Greetings from Belgium!

Well, not really. I’m still in Northern California, but with the rain we’ve been getting, it might as well be Belgium. As a result, very little riding has taken place since Levi’s GranFondo in October. The weather isn’t the only reason, but it would qualify as the main reason.

Fortunately, it’s also cyclocross season. Rain would normally put a damper on riding, but if you race cyclocross or enjoying watching it, rain increases the enjoyment (maybe just from a spectator’s viewpoint). Since Levi’s GranFondo, I’ve photographed four cyclocross races (three were part of the Sacramento Cyclocross series and the Halloween Surf City Cyclocross in Santa Cruz). Some of the work resulted in photos that I’m quite pleased with, but keep in mind that I can easily take 800 shots at one race over the course of a couple of hours. You’ll find a few of my favorites below.

Sacramento Cyclocross in Ione on October 24, 2010

Cody Kaiser of Cal Giant tackles the barriers at Surf City Cyclocross #1 on October 31, 2010.

Alex Candelario of Kelly Benefit/World Bicycle Relief powers up a levee at Sacramento Cyclocross in Acampo on November 21, 2010

Max Jenkins of United Healthcare got a little muddy at Sacramento Cyclocross #6 in Acampo on December 18, 2010.

Aside from photography and not riding, life has been consumed with work and dealing with the loss of a dear family member after a long battle with cancer. She was one of my first supporters for the LIVESTRONG Challenge in 2009 and I rode in her honor in 2010. I’ll be riding in her memory in 2011 when the LIVESTRONG Challenge moves to Davis, California. I’m looking forward to challenging myself with my first metric century (65 miles). However, I know that this challenge is nothing compared to what those fighting cancer are going through, like my friend Connie and her husband James who are both fighting for their lives and inspiring me every single day to try to make a difference, one pedal stroke at a time.

As the year comes to an end and I’m forced to look back at the goals I set for myself I have a crashing sense of failure because I feel like I’ve made very little progress. Then I tell myself that everything I listed in this blog as a goal for 2010 actually happened, with the exception of riding the Delta Century, which I forgot about due to very little training time in April and May.

So what have I accomplished?
• I photographed something around 12 difference races including, but not limited to, two stages of the Amgen Tour of California, the Merco Cycling Classic, Copperopolis Road Race, and the Nevada City Classic.
• I photographed George Hincapie at the Breakaway Ride and had the photos used on Bike Radar.
• I had a photo of Burke Swindlehurst from the Nevada City Classic published in the Bend Bulletin.
• I photographed and rode with Chris Horner… I also found out that he lives up to his reputation of being a really nice guy.
• I commuted by bike to a summer job, 9 miles one way. I commuted once to my full time teaching job during a teacher prep day, 17 miles one way. Yes, it was only once, but at least I tried it.
• I completed my longest ride ever, just over 50 miles at the LIVESTRONG Challenge.
• I had another go at Levi’s GranFondo and didn’t die, though Levi told me I looked like crap afterward and once again, Dylan Casey dropped me.
• And the best of my accomplishments… I made new friends, including a riding buddy that lives close enough for frequent rides.

Maybe 2010 wasn’t so bad after all, even if I am going out with a fizzle.

Now I’m looking forward to 2011 and starting to set new goals. I’m reminded of an interview about weight loss that I recently caught on TV. The expert being interviewed suggested that a person train for something. Don’t just decide to start jogging, but actually train for an event because it gives you a sense of purpose. I like to consider myself as being a fairly intelligent woman, but it was still good to hear that I’m already doing what the experts suggest. Last year my main goal was to train for the LIVESTRONG Challenge and Levi’s GranFondo. Those are still part of my goals for next year, but I’m upping the stakes a little bit.

Riding goals:
• July – LIVESTRONG Challenge, Davis, 65-mile route.
• August – Ride for a Reason, Folsom, ride until I’m tired. (For the Davis Phinney Foundation)
• October – Levi’s GranFondo… MEDIO route. Yes, that’s right, I’m upping the ante a bit and attempting to double my distance and get over my fear of Coleman Valley Road.

I’m saving the best for last. This is something that I’ve put a lot of thought into over the last few weeks. I’ve never thought it was something I was interested in trying, but as I’m starting to conquer longer distance riding, I think I might be ready to conquer higher intensity riding. Is my logic sound here or am I just dreaming?
• By January of 2012… join the LBS club, purchase a USA Cycling license and be ready to race… first up, Snelling Road Race (assuming it’s still around in 2012).

Photography goals:
• Continue photographing local races with hopes of being published.
• Photograph several stages of the Amgen Tour of California.
• Photograph USPros in Greenville, South Carolina in May.

I think I’m looking forward to 2011.