with the first
5km of the race the last 5km of the race was also super fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our team did not get a result today and I finished
with the bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today was a good
confidence builder and it feels nice to have returned to good form just in time
after a couple of hiccups along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tomorrow we head to Rome for a 7.2km time trial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to see the Colosseum through the window
of the plane on the trip over to Italy and I am sure that racing on the streets
of Rome will be something special. </span><br />
<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/AVvXsEgfVsZU-XIgLvfZeqy2_kCFrR6PxMxgTwxmUhpPBfOxLIjz25qtkT0JglihjhgfPbvUIprGWUoH742xxQcckN1usXqixBjyxyGRuDrWaGvg5uv1_iI386-P76NyBE5oNIZnwN2cJEqHAjQ/s1600/Giro+Stage+1+Start+View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVsZU-XIgLvfZeqy2_kCFrR6PxMxgTwxmUhpPBfOxLIjz25qtkT0JglihjhgfPbvUIprGWUoH742xxQcckN1usXqixBjyxyGRuDrWaGvg5uv1_iI386-P76NyBE5oNIZnwN2cJEqHAjQ/s320/Giro+Stage+1+Start+View.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">View from the start at the Giro Donne 2012 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-32302809888244746532012-06-25T05:32:00.001-07:002012-06-25T05:32:18.368-07:00The Road to Giro 2012<h3>
Dreams Do Come True with Team MTN
Qhubeka<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since I started racing competitively in 2009 and I had an
idea of what races were out there to do taking part in the Giro Donne (Giro d’Italia
Femminile Internazionale) has been on the top of my list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To actually get to compete in this event was
classified in the “dream only” category in my mind together with all the other
seemingly unrealistic dreams I had at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also included in that category was being a professional cyclist, driving
a Porsche and being a hot shot athlete so that Oakley will custom make me some
sunglasses that fits on my narrow face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
turned out to be a professional cyclist and I am going to the Giro Donne, driving a Porsche is not important
anymore (the Granny Mobile is doing the job just fine) and the Oakley sunglasses…well
I am still working on becoming that hot shot athlete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With all the drama and unpleasantness around the Olympic selection
recently this dream had been overshadowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now that the dust is settling I am remembering what it was that I was
dreaming about years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To come from
being the idiot who lined up for their first cycling race in a T-shirt and running
shoes not that long ago to cleating in next to 160 of the best riders in the
world is a dream come true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcVw_Om9vKeYdrH1GeZTEjU7XCnUFz4YN87G6THUcg195yh_ZEfw0MDvc7LhZ4utWppwocYf4woiECdcbKHb1RXL7m2Tvvz4xg55-MiEtUsNFkr79jMICS0fDbZAhwrKV29Szq1iufu4/s1600/aly2012%2520orizzontale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcVw_Om9vKeYdrH1GeZTEjU7XCnUFz4YN87G6THUcg195yh_ZEfw0MDvc7LhZ4utWppwocYf4woiECdcbKHb1RXL7m2Tvvz4xg55-MiEtUsNFkr79jMICS0fDbZAhwrKV29Szq1iufu4/s200/aly2012%2520orizzontale.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Giro Donne is a nine day journey through Italy that is
considered to be the most prestigious women’s race in the world over 965km (600
miles) starting in Naples and finishing in Bergamo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be no pizza eating, wine drinking, sunbathing
or olive tasting trip to Tuscany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
going to be gel eating and PVM Octane drinking filled days of what surely will
turn out to the hardest nine days of racing that I have ever done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with the other European races that I have competed
in this year it will be a steep (literally and figuratively) learning curve but
a challenge that I am very excited about taking on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have waited almost four years for this opportunity and it
is only thanks to Doug Ryder, Carol Austin, Anthony Fitzhenry and all others involved
with Team MTN Qhubeka that it is now only four days away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-87565938984740215582012-06-22T12:24:00.000-07:002012-06-22T12:24:24.622-07:00The Road Less Travelled<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although I did not get to travel to any of big cities like
Barcelona or Madrid I fell in love with the Spanish countryside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the neighbours at the sports hotel I
was staying at asked the owner when he was building the hotel why people would want
to come here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I can think of is why
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Travelling and seeing the world as
a cyclist surely is different than what it would be like for a typical tourist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We take the road less travelled and get to
experience something special and true about every place we visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us it is not about rushing to the next
sight to tick off a list but rather to, for a short while at least, live the
life of the locals in the country we find ourselves in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time it is the simple pleasure of
riding your bike somewhere new and being surprised about what you find around every
corner.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is about cycling up that big mountain in the area instead
of walking up the stairs of a prominent manmade structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about taking the time to get to know
the people you meet along the way instead of fighting them to be the last
person to fit into an already crowded subway train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Putting my feet up and taking the time to
enjoy the view instead of rushing off to the next thing on the to-do-list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shopping
for different local foods and wine instead of sitting at a café in a busy city
square.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do have to confess that when it
comes to shopping for clothing or shoes I do act like a typical tourist on more
occasions than I should.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I used to have a desk job all I could think of was that
ski holiday or a trip to Greece. I woke up one day realizing that the things
I thought I wanted I do not need anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I chose a different type of lifestyle and together with every person and
sponsor associated with Team MTN Qhubeka I made a life for myself with so much
more in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I no longer have to wait a
year for that two week holiday but I live the dream every day of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love the life you live!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-87608236246070141512012-06-18T11:58:00.000-07:002012-06-18T11:58:30.450-07:00New Heights (literally)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This past weekend I finally felt a bit better and was ready
to take on the well-known (or at least well-known amongst the cyclists in the
area) Rocacorba climb out of Banyoles, Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This seems to be the climb to race up but there was no Super(climbing)woman
in me today after being sick and I settled for just riding up the climb as “easy”
as it can be to ride up a 10km (6.2mi) climb with an average gradient of 7.4%
and an elevation gain of 800m (2,600ft).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you finally reach the top you get to enjoy the view of Banyoles and
what seems to be the whole of Spain beyond that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEjnrgKvBW2o_UyWQACpDjF3liZF-S-vKZqI8js7Llsuw2Fp_GC3zdtDRJAlCEAPQxmJoLIwvFmVKlAtUoKih4iVBldh51PeagPOYS9xqZ5liyV_paarASYze1KZv9ztIif926YDNpBtkWY/s1600/Rocacorba.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrgKvBW2o_UyWQACpDjF3liZF-S-vKZqI8js7Llsuw2Fp_GC3zdtDRJAlCEAPQxmJoLIwvFmVKlAtUoKih4iVBldh51PeagPOYS9xqZ5liyV_paarASYze1KZv9ztIif926YDNpBtkWY/s640/Rocacorba.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">View from the top of Rocacorba<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ITU World Cup Triathlon was in Banyoles, Spain this past
weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really enjoyed getting to
watch the racing for once and not being the one racing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a standard distance triathlon with the
1,500m swim in the crystal clear lake and then laps around the lake for both
the 40km cycling and 10km running legs of the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both the men’s and women’s race were won by
the Americans that are staying with us here at Mas Pelegri.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No pressure for us to perform now with this
company around…<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/AVvXsEh_G_GiOP1Unf5NPnX17fpJm0RbqhIylvBe5rcLHDWIjJy8XOv9fj8BGOFoa6PK3wH09ahy9GlbZ-kqkk_0b1YkIbJCsdHHcJIY1Nh29QtQa-t1mP3Gh3qdwZf6fwITN6jMUtVHOrzGJQA/s1600/ITU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G_GiOP1Unf5NPnX17fpJm0RbqhIylvBe5rcLHDWIjJy8XOv9fj8BGOFoa6PK3wH09ahy9GlbZ-kqkk_0b1YkIbJCsdHHcJIY1Nh29QtQa-t1mP3Gh3qdwZf6fwITN6jMUtVHOrzGJQA/s320/ITU.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Top 3 Ladies in the transition area at the ITU World Cup in
Banyoles<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I headed out for an easy ride with the US triathlon team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not surprisingly these triathletes made me do
the pacing in the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all stopped
at the medieval town of Besalu for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The most significant feature of the town it the 12th-century Romanesque
bridge over the Fluvia River with a gateway halfway across the bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like the gateway was built to keep
out the enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like in the movies.<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/AVvXsEg1nTSQDBHcRqQmImNn40NRKEaDw7G_ja4I09kZE5hkLbMrHJFwJ9et9v7VSV0wzMqx2ugmv7mxAOQE1oU5jm8tLG1B5ORclXDqnERXlFDuLEo1hmgPBrD7mFsdCo3P_mnuObhtL0E_5rA/s1600/Besalu.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nTSQDBHcRqQmImNn40NRKEaDw7G_ja4I09kZE5hkLbMrHJFwJ9et9v7VSV0wzMqx2ugmv7mxAOQE1oU5jm8tLG1B5ORclXDqnERXlFDuLEo1hmgPBrD7mFsdCo3P_mnuObhtL0E_5rA/s640/Besalu.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Medieval town of Besalu with the US triathlon team<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-81382747408660244882012-06-17T06:49:00.000-07:002012-06-17T06:49:27.160-07:00Picture Perfect<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am currently spending some time in Banyoles which is close
to Girona and only about an hour from Barcelona, Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must be one of the best places to train
and now I understand why there are so many professional cyclists living in and
around this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came here to prepare
for the Giro Donne which starts at the end of the month in Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I have been sick I have only been able
to admire the beauty of the mountains and the 15km climbs, which are literally
just around the corner, but this place truly is magical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am staying at Mas Pelegri (</span><a href="http://www.maspelegri.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.maspelegri.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">) which is a
sports hotel that caters specifically for cyclists and triathletes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It is built out of the ruins of a building dating back to 1770. </span>Currently the US triathlon team and some
other triathletes from Australia and Great Britain are also staying here in
preparation for the ITU World Cup in Banyoles this weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dinner table discussions are never dull with
so many professional athletes around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cannot wait to watch them all race Sunday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><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/AVvXsEjIG-salSCooS4sRmLzXnRDmDR2t7QS1hxctM4jXbjWG7zCy0OQyZkQ48UsZYZf7sE4BeWE85YM5P0CZqILjpamD05RGb9gjNd25Wsx_3UeE1kprY2Il6f7mq7RU0doR6gA3XGeTJRo1Pc/s1600/Mas+Pelegri.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIG-salSCooS4sRmLzXnRDmDR2t7QS1hxctM4jXbjWG7zCy0OQyZkQ48UsZYZf7sE4BeWE85YM5P0CZqILjpamD05RGb9gjNd25Wsx_3UeE1kprY2Il6f7mq7RU0doR6gA3XGeTJRo1Pc/s400/Mas+Pelegri.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mas Pelegri Sports Hotel<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEgaQS7a0x3lQnqqsgd-pXeU_0mG8nnYhxq07Nnaq9rERz9Hym-uSppXm8IhrtRs5UudyyELR9jEYYISvoLUTaYI3H3otp8v6BWdb6ce9eDfG3fE3Cc9yrGIEsCNfl7cke76pd5Id4WMPnA/s1600/Banyoles+Lake.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQS7a0x3lQnqqsgd-pXeU_0mG8nnYhxq07Nnaq9rERz9Hym-uSppXm8IhrtRs5UudyyELR9jEYYISvoLUTaYI3H3otp8v6BWdb6ce9eDfG3fE3Cc9yrGIEsCNfl7cke76pd5Id4WMPnA/s640/Banyoles+Lake.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Banyoles Lake (it is so clear you can see the plants on the
bottom of the lake)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have made a trip to the city of Girona for an afternoon
coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around every corner a postcard
image awaits whether you are walking around in the city or whether you are
riding your bike in the Spanish countryside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><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/AVvXsEiL2-hWRGfnnfrwv8EcqZTcoYhFqeWxtMqVqgzU_HQlouqq9RZPvLPAcFtV63mZ9fZrwNorAbeG67xa3fDhPt2teXFiYQw1t6X2uvLG56zOj0I48T1GWFqxgf8-sbcMmEqalp9Hjf5rQZk/s1600/More+Girona.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2-hWRGfnnfrwv8EcqZTcoYhFqeWxtMqVqgzU_HQlouqq9RZPvLPAcFtV63mZ9fZrwNorAbeG67xa3fDhPt2teXFiYQw1t6X2uvLG56zOj0I48T1GWFqxgf8-sbcMmEqalp9Hjf5rQZk/s640/More+Girona.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Girona<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-34339472294541404872012-05-02T11:00:00.000-07:002012-05-02T11:00:56.732-07:00Lady and the Bike<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
10 Reasons to Love Being a Professional Ladies Cyclist<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A couple of years ago a worldwide competition was run where
the prize was the “best job in the world”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The job description was to stroll the white sands of a tropical island
in Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think my job as a professional
cyclist deserves that title and you do not even need lady luck to win this job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is my job description:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Weekly massages are considered mandatory<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most companies block social media websites but
my job encourages the use of Twitter, Facebook as well as blogging<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You get to wear tight fitting clothes without
any excuse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whether you use shopping as retail therapy or as
part of your socialising routine cycling does give you the perfect excuse to
shop for the best brands because they can actually make you go faster<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Without food you cannot perform so it is
considered essential to eat a lot<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coffee shop rides (ride to a coffee shop with a
group of people) form part of our daily training regimen and drinking the
occasional glass or two of red wine is actually a part of the cycling culture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Get paid to work on your bikini body all year
round<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Travel the world<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For all those single ladies out there:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The number of men racing greatly outnumbers
the ladies so it is the perfect scouting ground for Mr Right and that cute view
a few meters in front of you gives you just the little bit of extra motivation
to go faster<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are lucky enough like me to be part of
Team MTN Qhubeka which has MTN as title sponsor you even get to chat on your
phone as much as you want<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So get on a bike and you might just end up with the best job
in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">P.S. remember that thanks to waterproof mascara you have no
excuse not to look pretty while out cycling<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-29143055751726983252012-05-01T09:18:00.001-07:002012-05-01T09:18:43.465-07:00Qhubeka Bike Handover - Luphisi, MpumalangaThis past weekend teammates Charlotte, Sarah, Adrien and I had the privilege
of joining Qhubeka and Wildlands Conservation Trust staff as well as MTN employees
for the Qhubeka bike handover in Luphisi, Mpumalanga.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
"Transportation is a fundamental element of development: Most of
Africa’s rural population have no access to transport and people have to walk
long distances to access opportunity, education, healthcare, shops and
community services. Rural schoolchildren are particularly badly affected by
lack of mobility. In South Africa, of the 16 million school going children, 12
million walk to school. Of these, 500,000 walk more than two hours each way,
spending four hours getting to and back from school each day. Bicycles are the
most effective and economical method of quickly addressing this problem."<br />
<a href="http://www.qhubeka.org/qhubeka/HOME/HOME.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.qhubeka.org/qhubeka/HOME/HOME.html</span></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
This is where Qhubeka comes in. Many people are already aware of the great
work that is being done by Qhubeka.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Qhubeka
is an Nguni word that means "to carry on" and "to progress".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This bike handover was part of their
"Trees-for-Bikes" project where children (called "Tree-preneurs")
grow trees to earn bikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
For me the most memorable part of this experience was to hear the stories
about the "Tree-preneurs".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kids that used to spend hours walking to school can now use that time to
study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something like a University
degree that previously seemed impossible becomes possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another boy was planting trees to get a bike
for his little brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many
more stories like these of how this project has changed the lives of children in rural
communities. With so little you can do so much.<br />
<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/AVvXsEiOvGkG8AiM2hhWzToZn9Y1o_cGt9lRH10IWJelEDYT6T367BzDRDqdD0kEWqAlHXblWQMjhj9pypDeQFerOCNafEj746yTXPobsb6XBqWOywSNcJfEWUQbKUnev21c2LkuctwcZeTr_Js/s1600/TP+Waiting+for+Bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvGkG8AiM2hhWzToZn9Y1o_cGt9lRH10IWJelEDYT6T367BzDRDqdD0kEWqAlHXblWQMjhj9pypDeQFerOCNafEj746yTXPobsb6XBqWOywSNcJfEWUQbKUnev21c2LkuctwcZeTr_Js/s320/TP+Waiting+for+Bikes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tree-preneurs"patiently waiting for their new well-earned Qhubeka bikes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEij1UgHM2R3_N6PjFxm_2tNRL6moqa7wvKL2nE1f0_paaaZEsUJ3j3gu1AMblb_fOJGG0mHYryeCvtF9DhopkwbWurY08uW8pNGKX6lwIblIbZK-ckBcwhlhKmYyql9UDTaveLxkZOfBK4/s1600/Trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1UgHM2R3_N6PjFxm_2tNRL6moqa7wvKL2nE1f0_paaaZEsUJ3j3gu1AMblb_fOJGG0mHYryeCvtF9DhopkwbWurY08uW8pNGKX6lwIblIbZK-ckBcwhlhKmYyql9UDTaveLxkZOfBK4/s320/Trees.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trees planted by one "Tree-preneur"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEh2HTb6eeMsEbao1SvltuptbpsAC5YbfuooNds-DgBFXfpub3KnSVfxb9BFh00JjD97ukz1kTP2Z8jMEuIyKN43pNQN3y1Vt4iFFcuqBqB8gr_xKAo6hckQcIfwtn5O4OawVHAey20tp9Y/s1600/Qhubeka+Bike+Sign+In.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HTb6eeMsEbao1SvltuptbpsAC5YbfuooNds-DgBFXfpub3KnSVfxb9BFh00JjD97ukz1kTP2Z8jMEuIyKN43pNQN3y1Vt4iFFcuqBqB8gr_xKAo6hckQcIfwtn5O4OawVHAey20tp9Y/s320/Qhubeka+Bike+Sign+In.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign-in of a different kind - Maybe one day one of these kids will sign the sign-in boards at a UCI race or even the Tour de France</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEhVxGaC1q2nlSy_cvCjAaXIo8Ctz7mY5zom-oW-KvAq3KJ9kIf80R0vT9A8xuCZTNqgQmjb2WaS5i6bGSpk718ut4ydtlh42Kwnvvl4Z1K5VHM7_y6lxZ3YGdxXjMNeyPFg89_JW8DLVVU/s1600/Putting+Bikes+Together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxGaC1q2nlSy_cvCjAaXIo8Ctz7mY5zom-oW-KvAq3KJ9kIf80R0vT9A8xuCZTNqgQmjb2WaS5i6bGSpk718ut4ydtlh42Kwnvvl4Z1K5VHM7_y6lxZ3YGdxXjMNeyPFg89_JW8DLVVU/s320/Putting+Bikes+Together.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teammates Sarah and Charlotte helping with the assembling of the bicycles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhqmhR5Ltt6NjTi35dVJdJUYiHjq7pa2K_XGrTQRX7bDrvqTQLJ59uToVXMHqRbUiZRo2-Zh5s-HiIwPkENGKYzz6onhguDpawlsar9yMDQ1ObHLAXY0Fwj2meqEGqEevJziO1bEkORSAc/s1600/Luphisi+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmhR5Ltt6NjTi35dVJdJUYiHjq7pa2K_XGrTQRX7bDrvqTQLJ59uToVXMHqRbUiZRo2-Zh5s-HiIwPkENGKYzz6onhguDpawlsar9yMDQ1ObHLAXY0Fwj2meqEGqEevJziO1bEkORSAc/s320/Luphisi+1.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to take one of the Qhubeka bikes for a test drive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167055818028480230.post-11270233913331631242012-04-23T13:20:00.001-07:002012-04-23T23:45:08.610-07:00Belgium Living<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The unexpected and unplanned outings always seem to be the most fun in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cherise and I went to go pick An-Li up from Brussels International Airport after her visit to Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe it or not the traffic in Belgium makes Midrand/Johannesburg traffic look good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The traffic was so bad on the way back that we decided to be touristy instead of sitting in traffic for hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> On a whim we decided to </span>visit the Atomium monument in Brussels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 102 metres high it represents an elementary iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times and has nine interconnected spheres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards we took to the street of Brussels to look for something to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up at a typical Italian pizza place.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<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/AVvXsEgivC939aK01A5COkOUMiWbtcqhzZZXWsCcYo51562okFGHuVT33mNk85hFavPxwOT6fbpJDB8FGw1PdXkQnjhym24iMBe6n1qMkL165NJL0Od9IG3qXyLKSwFM7H3yoC_wc47z_JWUZ-w/s1600/One+Night+In+Brussels.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivC939aK01A5COkOUMiWbtcqhzZZXWsCcYo51562okFGHuVT33mNk85hFavPxwOT6fbpJDB8FGw1PdXkQnjhym24iMBe6n1qMkL165NJL0Od9IG3qXyLKSwFM7H3yoC_wc47z_JWUZ-w/s640/One+Night+In+Brussels.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Atomium Monument and pizza dinner afterwards</strong></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/AVvXsEisgOT3dEPRfYUX__RfrWkPDoYCffjuhguMjckElVIwuxhSOm5P-2O7zSr0yE1KwPY26XL80UO1QPR3eN8Xh48bwW3y5ntI02hH5ZYQn1_QQUem7TjpXftwus-KOESx7hAC0xP0ZdQcZA0/s1600/Kiss+&+Ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgOT3dEPRfYUX__RfrWkPDoYCffjuhguMjckElVIwuxhSOm5P-2O7zSr0yE1KwPY26XL80UO1QPR3eN8Xh48bwW3y5ntI02hH5ZYQn1_QQUem7TjpXftwus-KOESx7hAC0xP0ZdQcZA0/s200/Kiss+&+Ride.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Only in Belgium! This is not the red light district but the "Drop & Go"at Brussels International Airport</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With this weather you have to get a bit creative with your training routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recently discovered what keeps Cherise on the indoor trainer…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stories of Frikkadel, Boeboe en Worsie out of the Vetkoek Paleis (South African Afrikaans comedy show) in Nigel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would have thought that this is all it takes?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been caught in ice rain the past two days while out training so maybe tomorrow I will see if this works for me as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div><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/AVvXsEh1XrOthUq6Rxa5GlYCWIkXycCqfqf0nxvvxYcLxE6Ur4FUJ5hCZ692AklKmLx2oyt-qhk2ZALGoYi3WYgh1Ao98lWujZGlPIDPF5gkszMPxPNGdN2r7ClrSZ0KnrswBPmLc6innnqO2oI/s1600/Cherise+on+Trainer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XrOthUq6Rxa5GlYCWIkXycCqfqf0nxvvxYcLxE6Ur4FUJ5hCZ692AklKmLx2oyt-qhk2ZALGoYi3WYgh1Ao98lWujZGlPIDPF5gkszMPxPNGdN2r7ClrSZ0KnrswBPmLc6innnqO2oI/s200/Cherise+on+Trainer.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Cherise hooked on Vetkoek Paleis</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Riding along the canal is part of our daily routine but it never gets boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scary hissing geese usually provide some entertainment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have mastered the art of getting around these scary creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to wait until another rider pass you before the geese section and then follow closely so that the other person scares away the geese and gives you a safe path to navigate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday it was a cargo boat that unloaded a bit too much of its cargo which lifted it out of the water and barely made it through under the bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stared as the boat approached the bride and could see it literally back pedalling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much to their amusement we were cheering as they pass through under the bridge by what looked to be a centimetre or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess having a little baggage to weigh you down is not such a bad thing after all.<o:p></o:p></span></div><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/AVvXsEi-4ssFySnl9-lq8tVVXk1Ly-BZjFj19e-2YGK-Lvz8vKJj2-zPLfBynhNLDuq-V0geXypGzXEW1YkpgMVUSzcX0CpVTKPBOND2UqlQc7FwDj4Hg6DdauigMABJEkvnhOddz38PFKszTtA/s1600/Taking+Chances.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4ssFySnl9-lq8tVVXk1Ly-BZjFj19e-2YGK-Lvz8vKJj2-zPLfBynhNLDuq-V0geXypGzXEW1YkpgMVUSzcX0CpVTKPBOND2UqlQc7FwDj4Hg6DdauigMABJEkvnhOddz38PFKszTtA/s320/Taking+Chances.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>How is this for living on the edge?!</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When in Belgium, do as the Belgians do so I decided to try some local Belgium beer. It is no Castle! With an 8.4% Alc content it surely is beer for the brave only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it comes to red wine I still say: oos, wes, tuis bes.</span></div><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/AVvXsEjaGjolnzq7wwgOux_giTy8InJfigyaJ-W3VeVAt0TyWH_3FGIPaaND8cQ868QXt8ULoqTq6hZEo57pC4TyelraiXY4OWufCuf3c5LsGdvSpWihhHZJMdSdqcxZuV7G0fHjbWlOuMn32yw/s1600/Beer+for+the+Brave.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGjolnzq7wwgOux_giTy8InJfigyaJ-W3VeVAt0TyWH_3FGIPaaND8cQ868QXt8ULoqTq6hZEo57pC4TyelraiXY4OWufCuf3c5LsGdvSpWihhHZJMdSdqcxZuV7G0fHjbWlOuMn32yw/s400/Beer+for+the+Brave.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Beer for the Brave and a proudly South African Kanonkop Red Wine</strong></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">It has been really nice to have the Team MTN Qhubeka men also here in Belgium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No better way to catch up and listen to their race stories than a coffee shop ride from Ninove to Aalst Centrum.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPbWpWkpYAt-uYUIfD_x4jnMd3tHF-Y_GZ4uzguKpDQ1iKuzUjvUYMH4RQ40utIguT35eyWZ5uIer6-bzBqBnWSTSMFlBfQYq-TKW8C8oP8iq_hNWZeTtKCgmgs9AecGFrvdVC8AFvQ4/s1600/Coffee+Shop+Ride.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPbWpWkpYAt-uYUIfD_x4jnMd3tHF-Y_GZ4uzguKpDQ1iKuzUjvUYMH4RQ40utIguT35eyWZ5uIer6-bzBqBnWSTSMFlBfQYq-TKW8C8oP8iq_hNWZeTtKCgmgs9AecGFrvdVC8AFvQ4/s640/Coffee+Shop+Ride.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Coffee shop ride with the boys to Aalst Centrum and the nice Trek bikes taking over the square</strong></td></tr>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0