2009 Team Training Camp

Since what ‘DreamForTheStars/rider’s are going to do is ride bicycles 800 miles, I am going to do a few paragraphs spewing what it was like to spend a weekend in the hills of Georgia at team training camp as put on by my new racing team, Team MedPlan.

Team MedPlan is a women’s team—as it turns out, it is this awesome team comprised of girls—well, women from Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida. All ages, all talented athletes, and all friendly, smiling, and ready to race.

On Saturday, we met up at a bike store. Here I met, for the first time in person, Jackie Soladay Blackwell, our teammate who organized the training, and Robin Farina, our coach for the weekend. Robin is also a pro-rider for ValueAct Capitol Cycling Team and has since taken an awesome tenth place in the women’s crit at the Tour de California.
Once all of the team had arrived, we took off and worked a few hours (and 50 miles) of drills, simulating attacks and chases, single pace lines rotating Team Time Trial style, and double pace lines. We worked on echelons and adjusting pace lines relative to wind direction. Robin, was challenging and thorough, somehow finding time to work individually with each of us despite the numbers.

Later, the team met and ate at Carrabas’ giving us a chance to get to know each other personally. We had some time to prioritize the season’s races, and to think more about tactics and strategy, and when and where we might have opportunity to work as a team. It was fun to listen to each others’ racing experiences and to learn more about our pro-coach's racing career.

After a well-earned night’s sleep we drove to Dahlonega—famous for its mountains, no doubt—and rode a 35 mile route that included three major climbs. Of course where there are three major climbs, there are three major descents! So, while I was feeling pretty good about myself and my fitness on the climbs, girls were whizzing by me right and left on the descents! I looked at the slick roads and the pea gravel and ...Yes, I’m a bit of a control-freak downhill, but I’m seeking counseling, because in a race I know I’ll be a speed-demon as that little competitive edge we call ‘evil-beth’ rears its ugly head.

All in all, it was great training AND GREAT FUN! It took forever to drive home, and I was tired and dirty five hours later when I pulled into my driveway. But I was still smiling.