Amanda Miller

Jingle Cross Rock CX Weekend

After battling a cough since the Middle Park Madness CX race, I headed up to Iowa City for two days of awesome CX racing at the Jingle Cross rock. This year Jingle Cross was a UCI race. If I would have been planning ahead last December, I would have bought a UCI license. Since I didn’t, I raced the intermediate (women’s 3/4) category both days. It snowed in Iowa City on Wednesday and the temperature stayed pretty low, so there was snow on the course both days (not much though).

Saturday:
The women’s intermediate race took off at 10:20am. It was pretty chilly at the start. I think there were about 15 women total in the race. Decent sized field for Iowa. The race started off at a decent pace. I wasn’t the smoothest through the set of barriers near the start of the race. You’ll have that though when you don’t practice that stuff. I was sitting 2nd place after the barriers. On the long head-wind section I came around the first place girl and drilled it from there. I was able to get a decent gap. The course was pretty sweet, as always. The run-up seemed to get harder every lap because the ground started to thaw. I almost fell down several times because it was so slick (I even had toe spikes in). I got into a rhythm and went with it. I kept an eye on the 2nd and 3rd place girls just to be sure. 2nd place wasn’t too far behind me. She had just raced the junior race. Definitely impressive that she raced right before and was doing awesome in the intermediate race.

Sunday:

The race started at 10:00am and was cold and somewhat windy. About the same amount of women lined up for the start of the race. There were some spots that hadn’t thawed out yet on the course. Frozen ruts cause some issues. I wiped out on one of them. The race started off decently fast again. I had a really crappy start, as I couldn’t get clipped in and just about crashed. Seemed to be the trend of this race (me crashing). I wasn’t smooth at all, and was very surprised I was able to hold off another win. 2nd place (the junior girl again – I think her name is Kaitlin) was within site the entire race. I could tell which laps she was gaining time on me. She was catching me on the huge run-up. After a few more crashes, I ended up coming across first place.

John Meehan and crew did an awesome job, as always. The race was ran very smoothly and the fields were impressive. Looking forward to next year – except in the Elite race. Should be interesting. It was very nice to see the usual faces in the Iowa racing scene. It’s been a while, so it was nice to catch up with everyone.

I headed back to Colorado Sunday evening. Arrived in Denver Monday morning via Amtrak. There’s still snow on the ground here in Fort Collins. I was able to get about for 2.5 hours of riding today. The temperature was awesome – probably 55. I am still sick, as my coughing issue has now turned into a head cold. Hopefully I can kick it by this weekend. I’m planning on racing one (if not both) of the days. Saturday there’s a CX race in Boulder and Sunday there’s another CX race in Denver. We will see. Time to start practicing mounts/dismounts/shouldering the bike in preparation for Nationals in a few weeks. Anyone know where I need to go online to get a UCI license? I cannot find it, or else I’m just computer illiterate. Thanks for reading and take care!!

A

Jingle Cross Rock CX Weekend

After battling a cough since the Middle Park Madness CX race, I headed up to Iowa City for two days of awesome CX racing at the Jingle Cross rock. This year Jingle Cross was a UCI race. If I would have been planning ahead last December, I would have bought a UCI license. Since I didn’t, I raced the intermediate (women’s 3/4) category both days. It snowed in Iowa City on Wednesday and the temperature stayed pretty low, so there was snow on the course both days (not much though).

Saturday:
The women’s intermediate race took off at 10:20am. It was pretty chilly at the start. I think there were about 15 women total in the race. Decent sized field for Iowa. The race started off at a decent pace. I wasn’t the smoothest through the set of barriers near the start of the race. You’ll have that though when you don’t practice that stuff. I was sitting 2nd place after the barriers. On the long head-wind section I came around the first place girl and drilled it from there. I was able to get a decent gap. The course was pretty sweet, as always. The run-up seemed to get harder every lap because the ground started to thaw. I almost fell down several times because it was so slick (I even had toe spikes in). I got into a rhythm and went with it. I kept an eye on the 2nd and 3rd place girls just to be sure. 2nd place wasn’t too far behind me. She had just raced the junior race. Definitely impressive that she raced right before and was doing awesome in the intermediate race.

Sunday:

The race started at 10:00am and was cold and somewhat windy. About the same amount of women lined up for the start of the race. There were some spots that hadn’t thawed out yet on the course. Frozen ruts cause some issues. I wiped out on one of them. The race started off decently fast again. I had a really crappy start, as I couldn’t get clipped in and just about crashed. Seemed to be the trend of this race (me crashing). I wasn’t smooth at all, and was very surprised I was able to hold off another win. 2nd place (the junior girl again – I think her name is Kaitlin) was within site the entire race. I could tell which laps she was gaining time on me. She was catching me on the huge run-up. After a few more crashes, I ended up coming across first place.

John Meehan and crew did an awesome job, as always. The race was ran very smoothly and the fields were impressive. Looking forward to next year – except in the Elite race. Should be interesting. It was very nice to see the usual faces in the Iowa racing scene. It’s been a while, so it was nice to catch up with everyone.

I headed back to Colorado Sunday evening. Arrived in Denver Monday morning via Amtrak. There’s still snow on the ground here in Fort Collins. I was able to get about for 2.5 hours of riding today. The temperature was awesome – probably 55. I am still sick, as my coughing issue has now turned into a head cold. Hopefully I can kick it by this weekend. I’m planning on racing one (if not both) of the days. Saturday there’s a CX race in Boulder and Sunday there’s another CX race in Denver. We will see. Time to start practicing mounts/dismounts/shouldering the bike in preparation for Nationals in a few weeks. Anyone know where I need to go online to get a UCI license? I cannot find it, or else I’m just computer illiterate. Thanks for reading and take care!!

A

Middle Park Madness CX Race

Hello all- sorry it’s been awhile since my last post. Really haven’t had much to write about. I’m in Iowa now (until the 26th). The train ride back was a long one – around 16hours. Definitely going to take some sort of sleeping/drowsy medicine on the way back. Today I ended up racing in Bettendorf, IA. It was my first “real” cyclocross race of the season. A bit disappointed as only 5 women total participated in the race, but it was still a good time. Robin Williams (Gorofth) took off super fast from the start. I tried to not let her get a gap. We hit the first barriers, and everything went ok…other than the fact I need to practice that stuff! The next challenge was a dismount run-up hill. It was a tough hill, considering you were already maxed out by the time you got there. I think this is where I got a slight gap. I could still hear Robin behind me though. The course was pretty fun and flowed really well. There were a few corners with acorns that about made me wipe out. It was ok though. Once I got a gap, I just rode at my own pace and tried not to crash. I really need to work on dismounts/mounts. This week, hopefully. Next up – Jingle Cross Rock. It’s going to be a cold one! Have a good week!
-A

Middle Park Madness CX Race

Hello all- sorry it’s been awhile since my last post. Really haven’t had much to write about. I’m in Iowa now (until the 26th). The train ride back was a long one – around 16hours. Definitely going to take some sort of sleeping/drowsy medicine on the way back. Today I ended up racing in Bettendorf, IA. It was my first “real” cyclocross race of the season. A bit disappointed as only 5 women total participated in the race, but it was still a good time. Robin Williams (Gorofth) took off super fast from the start. I tried to not let her get a gap. We hit the first barriers, and everything went ok…other than the fact I need to practice that stuff! The next challenge was a dismount run-up hill. It was a tough hill, considering you were already maxed out by the time you got there. I think this is where I got a slight gap. I could still hear Robin behind me though. The course was pretty fun and flowed really well. There were a few corners with acorns that about made me wipe out. It was ok though. Once I got a gap, I just rode at my own pace and tried not to crash. I really need to work on dismounts/mounts. This week, hopefully. Next up – Jingle Cross Rock. It’s going to be a cold one! Have a good week!
-A

NRC

What…
Downer’s Grove, Tour of Elk Grove, and Superweek are no longer NRC???

NRC

What…
Downer’s Grove, Tour of Elk Grove, and Superweek are no longer NRC???

Random Stuff

Not much has been happening lately, simply because I haven’t had the time. Two tests this week and studying has been kicking my butt!! In the midst of things, I’ve acquired a coach – Missy Thompson of Gemini Training Systems. She used to ride for T-Mobile and has won a ton of national championships as well as raced in the Tour De France Feminine. Also, I might be joining a developmental women’s mountain bike team. More to come on that later.

Next race is going to be in Iowa…Yay!! I think it’s the Middle Park Madness race. I’ve also signed up for the intermediate women’s race at Jingle Cross Rock. It’s up in the air right now, but I might be racing this weekend by Denver. We will see. I’ll be back in Iowa November 17-25th so if you want to go for a ride…look me up!! I’m planning on riding a bunch, so hopefully the weather is decent. That’s all for now. Have a good weekend!!
-A

Random Stuff

Not much has been happening lately, simply because I haven’t had the time. Two tests this week and studying has been kicking my butt!! In the midst of things, I’ve acquired a coach – Missy Thompson of Gemini Training Systems. She used to ride for T-Mobile and has won a ton of national championships as well as raced in the Tour De France Feminine. Also, I might be joining a developmental women’s mountain bike team. More to come on that later.

Next race is going to be in Iowa…Yay!! I think it’s the Middle Park Madness race. I’ve also signed up for the intermediate women’s race at Jingle Cross Rock. It’s up in the air right now, but I might be racing this weekend by Denver. We will see. I’ll be back in Iowa November 17-25th so if you want to go for a ride…look me up!! I’m planning on riding a bunch, so hopefully the weather is decent. That’s all for now. Have a good weekend!!
-A

Redline/Boulder Cup

I was a spectator yesterday and today. It’s weird going to races and not actually racing. I was a little lost. After hitting up a ride with some new teammates in Morrison, I headed to Boulder to watch the Men’s Elite race at the Redline Cup. Today I headed down to Boulder again to watch the men’s and women’s elite races at the Boulder Cup. Here’s some pictures. Ryan Trebon and Katie Compton dominated both days, as expected. Enjoy!!

I think those buildings way down there are the Coor’s factory in Golden.

Megan and her husband, Rob, climbing up Lookout Mountain.

I got some new kicks (and yes, I really did just call them that) via Peleton Cyclings in Loveland. Awesome shop and awesome people. I love these shoes! By far the best pair I’ve ever ridden in (out of the 5 or so that I’ve owned in the past 3 years). My feet don’t go numb and I haven’t had any hot spots. Heaven…

Fellow Iowan, Kurt Rfensnider, tearing it up at the Redline Cup in Boulder.

Another fellow Iowan, Megan Elliott, was there as well.

Katie Compton with an early lead.

Georgia Gould maintained her 2nd place position the entire race.

Katie Compton taking the win.

Georgia Gould coming in 2nd.

Ryan Trebon had a huge gap from the beginning.

Brad Cole was there.

Kurt again.

Chris Horner had an awesome race today, taking 5th.

Ryan Trebon doesn’t even look like he’s breating hard. The guy behind him was lapped, and trying to stick on his wheel as long as he could. Funny stuff.

Todd Wells can bunny hop barriers very smoothly! Impressive.

And that’s that. More pictures can be found here.

Have a good week!!

-A

Redline/Boulder Cup

I was a spectator yesterday and today. It’s weird going to races and not actually racing. I was a little lost. After hitting up a ride with some new teammates in Morrison, I headed to Boulder to watch the Men’s Elite race at the Redline Cup. Today I headed down to Boulder again to watch the men’s and women’s elite races at the Boulder Cup. Here’s some pictures. Ryan Trebon and Katie Compton dominated both days, as expected. Enjoy!!

I think those buildings way down there are the Coor’s factory in Golden.

Megan and her husband, Rob, climbing up Lookout Mountain.

I got some new kicks (and yes, I really did just call them that) via Peleton Cyclings in Loveland. Awesome shop and awesome people. I love these shoes! By far the best pair I’ve ever ridden in (out of the 5 or so that I’ve owned in the past 3 years). My feet don’t go numb and I haven’t had any hot spots. Heaven…

Fellow Iowan, Kurt Rfensnider, tearing it up at the Redline Cup in Boulder.

Another fellow Iowan, Megan Elliott, was there as well.

Katie Compton with an early lead.

Georgia Gould maintained her 2nd place position the entire race.

Katie Compton taking the win.

Georgia Gould coming in 2nd.

Ryan Trebon had a huge gap from the beginning.

Brad Cole was there.

Kurt again.

Chris Horner had an awesome race today, taking 5th.

Ryan Trebon doesn’t even look like he’s breating hard. The guy behind him was lapped, and trying to stick on his wheel as long as he could. Funny stuff.

Todd Wells can bunny hop barriers very smoothly! Impressive.

And that’s that. More pictures can be found here.

Have a good week!!

-A