Amanda Miller

Old Capitol Criterium

After Saturday’s Road Race, I have to admit my spirits were a little low. The weather though was AWESOME! Actually, it was a little to warm for just spectating, but you didn’t notice it while racing. The same faces lined up as Saturday’s race, with a few more from the IS Corp team. I knew who to watch, so did my best at doing so. Our race was 20 laps. They through out 3 primes. The first one Sydney Brown and Catherine Walberg took off for. The two held a gap for a few laps. Fortunantly the chase pack decided they didn’t want those two to win the race that early on. So we chased and caught them. Then the race slowed down. It was actually a pretty slow race when the group was together. We came through the start/finish and I looked up at the miles per hour speed thing-a-ma-bob they had set up and we were going 13 MILES PER HOUR…come on! Sure I could have done something about it, but I didn’t. I was alone in the group and there were several other teams represented with multiple numbers. Anyway, eventually Cathrine and Sydney got off again during a prime lap. This time the group did nothing about it. A few Mercy riders took turns chasing, I think I might have pulled through once, and a few other people made some attempts. Nothing closed the gap. Those two were gone. They really didn’t have a huge gap on us…maybe 15 seconds. We just couldn’t do it for some reason. Towards the end another girl took a flier and held it for 3rd. Now it came down to a sprint for 4th. Coming into the last lap I was cooked. I really was expecting to get shelled at the top of the hill. However, I kept on the gas and stuck with the group. Through the last corner I thought I had really screwed myself over with my positioning as someone had already taken the wheel I wanted. I took the corner on the inside, sprinting against Anne Meyer, from Mercy Specialized. It reminded me just like Eagle Point. The finish probably looked the same too! Anne got me AGAIN by about half a wheel. I need to practice my sprinting and/or bike throw or something! That’s why I’m hitting up Night at the Oval tomorrow night. And, I’m considering doing the A’s race! I took 5th in the crit. I was alright with that as it covered entry fees for the weekend and parking. Not sure about the gas side of it though…stupid gas prices anyway! Even though I was hoping for better results, I learned what I need to work on for the rest of the season. I’ll post more about that later on in the week. Now it’s time for bed. Next race other than tomorrow night is Camp Ingawanis Mountain Bike Race on Sunday in Waverly. Need to decide what race I am going to do though…Expert or Sport? Good night!
-A

P.S. I’ll be posting pictures soon!

Old Capitol Criterium

After Saturday’s Road Race, I have to admit my spirits were a little low. The weather though was AWESOME! Actually, it was a little to warm for just spectating, but you didn’t notice it while racing. The same faces lined up as Saturday’s race, with a few more from the IS Corp team. I knew who to watch, so did my best at doing so. Our race was 20 laps. They through out 3 primes. The first one Sydney Brown and Catherine Walberg took off for. The two held a gap for a few laps. Fortunantly the chase pack decided they didn’t want those two to win the race that early on. So we chased and caught them. Then the race slowed down. It was actually a pretty slow race when the group was together. We came through the start/finish and I looked up at the miles per hour speed thing-a-ma-bob they had set up and we were going 13 MILES PER HOUR…come on! Sure I could have done something about it, but I didn’t. I was alone in the group and there were several other teams represented with multiple numbers. Anyway, eventually Cathrine and Sydney got off again during a prime lap. This time the group did nothing about it. A few Mercy riders took turns chasing, I think I might have pulled through once, and a few other people made some attempts. Nothing closed the gap. Those two were gone. They really didn’t have a huge gap on us…maybe 15 seconds. We just couldn’t do it for some reason. Towards the end another girl took a flier and held it for 3rd. Now it came down to a sprint for 4th. Coming into the last lap I was cooked. I really was expecting to get shelled at the top of the hill. However, I kept on the gas and stuck with the group. Through the last corner I thought I had really screwed myself over with my positioning as someone had already taken the wheel I wanted. I took the corner on the inside, sprinting against Anne Meyer, from Mercy Specialized. It reminded me just like Eagle Point. The finish probably looked the same too! Anne got me AGAIN by about half a wheel. I need to practice my sprinting and/or bike throw or something! That’s why I’m hitting up Night at the Oval tomorrow night. And, I’m considering doing the A’s race! I took 5th in the crit. I was alright with that as it covered entry fees for the weekend and parking. Not sure about the gas side of it though…stupid gas prices anyway! Even though I was hoping for better results, I learned what I need to work on for the rest of the season. I’ll post more about that later on in the week. Now it’s time for bed. Next race other than tomorrow night is Camp Ingawanis Mountain Bike Race on Sunday in Waverly. Need to decide what race I am going to do though…Expert or Sport? Good night!
-A

P.S. I’ll be posting pictures soon!

Iowa City Road Race

This will be a brief update for a few reasons. #1 I’m tired and need to sleep. #2 I really don’t have much to say about the race because I’d rather forget about it, but live and learn…and that I did. That’s what it’s all about!

Surprisingly enough, 29 women started the race (mix of Women’s Open and Women’s Cat. 4). Definitely some large numbers for an Iowa race. I was impressed. The field was pretty stacked with Corey from Team Kenda, Anne Meyer and Kim Eppen from ICCC, Sydney Brown from Lincoln Plating, and several others. The first half lap was pretty tame. It was a little sketchy riding in that big of a pack and not knowing everyone’s capabilities.

Eventually people started attacking. The field wittled down to about 15 riders (just a guess). I was talking to Sydney, and the next minute there was a break away with 5 riders. WHAT?? When did that happen. I must have been asleep or something, really don’t know how that happen. Ok, so I missed the break. It happened close to the tail wind section, which was harder sometimes than the headwind sections. The break away was within reaching distance, but we just couldn’t get organized to do some chasing. Eventually 4 riders pulled away from the chase group and I was left with two other riders to work with. Bummer. That’s where I got the live and learn thing from. I should have been paying attention, but I wasn’t. Oh well. I don’t think I could have held it in the break anyway. My legs felt like crap today. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I really have no excuses for finishing 11th in the race. Not what I was hoping for but oh well. I did learn quite a bit though, one being that I need to do more actual road races. I try to avoid them because I think they are boring. Anyway, that’s all I have for now. Hopefully tomorrows race report will be a little more interesting. Good night!
-A

Iowa City Road Race

This will be a brief update for a few reasons. #1 I’m tired and need to sleep. #2 I really don’t have much to say about the race because I’d rather forget about it, but live and learn…and that I did. That’s what it’s all about!

Surprisingly enough, 29 women started the race (mix of Women’s Open and Women’s Cat. 4). Definitely some large numbers for an Iowa race. I was impressed. The field was pretty stacked with Corey from Team Kenda, Anne Meyer and Kim Eppen from ICCC, Sydney Brown from Lincoln Plating, and several others. The first half lap was pretty tame. It was a little sketchy riding in that big of a pack and not knowing everyone’s capabilities.

Eventually people started attacking. The field wittled down to about 15 riders (just a guess). I was talking to Sydney, and the next minute there was a break away with 5 riders. WHAT?? When did that happen. I must have been asleep or something, really don’t know how that happen. Ok, so I missed the break. It happened close to the tail wind section, which was harder sometimes than the headwind sections. The break away was within reaching distance, but we just couldn’t get organized to do some chasing. Eventually 4 riders pulled away from the chase group and I was left with two other riders to work with. Bummer. That’s where I got the live and learn thing from. I should have been paying attention, but I wasn’t. Oh well. I don’t think I could have held it in the break anyway. My legs felt like crap today. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I really have no excuses for finishing 11th in the race. Not what I was hoping for but oh well. I did learn quite a bit though, one being that I need to do more actual road races. I try to avoid them because I think they are boring. Anyway, that’s all I have for now. Hopefully tomorrows race report will be a little more interesting. Good night!
-A

Eagle Point Criterium

I’m started to feel better and hopefully I can shake this cold before next weekend. Up next is Old Capitol Criterium. I don’t think I can race on Saturday now. I all of a sudden am scheduled to work at the shop after I’ve been scheduled off for a week now…what kind of BS is that? Might have to call in sick. Anyway, that’s all for now. I’ll try to post some pictures from the race eventually. They will be located under the picture tab. Take care and good night!

-A

Eagle Point Criterium

I’m started to feel better and hopefully I can shake this cold before next weekend. Up next is Old Capitol Criterium. I don’t think I can race on Saturday now. I all of a sudden am scheduled to work at the shop after I’ve been scheduled off for a week now…what kind of BS is that? Might have to call in sick. Anyway, that’s all for now. I’ll try to post some pictures from the race eventually. They will be located under the picture tab. Take care and good night!

-A

Sylvan Island Stampede

First mountain bike race of the season is in the books. The weather was awesome for today’s race. The course was in great shape, even after the rain/snow we had last week. I was a little nervous about what I was getting myself into when I opted out of the Finchford Roubaix to go to Sylvan Island. I hate racing in mud. Fortunantly, I didn’t have to do that today. There was a great turnout. 14 women started the race 2 minutes behind the 66 sport men riders. So imagine, 80 riders over a 3 mile trail. Pretty crazy stuff. I was happy at the amount of women that showed up. Probably the largest women’s mountain bike field that I’ve been in so far.

About the course: It’s flat. Ok, I take that back. There’s possibly 3 short “mounds” that are less than 10 feet tall. The course is crazy technical. Trees, rocks, ruts, roots, concrete, walls, you name it – it was probably out there. I don’t know how many times my pedal clipped something on the inside of a corner. All in all though, it was fun! I only “wrecked” once. I didn’t fall on the ground though. My bike kind of went out from under me. It was a strange thing.

They made us wear timing chips around out ankles. Kind of neat I suppose. At least it told us our lap times, etc. at the end of the race. So after the offical remembered that the women were starting 2 minutes back, the race was off. If I would have been thinking correctly (which I wasn’t and will explain why eventually) I would have locked out my fork and put it in the big ring. But anyway, we had a long open stretch before reaching single track. I hammered as fast as I could to be the first one in. Not sure what my speeds were…maybe 23-25mph. I got a gap and held it. Soon enough I was catching the sport men’s field. For the most part the moved out of the way when I asked. A few didn’t, but might not of heard me since I had no voice. Yes, I’m sick still. I have a cold and was up half the night coughing. That’s why I had no voice, because of the coughing. Anyway, not sure how many people I passed. I just tried to keep a rhythm. The laps went by fast. At the end of the race my arms could feel the 15 miles I had just done. They were a bit sore. Otherwise, I ended up first in the Women’s race with a time of 1:11:16. My average was 12.6mph. Lap times go as follow: Lap 1 – 14:11 Lap 2 – 14:19 Lap 3 – 14:10 Lap 4 -14:21 Lap 5 – 14:13. Overall this would have put me in 25th place. I’m not sure about that though because of the 2 minute wait and what not. I don’t know how they started the timing chips. Anyway, fun race. It was very well promoted, lots of racers, lots of spectators, and I even saw some clips on tonights 10:00 news. Next up: Eagle Point Crit. Now it’s off to get rid of this cold! Pictures to come later on in the week hopefully. Have a good one!
-A

Sylvan Island Stampede

First mountain bike race of the season is in the books. The weather was awesome for today’s race. The course was in great shape, even after the rain/snow we had last week. I was a little nervous about what I was getting myself into when I opted out of the Finchford Roubaix to go to Sylvan Island. I hate racing in mud. Fortunantly, I didn’t have to do that today. There was a great turnout. 14 women started the race 2 minutes behind the 66 sport men riders. So imagine, 80 riders over a 3 mile trail. Pretty crazy stuff. I was happy at the amount of women that showed up. Probably the largest women’s mountain bike field that I’ve been in so far.

About the course: It’s flat. Ok, I take that back. There’s possibly 3 short “mounds” that are less than 10 feet tall. The course is crazy technical. Trees, rocks, ruts, roots, concrete, walls, you name it – it was probably out there. I don’t know how many times my pedal clipped something on the inside of a corner. All in all though, it was fun! I only “wrecked” once. I didn’t fall on the ground though. My bike kind of went out from under me. It was a strange thing.

They made us wear timing chips around out ankles. Kind of neat I suppose. At least it told us our lap times, etc. at the end of the race. So after the offical remembered that the women were starting 2 minutes back, the race was off. If I would have been thinking correctly (which I wasn’t and will explain why eventually) I would have locked out my fork and put it in the big ring. But anyway, we had a long open stretch before reaching single track. I hammered as fast as I could to be the first one in. Not sure what my speeds were…maybe 23-25mph. I got a gap and held it. Soon enough I was catching the sport men’s field. For the most part the moved out of the way when I asked. A few didn’t, but might not of heard me since I had no voice. Yes, I’m sick still. I have a cold and was up half the night coughing. That’s why I had no voice, because of the coughing. Anyway, not sure how many people I passed. I just tried to keep a rhythm. The laps went by fast. At the end of the race my arms could feel the 15 miles I had just done. They were a bit sore. Otherwise, I ended up first in the Women’s race with a time of 1:11:16. My average was 12.6mph. Lap times go as follow: Lap 1 – 14:11 Lap 2 – 14:19 Lap 3 – 14:10 Lap 4 -14:21 Lap 5 – 14:13. Overall this would have put me in 25th place. I’m not sure about that though because of the 2 minute wait and what not. I don’t know how they started the timing chips. Anyway, fun race. It was very well promoted, lots of racers, lots of spectators, and I even saw some clips on tonights 10:00 news. Next up: Eagle Point Crit. Now it’s off to get rid of this cold! Pictures to come later on in the week hopefully. Have a good one!
-A

Colds

Ugh I hate being sick. There’s a bug going around here and I’ve caught it. I went outside and rode today anyways. Not sure if that was the brightest thing to do. I wanted to test out the new mountain bike before this weekend (depending on the weather). Seems to ride nice on the road anyway. I felt comfortable on it and didn’t have to make any adjustments to the seat height or handlebars. Now if only the trails would dry out so I could see how it handles!

This morning I woke up to snow on the ground. Crazy weather! It wasn’t much by any means. It warmed up later on and by the time I rode this evening, the wind had died down and the sun was out. Awesome evening for a little ride around town.

Still not sure what I’m doing this weekend for racing. I was tossing the idea of going to the Crowder mountain bike race in Missouri if the weather up here was going to be crappy. But it looks like they are getting more precipation than us, so I ruled that out. As long as it doesn’t rain/snow again in Moline, I think Sylvan Island will be alright. Looks to be a 40% chance of rain/snow on Saturday morning. Bummer. I guess if it rains too much, I’ll be at Finchford. I’ve only ridden the new road bike twice. Seems to ride pretty well. I did notice that it was smoother over rough stuff than the Cannondale. I have no idea how it compares as far as stiffness. I haven’t sprinted on it and most likely wouldn’t be able to tell the difference anyway. Well that’s all for now. Off to bed to get rid of this cold!
-A

Colds

Ugh I hate being sick. There’s a bug going around here and I’ve caught it. I went outside and rode today anyways. Not sure if that was the brightest thing to do. I wanted to test out the new mountain bike before this weekend (depending on the weather). Seems to ride nice on the road anyway. I felt comfortable on it and didn’t have to make any adjustments to the seat height or handlebars. Now if only the trails would dry out so I could see how it handles!

This morning I woke up to snow on the ground. Crazy weather! It wasn’t much by any means. It warmed up later on and by the time I rode this evening, the wind had died down and the sun was out. Awesome evening for a little ride around town.

Still not sure what I’m doing this weekend for racing. I was tossing the idea of going to the Crowder mountain bike race in Missouri if the weather up here was going to be crappy. But it looks like they are getting more precipation than us, so I ruled that out. As long as it doesn’t rain/snow again in Moline, I think Sylvan Island will be alright. Looks to be a 40% chance of rain/snow on Saturday morning. Bummer. I guess if it rains too much, I’ll be at Finchford. I’ve only ridden the new road bike twice. Seems to ride pretty well. I did notice that it was smoother over rough stuff than the Cannondale. I have no idea how it compares as far as stiffness. I haven’t sprinted on it and most likely wouldn’t be able to tell the difference anyway. Well that’s all for now. Off to bed to get rid of this cold!
-A