New pair of shoes! Bontrager RXL Road WSD

Bontrager RXL Road WSD

Why I love this shoe... gear review by Emily Joyner

When I rolled up to my very first group ride with the high hopes of one day racing my bike I was not even wearing cycling shoes. When I started racing it was in a hand-me-down pair of triathelon shoes that were a half-size too small. Along the way I tried to save my money for travel and entry fees rather than new gear. And although my finances are only somewhat improved, my attitude about gear has certainly changed, and this shoe is the perfect example why!

Good gear not only helps race results because it performes better, but also because it makes you want to ride more, and especially enjoying riding longer distances. These shoes go the extra mile because they do not pinch or rub or make my toes fall asleep on long rides, but they stay snug enough to feel efficient when peddling. Of course they are light due to the high-quality carbon soles and ventilated uppers, which is obviously important, but another cool thing about these shoes is on the inside. The footbed can be totally custom using esoles , making the fit really yours.


For me this shoe has opened up the road and allowed me to stay on the bike for longer since my feet are comfortable. I had no idea until I tried them just what a difference they would make, but for me it was huge! I am not sure how much of the comfort is due to the women specific design, but they really do fit my foot better than the men's shoes I have worn in the past. If your feet are not already happy while riding, and you are looking for a pair to try on, check this shoe out at BikeBeat!

Crystal City Report

Photo by Jon Devich from cyclingnews.com, Erin is on the far right

Race Report by Erin Silliman


Today started out with numerous attacks from Colavita with Tibco following. The race usually had one rider from both Tibco and Colavita dangling off the front by 5-10 seconds the entire race but that duo changed every few laps after smaller teams went after it. After Patty and I spent enough energy in the beginning of the race trying to make something work, I realized I needed to sit back in the field and trust a sprint. 


With 3 to go, I considered jumping again b/c I would have been mad if a break stuck to the finish but both colavita and tibco decided that they were ready set up a field sprint. In the last lap I positioned myself well but really got a great spot before the last turn (which left a wicked long drag to the finish). 


I positioned myself smack in the middle of the two trains that were side-by-side, first I was on Kacey Manderfields wheel, then I bumped over to Kelly Benjamin's wheel and enjoyed the gust of the field just propelling me to the finish line. Unfortunately two riders bobbled and I had to hit my breaks and swung wide to avoid crashing. 


I ended up a wheel length behind Kelly and millimeters behind the next 5 people putting me in 11th. It was so close to a great finish. Patty ended up 15th and for the day and I ended up 11th in the weekend points omnium. 


Where will we be next weekend? Glad you asked, Tour of Washington County Stage Race, hope to see you there! 

Liberty Classic, report

Over 100 of the top professional female cyclists (from this country as well as racing internationally) racing one of the most prestigious and longest-runing women’s races in the country. The Philly Liberty Classic consists of a 14.4-mile circuit that the women complete 4 times for a total of  57.6 miles. The circuit takes racers through Philadelphia and up the grueling Manayunk Wall, one of four taxing climbs. This race is one of the historically longest-running races in the country and is also a great race for spectators.

Yesterday, the team arrived in town and took a ride over the course. It was exciting to see so many big teams and top pro riders doing the same thing. Today, teamVA Asset Group p/b Artemis/Trek lined up with five strong (three elite team riders and two guest riders) at the start of the race.

The first two laps were a group ride along Kelly Drive with most of the action occurring leading up to Manyunk Wall, Strawberry Hill and Lemon Hill. One wreck occured on Manyunk Wall on lap two, causing Brenna to get off her bike, sprint up the hill, then and chase for 11 miles, using up all her energy to catch back on just before the same climb. The first lap averaged almost 26 MPH and the pace picked up a bit on lap three, but lap 4 was the killer. Judy rode well but fell off the back near end and couldn't get back on.

Going into lap four Erin and Patty were still with the group and fairly well positioned going into Manyunk Wall. Once over the wall for the last time it was game time. Erin got on the Colavita train up Strawberry Hill while they drilled it. Then the group bunched up again before Lemon hill.

The sprint was crazy. People were grabbing and shoving people off their bikes, it was nuts! Erin found a few key sprinters in front of her in the final 1K but was boxed and could not squeeze through. It was a lesson on jockeying and finding the right place. Erin finished off the race in 30th and Patty in 44th.



Cycling news race report with full results

Somerville Report

Although it was not on the official NRC calendar this year Somerville maintained a top-level of racing for the women's pro 1,2 criterium. The race was stacked with team Colavita as well as most of the top sprinters who race the NRC calendar regionally, including the world champion (Colavita).

Erin managed a place in the front row and stayed in great position the entire race. A few laps in, Rush-lee and Kacey Manderfield moved up the road a little on a prime lap so Erin bridged up and then attacked them to keep the momentum going, plus the prime was for $200. Just around turn 3 Erin was caught by the field and sat 3rd wheel down the home stretch. As the field slowed again, Erin launched off the front from the end of the homestretch and got a significant gap.It looked as if she had sealed the deal on the $200 prine when, a yard from the line, Ms. World Champion comes outta nowhere to snag the prime and keep rolling. Erin jumped on her wheel but she eased up and wasn't interested as the field was right there.

A few laps later, Cath Cheatley attacks after turn one and Erin jumped to take her wheel hoping she'd keep rolling. Nope. A few more laps go by and same thing happens only after Cath stops pedaling, Rush-Lee, who was on Erin's wheel, attacks and Erin jumps on the wheel again. This happed two more times before the end of the race. It was not a surprise that Colavita was going to dictate the race since they were the only full squad with numbers.

As it closed in on the last two laps, people start getting squirmy. After missing a couple near crashes and with one lap to go, Erin puts herself in the Colavita train--fighting TCR for LVG's wheel. Erin ended up sitting 6th wheel going into the final turn, after playing ping-pong in another near-crash she followed wheels as each colavita girl pulled off. As the line approached, no one was swarming and the few non-colavita sprinters who were in front of were smoked. Erin sprinted and managed to secure 7th on the line.

Next up for the Elite team: Liberty Classic good luck ladies!!

Bike Jam, the legacy lives on

full results for womens 1,2,3

Race report by Emily Joyner

The legacy is of course that there will be blood spilled in the women's race, literally (there  was a big red stain on  the course from the first wreck). I have been to Bike Jam several times and have managed in the past to make it out unscathed, third time is the charm and I did go down in the second of two 6-rider pile ups, which both oddly took place on a straight section of the road for no apparent reason. Thankfully, my bike and I were well enough to finish the race and my new helmet still looks new!

Erin rode off the front at the start of the race in a good solo break-away effort and stayed off for several laps. After that it was a lot of short-lived attacks due to quick reactions from the peleton. Erin got one of the merchandise primes, and I tried for one after my getting off the pavement, but found it was a bit more difficult to sprint post-crash. Last lap, Erin went hard after the s-turn and pushed it, staying out in front up the hill, just before the line she was passed and ended up 7th overall. Julie K. got placed 12th, and I finished up 15th. Wishing quick recovery to all the other riders who went down.

Next up, Somerville on Monday.