After working about a gazillion hours at UPS, my awesome Dad still managed to find time to build my wheels.  Thanks Dad...YOU ROCK!!!

 

Meet Penelope.  She's almost done...just waiting for my Dad to build the wheels.   Can't wait to test her out!!!

Okay..so everyone knows that I'm not normal.  Weird?-no, just different.  I don't dress like my friends.  I like to wear T6 tees and trucker hats.  While my friends are playing volleyball and basketball, I'm racing XC. And I'm pretty sure no one from my school (high school side too) cycles off-road, let alone race.  I most definitely don't listen to the same music.  One Direction-gross!!!-I prefer to listen to alternative, punk, and old skool rap. My parents think I'm a 40 year old trapped in a 12 year old body.  I don't act old, I just think it would have been more fun to grow up when they did.  The music was better. Back then, my Dad said he and his friends would skate from sunrise to sunset. And now...well, most kids stay inside.  I could go on and on how different I am from everyone else..........

So...when it came time for a new mountain bike, I wanted it to be as unique as me. And after seeing, Mike Davis's Deep South steel creations, I knew that was exactly what I wanted.  Measurements were taken and I was even able to pick out my own paint color. This special project has been in the works for a couple months now.  Mike Davis put in a huge amount of time and effort into making sure the geometry of the frame would be a perfect fit for me.  And the result...this amazing work of art.

After the masterpiece was created, it was sent off to Tennessee.  While my frame was being painted, two cool companies merged.  Deep South Bicycles and Moccasin Bend Bicycle Company came together... and the result, my frame was transformed into this awesome one-of-a-kind "Lula".

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to meet Mike over in Orlando to pick up my frame.  And I gotta tell you, it is truly a work of art.  I feel like I should hang it up on my wall, rather than beat it up racing.
















Such an amazing gift, I am truly grateful. Thank you so much for your support- Mike Davis and Moccasin Bend Bicycle Company.  Gonna ride hard and make you guys proud!!

****My Dad has been working super hard to get the bike ready for me by Christmas.  Here's a sneak peek, almost ready.

FSC #9 Santos

First, I wanted to say thanks again to Mr. Mace for advising me to ride with the junior boys this race season.  While I know I made the right decision racing in the J3 class, I still found it very frustrating. Honestly, I tried really hard to stay positive, but all the training and no podium finishes, I wanted to scream and pull my hair out.  I had to constantly remind myself that the boys were not my competition.  Shoot- most of them are faster than the PRO women.  But what I am thankful for is- they are helping me get faster and stronger for Nationals. And that is my #1 goal.

Photo by: Christie Burnett

The last race of the series was at Santos (one of my favorite places to ride).  The course was awesome filled with all kinds of fun techie stuff.  So I got to thinking, what a great way to end the season if I could actually get a top 5 for this race. I figured I was slowly closing the gap between myself and the main pack, so a podium finish shouldn't be impossible, right??   But, unfortunately for me, that just didn't happen.  I finished the race in 6th place.  And once again, I walked away without a medal.  Was I disappointed?? -Yep.

Photo by: Nancy Cyman-Bregg

I will continue to torture myself by racing in the J3 class for some of the SERC races next year.  I will do whatever it takes for a sweet finish at Nationals.  I WANT THAT TOP STEP!!!

Good bye for now.  Going to be taking a couple weeks off the trainer.  I plan on riding my BMX bike, hitting a couple skate parks, and camping/riding with my family.  Happy Holidays