Summer retrospective: Part I

Image 1 of 2

Mara Abbot demonstrates how not to put on a pair of shorts!(Image credit: Amber Rais)

Index to all entries

The NVGP is near to my heart, as it was the first stage race I'd ever done (and it happens to take place in David's hometown). I'd raced it solo in 2005 after winning the collegiate nationals, and it was the first time I'd sought guidance from Linda Jackson, who would later become my coach. At the time, she barely knew me but believed in me. (I have to admit: I was a bit star-struck!) She gave me her phone number to call for support and advice, guiding me through the whole race a day at a time. I fell in love with stage racing.

Rachel's result at Mankato proved to be a major highlight that week. The race finished on a circuit that included a brutally steep climb followed by a twisting descent to the flat finish at the base of the climb. The field shattered on the first lap of the circuits, with Kristin Armstrong (Lipton) countering the first QOM sprint and leaving the field behind. The next group on the road included several strong climbers: Felicia Gomez and Kristin Sanders of Aaron's, Alex Wrubleski of Colavita, and my teammates Rachel Heal and Mara Abbott.

After helping Mara chase Armstrong for awhile, Rachel started to lose contact up the hill each time, but every time, she fought her way back by the bottom of the descent. On the last lap, she fell off the group on the climb as they surged for the finish. Mara kept looking for her on the descent, but she was nowhere to be found. The group was sure she'd been dropped, but Rachel does not give up so easily (actually, she never does), and had fought back again, timing her reappearance with brilliant precision as she attacked and dove for the final corner, taking everyone by surprise and winning the group sprint for second behind Armstrong's (awe-inspiring!) solo victory. A moving example of tenacity and courage!

I experienced powerful and mixed emotions at Nationals, as I'm sure many riders do. On the one hand, I have unwavering commitment to my team and our collective goals. On the other, I have deep respect and empathy for competitors in the peloton. We're all here for the same reasons - to chase our dreams, support teammates, and push one another other to new heights of pain, sacrifice, and accomplishment. In that sense, you're almost rooting for everyone's success, because you can empathize with your competitors in their struggles toward their dreams. In another sense, you want to tear their legs off and crush them in your quest for team victory. When all is said and done, however, these chaotic emotions settle into a larger sense of honor - feeling honoured to compete here among the most dedicated and talented American women cyclists and to be a part of the venerable history and tradition of cycling.

It was as much an honor to witness the courageous rides of our competitors (Amber Neben's unstoppable determination, even racing solo; Kristin Armstrong's indomitable aggression in pursuit of a team win; Kori Seehafer's fearless race after coming back from a broken collarbone) as it was an honour to see Mara in the stars and stripes jersey and to have raced alongside my teammates for that honour. It takes both sides to create the meaning and humanity in sport that make it so beautiful.

Keep your eyes on Jerika Hutchinson, a junior racing out of Shasta, California. I met Jerika last year at the Nationals and have had the pleasure of seeing her out at the races in Northern California. She is one tough cookie, and a lot of fun. A hard worker, she has shown her determination on the bike with steady and impressive improvement, in addition to being an excellent student in school. This year, she took home the stars and stripes, winning the Junior National Championship Time Trial with a fantastic ride. She then went on to win the bronze medal in the time trial at the Junior World Championships. This girl has heart, and it shows.

As cyclists, we all know that nutrition is important, and many are aware that Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids can help maintain good health in a variety of ways, including enhancing heart and brain function. One way to get these through diet is by eating fish. However, not many are aware of the dire state of our oceans (i.e., seafood supply). Scientists are predicting that unless we do something now, we'll see a worldwide collapse of fish stocks within 50 years (read more on this recent study - "Impacts of Biodiversity Loss on Ocean Ecosystem Services" - by internationally renowned marine scientists and economists in Science magazine: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/314/5800/787).

This is a scary prediction, but you have the power to do something about it: be choosy about the seafood you buy. The Monterey Bay Aquarium and The Blue Ocean Institute both publish free, printable guides to sustainable seafood (http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp or http://www.blueocean.org/seafood/ ). Print one up and take it along with you to the grocery store or restaurant, and know that when you order, you're supporting the health of our oceans!

Relatively new to the sport, Amber launches into her second season racing at the professional level for Webcor Builders in 2007. A former collegiate swimmer, Rais found her passion in bike racing during graduate school, where she earned a Masters degree in Earth Systems. Throughout the season, Amber will give an up & comer's perspective on racing, as well as some suggestions for becoming more environmentally conscious with her 'Go Green Tips'.