Bella Rosa Jersey's now for sale

Girls, I am making the Bella Rosa jersey's available to the public.  You can join in the fun by being a part of a team.  The Bella Rosa Team.  You will be able to purchase the jersey's through paypal.  Thanks Mattie for being my model.

Sorry girls, jackets are SOLD OUT!

Cycling 101 - Featured Writer Stephanie Hancock

CYCLING 101 - Stephanie Hancock

When it comes to cycling, I'm the first to admit that I am way out of my comfort zone. Running is easy - you just kinda put one foot I front of then other and go. Sure, there are things you can hone in on, like form and intervals, but pretty much anyone can jog without much instruction. Swimming I do just because I like it and since I took lessons as a kid, it also pretty much just happens. There are tons of things I can work on there - balance, technique, and conditioning - but it doesn't make me uncomfortable. Not like my bike does.

So I used to think cycling was just hopping on and going, like lacing up my running shoes and taking off. I guess for most cyclists that's really how it is, but for yours truly this is a new sport for me and new things terrify me. Ever meet someone who wants to be perfect at anything she tries? And if she isn't doing it right she's convinced she's a full-blown failure? That'd be me. So the very fact that I've been hopping on and joining rides is a huge deal for me.

Why in the world am I even stretching myself like this if it's so tough? Well, because of a lot of reasons. Some of the very neatest ladies I know are great cyclists (and also very patient, especially when I had flat a few rides ago). I love being in their company. It is also a fabulous cross-training workout, which helps curb boredom and avoid over-use injuries while training for marathons. I'm also branching out because my husband, who can't run, can (and does) ride, so this is something we can do together.

And the number one reason I'm sticking with this sport - well, surprise surprise, because it's just plain fun! I don't need to know all the ins and outs of components and cadence and climbing before I have fun. I don't need to be an expert at the sport before I even dare try it in the first place (how backwards is that?)! That knowledge will come with experience, and if I make a mess of things in the meantime, well, so what? At least I'm having a good time.

With winter gone and basement workouts on my trainer now a dim memory, I am thrilled to get out and go farther and faster on wheels than ever in my running shoes. I still love my running (and swimming), but my cute little bike is becoming quite the friend. Who knows, I may even get serious enough to invest in a really cool bike someday (I'll see if I can impress my husband by becoming a biker chick).

Now that I'm daring to make a fool of myself (and honestly having too much fun to care anyway), I'm beginning to dare to learn the mysteries of the bike universe and have even asked my husband to teach me to change a flat. Yup. I asked. I haven't actually learned yet, but hey - baby steps, right?

How many women does take to fix a flat?

Wow, what a beautiful morning for a ride.  Good friends = good times.  We headed out this morning at 6:30am with a temperature of 45 degrees and protein shake in hand.  Wasn't somebody telling me that it is SUMMER time?  BURRR! 

Well, that didn't stop us from making our journey north to Harriman. 
 This is Harriman State Park. 

Isn't she beautiful? 

I feel pretty fortunate to live in such a beautiful area. 

Our destination was to head south here - Lower Mesa and then head back home.

As we were enjoying our cycling journey we were suddenly stopped by a minor mechanical problem.  Yeah, 15 miles in with one bar cell coverage, and a few very unprepared women we get a flat.  Let's just talk for a moment about being prepared.  Seven women, seven bicycles,

and only ONE prepared lifesaver (thanks Dawn). 

Dawn was the only prepared one out of the bunch.  She came stocked with tube, and CO2. Now, you think that would be enough for us to continue on our journey.  Well, let's just say things didn't go as planned.  After inflating the CO2 we started on our way.  Within a couple of moments we knew our flat repair job was NOT top notch.  A bulge!  Yeah, you heard it a bulge!  What the #$@)&!   

It turns out that my buddy and I walked for a very long time until our car support came back to get us.  We had such a friggin blast though.  It's amazing how much fun you can have walking with the bears in spandex and your bike by your side. 

So my goal is to educate myself and others on the importance of cycling prepardness. (pics to follow)

Head badge INPUT

So I need all of your expert advice.  I am trying to nail down the head badge, and need your help.  What you like and don't like about it?  Any input would be great.  I am thinking it might be just a little too busy??  Share your thoughts.

SO SEXY

All I want to do right now is ride this pretty thing.  Wow, there is nothing more sexy than a custom ride.

CRC bike race

Over the weekend we got to spend some time in Capital Reef for the CRC bike race.  It's always a good time for mental rehab.  Yeah, watching all these fast buggers with their tight butts makes me want to scream.  Well, let's just say I'm a little jealous of those buns.  Every year I am motivated to be better, to work harder and to toughen up for the next years race.   And each year comes and goes with NO hope for Heather riding.  How in the world to people do it?  Seriously?  How do you find the time to train with the busy schedules?  Please, could you answer this question for me?

It was fun having some of the local Kelson guys travel such long distances to attend.  Brian was ill last week so he was unable to ride, but he went along and was a great asset to the race organizers.  Capital Reef is where Brian's folks live so we were able to hang out and do some other amazing fun things. 

We herded cattle.  Yeah, I don't even know what the word herd means, but we took them from one place to another. 

 My boys sure had a blast.   

So what did I learn this weekend?  I learned that I have a lot of room for improvement.  I learned that with alot of hard work and dedication anyone can get in shape enough to ride the CRC race.  I will be starting today focusing on getting my buns in shape so "next year"  I can join in the fun of riding in the Capitol Reef Classic. 

Life ? ? ? Awesome

Jill has been so patient waiting for her new custom ride.  Sometimes things like this are sure worth waiting for.  We are still waiting on some new custom head badges that will finish off the new look of her Bella bike.  A few new parts might also help aid in that finished look.  Super stoked for you girl. 

I have been trying to figure out how to take good product shots of the bikes.  After pulling out my hair, scratching out my eyeballs, and beating a few things up against the wall I am hear to tell you "I STILL HAVE NOT FIGURED IT OUT"!  So for now . . . this is what you get to look at. 

 I promise she is so much more beautiful in person.

For a moment there I thought I forgot to log back into the Bella blog . . . it's been so long.  How have you all been?  I truly miss talking to you.  Life has been absolutely amazing.  Amazingly busy, amazingly stressful, amazingly full of trials - but amazing.  It has truly been an exhausting month so far, but I am loving every minute of it.  I have been pondering quite a bit on Life.  Life is such a precious thing that can be swiped up from us in a few moments.  We don't know how long we will be here on this earth.  Some of us are even wondering why we are here on this earth.  For now, I am just truly greatful to be living in this moment right now. Let me explain. 

During early spring my sister-in-law and her kids were involved in a rollover accident close to her home.  She rolled over into a ditch.  This ditch is usually full of water.  Where was the water?  Why were they spared? 

About a month ago my brother was hit by a car riding his motorcycle home.  The doctors wondered how he made it out without more severe injuries or death.  Why was he spared?

This last week, my brother-in-law was involved in a rollover with his son and dogs.  They were going 75 miles per hour and rolled the car 5 times.  They walked away with not even a scratch. Why were they spared? Our good friend Kaina (Whitney's dog) however was not. 

So, today it makes me wonder a little bit about LIFE, and how freakin awesome it truly is.  You never know when it will be your turn to kick the bucket so just be extremely thankful for your life and everyone in it. 

Freak, isn't this bike amazing. This is his new build for David. My husband ROCKS! My pictures however need some serious professional HELP.