Wilmington Grand Prix Criterium

On Saturday Ali and Jen went up against 50 of the toughest women in the region at the Wilmington Grand Prix Criterium. This Pro 1-2 women's race consisted of a one-mile, 8-turn course that the women completed 25 times. Laura VanGilder, defending champion, was at the line, along with Colavita's Kristen Sanders who was celebrating her 40th birthday and came away with the win over VanGilder. Our old friend Rachel Warner was there, and Anna Lang from the Vanderkitten Focus team. The pace was quick from the start, with Colavita and others making several break attempts. Both Ali and Jen stayed within the main pack as the race broke apart and women dropped off of the back. Ali spent some time on front driving the pace, and managed to keep herself in good position toward the front of the pack for the entire race. Jen worked hard to stay in the pack, so hard in fact that she got to see her breakfast for a second time. Badass. In the end, Ali was in the thick of things for the sprint, pulling out a 15th place that put her in the money! Cap'n Cook embarassed her by forcing her to take a money shot picture.

Jen came in 29th, just a few spots out of the booty.

Wintergreen Ascent & Jefferson Cup

Five of the Vanderkittens headed west this past weekend to do the Wintergreen Ascent and the Jefferson Cup race in Charlottesville. It was a Vanderkitten sweep for Laura, Jen and Brittany at Wintergreen with Captain Cook taking the GOLD and the title of “Queen of the Mountain” with a time of 46:01. Jen was right behind with a time of 46:03 and Brittany took 3rd with a time of 48:41. As for me, I placed 2nd in the 40 plus behind Valerie Netsch (Tripower) with a time of 51:35. This ol’ Grandma hasn’t thrown in the towel to old age quite yet. We also need to thank Ali for cheering us on in her comic cheerleader outfit!

After some great comfort food and drink at Devil’s Backbone, some of the girls got back on their bikes and headed up toward Crabtree Falls for some more miles. I decided to head back to Charlottesville to take a much needed nap. We all decided on a great local Indian restaurant for dinner in Charlottesville where we inhaled our food and wine getting ready for the next race.
Waking up on Mother’s Day morning to sunny skies was a perfect beginning to a great day. 50 plus women arrived for the 9:00 start of the race with their engines primed for what would be a blistering pace. The hill by the winery broke up the race lap after lap. Brittany, Ali and Jen all hung in there for the full 50. As it came down to the finish, Brittany was in the money for 3rd place in Cat 3. Jen placed 9th and Ali was close behind for the Cat 2’s. Unfortunately, the results have Ali listed as a DNF. As for me, I was spit off the back after the 2nd hill climb and totally enjoyed the company of a chase group consisting of Janet from ABRT and Amanda from Fat Frogs plus others. After having a nasty accident a few years back, it was the first time I’ve ventured out to a road race and it felt great. You’ll be seeing more of me soon!

Thanks to the race promoters for both Wintergreen and the Jefferson Cup Road Race. You did an outstanding job!

BJ aka Podium Cat

Jim"DIESEL" Dunham

It’s been 2 days since Jim “Diesel” Dunham was struck by a hit and run driver in Va Beach. Efforts are being made to find the driver who took down one of the most well known and well liked riders in the area. The Virginian Pilot, Channel 13 News and 106.9 have spread the news. Facebook has blown up with the story. His adoring friends are praying for a quick recovery.

Jim, you are in everyone’s thoughts and prayers.

I just stopped by to check on Jim at the hospital and when I went to the reception area, the volunteer said he was a very popular guy with visitors lining up to see him. The nurses on the 3rd floor are keeping busy monitoring the traffic. Arlene, the dietician, is meeting Jim’s request for good food. This morning he enjoyed 6 hardboiled eggs (yolks removed). Lunch and dinner will be salad with a bit of chicken to aid in his recovery.

Jim is in good spirits considering what he has gone through. His family is by his side and Barb is making sure he gets his sponge baths! Jim is always the leader of the pack and without him, we are lost. Heal quickly.

VA Beach VK Race Results: Here and Abroad

With sunny skies and warm temps, Brittany mosied down to North Carolina this past weekend amped and ready for a full weekend of racing, including her first road race of the season. Tour de Moore presented by Hincapie Sportswear took place Saturday in Southern Pines, with a combined CAT 3/4 field of 20 women. The 32 mile race kept a fairly quick pace due to several break attempts throughout, the majority of which were served up by the team of three from Hincapie/Green Creations. None of the breaks were destined to stick, though, with the eager pack immediately chasing each one down. With the “rolling” hills and heat taking its toll, the pack slowed down the last couple of miles as they neared the signs indicating the finishing stretch. As soon as the 1k to go sign was passed, the pace shot up as the riders made their moves towards the final turn, and Brittany found herself in a not-so ideal position, 5th or 6th back from the lead rider. With the sprint to the finish, Britt was able to shut down the gaps and took the win with a Hincapie rider coming in second.

Sunday’s Brick City Criterium, hosted by PARcycles.com, traded in the country hills for a relatively flat and fast, four corner crit in the heart of downtown Sanford. The women’s open consisted of 24 riders, seven of whom were on the PARcycles squad. The women on the host team displayed some amazing teamwork throughout, with each taking turns going off the front while the pace was controlled behind. Brittany and a handful of other riders spent the majority of the race trying to close breaks, with the last attempt ultimately being unsuccessful, as a PARcycles CAT 1/2 rider kept her distance and took the win. A Hincapie/Green Creations rider took first for the 3s, with Brittany coming in 3rd.

Keeping it closer to home, two of our kittens, Lisa and Roberta, participated in the Run for Independence 5k- hosted by Independence Middle School. Lisa placed first in her age group, with a time of 23:18 and Roberta came in second in her age group at 25:50, shaving off a full 2 minutes from a previous 5k she did back in December.

Congratulations to our ladies for doing such an amazing job this weekend!!!

Please stay tuned for more news as Laura, Ali, BJ, Brittany, Jen and Manderkitten Bob make their way to Charlottesville this coming weekend for Wintergreen and Jeff Cup.