Hey everybody!
Check out this great story on this wonderful town. It’s written by a cycling journalist who writes about towns and cities from the perspective of a cyclist and he just did one on Portland for Pez Cycling.
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=5020&status=True
Check it out and enjoy!
-JS
It’s paradise out here right now. We’re having a heat wave today with a high of 77 degrees and 70% humidity. Believe it or not, that’s actually quite warm for here, but it gets down into the 50’s at night. All of the flowers and trees are in bloom and while this is wreaking havoc on my allergies (I truly am at 70% breathing capacity and feel it in everything I do) it provides for breath taking scenery just walking around the neighborhood, never the less when you head out for a hike.
The crazy thing is that it doesn’t get dark until after 10pm and gets light at 4:30am right now (that’s when I got up this morning!). Pretty wild! I actually go out riding at 8pm sometimes and just people watch and take in nature. This is a one of a kind place and is certainly like no where I have been before.
It’s nothing to just walk down to the river from my house and see 300 people within the course of an hour ride out enjoying the afternoon/evening doing a million different thing. Girls on roller skates going to bang ‘em up roller derby practice, guys on cross country skate ski’s staying fit for ski season on the bike path with head lamps on, a million people walking, running and on bicycles, families enjoying time together in the park, people playing kick ball and people just sitting along the river fishing or just watching the world unfold before them.
This is Portland in a nut shell to me. Oh yeah, that and never having to get in the car. I think I drive twice/week and that’s usually for 5-10 min at most. The rest of the time I walk or ride my bike, and I mean every where. It really helps one slow down and tap into the beauty of this place and the moment.
This place is incredible and I look forward to sharing with all who come to visit.
-JS
This section of my site is devoted to my personal thoughts, experiences and observances of this amazing new city we are fortunate enough to call home. After moving here and our lives finally starting to settle down, I have really begun to take in this amazing place for what it truly is.
This is, by far, one of the most incredible and unique places I have ever experienced and I would venture to say, it is like no place else on earth. Check back regularly to read the updates as I chronicle our experience in this wonderful place and report the exciting, the mundane, the weird and the wonderful. Enjoy!
-JS
Commerce Bank Liberty Classic
Philadelphia, PA
“Being a competitor in the Liberty Classic Event is one of those special lifetime experiences – I’m proud of the team to have pulled off the 5th place finish and of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals for supporting women’s cycling. Without great sponsors and teamwork, we wouldn’t have the opportunities that we do – racing against international competition and being the top US finisher”. – Jen McRea
Riders in Attendance
Laura Bowles
Reem Jishi
Natalie Klemko
Heather Labance
Jen McRea
Mara Miller
Director – Laura Charameda
Mechanic/Massage – Tim Chien
Jen McRea – 5th Place and 1st American Finisher
Heather Labance – 17th Place and 5th in Queen of the Mountain Competition
Written from the perspective of Jen McRea:
“I’ll be there”. My response when asked how I was feeling about a sprint finish in Philly. Arriving at the Liberty Classic International Women’s Road Race as the team’s sprinter, there’s really no other acceptable response. I knew the form was good, I knew we had the team and resources there to pull off a good result, so I had every reason to be confident. To actually execute it, was thrilling satisfaction. My sole responsibility during the race was to conserve. Simply said - anyone with experience in this race knows it’s not so simple to accomplish.
During the liberty classic, there’s tremendous mental energy negotiating the peloton, the messages in your head just repeat over and over, ‘there’s a good hole to sneak through, watch her handling, get up there, move over there, cone on the right, high crash potential here, darkness in the tunnel, gutter on the left, drink from the bottle, jump on that lead-out for the wall, downshift,” for 2.5 hours. The mental energy is actually more exhausting than the ‘wall’. In particular, the few kilometers leading to the wall are just like the final k’s in a criterium, massive speed and jockeying of position and the sprinters responding to their gut instincts with every move. The last time through the start finish following killer-teammate Heather, I visualized where I would initiate my sprint to the line. Going in to the final climb, a sprint finish was evident. Heather protected my position the last time up lemon hill and I was in the sprinter zone, really excited that this opportunity was moments away. Soon after lemon hill and the 2k to go mark, I moved passed heather to the top 10 and found myself easily on Ina Teutenberg’s wheel & right there with me was national crit champ, Teresa Cliff-Ryan, at first glance, this seemed ideal, but then I got a gut feeling that it felt too cramped and I needed more mobility, we were about 700 meters roam the finish, 200 from the round a bout. I saw Brooke Miller move out left and I hopped on for the ride and appreciated being on the outside on such a good wheel. BOOM, crash right behind me that took out 2 sprinters, Teresa Cliff-Ryan and Shontelle Gauthier(6th in 2006). That’s where luck and good instincts are very good things in the finale.
As we hammered through 500 meters and around the round-about coming to the straight away, I was in 7th position, nothing but pure speed in front of me, Brooke on my left, Laura Van Gilder on my right, with Ina in front of Van Gilder and 2 other riders in front of Ina. Everyone was very patient and about 300 meters there were 2 jumps, Brooke went left, the rest going right, I went to the right thinking there was more horsepower in that move and then the 2nd jump went again at about 150 - which is when I jumped left passing 2 riders. We all did our jobs out there and with that, you get your best and today that was 5th and top American. Thanks Team and Thanks to our great sponsors.
Written from the perspective of Heather Labance:
I had two main roles for The Liberty Classic. The first role was to stay in the front group up the climbs and be there if a break got away. My second role was to help our sprinter, Jen McRae get into a good position for the final sprint. I was unable to get myself into a great position leading up to the first time up “The Wall.” I tore it up on the bottom section passing 30 or maybe 40 riders trying to keep my eyes on that front group of climbers. Thankfully nothing got away. As the peloton began to get closer to Lemon Hill (another climber’s sprint for points) I decided that I would go for the mountain sprint points to test out the legs. I found myself neck and neck with the Kristen Armstrong, current U.S. National Road Race Champion and Time Trial World Champion. We gapped the rest of the field and she was able to nip me at the line. This was the outcome for the next two times up Lemon Hill! She looked at me on the third time across the line and said, “You again!!” I took that as a compliment. �
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After the last time up the wall, it was time for my second role to kick in. I waited for Jen and kept very close to her to make sure that she was in the front group for the finale. I didn’t sprint for those mountain points on the last time up Lemon Hill. I waited for Jen and positioned myself right in front of her to pull her closer to the front. There was so much excitement and screaming, I guess the adrenaline got the best of me. I took off like mad and dropped Jen! When I got down to the flatter section I waited and saw Jen cruising up the left-hand side. I got myself right next to her and a crash happened. I slammed the brakes and swerved. I had to sprint to get back onto the sprinter’s train. At that point Jen was in a great position and I just screamed for her to go! Well, she went alright! Jen was able to sprint to fifth place. I came in at 17th. The irony is that Team Advil-ChapStick got the same exact results last year at the Liberty Classic! But this year was a little sweeter. We were the number one American team and number one American racer to finish. We were the best in the country….not bad.
Written from the perspective of Laura Bowles:
Awe Philly…what a race. This year was the first time I have ever been in the highlighted UCI race…yet I still have been unable to cross the finish line. For me the race started out great. My job for the day was to make sure Jen McRae and Heather Labance were taking care of and in good position going into the hill. They were doing well and sitting in great places, eating and solidly climbing over Manayunk. On the second lap as we were descending into Strawberry Mansion I was comfortably sitting in the group. A girl in front of me was drinking some water with only one hand on the bike when she hit nice huge pothole and lost control. There was nothing I could do to react in time so before I knew it I had t-boned her and flipped over my bars. It hurt and I landed nicely on my rear end. Who says big rears don’t come in handy. I broke my helmet enough to where it would no longer sit on my head but until I could communicate that I needed another one I dealt with it. I got back onto my bike with the great help from our mechanic Tim and received an awesome push from our sponsors and neutral support, Mavic. I made my way through the caravan by the time I reached the bottom of Lemon Hill. Luckily, champion workhorse Mara Miller came back to get me into the pack and make sure I was doing all right.
I received a new helmet from Bill Labance, feeder extraordinaire going into the third lap to Manayunk. Which I was glad to have received because once I reached the top of Manayunk and made the second right on the descent I found myself yet again on the ground hurting. Somehow in that particular corner if you hit a rippling pothole just right and too tight into the corner you will go down and that I did. Fortunately the strong weave of carbon on the TIME bike held strong and overall my bike was in great shape. Yet again with the help from Tim and Mavic my bike and body was safely placed into the team vehicle to call it a day.
As for my right shoulder I was hurting quite a bit. I went to the medical tent and checked in with the doctors where I was sure to pope some Advil Liqui Gels and wrap myself in ice. I came out with some road rash, a sore head, and a slightly separated shoulder. Hindsight is 20-20 but maybe after the first cracked helmet I should have taken myself out or if I hadn’t of wrecked early in the race I might have been in the huge wreck at the finale sprint. So in the sport of cycling sometimes you draw the short straw with luck. Overall I was super excited for my team they all raced an excellent race and I was so proud of them. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help out more with the finish but being top American is something to brag about…Sweet job to everyone.
Written from the perspective of Reem Jishi:
Coming off of a hard injury to my shoulder less than two weeks ago, my role at the Liberty Classic was to start the race, try to help out my teammates on position on the first lap and stay in as long as I could. This race is always very exciting. With half a million spectators, television coverage and top International riders, it’s like nothing else on the U.S. women’s pro circuit. Alongside my five teammates, I pulled up to the start line and we were off. I was able to hold a good position going into the Wall, but the pain in my shoulder was just too weak for the tough climb. I pulled myself out after 1 lap and supported the team in the feed zone. On the last lap, I jumped into the team car - what an exciting experience it is riding in the follow vehicles. The race announcer feeds information into one radio, and then team director Laura Charameda would process that info and get on the team radios to direct the action - all while driving around passing stopped cars and having cyclists weave around the follow vehicles. Although, as any bike racer, I would rather have been out there as an active member of the team, I was really proud of the team’s performance and look forward to our continued success as the season goes on.
Written from the perspective of Natalie Klemko:
The Liberty Classic is commonly known as the biggest one-day race in the US. This would be my first year to compete in the big race and I couldn’t have been any more excited. I’ve heard stories of the infamous Manayunk Wall and it was a cool feeling to actually be racing up it with all the top American and European pro women.
The weather was perfect last Sunday—not too hot and luckily no rain in sight. I was very nervous at the start of the race as past and former world champions were called to the line. Once the race started and I made it up “The Wall” the first time my nerves had calmed. I’m 19yrs old so I was able to compete for the U23 award in the race. Mara did a great job keeping me safe and in the race. Unfortunately, the last time up the wall I positioned myself too far back in the field and after having to chase to catch back on I didn’t have the legs left in me to sprint at the end. It was a tactical mistake I will learn from.
Laura B had a bit of tough luck in the race crashing twice and separating her shoulder. Heather did a fantastic job in the race sprinting for the Queen of the Mountain points and then leading Jen out for an amazing 5th place finish! Jen was also the top American in the race! This was definitely a BIG result for the team and we couldn’t be happier!
The people, intensity, and excitement of the race definitely will keep me coming back. I can’t wait for another shot at the Liberty Classic!
Written from the perspective of Mara Miller:
Since Natalie was one of five U23 racers, I was charged with trying to help her with being the first racer under 23 years of age to cross the finish line. This accomplishment would earn the racer, a cool $1,000 in their pocket and the prestige that goes along with that honor. In the first lap of the 4 lap race, each lap was 14.5 miles in length, the team was always in good position and made it up and over “The Wall” without difficulty. On the second lap, Natalie got a little gapped off the field at the top of the climb so I got her on my wheel and we eventually caught the field. Just as we caught the group I saw Laura Bowles caught in a crash so I radioed back to the car to see if I should wait to help her return to the race. I got no response from the car so I caught back onto the group and waited for further instruction. The word eventually came that Laura was about three cars back in the caravan and could someone come to help her. I radioed back, “I am on my way”. Laura looked a bit tired from working so hard to catch, but I was happy to see that she looked strong and ready to finish this race. The third time up Manayunk, Natalie and I were very close to each other and climbing strong. At the top of the climb we take a right hand turn to begin our descent and just as I was coming around the corner I see Laura Bowles hitting the pavement again. I thought to myself, “Not again”. I slowed for a moment, radioed back to the car to see if I should stop, and after no response found myself having to work very hard to catch back onto the field. Whew, I made it back after using the first two cars of the caravan to help me out. The last lap is always the hardest lap of the race and this year was no exception. Everyone was jockeying for position on Kelly Drive as we approached Manayunk and as we turned the very tight corner to enter into the town of Manayunk a crash happened of about 5-7 racers. I surveyed the field to find Natalie, Heather and Jen still in the field. The last time up Manayunk was tough but I was able to make it up just a bit behind Natalie. Unfortunately, both of us and a group of about 4 riders lost contact with the field as they descended. Natalie was pulling the group down the descent so I radioed to her to get off the front and that I was just behind her and would be coming around to help. Unfortunately, I learned later that she did not hear me until I could get to the front to try and help pull us back to the field. Eventually, we caught the field but it was just as they were turning up Lemon Hill so the pace was starting to pick up. As we turned onto Kelly Drive to head towards the finish line, I could see a few of the girls that I knew were U23 riders. I radioed to Natalie to get on my wheel and I would pull her around the fountain and drop her off within 200 meters of the finish line. I buried my head and started passing people, I got halfway around the fountain and realized that Natalie was not with me. Erica Allar of Juice Plus took the U23 prize but Natalie did her best, learned from her experience and has 4 more times to try for the prize, since she is only 19.
It was a true team effort, Tim Chien our mechanic, guaranteed that our Time bikes with the shiny red Mavic wheels were ready to go, and Laura Charameda our Director put together an amazing and very realistic race plan. As a result, Team Advil-ChapStick finished the Commerce Bank Liberty Classic with a 5th place and first American finisher by Jen McRea, a 17th place and a 5th in the Queen of the Mountain competition by Heather Labance.
Thank you to all of our sponsors that make
Team Advil-ChapStick possible
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Wyeth http://www.wyeth.com
Advil http://www.advil.com
ChapStick http://www.chapstick.com
TIME Sport http://www.timesport.fr/us/home.htm
Mavic Wheels http://www.mavic.com/
Champion Systems http://www.champ-sys.com/
Clif Bar http://www.clifbar.com/
Ritchey http:ww.ritcheylogic.com
Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com
Shebeest http://www.shebeest.com
Women’s Cycling Development Program http://www.uswcdp.org/index.php
Shimano http://www.shimano.com/
Timex http://www.timex.com/
Thule http://www.thulegroup.com/
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Date: Friday June 29, 2007
Location: Washington County Fair Complex- Main Exhibit Hall-South
873 N.E. 34th Ave.
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Athletes, coaches, spectators, volunteers, and everyone else is encouraged to attend these 1 hour workshops to learn more about nutrition, transitions, cutting edge training principles, and psychological performance factors.
Jeb will be participating in a round table discussion w/ Lisa Engles and Bob Seebohar for a round table discussion with the experts. The he and Lisa will present on:
Racing from the Inside Out, “Developing the Inner Athlete for Performance” where they will discuss how to take your performance to the next level by determining and breaking through your personal performance blockers to create your ultimate race experience.
USAT Certified Coaches can earn 1 CEU for each session attended. These are free clinics, so just show up and learn! Questions? Contact Linda@usatriathlon.org.
To find out more about the event and the complete schedule, please visit the Events section of our site. We hope to see you there!
Girl Power is in full effect at the Endurofit women kick off some of the hardest races of the season with stellar results.
Last weekend Mara Miller and newly upgraded Ashley Hubka, (who by the way just won a race by attacking with 23 miles to go and out sprinting her breakaway companions to take her first win of the season after ending up in 2nd and third in the races leading up to her win) went to the infamous and hotly contested Bike Jam/Kelly Cup and Somerville races over the Memorial Day weekend. Both women rode good races and Mara ended up with a top 30 finish at Somerville and route to helping her team mates secure two top 15 spots.Ashley commented after the race that it was one of the fastest and hardest races she has done to date, but felt surprisingly well during it. Unfortunately Ashley got taken down by another rider with 1k to go on Monday and “was feeling good”. This is one of the ugly parts of cycling and we all certainly wish Ashley the best on her road to recovery. We’ve all been there and now how thought this can be so send her some love folks would ya!
Cycling News just seems to love Mara and the Advil/Chapstick team andkeeps taking photos of her in action. Check them out at the links below.
Somerville
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos.php?id=/photos/2007/may07/somerville07/Summerville07067
Kelly Cup
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos.php?id=/photos/2007/may07/bikejam07/CYC-BKC439
50+ Marianne Holt attacked the field into the head wind with 1/2 a lap to go to secure the Masters Women’s NC State Crit and took the bronze in the women’s 1/2/3 state crit a few hours later. Way to go Marianne.
All this after finishing in the top 25 in the Raleigh NRC race on Friday night. Marianne not only realized that she can still mix it up with the top dawgs, but can finish strong as well and is poised to continue to make progress going forward. The best is yet to come as she will be heading off to Masters Nationals in July. To make a great day that much better, Marianne’s husband Butch also won his State Crit that afternoon as well. That’s one strong and successful duo. Keep it up guys! �
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