and then you just have to love it anyways

And every now and again, despite your best intentions and all your effort…things don’t turn out quite right.

GONE OFF COURSE

My last few races (five!) have gone considerably off course. I’m not riding as strong as I have, and figuring out the reason why has been a bit tricky. There’s a number of factors going into the pot. It’s a long story, but here’s the short of it…I hope.

WAS IT THE CRANKS?

I got a bike fit earlier this year on my Scale 900 with 170mm. In the fit, it looked like I was just on the verge of benefiting more from the 165mm cranks. The idea being it would open up the hips, raise the saddle and get me over the bars more. But it wasn’t for certain. I had to decide.

I went back and forth on whether or not to try the 165s. Cost and the fact the season was about to start were my biggest hesitations. And then figuring out 165mm cranks for the new SRAM 1x11 set up took some effort too because that drive train doesn’t come with 165s. (Turns out SRAM XO 165 DH cranks will do the trick.)

But I thought about the end of the year. If I were standing there in September looking back and thinking I missed out on free (LEGAL!) power through more efficient pedaling, I’d have kicked myself for not making the effort to find out. So the 165s went on in late March.

AND LIFE WAS BETTER…RIGHT?

Not exactly. Rewind to 2 weeks before the ProXCT opener in Texas. Through entirely different circumstances I strained my left calf muscle. The pain started out small and was contained to the calf but has since morphed into bigger pain and loss of power up and down my left side; from toes to the back.

It’s become a chicken and egg question. Did the pain (which seemed to stay the same with the 170 cranks) just get worse on its own or did it get worse with the 165 cranks? Or are the cranks even the issue? I’m working with a functional leg length difference that a lot of cyclists deal with.

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

Then, add to all of this, I’m just not able to get the heart rate up. What I thought was just a question of my fitness not coming on yet for the first few races, has now lead to blood tests and time off the bike to figure out why I’m not putting out the power I have before. Fatigue? Pain? Residual injury from last year’s dirt swan dives? Something else?

So…coinciding with all the factors I’ve been looking at to determine the best crankarm size, has been a whole other slew of elements to add to the equation, or to at least just help confuse the situation entirely.

CHOOSE WISELY

I went to the Whiskey 50 late last month, and ended up chatting with Lesley Paterson  (2x XTERRA World Champ and the eventual Whiskey winner, Right on, LP.) before the race. She asked how my year was going, and instead of finding something nice to say to gloss over it for conversations’ sake,  I said flat out that I  wasn’t racing like I could and couldn’t figure out why. And just as quick, she said “That’s the worst when that happens. And all you can do is love it anyways.” (I mean that’s roughly what she said - I wasn’t taking notes at the time.)

But she was right. Getting frustrated is pretty easy to do. And I don’t have time for frustration - or any other emotion that doesn’t do me any good for that matter. (who does?!) And as focusing on the love instead of the frustration is a choice - I’ll take love for $2,000, Alex.

BACK TO THE START

With all the races and travelling since early March, it’s been a little tricky to address this situation. Since I’ve been home for a couple of weeks now, I’ve had more time to work with the PT, massage therapist, chiropractor and my coach. And, I’ve had some time to go back to the start.

Back to the 170s anyhow.

It’ll work out. I’m working with some smart folks. I’ve just got to be patient.

And love it anyways.

scott launches the scale 700

Scott Bikes launched their newest cross country rig at Sea Otter last month. The Scale 700. A full carbon hard tail with 27.5 wheels.

I've been riding it now for about a month and have come to understand all that I've been hearing about the 650b wheel ride. It's true. Big wheel benefit, but still flickable. Quicker to accelerate than the 29er. Maybe not as fast rolling once it is up to speed but I don't feel like I'm having to force it around as much in slower turns. 

Getting used to riding it has also been easier. I was noticing I had to readjust my timing in turns more on the 29er. Hoping on the 700 was a lot like getting back on a 26" bike.

It was also a lot easier to fit me to the 700 than the 900. We didn't have to drop the bars like I did on the 29er with a steep stem or reversing the rise on my bars.

I still have the Scale 900 if the trail calls for it. But for now...I think I'll be running the 700 for a while.

good vibes at the otter

Sitting on the plane back home from Sea Otter and reviewing the weekend. Had a lousy weekend of racing (a story for another day), but in a few ways had the best time I’ve had at a Sea Otter yet. So I’m going to focus on the Parting Gifts.

WHAT DO WE’VE GOT, BOB?

Quickly summed up, I’m focusing on the good vibes. To be honest, this recent UCI/USAC ruling business, has had me bummed out for a number of reasons. So to get to have a weekend that had a lot of positive energy around racing and the all good stuff it brings (which is why most riders get into racing in the first place) – was a welcome reprieve.

TAKE OFF

my new ride

Scott launched the Scale 700. It's official, going into production is a full carbon 27.5 wheeled hard tail. This bike is fun. Big wheel benefit and small wheel feel. And...my bike is insane. Custom Race Club paint job...with my name on it with a flag. This is a first for me. I have to say. I teared up when I got it. 

adrian from scott talks 27.5

WOMEN’S CYCLING IN AMERICA

The caliber of women’s cycling in America continues to rise, if not just with numbers of women on bikes and at races, with the horse power behind the wheels.

The Sea Otter had a small World Cup caliber start list this year that included World Road and CX Champ Marianne Vos, Annika Langvad (2012 Mountain Bike Marathon World Champ) and Czech National Champion Teriza Hurikova. And then not to be left out was the solid contingent of North American riders. It was exciting to be on the line with these women. It seems my legs weren’t in attendance, which was a shame. But racing on US soil against some of the best in the world was pretty rad.

HEY LADIES

After Friday’s Short Track, I headed over to the Little Bellas Lemonade Social. Lea and Sabra Davison organized a little QandA for the young gals who ranged in ages from 5 to 12 to ask a panel of pro female cyclist. They asked us questions like what sports we were in before cycling, what our favorite bikes were, and where in the world we wanted to ride most – to more probing questions like what were our favorite foods and colors.

It was cute but at the same time on the level with other interviews I’m sure we all had. Sure, people want to know what a pro cyclist thinks about in terms of their bike and how they ride. But at the same time, the gals wanted to know the pros as people with questions that they have had their own experience with.

Later on it was the Ladies Lounge at SRAM with Rebecca Rusch. The median age probably hopped up from 8 to 25, but all the same it was pretty cool to be among so many women who equally loved cycling.

AND ON THE RISE

Also learned this weekend that G-Form is upping the Catamount ProXCT to exceed the men's prize purse and make the women's event the day's highlighted event. The landscape for women's cycling in America continues to grown on many fronts.

And also on the rise is high school mountain biking. The race club attended the showing of Singletrack High in Monterey. It’s a documentary that followed several California high school racers on a few different teams to see their relationship with mountain bike racing and how it has changed their lives. Having been riding with my own local team in Boulder (Go Fairview Knights!), it’s good to see awareness build of the value of mountain biking for kids.

CRANKBROs & CREW

And then over the weekend, it was just great to hang with the crankbrothers crew. Aside from the fact that the company has been a long time supporter of women's cycling, the people there have just become part of my cycling family.

And it being Sea Otter, it was also a chance to visit most our other sponsors too. I got to be a part Scott Bikes’ launch of our new Scale 700 (27.5 wheel) that I’m riding this year. And also got to hang with Kenda Tires (and ride the mechanical bull), Pearl Izumi, KMC Chains, Feedback Sports, Magura, Pactimo, and WD40. It’s good to have face time with the people that support us all year.

So maybe my results weren’t good this weekend but it was good to walk away from a race weekend with memories of good times with friends. Because that is why I got racing in the first place.

NEXT STOP…PRESCOTT, AZ

I’m home for just a couple days before my boyfriend Tom and I hop another plane to the Whiskey 50 in Prescott, AZ. I’m looking forward to what will be a very fun and big event. I spoke with the Whiskey’s promoter -Todd Sadow at Sea Otter, and as of last week there were 50+ pro women signed up. It’s going to be a throwdown once the shotgun goes off.

Sweet.

Until next time…happy trails!

Thanks for reading.

life as a bike jockey - king of the world

The Fontana City ProXCT Super D starts at the top of a rocky cropping of earth that overlooks San Bernardino County in California.

From here, you’re looking at a couple of craggy granite slabs that go straight into a hard right turn. If you’re me, what lies after that is about four minutes of tight track that weaves in, out, and over more of the mess-you-up rock you see at the start.

Finishing it off, if you didn’t pack your adjustable seatpost (like this kid), you’ve got a couple minutes of stand-up, all-out flats to kick yourself on since you lowered your saddle to get your lycra-ed tookus way back in the anti-over bars position down the descents. In short, it’s one legit Super D.

Click here to read more on VeloNews.com

life as a bike jockey: new year and a rock star start

Another race season begins with another flight. I’m sitting in Denver International Airport right now waiting for my flight to Austin, Texas, today for Pro XCT no. 1 at the Mellow Johnny’s Classic. While the year is starting out with some familiarity, there’s a lot of new heading into 2013, including a rock star fantasy or two...



Click here to read more on VeloNews.com

FATBIKES!, bruises & stars and stripes

the fast groomers - photo by eddie clark

The first race back from time off the racecourse is always a little goofy for me. If it’s not a scavenger hunt for all my gear, it’s rewriting out my race-ready schedule and heading back to the store for the pre event meal of baby food. (Yes, baby food. I’m not proud of it. But it is the one tried and true meal I work best with. Sigh*)

But throw in freezing temps and a rental bike, and the first race of the season gets a little more interesting.

Click here to read more on the crankbrothers rider journal.

iz up!

Alright...it's decided.

Coach J-Sap showing some lines to a few FHS Knights
....the Knights who later went on to 
take 2nd in the Colorado HS MTB League!

I'm no web designer.
But...
judy-freeman.com is LIVE! (thank God for website templates)
I plan to keep adding to it with other features and updates, but this is a good starting spot.

Thanks to Coach J-Sap, Fairview High School MTB coach gone web artist who took time from working on his site (joesaperstein.com) to help me figure out mine.


Have a look around and let me know what you think! 

New Year, New site

new site's a comin' for 2013...

Working on it now. Will have it up soon.

Until then, 

peace, love and unicorns

-Judy

race club rider journal: an iceman weekend

• 

  at the finish with tom
  photo courtesy: rose torrance

  Last weekend was the Iceman Cometh Challenge. If you’ve never heard of the Iceman, it’s a cross-country mountain bike race that starts in Kalkaska, Michigan and finishes in Traverse City. In between the two points is about a 30-mile stretch of sometimes fast, mostly rolly, often sandy, frequently tree-lined but all-the-while pure-Michigan riding. And at the end of it all – if you’ve had good legs – there’s a payout of $5,000 for the elite win.

• I didn’t have such good legs, but that’s for later.
  
  
  Click here to read more on the Crankbrothers Rider Journal
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

a fun investment - support your local high school league

GO TEAM!

The Fairview High School Knights (out of Boulder, CO) head into their last race of the season this weekend sitting solidly in second place. 

Whatever the outcome of the race in Fruita this weekend, I think they have already won.

The team has grown considerably in number this year, the riders have gotten stronger, improved their confidence and bike skills and smiled almost the entire time. (Hard efforts brought out the hurt faces.)

The coaches: Steve, Cheryl and JSap have really made a program to be proud of. It's not easy to juggle the schedule, race logistics, training and make sure a dozen kids all hit the same trail and come out on-time to meet their rides home. Big kudos to them.

And the kids have all had a hand in it too. I saw veteran riders support newer riders, all the riders push themselves to find their personal bests, riders holding up to make sure others were ok and just good attitudes all around. This made for a good atmosphere. It made for fun. It made for a group of young people that was just honor to hang out with. I join the for crew every practice, but I enjoyed it every time I did.

SUPPORT MAKES IT HAPPEN

I'm stoked organizations like NICA and the Colorado High School Cycling League are getting more kids on bikes, having fun, staying fit in the process and enjoying the all the joys bikes bring.

WHAT WE CAN DO

Please support the high school cycling league or junior riding program in your area. There are a lot of ways to do it: volunteer for a race/event, ride along with your local team, see if a team has use for your wrenching skills or extra/unwanted bike gear.

WHAT WE GET IN RETURN

Good things come from cycling - physically, emotionally, economically, environmentally....the list goes on.

If we help cycling (for enjoyment or competition) gain momentum at the high school level (or younger)...we're not just having fun, I'd argue we're making an investment in the future with positive returns for our communities and beyond.

Fairview High School Knights on Dowdy Draw

breaking the norm in china...part ii

hurting in the short track
photo: tom torrance

Aaaand… we’re back! Where were we? Oh yeah, the short track.

Thursday’s short track was a tough one, using a good deal of the XC course for the main climb. Luckily, the rains from the week before let up so the course was in good condition. I say that, because on the Monday before the race, the officials weren’t sure there was going to be a race at all.

Click here to read more on Velonews.com

life as a bike jockey: breaking the norm...in china

downtown guiyang
photo: tom torrance

Late last month my teammate Chloe and I got an invitation to race a World Cup test event in Guiyang, China. The local and provincial governments and the Chinese Cycling Association are working to get on the 2013 World Cup calendar so they were paying all expenses to get elite riders over there for this short track and cross-country 

We said, “hell yeah,” overnighted our visa applications and 11 days later, we were a crew of four fixing to race bikes on the other side of the world in the Guiyang International MTB Invitational Tournament. Chloe’s husband TJ came to compete in the men’s elite race and my fella’ Tom came to be support and talk NBA with our race liaison, Tom (aka “Asian Tom,” aka “T-Dawg” — I’ll explain more later).“tournament.”

Click here to read more on Velonews.com

racing in china - part 1

• 

  tom, chloe, tj and tom our guide to china
  before the rider parade thru downtown guiyang, china 

  If there’s any benefit to jet lag, its having more time to get stuff done. 

  
  

  It’s definitely not being up at 3am -8 hours after my last meal – and hungry. Because I just about set off the smoke alarm heating up a tortilla over the stovetop flame. 

  
  

  But it’s a good chance to write this blog post. Or start it anyhow…I’m hoping this is going to be bland enough a recap to bore us both to sleep.

• How’s that for an intro? Read on with confidence!
  
  
  Click here to read more on the Crankbrothers Rider Journal

...and then i woke up in china

k...crazy story.
About 3 weeks ago I got an email about a world cup test event in China.
11 days later...I got off the plane in Guiyang with Tom, my teammate Chloe and her husband TJ - to get ready for the 2012 Guiyang International MTB Invitational Tournament two days later.

Hello whirlwind.

There's a lot to say, but until I get it down on paper...here are some photos of our time in China

mountain bike action...action!

This is huge.

(Like literally, the 2 page spread and little diddy on the page just before it is quite large)

But...I have to say it is really cool to be in the mag like this.

Check out my Ibis Tranny in the October issue of Mountain Bike Action.

october 2012
mountain bike action magazine

life as a bike jockey: you just never know

honorary cheese head
photo courtesy: tim vangilder

When I took the lead in lap two of the ProXCT finals in Wisconsin this month, it wasn’t by preference. It meant being out front early. I’d be riding in front of Canada’s Amanda Sin, Heather Irmiger, Pua Mata, my teammate Chloe, a Canadian contingent I hadn’t seen before and the rest of a hungry field.

Without a leader’s wheel in my sights, I wondered if I’d blow the legs setting the pace, or if the focus would drift in the slightest measure to allow a crash on the rocky and twisty course. Riding as a pro for twelve years, you’d think this wouldn’t cross my mind. However, after the season I’d been having, admittedly my racing confidence had become shaky.

When I saw Pua behind me gaining on the climb, there was no more time to second-guess it. I passed Amanda when the trees next opened up. There’d always be the chance to chase if I lost the lead. But who knew what would happen in the next three laps.

Click here to read more on Singletrack.com

race club rider journal: first timer

• 
  

  • 

    the 'firelane'
    photo credit: extreme photography unlimited

    
    This past weekend closed up the ProXCT Series with the Subaru Cup at Mt. Morris in Wisconsin. 
    
    
  • And it was a weekend firsts on a few levels.
    
    
    Most notably, I won my first ProXCT cross-country race.  Which, I’ll be honest, was pretty freaking rad.
    
    
    Click here to read more on the Crankbrothers Rider Journal

finally!

My first ProXCT win in Wisconsin.
And it came complete with my very own cheese head.

Awesomeness.

Pretty psyched on the day. Chloe got fifth today after a winning the Ore to Shore race just last weekend.

Good day for the race club.
Tomorrow, short track madness.
Until then....

CHEEEEESE!

thanks pearl izumi

photographer tom robertson has a thing for shoes
-and luckily, we're styling the pearl izumis