If you are a fan of women’s cycling, as we are, here is yet another opportunity to actually support it. We have featured Amber Rais our site several times in the past, and for good reason. I could begin to list her superlatives, but its better that you read about her background and her current situation for yourself.

The Triple Crankset is basically a non-profit site; choosing instead to give back to cycling in a manner by which we see fit. As such, we will be donating the bulk of our advertising dollars toward Amber’s dream to race at this year’s US Nationals. To most that may not sound like good business, but then again, when has investing in people ever been a bad thing to do.

Make your pledge today, http://bit.ly/Apex_Austria

An American in Graz

The second largest city in Austria, Graz sits in the southeastern portion of the country and along the Mur River. In 2003, the city was named as the European Capital of Culture, an annual European Union designation highlighting a city’s cultural life and cultural development, and its Old Town area is presently listed as one of UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage Sites.

Lenny B (LB): You have resided in Austria for two years now, what has the transition been like…is there any part of American life that you miss?

Amber Rais (AR): There are many things I miss about America, and I worry a little that I’m putting myself into an impossible Catch-22, where when I’m in America, I will miss a lot about Austria, and vice-versa. One does manage to adapt surprisingly well to certain lacks. For example, I never thought I could live without burritos, but here I am. That said, I go straight for the Taqueria when I’m in California. Mostly, though, I miss people – my family, friends, and hometown. I did get a serious craving for a chocolate malt while I was in the hospital, and my friend Bruce ground up some Whoppers and blended them into a proper malt shake for me. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

LB: What is the most fascinating thing that you have discovered about Graz or Austria?

AR: I’m sure if you ask ten expats living in Graz the same question, you would get ten different answers. What has most intrigued me is the close relationship between family farms with everyday life. Nearly all of the produce, dairy and meat at the supermarket is labeled with the name of the family who produced it. With few exceptions, produce is really only available seasonally, which in some ways (environmentally and health-wise) can be great, and in other ways can be frustrating (no fresh berries in winter). There are plenty of farmers’ markets in the US, but most supermarkets there aren’t buying from local families the way they are here. That said, all of Austria is about one fifth the size of California, so economically, the smaller scale is easier to manage.

The other big difference is the history. No building in American is realistically more than a few hundred years old. Our apartment building in Graz was built in the 1600s and is a few meters from an ancient Roman trading route. The history goes back much farther and is much more visible here than in the states. I probably ride past an average of two castles per training ride. It’s awesome.

LB: There are obvious cultural differences between the United States and Europe, most notably in the attitudes toward cycling and the sport of cycling. As a professional cyclist who has experienced both, what are the advantages of working in an environment conducive to your profession? Are there any disadvantages?

AR: The biggest advantage I’ve noticed is how much more respect cyclists get from motorists. So far, Austrian drivers have been far more respectful of cyclists than drivers in California, and Italian drivers even more so. It makes training far more enjoyable!

LB: In recent years, Jim Miller and USA Cycling have really ramped up the women’s program abroad. How important has it been for you to be a part of it, and how do you see the program benefiting Women’s Cycling in the US in the future?

AR: The US National Team’s program in Europe is crucial for the international development of US women’s cycling, because it eliminates some of the biggest barriers to successful racing abroad; namely, the program provides a comfortable home base for the riders between races, in addition to the essential infrastructure required for racing.

Racing with the National Team provided the foundation I needed to make this move. In 2007, the program threw me head-first into UCI racing at La Route de France, where I came down with a violent case of strep throat after the first stage and spent the rest of the tour riding on the front to protect Amber Neben’s maillot jaune. I suffered like a dog there. I remember one day in particular, the other team directors heckled us before a long stage, asking whether team USA really planned to ride the front for 100 miles in the crosswinds for Amber. Of course we did and eventually won the tour.

That experience stayed with me and still motivates me. In fact, every time I have raced with the National Team, I have come away more fired up and more focused. What I’ve learned through the program, I’ve mostly learned the hard way, but those are the lessons that stick. The program provides experience and knowledge an athlete can’t get from domestic racing.

LB: When we last spoke, you stated that you have always been shy about verbalizing some of your goals. Have your personal expectations as a cyclist or your cycling goals changed since that time?

AR: My goals have not changed, but with each year, my resolve and focus grow stronger; the path to those goals becomes clearer. Actually, the biggest change for me over the past couple of years has been a process of elimination: slowly paring down my commitments to only those that effectively contribute to my goals, and learning to identify and remove obstacles and sources of stress wherever possible. Of course, this is an ongoing process, but I’m getting better at it!

LB: What are your specific cycling goals for this season, and long term? Are you targeting any specific race(s)?

AR: Fracturing my pelvis in Qatar instantly shifted my perspective on this year’s season, though many of my goals remain the same. U.S. Nationals will be a major target, and I’m currently trying to raise money to be able to fly back to the U.S. in June to race there (more info here: http://bit.ly/AmberUSNats). My long term goals are simple: World Championship and Olympic medals.

LB: How did the crash occur? What is the time-line for your return?

AR: The crash was totally stupid. I hit a reflector in the road wrong and dumped it. It happened so quickly I don't even really know what happened except I hit the ground on my right side and didn't slide at all. I think the fact that I didn't slide meant that my pelvis absorbed all of the impact. I would have taken more road rash if it meant I wouldn't have broken bones! Such is life. The pelvic fracture was stable and non-displaced (as was the fracture to the sacrum), so the bones began healing immediately, without need for surgery or invasive stabilization.

It’s been over 8 weeks, and everything seems to have healed very well. I have no pain at all and have been back to normal training for a few weeks now.

My first race back is going to be the KUOTA Route 666 in Hungary, April 10th. It’s a 66.6 kilometer team time trial, so it will be one heck of a test for the legs!

LB: How is the healing process…the pain?

AR: I didn’t take any pain meds for two reasons. First, pain was valuable information that guided my range of motion and general activity. I didn't want to mask any pain and accidentally push too hard and set myself back. Second, anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen tend to slow bone growth, which is the last thing I wanted! Even though the initial injury hurt like hell, I didn’t have much pain through the recovery process. I was completely pain free at about 5 weeks post-injury. As for now, the only pain I think about is the pain I want to dish out in the upcoming races…

Follow Amber through her official website & the KUOTA Speed Kueens on Facebook

Part I - Need For Speed | Part II - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

Photos: Erwin Haiden, nyx.at (top); Courtesy Amber Rais (middle and bottom)

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions…

Decisions are never easy, or so, that is what we have been told. The anxious moments leading up to finalizing our choice are often just predilections of instantaneously grading our decisions as being good or bad before they are even made. Although the consequences or outcomes of our decisions can be viewed in these terms, more often than not, the choosing turns out to be the simplest part. For this former Stanford swimmer, the decision was not if Amber would jump into the deep end to race in Europe, but more precisely when.

Lenny B (LB): Your excitement is palpable, what have been the reactions to your decision?

Amber Rais (AR): I’ve had a lot of support for this decision, even from my former teams. I think most people around me could see and understand the toll it was taking to be away from home so long.

LB: Your former team, Team TIBCO, now has an international footprint as a UCI team and seems to be growing into a unit that may someday, in the near future, challenge the Women’s World Cup circuit, what were the reasons behind your move?

AR: To achieve my goals, I need to race full time in Europe. It’s that simple. I’ve raced a handful of races in Europe with the US National team over the past couple of years, and those experiences have taught me that to become one of the best, I have to race against the best. This means World Cups and UCI 2.1 stage races, nearly all of which are in Europe, a point made all the more poignant with the cancellation of the Montreal World Cup and Tour.

Of course, my decision bears a personal side as well. My husband and I live in Europe. Our home is in Austria. For most riders, one of the biggest barriers to racing full time in Europe is leaving home and family for months on end. Well, I was doing just that, but in the opposite direction. It made no sense.

LB: The sampling size may be too small to quantitatively state that “US women who make the full commitment to race abroad will find great success,” but from the qualitative end it is hard to argue with the benefits, not to mention the successes that riders like Kristin Armstrong and Amber Neben have garnered. How much did their example influence your decision?

AR: Amber and Kristin have been invaluable sources of support and guidance. When I raced Tour de l’Aude with Amber in 2008, I really picked her brain about American versus European racing. She made the point that each rider has to decide for herself where she wants to race, what she wants from her career. Her words helped me to take a step back and proactively choose the big-picture direction I want for my career.

Kristin has emphasized (in no uncertain terms) the importance of racing full time in Europe; her advice has reinforced my determination. Both she and Amber have been very supportive and encouraging of my decision, and their support means a lot to me.

LB: Because so few American women have committed to race in Europe full-time, do you consider yourself one of the trailblazers, in some respect, or do you get a sense that you are a part of a new wave of American women’s cycling?

AR: Actually, there are many American women who have raced in Europe and who have paved the way for me to be able to follow suit. Inga Thompson, who coincidentally happens to also be from my hometown of Reno, Nevada, is one; then there was the whole T-Mobile women’s team which included riders like Kristin Armstrong, Amber Neben, Kim Baldwin, and Dotsie Bausch. American Kristin Lassasso also raced overseas in 2008. And we can’t forget other forerunners like Karen Brems and Christine Thorburn. I would hardly call myself a trailblazer.

I hope that I am part of a new wave of American women’s cycling. This isn’t just about me. This is about developing women’s cycling in America, about bringing our athletes and programs to higher levels. Of course, I am a competitive person and want to leave my mark, but it’s important that people involved in women’s cycling (including athletes) focus not only on expanding their own pieces of the pie, but also on making the whole pie bigger. It’s in cooperative efforts that we will really make a difference in the sport.

Many women’s programs are moving in that direction. Webcor Builders raced part of the 2008 season in Europe as a UCI team, and this season TIBCO is doing the same. Team Twenty-12 is restructuring the traditional relationship between domestic trade teams and the USA Cycling European program, by prioritizing National Team projects over NRC races, which will allow them to better leverage the opportunities afforded by USAC programs.

My hope is that these efforts become more common and more unified. Right now, there are countless people dedicated to elevating women’s cycling in America and abroad, but most of those efforts are isolated and independent of one another. Once we can start to pool resources through more unified collaboration, I think we will start to see big changes and more rapid, positive growth, but that will require a major shift in thinking. Sport brings out the competitive side in most people, but we also need to remember the value in cooperation.

We are all interdependent. The growth and success of our athletes, programs, brands and industry rely upon how effectively we can work together. I believe the greatest growth and progress in women’s cycling will arise from cooperative relationships that explicitly value these connections.

LB: Although you have won a criterium or two in your day, you seem to really excel in road races and stage races. As criteriums seem to be the predominant form of racing in the US, how much of a factor did the style of racing go into your decision?

AR: Actually, the style of racing was a major factor in my decision, but not necessarily as crits versus road races. Instead, it’s more about American versus European style racing. The skill sets and tactics differ considerably between the two pelotons, and when it comes to races like the World Championships and Olympics, well, you can guess which style predominates.

LB: How would you characterize the differences between American and European style racing?

AR: International races in Europe allow far less room for mistakes, both literally and figuratively: literally, because the peloton is bigger and races tighter through narrower roads, affording less room to maneuver; and figuratively, because the depth of the peloton means that one tactical mistake can mean the end of your race. U.S. races allow a little more wiggle-room, if you will. The roads are wider, racers don’t ride so closely, and you can usually recover from mistakes.

In Part III of our interview, we discuss what life is like in Graz and Amber's current condition and future plans.

Follow Amber through her official website & the KUOTA Speed Kueens on Facebook

Part I - Need For Speed | Part III - An American In Graz

Photo: Erwin Haiden, nyx.at

With the “shrinking globe,” an American woman plying her trade in Europe is not as much of a cultural oddity as it may have been in the past. But an American woman racing her bicycle on the European circuit full-time, well that is another story.

American women racing in Europe is not a wholly new phenomenon. In fact, their history is replete with extraordinary talent and amazing achievements. The inaugural Grand Boucle, known at the time as the Tour de Feminin, the female equivalent to the Tour de France was won by an American. Marianne Martin captured the then 18 stage, 616-mile race in 29 hours, 39 minutes, and 2 seconds. She would share the podium in 1984 with fellow American Deborah Shumway, who finished third on the General Classification, and the stage with the third placed finisher of the men’s race, a young Greg Lemond.

But despite their great successes, the progression of American women into the European theatre has fluctuated and lagged considerably behind that of American men.

The financial disparity between the genders is without doubt a major contributing factor to the lack of egress from the United States to Europe. While their male counterparts have made places like Girona, Spain a temporary haven during the European season, American women lacked the means to maintain a foothold in two continents or even a consistent European race schedule. One of our country’s most decorated cyclists, Kristin Armstrong, had to make some hard decisions while shaping her illustrious career, often times straddling both canoes, so to speak, to maintain her life’s balance. Additionally, the opportunities for American women to race abroad, until recently, were sorely lacking. In 2008, that all changed. Buoyed by the accomplishments by riders like Amber Neben and Amstrong, among others, on the international stage, the USA Cycling Development Program revamped its program to provide its female riders with more opportunities to race overseas.

Amber Rais is one of the products of that renewed emphasis by USA Cycling. A standout on American soil as part of Webcor Builders and more recently Team TIBCO, and a dynamic performer for the US National team, Amber is the latest American racer to test her skills full time in Europe, racing for the Austrian based KUOTA Speed Kueens.

Need For Speed

Although KUOTA Speed Kueens is a new name to women’s cycling, its basis is the UNIQA-ELK squad, which ultimately was a consolidation of two Austrian teams Team UNIQA Graz and ELK Haus. The team is managed on the road by Klaus Kabasser and features a great mixture of veteran riders, such as Bernadette Schober and Daniella Pintarelli, and youth. At 29, Amber is one of the older riders on the team, but she will also rely on her new teammates and manager to navigate the European circuit.

Lenny B (LB): How did your transfer ultimately come about? Were you looking at any other European based teams?

Amber Rais (AR): I approached this season with an attitude of Europe or bust. I have good relationships with U.S. directors and riders and had several good offers, but to race another full season in the states, trying all the while to negotiate limited opportunities to race in Europe, would have perpetuated the circumstances I wanted to change.

To commit to racing in Europe required a leap of faith. The European teams and directors didn’t know me as a rider, so even with good palmares from the US, there was no guarantee anyone would sign me. When everyone else was signing contracts in the US (a process akin to Musical Chairs), I had to stay true to my goals and believe that it would work out, and it has, thanks to a lot of folks who helped me through the process.

I could not be happier with my situation now. The KUOTA Speed Kueens team is based in Graz, where I live, so I can be home between races, instead of couch-surfing. Plus, our team manager, Mag. Klaus Kabasser, has a good relationship with the US National Team Director, Manel Lacambra, so the two of them work out my schedule. Now I am racing all of the UCI calendar races I have always wanted to race. The only question is whether I will do a particular race with KUOTA Speed Kueens or with the National Team, which is easily settled between Manel and Klaus; whereas before, I had to negotiate for permission to accept what European race opportunities I was offered, which made what should have been a simple planning process extremely stressful.

Racing for KUOTA Speed Kueens is a huge step forward for me. The team infrastructure, as Uniqa-Elk, has been racing the World Cup circuit for a long time and has a ton of international experience, and this year’s team is great mix of both young and experienced riders. I want to learn and contribute as much as I can. Hopefully they’ll forgive my schlechtes Deutsch and teach me a little more Austrian dialect too!

LB: What, if any, do you see as the biggest challenge(s) to racing in Europe?

AR: The international races in Europe are hard, because the fields are bigger and have more depth than any other races in the world. The biggest challenge for me will be to learn the peloton – the racers, tactics and dynamics. That said, I have eliminated a lot of the obstacles most American riders face when coming to Europe. I have a home base here that is really, truly a home, where I know the roads and have family and friends. Being able to come home between races will really help my recovery and minimize the time I have to live out of a bag.

In Part II of Graz's American Speed Kueen, we discuss some of the reasons behind Amber's decision to race overseas, and in Part III, Amber provides us a snapshot of what her life is like in Austria.

Part II - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions... | Part III - An American In Graz

Follow Amber through her official website & the KUOTA Speed Kueens on Facebook

Photos: Erwin Haiden, nyx.at

Cue Michael Buffer. "The winner, and still..."

The Tour of Qatar has always been known as a sprinter's race because of its flat parcours. And over the course of the three day Ladies' version, the sprinters did indeed have their day.  Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan's top sprinter, Rasa Leleivyte, would surprise on Stage 1, while the always combative Giorgia Bronzini (Italy) would take Stage 2. However, in the race for the overall classification, it was Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam) who would provide the abject lesson that the best finisher does not always the best sprinter make.

The 27-year-old Dutch rider took today's 94km Stage 3 from the Sealine Beach Resort to the Doha Corniche, and in the process laid claim to as many Ladies Tour of Qatar titles as she has stage wins, two.

By virtue of taking all but one intermediate sprint and finishing respectfully, a 19th and 4th place, in the previous two stages, the defending champion was never more than 4 seconds off the race lead. Wild's Stage 3 victory over Bronzini and America's Lauren Tamayo, who latched on to Wild's wheel in the finishing straight, but was unable to come around, all but secured her reign as the queen of the Gulf emirate of Qatar.

On The Mend

Amber Rais (US National Team), who was slated to make her 2010 debut in Qatar, crashed in training the day before the race started. The initial diagnosis of a fractured pelvis has now been formalized as a nondisplaced fracture of the superior pubic ramus.  Her pain is negligible while resting, but becomes excruciating in any attempts to move her right leg.  She has not received a full prognosis on her recovery yet, but will most likely receive one once she returns to Austria.

"For the time being, I am in good spirits, finding a helluva lot of motivation in the messages and wishes of everyone who has written. Those messages are helping me focus on looking forward and staying positive. Folks have been sending me funny links, inspirational stories of post-injury comebacks, and some great quotes and websites to keep me occupied. It's keeping my mind on good thoughts, and I am very thankful. The nurses keep saying they can't believe what a good frame of mind I am keeping in spite of the pain; if they could see my inbox, they would know why!"

Stage 3 Results
1. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam)
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
3. Lauren Tamayo (US National Team)

Other Notables
13. Shelley Evans (US National Team)
15. Kirsty Broun (Australia)
16. Trixi Worrack (Germany)
20. Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia Women)
21. Sinead Miller (US National Team)
24. Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia Women)
29. Tiffany Cromwell (Australia)
37. Sarah Düster (Cervelo TestTeam)
44. Rasa Leleivyte (Safi -Pasta Zara Manhattan)
45. Janel Holcomb (US National Team)
49. Ruth Corset (Australia)
50. Emilia Fahlin (HTC Columbia Women)
57. Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto Ladies Team)
72. Elizabeth Hatch (Lotto Ladies Team)
DNF Chloe Hosking ( HTC Columbia Women)
DNF Katharine Carroll (US National Team)
DNS Susanne Ljungskog (Team MTN)

General Classification - Final
1. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam)
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
3. Rasa Leleivyte (Safi -Pasta Zara Manhattan)
4. Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto Ladies Team)
5. Martine Bras (Netherlands)
6. Lauren Tamayo (US National Team)
7. Adrie Visser (HTC Columbia Women)
8. Kirsty Broun (Australia)
9. Monique Van De Ree (Netherlands)
10. Sarah Düster (Cervelo TestTeam)

Other Notables
16. Tiffany Cromwell (Australia)
18. Trixi Worrack (Germany)
24. Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia Women)
26. Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia Women)
46. Shelley Evans (US National Team)
50. Emilia Fahlin (HTC Columbia Women)
51. Elizabeth Hatch (Lotto Ladies Team)
52. Janel Holcomb (US National Team)
53. Ruth Corset (Australia)
66. Sinead Miller (US National Team)

Jersey Winners - Final
Overall - Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team)
Points - Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
Young Rider - Rasa Leleivyte (Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan)

Photo: KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images

In a region where covered arms, legs, and head are the norm for a woman's attire, the relatively liberal Gulf emirate of Qatar is once again set to host some of the premier riders of the women's professional peloton for the 2010 Ladies Tour of Qatar.

Organized by the Amaury Sports Organization, which also operates the Tour de France, the three day, three stage race will cover 304.5km and offer approximately € 18,689 (roughly $26,000) in prize money, including € 1,128 (≈ $1,500) to the overall winner.

Stages
Wednesday, February 3 - Stage 1 - Museeum of Islamic Art to Al Khor Corniche (103.5 km)
Thursday, February 4 - Stage 2 - Al Zubarah to Oryx Farm (107 km)
Friday, February 5 - Stage 3 - Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche (94 km)

Map

Download (PDF, 709.08KB)

Last year's historic first edition of the race was won by Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team), who is back to defend her title along with Giorgia Bronzini (Italian National Team), who captured victory in two of three stages and donned the first ever Ladies Tour of Qatar golden leader's jersey.

David Garrett of Sportsworld was on hand last year and filed the following report of the inaugural event.

Despite the unfortunate news of an injury, sustained in training, to Amber Rais, the US National Team will look to bolster its international credentials with another strong contingent of riders in Shelley Evans, Katharine Carroll, Janel Holcomb, Sinead Miller, and Lauren Tamayo.

The race will also be the debut of American Liz Hatch (formerly of the Italian squad Team System Data) for the Belgium based Lotto Ladies Team.

Full Start List - Provisional

Photo: Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images

By Amber Rais

Sport is about human performance, not female or male performance, so in a lot of ways, cycling allows us to ignore our gender differences, sometimes to the point where we women are actually mistaken for men when dressed in our spandex, helmets and sunglasses. For all of our similarities, though, men and women are different. We all struggle to find just the right helmet that fits our style, but most guys have probably never had to grapple with how to fit a ponytail through the helmet straps.

Clearly, women face some different challenges, and if you’re new to the sport, you’ll probably appreciate some friendly female advice. I’ve been bike racing for more than four years now, and have learned a lot through trial and error, so I’d like to share a few of the things I’ve learned to save you the trouble. After all, making a rookie mistake is like having food stuck in your teeth: how are you supposed to do anything about it if no one tells you?

Hopefully these tips will help you avoid such situations, but please, take these tips with a grain of salt. I am not a mechanic, doctor, or fashion expert. I simply offer some suggestions from my own experience.

1. The Rookie Mark.

It’s been a few days since you’ve wiped down your chain, and while standing at a stoplight, you accidentally leave a grease mark on your leg from the chainring. You’ve just branded yourself as a Rookie. You can avoid the Rookie Mark by a) keeping a clean chain, b) avoiding contact with your drive train, or c) wiping off the Rookie Mark.

2. The Chamois.

The chamois is the most bizarre item in my wardrobe. It’s glorified underwear – a giant pad sewn into spandex shorts, which in any other context would be a fashion pariah, not to be touched with a ten foot pole, let alone contributing to the balance on your credit card. Yet, as a cyclist, I wear my chamois more often than my favorite jeans. That may say more about me than about the chamois, but my point is that the chamois is important, and deserving of an entire point unto itself.

First and foremost, all chamois are not created equally. Find a good one. The bigger the chamois, the more chafing you’ll have: no bueno. On the other hand, too thin or small, and the chamois won’t do its job. Find one that fits you. Aside from size, look for flat, smooth seams around the chamois, because poor stitching will really cause you problems down the road. Invest in a good quality chamois from the start. You’ll thank me later.

Second, wear the chamois as it is intended – with NO UNDERWEAR. I know, I know. To many of you just starting in the sport, this sounds awful and very unladylike. Well, pantylines aren’t ladylike, and neither is the discomfort and ridicule you will endure if you don’t heed this point. Trust me. That road leads only to pain and suffering.

Lastly, the chamois is a single-use item. Once you’ve worn your chamois for a ride, it goes straight to the wash. Never, ever EVER wear a dirty chamois. And as a corollary to this point, minimize your time in the chamois. We joke that “chamois time is training time,” but the fact is that once you’ve finished your ride, you should get out of the chamois and into dry clothes as quickly as possible. This is much more than an issue of style and taste: it is an issue of health. We’ll leave it at that.

3. Chamois Cream.

If you do experience chamois chafing, chamois cream can help. With the many formulas available, you’ll have to find the one that works for you. If you have a choice, buy the tube, not the tub. If you have the tub, for goodness sake, no double-dipping!

4. Know how to change a tube (even if you let the boys do it for you sometimes).

While I am perfectly capable of changing my own tube, I admit that I am not very quick in the process. It takes me a while to get the tire off the rim, and my cyclists’ arms don’t help much in terms of pumping up the new tube very quickly. I am therefore quite thankful when someone offers to change the tube or pump the new one (most often, it’s my fiancé doing the job for me). While it is perfectly acceptable to accept the help of someone more skilled than you, it is imperative that you know how to change a tube yourself. After all, self-reliance is a pillar of womanhood.

Have someone show you how to properly change a tube, step by step (the mechanics at your local shop would be a good, friendly resource). Then, set aside some time to practice a few times in your garage. You don’t want to be “practicing” by the side of the road when you only have 10 minutes left in your lunch hour to get back to work, showered and changed.

Always ride prepared. You cannot count on using your feminine wiles to flag down a motorist or other cyclist for help. Pack a saddle bag with the following items, at a minimum: 2 tire levers (helpful for those of us without gorilla hands), 1 extra tube, a pump (or CO2 cartridges), and a small multi-tool.

Be prepared, hope for the best, and if a kind young gentleman offers to help you change your flat, by all means, enjoy the flattery.

5. Know your equipment.

You should be familiar enough with the basics of your equipment to be able to maintain your bike on a daily basis and to at least diagnose major problems before they ruin a ride. Know how to: 1, check if a tire is safe (not too worn or cut); 2, use the barrel adjuster on your rear derailleur and brakes; 3, properly lube and wipe down your chain; 4, check for a worn chain; 5, pump your tires to a proper pressure; and 6, change a flat. Your local bike shop can offer instruction on each point.

6. The Tan Line.

Everyone knows the cyclist’s tan, and if you ride with any frequency, it is inevitable. Some embrace and emphasize the tan line as symbol of dedication, while others don’t give a hoot one way or another; it’s a matter of personal style. If you’re like me, however, you may not want to look like you accessorize your bikini with a white undershirt and shorts. Here are a few tips to minimize the tan line.

First, train in a sleeveless jersey when possible. Only do this on hot days when you’re not tempted to wear armwarmers (never ever wear armwarmers with a sleeveless jersey - ever). When wearing a regular short-sleeved jersey, apply an inch or so of sunscreen around the sleeve at the hem. Do the same around your thigh at the hem of your shorts. You can also roll the sleeves and hem of your shorts to achieve the same effect. This will help fade the contrast of the tan line. *

Finally, make time to sun a bit in your bikini. This will even out the tanlines, and boost your body’s production of Vitamin D, which, as some studies have shown, can help your athletic performance. Of course, we all walk a fine line between sun damage and Vitamin D production, so be smart about wearing sunscreen and managing your time in the sun. We’ve all seen the enviously tanned and toned legs of Mr. Basso, but I doubt he’s worried about sporting age spots before the age of 40.

* Check with your sponsors: you may not want to banish a major sponsor’s logo to the oblivion of a rolled hem!

7. Look Good. Feel Good.

Get a manicure or a pedicure every now and then. If you don’t do nails, treat yourself to a nice haircut, some snazzy new earrings or a facial. You work hard, so take care of yourself.

Remember: If you look good, you’ll feel good. When you feel good, you perform well.

8. Ride Etiquette.

Every cyclist makes an impression on motorists and other cyclists, so your actions contribute to how people view women on bikes. There are many things one can do to contribute to a positive impression, aside from (obviously) looking so good in spandex.

Here are some simple etiquette rules that if followed, will ensure that you will make a reasonably good impression (as a cyclist, that is – you’re on your own when it comes to personality).

First rule of thumb is simple: do not make any sudden moves. This means do not brake suddenly (instead coast, use the wind or feather your brakes lightly to slow down if needed); do not suddenly move laterally (if you need to move laterally, plan ahead, do so gradually, and if possible give an indication to the rider behind you before you move; otherwise, hold your line and follow the line of the riders around you). Pointing out obstacles in the road to riders behind you also helps avoid sudden movements in the group and is considered common courtesy. Generally, be as predictable as possible in your actions. This ensures your safety, the safety of others and will be appreciated by all around you (cyclists and motorists alike).

If you have trouble riding close to others and using the draft, partner with someone whose wheel you trust. Follow his or her wheel for a whole ride to get a feel for how to move around in the group. Follow the wheel, but don’t stare at it. Keep looking ahead to anticipate obstacles or changes in direction, and be aware of those around you. You’ll soon have the hang of it.

If you know how to use the draft and are comfortable in a paceline, for goodness sake take a pull at the front. No one likes a wheelsuck. (If you’re not there yet, let others around you know that you’re working to get the hang of it.)

Remember, if you’re following the rules of the road, holding your line and riding safely, anyone who yells at you is a jerkface, and should be ignored. If you’re really questioning your riding behavior, ask a cyclist you trust. Under no circumstances should you let a jerkface ruin your ride.

9. Scars.

If you ride and race long enough, you will eventually crash, and while they say that chicks dig scars, we generally don’t dig them on ourselves. You’ll want to treat your road rash properly to minimize scarring.

Step 1: Scrub until you scream. This will probably be more painful than the crash itself, but it must be done. Use soap, and if you can stand it, a washcloth or loofa. Get all of the crap out. All of it. Take as much time as you need, and probably some Advil.

Step 2: Once all that is left is pink skin, seal the road rash under a big piece of Tegaderm. Don’t apply ointment or anything between the wound and the Tegaderm, just make sure the wound is sealed beneath.

Step 3: Keep the Tegaderm on for 2 weeks (yes – in your sleep, in and out of the shower, on rides, everywhere). Your road rash will ooze, will turn nasty green colors and will start to smell bad. Don’t panic: these are your own cooties, and you have to let your cooties do their job. (That said, swelling is a sign of infection, so if the area turns red and puffy, get to a doctor. Smelly and green is fine; swollen and red is not.)

Step 4: Once the Tegaderm is off, and you have a nice healthy pink scar, keep the scar moistened with a Vitamin E ointment. Palmers Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E works very well. And never, ever expose the scar to sun without some heavy-duty sunblock slathered over it. With good care, your scars will fade in time. Until then, feel free to embellish the story of how it happened. A little humor goes a long way in the healing process.

10. SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN!

Wear it and reapply it. You don’t want to be mistaken for a pedaling piece of beef jerky before the age of 40, and you certainly don’t want a battle with skin cancer. The face in the mirror will thank you for those few minutes you spend each day applying the stuff.

Photos: © Leonard Basobas

Downers Grove, IL - In the ultra competitive world of business software, TIBCO sets themselves apart by giving their customers “what they want, how they want it, when they want it.”

In many respects, Team TIBCO, the women’s professional cycling team sponsored by the California based software company provides their fans with the same sort of attentiveness, giving them victories, with some flair, at various times throughout the cycling season.

But perhaps more important than their sponsor’s “the power of now” philosophy is the descriptor that lies in front of their name, team.

From the inaugural Tour of California Women’s Criterium to the Commerce Bank Liberty Classic, Linda Jackson’s charges have exemplified teamwork and defined what it means to be a teammate. Their support for each other is visible during races, but what is even more amazing is their support for each other after races. If one finds their way onto the podium, the rest are usually within close proximity cheering for their teammate, or on a few occasions correcting an announcer's gaffe.

Franges Warms It Up
At the US National Criterium Championships on August 16th and 17th, the scene was no different as Team TIBCO won both races, Saturday’s Cat 1/2/3 and Sunday’s SRAM Elite Women’s National Criterium Championship, with teamwork.

On Saturday it was Sarah Caravella, er Lauren Franges [a bid number mix up had officials and announcers believing Caravella had won even as Franges ascended the podium] who would take the traditional warm-up race of the Criterium National Championship weekend.

Midway through the Cat 1/2/3 race a breakaway with Franges, Meredith Miller (Aaron’s Women’s Professional Cycling), Andrea Dvorak (Colavita/Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light) and Laura Bowles (Team Advil-Chapstick) developed.

With three of the four major teams involved in the break, the exception being Cheerwine, the peloton was content to let the race go up the road and save their legs for the next day. Leading through the final turn on the same course used for Sunday's National Criterium Championship, Franges would take out the sprint and never looked back.

Lauren would tell Cyclingnews afterward, "Typically this race is always a break – not everyone is motivated to race with the big day tomorrow."

Results
1 Lauren Franges (Team TIBCO)
2 Meredith Miller (Aaron's Pro Cycling)
3 Andrea Dvorak (Colavita/Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light)
4 Laura Bowles (Team Advil-ChapStick)

Miller Doubles Her Pleasure
An 11AM start for Sunday’s SRAM Elite Women’s National Criterium Championship should have mitigated the heat of a typical Midwestern summer’s day. But once the race started, the women inside the barricades quickly generated enough heat to raise the temperature.

The pace was blistering from the opening horn, and any breakaway attempts were never allowed to range too far off the front.

Again, it was Team TIBCO who claimed the top prize as Brooke Miller won the field sprint in front of Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Verducci Breakaway) and Jen McRae (Team Advil-Chapstick).

Miller was quick to thank her teammates who kept her out of trouble and help shepherd her to the line. Of note was the exceptional effort by the previous day’s winner, Lauren Franges who helped lead out Miller in the final sprint and Amber Rais who absolutely buried herself early on to make sure that no break got away without Team TIBCO’s presence.

Miller's victory helped her claim a stars and stripes double as she won the US National Road Race Championship in Southern California on August 9th.

Results
1 Brooke Miller (Team TIBCO)
2 Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Verducci Breakaway Racing)
3 Jen Mc Rae (Advil Chapstick)
4 Katharine Carroll (Aaron's Women's Professional Cycling)
5 Lara Kroepsch (ValueAct Capital Cycling Team)

Photos: Leonard Basobas

Professional cycling finally made its way onto the streets of downtown Chicago with the inaugural Chicago Criterium held this past Sunday July 27th.

In the Women's Pro 1/2/3 race, Team TIBCO took charge as Amber Rais, who unveiled a new victory salute, soloed to victory while teammate Brooke Miller took third. The precocious West Allis [WI] product, Samantha Schneider (Mesa Cycles) continued to impress taking the field sprint and second place.

Results
1 Amber Rais (Team TIBCO)
2 Sam Schneider (Mesa Cycles)
3 Brooke Miller (Team TIBCO)
4 Lara Kroepsch (ValueAct Capital)
5 Carrie Cash (Team Revolution)
6 Monique Hanely (Team Type 1)
7 Christian Hanster
8 Megan Elliot (Bend Bike N Sport)
9 Meredith Miller (Aaron's Women's Professional)
10 Rushlee Buchanan (Team TIBCO)

In the Men's Professional race, it was Texas Roadhouse's Adam Bergman who reigned victorious. Bergman claimed the top prize [and a prime] among a very talented field that featured the likes of Chris Horner (Astana) and "Fast" Freddy Rodriguez (Rock Racing).

Results
1 Adam Bergman (Texas Roadhouse)
2 Dominique Rollin (Toyota-United)
3 David Veilleux (Kelly Benefit/Medifast)
4 Chris Horner (Astana)
5 Graham Howard (Bissell Pro Cycling Team)
6 Hilton Clarke (Toyota-United)
7 Alex Candelario (Kelly Benefit/Medifast)
8 Frank Pipp (Health Net presented by Maxxis)
9 Fred Rodriguez (Rock Racing)
10 Paul Martin (Texas Roadhouse)

Full Race Report

Photos: Copyright Luke Seemann (Chicago Bike Racing)

I am as guilty as the next when it comes to the month of July, my attention becomes focused laser-like on the country of France for three weeks.

Easily forgotten is the incredible racing that goes on within our shores during that same time span.

The greatest criticism I have heard for not following the domestic scene is that the quality of event and rider is below par in comparison to those in the European circuit. But, even that is a poor excuse and frankly does an injustice to our domestic riders, many of whom have had experience abroad in their developmental years or have a mixed program currently.

Though the attitudes, fanfare, and style of racing still differ, with the emphasis of criterium style racing and the lack of a grand tour style race in the United States certainly playing a part in those differences, as I have gotten to know the domestic scene and the riders that participate in these events better, I have come to appreciate it and them that much more. Suffering after all is translatable to all languages.

That said, though my attention is currently fixed on France, my eyes are definitely wandering.

Over the weekend, the Louisville Metro Police Foundation Criterium took place on Saturday, July 12th and the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic concluded on Sunday.

Toyota-United's Hilton Clarke took the victory in the Elite Men's field in Louisville, while Bri Kovac of Team Revolution took the prize in the Women's event. Mark Zalewski of Cyclingnews has a nice write up and photos of the event, while Kurt Jambretz has a great gallery of the event on Velonews and on his website.

Men's Top Ten
1 Hilton Clarke (Toyota- United Pro Cycling Team)
2 Adam Bergman (Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team)
3 Nick Frey (Time Pro Cycling)
4 Matt Winstead (Team Inferno Pro Cycling)
5 Kevin Attkisson (Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team)
6 John Puffer (Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team)
7 Michael Lantz (Nuvo Cultural Trail)
8 Adam Myerson (Time Pro Cycling)
9 Derek Laan (Turin Bicycle/Barker+Nestor)
10 Paul Martin (Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team)

Women's Top Ten
1 Briana Kovac (Team Revolution)
2 Allyson Brandt (Cheerwine Cycling)
3 Christina Smith (Lonestarworks.Com)
4 Jenette Williams (Hpc Powered By Altarum)
5 Erica Allar (Aaron's Womens Pro Cycling)
6 Laura McCaughey (Juice Plus)
7 Robin Farina (Cheerwine Cycling)
8 Louise Turner (Morris Trucking Velo)
9 Christi An Hansley (Team Medplan)
10 Kirsten Davis (Sorella Cycling P/B Bvm Engineering)

When Levi Leipheimer (Astana) and teammate Chris Horner registered for the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic, many thought it was a forgone conclusion that the third place finisher in the 2007 Tour de France would win going away even if he didn't have Horner along for the ride. Though everyone was indeed proven correct, Levi's victory didn't come as easily as many thought.

Men's Overall Classification
1 Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
2 Jeff Louder (BMC)
3 Darren Lill (BMC)
4 Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United)
5 Matt Wilson (Team Type 1)
6 Blake A Caldwell (Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O)
7 Brent Bookwalter (BMC)
8 Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling Team)
9 Peter Stetina (Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O)
10 Thomas I Peterson (Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O)

Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo-Lifeforce), in her run up to the Beijing Olympics, proved that her form was of gold medal standard by winning the overall. Newly named US Olympic teammate, Christine Thorburn (Webcor Builders) finished in second, while 2006 and defending champion Amber Rais (Team TIBCO) finished in 8th. The 2007 Women's event was canceled due to a scheduling conflict.

Women's Overall Classification
1 Kristin Armstrong Savola (Cervelo-Lifeforce)
2 Christine Thorburn (Webcor Builders)
3 Julie Beveridge (Aaron's Pro Cycling)
4 Katheryn Mattis (Webcor Builders)
5 Felicia Gomez (Aaron's Pro Cycling)
6 Kristin Sanders (Aaron's Pro Cycling)
7 Janel Holcomb (Webcor Builders)
8 Amber Rais (Team TIBCO)
9 Kelly Mcdonald (Touchstone Climbing)
10 Meredith Miller (Aaron's Pro Cycling)

Kirsten Robbins and photographer Jonathan Devich covered the entire event for Cyclingnews.