Jamestown Cross 2013

Jamestown Cross 2013: Race #1 in VACX Series

By: Avanell Schmitz

Ava with the hole shot
Photo Credit: Dulcey Lloyd

I, unfortunately, did not make it up to Nittany with Julie to see her awesome 6th place performance so Jamestown CX was the first race on my cross calendar this year.  The week leading up to the first race of the season is always the most nerve racking, and regardless of how many years I've been racing, I can never shake those first race jitters.  Thank goodness they're out of the way!

The course was great.  Everything you expect in a cross course: grass, gravel, road, a few technical spots, and a few power spots.  Only thing we were missing is mud and snow.  But the weather was perfect in the upper seventies with a few clouds in the sky.

Julie on the hill run-up
Photo Credit: Dulcey Lloyd

There were five women at the start for the Women's 1/2/3 field and we were off sprinting for position as soon as the whistle blew.  I got the hole shot into the first 180 with Julie on my wheel.  One of the technical features was a telephone pole - or something that size - laying across the course, which some gals rode and some ran (for those who have heard, this was the same feature that I miss-timed my attempt to bunny hop at speed during warm-up and had a pretty epic crash).  

Julie and I came out side by side on the road section on the backside of the course, down the gravel fire road that led into the hill run-up.  The hill itself could have been ride-able for most, except it had a fairly large log at the base that was only ride-able for a couple.  Coming out of the hill and onto the front side of the course, Julie pulled ahead where she would stay the remainder of the race.

I had a little gap securing my 2nd place finish, and Sally (TriPower) and Jen (Rogue Velo) had a hard fought battle to the end with Sally pulling through to round out the podium.  Yes its a one lap report because I was pretty much by myself after the first lap!

Julie and Ava take the top two spots
on the Podium at Jamestown CX!
Photo Credit: Celerity Cycling

The first race of the cross season couldn't have turned out any better.  The team took the top two podium spots, the weather was perfect, and there was pumpkin pie!!!

Thanks to Celerity and JRVS, and a big thanks to Anthony Bream (Celerity) for the hard effort that was put in to make the first VACX race a success!  And for those who are curious, my new Trek Crockett is pretty awesome!

Nittany Lion Cross 2013

Nittany Lion Cross 2013

By Julie Hunter

Photo Credit: Courtney Cotton

This past weekend marked my second year racing Nittany Lion Cross in Breiningsville, PA. Last year, Nittany was my first ever UCI Elite race where I finished in a not-so-spectacular position. My goal for this season was to get UCI points, meaning I would need a top-10 finish. Without having too many expectations for the first race of the season, I lined up in the third row confident and eager to do my best.

Photo Credit: Courtney Cotton

I didn't have the greatest start but managed to be somewhere in the top 15 by the middle of the first lap. By the end of that lap, I had made it to the top 10. After passing a few more riders, I was comfortably riding with with Ally Stacher (Specialized/Lululemon) and Cassie Maximenko (Rare Vos). Shortly before we began our final lap, I attacked through a muddy section and created a gap. I rode the final lap alone and managed to have a solid 6^thplace finish in Saturday’s race out of a field of 40 amazing women.

Sunday’s race was much harder and faster. Even though we rode the exact same course but in reverse, we completed an extra lap on Day 2. The ground was also much drier, creating a lot of loose dirt around the twisty course. Unfortunately, my tires were not well suited for these conditions, so I chose to ride conservatively around the corners. I was hoping for another top 10 finish, but it was also just as important to have a smooth race and avoid hitting the ground.  I ended up finishing in 13^th place on Day 2, putting me in 7^th overall for the weekend.

Photo Credit: Courtney Cotton

I had a great time racing at Nittany and am looking forward to the rest of the season! I will be out at Jamestown CX this Saturday and South Germantown CX on Sunday. The following weekend will be another round of UCI races at Charm City CX in Baltimore, MD!

Introducing one of the originals and CX extraordinaire, Avanell Schmitz

Avanell was one of the original team members when Tradewinds was founded back in 2010!  While her main love is cyclocross, she is simply an awesome all around cyclist and teammate!  To follow Ava and her inner thoughts and workings throughout the road and cross seasons check back on this blog or follow her on her own blog at

http://virginiavelogal.blogspot.com

How long have you been riding/racing bikes? (how did you get started?)

My sister, Beneline, got me started racing mountain bikes back in 1998.  I took a break from racing while I played field hockey at Longwood University.  Chris got me started racing cyclocross in 2008, and Emily recruited me to race road in 2010.

What is your favorite cycling discipline (road, mtn, cross, bmx, etc)

I have a passion for the dirt.  Although I love racing in general, cyclocross has become my favorite discipline.

During road season, what is your favorite type of race? Do you live for crits, road races, time trials?

Crits are definitely my favorite type of road racing.

What do you feel is your biggest strength as a cyclist? Are you a sprinter, good technical rider, see yourself as a good candidate to be in the breakaways?

Having such a strong mountain biking background, my biggest strength is my technical ability.  Give me a bunch of corners and some fast descents and I’m over the moon happy!

How long have you been on Tradewinds?

Emily recruited me to Tradewinds in December of 2010.  I was one of the original members of the team and have been racing road ever since!

What is your favorite part of being apart of the team or for the newbies what do you most look forward to as we begin this new season?

Knowing that I have girls on the road beside me with the same end goal gives me more confidence, and being able to help somebody that I know and trust reach their personal goal gives me a huge sense of accomplishment.  Even if I don’t personally have a great result, being able to help a teammate reach their goal for the race is something that is just as satisfying.  Being part of a great team allows all of us to be more competitive than just racing by ourselves and its really just a lot of fun!

What are you goals for this season?

My big goals for this year come around during cyclocross season honestly.  During road season, the majority of my goals will be centered on the team and my teammates.

What do you do when you aren’t on the bike? (Job, hobbies, etc)

When I’m off the bike, I’m working on and with bikes!  I’m the Assistant Manager at BikeBeat bicycle shop in Yorktown.  I also teach and play the piano; I have a Bachelor of Music from Longwood University.  My family is all really close and I love spending time with them.  I also love when Chris and I get to run and play with our furry Basenji daughter, Zuma!

What is your favorite food; where would we find you getting some post race grub?

Honestly, it depends on what type of mood I’m in!  But really, anything good makes my list…

Where is your favorite place to ride bikes?

I really enjoy riding out to Yorktown.  I can go for a quick ride, or if I’m logging some extra miles, head out to Williamsburg.

Do you have a favorite race that you look forward to all year? 

During road season I don’t have a favorite that has returned to the calendar the following year.  Last year was my first year doing Roanoke Twilight weekend and I was really looking forward to it.  But its not on the calendar for 2013.  For cross though, I look forward to Charm City, DCCX, and for the local series, Chimborazo.

What is your favorite part about being a cyclist and competing?

As far as competing, that’s something I’ve done all of my life.  I love the challenge, and I love being able to give myself goals.  It only makes sense that I continue to compete, especially in something that I love doing so much.

Ava leads the women's field back in 2010!

Introducing Team Founder and Rider...Emily Joyner

As we head into our 2013 Road Season we thought we should introduce ourselves! Over the next few days and weeks we will try to highlight each of our riders through a Q/A style interview. 

First up, Emily Joyner, the founder of Tradewinds Racing and a resident of Virginia Beach, VA!  

Emily Joyner enjoys a surprise warm winter day outside getting ready for the 2013 season with baby Aubree !

How long have you been riding/racing bikes? 

I started racing bikes after college (2004) when I heard about the amphitheater crits in Virginia 

Beach on Tuesday nights and I started showing up and having some fun.

What is your favorite cycling discipline (road, mtn, cross, bmx, etc)?

     Hands down road!

During road season, what is your favorite type of race? Do you live for crits, road races, time trials?

      I love crits and I like road races (especially those without center-line rules)

 What do you feel is your biggest strength as a cyclist? Are you a sprinter, good technical rider, see yourself as a good candidate to be in the breakaways?

      I enjoy sprinting.

How long have you been on Tradewinds?

      I was one of the founders of the team back in 2010.  I founded Tradewinds with the help of Tiffany                 

      and Ava.

  What is your favorite part of being apart of the team or for the newbies what do you most look forward to as we begin this new season?

      I like being a part of such a great group of women who are focused and competitive on the bikes,    

      who like to race hard and always improve personally and as a team, and who are friendly and 

      supportive as teammates and competitors.

What do you do when you aren’t on the bike? (Job, hobbies, etc)

   I am a middle school math teacher and track coach.  I enjoy playing with my two kids, surfing and 

   helping with my youth group in my spare time.

What is your favorite food; where would we find you getting some post race grub?

    Mermaid Winery in Norfolk, VA

Where is your favorite place to ride bikes?

  I like riding anywhere the weather is warm, the cars are few, and the dogs are not chasers. My favorite 

  local rides are Pungo and Blackwater.

  

Emily Joyner riding strong in 2011

Do you have a favorite race; one that you look forward to all year?

 I really like the Reston Town Center Grand Prix held in June in Reston, VA.

We are so excited to have Emily back in the pack this season after the birth of her second 
child, a beautiful baby girl, this fall!   

Shamrock Crit March 16th

 Tradewinds is happy to be helping with the Shamrock Crit again this year. Bonus for the women - we have added a 3,4 race and are running the women 1,2,3's a few hours later, which makes this a great first race for any female cat4 (please helpus spread the word!). Also, there is another race in the area Sunday, so this is a race weekend worth the trip! If you are a female who is coming from out of town for the weekend and need a place to stay please contact us, we will see what we can find for you!

 

Lots of great local prizes, I will include a sponsor list in a week or two when it is complete. Sign up on bikereg.com (registration opens up in a few days!)