a salute to the troops

Thank you VERY MUCH to all of you who helped out. I hope the extra raffle ticket worked out for you. I know one of the volunteers won the Blue Competition Cycles carbon frame. Did everyone pick up your goody bag? I loved that some of you came in your party clothes - you looked fab!

the ladies can party

Thanks for coming everyone. The first ever gathering of masters women cyclocross racers was a HUGE success! About 120 - 150 women attended: 110 of you signed up for our email list and so many of more of you walked by the reg desk so this is our best guess. Lots of laughing and chatting as competitors relaxed and socialized outside of the race venue. Alison Dunlap gave a practical short talk. She turned 40 this year, and after 20 years as a pro racer, all of us old ladies consider her advice GOLD! She generously stayed for quite awhile and signed autographs on Team LUNA Chix posters she had brought.

We had several national champions gracing the room and at one time two Olympians (and also world champions) chatting together (Karen Brems and Alison). Lots of energy in one room! Our raffle rocked: 63 prizes including two frames. The custom frame builder from Abby Bicycles displayed a bike that had been painted only two hours before - beautiful! A NorCal buddy won the Blue Competition Cycles carbon frame. We also had a wall of fame with photos and stats of all masters national and worlds champions.

How was everyone's race the next day? Mine: I nailed the start but couldn't keep my momentum. And I mean I NAILED it! From THE last row call up, I dove right through the center. I'm bragging about this because I usually have horrible starts. Well, it was the only thing I can brag about for that race! Had fun though and hope you did too.

So, what's next for you? It's that time of cross season when I'm ready for a change. Alison Dunlap says it's important to take a break between seasons and do something different. This winter it's samba dance for me. I have dreams of hard abs and the only thing between me and the world are strategically placed tassels. The drums are beating...Winona

the norcal posse

l to r: Kathleen Bortolussi, Winona Hubbard, Miss Mary Perez, Janel Lodge.
Kathleen, Janel and I compete in the same class: we're friends here but they destroyed me the next day!

the queen in action

Winona embarrasses Alison Dunlap by announcing some of her many accomplishments.


Alison shares her knowledge with an adoring crowd.


Alison killing it during the Elite race on Sunday. One fast girl!

great shopping

One of our elegantly attired volunteers (let me know your name again please!) at work hawking the good stuff: our CXing Barriers t-shirts (by Vanderkitten) and Miss Mary's bags. Some of both still available. Contact me to purchase.

Free samples for the first 100 folks in the door. Thanks SportLegs! I use and believe in this product btw.

Thanks Sheila for the cool beanie!

it must be true; I saw it in a photo

Thanks Jamie Young Photography for all the 2008 National photos we're using for our Wall of Fame. I just met Jamie on the web yesterday and he's really helping us out. You could say he's a bit of a cross fan: both he AND his daughter race!

nice shot

Thanks AbbiOrca Photography for the cool header photo.

FreshAirSports is there for you at both ends of your competitive jouney: the pre-race strenthening and, literally, at the race. They're a dynamic blend of coaches, race promoters and pilates gurus. Maybe someone does have all the answers! Win these: 3 entries to their 2010 FreshAirSports Crossaflixion Cup Series in Bend (dates TBD), entry for their 2010 FreshAirSports Time Trial/Duathlon series in Bend, and 3 semi-private sessions (two friends together!). Unless you have some serious frequent flyer miles, this prize should go to a local gal.

dress the part

Shebeest knows that athletic women want their clothing to be both stylish and functional. That's why so many of us are fans. Thanks Veltec for your donation!

got vitamin D?

Bioletics wants you to have enough vitamin D. To make sure you do, they're giving one lucky lady an at-home Vitamin D test kit. They say it's a very critical performance marker...especially now that we're approaching indoor trainer season with winter quickly on the way. A Bend company and their marketing lady is a masters cross racer!

drink up and stay cozy

mud + pint glasses + beanies = perfect apres cyclocross accoutrements
Thanks Rolf Prima! (They're donating the other stuff - not the mud silly!) While cruising their website, check out their snazzy cross wheels.

we know we're sturdy

Sturdy Bitch is singing our theme song and pitching in with pint glasses, beanies and t-shirts! Thanks!

she's a champion on and off the podium

Thanks Katrina Baumsteiger for your cash donation. Sweet! Mary and I are heading to Cancun! If only. But now our bank accounts won't be quite so low after this here party we're throwing.

calling all champions

Are you an elite or masters nationals or worlds cross champion (and are now a masters racer)? Do you know one? Any year. Are you / they coming to nationals this year? If so, champions please contact me.

Pictured above: 2009 UCI Masters World CycloCross Champions, Women 1960-1969: 1st Marianne Gall - Netherlands (center); 2nd Katrina Baumsteiger - USA (left); 3rd Anne Bertram - Germany (rt)

my hommies

My team shop is coming through with a helmet! For 35 years, The Bicycle Trip has been promoting cycling in the Santa Cruz, CA area: from safety classes in schools to a winning race team. Thanks Bicycle Trip!

from the heart

Thanks to my buddy Eddy Price for his cash donation! This means Miss Mary and I won't be too much in the hole after this. Ed puts in a ton of unpaid hours for cycling in multiple ways including acting as manager for my team, Team Bicycle Trip. Thanks Ed!

looking spiffy while killing your competition

Multiple Masters Worlds silver medalist Katrina Baumsteiger is not only wicked fast but looks hot on the podium in her Verge Sport gear. You can too...if you win the raffle. Thanks Verge Sport for supporting women athletes!

be a fast girl

Blue is all about supporting women cyclists: from designing us the right ride to sponsoring racers. Their cross racers this year include: Laura Van Gilder, Emily Van Meter and Wendy Williams. In 2009, Laura made the U.S. team to race at Worlds!

For the raffle, Blue is giving us a travel bag AND... hold on to your panties girls...a carbon frame! The Norcross Carbon CX was designed for Jonathan Page. Now it can be yours.

by and for girls

Their story: two girls become friends in the pool. They can't find athletic hair and skin products that suit women and their unique needs. They decide to make their own. We all live happily after. Win some. Free samples to the first 100 guests in the door!

made tuff for us

Shift makes apparel that lasts. Hope you win some. Thanks Shift for supporting us!

listen to the music

A fan of women's racing has purchased this with his own money! He wishes to remain anonymous. Apparently modesty is alive and well. A pretty pink and engraved iPod! Thank you mystery donor!

mmmmmmm chocolate

Box of the good stuff for the raffle! This comes from Julie, owner of the Bend store.

bring cash

April Lawyer, owner of Vanilla, is bringing us the best of Bend's locally made jewelry, clothing and accessories.

Too funny

Keep warm

The raffle continues to get richer...Voler is giving us arm, leg, knee warmers and shorts!!

Another t-shirt design by Jenny

Having a hard time which design to choose. Jen has created a bunch and they're all great.

Look pretty

Dave Verrecchia is making the t-shirts - everybody looks great in Vanderkitten!

Am I dreaming?

Win! Win! Win! a custom frame built by Allen Lucas and Jason Quade. Thanks Abbey Bicycles!

Thanks also Bend Bike N Sport for arranging this!

Hey everybody, visit Bend!

Thanks Visit Bend for picking up the tab, arranging the room and lots of other stuff!

I'm sure I'd be faster wearing this.

The envelope please

Speaking of drinking...thanks Amy, Shige and Alex for brain storming with me to come up with a title for the event. The Windy Oaks Estate Pinto Noir, Diane's Block was delicious. The perfect wine for your next event coordination session. The more you drink, the more ideas you'll create!

Another t-shirt!

For days Mary and I were kicking around ideas but things jelled over drinks the other night with Jen and her live-wire boyfriend Brock. IE - we were laughing our hineys off so much I looked up and realized everyone else in the restaurant had gone home. Maybe to get away from a bunch of loud crass drunks.

You want these ladies...

One of Jenny's fab t-shirts.

Free stuff!!

Andrew at Cyclocross Magazine is coming through with subscriptions for the raffle. http://cxmagazine.com/

CXing Barriers 09

When I went to Kansas City last year, the only time I connected with other masters gals was mostly at the start line. I thought, "these women are so cool, I wish I had more time to get to know them!" I vowed there to do something about it. CXing Barriers was born.

People want to come to my party!

Just started last week and already have some great sponsors for the raffle. team estrogen is giving this for the raffle. Sweet! It's gonna start some cat fights for sure. http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodTK_1111.html

Can't believe the response I'm getting from women around town - everyone I mention it to gets excited and wants to help. Miss Mary Perez has jumped in with a ton of connections/advice/help. Jenny Petter, an amazing local graphic artist, came up with some hilarious and cool t-shirt ideas. (still super secret). One local cxer decided to sign up for nationals bc she wants to come to the party!

What's on so far? Prizes, appetizers, brownies, cookies...and a venue with a christmas tree. In the heart of Bend's cool downtown. Check out the Rambler Room (for hikers?): http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=98&id=767

Thanks a ton to Visit Bend for arranging the food and room. Doug LaPlaca and crew Laurel Brauns are super helpful and working hard to put on a super fun weekend.
http://www.visitbend.com/