Another race in the books! The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for sure and I wasn’t sure if I was going to race the Kamikaze games or not with Brian in the ICU two weeks before. But….I made the trip, not alone thank goodness, and was stoked to have the final race under my belt.

Before I left, I made sure Brian had his cooler packed by the couch and had people checking in on him over the weekend. I picked up Dillon bright and early and we made the trek through Yosemite to the beautiful Mammoth Mountains. (Our drive wasn’t without some silliness with my little Bae!)

We showed up to the condo and met friends, Jordan Hartman, Tylor Giger and Teamie Evan Geankoplis and got ready to pre-ride. I was a little nervous for the weekend as Brian had almost died from his injuries due to a crash and Dillon broke his thumb on the same trip two weeks prior… So my goal was to have fun and, as my mom says, STAY ON THE BIKE!!

The first run went awesome, it was my favorite run of the day from the top of the mountain all the way to the bottom! It was Tylor, Jordan and I riding together and we headed up for the second run which was Bullet. It was Jordan first, then me and then Tylor…the top section went well so we headed to the lower section. Unfortunately, Jordan went super fast through this one techy section and hit a tree going about 25mph and…. I saw the WHOLE THING! I thought he was dead at first, he hit the tree straight on super fast! I waited for the next guy to come up behind me so we didn’t cause a massive pile up and I ran towards Jordan to check on him. He was definitely a little shaken up and I had him sit aside so we could do a body inventory. Luckily for us a medic was headed up the hill to check on someone else with a broken collar bone but he stopped to help Jordan out. He was super nice and got Jordan down to the condo so he could get to the hospital. Jordan had to make it a little exciting for the nurses so he decided to pass out while going in for the xray!!! Crazy boy!! He ended up breaking his collar bone and was beat up from the feet up, but for the most part was a VERY LUCKY GUY!!!

Tylor and I headed up to do the rest of our runs which went well so we headed to the condo for some dinner. I don’t think I could have had a more fun group of friends to stay with, we were all laughing and having fun the whole time!! Plus Brian joined us for the trip too. 😉

The next day all of us tried to stay calm and not get too nervous as we didn’t race until Sunday. Tylor, Jordan and I packed a picnic and headed to Lake Mary where we sat on the beach and swapped stories with a nice scuba diver we met.

The next morning we were up bright and early as our practice was from 7:00-7:45. Tylor and I were able to get two runs in and we were ready to race. I lined up first as the Pro Men and Women were the first to go. The first run was on Bullet and I felt pretty good (I heard Dillon cheering in the rock garden), I nailed all my lines and most important I stayed on the bike. The nice part about this race was that we ended up at the Canyon Lodge each time, so I didn’t need to carry extra water or my enduro hip pack!

I pedaled up to the next transfer where we got on a short lift to start the next segment, which was probably one of the more pedally segments. I felt ok pedaling through the stage, then I got to the infamous “Elevator Shaft” (Where I heard Dillon cheering again!) a super steep hill that has very deep pumice and you are pretty much out of control the whole time. My foot came unclipped about halfway through, but I was able to get my foot back on and sketch out the rest of the hill. HAHA!!

Watch Jordan’s video of me here!

I then headed up to the 3rd stage, the one from the top of the mountain all the way down to the lodge. We got to ride the gondola up and I got to chat with my new friends Amber and Kristen. We got to the top and took off for the long descent! Again, I had a good run and didn’t have any get offs and I heard Dillon cheering for me again!

I then took the last lift up for the last run of the day, I was so ready to be done!! The elevation kills me up there! I had a good last run and only had one little half tip over but made it all the way to the bottom pretty much unscathed!! I ran into Tylor who wasn’t able to finish the race due to some mechanicals, so we headed to the condo to get everything packed for the drive home.

As soon as I got to the condo I had a breakdown, I think I was just so physically and mentally exhausted from the last few weeks. I didn’t realize how much energy that all really took out of me. I saw the times and was definitely bummed I didn’t do better. I felt good and didn’t have any crashes, but my body just wasn’t where it should have been for the last race. I ended up 5th for the day and 3rd overall for the series. Lauren Gregg ended up in 2nd for the series as I only had a 3 point lead on her coming into the last race. The Rabobank Team ended up 2nd overall on the podium too!

Overall it was a great season!! I couldn’t have done it without all of my amazing sponsors especially Marin Bikes and Rabobank!! The season had it’s ups and downs, but we are so lucky to get to do what we love every day and I wouldn’t change it for the world!!

I don’t know about you, but this video of the infamous Juliette brings a smile to my face every time I watch it.

Video from Jean Girard, Facebook link here: https://www.facebook.com/kotomile/videos/10206228170414870/?pnref=story

This video was taken at our local track, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during their monthly Twilight Ride last night. Us locals are fortunate to have this track open up one night a month where you can come out with your bike and go down the famous “Corkscrew” which is SO MUCH FUN, just like Juliette’s facial expressions imply.

This is what I get to see anytime I work with young kids on bikes. They are fearless, excited and always wanting to do new things. There is something to be said about letting go of the brakes and just enjoying the ride!

Now stop replaying the video and get out on your bike and smile!

Have you ever heard of Cryotherapy, Advanced Ice Therapy? Neither had I! But when I was at the Ferrari Event, there was a silent auction and one of the auction items was a Starter Package from GLACÉ CRYOTHERAPY.  As a cyclist I am familiar with the concept of ice baths which constrict blood vessels, flush waste products and reduce swelling and tissue breakdown, it helps with recovery and I think my legs feel refreshed after. So I thought I would get it as a gift for Brian!

I was a little jealous that Brian was going to use the package as I secretly wanted it for myself. Well….it turned out that after my crash up at Northstar, Brian thought I should use it. I checked with my Doctor to see if he thought it was a good idea and he thought it was a great idea! He said it would help with the inflammation and might even help with the pain in my leg.

So I called to set up an appointment and Brittney, one of the owners, said no appointment necessary and to come on by. She explained that the process would take less than 15 minutes from the time I walk in until the time I leave, so I went on by after work. I had to fill out an information sheet asking about some health questions to make sure I was ok to go on in. She then walked me into the dressing room and told me to put on a pair of socks, boots (they are scuba diving boots), a pair of gloves and a robe. I got dressed and walked into the back where they have their cryosauna. I got in and she shut the door and asked for the robe!! She said you can go up to 3 minutes in the cryosauna, but you still get the benefits from less time so if at any time I was uncomfortable I could stop. I told her I’m a tough girl and that I was going to go the full 3 min!! 🙂

My fashionable outfit                              My papa trying it out for the first time!

It definitely gets cold but it’s not unbearable, just don’t let the -270 degrees fool you! I am usually a hot person, so the cold is really refreshing for me! It helped to talk to Brittney to help the time go by so I wasn’t just thinking about how cold it was. I made it the whole 3 minutes and Brittney said I did really good, and that most people don’t go for the full time for the first visit.

When the time was up I got the robe back and hopped out to get changed. The first time they checked my skin temperature, it was 34 degrees (my lowest skin temp to date was 20*!)!! I felt so good after, my skin was cold and my leg felt better! Brittney told me that the more consistently I could come the better it would be for my recovery.

So I went 3 times the first week and every time I went I could tell it was really helping my leg recover. I went to the doctor the next week for a follow up and he said the bruising looked way better and I told him it was feeling better too. He said he was excited to try it out for himself!

I have now gone 8 times and my bruising is almost completely gone and I have been feeling better every day. I’m pretty sure Brittney and her brother Skyler are getting tired of seeing me so much!! They are really great and Skyler is the “Science Guy” so he really explains what is going on.

Here is what happens during and after the session: During vasoconstriction, toxins continue to be flushed from muscle and skin surface tissue. Red blood cells are enriched with oxygen, nutrients and enzymes. Upon exiting the Cryosauna when the Cryotherapy session is over, the body vasodilates and the enriched blood is released back to the skin surface tissues, muscle tissues, and joint spaces that have been flushed of toxins. After the session you may experience what is known as the “Cryo Rush”, a warm tingling sensation throughout the body, elevated alertness and overall sense of well being, similar to a runners high.

You can find out more about Brittney and Skyler, brother and sister and owners of GLACÉ CRYOTHERAPY by clicking here.

For my local friends there is a GLACÉ  CRYOTHERAPY location in Carmel at The Barnyard. There is also a location in San Jose and San Francisco, for my Oregon friends, there is a location in Medford. For all of my other friends you will have to find your local Cryotherapy location. 🙂

Happy Freezing!

Scott at Called to Creation captured this great shot of Brian near the Bottom of Boondocks – one of the most technical stages of the day, saved for last after 2 very physically demanding, pedal intense stages. Not to be outdone, the lead-in to Boondocks was a lung searing fire-road pedal that sapped strength and dulled focus prior to a trail that demanded both attributes in arguabally larger doses than any other trail on the day. What a great way to finish up day one – A generous helping of fatigue with a cross-eyed desert of white knuckle fun!

The calm before the storm. Day one dawned with perfect weather conditions for round 5 of the California Enduro Series held at Northstar’s extremely popular bike park. My Cupertino Bike Shop IBIS HD is all fresh and excited to get this party started! The Fox Float X2 Shock proved to be the perfect addition for the DH oriented and more technical trails offered at Northstar.

The Pro’s up front listening to riders meeting with Round 1, Battle Born Enduro Winner, Doug Thayer front, center and ready to shred! A close look reveals the Rabobank clad sleeve of 3rd place pro woman on the weekend, Amy Morrison who used her Northstar expertise to come back from further down the result sheet on Saturday night.

Waiting is part of the game with Enduro racing – especially it seems, at the first stage. At least the company is always good with some of the finest friends and bikers you could ever hope to meet hanging out and ready to rip! Here, Northstar Team Giant/Fox rider, Jordan Hartman and Trail Head Racing Ashton Smith are discussing techniques to nail the “Speed Trap” presented by THR on Sunday!

While waiting can be painful in it’s own right, heaving your guts out is also part of the game – if the game is played properly I’m told. Bikes resting, riders resting and muscles on fire, lungs burning and standing is definitely considered a chore at this point! On the left, Liam Ruff took the win in the highly competitive Expert Boy’s U18 class and Noah “Bear Bait” Catropa backed up his Ashland win with a solid 3rd place in Expert Men 19-29 riding for Ashland Mountain Adventures!

Dropping into the final stage on Sunday, the “Top to Bottom” run from Tahoe Trail, down Sinous, Karpiel, Speed Control, Lower Sticks & Stones to the Daytona Berms…and it was a burner! Moral is still high with Zack Peterson and Liam amping up for the approximately 8 minute stage!

Best lube bro! Seriously. Guys were re-applying lube during the day and my Dumonde Tech Regular Pro X Formula was flawless all weekend. I’ve been successfully using stuff all year and it is nice to find products that work so well. Last year, I also carried a spare chain lube in the tool bag, but this year, I’ve lightened the load and had no troubles since making the switch.

The SLO (as in San Luis Obispo BRO!) contingent was in full force with Brian Koch, Taylor Congdon and friends always wearing a smile and ready to get rowdy! Taylor chased me on Sunday’s stage 5, Sticks & Stones and I pedaled for my life knowing his DH acumen – talk about good incentive to give it your all!

The Scotts Valley Cycle Sport / Valhalla Builders Team is the epitome of Enduro racing – they are always a group of full throttle, fun loving, good time having Bro’s who get what riding bikes is all about. Not only is this great group of guys fast on the trail, but they are true sportsman as well – saving my bacon at China Peak by producing an elusive tool that I was in dire need of for that event. Are you guys taking resume’s for next year? Seriously, this team is stepping up at every race and has the dank style award on lock! 118 Nicky D was slowed by a mechanical but Mitch “Ropo” Pisclotta held down a solid top 10 in the highly competitve Expert 18-29 class.

Bear Bait! Ever the fashionista showing that while anyone can tuck a jersey into their shorts, it takes a special swagger to tuck your shorts into your knee pads! This is how they roll in Ashland…

EJ! Need we say more? Team Santa Cruz / Fox’s Enduro Jesus is as Enduro as…well Jesus! And we all know the trails in heaven are steep, lumpy and offer perfect traction every single day!

I’m not sure there are many other sports where the top competitors are as stoked to compete as they are to simply just enjoy ripping and shredding trails with their buds. Here Santa Cruz Nomad / Fox DHX2 rider Tim Krentz and Cannondale Overmountain Team rider Marco Osborne are stoked to have battled over the course of 2 days, 5 tests and maybe 1 or 2 Northstar rocks in order to have secured the top 2 spots on the podium with Tim up top and Marco a respectable 2nd. This is just prior to them dropping into the final stage 6 on Sunday.

Go Time! That moment with the nerves are high, the focus higher and the only thing you are thinking is “get clipped in and don’t fall over in front of everyone…”

Last

Run

Home

With another solid weekend in the books, we can’t wait to see what the final round will bring at Mammoth’s Kamikaze Games! By far, our favorite event of the year in 2014, we have high expectations for a weekend full of fun this year, too!

In the interest of timeliness over quality, here is a quick (maybe) and dirty (very) run down of the 2015 / 20th running of Downieville Classic – one of our all time favorite events in one of our all time favorite locations!

Full. Complete. UTTER EXHAUSTION. That is the only way you know you gave everything to the Downieville Classic in exchange for the opportunity to test yourself and push your limits in a way not easily replicated.

The Cabin Crew: Steve, Bri, Brian, Evan, Jett and Tera!

Our pal Steve Lewis shows what it’s like to have left everything on the trail. In his first attempt he put up a solid XC time and pulled though a broken dropper post and loss of the front brake to nail down a strong DH run, too! Thanks for all of your incredible help, support and enthusiasm!

This year we were lucky enough to have Jett Chandler join us for the weekend. Although not able to nab an AM entry, he brought his hardtail and a strong shot of courage to test his mettle. It proved quite good initially as he was in the leading climbing group before succumbing to a bit of a leg issue. His maiden voyage down the course was not kind as he sampled a few dirt and rock treats, but made it through with what only amounted to a bite from the course that will be sure to see him infected with a strong desire to return for revenge…

Before and After!

Marin / Rabobank was in full effect as Brianne was rocking her Marin Mt. Vision 140mm travel bike and Evan was going big on his 160mm Attack Trail. Race prepped in the secret dungeon of performance and ready to shred!

Brianne with Jake and Nye Yakle. Both boys put up some super fast times this weekend!!

It’s rare, but Clark doesn’t hate everyone. Turns out Jett has a good soul and Clark loves him!! New friends are a tradition of Downieville for sure!

Bri found Carli and Ben after the race!

There is no way that our tribe could have put down such great results without the help of our super supportive families who also take the weekend to enjoy the mountains and cheer on some bike racing! One thing we love about bike racing is the great family atmosphere and it truly takes and army to support this band of ragged misfits. Brian, Kim, Kris and Joe put out huge amounts of effort all weekend to ensure a successful cause! Enjoying the weekend with great friends and family only serves to make the experience all the more memorable!

The one and only Billy Damon with Steve and Brian

One thing that is undeniable about this race, is that you know the strongest competition, comprised of the fastest, fittest, most well rounded riders will make an appearance. Bringing your “A game” is not essential, it’s required.  With Bri and Brett hitting their goal times and so many of our friends landing on the podium, it really is a weekend experience that creates lasting memories. Brian loves his IBIS HD3 and it landed him a personal best 3rd XC.

Daniel Kuhn captured the last dirt corner before the red carpet stroll to the finish line. At this point, the reserves are depleted. The tank is empty. The metaphors have run out. It’s you against the hardest gear you dare in your quest to scrub every last second from your ultimate finish time. Well done and well deserved. The 2015 Downieville Classic did not disappoint in creating another landmark experience for our tribe. Now it’s time to hit the river and clean up!