BUMP

The first weekend in June is one of my favorite weekends of the year. Not only is it one of my FAVORITE races, it also has the coolest race name: BUMP and Grind. It is my kind of trail and I usually either do very well or go down in a flaming ball of greatness (flat tires, broken wheels, broken body, etc). Last year I won BUMP for the first time ever (after many years of being close and having "issues") and it felt great!!! I was really hoping to repeat again this year but my miserable cold had turned into a full blown sinus infection. I didn't feel horrible I just had no high end or pep. Not ideal for a race weekend...

I decided to do the entire omnium (XC, STXC and Super D) because it is part of a bigger three race series that includes other events I will be doing. As long as I'm there, why not?? (Okay, I know: sinus infection. But besides that..) We arrived Friday and I rode part of the course; I wasn't going to ride the whole thing before the race regardless - it was a 32 mile loop. I'm not a fan of the 3+ hour pre-ride.

Saturday I was the only pro woman doing the short track so I lined up with the pro men. I held on to them for about 20 seconds and then I settled in to a moderate pace and got some good pre-ride jumps. I did pass one of the men at the end who was also saving his leg for Sunday's big show. Later that afternoon I lined up for the Super D and I was the FIRST rider off. Yikes. Nothing like racing down the mountain knowing that the pro men are right behind you. I got to the Blood Rock section of the trail and dropped my chain!!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I tried to shift it back on but it was jammed up. Apparently really jammed. I got it fixed but it wouldn't stay on the bike after that so I coasted to the finish slightly bummed about my run. I then found out that my chain got bent and twisted and I needed a new chain. Great. Fortunately my awesome hubby ran to the local Trek dealer and got me rolling again.

Sunday it was time for the big day. Paula and I lined up and after a short pavement start we went into the woods with her on my wheel. I felt strong but not fast so I tried to just stay steady and strong. We rode 3/4 of the race together and then the heat got to Paula. She came off my wheel on the last climb up Oak Mountain and I was solo for the last 6 miles. I rode in alone to take the win. Paula came in a few minutes later for second. Star was also out there racing in the pro field in order to get the distance in preparation for BC. She held her own and had a blast.  Oh, and she got the hole shot at the start!!

We even had Bruce from ProGold Lube fly back for the weekend to call the race and be the ultimate lube fairy (he loves it when I call him that...). The only thing the weekend was missing was one of the fabulous grills US Stove makes out there grilling burgers after the race. Maybe next year.

I won the omnium and went home feeling like I got run over by a truck. But I won. So it was worth it. And Monday I went to the doc. Time for some antibiotics to knock this thing out. I am obviously not capable of healing on my own. Call it a personality flaw.

Thanks for reading...

Summer time fun and another 1,2 finish for the team!!!

Well, summer is here. It's hot, I'm done with school, and that means lots of riding and racing. Or at least that is what I thought it meant. Being a marginally employed graduate student in between finishing my Master's and Starting my PhD means that when work finds me, even if it is 60 hours a week for a week here or there, you take it. I really like the work I have been doing, but between that and a sinus infection (more on that later), I have not gotten in much training these past two and a half weeks. Fortunately, recovering from the sinus infection means time off the bike anyway, so the lack of pedaling due to work (although bad for my mental state) has actually not been too bad of a curse.

Two weeks ago we loaded up and headed to the Dauset Trails in Jackson, Ga for SERC #6. I had been fighting a slight cold that I thought was gone and I was hoping for the best. Dauset is a super fun trail but one of my least favorite places to race. It is ALWAYS hot and the course does not play to my strengths. Last year I took a serious beating from my teammate Catherine, who always seems to rock this course. Saturday afternoon was a time trial (not part of the SERC series but part of Georgia  State Championship Series). In year's past I didn't do the GSC series because it meant too much travel and racing and not enough recovery, but this year SERC and GSC overlap for half of the races so I am going to try for both of them. This meant doing the TT.

Well it was HOT. Just like I remembered. And in order to pre-ride the TT course, I didn't get to see the whole XC course for Sunday. Hmmm... things are not off to a stellar start. I felt like absolute poo during the TT and although I was going hard, it felt like I was riding in quicksand. Catherine also felt like she was in quicksand and so we spent the evening arguing over who raced slower. Results in Sunday morning showed me besting her by 8 seconds; we still went 1,2 in the TT.

After exerting myself Saturday I slept about 2 hours Saturday night and felt like total crap by Sunday morning. I guess my cold wasn't gone. Okay, this is going to be a long, hard day. UGH. I felt so poorly that I didn't even want to race. Of course I did, but you know things are bad when all I want to do is go back to bed. I was pretty sure that today was Catherine's day and not mine.

They said "go" and I quickly assumed second wheel behind Catherine with Heather and Tiff in tow. The four of us rapidly distanced ourselves from the rest of the field. After taking a quick turn on the front I let Heather pass me. She obviously was still flying after her return the week before from the Xterra World Championships and I was suddenly starting to struggle. I needed to sit in and just survive this one. Well, that worked for almost a full lap. And then it didn't. All of a sudden I was coming apart. I think the whole park heard my explosion as I blew up. I let Catherine and Heather ride away, Tiff was a short ways behind me. Now on my own I settled into a more reasonable pace for my ailing body and decided that quitting wasn't an option so I needed to suck it up and continue on. Shortly after that I got to the feed zone at the end of lap 1 and yelled to Mark that I needed water. He knows it is not a good sign when 1) Kym is not at the front of the race and, 2) she comes through asking for water instead of her energy drink. He scrambled and got a me a water and yelled something encouraging that I don't remember. The water did something good for me and I slowly started feeling like myself again. and suddenly I could see Heather in the distance. I was gaining on her!!! I kept telling myself to stay steady and be smooth. Before I knew it I had passed her. I was back in second place. I figured Catherine was long gone but as bad as I was suffering I was ecstatic that I was where I was. And then I saw her. Catherine was right up the trail from me. I focused and tried to ride as strong as I could. I passed her near the end of the race and she hung on to my wheel. This was going to be an exciting sprint finish between teammates. Well we did not disappoint. We sprinted to the line and I got her. And then I collapsed. Whew. What a race.

It is amazing at how far you can push your body when you try. I managed to win a race where I was afraid at one point I was too spent to even finish. Of course the other side of that is I spent the following week recovering from being ill. And working...

Cycling etiquette

I have been riding and racing bikes for a long time. In that time I have developed some personal "rules" to live by in order to best promote cycling to the general public, set a good example for other cyclists, give my sponsors positive exposure, and ensure my safe return back home at the end of the day.

Kym's Cycling Rules to Live by:

1. Be courteous to other cyclists, no matter what equipment they ride, how fast they are, or if they race or not. We all love bikes for our own reasons and who's to say my racing passions are any better than someone else's commuter,Sunday ride, hipster, or cruiser bike enjoyment?? Remember we ALL ride bikes because we love bikes.

2. Remember that not everyone "gets" it. Kill them with kindness. Smile and wave at every car, kid, dog, and grandma on your rides. Make the world think that cyclists are some weird, friendly, smiling cult. You never know when you might need help in the middle of nowhere.

3. Obey all traffic laws ALWAYS. Don't roll through lights, blow stop signs, cut through parking lots, jump curbs, or do any of the other urban assault craziness that makes cyclists look bad. You may think you are riding safely but; A.) You aren't. Being unpredictable to cars is never safe, and B.) You are making the rest of us look bad. Every time I get on a bike I am representing not only the incredible companies that sponsor me but also every cyclists out there. We expect cars to treat us with respect and share the road. That comes with a responsibility on our end also. We must ride in a responsible manner and obey the laws. All the laws. All the time. Is your ride really going to be ruined if you have to wait on that lights?? Come on.

4. Do trail work. If you are a mountain bike rider, you use the trails. Help build them and support your sport. I love riding the sections of the many trails in this area I have helped with over the years. It makes me sad that in the past two or three years I haven't had the time I used to have to dedicate to trail building and maintenance. I will be back and I hope my past participation has a lasting impact on my sport for years to come.

5. Don't quit. Quitting races makes you, your sponsors, and the sport in general look bad. Everyone has bad days... turn them into learning experiences and good training, not an excuse to run away with your tail between your legs. Set a good example for tomorrow's riders, stand up to adversity and suffer like a dog!!!

I know I have more than this but this is a good start.

Thanks for reading...

Me, the bike, and a little more mojo...

Well, this past spring has not been good to my bike mojo. I know that it was necessary for me to pursue other priorities (like completing my MS with a 4.0) but on race day it has been a challenge. I don't mind getting beat (yes, I race to win, but "winning" can be defined lots of different ways for me) but I hate racing like crap because I know I haven't put in the work that I needed to in order to ride how I want to. Now that I have a 3 month break from school, employment, any real responsibility I am on a mission to RIDE. I am loving it. My new Madone 6.9 Project One bike is a dream. I love every day with her. It amazes me how fast and stable she is. I LOVE THIS BIKE!!!!!

The past two weeks/weekends were all about riding for the love of my bike and finding my mojo again. After Tanasi and my awesome race there I was especially motivated to take my mojo and spinning the legs over until I collapsed. I accomplished my goal. I did 24 hours on the bike last week and felt great the whole time. I think the legs are coming back. Whew.

My teammates carried the team colors while I have been training like a mad fool and they have done well. Paula, in search of a longer race in her preparation for elite road nationals, lined up with the men a week ago at the Dayton road race and held her own. It's funny how men are extra motivated to drop a girl on those days. Sorry guys.

This past weekend Emily raced the 6 hours of Tsali. She rocked it. FIRST PLACE solo women!!!! Emily, we are super proud of you!!! While she was doing that, Stephanie was out killing it at a little race in Arkansas, Syllamo's Revenge. I jest, it was 100 miles of rocks, roots, technical nightmares. She also rocked it, finishing well inside the top 10 in an extremely strong open women's category.

Basically, summer is here, I'm pedaling my bike a ton, and racing is about to start up again. Life is good. Now all I need to do is get out the Primo Grill from US Stove and life will be complete.

Thanks for reading...

Finding my mojo

US Stove - Trek leading the start of the pro women's race

This past weekend was UTC graduation. It was also one of my favorite races at the Ocoee Whitewater Center Tanasi trail system. As much as I was excited and proud to be finished with my Masters Degree, I determined that the most appropriate way for me to celebrate was to go race. It was with slightly mixed emotions that I headed to Tanasi in hopes that I made the right decision.

Dang that podium looks good!!! Kym, Paula, and Catherine 1,3,4.

Paula, Catherine, Emily, Kristi, and Stephanie also made the journey so we had a great team presence. No matter what happened it was going to be fun. I have been doing more training the past few weeks and I keep hoping that it is going to pay off in my racing... It finally did! During my warm up I felt good. I rode the first part of the starting climb and my legs were ready. Whew. Tanasi is unforgiving as a race course. It is 6.5 miles up and 4.5 miles down. Okay, not quite that dramatic but close. If you don't have your climbing legs you might as well go home. My warm up felt good and it seemed I had indeed brought my climbing legs. I knew that I wanted to lead up the climb and make everyone else ride at my pace so as the lead moto took us out I pushed and took the lead. I jumped when he pulled off and I got the hole shot onto the single track. Okay now time to settle into some type of pace that I could maintain. Paula was on my wheel and Catherine was on hers... Good start for the team. By the top of the first climb it was just Paula and I. Sweet. She was on my wheel and we settled into a pace that we could sustain for the next 1.5 hours. I love racing at the front with a teammate. It motivates me and makes both of us ride better. About half way through the first lap Paula came off my wheel on one of the climbing sections... I kept hoping I'd see her again. I was now alone at the front of the race, just where I like being. The rest of the race was a blur. I felt like I was flying and would never slow down. I felt AWESOME! I won with a smile. It was the perfect way to end two long years of school. My bike mojo appears to be back.

All smiles post-race. Emily, Paula, Stephanie, and Kym

Paula rolled in for a hard fought third place and Catherine won the sprint for fourth. Emily rode strong for a mid-field finish. Stephanie saw the third step of the podium in the category 2 race. Kristi was our pregnant photographer/cheerleader/watergirl. It was the perfect graduation celebration.

Thanks for reading,

Kimberly S Fasczewski, M.S.

New Bikes ROCK!!!



Sexy....

I just had to take a minute to show off my new ride. She is fast and smooth and the best bike I've ever had. And I am spending lots of time with her lately. Huge thanks to Trek Bikes and the Trek Bicycle Store of Chattanooga for getting me rolling. And Taylor, you are as always, my hero...

SERC #4 Winder, GA

This weekend was BIG for the team. We spent time at the National Cornbread Festival helping our AWESOME sponsor US Stove show people how great their products are (I can't wait to get my grill!!), raced at the Cohutta 100/Big Frog 65, and dominated the SERC #4 in Winder GA. Have I mentioned how much I love my team?!

All smiles after the podium.

My weekend started at the Cornbread Festival with Kristi and Mark. It was a super fun time and hopefully we helped sell some stoves and grills. Shannon was our representative Sunday while we raced since she is currently on the injured reserve. After seeing the incredible products US Stove makes I don't know how anyone could buy anything else. You get what you pay for and quality is worth every penny.


Dang that podium looks GOOD!!!!

While we were doing that, Paula was winning Big Frog 65 and Stephanie was beginning her quest for the overall National Ultra Endurance series buy putting up a solid performance in the 100 mile version, the Cohutta 100. Woohoo!!!

All hugs for the teammates

Sunday saw total domination with me winning (finally! I'm back....almost) and Catherine in second. We rode the whole race together. She motivated me to push harder and I pushed her to let go of the brakes. It must have been her new Trek Superfly Elite that gave her wings... she was FLYING!!!Paula took an impressive 4th after her stellar race the day before. Prego mamas Kristi and Amy were our cheering section and handed out bottles like pros. What an awesome weekend. I can't wait for next week.

... Welcome to 2012!!!!

2012 Team - Kym, Emily, Kristi, Stephanie, Catherine, Star, Paula (not pictured: Amy, Anina, Shannon)

This season has been a whirlwind but we have started off right where we left off - on the podium. The team this year has reorganized a bit in order to give our AWESOME sponsors more visibility and show that we rock no matter what type of racing we are doing. Myself, Emily, Catherine, Paula, and Kristi are continuing to focus on dominating the SERC series (although Kristi is now a mom-to-be so she may be the ultimate cheerleader/bottle girl for a big part of the series). Additionally, Stephanie, Star, and Amy will be tearing up the ultra endurance scene and just for fun Shannon, Paula, Catherine, and I are also going to hit the road scene. This fall we are all going to once again be racing cross and mommy Kristi hopes to make her post-baby debut. Whew. We will be busy.

A team with a view...

The season started off for me with the completion of my Masters Degree (with a 4.0 cumulative gpa) and putting training on hold for a bit. After my cross season I needed some down time anyway so it was a good break. The first few races were PAINFUL, but the break was good for me. I took second in both Florida and at Tsali in the midst of defending my thesis so even the lack of training wasn't too bad. Paula took 4th in Florida and 3rd at Tsali and Catherine started us off with our first win of the year with a win in the Cat 1 field. Stephanie rocked the Cat 2 podium with a 3rd... Not bad for an endurance racer.

At the front at Tsali 

Paula has also spent some time road racing in both GA and TN and has been on the podium both times. She's got her eye on a TBRA state championship this season so look for us to be out on the road helping her attain that.

Cyclocross season

Whew. After the end of the mountain bike season in August we all needed a bit of a break. We didn't get to rest too long before it was time for my favorite part of the year: CYCLOCROSS.

I LOVE cross. It's my favorite bike to race. I love the thrill and excitement of racing all out for 40 minutes in crazy conditions at a time of year when most people are not even thinking about their bikes. The past two year have been a bit more challenging because I have been balancing my love of cross with my studies (6 weeks and counting until the MS is complete!!!) but the only thing that has truly suffered is timely blog posts... sorry.

Kym and Paula go 1,2 at the GA CX series race in Fort Yargo, GA

My cross focus this season was Nationals and a week later the Masters World Championships so I stayed a bit closer to home, had a blast in GA, and won every regional race I entered. Paula, Star, Kristi, and Catherine also joined me for some cross racing in GA and we often had a sweet looking podium with lots of US Stove representation.

Nationals was ALMOST perfect. I raced a killer age group race, taking second in a hard fought battle that saw myself and second place change the lead 4-5 times. I also raced the collegiate race where an untimely dropped chain at the start left me off the BACK chasing the entire race. I came all the way back to third and was told that I rode stronger than anyone else in the race. So, two podiums in tow days at National, not bad.

World's was the craziest mud I had seen in a while. I like the mud and even though I was exhausted from travel, starting the spring semester and being sick, I was so excited to race I could hardly stand it. It was one of the most exciting races I have ever raced, I was off the front with one other girl and we traded the lead, in slow motion through the mud, about 4-5 times a lap. I crashed on the last lap and ended up with a well earned second place. Not the result I was hoping for but a silver at the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS is nothing to be bummed about.

The silver UCI medal was one of the coolest accomplishments of my cycling career. I couldn't have done it without my kick butt Trek Cronus CX, the support of the guys at the Trek Store of Chattanooga, our awesome sponsors like US Stove, and most importantly, my husband.

A silver from the CX National Championships



 The Silver at Nationals wasn't all bad either, and I have a bronze to match it!!! Next year we need to add a couple of gold medals to this collection.

 Just a little bit of mud on the pit bike. This was a training race before Nationals; I sure am glad I brought the old bike!!!



...and the coolest trophy of the season!!!! Gotta love a trophy that keeps on giving.

We are FAMOUS!!!

Check it out, the team has a great article in the February issue of "Get Out" magazine.

Here is the link to the digital copy of the article: http://media.timesfreepress.com/epaper/GetOut/February2012/index.html