Catherine relaxes after battling two-days of cyclocross racing in Tulsa, OK.

Race Report by Catherine Walberg

The last two weeks of October have been what I love best about cycling: competition and life experiences. It started with a dash to Tulsa, OK to make the Friday night debut of the Tulsa Ruts and Guts Cross Race. The event was sponsored by Air Assurance and promoted by Mike Guillan and Tanner Culbreath.

The race was “under the lights” at night and had it all. The promoters miraculously created a super neat course out of a dirt pile that surrounded a park like water center piece. The course snaked up and down interesting elevation changes and challenged riders with technical descents, tight turns, and two rock barriers. To do well, a racer needed to be good technically and fit.

The crowd, music, beer, and food electrically charged the atmosphere, providing racers with the needed motivation to give it their best. I had time to do a couple of practice lap before the gun went off. The promoters had posted a hefty Women’s Open prize list ($500,$250,$160,$125,$100,$80,$70,$60,$55,$50,$45,40,$37,$35,$30,$25,$20,$15 paying 18 deep) which drew a solid women’s field. Tammy Wallace (ThinkFinance) out of Texas and Oklahoma’s own Miranda Long (Team Undiscovered) added to my motivation by keeping the pressure on behind me. Even though I led from gun, I was never comfortably ahead. They kept the heat on until the end. After a pretty mighty effort, I crossed the line in 1st followed by Wallace and Long. As I coughed most of my lungs out during the recovery ride, I was reminded that cross just might be the most intense cycling there is.

Given the competition, the win on both days was particularly satisfying. By midnight, I was sitting quite happily in the Waffle House with the Topekans (Steve Tilford, Bill Stolte and Trudi Rebsamen) enjoying a very yummy late night snack of eggs, waffles and toast!

The next day the races moved to New Block Park in Tulsa, for the debut of the New Cross on the Block. The race proved to be easier physically but costly financially. The upper 80s forecast produced a groan at breakfast as we realized we were racing mid-afternoon. I did one practice lap only to look down and see at least 20 goat-heads in both tires. Needless to say, both my race tires quickly lost all their air and my enthusiasm for the race dwindled significantly. But, I like the promoter, Ray Hall, and the course was really fun. The race was held in the revitalized area of Tulsa’s downtown. It featured New Block’s beautiful park along the river. Hats off to Tulsa for revitalizing its downtown area!! The course ran along the river and up a steep hill, traversed an off-camber slope, and back around to the finish. So, with the help of the home team, my bike was equipped with heavy duty tubes, plenty of slime, and my training wheels. I wasn’t worried about the weight because Blue’s Cross frame is so light that even with the added weight, my bike still felt fast and light. (I loovvvve my new Blue Cross frame. It is, by far, the best cross bike I’ve ever ridden—-really!!)

Anyway, I realized I’d raced a bit like the rabbit on the run the day before so I decided to start a little slower and be more calculated about the race. It was windy so I didn’t see a need to try to be in the lead initially or a need to race solo. After a lap, though, only Tammy Wallace and I remained in the front. As we headed up the hill and entered the more technical part of the course, I decided to take over the lead. Wallace had good power; but, I was better technically. I gained some real estate through the off-camber zigzag section of the course and decided to put in a hard lap and see if I could get a comfortable lead. It worked and I took 1st, followed by Wallace and Long.

Next year, I’m going to start with the slime and super Mr. Tuffy tubes so the prize money doesn’t go straight into bike maintenance! All in all, the Tulsa scene once again proved competitive and fun. Oklahoma really has it going on in terms of racing: great races, good competition, and always a healthy dose of post-race fun.  (October 15-16, 2010)

Team Kenda women are excited to return to the women’s U.S. peloton in 2011 and contest the National Racing Calendar (NRC). The team is entering its 12th year in women’s bicycle racing. “With the sluggish economy, our sponsors continue to put faith in our organization and we are very thankful,” remarked team manager Paul Forsythe. Banner sponsor, Kenda USA, expanded team support for 2011.

Team Kenda Women’s Cycling 2011 roster:

Amity Elliot (Nellysford, VA)
Ashley James (Delafield, WI)
Catherine Walberg (Topeka, KS)
Jacqueline Kurth (Palm City, FL)
Jen Greenberg-Crosby (Lansing, MI)
Jen Rasmusson (Ashburn, VA)
Jill Kislia (Louisville, CO)
Kat Clark (Pooler, GA)
Melissa Ross (Norwood, MA)
Mitzie Goldman (Dunwoody, GA)
Rebecca Blatt (West Hartford, CT)

Ashley James, 2009 USA Cycling U23 Women Cyclocross Champion in race mode. (Photo: Paul Forsythe)

Team Kenda brought back Rebecca Blatt after two season’s absence. Otherwise, the team did not add any new talent to its roster, but simply bolstered its Elite NRC team by promoting top performing regional racers such as Jill Kislia and Mitzie Goldman. Our team is about giving opportunity to hard working women whose dreams are to make it to the highest levels in women’s cycling. Kislia attacks on command like a “terminator.” She is very strong. Mitzie is an amazing climber. Both riders fit well into our game plan for 2011.

Ashley James is the current 2009 USA Cycling U23 Women Cyclocross Champion. She is a great all-rounder. Team Captain, Jacqueline Kurth, is only 19 years old. Jackie, the 2009 USA Cycling Junior Women 17-18 National Criterium Champion, has been racing since she was nine years old. “Jackie plans and reads races very well, and I feel that she can impart her knowledge and skills to the benefit of the team in this new role,” claims TM Paul Forsythe. “It is a logical career step for the Marian College scholarship rider, and Jackie is backed up by team veteran, Catherine Walberg, a solid performer on our team since year number two. It’s all good! I hope that I sound excited, because I am.”

Once again, the team looks forward to continue mentoring junior, collegiate, and master women racers.

Team Kenda Women’s Cycling sponsors include Kenda USA, Blue Competition Cycles, Plant Solutions, Verge, SRAM, Thomson, PowerBar, Rudy Project, Zipp Speed Weaponry, CycleOps, Terry Precision Cycling, Headsweats, Skins, Deen-Gross Eye Centers, Thule, Govert Auto Body, LifesportDR, Sportcrafters, Cateye, Ferguson & Associates, Hoo Ha Ride Glide, Anni Fanni, Richard Weiss Company, Inc, and Outlaw Earth.

About Team Kenda Women’s Cycling:  Team Kenda began in 1999 as Team Ameritech with nine riders who excelled at bicycle racing. Over the years, the team has steadily grown in size and now boasts NRC Elite, as well as Southeast, Mid-Atlantic Elite, Midwest, and West Regional Teams. The team competes in the United States focusing on the National Race Calendar (NRC). In 2010, the team finished 8th among 73 teams in the National Racing Calendar (NRC) Women’s Team competition. (http://www.teamkenda.com, www.facebook.com/teamkenda)

By Jacqueline Denny

Camp was an amazing experience! It was great to gain a connection to Benjamin Sharp, USA Cycling Junior Endurance Program Manager and his staff along with connecting with other junior athletes from around the nation.

I learned many skills at camp both on and off the bike. The classroom sessions covered topics such as nutrition, anti-doping, professionalism, cycling pathway, training, and other topics. The riding sessions included two time trial field tests to track our watt per kilogram ratios; in addition, to several long 3-4 hours sessions of bike riding plus practicing pacelines, group riding, and feed zones. Many of these skills are needed for Elite level competition.

One of the takeaways from the camp was that our dreams are reachable and we should have trust in our strength and push onward. At camp, they took us seriously, and encouraged me to follow my dreams. I had a total blast with the other athletes, and the whole experience is unforgettable. I loved it!

Another exiting part of the camp was to visit and ride on the 7-11 United States Olympic Training Center Velodrome along with the other junior women. USA Cycling is trying to develop the next generation of team pursuit athletes. It was my first time on a track, but I learned rather quickly, and I really enjoyed the time we spent there. I wish I had one near me, because I would ride it all the time. Riding the velodrome was a highlight of my trip.

My goal for next year is to be selected to and represent the United States in the in the Junior World Cycling Championships, and I feel this camp helped me progress towards this goal. I am so happy I got this opportunity, and I will cherish it forever!

Related Article:  Albershardt and Denny: National Junior Talent I.D. Camp Bound

By Kate Gracheck

It is hard to believe that two years ago I was preparing myself for my first round of chemotherapy, at the age of 29. A lot has happened in the past two years. I went from racing at the USA Cycling Collegiate National Championships straight into testing and treatment of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and back to USA Cycling National Masters Track Championships 11 months later. I won two national titles less than a year after my diagnosis and I attribute that to my good health. I often say that I was training for the toughest race of my life; I just didn’t realize it was cancer.

People wonder how somebody as young and healthy as me, somebody fit enough to race competitively at the USA Cycling Collegiate National Championships, was sick with cancer. Well, the reality of it was that I had been “sick” for quite awhile. Two years prior to my diagnosis, my massage therapist noticed little lumps by my collarbone. I had the lumps checked out by three different doctors and got the same message each time: You’re young, you’re healthy, you’re racing your bike, there’s no need to worry. They fostered my denial that nothing was wrong; however, two years later, the little lumps turned into golf-ball sized lumps and people started worrying. Fortunately, Hodgkin’s is a slow growing cancer and I still caught it in early stages and it was very treatable.

Having faced cancer myself, having endured chemotherapy and radiation, I have a special place in my heart for oncology research and advocacy. I was fortunate enough to participate in First Descents, a camp for young adult cancer patients and survivors. It literally was the best week of my life. We got to leave “life” behind and be real with other people who faced cancer. I have never laughed so hard in my life. I think cancer gives people a new perspective on life as well as a new appreciation for the simple things in life.

Two years later, I am in full health. And, despite crashing my bike at 40 mph and breaking my collarbone and fracturing three vertebrae this winter, I had the best season of my racing career and won the Colorado Velodrome Association Woman of the Year award. I do have hypothyroidism as a result of radiation but am able to treat that with synthetic hormones, supplements, and dietary restrictions. I am also finishing up my doctoral degree in clinical psychology and plan to graduate next summer.

Cancer was the worst thing that has ever happened to me; however, it also created opportunities and relationships that I would never have known otherwise. I look forward to future seasons racing on the road and track with hopes of more national titles in both. I look forward to becoming a psychologist and touching the lives of many. I look forward to helping other athletes achieve their dreams. I look forward to getting married and having children. Most of all, I look forward to every day and embracing life in the very moment rather than waiting for the future to happen.

If you would like to donate to First Descents, you can do so online now.

Race Report by:  Ashley James

Cyclocross is more of a goal for me this year than it was in the past. I’ve always loved cyclocross, but usually by the time fall rolls around, racing gets lost to school and other real world stuff I’ve tried to avoid during the road season.  This year I’m excited to be more focused on cyclocross and give it a try.  While I can’t do the entire USGP series, I’m going to get to do a good bit of racing in with USGP Louisville, Cincinnati UCI3, and a UCI race in NC- the North Carolina Grand Prix because it is right outside my new front door.

I had no expectations going into Planet Bike Cup. There were alot of quick women there and I was happy to just ride my race. This past year I’ve been getting coaching and training advice from Team Kenda’s own Paul Forsythe. He has helped me tremendously in preparing for these races. And although it’s a long way to Bend, Oregon from here, I’m excited to keep working this season.  Should I travel out to the National Cyclocross Championships, I’ll probably compete in the U23, Elite and Collegiate races.

Despite a 15 hour drive and Monday morning classes, I couldn’t miss the Planet Bike Cup for anything. It was an awesome experience to race with such talented women’s on a great course in my home state of Wisconsin. There’s nothing like racing on a course lined with overwhelmingly supportive, screaming, and of course heckling friends.

I was very pleased with finishing in the Top-10 on both days.  Finishing 10th on Saturday and an impressive 7th on Saturday provides me with a base to build upon.

Thank you Kenda USA and Blue Competition Cycles!

Race Report by Chris Wickard

Early in the season, I decided not to race the Chicago Triathlon.  I was focusing on Steelhead 70.3 and planned on taking August to recoup and prepare for USAT National Championship in September.  However, after two flat tires and my first DNF at Steelhead, I signed up for the Chicago Triathlon about 3 weeks prior to the race in the International Elite Amateur division.  Even though it was a last minute addition to my schedule, the Chicago Triathlon is definitely an “A” race.  The event brings out great domestic and international racers. 

The morning of the race, I woke up at 3:00 a.m. and was out the door by 3:15 a.m.  I ended up getting into transition around 4:30 a.m.  I quickly set-up my gear and talked with friends who I have met over my 13 years of racing.  Probably my favorite part of racing is the camaraderie with the other athletes. 

Transition closed promptly by 6:00 a.m.  The sprint participants start first followed by the Olympic distance participants.  I was in the 2nd elite wave which included all elite amateur females as well as the overflow of elite males.  I had just over an hour before the start which gave me the opportunity to stretch as well doing a short run.  As my wave time neared, I headed towards the swim start.  In my wave, hundreds of participants jumped in the water and waited for the horn to blow.  My background is swimming.  However, the swim at the Chicago Triathlon is ALWAYS brutal.  There was kicking, hitting and swimming over top of people which I don’t like to do but sometimes it has to been done (kidding!).  I was kicked several times which caused my goggles to fill with water.  I felt pretty good after the 1.5k swim but didn’t know my position once I exited the water.

I headed into T1 with Pam Jennings from California.  I met Pam at packet pick-up but didn’t know much about her except that she was hoping to get her pro card from this race.  I quickly put on my helmet and grabbed my bike.  I was excited to see what I could do on the bike leg since I just got my new Blue Triad SP a few weeks before the race.  I passed a few women from my wave on the first loop.  Heading into the 2nd loop, it looked like I was in 4th or 5th position.  Heading into T2, I glanced down at my computer to see that I averaged 23.5 for the 40k which is a PR for me at Chicago. 

I headed out of T2 ready for the 10k run.  I immediately passed another woman in my wave right out of transition.  Several spectators on the course that said I was in 4th position.  About a mile into the run, I passed another woman which put me into 3rd position.  Since there is a turnaround on the course, I was able to see that my friend, Christine Anderson, was in the lead with Pam behind her.  The heat was getting bad and I was focusing on maintaining a 6:45 pace.  I crossed the finish line in 3rd position and a PR by 40 seconds.  However later I found out that Christine who finished first was penalized which dropped her down to 6th position and moved me up to 2nd place.  All in all, I was very happy with my performance.  My new bike ROCKED and can’t wait to see how I perform in future races.

Team Kenda’s junior riders Addy Albershardt and Jacqueline Denny are headed to the National Junior Talent Identification Camp scheduled from October 7 to 11 in Colorado Springs, CO.  The National Talent Identification Camp is a program lead by the U.S. Cycling governing body for boys and girls between the ages of 14 to 18.

The annual National Talent Identification Camp at the Olympic Training Center features a variety of instructional activities and exercises designed to assess and track fitness levels, as well as educate the young riders on several key elements of becoming successful cyclists.  The camp also represents one of the many initiatives employed by the national governing body to facilitate the development of young men and women. As emerging talent goes, the participants of this camp aspire to become members of the U.S. Junior National Team which represents the United States at international competition across the world.

Written by Jamie Beal

Jamie on the bike portion of the event

The Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin stop for the 2010 Danskin Triathlon series took place on Sunday, August 22nd.  Race conditions were near perfect with temperatures in the upper 70’s, winds at 7-10 mph, and plenty of sunshine.   1500 Women came out to race in support of Breast Cancer Research, and we were all welcomed by friendly volunteers who saw that the race went off flawlessly.

The swim course was a .5 mile straight route across the lake.  The only hazard to the swim was the bottleneck of women within the last 100 yards of the swim finish.  The 12 mile bike course touted very good road conditions and was very well marked.  Local police and volunteers did a great job of traffic control.  The course was relatively flat with a few rolling hills.  My Blue T-12 bike led me to the fastest bike split of the day at 32:03 for an average of 22.4 mph.  The 5k run took place on the paved path surrounding the lake.  The course was flat and fast and had aid stations at miles one and two.  My overall finish for the day was 10th and I finished 2nd in my division with a total time of 01:09:57.  It was a great race, for a great cause, and I would highly recommend it to 1st timers as well as seasoned triathletes!

Race Report by Jacqueline Denny

Podium Presentation: Team Kenda Women Addy Albershardt (left) and Jacqueline Denny (center) {Photo by Heidi Swift}

During the week of  June 22 to 27, I traveled to Bend, Oregon to race in the U.S.A. Cycling Elite/U23/Juniors Road National Championships. This was my target race of the year, and the race I looked forward to the most. I have spent many hours training and dreaming about this race. We arrived in Bend a few days before the first race to ride the courses again. I had done this race last year so I had a general idea of what I was getting into.

Road Race/Criterium (Women 15 to 16): The road race and criterium were a disappointment for me. I entered the races pumped up to race, but my body was physically off its game. I am not sure what exactly was the issue, altitude could have played a role due to the symptoms I had. I knew that this performance was not my usual, so I decided not to let them get me down. Races like that only make you stronger and make you desire the win even more.

Time trial (Women 15 to 16): I really love this time trial course. I mentally went into the race telling myself, “it’s a brand new day anything can happen”. I was focused and I was really feeling better than I had felt the other two days. I had the last start time from my group, so I had good competition as carrots in front of me. I began the race and I realized I was finally feeling like my normal self. I could breathe a lot better, and my body was responding the way it normally has. I pushed the course to my limits and rode the best I could. I had caught some riders which really spurred me on. I flew down the course on the way back and was really excited with how I was racing. I crossed the line and the announcer said I was in first. Since I was last to start I knew I had won. The feeling is indescribable and I am so blessed to be called National Champion against such a strong field of junior women. Later that night we had the podium presentation where I was able to share it with my teammate Addy Albershardt which made it even better. Earning the Stars and Stripes jersey was unbelievable and a great finish to an unforgettable U.S.A. Cycling Elite/U23/Juniors Road National Championships.

The U.S.A. Cycling Elite/U23/Juniors Road National Championships was a ton of fun. It’s the one of the only times during the year that I get to see my friends from all over the country. I definitely made friendships that will last a lifetime. After floating the river with friends on a blow up turtle raft, going shopping, and cheering on my friends in the other races; I knew this was one of the best times of my life. I will never forget the time spent in Bend, Oregon and with my win I look forward to what the future brings. Hopefully it brings me to Europe and jump starts my career in cycling. I can’t wait for next year and I am really motivated for this year’s training. It is definitely worth it!

Race Report by:  Addy Albershardt

I traveled to the U.S.A. Cycling Elite/U23/Juniors Road National Championships in Bend, OR to compete during the week of June 22 to 27.

I was really excited to come to nationals, I didn’t have high expectations coming into the week because it was my first nationals, but I did want to at least podium.  All year I have been training really hard.  Going to the mountains several times a month because we don’t have any mountains in Charlotte, NC and I would train on my time trial bike two to three times a week.  This was my first trip to the west coast and I heard great things about Bend, Oregon.  When I first arrived in Bend, it was really dry and cold and I thought that I was going to have a hard week because of the weather.  Luckily the week we were in Bend was the nicest week that Bend has had all year, so I guess we got lucky.  

Tuesday, June 22 (Road Race)  The course was a 5k circuit around a hilly golf course and 30 strong girls began the race.  The first two laps were slow and cat and mouse games were played.  The speed would go from 10 mph to 30 mph.  On the 3rd lap a gap of seven got away due to a technical, fast corner.  I knew right away that the gap would turn into a break, so I decided to bridge the gap; one other rider went with me.  The gap turned into two minutes and I didn’t this we could bridge up.  Slowly the two minute gap reduced and with about two miles to go we caught the break.  The finish was down hill into a sharp right turn with a 100 meter home straight.  Going through the corner there was a crash that I got caught behind and I finished 7th out of the 9.

Wednesday, June 23 (Criterium)  The course was flat, very technical with technical turns; it was just under 1k long with seven turns.  The race started fast from the line with 30 girls starting.  Averaging around 25-28 mph attacks and counter attacks were happening all night.  I finished 11th.

Thursday, June 24 (Individual Time Trial)  Today was the big day, I love to time trial and I would say its one of my strengths.  The course begun with four-turns to get out of Summit High School, after the turns was an upgrade going out some spots were, 10% grade, and at the seven-mile turn around.  After the turn around, the rest was downhill, literally.  I knew to go all out on the way out and give it anything I had left coming back.  9 seconds was the difference between me and the gold medal.  I was very happy to get 2nd place because this was my very first nationals and I had a not-so-lucky week, so it was nice to finish the week off on the podium for the race of the truth.

The first morning I raced, I was really nervous because I didn’t know what to expect.  The average number of girls for the races was about 30 and I thought that there was going to be less girls than that, I also thought that the competition was going to be really difficult but really a lot of girls got dropped from all the races.  And there were no race tactics between teams because everyone wants to win.  I met new girls that live all over the country and we all became best friends really fast.  One of the best things during the week was in Bend there is a frozen yogurt shop called “Cuppa Yo”.  The catchy name made the frozen treat taste even better with endless choices of toppings and all for a cheap price his is a place I wish was in Charlotte.  I am pretty sure that every racer that came through Bend went to Cuppa Yo.  This was a trip I would never forget.