Long time away from home riding bikes : )

Ahhh. I have not been very deligent about updating my blog, but I will tell you all about what I have been doing for the last 11 or so days.

Well, it all started with taking the ACT last saturday at 8. I got out at 12:30 or so, and then it was time to round up my dad and get headed down to the SERC race in Jackson GA. We hit the road at about 2:30. Wow. That makes for a late arrival time for sure. We made it down in plenty good time and got a preride in. I some how managed to cut out a large part of the loop, but it turned out to not be a problem because the kind people at goneriding shortened the course because the heat index 105. Anyways, we got done preriding, found a hotel, and ate some yummy food, and went to bed.

We awoke the next morning and headed over to the course. I warmed up and felt like my body was boiling. We lined up, the race began, and I assumed my spot in last and held it for the remainder of the race. It was not a pretty day on the bike for me. haha. I drank a lot, but when I got done I still noticed that my vision was rather blurred. I attribute this to the heat. I guess I was riding my bike, and that is what I love, so it wasn't a total loss. I race my bike because I like it!

After the race, my dad drove me to Kym's house in Chattanooga. As soon as we got there, it was time to leave to go up to USA cycling's development camp in Sewanee. This came as a suprise to me. I did not know that we had to leave on Sunday night. haha. So, we left and got up there that night. I learned an interesting and confusing fact: because of the time zone change and the fact that driving distance is one hour, you get to camp at the SAME TIME YOU LEAVE! WOAH! That blew my mind.

So, camp had begun. I was the only girl at camp, but I still made friends. I'm not scared of boys! First day was not too bad, but I knew it would get harder as the week drew onwards. The second day we took our five minute TT Test. That is five minutes of killing yourself. It hurts! I felt like I gave it my all. That's all I can do.

The week went on and we rode and rode and rode. The next test rolled around. It was a 15 minute test. It also hurts very badly. I did so well on this one that I vomitted at the top! I hear that is a sign of sucess. haha. Only a little bit of throwing up though...the week finished up with more riding and skills lessons. I really enjoyed camp. I really learn a lot there. It my favorite camp I've ever been too, and it is one of the best parts of my summer. I really want to thank Scenic City Velo for helping make it possible for me to go. That really is generous. I also want to thank my team, Grace Law/Trek p.b. Vantaggio for helping me go to camp as well. I had a blast!

Well, after camp was over, I went to yet another race in Clemson SC. That was also a SERC race. It was not quite as boiling lava hot, but it was still hot. We lined up 9 girls I believe, and I got 8th. Yaay. I was proud of myself because I stayed with the group for a pretty good while, and I was quite close to 7th place. I was tired and I raced my hardest, again, that is all I can do.

It has been a really great week full of what I love most...bike riding. I seem to fall in love with riding bikes each time I ride them. Even when it's not one of the best days, I still know I love what I'm doing, and it will stay with me forever.