1st Gila Post: Grabbing all 4 jerseys (has never been done at this race in the 39 years it has been here)! A strong team that sacrifices for each other and works together is what made this possible. Just some photos. Next post will be some heartfelt words and pictures from the last stage :)
#tourofthegila
Making history with some of the best 😎
Yesterday, I won my first UCI race. The Gila Monster stage. But it was anything but a lone effort. Kate, Laini, and Jamie pulled and kept the front for the first 80k... 80k!!! Insane. They kept the jerseys safe. They sacrificed so Grace, Lauren, and I could take off on the climb feeling fresh. Absolutely selfless.
Lauren launched a false attack over the top of the QOM, and I countered. Solo for 20k remembering everything I was taught about being aero and saving energy where I could. I finished and the first thing I did was get off the bike to watch my teammates finish. Grace and Lauren went 2nd and 3rd! Podium sweep! Inside the final 5k, the team car rolled up with Mat, Lee, and Michelle. All of them are so happy for me and cheering me on. Mat and Michelle have had us dialed all week. Working very late nights to make sure the bikes were perfect. And Lee has worked tirelessly to keep everything organized. These are the people who make the team run.
To top it off, my Dad took the GC win, and one of my favorite people, Michael, was there at the finish with a hug along with my Dad. My Mom couldn't be there but called immediately to congratulate me. She is always the most excited for me in everything and anything and she is the person I hold in the highest regard. I love you Mom.
Grateful to all the sponsors and for every single person who made this happen.
#tourofthegila #bikes #U23 #UCI #fyp
RACE RECAP: Rode a bike I had never ridden on except for the day before and was only on it for 15 minutes. A brutal climb each lap that got harder each time. Over 9,000ft of climbing in 90 miles. Fell off the lead group halfway into lap 2 and just rode tempo from there. Managed to keep away from the group behind me which had a strong U23 rider. Close call (20 seconds) but I still got the win! Got to celebrate with people who I love afterwards (the best part). Super cool to see that Lauren got 2nd and so did Mat! Stoked about the result and ready to race Unbound and the rest of the LTGP series!!!
DAY BEFORE RACE: Bike I've never ridden. Crashed well enough to need stitches in my elbow along with missing half the skin on my quad 🤣 Was on my feet pretty much all day. Definitely not a restful pre-race day at all but I made the most of it 🫡
Photo cred for the podium picture @seaotterclassic #LTGP #lifetimegrandprix #u23cycling #seaotter #cervelo
BIG SHOUT OUT TO @fjimz10 for the AMAZING photos!!!
This. This is what it is to be a team. To suffer together and pull through for each other (literally and figuratively). Winning Redlands was awesome, but looking cool while doing it (thanks to @capocycling@rideshimano@envecomposites@rudyprojectna ) was even better ;)
And, while us riders are who you see, the real stars of the show are the people hidden in plain sight. These are the people who spend more time with your bikes than anyone or anywhere else. These are the people who show up and watch you race. The "team mom" who always brings you up. The mentor/coach who is always proud. The people at home watching the live updates. The person in a uniform ensuring we are safe racing and the medics who are there when we aren't. The people of the community who volunteer and give their time so that we can race. It is a privilege to race and it's an even bigger privilege to race with a team that makes you a better human and a better racer. So thank you to everyone and especially to my teammates for making me better. More racing to come :) #redlands #U23 #cycling #bikerace #fyp
What. A. Day. Real West Gravel!!! Finished 9th overall with the front group of men and placed 1st for elite women. Weather could not have been better and I got to race with women who I've looked up to for years. My girlfriend showed up and was there at the end and my Dad and I got to race together for the first 1/4 of the race. Positioned well for the break and stayed on with the front group for the last 45 miles! Plus, these glasses from @rudyproject do not fog up and they are my first pair of glasses that don't!
#cycling #u23 #bikes #racebikes #gf
Painful ride, but it's finally mine 🥹 Lots of prep went into this! Raw unedited photos just seemed fitting for something so raw and mentally/physically exhausting!
#hawaii #cyclist #capo #haleakala #athlete
Tuscon part one! First time on the track and I'm still figuring out how I feel about it! Haha. Finals have been taken, hands have been held, and rides have been ridden 🙌 goofy pics at the end 🙂↕️
#travel #tuscon #arizona #cycling #cyclinglove #cyclinglifestyle #cyclingpics #outside #outdoors #adventure #travelling #race #athlete #athletelife #fitness #fitnessmotivation #aegis_cycling
#cyclist #cycling #bikes #young #KrankitKylee #race #america #extremesports #Oregon #U23 #bike #biking #ride #riding
Very late gravel nationals post! Very proud of @lollyis_lauren for her THIRD win!!! As for me, placing 8th is something I am very proud of :) I am so grateful to race with the best gravel racers in the U.S. and learn from them :)
#travel #cycling #cyclinglifestyle #cyclingpics #outside #outdoors #adventure #travelling #race #athlete #athletelife #fitness #fitnessmotivation #aegis_cycling #cyclist #cycling #bikes #young #KrankitKylee #race #america #extremesports #Oregon #U23 #bike #biking #ride #riding #gravelnats #gravel #gravelnationals
