Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com Mountain Biking, Bike and Gear Reviews, Race Results, Trails and Singletrack Wed, 23 May 2012 22:53:49 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Waiting game for the Olympic qualifiers http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/news/waiting-game-for-the-olympic-qualifiers_31458 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/news/waiting-game-for-the-olympic-qualifiers_31458#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 22:53:49 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31458 With the fourth World Cup under their belts, the World Cup racers can find relief in the release of the final numbers of qualifying Olympic slots by country. Nations are not required to accept their allotted slots until the final deadline of June 15, 2012, however, by which time the final US Olympic team will be announced.

National Olympic Committees have until that time to test the Olympic hopefuls and be sure that they maintain their fitness. Those who believe they had a qualifying season are now play the waiting game in anticipation of the release of the London picks.

A top-5 finish in a World Cup is a great way to earn yourself a slot on the team. Luna rider Georgia Gould’s fourth place in Nove Mesto na Morave should secure her a slot. Add a sixth place in La Bresse plus her 8th place in the 2008 Olympics and she is easily the most qualified of the US candidates of both men and women.

Lea Davison (Specialized Racing) claims the second highest World Cup ranking among the US women. She clocked the fastest time in the season’s first World Cup, finishing 14th, with Heather Irmiger (Subaru – Trek) close behind. Both women had great races in the 2011 world championships, in 10th and 11th, respectively. Irmiger is trailing Davison notably in points at the moment, however, with two-time Olympian Mary McConneloug in close pursuit. Davison also had two top-10 World Cup finishes in 2011, making her the apparent favorite.

The US men also have two slots to fill, but their future is less certain. Apparent overwhelming favorite at the start of the season, Todd Wells, has not been up to the form he exhibited last season, which included seventh at the world championships. After a crash in training before the first World Cup in Pietermaritzburg, Wells has had a slow start to the season, with his best World Cup result a 32nd in Nove Mesto na Morave. Wells may nonetheless be the best candidate to get the highest US result, but a medal seems unlikely.

When choosing discretionary nominations, the likelihood of medaling in future Olympics is a consideration that carries substantial weight. Given that fact, young bucks like Sam Schultz (Subaru-Trek) and Stephen Ettinger (BMC) might get the nod over the seasoned veterans, in order to begin to groom them for future Olympics. Schultz is the youngest member of the Olympic long team, but currently sits in 31st in the World Cup, the highest US men’s standing.

Now, like the long team members contending for Olympic slots, the fans are resigned to making predictions and playing the waiting game until the final US team is released.

The women are scheduled to race at Hadleigh Farm in Essex on August 11, 2012, followed by the men the following day at the same venue.

Learn more about Olympic team selection >>

 

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/news/waiting-game-for-the-olympic-qualifiers_31458/feed 0 Willow’s Wisdom on the Rocks: 29ers aren’t magic http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/bikes-tech/29er/willows-wisdom-on-the-rocks-29ers-arent-magic_31445 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/bikes-tech/29er/willows-wisdom-on-the-rocks-29ers-arent-magic_31445#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 11:16:52 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31445 Truthfully, I didn’t really want to write about 29ers. I don’t really know the technical ins and outs of the machine, and frankly I don’t really care! However, my editor convinced me that women would still want to read about 29ers, so I reluctantly agreed.

I fell in love my Trek Superfly in 2009. I was having a great season and the momentum was still on the upswing. After finishing 2nd at a National Race in Vermont, I decided to give the 29er a try at the National Race the next weekend in New York. I won, in spite of two flat tires on the way to the finish line.

Now, the bike didn’t win, but the bike was fun. A couple weeks later I became the first person to win a world championship medal on a 29er. And that race was fun, too.

I had raced a 26-inch hardtail for about 15 years, and the bigger wheels were definitely more comfortable. My lower back was getting tired and stiff after all the years pushing my limits, and comfort was a big motivator in my switch to a 29er. When you feel good, you go faster, plain and simple.

Now, I know that race results are not everything. Trust me, I am retired. On that note, I am having more fun on my bike than I ever have, and I am still on the Trek Superfly. They don’t pay me to say nice things about their bike, so you can trust me, I promise.

I was riding with Myles a couple weeks ago, and I said, “Now that I can ride any bike I want to, I would still choose this one.” That’s saying something. I feel safe and confident on the Superfly. The bike handles wonderfully and yes, it does roll fast.

After leading the World Cup in 2010 and winning another bronze medal at the world championships, I was a little irritated with the whole 29er thing. I felt like my bike was getting all the credit, and my ego didn’t like that. For 2011, I planned on racing a 26-inch full suspension. Just to prove a point.

Well, as you know, I got pregnant, and didn’t race that year, and now I am retired. So, I never really put the comparison to the test. I can tell you this however, it was NOT more fun on the 26-inch hardtail or full suspension. It just really wasn’t.

As a woman, a bike fit is important no matter what bike you ride. I like the RETUL system. I am 5’2” and the 29er really fits me well. You will want to have a shorter stem, and you will want to flip it over so your handlebars are not too high. I use a 90 mm stem at a negative 17 degrees rise (all that means is flip it over so the stem is not pointing up).

There is no magic bike, it is all about the magic you put in it. And the more fun you are having, the more magical it all is! Trust yourself and at the same time, be willing to try something new. And that goes for all things in life. Enjoy….

Willow Rockwell is a woman in transition. As a professional mountain bike racer, she won two Bronze Medals at the Mountain bike World Championships (2009, 2010) and led the World Cup in 2010 for a brief time before finally finishing second in the series. Poised to conquer the world and win an Olympic medal, she discovered she was pregnant in the Spring of 2011. She chose to devote herself to her unborn daughter and left the sport behind. During her pregnancy she wrote a memoir titled “My Wheels Gave Me Wings.” It chronicles her difficult childhood, her near self destruction, and her path to healing and self acceptance. In 2012 she attempted a comeback to the sport, but discovered that the warrior who would “fight to the death” had died within her. It was time to lay down the sword and be a warrioress for truth and light. It was time for new adventures. She is now re-discovering and re-inventing herself as a mother, a wife and a goddess woman. She hopes to inspire others to heal their deepest wounds, and to re-emerge as a powerful being full of self expression.Willow writes regular columns for Singletrack.com, is enrolled in a Sacred Sexuality course, loves all things feminine and beautiful and still loves to ride her bike.

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/bikes-tech/29er/willows-wisdom-on-the-rocks-29ers-arent-magic_31445/feed 0 Syllamo gets revenge on 2011 winner http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/endurance/syllamo-gets-revenge-on-2011-winner_31419 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/endurance/syllamo-gets-revenge-on-2011-winner_31419#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 14:15:59 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31419
Beneath towering bluffs and blue skies near the Blanchard Springs Caverns of Mountain View, Arkansas, Syllamo took his revenge on several riders found sporting shiny new red tattoos, not so delicately inscribed by the native limestone.

Unplanned and misguided rock encounters would change race day fortunes for several riders, including NUE men’s open champion, Christian Tanguy, Team CF, Saturday as the Kenda National Ultra Endurance (NUE) Series, swerved into its second sold out stop this season.

Syllamo’s Revenge, presented by Hammer Nutrition, with 50 mile and 125k distances, takes place on the Syllamo (pronounced sil-lah-moe) mountain bike trail, a series of interconnecting loops offering mountain bike enthusiast’s fifty miles of trail, most of it singletrack.

Comfortable morning temperatures gradually became unusually hot temperatures by midday, forcing many racers to refocus their attention on hydration or suffer defeat by attrition in the hands of the elements.

Additionally, hot and dry conditions made portions of the trail very different than last year, when overnight rains caused Don Lovelance Jr., from Tulsa, OK, to describe the mud on the native slickrock, as “like riding on Teflon.”

Riders were up against loose gravel, razor rocks, and even some exceptional overgrowth that could tear at the soft flesh of unsuspecting riders, causing some finishers, including winner Amanda Carey, Kenda/Felt, to arrive looking as if they had just escaped from a scrape with Freddy Krueger.

The Ozark Mountains of Syllamo’s set the stage for a race that is truly as much as man versus nature, as it is man versus man.

Race results >>

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/endurance/syllamo-gets-revenge-on-2011-winner_31419/feed 0 NUE Series Syllamo 125K 2012 results http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/endurance/nue-series-syllamo-125k-2012-results_31377 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/endurance/nue-series-syllamo-125k-2012-results_31377#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 02:46:38 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31377

Men Open

    1. Drew Edsall, Kenda / Felt, in 5:59:40
    2. Brandon Draugelis, Team Cf, in 6:19:15
    3. Rob Spreng, Dirty Harry’s, in 6:34:27
    4. Chris Peariso, Adventure212 / Specialized, in 6:39:49
    5. Ryan Krayer, Adventure212 / Specialized, in 6:46:55
    6. Ernesto Marenchin, Pivot Cycles, in 6:46:56
    7. Zack Morrey, Justtherightgear/notubes/magura, in 6:52:30
    8. Kyle Taylor, Bikers Choice, in 6:56:06
    9. Dwayne Goscinski, Team Noahg Foundation, in 7:14:23
    10. Kevin Conerly, Boardtownbikes.com, in 7:15:59
    11. Michael Simonson, Rbs Mtb Team, in 7:24:52
    12. Caleb Hulsey,, in 7:25:52
    13. Michael Burke,, in 7:32:10
    14. Mark Gullett, Revolution Cycles Racing Team, in 7:44:05
    15. Dan Kotwicki,, in 7:47:39
    16. Terry Coddington, Coachdrewedsall.com Supercool B, in 7:48:33
    17. Hart Robinson, Los Locos, in 7:53:29
    18. Lee Simril, Motor Mile Racing, in 7:57:45
    19. Russell Griffin, Cycleton Cycling Team, in 8:09:45
    20. Scott Cole, Adventure212 / Specialized, in 8:13:46
    21. Frank Webber, Orbea Usa, in 8:38:59
    22. William Hudgens, Truly Spokin/mellow Mushroom, in 8:42:23
    23. Brent Mayer, Trek Store Cincinnati, in 8:44:14
    24. Scott Penrod, Carve, in 8:44:21
    25. Jason Harris, Gripped Racing / Freshbikes, in 8:45:51
    26. Jonathan Davis, Trek Bike Store Racing – Boulde, in 9:00:36
    27. Tim Smith, Motor Mile Racing, in 9:26:18
    28. James Gaston, Spokes, in 9:54:42
    29. Tony Barrett, Memphis Velo, in 10:21:39
    30. Brian Gillies, Pbj, in 10:31:13
    31. Adam Truog, Left 4 Dead, in 10:52:39
]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/endurance/nue-series-syllamo-125k-2012-results_31377/feed 0 Pro Mountain Bike Ultra-Endurance Tour (Pro UET) Sagebrush Safari 50 2012 results http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/race-results/pro-mountain-bike-ultra-endurance-tour-pro-uet-sagebrush-safari-50-2012-results_31369 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/race-results/pro-mountain-bike-ultra-endurance-tour-pro-uet-sagebrush-safari-50-2012-results_31369#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 02:16:28 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31369

Men

  • 1. ERIC BOSTROM, Sho-Air/specialized, in 3:24:17.51
  • 2. Brendon Davids, Sho-Air/specialized, in 3:24:18.26
  • 3. DANA WEBER, Pro Bike Supply, in 3:28:32.04
  • 4. Ryan Clark, Surf City Cylery/cas, in 3:28:35.72
  • 5. ROMOLO FORCINO, Chains Required Bike, in 3:40:38.97
  • 6. KIP BIESE, Kj Bike Coaching/big, in 3:48:03.54
  • 7. ANTHONY SINYARD, Specialized, in 3:56:09.40
  • 8. PETER ANDERSEN, Us Coatings, in 4:08:44.30
  • 9. Daniel Munoz, Socal Endurance, in 4:20:43.53
  • . JOHN NOBIL, Bear Valley Bikes, in DNF
  • . BEN BOSTROM, Sho-Air/specialized, in DNF
  • . CHRIS BURNHAM, Spy-Swamis, in DNF

Men’s Pro UET individual standings

  • 1. Eric Bostrom, Sho-Air/Specialized: 85 points
  • 2. David “Tinker” Juarez, Factory Cannondale: 60 points
  • 3. Kip Biese, KJ Bike Coaching: 48 points
  • 4. Bryan Fawley, Orbea USA: 40 points
  • 4. Brendon Davids, Sho-Air/Specialized: 40 points
]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/race-results/pro-mountain-bike-ultra-endurance-tour-pro-uet-sagebrush-safari-50-2012-results_31369/feed 0 World Cup #4, La Bresse 2012 results http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/race-results/world-cup-4-la-bresse-2012-results_31361 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/race-results/world-cup-4-la-bresse-2012-results_31361#comments Sun, 20 May 2012 16:14:50 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31361

Men

  • 1. Julien ABSALON (FRA) in 1:37:33
  • 2. Jaroslav KULHAVY (CZE) in 1:37:40
  • 3. Ralph NAEF (SUI) in 1:38:13
  • 4. Florian VOGEL (SUI) in 1:38:57
  • 5. Fabian GIGER (SUI) in 1:39:14
  • 6. Christoph SAUSER (SUI) in 1:39:41
  • 7. Jean-Christophe PERAUD (FRA) in 1:39:53
  • 8. Maxime MAROTTE (FRA) in 1:40:08
  • 9. Max PLAXTON (CAN) in 1:40:24
  • 10. Lukas FLÜCKIGER (SUI) in 1:40:53
  • 11. José Antonio HERMIDA RAMOS (ESP) in 1:40:57
  • 12. Manuel FUMIC (GER) in 1:41:18
  • 13. Martin GUJAN (SUI) in 1:41:19
  • 14. Carlos COLOMA NICOLAS (ESP) in 1:41:48
  • 15. Mathias FLÜCKIGER (SUI) in 1:42:15
  • 16. Sergio MANTECON GUTIERREZ (ESP) in 1:43:05
  • 17. Stéphane TEMPIER (FRA) in 1:43:16
  • 18. Wolfram KURSCHAT (GER) in 1:43:19
  • 19. Rudi VAN HOUTS (NED) in 1:43:20
  • 20. Martino FRUET (ITA) in 1:43:24
  • 21. Daniel MCCONNELL (AUS) in 1:43:38
  • 22. Martin FANGER (SUI) in 1:43:41
  • 23. Emil LINDGREN (SWE) in 1:43:43
  • 24. Burry STANDER (RSA) in 1:43:54
  • 25. Liam KILLEEN (GBR) in 1:43:59
  • 26. Jochen KASS (GER) in 1:44:25
  • 27. Jeremiah BISHOP (USA) in 1:44:27
  • 28. Marek KONWA (POL) in 1:44:32
  • 29. Kohei YAMAMOTO (JPN) in 1:44:38
  • 30. Andras PARTI (HUN) in 1:44:57
  • 31. Jürg GRAF (SUI) in 1:45:10
  • 32. Ivan ALVAREZ GUTIERREZ (ESP) in 1:45:17
  • 33. Karl MARKT (AUT) in 1:45:32
  • 34. Samuel SCHULTZ (USA) in 1:45:39
  • 35. Chris JONGEWAARD (AUS) in 1:46:01
  • 36. Stephen ETTINGER (USA) in 1:46:28
  • 37. Michele CASAGRANDE (ITA) in 1:47:06
  • 38. Sepp FREIBURGHAUS (SUI) in 1:47:23
  • 39. Fabien CANAL (FRA) in 1:47:32
  • 40. Andrea TIBERI (ITA) in 1:47:35
  • 41. Henk Jaap MOORLAG (NED) in 1:47:40
  • 42. Milan SPESNY (CZE) in 1:47:49
  • 43. Lachlan NORRIS (AUS) in 1:47:49
  • 44. David FLETCHER (GBR) in 1:47:51
  • 45. Kevin VAN HOOVELS (BEL) in 1:47:57
  • 46. Nicola ROHRBACH (SUI) in 1:48:11
  • 47. Jeremy HORGAN-KOBELSKI (USA) in 1:48:17
  • 48. Catriel Andres SOTO (ARG) in 1:48:32
  • 49. Alexis CHENEVIER (FRA) in 1:48:43
  • 50. Todd WELLS (USA) in 1:48:44
  • 51. Marek GALINSKI (POL) in 1:49:02
  • 52. Adam CRAIG (USA) in 1:49:10
  • 53. Sergji RYSENKO (UKR) in 1:49:34
  • 54. Umberto CORTI (ITA) in 1:49:55
  • 55. Ruben ALMEIDA (POR) in 1:50:01
  • 56. Hannes METZLER (AUT) in 1:50:05
  • 57. Jérémy HUGUENIN (SUI) in 1:50:07
  • 58. Piotr BRZOZKA (POL) in 1:50:17
  • 59. Marc BASSINGTHWAIGHTE (NAM) in 1:50:25
  • 60. Uwe HOCHENWARTER (AUT) in 1:50:31
  • 61. Shlomi HAIMY (ISR) in 1:51:08
  • 62. Kevin PAUWELS (BEL) in 1:52:15
  • Martin Loo (Est) Hard Rock Canossa Merida @1lap
  • Spencer Paxson (USA) Kona @1lap
  • Sebastien Carabin (Bel) Versluys Team @1lap
  • Hans Becking (Ned) Milka-Superior MTB Racing Team @1lap
  • Patrik Gallati (Swi) Bmc Mountainbike Racing Team @1lap
  • Kazuhiro Yamamoto (Jpn) @1lap
  • Simon Scheiber (Aut) Felt Oetztal X – Bionic Team @1lap
  • Pascal Schmutz (Swi) @1lap
  • Paolo Cesar Montoya Cantillo (CRc) @1lap
  • Pierre-Geoffroy Plantet (Fra) Lapierre International @1lap
  • David Joao Serralheiro Rosa (Por) @1lap
  • Tiago Jorge Oliveira Ferreira (Por) Bi&Esse – Infotre Protek @2laps
  • Pascal Hossay (Bel) Merida Wallonie Mountain Bike Team @2laps
  • Benjamin Wittrup Justesen (Den) @2laps
  • Javier Eduardo Puschel (Chi) @2laps
  • Lukas Kaufmann (Swi) Team Fujibikes Rockets @2laps
  • Daniel Eymann (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team @2laps
  • Severin Disch (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team @2laps
  • Marcel Wildhaber (Swi) Scott – Swisspower MTB Racing Team @2laps
  • Ludovic Dubau (Fra) Team Newcycling @2laps
  • Derek Zandstra (Can) Scott-3Roxracing @2laps
  • Giuseppe Lamastra (Ita) @2laps
  • Cristobal Silva Ibaceta (Chi) @2laps
  • Michael Broderick (USA) @2laps
  • Seiya Hirano (Jpn) Bridgestone Anchor Cycling Team @2laps
  • Lukas Sablik (Cze) Rubena Auto-Mencik Specialized @2laps
  • Vitalii Zubchenko (Ukr) Isd MTB Team @2laps
  • Dariusz Batek (Pol) @2laps
  • Jonas Baumann (Swi) Wheeler – IXS Team @2laps
  • Simon Gegenheimer (Ger) @2laps
  • Davy Huygens (Bel) @3laps
  • Paul Van Der Ploeg (Aus) Felt Oetztal X – Bionic Team @3laps
  • Sid Taberlay (Aus) @3laps
  • Simon Seehofer (Aut) @3laps
  • Marco Schätzing (Ger) @3laps
  • Brice Scholtes (Bel) Merida Wallonie Mountain Bike Team @3laps
  • Tim Lemmers (Ned) Feenstra Stevens Bike Team @3laps
  • Sandro Soncin (Swi) @3laps
  • Bojan Djurdjic (Srb) Salcano Factory Team @3laps
  • Steffen Thum (Ger) @3laps
  • Adrien Niyonshuti (Rwa) @3laps
  • Weisong Tong (Chn) @3laps
  • Pascal Meyer (Swi) @3laps
  • Artyom Golovaschenko (Kaz) @3laps
  • Klaus Nielsen (Den) @3laps
  • Dennis Ebert (Ned) @3laps
  • Philip Buys (RSA) @3laps
  • Robby De Bock (Bel) @4laps
  • Besik Gavasheli (Geo) @4laps
  • Geoff Kabush (Can) Scott-3Roxracing: DNF
  • Jan Skarnitzl (Cze) Rubena Auto-Mencik Specialized: DNF
  • Moritz Milatz (Ger) Bmc Mountainbike Racing Team: DNF
  • Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra) Lapierre International: DNF
  • Jiri Novak (Cze): DNF
  • Inaki Lejarreta Errasti (Spa) Orbea Racing Team: DNF
  • Daniel Geismayr (Aut): DNF
  • Andy Eyring (Ger): DNF
  • Julien Taramarcaz (Swi) Bmc Mountainbike Racing Team: DNF
  • Marco Aurelio Fontana (Ita) Cannondale Factory Racing: DNF
  • Christoph Soukup (Aut): DNF
  • Oleksandr Gerashchenko (Ukr) Isd MTB Team: DNF
  • Giancarlo Sax (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team: DNF
  • Adam Morka (Can): DNF
  • John Whittington (GBr): DNF
  • Kirill Kazantsev (Kaz): DNF
  • Oliver Beckingsale (GBr): DNF
  • Robert Mennen (Ger) Topeak Ergon Racing Team: DNF
  • Sven Nys (Bel): DNF
  • Tom Meeusen (Bel): DNF
  • Nino Schurter (Swi) Scott – Swisspower MTB Racing Team: DNS
  • Cédric Ravanel (Fra) GT Skoda Chamonix: DNS
  • Alban Lakata (Aut) Topeak Ergon Racing Team: DNS
  • Brian Lopes (USA): DNS
  • Heiko Gutmann (Ger): DNS
  • Miha Halzer (Slo) Energijateam.Com: DNS
  • Florian Thie (Swi): DNS
  • Arnould Jeremy (Fra): DNS
]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/race-results/world-cup-4-la-bresse-2012-results_31361/feed 0 Video: Bontrager’s fast-rolling DH tire developed for Trek World Racing at Sea Otter http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/video/video-bontragers-fast-rolling-dh-tire-developed-for-trek-world-racing-at-sea-otter_31355 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/video/video-bontragers-fast-rolling-dh-tire-developed-for-trek-world-racing-at-sea-otter_31355#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 22:06:18 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31355

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/video/video-bontragers-fast-rolling-dh-tire-developed-for-trek-world-racing-at-sea-otter_31355/feed 0 Willow’s Wisdom on the Rocks: Getting back on the bike after a baby http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/training/willows-wisdom-on-the-rocks-getting-back-on-the-bike-after-a-baby_31348 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/training/willows-wisdom-on-the-rocks-getting-back-on-the-bike-after-a-baby_31348#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 21:51:25 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31348 Editor’s Note: Two-time mountain bike world championship bronze medalist Willow Rockwell’s weekly column, Willow’s Wisdom on the Rocks, is devoted to providing the best advice the web has to offer for female mountain bikers. Her wisdom from the top of the sport is aimed at empowering readers to meet and surpass their own goals on the bike. Check in every Wednesday for more wisdom from Willow. 

Let me be clear. Having a baby is a BIG deal. Huge. You will never do anything more intense or more spiritually powerful in your life. Birth is an initiation to the Goddess Mysteries like nothing else.

Let yourself ease back into everything, because you will never again have this time back with your precious baby. Let yourself bond. Let yourself feel the hugeness of what you both just went through. Ask for help, be patient with yourself, your partner and your baby.

Help at home means quicker recovery

You will need help. The best advice I can offer is to hire someone for the first week. You will be so thankful! They can do the laundry, the dishes and the shopping. If you are lucky, maybe even a little cooking. You will not want to do this, I promise you!
You partner is going to be as tired as you are, so please let someone help you! Be careful with relatives and visitors in the first week. All too often it is more of a drain than a help.

Help your body bounce back

Walk. Walk a lot. I was so pumped full of IV fluid I was twice as puffy after baby as I was before. Not a pretty sight. The good news is, your body is amazing. You WILL recover.

I used Brook Burke’s post-baby body wrap. It helps the uterus go back into place and decreases swelling from the trauma. Yes, I said trauma. Also, she has four kids and is still a swimsuit model, so that sold me right there.

Start with fundamentals

You need to take it really easy for two weeks. Do those Kegels!

After two weeks, check in with yourself and take it up a notch or two if you are ready. I started doing yoga and post-natal pilates at home. You can find good routines online or purchase a couple videos. I love Sadie Nardini for yoga. In fact, her yoga is so core-centric, it could take the place of pilates as well.

You should not do typical situps for about two months as the rectus abdominis needs to reconnect.

Ease back into exercise

At five weeks I took out the skate skis and I felt great. I did not go hard, however. I just enjoyed nature and moving my body!

I also started doing Tracy Anderson exercise videos. I love her workouts. They are about 30 minutes long, and target all your accessory muscles. She helps you get all tight and tiny again.

On that note, do not freak out about fitting into your jeans. Eat and do moderate exercise and LOVE your baby. It will all work out in it’s own time.

Be kind to your lady bits

As for getting on the bike, I could not even look at a bike seat until 8 weeks. My rule was “if I can’t have sex, then I am not riding my bike”. Honestly, even at 8 weeks it was not very pleasant. Neither sex nor biking, that is. Everyone is different, but my point is you need patience, and lots of it.

Do it for the right reasons

At about 10 weeks, I really started to feel like ME again. I was pushing myself far too hard trying to return to the World Cup, but once I retired, everything started to fall into place. Now I LOVE my bike again. It is something I GET to do, rather than something I HAVE to do. Every moment on the trail is pure freedom.

If you give yourself enough time to recover, you will thank yourself for it. Your partner and baby will thank you, too. Don’t rush the process, let it evolve naturally. Before you know it your legs will feel light and fresh and you will be squeezing into those jeans.

Enjoy! You are now a Goddess!

Willow Rockwell is a woman in transition. As a professional mountain bike racer, she won two Bronze Medals at the Mountain bike World Championships (2009, 2010) and led the World Cup in 2010 for a brief time before finally finishing second in the series. Poised to conquer the world and win an Olympic medal, she discovered she was pregnant in the Spring of 2011. She chose to devote herself to her unborn daughter and left the sport behind. During her pregnancy she wrote a memoir titled “My Wheels Gave Me Wings.” It chronicles her difficult childhood, her near self destruction, and her path to healing and self acceptance. In 2012 she attempted a comeback to the sport, but discovered that the warrior who would “fight to the death” had died within her. It was time to lay down the sword and be a warrioress for truth and light. It was time for new adventures. She is now re-discovering and re-inventing herself as a mother, a wife and a goddess woman. She hopes to inspire others to heal their deepest wounds, and to re-emerge as a powerful being full of self expression.Willow writes regular columns for Singletrack.com, is enrolled in a Sacred Sexuality course, loves all things feminine and beautiful and still loves to ride her bike.

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/training/willows-wisdom-on-the-rocks-getting-back-on-the-bike-after-a-baby_31348/feed 0 How to succeed in the NUE Series: What you need to know before the Syllamo 125K http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/nue-series/how-to-succeed-in-the-nue-series-what-you-need-to-know-before-the-syllamo-125k_31335 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/nue-series/how-to-succeed-in-the-nue-series-what-you-need-to-know-before-the-syllamo-125k_31335#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 21:09:42 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31335
After an exciting weekend of racing at the Cohutta 100 with Jeremiah Bishop and Cheryl Sornson taking the pro men’s and women’s races, the National Ultra Endurance (NUE) race series continues on the east coast on May 19 with the Syllamo 125K.

Run in conjunction with the Syllamo’s Revenge 50 mile race, the second stop in the series is drastically different than the first. Located in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, the second stop of the NUE series visits yet another classic race in a location off the beaten path of normal mountain bike destinations.

The Syllamo Trail system contains over 50 miles of singletrack in the Ozark National Forest and was designated as one of IMBA’s Epic Rides. IMBA Epic rides highlight some of the best mountain bike trails in the country and the wooded, chucky limestone trails in the forests of the Ozark Mountains are deserving of the honor.

Unlike the Cohutta 100, which was relatively not considered especially technical and had large amounts of fire road, the Syllamo 125 serves up non stop challenges with limestone slickrock and rock gardens.

With 95% of the course being singletrack and an extremely short start climb, tactics and starting position will play a more important roll than they did at the Cohutta 100.

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/nue-series/how-to-succeed-in-the-nue-series-what-you-need-to-know-before-the-syllamo-125k_31335/feed 0 Gould sets the bid for Olympic slots high in Czech Republic http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/news/gould-sets-the-bid-for-olympic-slots-high-in-czech-republic_31328 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/news/gould-sets-the-bid-for-olympic-slots-high-in-czech-republic_31328#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 21:22:12 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31328 Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) once again placed the highest bid on the sought-after American slots to attend the London 2012 Olympics with the best placing this year by an American in the 2012 World Cup.

Her fourth place at World Cup #3 in Nove Mesto na Morave is the best American placing so far in the 2012 World Cup for either men or women.

After Houffalize, where her 12th place was also the highest American placing, Gould leads the American World Cup standings, only nine points outside the top 10 overall. She overtook Lea Davison in the standings, who was in 18th after two rounds. Davison’s 14th place in Pietermaritzburg was the best American time in the first round, 22 seconds faster than compatriot Heather Irmiger.

The men have been having a harder run of things in the 2012 World Cup. Olympic team favorite Todd Wells (Specialized Racing) chose to skip the Pietermaritzburg World Cup after taking a hard hit practicing on the course and is currently 48th in the World Cup, the second highest standing among the American men.

Samuel Schultz (Subaru – Trek) leads the men’s World Cup, in 30th place. Stephen Ettinger (BMC Mountainbike Racing Team) is just behind Wells, in 49th.

The battle is still heated in anticipation of the US Olympic cross country team nominations, to be announced June 15.

The women’s Olympic cross country race will be held at Hadleigh Farm in Essex on August 11, 2012, followed by the men the following day at the same venue.

Learn more about Olympic team selection >>

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/news/gould-sets-the-bid-for-olympic-slots-high-in-czech-republic_31328/feed 0 World Cup #3, Nove Mesto na Morave 2012 results http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/race-results/world-cup-3-nove-mesto-na-morave-2012-results_31313 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/race-results/world-cup-3-nove-mesto-na-morave-2012-results_31313#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 14:59:44 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31313

Men

  • 1. Nino Schurter (Swi) Scott – Swisspower MTB Racing Team in 1:26:46
  • 2. Jaroslav Kulhavy (Cze) Specialized Racing +0:00:06
  • 3. Burry Stander (RSA) Specialized Racing +0:00:17
  • 4. Marco Aurelio Fontana (Ita) Cannondale Factory Racing +0:00:46
  • 5. Ralph Naef (Swi) Multivan Merida Biking Team +0:00:47
  • 6. Moritz Milatz (Ger) BMC Mountainbike Racing Team +0:01:14
  • 7. Fabian Giger (Swi) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team +0:01:20
  • 8. Florian Vogel (Swi) Scott – Swisspower MTB Racing Team +0:01:32
  • 9. Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (Spa) Wildwolf – Trek Pro Racing +0:01:43
  • 10. José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Spa) Multivan Merida Biking Team +0:01:47
  • 11. Christoph Sauser (Swi) Specialized Racing +0:02:03
  • 12. Manuel Fumic (Ger) Cannondale Factory Racing +0:02:15
  • 13. Lukas Flückiger (Swi) Trek World Racing +0:02:23
  • 14. Max Plaxton (Can) +0:02:32
  • 15. Martin Gujan (Swi) Cannondale Factory Racing +0:02:57
  • 16. Rudi Van Houts (Ned) Multivan Merida Biking Team +0:03:13
  • 17. Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) +0:03:15
  • 18. Geoff Kabush (Can) Scott-3Roxracing +0:03:17
  • 19. Liam Killeen (GBr) Giant Factory Off-Road Team +0:03:28
  • 20. Samuel Schultz (USA) Subaru – Trek +0:03:29
  • 21. Jiri Novak (Cze) +0:03:36
  • 22. Stéphane Tempier (Fra) TX Active Bianchi at s.t.
  • 23. Sven Nys (Bel) +0:03:51
  • 24. Michele Casagrande (Ita) Elettroveneta – Corratec at s.t.
  • 25. Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra) Lapierre International +0:04:24
  • 26. Emil Lindgren (Swe) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team +0:04:25
  • 27. Wolfram Kurschat (Ger) Topeak Ergon Racing Team +0:04:31
  • 28. Henk Jaap Moorlag (Ned) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team +0:04:39
  • 29. Ivan Alvarez Gutierrez (Spa) Elettroveneta – Corratec +0:04:42
  • 30. Maxime Marotte (Fra) BH – SR Suntour – Peisey Vallandry +0:05:04
  • 31. Jan Skarnitzl (Cze) Rubena Auto-Mencik Specialized +0:05:08
  • 32. Todd Wells (USA) Specialized Racing +0:05:10
  • 33. Jochen Kass (Ger) Multivan Merida Biking Team +0:05:11
  • 34. Catriel Andres Soto (Arg) Wildwolf – Trek Pro Racing +0:05:19
  • 35. Marek Konwa (Pol) Milka- Superior MTB Racing Team +0:05:25
  • 36. Lukas Sablik (Cze) Rubena Auto-Mencik Specialized +0:05:26
  • 37. Mathias Flückiger (Swi) Trek World Racing +0:05:27
  • 38. Daniel Mcconnell (Aus) +0:05:33
  • 39. Carlos Coloma Nicolas (Spa) Wildwolf – Trek Pro Racing +0:05:50
  • 40. Andrea Tiberi (Ita) Torpado Surfing Shop +0:06:00
  • 41. Periklis Ilias (Gre) Team Protek +0:06:10
  • 42. Chris Jongewaard (Aus) Milka- Superior MTB Racing Team at s.t.
  • 43. Karl Markt (Aut) Felt Oetztal X – Bionic Team +0:06:11
  • 44. Inaki Lejarreta Errasti (Spa) Orbea Racing Team +0:06:17
  • 45. Tony Longo (Ita) TX Active Bianchi at s.t.
  • 46. Umberto Corti (Ita) Team Cbe Tecnoimpianti A.S.D. +0:06:19
  • 47. Martino Fruet (Ita) +0:06:20
  • 48. Kristian Hynek (Cze) +0:06:26
  • 49. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA) Subaru – Trek +0:06:27
  • 50. Thomas Litscher (Swi) Felt Oetztal X – Bionic Team +0:06:34
  • 51. Andras Parti (Hun) +0:06:38
  • 52. Jürg Graf (Swi) Bskgraf Rollmat-Koba MTB Team +0:06:44
  • 53. Milan Spesny (Cze) S&H Superior MTB Team +0:06:51
  • 54. Marcel Wildhaber (Swi) Scott – Swisspower MTB Racing Team +0:06:54
  • 55. Philip Buys (RSA) at s.t.
  • 56. Kohei Yamamoto (Jpn) Specialized Racing +0:06:55
  • 57. Kevin Pauwels (Bel) +0:07:01
  • 58. Michal Lami (Svk) at s.t.
  • 59. Jérémy Huguenin (Swi) Giant Swiss SR – Suntour +0:07:16
  • 60. Martin Loo (Est) Hard Rock Canossa Merida +0:07:24
  • 61. Sergji Rysenko (Ukr) ISD MTB Team +0:07:31
  • 62. Stephen Ettinger (USA) BMC Mountainbike Racing Team at s.t.
  • 63. Shlomi Haimy (Isr) Focus MIG Team +0:07:36
  • 64. Martin Fanger (Swi) Giant Swiss SR – Suntour +0:07:46
  • 65. Pavel Boudny (Cze) +0:07:55
  • 66. Robert Mennen (Ger) Topeak Ergon Racing Team at s.t.
  • 67. Cédric Ravanel (Fra) GT Skoda Chamonix +0:08:09
  • 68. Julien Taramarcaz (Swi) BMC Mountainbike Racing Team +0:08:16
  • 69. Lachlan Norris (Aus) Giant Factory Off-Road Team +0:08:23
  • 70. Ludovic Dubau (Fra) Team Newcycling +0:08:42
  • 71. Cameron Jette (Can) Scott-3Roxracing +0:09:15
  • 72. Tom Meeusen (Bel) +0:09:22
  • 73. Sebastien Carabin (Bel) Versluys Team +0:09:26
  • 74. Giancarlo Sax (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team +0:09:35
  • 75. Adam Craig (USA) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team +0:09:41
  • 76. Hector Leonardo Paez Leon (Col) TX Active Bianchi +0:09:44
  • 77. Simon Scheiber (Aut) Felt Oetztal X – Bionic Team +0:09:50
  • 78. Oleksandr Gerashchenko (Ukr) ISD MTB Team +0:09:54
  • 79. Marc Bassingthwaighte (Nam) +0:10:06
  • 80. Markus Bauer (Ger) +0:10:20
  • 81. Paul Van Der Ploeg (Aus) Felt Oetztal X – Bionic Team +0:10:31
  • 82. David Fletcher (GBr) Orange Monkey-Cannondale +0:10:36
  • 83. David Joao Serralheiro Rosa (Por) at s.t.
  • 84. Adam Morka (Can) +0:10:38
  • 85. Jeremiah Bishop (USA) Cannondale Factory Racing +0:10:39
  • 86. Pascal Meyer (Swi) +0:10:58
  • 87. Jan Jobanek (Cze) Merida Biking Team +0:11:02
  • 88. Andy Eyring (Ger) +0:11:09
  • 89. Tiago Jorge Oliveira Ferreira (Por) Bi&Esse – Infotre Protek +0:11:21
  • 90. Daniel Geismayr (Aut) +0:11:22
  • 91. Alban Lakata (Aut) Topeak Ergon Racing Team +0:11:31
  • 92. Dariusz Batek (Pol) +0:12:01
  • 93. Fabien Canal (Fra) GT Skoda Chamonix +0:12:14
  • 94. Hannes Metzler (Aut) +0:12:58
  • Sid Taberlay (Aus) @ 1lap
  • Daniel Eymann (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team @ 1lap
  • Hans Becking (Ned) Milka- Superior MTB Racing Team @ 1lap
  • Spencer Paxson (USA) Kona @ 1lap
  • Lukas Kaufmann (Swi) Team Fujibikes Rockets @ 1lap
  • Martin Haring (Svk) @ 1lap
  • Tim Lemmers (Ned) Feenstra Stevens Bike Team @ 1lap
  • Pierre-Geoffroy Plantet (Fra) Lapierre International @ 1lap
  • Paolo Cesar Montoya Cantillo (CRc) @ 1lap
  • Michael Broderick (USA) @ 1lap
  • Patrik Gallati (Swi) BMC Mountainbike Racing Team @ 1lap
  • Rafal Hebisz (Pol) @ 1lap
  • Javier Eduardo Puschel (Chi) @ 1lap
  • Matous Ulman (Cze) S&H Superior MTB Team @ 1lap
  • Sang Hoon Na (Kor) @ 1lap
  • David Escolar Ballesteros (Spa) @ 1lap
  • Derek Zandstra (Can) Scott-3Roxracing @ 2laps
  • Steffen Thum (Ger) @ 2laps
  • Mariusz Gil (Pol) @ 2laps
  • Rafal Alchimowiz (Pol) @ 2laps
  • Milan Barenyi (Svk) @ 2laps
  • Adrien Niyonshuti (Rwa) @ 2laps
  • Jan Fojtik (Cze) @ 2laps
  • Christopher Maletz (Ger) @ 2laps
  • Giuseppe Lamastra (Ita) @ 2laps
  • Cristobal Silva Ibaceta (Chi) @ 2laps
  • Vitalii Zubchenko (Ukr) ISD MTB Team @ 2laps
  • Simon Seehofer (Aut) @ 2laps
  • Kirill Kazantsev (Kaz) @ 2laps
  • Weisong Tong (Chn) @ 2laps
  • Tomasz Drozdz (Pol) JBG – 2 Professional MTB Team @ 2laps
  • Felix Euteneuer (Ger) @ 3laps
  • Matthias Waldhart (Aut) @ 3laps
  • Bostjan Hribovsek (Slo) @ 3laps
  • Zdenek Mlynar (Cze) @ 3laps
  • Frantisek Zilak (Cze) @ 3laps
  • Ioan Tudor Radu (Rom) @ 3laps
  • Brian Lopes (USA) @ 3laps
  • Gabor Bogar (Hun) @ 3laps
  • Artyom Golovaschenko (Kaz) @ 3laps
  • Elisei Miron (Rom) @ 4laps
  • Miha Halzer (Slo) Energijateam.Com @ 4laps
  • George Vlad Sabau (Rom) @ 4laps
  • Lubomir Vojta (Cze) @ 4laps
  • Besik Gavasheli (Geo) @ 4laps
  • Piotr Brzozka (Pol) JBG – 2 Professional MTB Team: DNF
  • Kazuhiro Yamamoto (Jpn): DNF
  • Kevin Van Hoovels (Bel) Versluys Team: DNF
  • Severin Disch (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team: DNF
  • Julien Absalon (Fra) Orbea Racing Team: DNF
  • Marek Galinski (Pol) JBG – 2 Professional MTB Team: DNF
  • Christoph Soukup (Aut): DNF
  • Matthias Wengelin (Swe) Team Herbalife 24 Raumerrittet: DNF
  • Adrian Brzozka (Pol) JBG – 2 Professional MTB Team: DNF
  • Davy Huygens (Bel): DNF
  • Simon Gegenheimer (Ger): DNF
  • Sepp Freiburghaus (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team: DNF
  • Uwe Hochenwarter (Aut) Muskelkater Genesis Team: DNF
  • Robby De Bock (Bel): DNF
  • Ola Kjören (Nor) Team Herbalife 24 Raumerrittet: DNS
  • Marco Schätzing (Ger): DNS
  • Markus Loisl (Aut): DNS
  • Dennis Ebert (Ned): DNS
]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/race-results/world-cup-3-nove-mesto-na-morave-2012-results_31313/feed 0 Rusch, Wiens join Leadville Race Series development and promotion team http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/news/rusch-wiens-join-leadville-race-series-development-and-promotion-team_31322 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/news/rusch-wiens-join-leadville-race-series-development-and-promotion-team_31322#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 02:38:43 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31322 Life Time Fitness, Inc., the Healthy Way of Life Company announced that Rebecca Rusch, a three-time winner of the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race, and Dave Wiens, a six-time winner of the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race, have joined the Leadville Race Series team to assist with race development and promotion.

As part of their Leadville Race Series responsibilities, Rusch and Wiens will assist in further developing the Leadville brand, as well as promoting the Leadville qualifying events around the country.  Rusch will attend the Wilmington Whiteface 100, Silver Rush 50, Tahoe Trail 100 and the Leadville Trail 100 MTB, while Wiens will attend all of the Leadville Race Series events.  Both will host pre-race rides and “Ask the Pros” sessions after each event’s Athlete Meeting. In addition, the duo will contribute to the bi-weekly Leadville Race Series newsletter, which offers training and racing advice in the “Dispatches from Columbine” segment.

“We are excited to welcome Rebecca and Dave into the Leadville family,” said Kimo Seymour, global brand director, Leadville Race Series. “We look forward to working with these elite icons to continue our mission of enhancing participants’ experiences, as well as further developing the Leadville brand.”

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/news/rusch-wiens-join-leadville-race-series-development-and-promotion-team_31322/feed 0 Destination: Durango, Colorado http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/destination/rocky-mountains/destination-durango-colorado_31285 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/destination/rocky-mountains/destination-durango-colorado_31285#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 21:03:58 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31285
There are three directions from which to access the Durango valley in the southwest corner of Colorado. Driving into the valley from the south reveals the massive San Juan Mountains to the north, the Animas River flowing through the town, and a long glacial valley stretching as far as the eye can see.

Coming in from the north, the drive traverses Molas and Coal Bank Pass from Silverton, following the route of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, roughly paralleling the southern 80 miles of the Colorado Trail.

From the west, the route passes dozens of trailheads as it drops into the valley from the Four Corners area.

A quick glance at a map will quickly reveal why so many people who choose to have their lives revolve around mountain biking, either professionally or recreationally, choose to make Durango their home.

There are trails close to town in the Horse Gulch area, which are free of snow early in the spring and late in the fall. Then there’s the Ned Overend Bike Park, formerly known as Test Tracks. Then there’s the southern terminus of the Colorado Trail, which includes 74 miles of high altitude trail to the top of Molas Pass and countless trails that spur off of it.

Combined with a vibrant community that embraces bicycles in all forms and a town large enough to create a job market, Durango might well be a mountain biker’s paradise.

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/destination/rocky-mountains/destination-durango-colorado_31285/feed 0 Salsa recalls Minimalist Rack http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/bikes-tech/salsa-recalls-minimalist-rack_31280 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/bikes-tech/salsa-recalls-minimalist-rack_31280#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 20:01:31 +0000 Nick Legan http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31280 Salsa Cycles, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, announced a voluntary recall of approximately 1,100 of its Minimalist Racks due to a potential hardware issue. The L-shaped bracket that attaches the rack to the front fork can fail, resulting in potential harm to the cyclist. There have been two reports of them breaking, with minor injuries to the rider as a consequence.

Racks sold after January of 2011 are affected. Both black and silver models are made of tubular aluminum and can function on the front or back of a bicycle. The silver metal “strap” is the problem hardware. Owners should remove the rack immediately and contact a Salsa dealer for inspection and possible refund.

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/bikes-tech/salsa-recalls-minimalist-rack_31280/feed 0 Willow’s Wisdom on the Rocks: Staying athletic for nine months of pregnancy http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/training/willows-training-on-the-rocks-staying-athletic-for-nine-months-of-pregnancy_31262 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/training/willows-training-on-the-rocks-staying-athletic-for-nine-months-of-pregnancy_31262#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 18:58:21 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31262 Willow Rockwell is a woman in transition. As a professional mountain bike racer, she won two Bronze Medals at the Mountain bike World Championships (2009, 2010) and led the World Cup in 2010 for a brief time before finally finishing second in the series.

Poised to conquer the world and win an Olympic medal, she discovered she was pregnant in the Spring of 2011. She chose to devote herself to her unborn daughter and left the sport behind. 

During her pregnancy she wrote a memoir titled “My Wheels Gave Me Wings.” It chronicles her difficult childhood, her near self destruction, and her path to healing and self acceptance. In 2012 she attempted a comeback to the sport, but discovered that the warrior who would “fight to the death” had died within her. 

Now committed to empowering women and sharing her own hard-learned lessons with others, Rockwell will be a regular contributor to Singletrack.com, writing primarily training articles that will share her lifetime of experience at the top of the sport with other dirt enthusiasts, equipping them with professional tips to help them meet their own training and racing goals.

In this article, her first for Singletrack.com, Rockwell pulls from her own experiences of returning to a World Cup level less than three months after giving birth, and shares her tips for pregnant athletes who want to maintain their fitness during pregnancy. 

If I were to do it all over again, I would take “training” out of my pregnancy vocabulary. Training is just such a limiting word! Pregnancy is something that will only happen a couple times in your life, and it should be treated like the sacred time that it is.

For starters, it is not just about “you” anymore. It is about you and your growing baby. Although at first it may seem like an annoyance that you can’t do all the same things you used to, it really is a blessing. I noticed that all the things I used to do often ended up in the category of “have to” do. This is your chance to free up your calendar and your life.

Be honest with yourself:

Start with asking yourself what you want to do each day. The answer may surprise you. I found the key was being honest with yourself and listen to your body, and then each day will be filled with adventure and inspiration. I did not worry about pushing myself too hard, I just did what felt good.

Adjust your bike to your new body:

If you want to ride, I found a few adjustments very necessary. As for the bike, raise your handlebars and get one of those seats with a hole in the center. The extra weight on the front is VERY uncomfortable on your lady bits. Trust me. I like the Terry women’s saddle with the butterflies on it.

I found the road bike to be the best for me, as I could raise the handlebars and just sit up and cruise. I did go on a few mountain bike rides, but for me it was just a little too stressful. I didn’t like worrying about crashing and honestly, my boobs would hurt with every bump!

Work on your wardrobe:

For clothing, I just cut down the center of my bib shorts so my belly had room. I slashed my jersey up a bit on the sides as well.

Maintain your fitness off the bike:

I took the opportunity to explore prenatal yoga and Pilates. Pilates is great, because you can still work the core, but from different angles. Also, keeping the balance up as your body is changing is very helpful.

The key for me was to not ask my body to do anything it did not want to do. I was very tired the first three months, and found it hard to do much at all. After four months, I did enjoy the occasional run on the trails. Running is such an easy way to access nature.

Be attentive to your diet:

Most women are worried about weight gain, but I found it easy to make healthful choices. It is much easier to be accountable in the moment, then to wish you had made better choices later! I found I craved things I usually don’t eat like tomatoes and oranges. Turns out that is a normal craving as vitamin C is super important, especially in the first trimester. Again listen to your magical body, it will know what it needs.

Train your mind:

The best thing to “train” is your mind. Our thoughts create emotions, and if our emotions are overlooked or ignored, they manifest in our physical bodies. It is easy to feel crazy when you are pregnant, so pay attention to what you were just thinking, and how it made you feel. Your body will thank you for monitoring the negative thinking. If you do happen to get into the emotions, that is okay. Just BE with them, and they will pass. Don’t try to push them away or deny yourself of how you are feeling.

I spent a lot of time at the river with a pen and a notebook. It is important to let the past come up so you can clear any fear you have around intimacy and your body. Get out in the sun, it is great for your mood and feels so good on your skin.

Your body is your best friend, and anything that feels uncomfortable to you is a sign you should not overlook. Remember not to be frustrated with your body, but to lovingly listen to its messages.

Supplement your diet:

Minerals are very important to avoid leg cramps. I liked to take magnesium at night. I found it very important to take extra probiotics to avoid any problems with your PH balance. EVERYTHING goes crazy in pregnancy, and you need to be aware of your comfort “down there.”

Treat your body well:

I think massage is great, but I enjoyed my acupuncture treatments better. Chiropractic is also helpful for your ever-changing body.

Let your husband know that foot massages are always welcome. Sex is great too, so don’t be shy! Your husband thinks you are super sexy, and all the more amazing now that you are carrying his child.

Most importantly, remember that exercise is meant to make you feel good! Use it as a tool to enhance the quality of your life, not something that you must adhere to for discipline’s sake. Give your self a lot of love and leeway as an athletic mother-to-be, and let what you do be an extension of that.

Blessings on you journey!

Willow Rockwell is a woman in transition. As a professional mountain bike racer, she won two Bronze Medals at the Mountain bike World Championships (2009, 2010) and led the World Cup in 2010 for a brief time before finally finishing second in the series. Poised to conquer the world and win an Olympic medal, she discovered she was pregnant in the Spring of 2011. She chose to devote herself to her unborn daughter and left the sport behind. During her pregnancy she wrote a memoir titled “My Wheels Gave Me Wings.” It chronicles her difficult childhood, her near self destruction, and her path to healing and self acceptance. In 2012 she attempted a comeback to the sport, but discovered that the warrior who would “fight to the death” had died within her. It was time to lay down the sword and be a warrioress for truth and light. It was time for new adventures. She is now re-discovering and re-inventing herself as a mother, a wife and a goddess woman. She hopes to inspire others to heal their deepest wounds, and to re-emerge as a powerful being full of self expression.Willow writes regular columns for Singletrack.com, is enrolled in a Sacred Sexuality course, loves all things feminine and beautiful and still loves to ride her bike.

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/training/willows-training-on-the-rocks-staying-athletic-for-nine-months-of-pregnancy_31262/feed 0 Illuminating night riding http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/training/illuminating-night-riding_31251 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/training/illuminating-night-riding_31251#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 17:27:04 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31251
There are many reasons for wanting to be able to ride a mountain bike on singletrack at night. The reasons range from wanting to do longer rides after work than daylight allows, wanting to participate in a race format that requires riding at night such as a multiday race or 24 hour race, or simply being able to get home when an afternoon ride runs long due to an untimely mechanical, a slow trail, or an overambitious ride plan.

Everyone has been in a situation when the sun goes down, visibility approaches zero, and a ripping piece of singletrack turns into a long hiking trail because riding by starlight is impossible.

Then there’s the simple reason that riding bikes in the dark is novel and fun. Whatever the reason, there are a certain things that can make riding in the dark an enjoyable experience rather than one to be dreaded.

Amount of Light

When riding at night, the speed you will be comfortable maintaining is directly correlated to the amount of light available. While it is possible to putter down a trail with only a small headlamp, a bright light will allow you to ride at nearly full speed.

Light output is measured in lumens and the brightest bike specific lights on the market currently are rated at a staggering 3,000 lumens. In comparison, a standard commuter light output is about 150 lumens.

Of course, more lumens equates to a larger light and heavier batteries. While 3,000 lumens may be great for a racing scenario — where the added speed possible due to the increased visibility would make the extra weight worthwhile — no one wants to carry around an extra pound of lights on all rides as a backup in case the sun goes down before the ride is over.

The happy medium with light seems to fall around the 1,000 lumen range. A 1,000 lumen light will weigh in around half a pound (about the same as a point and shoot camera) and will produce ample light for riding singletrack at a reasonable pace.

For racing on trails at night, most people tend to be happy with about 1,500 to 2,000 lumens, generally split between a handlebar light and a helmet mounted light. These setups will generally weigh in around a pound, including batteries.

]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/training/illuminating-night-riding_31251/feed 0 Video: Whiskey 50 pro race recap http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/video/video-whiskey-50-pro-race-recap_31226 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/video/video-whiskey-50-pro-race-recap_31226#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 14:15:48 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31226 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/video/video-whiskey-50-pro-race-recap_31226/feed 0 Pro bike: Judy Freeman’s Ibis Tranny http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/video/pro-bike-judy-freemans-ibis-tranny_31238 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/video/pro-bike-judy-freemans-ibis-tranny_31238#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 11:52:34 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31238 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/05/video/pro-bike-judy-freemans-ibis-tranny_31238/feed 0 Cohutta 100 2012 results http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/04/race-results/cohutta-100-2012-results_31222 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/04/race-results/cohutta-100-2012-results_31222#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:40:33 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31222

Men open

  1. Jeremiah Bishop (VA) Cannondale, in 7:01:07.81
  2. Christian Tanguy (MI) Team Cf, in 7:05:35.02
  3. Kevin Carter (MD) Gripped Racing, in 7:27:35.27
  4. Michael Simonson (MI) Trek/rbs, in 7:30:36.70
  5. Justin Lindine (MA) Redline, in 7:35:13.88
  6. Cary Smith (WY) Team Cf, in 7:38:59.33
  7. Alexander Sanchez (UNK) La Ruta De Los Conquistadores, in 7:51:49.94
  8. Zack Morrey (VA) Blue Ridge Cyclery/notubes/magura/schwalbe, in 7:52:31.90
  9. Jonathan Davis (CO) Trek Bike Store Racing – Boulder, Co, in 7:53:20.86
  10. Ernesto Marenchin (OH) Pivot Cycles, in 7:56:29.38
  11. Jody Beasley (VA) Santa Cruz, in 7:57:19.46
  12. Jorden Wakeley (MI) Einstein Racing, in 7:59:23.53
  13. Nicolas Trujillo (GA) Tru-Hammer, in 8:01:09.25
  14. Brandon Draugelis (PA) Team Cf, in 8:03:44.20
  15. Kyle Taylor (TN) Bikers Choice, in 8:04:41.60
  16. Christopher Michaels (VA) Cannondale, in 8:06:43.32
  17. Nathaniel Cornelius (KY) Texas Roadhouse Pb Motorex, in 8:08:27.34
  18. Andy Gorski (PA) Pro Bikes, in 8:10:23.78
  19. David Hall (SC) Piggly Wiggly P/b Bana Cycling Team, in 8:11:31.18
  20. Greg Kuhn (MI) Rbs Mtb Team, in 8:16:27.88
  21. Dylan Johnson (VA) Scott Rc Mounta, in 8:16:48.36
  22. Sam Koerber (NC) Geared Exposure, in 8:18:38.19
  23. Garth Prosser (OH) Specialized (yeah That’s Right) Factory Racing/ashford Surgical, in 8:19:40.67
  24. Adam St. Germain (VT) Nbx / Narragansett Beer, in 8:24:35.50
  25. Jed Prentice (MD) Teamcf, in 8:24:37.76
  26. Eddie Odea (GA) Topeak Ergon, in 8:26:13.70
  27. Morgan Olsson (NC) Revolting Cogs, in 8:26:18.55
  28. Karl Burk (OH) Action Prosthet, in 8:26:36.22
  29. Bradley Schmalzer (WV) Bikeman.com/notubes/xxc, in 8:28:47.78
  30. Ryan Krayer (WI) Adventure212 /specialized, in 8:34:08.83
  31. Theo Procopos (PA) Keswick Cycle, in 8:38:36.84
  32. Mike Montalbano (NJ) Tomac Bikes/gu Energy, in 8:40:46.32
  33. Bruce Stauffer (NC) Trek Bicycle Store Charlotte, in 8:43:16.73
  34. Mark Douglass (TN) Cycology Bicycles, in 8:46:39.67
  35. James Thompson (FL) La Ruta / Epic, in 8:47:25.64
  36. Daniel Rapp (PA) Fast Forward Racing/my Fam, in 8:48:37.45
  37. Joe Fish (VA) Design Physics Racing, in 8:48:51.13
  38. Kevin Conerly (MS) Boardtownbikes.com, in 8:52:45.58
  39. Brent Mayer (OH) Trek Store Cincinnati, in 8:54:31.40
  40. Jason Murrell (TN) Scottsbikes.com, in 8:54:39.06
  41. David Lansden (AL) Bbc P/b Wheelworx, in 8:55:40.99
  42. Alex Kurland (VA) Blue Ridge Bud, in 8:58:59.29
  43. Ryan Heerschap (NJ) Cycle Craft/bulldogs, in 8:59:11.61
  44. John Maines (TN) Svmic, in 8:59:15.42
  45. Eric Smith (FL) Zone 5 Coffee & Bikes, in 9:00:20.60
  46. Scott Cole (WI) Adventure212 / Specialized, in 9:01:16.32
  47. Dan Kotwicki (MI), in 9:02:47.30
  48. Charlie Storm (NC) Storm Racing Team, in 9:04:50.43
  49. Michael Humphries (SC), in 9:05:48.76
  50. Scott Smith (TN) Tvb Race/tomato Head, in 9:10:59.91
  51. Daniel Atkins (MD) Race Pace Bicycle, in 9:12:45.27
  52. David Reid (VA) Design Physics Racing, in 9:13:06.19
  53. Andrew Sorey (MS) Indian Cycle Racing, in 9:13:21.78
  54. Bill Crank (KY) Commonwealth Eye Surgery/pedal The Planet, in 9:16:59.68
  55. James Prentice (AL) Red Mountain Wh, in 9:17:00.00
  56. Joseph Bosemer (KY) Texas Roadhouse, in 9:17:11.15
  57. Lee Simril (TN) Motor Mile Racing, in 9:19:10.67
  58. David Wagoner (IN) Aldefer Bergan, in 9:19:28.13
  59. Art Degraw (SC) Bikeman.com, in 9:21:44.30
  60. Jonathan Woody (TN) Harpeth Bicycles Racing, in 9:25:48.54
  61. Patrick Wallace (NY) Ellicottville B, in 9:26:15.37
  62. Brian Mountjoy (KY) Ces, in 9:26:33.54
  63. Edilson Cremonese (FL) Team Big Wheel, in 9:29:48.67
  64. Lee Carmichael (TN) Motor Mile Racing, in 9:30:21.47
  65. Travis Fowler (GA) First Victory/ Cycle South, in 9:34:59.56
  66. Cooper Fowler (SC), in 9:37:25.38
  67. Scott Morman (OH) Stark Velo, in 9:43:32.10
  68. Jose Mendez (GA) Trek/cycleworks/rudy Project, in 9:45:57.24
  69. Andrew Mckinney (NC) Asheville Bike Race Club, in 9:47:47.89
  70. James Burris (VA) Black Dog Bikes, in 9:50:16.22
  71. Leonard Moon (AL) Team Momentum, in 9:50:30.82
  72. John Dove (GA), in 9:58:28.88
  73. Scott Schlapman (AL) Bicycles Etc., in 9:58:55.76
  74. Anthony Patterson (UNK), in 10:00:13.29
  75. Van Mixon (GA) Big Ring Racing, in 10:00:30.92
  76. Jeff Rupnow (OH), in 10:09:09.22
  77. Jeff Plassman (VA) Design Physics Racing, in 10:11:13.52
  78. Christopher Laplante (MA), in 10:11:59.50
  79. Sean Wallace (TN) Team Bikers Choice, in 10:13:50.52
  80. Tim Smith (TN) Motor Mile Racing, in 10:14:05.11
  81. Jim Rivers (TN), in 10:15:55.31
  82. Matt Kretchmar (OH) Athens Bicycle, in 10:18:11.72
  83. Bryan Derstine (FL) Great Bicycle Shop, in 10:23:44.67
  84. Kevin Bogard (TN) Gear-Up Cycles, in 10:25:13.25
  85. Christopher Lane (MD) Veloworks-Spoke Etc., in 10:26:53.67
  86. Bradley Smith (OH) Orrville Cycling Team, in 10:27:38.63
  87. Tom Swallow (OH) Swallow Bicycle Works, in 10:27:41.75
  88. Bryan Wright (VA) Black Dog Bikes, in 10:38:07.30
  89. Jimm Mcelroy (NC) Velosports Racing, in 10:40:09.35
  90. Chad Wamack (TN) Motor Mile Racing, in 10:41:33.62
  91. David Bell (IL) Cambr, in 10:44:02.76
  92. Gregory Bryant (GA) Doulos Cycling, in 10:44:51.04
  93. Patrick Duffy (IL) Duff’s Racing Inc., in 10:45:27.72
  94. Paul Brannon (FL) Relentless, in 10:47:58.93
  95. Frank Diaz (AL), in 10:48:38.74
  96. John Millon (SC), in 10:52:22.80
  97. Asa M. Marshall Iv (GA) Omba – Macon, Ga, in 10:52:29.27
  98. Jim Singleton (FL) Zone 5 Coffee & Bikes/bikechain, in 10:52:34.84
  99. Pete Green (MD) Adventures For The Cure, in 10:56:16.66
  100. Joseph Hoskins (VA) Hash House Mashers, in 10:57:11.12
  101. Michael Goff (NC) Revolution Cycles, Nc, in 10:58:00.85
  102. Nick Perrow (IL) Pamba, in 10:58:21.07
  103. Marty Smith (KY) Commonwealth Eye Surgery/pedal The Planet, in 10:58:36.26
  104. Jeffrey Yeager (TN) Scott’s Bikes, in 11:00:01.41
  105. Chris Torrance (MI) Racing Greyhoun, in 11:03:46.69
  106. Rodney Reber (FL) Gator Cycle, in 11:07:09.70
  107. Eric Chandler (KY) Murray State Univeristy Cycling Team, in 11:07:54.94
  108. David Cook (NC) Cook Appraisal, Inc, in 11:09:01.50
  109. Mike Pace (TN) Pace’s Cog Farm/revelotion, in 11:10:38.39
  110. David Moore (MI) Cycletherapy-Specialized Racing, in 11:11:35.77
  111. Joe Downs (OH) Team Do Work, in 11:11:38.97
  112. Rob Mitzel (MI) Team Rjr, in 11:13:20.06
  113. Chris Isenberg (GA) Reality Bikes, in 11:14:56.73
  114. Craig Brimer (TN) Hub Endurance Race Team, in 11:15:46.95
  115. Roman Urbina (UNK) La Ruta De Los, in 11:16:54.01
  116. Jay Walsh (NC) Specialized/dumonde Tech, in 11:17:16.71
  117. Jim Havey (KY) Commonwealth Eye Surgery/pedal The Planet, in 11:21:27.74
  118. Mark Russell (VA) Independent Fabrication, in 11:22:09.76
  119. Cole Jacobsen (WI) Titletown Flyer, in 11:26:03.46
  120. Christopher Davis (TN) Stanky Creek Cycling, in 11:28:16.41
  121. Jim Phyfer (MS) Herring Gas, in 11:28:31.85
  122. Joshua Lewis (TN) Team Biker’s Choice, in 11:28:59.11
  123. Greg Witt (MI) Rbs Mtb Team, in 11:29:44.63
  124. Brian Falloon (IN) Team Nebo Ridge, in 11:30:40.30
  125. Trey Schwalb (GA), in 11:31:52.44
  126. Jose Fallas (MS) Indian Cycle, in 11:32:47.82
  127. Yuri Cook (TX) Raintree Pediatrics, in 11:33:05.31
  128. Jamie Jeffries (MO) Ethos Racing, in 11:33:37.33
  129. Will Seidel (SC) Cyclist Against Cancer, in 11:37:35.67
  130. Michael Powell (AL), in 11:37:36.89
  131. Russell Petts (MI) Racing Greyhounds, in 11:38:25.40
  132. Michael Bonsby (MD) Mbhvac, in 11:39:14.01
  133. John Tenwalde (OH), in 11:41:03.31
  134. Jarom Thomas (OH), in 11:53:10.35
  135. Stephen Huddle (OH) Rogue Racing Project 513, in 12:06:52.37
  136. Don Davis (FL) Higher Ground, in 12:10:42.52
  137. Rodney Reed (OH), in 12:10:53.94
  138. Randy Larrison (NY) Cadre Racing, in 12:12:57.27
  139. Steve Huter (NC) Giving Tree Cabinets, in 12:14:46.05
  140. Jeff Carlson (NY) Cadre Racing, in 12:17:21.38
  141. Tim House (VA) C’ville Hash House Mashers, in 12:17:56.91
  142. Nathan Taylor (TN) Harpeth Bicycles Racing, in 12:19:08.47
  143. Mark Stover (NC) Catup Coaching, in 12:20:42.63
  144. Owen Workman (AL), in 12:24:03.64
  145. Joseph Delaney (VA) Black Dog Bikes, in 12:29:24.93
  146. Jason Sparks (MI) Racing Greyhounds, in 12:29:54.50
  147. Michael Weisgerber (OH) Queen City Wheels, in 12:32:58.08
  148. Tony Barrett (TN) Smith&nephew Memphis Velo, in 12:35:02.53
  149. Kelsey Oliver (MA) Team Metro Reprographics, in 12:35:33.12
  150. John Oakes (TN) Bikes Plus, in 12:40:13.75
  151. Jeff Barber (GA) Singletracks.co, in 12:43:11.32
  152. Chadd Biehler (GA), in 12:43:47.41
  153. Robert Lucia (MI) Rbs Cycling Team, in 12:44:56.23
  154. Gavin Shipley (IN) Bicycle Outfitters Indy, in 12:48:15.21
  155. Jason Thomas (FL), in 12:48:47.96
  156. Dan Searle (TN), in 12:49:48.75
  157. Michael Vlamis (CA), in 13:00:28.48
  158. Paul Lewis (FL) Powerfun, in 13:05:58.11
  159. Bain Carpenter (TN) Harpeth Bikes, in 13:06:04.88
  160. Peter Rajcani (TX), in 13:09:40.22
  161. Shannon Donovan (GA), in 13:10:31.58
  162. Scott Pavao (FL) Bicycles Etc/pavao Construction, in 13:10:52.15
  163. Jason Ottinger (FL) Bikechain.com, in 13:18:54.42
  164. Robert Ern (FL) Brick City Bicycles, in 13:19:04.64
  165. Jody M. Mazur (NY) Cadre Racing, in 13:27:06.42
]]> http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/04/race-results/cohutta-100-2012-results_31222/feed 0 Bishop, Sornsen take the first 2012 NUE wins at Cohutta 100 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/04/news/bishop-sornsen-take-the-first-2012-nue-wins-at-cohutta-100_31218 http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/04/news/bishop-sornsen-take-the-first-2012-nue-wins-at-cohutta-100_31218#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:56:06 +0000 Singletrack.com http://singletrack.competitor.com/?p=31218

Race results >>

Gallery >>

What do four Costa Ricans from LaRuta, rigid hardtailed women, The Pfluginator and a rodent, the SiMonster, a Wunderkid, a Ferrari, a refugee, and a US Olympic hopeful all have in common?

The seventh annual Kenda National Ultra Endurance (NUE) Series Opener at the Trailhead Bicycle Company Cohutta 100, held at the Ocoee whitewater center near Ducktown, Tennessee, host of the 1996 Olympic whitewater competition. The first of an expanded twelve-race mountain bike series this year, the Cohutta 100 witnessed nearly 400 racers as they rolled out from under a Giant Kenda Tire, hoping to capture one of four national titles or simply to endure to finish a challenging race boasting more than 13,000 feet of vertical elevation within the Cherokee National Forest.

Dry and Mild temperatures greeted racers this year, although it became warm in the afternoon with temperatures reaching the mid-eighties. Many racers agreed that this year’s course changes were an improvement, although most agreed it was also more difficult than previous years, thanks to miles of additional singletrack.

NUE Women’s Open:

According to race winner and 2008 NUE Series champion Cheryl Sornsen, Team CF, who finished 8:31:21, “Things worked for me today, particularly my body. I’ve had a great winter and spring of training and it paid off. The race start was fast and got a little sketchy, however, Amanda and I were able to stay on each other’s wheel. It wasn’t until the singletrack ended and we popped out onto the road that I was able to gap her.

I was more efficient and faster on the climbs today. The rest of the race I worked hard to stay away. It was a much harder race than last year and it was tough to stay focused and strong on the climbs but I found the willpower. This was the fourth time I raced Cohutta. Three second places, so it was a goal to win it today. I am super excited to start the NUE season with a win.”

According to the two-time defending women’s open champion, Amanda Carey, Kenda/Felt, who finished second 8:44:50, “Cheryl and I battled back and forth for the first hour but I immediately knew something was up. My heart rate was sky high, no power, and Cheryl was riding really, really well. She had a fantastic day. She dropped me like a hot potato about an hour and twenty minutes in on the first significant climb and there was nothing I could do about it.”

Kristin Gavin of Team Cystic Fibrosis, finished third 8:59:30. His response after the race was, “It hurt. This was my first hundred miler so I really eased into it and stuck to my priorities, monitoring my heart rate, keeping my pace, paying really close attention to my nutrition and my training paid off.” When asked about her choice in nutrition, Gavin added “Hammer Nutrition and this thing called water.” She also noted that she is working with 2007 NUE Men’s Open Champion, Chis Eatough using one of his specially designed training plans. Eatough won each of the four races he entered, earning a perfect score.

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