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Greetings!
It's June - the kids are out of school and it's time for summer weather, historic racing and the first of the Colorado Road State Championship events!
The tradition behind our racing this month is pretty exceptional: the Fred Prindle City Park Criterium celebrates 42 years, North Boulder Park shares its history with the Coors Classic, and the Dead Dog Classic hits 25. These celebrated events share the month with challenging hill climbs up beautiful canyons and a race to the stunning summit of Guanella Pass. Throw in State Championship titles for all categories in the Time Trial and Masters Criterium Champs at Sonic Boom, midweek track in Colorado Springs, and midweek criteriums in Longmont and Golden, and we have the makings of a spectacular month of racing.
We are at a very exciting time for the organization. We are seeing unprecedented growth in our racing participation for entry-level women and men; celebrating the success for our athletes and collegiate clubs due to our strong partnership with the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Cycling Conference; and with 134 junior and U23 athletes, we have earned the recognition that the Colorado Mini Classic is the premier development road race in the Rocky Mountain region.
This amount of growth is made possible by long-term vision and hard work. Our racing community is seeing the results of work that began years ago. BRAC board and committee members past and present (special thanks to Carol K and Kayla T), BRAC staff past and present (Jon T, Beth W-E) contributed to this success, as well as coaches, club leaders, event directors, and event volunteers. Our membership is our greatest resource - thank you for stepping up and contributing your talents and energy for the benefit of our sport.
Have a great, safe, fast, fun and sunny June!
Chris
execdir@coloradocycling.org
***
First Annual BRAC Women's Racing Camp
Presented by TheCyclist-Lawyer.com
was a HUGE Success!
2013 Women's Campers headed out for skills training in Golden.
Photo by Katie Macarelli.
On May 4th, we held our first ever Women's Racing Camp at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden. The Camp was sold out at 42 athletes, and our wonderful Coaches Kathy Zawadski and Sue Lloyd delivered a memorable day of camaraderie, lunch, fun, friends, safety skills, mentoring and hot laps on a criterium course.
The goal of this camp was to bridge the gap
between strong riding and racing, and provide female athletes with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to enjoy the great sport of bicycle racing. Confidence leads to enjoyment of the sport, which in turn leads to the retention of female racers - a common concern nation-wide for cycling events and organizations.
The day ended with a race debrief complete with wine and snacks. Many people worked very hard to make this event a success -thank you!
Camp Director Katie Macarelli
Our Coaches Kathy and Sue
Our Volunteers Amandas 1.0 & 2.0 and Shelly H
TheCyclist-Lawyer.com
Bicycle Colorado
D'Deli for Lunch
Higher Grounds Coffee
Rudy Project
Colorado School of Mines Cycling Team
Topher Hurley for IT Support
Naked Women Racing
303cycling.com
Jess D'Amato
Mad Alchemy
Please watch for the 2013 Women's Cross Camp
with Olympian and super-awesome Ann Trombley
on September 7 2013!
***
Growth in our Entry-Level Categories
and
Mentoring and Support for Women and Men
SW 4 Mentoring at Louisville 2013 with 46 Senior Women 4 athletes! Wow!
Photo by BRAC.
One of the most pleasant surprises this year has been the exceptional growth in our entry-level categories. We had 46 SW 4 athletes at Louisville Criterium, 37 at Wheels of Thunder, and 39 at the Haystack ITT. Our SM 5 fields have also been outstanding, with 60 racers at the Weld County RR, 43 at Haystack, and 56 at the Superior RR.
"Racing in larger fields is more exciting and provides more opportunity to employ tactics. As the new Cat 3 gains strength, there is always a role they can play in any race - which in turn increases their strength. With all the avid women cyclists in Colorado/Wyoming, I firmly believe that we can double field sizes within the year. I envision a day when we are all pre-registering to avoid field caps."
-Lanier Allen,
Naked Team
We offer mentoring and skills training at select events. Mentoring sessions are one of the best ways to gain confidence and skills, and to better understand pack dynamics. Our ladies have benefited from Mentoring Races all spring and the Women's Racing Camp. Beginner Men please watch for these sessions at our mid-week criteriums in Longmont and Golden this summer. We will definitely host a Women's Cross Camp this fall, and please note that we are considering a Men's Racing Camp for 2014.
"In 2010 I was introduced to cycling by a BRAC member who dragged me to my first crit which was a mentoring race. I had no confidence at all in myself and thought for sure I'd be dropped right away. Because of my mentors, I had a great race! I was so grateful for Amy Dromboski and Beth Fisk for mentoring the race and I actually did pretty well (5th place maybe?). I saw Amy a couple of years ago at the Steamboat Stage Race and told her thanks and how much she helped me out. I also have told Beth multiple times, "thank you for mentoring me."
-Andrea Koenig,
Team PSIMET/Zilla Racing
The growth in our entry-level categories is due to the work of many individuals, race directors, and our member clubs. We see more support for beginners than ever before, and this is translating into more athletes, more revenue and a more robust racing community. Thank you to everyone who is reaching out to other cyclists to welcome them to our racing family.
The new Volo team is one of many which has done a terrific job of attracting new athletes. Photo by Team Volo.
Please see this link Info for SM 5 Racers.
To our newer racers: welcome to BRAC, we are so glad to have you racing with us!
***
2013 Colorado Mini Classic
The Region's Premier Road Development Event
 The 2013 Colorado Mini Classic was once again supported by the USA Pro Challenge - together we are building the next generation of American champions. Photo by BRAC.
The numbers for this year's Mini Classic point to a stunning success for the event: 134 athletes representing 12 states and 2 other countries!! In addition to our own Colorado athletes, we had racers from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Georgia, Minnesota, New York, Brazil and Kuwait. The list is simply amazing!
The event took place over the Memorial Day Weekend in beautiful Silt, Colorado, with a challenging time trial, technical criterium, and stunning road race. The Colorado Mini Classic is the largest road racing development-only race in the region, if not the country. Our athletes and families have a special weekend to focus on the development of racers and junior racing.
"The Mini Classic was a blast! I loved that everyone was making friends and it was great to see all of the kids having fun getting to race with each other."
-Savannah A.
Front Rangers Cycling Team
Reinvented in 2010 by Jon Tarkington and Bill Sommers, the Colorado Mini Classic is built on the foundation of the original Red Zinger Mini Classics of the 1980s. We are building on, and contributing to, the unparalleled tradition of junior-based bicycle racing in Colorado. Please see our Mini Classic photo album on Facebook for some great images of the weekend.
The Mini Classic was supported by Marty Albe, shown here at the TT start - thank you! Photo by BRAC. The Mini Classic was supported by the Two Rivers Cycling Club, the City of Silt and Silt Police Department, the Garfield County Sheriff's Office, A-1 Traffic Control, the Holiday Inn Express, the pedal/Cannondale Team, USA Cycling, the USA Pro Challenge, and many, many others.
The Mini Classic was directed once again by the incredible Bill Sommers. The Sommers family is moving to Pennsylvania next month, and everyone at BRAC would like to thank Bill and his family for their four years of volunteer heroics at the Mini Classic. We wish you the best in your new adventures!
*** Colorado Track Racing Track Racing is up and flying in Colorado! Our Track Coordinator Pat McDonough has been working like crazy to get everything dialed in - thank you Pat! Racing and training is in full swing at the Colorado Springs Velodrome. Please see this link for the 2013 Colorado Springs Velodrome training schedules, track information and fees. We are all keeping an eye on Erie for the completion of the Boulder Valley Velodrome. Hopefully we're done with freak snowstorms, and the guys can finish their work with boards and cement!
*** Racing Community Profile - Pat McDonough BRAC's Track Coordinator, Life-Long Cyclist and All-Around Great Guy  Pat smiling at the Track. Photo by Summit Cycling Productions. Our News Editor, Amanda Cyr, interviewed Pat for this edition of the Colorado Racing News. For the complete interview, please see www.coloradocycling.org. Amanda: Pat, for those who don't know who you are, would you mind giving a brief background on "Who the heck is Pat McDonough"? Pat: I started cycling in 1973...it was around the time they decided to make the wheel round!....Well it was a long time ago. I was a short-track speed skater in the winter and for summer training everyone raced bikes so I started riding. I raced for about 15 years - I was a jack of all trades track cyclist - I don't think there was an event that I didn't compete in but my career highlight was a silver medal - 4km Team Pursuit at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. After I stopped racing I began coaching and was the Director of the Lehigh Valley Velodrome (Trexlertown, PA) for about 15 years. So I am a "lifer." Amanda: What brought you to Colorado? Pat: I took a job with USA Cycling in 2004. I was there for 5 years. I learned a lot while I was there and decided afterwards that I loved Colorado and was going to stay here...until they kick me out! Please see the website for the complete interview to learn about our goals for Colorado track racing, Pat's questionable taste in music, and his dislike of beets.
*** BRAC Athletes Love Sweat and Gears to Rock RAAM 
LS&G in 2012 - only 3,000 miles to go! Love, Sweat & Gears, a team with two super Colorado women, is riding the Race Across America again this year in the four-person category. Our News Editor, Amanda C, interviewed Team Captain Ann Lantz to get an idea of what goes into this amazing athletic event. Both Ann and Julie Lyons rode KHMTT this year - 4 times per night! - to simulate the brutal RAAM race schedule. Thank you to KHMTT director Alan Boisvert for your work to make their training a success, as we are all proud to be part of this effort. Please follow this link for the complete interview. *** KHMTT - It's a Wrap 4 Results Count for Overall  Natural Grocers looking sweet at KHMTT #8. Photo by Ryan Muncy.
With the crazy weather over the spring, our event director, officials and volunteers had to roll with the barometric punches that always seemed to land at Cherry Creek State Park. Event Director Alan Boisvert was up to the task, and kept the Series fun and happy despite the challenges. We hosted a Racer Appreciation Party on May 15th, complete with BBQ and an unprecedented prize drawing with nearly $8,000 in items given away. Then, for the first time in 21 years of KHMTT, the Park allowed us to run a bonus event on May 29th. Amazing work by Alan! 
ColoBikeLaw racers before heading out into the cold and rain.
A bunch of tough guys! Photo by Lima Beans. Thank you officials, scoring crew, and volunteers for long evenings in questionable weather, Kathy, Jeremiah and Corky for grilling every week, COBRAS, Green Mountain Sports, and everyone who contributed to the 2013 KHMTT at Cherry Creek. Please follow this link for complete KHMTT info and overall standings.  *** Rocky Mountain Collegiate Cycling Conference - Leading the Way at Collegiate Nationals  Mines Racer Kit Recca rocked Collegiate Nationals - watch for him this summer with the Horizon/Panache Elite Team. Photo by Dean Warren Photography. Our friends in the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Cycling Conference (RMCCC) wrapped up their road season with a hugely successful trip to the Collegiate Nationals in Ogden, Utah. The Conference earned 35 podium places! Please see this link for the complete list of individual and team podium placings. We are very proud to partner with the Conference, and very excited for 2014 and the continued growth of Colorado cycling. We are the only area in the country in which the Collegiate Conference and Local Association work this closely together to benefit the racing community. Thanks all who worked to make our successes in 2013 a reality - especially Clint Bickmore, Topher Hurley, Yvonne van Gent, Lynn Taylor, Tim Madden, Andy McChord, our other great officials, USAC's Valecia Fraser and Jeff Hansen, and the collegiate clubs and event directors for your commitment to this ground-breaking partnership. *** BALM Co. Membership Perk Benefits Junior Development Program 
Mike Zerinskas of BALM Co, a local Colorado company, (and president of the PSI-Met Zilla Team), has put together a special package for BRAC members. BALM Co. provides a comprehensive source for education and in-depth reviews about chamois creams, embrocation, recovery oils, and other performance skincare products for athletes. The special package is the Best of Balm - including embro, chamois and recovery products - for only $25. Proceeds from this sale go to the Junior Development Program. The discount code for checkout is BRAC2013 It's a Win Win Win - Local Company, BRAC member benefit, and fundraiser for the Juniors! Wow! *** Are You or a Friend New to Racing? 
There is so much mystery (and seemingly endless jargon) to this sport. Let us help!! Check out our New Racer page on the BRAC website. Updated, fun and easy to read, this resource has all you need to know for a successful first race. We welcome new racers and want to see you succeed! Watch for camps, clinics, mentoring events and other ways to learn more about racing. The best way to enjoy the sport is to join a club. Here you'll find friends, training tips, racing guidance, and support for your efforts. See our Clubs Page for contact info on our member clubs. *** Junior Info Questions about junior gearing and equipment restrictions? Please see this link for answers. ***
Thanks for sharing this e-newsletter with your
friends and family. Enjoy a great day on your bike!
A HUGE Thank You to Amanda Cyr, who has been instrumental in the creation of this issue of the Colorado Racing News. You are snarky but we kinda like it. | 
