Cycling News
Dec 20, 2009
Frozen Over
Every year I look forward to racing in cold, wet and muddy Portland. This year the weather played a trick on everyone and instead of dumping an insane...
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Nov 3, 2009
Dedication
We all know that to reach the top level of any sport one must be dedicated to the effort. There's the maintenance of one's diet, training and recovery,...
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Sep 14, 2009
And so it begins...
When the light changes, it's 'cross time I realise that the road and mountain bike seasons linger on and there's some big race in Switzerland but in my...
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Aug 21, 2009
Four for four and then one more
Kicking back with some sweet single track My spring mountain biking schedule was based on the following criteria: The race must be within reasonable driving distance (no more...
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Jan 20, 2009
A brisk weekend
I just survived my annual trip to the Hamptons for Whitmore's Landscaping Super Cross Cup final round of the NACT. This is my third trip to this race...
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Nov 20, 2008
Hometown mud
After a disappointing race last weekend I wasn't too motivated to race this weekend. My legs felt awful all week. It was like my body didn't want me...
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Nov 14, 2008
Psycho-Cross: A Halloween tradition
It seems that most years there is a big, important, out-of-town race that I need to be at during Halloween weekend. This year I skipped the USGP and...
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Nov 7, 2008
Granogue and Wissahickon weekend
After a hot weekend of hard racing in Cincinnati my body showed its appreciation for me by coming down with a doozie of a sinus infection. I spent...
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Oct 27, 2008
It seemed like a good idea when...
...I bought my plane tickets. In reality it wasn't such a good idea. Three UCI cross races in a row at the start of the season with very...
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Oct 6, 2008
Vegas and beyond
Once again I survived Las Vegas, Cross Vegas and one heck of a tiring Interbike tradeshow. Part of my job is to work the tradeshow, and although it...
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Sep 11, 2008
Single Speed World Championships
Over a year ago I heard that Single Speed Worlds were going to be in nearby Napa, California. I immediately knew that I had to race that race....
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Aug 23, 2008
A late start and a new beginning
For the past several months I've been trying to write a diary to update everyone on the condition of my injury. I've written several and liked none of...
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Feb 26, 2008
A bad day in Belgium
A not so good present for Christmas December 25th, Christmas day in Belgium and the day before the Hofstade World Cup. The crew, Derrick, Natasha, Kevin, Nathan, Leslie,...
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Jan 29, 2008
Three in a row
Day 4, Race 1: Scheldecross, Antwerpen Belgium Two years ago, I showed up in a state of jet-lagged confusion and podium'd at this race. This year the start...
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Dec 30, 2007
A foggy recollection of my first days in Belgium
Days 1 and 2 I love to sleep for hours and hours at a time in a row, however this is not possible for me on an airplane....
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Dec 23, 2007
Perfect Portland weather
Portland never ceases to impress me with its impeccable timing of inclement weather. I've yet to race there without some sort of giant storm or freakish cold spell....
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Dec 9, 2007
Things to do in Pittsburgh when it's cold
http://cyclingnews.com/riders/2007/diaries/barbarella/?id=barbarella0721
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Nov 29, 2007
The mile high club
The Mile High Club - Get your sick minds out of the gutter, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about finishing multiple cyclo-cross races at altitudes...
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Nov 7, 2007
Doing Derby City
This weekend's travel adventure was held not far from the most famous horse race in the country, the Kentucky Derby. Louisville, Kentucky, was the first stop in the...
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Nov 1, 2007
Apocalypse Now
The closest UCI race to home was this past weekend down in Southern California. Rachel Lloyd and I decided to chase some UCI points, and make the drive...
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Oct 20, 2007
Weekend in the Hamptons
Richest women's cross race in the world, a weekend in the Hampton's, UCI points on the line and the promise of sweet host housing - What more could...
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Oct 9, 2007
Interbike
Where do I even begin? Perhaps that I'm still recovering, and I didn't even go out and party. It started Tuesday before dawn with a trip to the...
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Oct 1, 2007
Cross-training with an Xterra
Saturday my brother, Rush, his dog Helmutt, his friend, Sam, and myself loaded into the VW van and headed up to the Xterra venue for a pre-ride. This...
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Sep 26, 2007
Back to the 'burgh
Soaking wet and still breathing hard from the short track, my father and I packed up the van and headed north to Pittsburgh. I was very excited to...
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Aug 29, 2007
On Sugar Mountain
This month's special recovery tip is to spend many, many hours in a car; it makes your legs feel great. Well, not really but I thought I'd try...
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Aug 18, 2007
Mt Snow Vermont
This was my third trip to Mt Snow for a mountain bike race and my first time at a Mountain Bike National Championships. After a long and complicated...
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Aug 1, 2007
Heading for the hills
http://cyclingnews.com/riders/2007/diaries/barbarella/?id=barbarella0711
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Jul 20, 2007
July heat
The week of the Fourth of July was one of those rare super hot weeks on the coast. Usually, if I want damp cool weather to ride in...
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Jul 5, 2007
Heat, Hills and swimming holes
http://cyclingnews.com/riders/2007/diaries/barbarella/?id=barbarella0709
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Jun 18, 2007
Tutus and stilt dancers
http://cyclingnews.com/riders/2007/diaries/barbarella/?id=barbarella0708
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Jun 9, 2007
Teva Mountain Games
http://cyclingnews.com/riders/2007/diaries/barbarella/?id=barbarella0707
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May 27, 2007
The home front
http://cyclingnews.com/riders/2007/diaries/barbarella/?id=barbarella0706
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May 21, 2007
Big birds and bruises
http://cyclingnews.com/riders/2007/diaries/barbarella/?id=barbarella0705
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May 13, 2007
NMBS #3 - Out of the frying pan into the fire
http://cyclingnews.com/riders/2007/diaries/barbarella/?id=barbarella0704
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May 11, 2007
Napa Valley Dirt classic
This past weekend I had the honor of racing at the Napa Valley Dirt classic. All the locals that I talk to have raced there at some time...
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May 3, 2007
Epicenter of Belladom
http://cyclingnews.com/riders/2007/diaries/barbarella/?id=barbarella0702
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Apr 26, 2007
Back to racing
Barbara Howe kicked off her season at the NMBS #1 event in Phoenix, which marked her return to racing after a year away. She writes about her experience...
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Dec 14, 2006
My one and only 'cross race of the season
This past weekend, I finally worked myself up to spectate a cross race. All season I've been avoiding it because I would much rather be racing than watching....
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Dec 6, 2006
Who is that Vanderkitten?
Who is Vanderkitten? She is otherwise known as Ophelia, she's the kitten of Dave and Jennie Verrecchia and the inspiration for their clothing company. As I sit here...
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Nov 8, 2006
The fabulous Sheila Moon
Well known in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, Sheila Moon is rapidly taking over the world. Well, her clothing is anyway. In fall of 2003 Sheila Moon...
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Oct 23, 2006
Where in the world is Barbarella?
As many of you may have noticed, I haven't been to a single cross race this season. You may be wondering why. Did Barb get lazy and quit...
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Feb 25, 2006
Life goes on after 'cross season ends. Kind of.
It's hard to come down off a season that ends with world championships without feeling like the party ended while you were still having fun. Coming back home...
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Jan 31, 2006
The Greatest Show on Earth
Zeddam, Netherlands Monday morning. Joscelin once again hired herself out and drove Mike, Greg, and myself to Zeddam. I'm staying with Team Canada until Wednesday when the US...
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Jan 25, 2006
Lievin, Hoogerheide and beyond
Tielt Winge, Belgium Part I I did my first World Cup (Lievin, France) of the year and things are looking good. Helen and I only missed one exit...
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Jan 22, 2006
The adventure continues: Hoogerheide, Netherlands
This week I've learned a bit of English cooking. Three out of the five residents (Canadian Dave went home) hail from Great Britain and are keen on sharing...
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Jan 15, 2006
Another big show
Cyclo-cross World Cup #9 - CDM: Lievin, France My first World Cup this year and things are looking good. Helen and I only missed one exit on the...
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Jan 13, 2006
Barbarella's European odyssey - Part the first
In the beginning... So much for being an airport ninja. I got the idea that it was possible to slip around the airport with minimum hassle from my...
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Jan 5, 2006
Ready for Worlds
Happy New Year! Mother Nature has decided to punish Northern California this season. We've been hit by several large storms, one after another. Friday's storm was the biggest...
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Dec 30, 2005
Holiday season thanks
It's been raining in Northern California for what seems like an eternity. Christmas day was no exception with torrential rains causing flash flood warnings in various counties. My...
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Dec 18, 2005
The big show
Thursday: Fly to Boston on the early flight. Josh, Simon and I are at the airport eating bagels when Melodie calls an hour before our flight. She slept...
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Dec 1, 2005
Queen Ann: Spotlight on Ann Fitzsimmons
The newest addition to the Velo Bella Elite cyclocross team is Ann Fitzsimmons. She currently resides in Morgan Hill, California with her husband Mark. Best known for her...
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Nov 23, 2005
Spills and the chills
There is so much to write about this week. I started it off by getting sick. Josh was ill last week and I managed to keep the virus...
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Nov 16, 2005
The Martha Stewart of Cyclocross?
A weekend off racing and nothing interesting to write about except FOOD! Food is in my list top five favourite things ever and the term is used in...
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Nov 11, 2005
Tour de Pittsburgh
This past weekend (Lower Allen Classic and Highland Park cyclo-cross) was fun and all, but most of you have probably already know how the races went. Instead of...
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Nov 2, 2005
Climatic extremes
The week between races while on the road is fun; it always makes me feel like a real pro. Generally I spend five days a week at work...
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Oct 26, 2005
Heading East - a tale about fitting everything in
I'm on the East Coast for six UCI races over the next few weeks. Josh and I flew into Pittsburgh (my hometown) on Thursday, the 20th in time...
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Oct 16, 2005
A home game
This week there was no travelling; my own team hosted a race in Santa Cruz. This particular race was the first Surf City Revival Race, a popular race...
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Oct 5, 2005
The damp Northwest
Friday: Scoring at the yard sale Just when things were becoming normal again after returning from New York, it starts all over again. Friday's flight necessitated a before-the-crack-of-dawn...
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Oct 3, 2005
A week in the life of
Whitemore's Super Cross Cup weekend, Southampton, NY, USA, October 1-2, 2005 Wednesday Sheer heart pounding stress, that sums up today. Josh and I went into work on our...
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