Velocio-SRAM Team Camp 2015!

Yep its that time of year again, when you start seeing posts about new teams, new kits, new bikes, and the enthusiasm for the season to come is at an all time high.  Team camp time is one of my favorite times of the year because it is a bit like hitting the reset button.  You get to take all of the ups, downs, spirals, nose dives, and lessons you learned from the previous season, and use it to shape your new season, new goals, and put the fire back behind all of those big dreams.

Our team camp this season was in Lanzarte!  If you are like me and have no idea where this is (I had to look on a map ;) It is a part of the Canary Islands just off the coast of Africa (but belonging to Spain).  It is an incredible but crazy island, spotted with volcanos, black sandy beaches, palm trees, and some of the most bizarre and beautiful landscapes I've seen.  I'm going to make this a mostly picture blog, but I'll add captions and explanations here and there. :)

Every morning we did some sort of core or cross training.  Different members of our staff led the sessions each day.  Lars was in charge of our first one and it was a blast, and a challenge.  Most of it was balancing drills on swiss balls with added in tricks with partners.  It was core and team bonding all in one!  I think I got a better workout from laughing so hard than from actually working out! ;)  This picture is Trixi and Karol Ann mastering the balance ball toss!

I loved the sunrise walk to breakfast after our morning core sessions...and that is saying something because I am not a morning person, but I started to really love the routine!

Rolling out from the resort (we stayed at a place called Sands Beach Resort and it was awesome!  I've never stayed somewhere with friendlier staff, they were all our buddies by the end of the first day!:) 

Our World Time Trial Champion Lisa! :) 

Our new team moto is Transformation through metamorphosis, and our kits shout this loudly with the beautifully designed monarch butterfly pattern.  Our team went through quite a few changes for this season but change is not negative, change can be good, change can even be beautiful!  If you like the new kit, you can buy it here and support the team! :)

Motor pacing in style! 

Our sweet new Cervelo S5's blinged out with Zipp 404s, Selle Italia Saddles, Quarq power meters, speedplay pedals, and SRAM components. Photo Credit: Brakethrough Media

Photo Credit: Brakethrough Media

Beth shook things up when it was here day to lead the core workouts and she threw us in  the pool!  I am a terrible swimmer at best, my best/only stroke is doggy paddle and that is survival instinct only!  Pretty hilarious!

On our recovery day we went for a hike up the Volcano closest to our resort.  It was beautiful! 

Trixi lookin like a marathon runner! 

During out hike Lars had planned some team building activities.  This was the start of the human knot! :)

At the top!! Some of my teammates have mad hops!

Team Selfie mid-hike! 

Look closely, that is our mechanic Sebastian carrying Karol-Ann up the mountain! Pretty impressive! :)

Our next team building activity at the top of the volcano, the "trust" fall! ;)

Another team building activity where we all had to get from one side to the other through a tiny hole.  They left me for last and had to literally pull my upper body from the ground up, it was hilarious and impressive all at the same time! 

On one of the days we were filmed on a climb by a drone!  Super cool, the only downside is the ten minute battery life of the drone, however we didn't mind stopping every ten minutes to take in the view and take some pictures of our own!

Andre our super video master and his rig!  I love this guy!

Beth turning the tables on video man Andre and interviewing him for a change!

Is that a robot, or Andre?

One day we took a bit of a wrong turn...

Karol-Ann (aka Pocket Rocket) looking like the superstar she is on picture day!

Kristy working it for Jim and Iri (Brakethrough Media!)

World Champ! :) Dang thats a sweet jersey!! 

More picture day shenanigans! 

Rockin the red vests!

Tiff!! 

Our little French ball of sunshine! 

Legs up!

SRAM + Velocio = Speed!! 

Showing off our sweet custom Kask helmets!

On another one of our recovery days we went go-karting! It was SO fun!  We did a full on grand prix with multiple rounds.  I made it to the final but crashed in lap one of the final, hah!  Barbara, Tiff, Ronny, and Lars were the ultimate go kart stars (although there is some speculation about Lar's being a bit of a 'bully' out there on the track;) Lars ended up coming out on top, with Ronny in 2nd and Barbara in 3rd.

Proper podium with certificates, champagne and all!

I love this picture haha Lars may have won the go-kart race but Ronny owned him on the podium with the champagne! 

Tree time!

Morning yoga! There are some tight hammies there!

This was a hilarious little pee stop at the bottom of one of climbs.

Winner winner!  Top three in the bike mechanics competition. Sebastian had us guess tire pressures, bikes with errors, and do a timed tire changing competition.  Believe it or not I came out on top! :)

Last team ride in Lanzarote!

We had a Christmas party the night before everyone flew home.  Crazy glasses have become a tradition at our team camp parties ;) 

Cheers! 

Lisa and Elise!

Trixi and Lars! 

Our fearless leader/DS Santa ;) 

Lars is not only my soigneur but also my hair dresser ;) 

Lars and I both got wigs as our christmas present! ;) 

Last morning in Lanzarote, went for a little hike/job with Tiff and Alex.  This island has some pretty crazy landscape, I loved it!

Thats a wrap!  Watch out for these fierce butterflies in 2015! :) 

Photo Credit: Brakethrough Media 

One Sunny Day in Paris! :)

I've always loved the quote "Well behaved women seldom make history" by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (Ulrich is a Pulitzer Prize winning Professor of History at Harvard University who fought to recover the work of women who were not featured in history books of the past...you know, back when women were meant to be well behaved, virtuous, and politically mute).  On Sunday as I stood at the start line on the Champs-Élysées, this quote ran through my head like a song on repeat, getting better each time as the lyrics commit to memory.  I thought of the four front runners who made this day a reality; Kathryn Bertine, Marianne Vos, Chrissie Wellington, and Emma Pooley, all heroes in the eyes of every women standing on the start line as well as every female racer, rider, mother, daughter, sister, and grandmother watching at home.  These women helped make history and it wasn't without a fight.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you for "misbehaving" and standing up for change!

This day stood out to me as a literal dream come true.  I remember getting my first bike, going on that first ride, and falling in love with everything a bike ride made me feel.  July would roll around and I couldn't wait to watch the Tour!  Matt and I would watch every stage from start to finish and I would savor every second.  I was always intrigued by the history of the Tour, how deeply the roots of cycling grew in Europe and the contrast between absolute brutality and stunning beauty that is in essence the sport of cycling.  I loved the Tour, however every year I tuned in I also felt the stinging reminder that no matter how far I got in cycling, I could never be a part of that race.  I could never aspire to race in the Tour de France.  

Photo credit: John Pierce

I remember watching Cav sprint to the win on the Champs-Élysées during 2009 Tour de France.  The perfect lead out, the perfect execution, and pure speed that seemed unimaginable!   I never in my wildest dreams would have thought I'd be in Paris, five years later, the night before the 21st stage of the Tour de France, watching footage of that very same finish in preparation for our OWN race on the Champs-Élysées!  My motto in life has always been to dream big, because as an eternal optimist, and someone who hates the word "never," I have experienced what its like to have a dream become a reality and the result is surreal.  So always, always keep dreaming!

Although we may not have our own "Tour" yet, that one incredible day was a huge step towards something more, towards a day when women cannot only watch the Tour de France, they can aspire to be a part of it.  :)

Click the articles below to read more about La Course and the coverage it received in some mainstream media!

• Elle

http://www.elle.com/life-love/society-career/tayler-wiles-tour-de-france

• The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/28/sports/cycling/woman-who-helped-start-french-cycling-race-ends-it-with-a-win.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/27/sports/cycling/tour-de-france-2014-women-push-to-compete-in-cyclings-top-event.html

• The Economist 

http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/07/economist-explains-19?fsrc=scn%2Ftw%2Fte%2Fbl%2Fee%2Fwhyprofessionalwomenssportislesspopularthanmens

• The Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelsey-l-campbell/the-world-needs-a-tour-de_b_5604157.html

It's all about Family! :)

All four of my incredible parents.  From the left, Step Dad Ernie, my Mom (Sher), Me;), Step Mom Cortney, and my Dad (Rick). :)

Last week I got to experience something that I have been dreaming about since I began cycling, winning my first yellow jersey.  Not only did a huge dream of mine come true, I also got to experience it with all four of my incredible parents there watching.  That final stage on the sunset loop is a day I'll never forget.  That moment has made me think a lot about family, both my biological family and my bike family (which is made up of all my amazing teammates, staff, and people like Dave Towle, Alex & Cathy Kim, Brian Hodes, Kelsey (superfit), the entire Bradley family, my favorite training buddies Scott, Markham, Craigers, Ali Tetrick and many others whose smiles, hugs, and cheers at races mean everything to me).  Family is the number one reason I am able to chase these crazy dreams, and from the bottom of my heart I'm grateful for each and every person who has every believed in me.

When I first started cycling most of my family thought I was a little bit nutty.  I can't say I blame them, I went from being a type A pre-med student who spent most of my days studying in the library to a crazy person in borrowed spandex.  I mowed lawns with my Dads landscaping business for nearly an entire summer to save up for my first bike.  Of course mowing lawns will only get you so far, and my Mom was right there to help me with the balance $ of my heavy HOT pink triple crank road bike!  My Mom never questioned the crazy love I had for this new sport, she was always there, in the middle of nowhere, standing around for hours, cheering for me for the one split second where the pack passed by.  I don't think I could ever put into words what that unconditional support meant to me, and I can say without a doubt I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for my Mom and her belief in me from day one.  If money grew on trees I'm certain my Mom would be at every single race I ever competed in no matter how far.  I always dreamt of the day I'd win my first yellow jersey and give it to my Mom and I was finally able to make that a reality, and give my Mom a small piece of what she has given me.

Me and my Mom! :) 

If you look close you can see my Mom and Ernie (my step Dad) cheering and fist pumping with me at the finish line! :) 

Most people in the US cycling bubble know the infamous Rick Wiles ;)  My Dad was a little unsure at first of this new hobby I picked up, but all it took was one race.  He came to watch me race for the first time at Valley of the Sun in 2010 and from then on he was hooked!  Now he comes to every single race possible, driving for hours and hours.  To give you a little idea of just how dedicated he is, he drove to San Dimas this year, drove home Sunday night after the crit and then flew back to California for Redlands just a few days later!  When he can't make it to races (unfortunately he can't drive to Europe or else I'm certain he'd try) he's always present, sending me motivational texts and little bits of Daddy daughter advice.  I've always had a pretty special relationship with my Dad, and cycling has brought us even closer.

Photo credit: Brian Black Hodes

Photo Credit: Brian Black Hodes

I'm also lucky enough to have two of the very best step parents out there, so I get double the love and support.  Ernie (my step Dad whose name is actually Wes, but for some reason I dubbed him Ernie and it has stuck) has been by my Moms side cheering from the beginning.  He also has had a few "premonitions" or visions of my cycling future that he says have all come true so far, so I'll definitely keep him around to keep on dreaming up some dreams for me!:)  My step Mom Cortney might be the sweetest person on this earth.  Last year when I was in Europe (and slightly homesick) she sent me home videos almost every day...singing songs, making up raps, dance parties with her sister Meg, you name it, all just to make me smile!  She wrote a special song just for Redlands that included some of my teammates...even Ina's dog sophy made the cut (This video is attached below for your viewing pleasure:)  She also sends me rocky style pump up texts before each race, which both make me laugh and pump me up!:)

I think one of my biggest supporters is my incredible big sister Lindsey!  She follows every race on twitter and hunts down any live feed she can possibly find!  She watched the last stage of Redlands on her phone while shopping at Costco and cried when I crossed the line.  Her daughter Ava (my very first niece and the cutest little girl ever) even has designated Specialized lululemon outfits that she wears on race days!:)  Again if money grew on trees I'm certain my Sister would be at every single race with my little mascot Ava! (Who by the way learned how to say my name last week! Tay-Tay!)

My Sister and my niece watching the live feed of stage 6 from Costco :)

The beautiful thing about family is that when you find your soul mate, they become your family.  My girlfriend Olivia is one of the most important people in my life and we get to share our passion for cycling together.  There is nothing better then getting to train with your best friend almost every single day.  She has always pushed me in training and early on instilled a belief in myself that I didn't have before I met her.  I began cycling because of the incredible Matt Bradley, whose passion for the sport was contagious.  He was the first person in this world to truly believe in my dreams.  When he passed away I was afraid that piece of my soul would never recover.  Olivia helped pick me up, took over that belief that he had in me, and helped turn my grief into motivation, the motivation to race each an every race in the memory of Matt. 

On the road my team is my family, and I couldn't ask for a better one.  I've never been a part of a group quite like the Specialized lululemon crew.  At Redlands were were lucky enough to have the legend herself Ina-Yoko Tuetenberg be our Director.  I learned more from her in one week than I could ever put into words.  She talks about racing and strategy with such passion and confidence that it is contagious, and we all soaked it in.  Our mechanic James is like the big brother I never had and adds both comic relief and complete piece of mind and reassurance that our bikes will go fast :)  We all sit around the table each night for dinner like a family, laugh like a family, and support each other like a family both on and off the bike.  

The legend herself Ina-Yoko!

Each and every one of my teammates raced their hearts out to help me win that yellow.  From the outside people often have a hard time understanding just how much of a team sport cycling is.  Only one person stands on that podium at the end of the day but it takes the blood sweat and tears of the entire team to get there.  I'm humbled by what my teammates sacrificed for me last week, and I will never EVER forget the moment I crossed that line and jumped into their arms.  As professional athletes we are all dreamers, and we fight hard for each other dreams, sacrifice for each others dreams, and feel pride in each others dreams, and that is what makes cycling so beautiful.

Photo Credit: Brian Black Hodes

Photo Credit: Brian Black Hodes

Photo Credit: Brian Black Hodes

Photo Credit: Brian Black Hodes

To my family, my teammates, and all those people who have ever believed in me, thank you from the very bottom of my heart.  This yellow jersey is for you.

Photo Credit: Olivia Dillon :) 

Thinking of Matt

It seems too simple to just say that I would not be who am I today if it wasn't for Matt Bradley, because there are so many complicated emotions behind that statement.  Matt gave me my passion for cycling and the platform to follow my dreams, but it was all of the other things he taught me about life that have shaped the person I've become.  Matt was the most selfless and caring person I've ever know.  He devoted his life to fighting for social justice and change.  Words will never quite capture what he did and what he meant to all of the people who's lives he touched.  Personally Matt taught me to open my eyes, to see everything and everyone just as they are, without the clouded lens of social norms and stereotypes.  He taught me to celebrate my own differences and be proud of them instead of striving so hard to fit into a box created by ignorance and fear.  That in itself was the greatest gift Matt gave me, to be completely and unabashedly myself.

Matt danced and sang like no one was watching and that was one of the many reasons I loved and admired him with all my heart.

We rode with Matt's brothers to the hospital the day he had his leg amputated.  He never once stopped smiling, showed any fear, or had a single complaint.  He was back on his bike the day after he got out of the hospital (he rigged up his trainer with a sling to hold his right leg) If that isn't strength and determination then I don't know what is.  Matt always looked forward, never back and never down.  Matt taught me to celebrate every single day of my life, to smile up at the sky and be grateful.

I miss you everyday Matt, but I know you are always with me.  Sending all my love to the Bradley family today and always.

Team Camp 2014 Slulu Style!

When the early season jitters start, you know its team camp time!  This year our camp was in Los Osos California (close to San Luis Obispo), which I was thrilled with!  Last year camp was in Portugal, which was incredible don't get me wrong, but I gotta admit that being able to drive to and from team camp (the way my Euro teammates are often able to drive to and from races) was lovely!  One less trans Atlantic flight for the year is always a good thing!  And who doesn't love California sunshine! :)  Evie and I drove down the 101 and the adventure began...I'll tell the story through pictures/captions because thats much more fun than me jibber jabbering!

One of the first things I do when getting to camp is try to sneak a peek at our new bikes!  I still get butterflies when I get a new bike!  This year did not disappoint!

Meet Pearl, yes I named her, isn't she purrddyyy!!  In the back the one and only James Stanfill executes the perfect bike photo bomb!;)

Ronny, our fearless leader modeling our new kit...tee hehe!

Riding through Morro Bay State Park.  Our two national champs Trixi and Elise :)

Riding along HWY 1, ocean to the left, zebras to the right...wait zebras on the coast of CA?? Yep!  We had to stop to take a picture! 

San Simeon State Park

Re-gram from James in the car, riding up what felt like the never ending climb! 

Riding through the eucalyptus trees with Carmen and Trixi.

And then it was off to Morgan Hill for a few days at the Specialized Headquarters! 

Meet and greet in the lobby.

Team presentation time with all the Specialized peeps!

Awwww Lisa! 

One of the greatest people I know, our team manager Kristy Scrymgeour.  Got a lot of love for her.

And then us Slulu girls got ahold of the Specialized fire pole...

Then Trixi did what Trixi does best...she climbed UP the fire pole! No one rocks the term "badass' quite like Trixi!

Signing time!

Then it was time for the infamous Specialized lunch ride/race ;)  I sat back and watched the madness happen!

Next up, glamour shots for Pearl in the wind tunnel!  Click here to see the article/video abc 7 did with me and the team in the tunnel.

Our new team mascot!

Evan Borders of KTVU did a great piece on our team at the Specialized HQ.  Click here to watch the video Evan put together with footage from goPRO cameras he placed on my bike and his!  Click here to see the gallery of his images from the day.  He got some great photos of us at team presentation, riding and doing yoga of course! :)

Booww-chickkkaa-woooow-wooowwwww!

Yoga time!  Yep in our chamois...what, thats not normal? ;)

My not so pro attempt at 3 legged dog...tight hamstrings! ;)

After the Specialized HQ visit we had a night out with the amazing people at lululemon!  Sushi first, YUM!!

Then they took us to a San Jose Sharks Game!  

Now back to Los Osos!! 

We rented out houses, which meant cooking together...or ordering take out!;)  This is what take out for 11 girls, 6 staff, and 5 sponsors looks like!

We had the privilege of being serenaded by the amazing Andre Morton on the diggeridoo!  Love this guy!

And then it was team Photo shoot day at Avila Beach!

Katie Sue from Specialized came for hair and make up reinforcement! ;)

Hair and make up check...shameless selfie, check!

Ohhhh Ronny!:)

Chantal and Ally lookin purrddyy!:)

Lululemon sure makes us look good!

Looking at the ocean never gets old.

Chantal was my photo shoot buddy for the day!

Oh just chillin, pretending not to be posing for the camera ;)

Mmmmmm Osmo!! 

WCA Ride Day!

We were lucky enough to partner with the Women's Cycling Association for a community ride around San Luis Obispo on Sunday the 26th.  If you haven't heard about the Women's Cycling Association please take a second to check out their website (click here).  WCA President Robin Farina (former US National Champion), along with the other incredible women on the WCA board of directors, have already accomplished so much in the growth and development of women's cycling in the very short time since the WCA was established.  If you are passionate about women's cycling and want to help, please become a member of the WCA (anyone, male or female, can join!) Click here to help build the future of women's cycling! 

There was a great turn out at the WCA/Specialized Lululemon ride which started at Art's Cyclery in SLO.

Myles lovingly had a camera in my face for two days so I thought I'd return the favor!;) Hehe

Riders came from as far as North Carolina to ride with us and members of the WCA!

Oh no, Robin got a megaphone, watch out!:)

Smiling faces from the front of the 50 mile loop!

Gotta love riding knowing there will be a  food truck at the end of the journey!

Super hero, and WCA board member Sophy Lee announcing the raffle.

Lalena Daigneault from SLO made these incredible brown butter cookies for the ride.  All the girls were raving about them so she showed up at our house the next day with another batch, plus blondies! Naturally she is now my new best friend!:)

The last week of camp was all business with lots of miles in the saddle!  Ina took us on some incredible rides around SLO, I loved it!

At the top of Santa Rita, if you are in SLO it is a must ride dirt climb.  Click here to check out my Strava and see all the routes we took!

Dirty descending!

Cookie selfies are totally acceptable! ;) I had to send it to Lalena to say thank you! 

On the German train :)

Trixi's cappuccino was literally as big as her face!

Carmen and I drank A LOT of cappuccinos last year in Lucca...they were just three sizes too small!;) 

Birthday Party time!!

Celebrating Elise's 25th Birthday!

Party time!!

Teaching Elise how this piñata thing works, I don't think they have them in France! ;)

Hehehe!

Gettin ready for our last ride, Ina made it an epic one! Love these girls!

Riding up Black Mountain with Ina and Ally, such a cool climb!

Near the top of Black Mountain, incredible views!

And then after two weeks of good times with my incredible teammates, staff, and sponsors the adventure came to an end!  Stay tuned for the next adventure, racing starts soon and its gonna be a kick ass season!