Team Training Camp, Chattanooga

I have to say, I have the coolest teammates EVER. Every year things get better and this year we have taken another HUGE jump in both talent and fun factor. This weekend was the first team training camp of 2010 for the Vantaggio/Trek ladies and it was awesome; food, fun and lots of great riding.

The whole team looking good!!!

Our January team camp is a road riding camp. We use it as a way to catch up with old friends, get to know new ones, distribute cool new sponsor products, and work on team cohesiveness. Whew, it was a FULL weekend. We ate, rode, socialized, ate more, rode more and generally just had a great time.

All smiles...

We decided to start things out Friday night with a "Thanksgiving in January" at my house. Our good friends Karen, Rachel and Foye came up with the idea of hosting our little party in conjunction with the team weekend and it ROCKED. I spent Friday cooking, cleaning and running errands in anticipation of the fun. The food was incredible and the company was even better. No one lost any weight Friday night. Other than Amanda and Catherine, the whole team made it in time for dinner and the fun began.

Catherine, you are killing us with that gearing!!!

Saturday morning was breakfast at my house and then time to RIDE. January weather can be so unpredictable; we have had many a team weekend that was freezing, wet and miserable. We lucked out for Saturday's ride. It was mostly cloudy but 54 degrees. I'LL TAKE IT!!!! We had a really nice 4 hour ride with 5 flats (all mine... yes, I know, new tire time) and a kick butt support vehicle. It was all talking, catching up and fun.

Reily "team dog" supervises during the ride.

The flat tires put us behind schedule so we had to rush to get ready for the next part of our weekend.... sponsor relations at the Trek Store. There is nothing quite like 9 women on a schedule and ONE bathroom!!! Sponsor realtions involved pictures, socializing, picking up new bikes and BEER. Thanks again to Tyler and Mike; you guys rock. This is going to be one killer season with such a great shop supporting us!!!

The team with the guys from Trek Store- Front row: Catherine, Kelsey, Anina, Shannon, Star; Back row: Mike, Amy, Emily, Kym, Amanda, Tyler

From the shop we went to our dinner meeting that MIGHT have been not-so-productive due to the "socializing" we did earlier but we sure did have fun... After that it was bedtime. Whew, were we tired.

Anina mastering the rollers with Emily's help.

Sunday we awoke to rain. It was more of a monsoon really. Strong winds, 2-3 inches of rain. Yep, this is the January team weekend I remember. We WANTED to ride outside, really we did. There was just no way to do so and stay safe. So we did the next best thing; trainer ride in Star's basement. This isn't just any basement, it is a media room wit a projection screen, sound system and the works!!! It rocked. We rode for almost 2 hours and barely even noticed we were inside. Anina mastered the rollers and everyone had fun. We definitely made the best of a bad situation.

Enjoying a movie while getting our ride done.

After everyone left  I went home and naped. WHEW. It was a really fun, really long weekend. I am super excited about this season. I really do have the best teammates EVER. It was so good to get to see everyone and get to know some of the new girls better. Watch out world, we are READY to race!!!

Thanks for reading...