The Velo Vixen’s Quarterly Time Trial sessions  for 2009 have begun.  The girls definately brought their legs,  clocking times in range of  18 to almost 22 mph for the course. A great effort for the first test of the year and a good start to the season.  Â
If you missed today’s TT test, then you really did miss an very special treat.   Debra Martin with Archer PT in Chickamauga was on hand and provided some much needed relief for sore muscles, and some really good advice on keeping them in shape.  You can visit her website at www.archerpt.com and get more information.    Debra gives a unique perspective to conditioning with a woman in mind and you won’t be disappointed.  We hope to make Debra a permanent part of the club/team and look forward to working with her again.
  It did not take long for the girls to hand out over 15 pounds of candy during the Lookout Valley/Tiftonia Christmas Parade on Saturday.   Plenty of local dignitaries on hand including District One Councilwoman Linda Bennett, and lots and lots of kids along the parade route who were really surprised and quite happy to see that Santa could actually ride a bike……………..very well we might add!
Mary (aka Bike Santa), Karen, Carol, Cecelia, and Lori represented the Club as Vixen (Reindeer) and everyone agreed that it was one of the best biking experiences this year.  Outdoor Chattanooga’s Philip Grymes and Phil Pugliese, the Bike Task Force Coordinator rode the entire parade route with us.    The children as well as the adults along the parade route enjoyed all the floats, vehicles and bicycles.   Next year, we all decided, we would bring a lot more candy.
On Sunday October 19, 2008 the Vixens took to the streets for a group ride and enjoyed the chance to relax together. It was also a chance for injured members and new members to come out and enjoy some comeraderie and a learn some new skills from each other. On the go lessons in gearing for newbies, and assistance on climbing for the injured are all just part of the package when Vixens get together for a fun ride!
We do enjoy taking advantage of our Bike Friendly City streets in Chattanooga!
October 18, 2008 saw Beth Travers and Cat Thornton in Ringold, GA to see what they could do. The race was either 8 miles for Women’s cat 3/4 or 40K for Women’s open, and the option to do women’s open was provided to all. Beth was quick to switch to the 40K race, and Cat wound up taking a second number when someone else didn’t make the race and did both.
It was a bit chilly out there in the morning, but the races did not start until 9:30 with the juniors, so the promise of sunlight to warm our bodies was a good thing. Cat’s first race went well with a 2nd place finish in Women’s cat 3/4.
In the Women’s open, Beth added two miles to her ride as the volunteer at the turnaround (which was moved up the road a tad due to an accident) moved from his post. She took the mistake well and finished her race with classic grace. Cat was started in the midst of the cat 3 men’s starts and missed her start time by a few minutes because she didn’t recognize the name called to the line.. the official called for the man that initially had the second bib number. Cat overcame that time deficit to take 3rd in Women’s open.
Both Beth and Cat walked away with gold medals however. The race director determined the Velo Vixens deserved accolades, Beth for good sportsmanship and Cat for being the only woman to race double or nothing.
The Vixens were proud to join Outdoor Chattanooga for the Interpretive Battlefield Ride in the Chickamauga Battlefield this past weekend for the 145th anniversary celebration of the Battle of Chickamauga. Bikes are provided by the Bicycle Task Force, and it is a great opportunity for people to explore the battlefield and learn.Â
Attendance at these rides has been excellent. The bikes from the Task Force, Outdoor Chattanooga staff and Vixens make for a memorable learning experience for park visitors. Thanks to Phil Pugliese and Minya James for inviting us!
(pictured Vixens are Karen Rogers, Mary Kilbride and Lisa King)
The Vixens have been busy representing at several major events over the past couple weekends, and turned out  some fantastic results.
In road racing, Beth Travers raced the Oak Ridge Omnium (www.oakridgevelo.com) to defend her 2nd place TBRA standing, and boy did she ever defend it by taking 1st in the time trial, 2nd in the road race and another 1st in the criterium. Awesome results, though none of us are surprised. Beth has been rocking it out on the road this year, and its been a true pleasure seeing her rise above the competition. We are all proud to celebrate her achievement.
In adventure racing, Cathi Cannon, Carol Farmer and Jaclyn Greenhill teamed up for the Tsali Challange ( www.noc.com ), Cathi took 4th in the open women’s category with a 6th place master’s finish for Carol. Then the Jaclyn came out and joined Cathi and Carol for the team effort on Sunday, where they took the 2nd place women’s team finish! Reports indicate that Jaclyn tore up the run and Cathi dominated the bike course, beating top racer Norma Rainwater and within seconds of the top place finisher. Way to show them Vixen teamwork girls!Â
Meanwhile, Dreama Campbell, Mindy Williford and Cat Thornton participated in the Frantic Frog Sprint Triathlon (www.scottsborotri.com ). Mindy had strong 6th place in her age group, Cat took 2nd place in the Athena division and Dreama was 5th overall woman and took 1st in her age group! Fantastic representation and finishes all around.
The previous weekend Chattanooga hosted its second mountain bike race of the year at Booker T State Park(www.sceniccitymultisport.com). Karen Rogers was the lone Vixen but finished off her first season of racing on the dirt with a second place finish.Â
We have begun our bi-weekly rides. We depart from the intersection of Cummings Hwy and Browns Ferry Road (Subway) at 6:00 pm. This is a female friendly ride of 26 miles. Come join us!!
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