Carbon Fiber - Test Team

The carbon fiber project has had it's days. Good days, and really crapy days. I just sit and cheer Brian on - feed him food every now and again and watch him work. I have learned to lock him in his work space and hide the key. I let him out to shave about every six months or so just so he won't scare away customers.

I have told you the process before, but all I have to say is that it is beyond complicated.

The big moment came last week after he finished cooking the project bike. I noticed a slight glimmer in his smile as he said "Test Team Ready". Those were some great words. Do you know what this means? Do you know how stinking cool this is?  For someone who has been patiently waiting - this is BIG. 

For someone who eats, sleeps, and dreams bikes this is huge.  For the wife of someone who eats, sleeps and dreams bikes this is a relief.   Brian, YOU DID IT!  So proud of you for sticking to such a difficult task.   Project 1 is ready for testing.  We will be offering test bikes to a few choice few.  Just shoot over an e-mail if you have any questions or want more info on test team pricing for the new custom carbon fiber project 1.   

Photos don't do this bike justice.  Sorry,  I will work on my skills and have you better photos soon.

The Joys of Vegas

It's great to be home!  Vegas is quite the place.  If you have never experienced the thrill of big city, big boobs - you need to visit Vegas.  I am sure that there are plenty of amazing things in Vegas, but we were too busy to see any of them. 
The bike show was absolutley awesome.  It was really exciting to see that we (Kelson, Bella Rosa) are right there with the rest of them - minus the millions of extra dollars for advertising and marketing.  Someday soon! 

My greatest moment came when I met up with Eddie Merckx.  I currently have a large autographed framed picture of him hanging in my dining room area.  I think he's pretty rad.  He even took the time to sign my new book "The Spring Classics".  Just when I thought it couldn't get any better . . . . .

I attended my first professional cyclo-cross race.  It was a true nail bitter.  The French Pro won by a split hair.  I just can't say how extremely amazing it was.  They also had a pro women's race.  Women are tough.  Loved every minute of it.

 I forgot to mention that I left the three kidos in Southern Utah with my mother-in-law.  They had so much fun ropin' cows and hanging out.  First time I have been without them for more than a day in 12 years.  We were able to fit in some hiking and petro finding. 

It's always nice to go visit new places and see new things.  I learned a lot in the bicycle world, but it's always nice to come home.

HOME SWEET HOME!  Now, off to build some bikes.

Bella Rosa Bikes Presents

Vegas Baby

I have been at the Vegas bike show for the past few days.  I can't wait to tell you all about it and all the amazing people I met.  I even got to go to a PRO cyclo cross race.  Action and bikes in Vegas!  Doesn't get any better than this.

Christmas in September

Don't you just love it when Santa comes a few months early?  Well, I do!  Today Mr. Fed Ex man (SANTA) showed up at my door with a very important package.  A package that contained something so cool that I almost started to cry.  Yeah, I did see a tear roll down my cheek as I peered my eyes on the beautiful metal.  This is what I saw.

These beautiful badges are going to make the Bella bikes even more beautiful.  I can't wait for the next build.  The second gift came from my cool husband who has been slaving away in his shop working on so many amazing projects. 

Remember a few months back - maybe even a year ago I was telling you about the carbon project that Brian has been working on.  Well, he has mastered the process.  Two and a half years of product testing.  Callused hands from all of the pattern cutting.  It couldn't have turned out more beautiful.  Fully custom carbon bicycle.  There is not a company around that is able to do the process like Brian.  Merry Christmas!  I am so proud of him for sticking with the project for so long and not giving up.  I will post photos soon!

Randy headed up today to pick up his new cross bike.  Cross season is on girls so let me know when you are out at the local races and I will come cheer you on.  Here is a pic of Randy's beautiful new cx bike.

Well, Christmas in September just makes sense.  I think I could get use to this.

911 - Never Forget

My mother is a truly amazing person.  She is a great writer and photographer.  Last year this is what she wrote about the 911 tragedy.  I just couldn't come close to saying it better.  Love you mom.

Born to Run - A GOOD read

I honestly can't believe how quickly time passes.  I say this too frequently, but seriously - time "FLIES".  This morning my 6:00am workout started in the pitch black.  I can't tell you how freaky yet amazing it is to run into the darkness.  Where I come from there are serious animals in the wild.  Thank goodness for a great running buddy (Kelly) who shows up at my doorstep so early in the morning to brave nature and the wildlife with me. I have been thinking a lot lately about the aches and pains my body feels after a long run.  

SAYING TO MYSELF: 

• Only short, small people should run.
• I am not built to be a runner.
• Running stresses out my body.
• You need to weigh 100 pounds to be a good runner.

How many excuses can I possibly come up with NOT to run? ? ? ? ?   

Early this week our good friend Scott showed up at our doorstep and handed Brian a book to read.  He said that this book "changed his life"!  Now seriously, how can one book "change your life"?  I don't know, but if it changed his life .  . . maybe, just maybe it can change my life too.   

Here is a little inside peak at Born to Run - Thank goodness for amazon.com

Book Description

Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.


Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity, leaving the Tarahumara immune to the diseases and strife that plague modern existence. With the help of Caballo Blanco, a mysterious loner who lives among the tribe, the author was able not only to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara but also to find his own inner ultra-athlete, as he trained for the challenge of a lifetime: a fifty-mile race through the heart of Tarahumara country pitting the tribe against an odd band of Americans, including a star ultramarathoner, a beautiful young surfer, and a barefoot wonder.

With a sharp wit and wild exuberance, McDougall takes us from the high-tech science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultrarunners are pushing their bodies to the limit, and, finally, to the climactic race in the Copper Canyons. Born to Run is that rare book that will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that the secret to happiness is right at your feet, and that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.

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I can't wait to dive deep into this read and see for myself how one book can change a life.  So next time you're out at the local book store stop in and check out this good read.  It could change your life too. 

Introduction to FUN - CYCLOCROSS

It wasn't up until a few years ago that I even knew what Cyclocross was.  It sounds like some crazy motorbike race with big jump.  I thought it might be interesting to tell you girls a little bit about FUN.  The history behind cyclocross racing is pretty fascinating.  It makes a whole lot of sense in the fact that we need a year round training program.  Here are some interesting facts that I found at bigshark.com

History
Cyclocross racing was developed in Europe in the early 1900’s as a way for road racers to remain fit during fall and winter. The intense event helped athletes maintain and improve their racing fitness and skills, too. As the sport grew, some riders abandoned the road-racing scene to become cyclocross specialists. Today, there are cyclists who focus only on cross and many professional road and off-road riders race cross to keep their race engines finally tuned in the off season.

The Course
Typical cyclocross courses are 1.5- to 2-mile loops on a mix of paved and off-road surfaces over flat-to-rolling terrain. Usually, races lasts an hour plus a lap. But, what makes cross such a unique and challenging sport is that courses always include obstacles that force riders to dismount and run while carrying their bikes.

(This is the part where female women riders - who have had children need to wear DEPENDS while dismounting.  )

For example, most courses feature short, steep (often muddy) sections, which are nearly impossible to ride. There can be scary cliff-like drop-offs, river crossings and technical singletrack, too. Also, courses include series of man-made barriers scattered around the course requiring riders to carry their bikes over or, if they're really talented, to jump their bikes over the obstacles (called "bunny-hopping"). It's this combination of cycling, stunt riding, carrying, running and scrambling over obstacles that makes cyclocross so exciting, such a phenomenal workout and so darn much fun!

(pic taken last year at local cxrace)

(I COULD TOTALLY GET USE TO THIS!)

Doesn't that sound like a total blast?  I tell you what - this has my name written all over it.  Big, steep cliffs.  Barriers! Mud!  Does it get any better than this?  The only problem is I can't remember the last time I jumped over anything taller than 10" without peeing my pants.  Thank goodness for chamois. 

Kelson bikes and Bella Rosa bikes are teaming up to offer a cyclocross program.  We will be offering stock framesets for $1,250 bucks.  If you are interested in stock geometry we will make that available for an additional $250. 

So, there is definitely NO reason to stop training this fall/winter season.  Get into cyclocross - it seriously ROCKS.