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The start of the new year is always fun. This year it's
been doubly fun because I've had the chance to work
with the Los Gatos Women's Team at a couple of
events.
I was happy to get the call from Liza Rahetto, team
manager, about helping with the md-February San
Jose Classic, the prestigous 2nd edition of the
Womens Tour of California, and the always fun Merco
Criterium. My 'job' was to help the ladies in any way
possible. From picking up race numbers at
registration, to manning the microphone trying to relay
info and tactics..it's always fun to be at a race, in the
race.
San Jose Classic - A first year event, the Classic was
held on a fun course in downtown San Jose. As it was
the day before the Tour of California a good field was
expected - and they didn't disappoint. Stalwarts
Brooke Miller (current double National Champion),
miss won-just-about-everything Ina Teutenberg, and a
slew of other speedsters lined up. But LG/Sugar had
their own ringer in the form of guest rider Laura Van
Gilder. LVG of the 350+ career wins. After crushing all
over the front LVG played a perfect tactical game and
popped off a sweet win to start off the weekend.
Womens Tour of California - Rain and cold helped
solidify the toughness of the race (as if the stellar field
wasn't enough). It was fast early with LG representing
well at the front covering, attacking, and staying ahead
of trouble. Maybe 10 minutes in Karla Kingsley finds
herself in a good group of 10 or so rolling steadily off
the front. This group held and both Tibco and
Columbia/High Road kept pushing til the finish. Karla
set up perfectly and ran to the line 4th against a world
class break. That was awesome to watch
Up next we worked the Merco Classic. This was the
traditional season kickoff for the NRC a few years
back and it still retains a lot of prestige and high
qualtity fields. Again Tibco and Columbia/Highroad
were active all day. Tibco had a self-declared cover
and kill approach to the day - and it worked, except that
Ina Teutenberg was just faster! LG put two women in
the top 10 with Karla and Liza finishing off a very well
run race for the team. They attacked, scooped a prime
from a break, and chased back the most promising
move of the day. Great team work! I was so pleased to
be on the radio watching it all shake out. Love this
sport!
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This time last year the bay area cycling community
was still in shock from the Kristy Gough/Matt Peterson
tragedy. Riding down foothill as part of the swarm of
riders offering hommage, I think we all vowed to be
better cyclists and drivers and stewards.
I was riding to work the other day....same Foothill route
I ride
most days. There is an intersection that is sometimes
busy and requires drivers to navigate around cyclists
and vice versa. So as I'm entering the dashed white
line that delinates the 'merge' portion...Mr. 20, 000 lb
truck come up next to me - looks at me through the
window by the passengers feet and then pulls in front,
cutting me off and certainly pushing the safety
envelope a bit far. Best part - he makes the corner only
to find a red light. Which allowed me to roll up and
congratulate him on making up all of 1 second while
risking all our lives....smoooth. i rant on for a few
seconds when it dawns on me that he did all this
while talking on the phone!! So he's looking at me,
nodding, and chatting away on the cell....sort of eye
opening to see the mediocrity of peoples awareness.
Somewhere in his mind it was totally find to pilot a
large mass of potential distruction, cut off a cyclist and
tailgate a car to get to a red light sooner.
The point is simply that after 23+ years of racing and
riding the road one, hopefully, develops a little sixth
sense that helps keep us out of harms way. I knew to
look at the truck and navigate around his subtle
ignorance. I know to keep an eye on nearly everything
going on around me and always try to leave myself an
out. My challenge to all of you is to do the same - and
to be mindful of the great gift that cycling brings us.
The warm sun and crisp mornings, the ebb and flow
of a ride and more. Keep yourself safe and keep
adding to your story...
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If you are not currently on a coaching program now is a good time to start (or restart)! We offer a variety of coaching options for athletes at every level. From the ease and simplicity of our pre built training plans to the private training sessions of our Gold and Sterling programs, each one is created with athletes in mind. In addition, If you are a member of one of our sponsored teams you'll enjoy a substantial discount as well. So do something productive for your cycling...Sign up for a Sterling Sports Group Program Today!
Sincerely,
Matt McNamara
Sterling Sports Group
email:
info@sterlingwins.com
phone:
408.891.3462
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