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Greetings!
It went and got HOT!
July is a great month to be a cyclist in Colorado (kind of like the other eleven months). And for us racers, the month delivers an interesting mix of events. We've got historic downtown criteriums across the state, the two highest hill climbs in the nation, a challenging road race in Salida, world-class track racing in Colorado Springs, and low-key midweek events in Golden and Longmont.
We've had a great spring, and we're looking forward to the next two months of road racing action. Many of our road events are seeing 10% increases from last year. This growth is also showing for mountain bike races, gran fondos, and non-competitive events such as Bike to Work Day. In addition to riding their bikes, many of our members are active in the sport in different ways: as advocates, volunteers, organizers, communicators, legal counsel, and event directors. All this involvement creates greater opportunities and increased safety - thank you to those who work on behalf of our sport. Cycling in Colorado is in the ascendancy, and we are very proud to be part of this success.
It's time to celebrate the Fourth of July, the warmth of summer, and your hard-earned fitness. Best of luck to all this month, and please have yourselves a great, safe, fast, fun and sunny July.
Chris
execdir@coloradocycling.org
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The BRAC Women's Program has Taken Off!
Women racing in 2013. Photo by BRAC.
2013 has been the year of the cycling woman here in Colorado. Here are a couple numbers to think about:
- Four SW 4 Mentoring Events in 2013 provided instruction, skills and confidence to 110 women racers.
- 42 women learned about racing and fun at the 1st Annual Women's Racing Camp.
- The SW 4 has been one of the largest fields over the last three months! (Did we really say that?!?! Yes! It's true!! From time trials and circuit races, to hill climbs and road races, the SW 4s are out in force.)
- The SW 3 has grown as well, as more women have gained the skills, confidence and speed to upgrade. Congratulations ladies!
- Watch for details on the 2013 Women's Cross Camp with Olympian and super-awesome lady Ann Trombley on September 7, 2013. This Camp will be capped at 50 athletes.
- Current Board members Rachel Scott, Susan Adamkovics, Sue Lloyd, and Lynn Taylor have been instrumental in this success.
- Past Board members Carol Kauder and Kayla Thomason helped build the groundwork for this success, and you can read about their contributions here.
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BRAC Membership Benefits
Many companies, both local and international, support our organization and our members with great discounts, and many provide cash returns for our Development Programs. Check out this link for 50% off cycling skin care products from BALM Co, 40% off the entire selection of Rudy Project, world-class bike fit from Retul and the Denver Fit Loft, and many others. Please see our Member Businesses & Benefits page for a complete list of companies and individuals who support our organization. Thanks all who contribute to our cycling community!
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Colorado Track Racing Update
 High on the velodrome. Photo by Pat McDonough.
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. Please see the Event Calendar for Race Flyers.
The Boulder Valley Velodrome (BVV) is working to complete construction on its facility. The next major hurdle is the completion of the permitting process. This process is, in one word, 'un-fun.' We remain optimistic that BVV will be up and running in 2013, but we purposely built our 2013 rack racing calendar to be flexible and work around BVV's timeline for becoming operational.
Heads-Up Track Racers: Our Plan A this year was to split racing between Colorado Springs and BVV. With BVV stuck in red tape, we go with Plan B - Colorado track racing goes on with events in Colorado Springs. Here is the link to the update, and schedule for the next two months of track racing in CS.
We are hopeful that we will see racing at BVV by the end of summer. Thank you all for your patience, and to the BVV team for working through construction and the permit process.
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Racing Community Profile
Megan Hottman
Megan Hottman in 2013. Photo by Megan.
Golden-based Megan Hottman is a force for good in the Colorado cycling community. She is a racer, advocate, Bike-to-Worker, team manager, supporter of BRAC, and runs a thriving law practice that helps cyclists. Please follow this link for the full interview with Megan, TheCyclist-Lawyer.com.
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Throwing Down Across the Pond
with Jeff Perrin and the USA Devo Team
The U23 Devo team at the 2013 Thuringen in Germany. Photo by USA Cycling.
Jeff Perrin, who is an alum of the BRAC Junior Development Program, is racing, training, and living the dream with the US National Devo Team in Europe and the California Giant/Specialized Team in the States. He just returned from racing in Germany, France, Belgium and the Czech Republic, and has shared his thoughts with our cycling community. Here is the link to his story, and you can follow his racing adventures on his blog.
Congrats Jeff on all your great racing!
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BRAC Athletes
Love Sweat and Gears Rocked RAAM
LS&G at the finish - congrats! Photo by George Thomas Over the Top Radio.
Love, Sweat & Gears, a team with two super Colorado women, crushed the Race Across America again this year in the four-person category. With a time of 6 Days, 18 Hours and 55 Minutes, these ladies (aged 45 and up!) averaged 450 miles per day en route to winning their category. Congratulations!
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State Championship Update
The 2013 Colorado State Road Race Championship for Seniors and Juniors has moved to the Rock the River Road Race on August 18, 2013. Please see this link for additional info. Thank you for your patience as we ironed out issues with permits, municipalities, construction, and other unsavory changes.
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Junior Info
Juniors in action at the 2013 Mini Classic. Photo by BRAC.
Good luck to our juniors and families who are headed to
Nationals in Madison, Wisconsin!
Heads-Up: You cannot block your gears at Nats.
Questions about junior gearing and equipment restrictions? Please see this link for answers.
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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 and Maggie Meisinger, who have been instrumental in the
creation of this issue of the Colorado Racing News.
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