MTB photo Session with Ryan Bates Photography

Last night we had a great opportunity to shoot a Mountain Bike Action photo session with Ryan Bates.  The light was right, and team was ready for the shoot.

He shoots some mighty fine photos!! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151760670806940.1073741829.89835246939&type=1

Check his other work out at: http://www.ryanbatesphotography.com/index2.php#!/HOME

Race Behind Bars MTB - Folsom CA

A bit late, but here are a few photos from the Race Behind Bars Mountain Bike race.

Amy, Kristen, Leslie & team friend Ellen.

Dave, Kristen, Amy, Leslie, and Kurtis!  Team VW representing!

Ellen, Amy, Kristen, Andrea, and DH!

Prairie City Race Series MTB

After 10 hard fought races....

Kristen 1st overall Cat 3 women 40+ !!  Woo Hoo!!

Kurtis 3rd overall Cat 1 20-29

Kristen's Leader Shirt & Medal that duals as a bottle opener.  Coool

Kristen..BOK BOK!

Tri for Real #2

Ryan and Charissa Odom have been flying the TRI flag for Team Velo Wrench, and they have been rocking it!  So proud of them!!

Tri for Real # 2 – Rancho Seco

Race report by Charissa Odom.  Both she and her husband Ryan raced today!

"My success today was largely due to the generosity of Vinny, Richard, and Ryan-- Thanks guys!  My bike was tricked out with Vinny's Zipp deep dish rear wheel, Ryan's jazzy Reynolds front wheel, and I wore Richard's brand new Catlike TT helmet.  Thanks for sharing your toys!

It was a fun (I think that's what we call it) day out at Rancho Seco.  The swim was not much different than my previous in this series.  The bike leg was AWESOME and I felt like I was flying.  I was able to catch some of the ladies on the bike portion, and keep my position.  By the way, I am totally in love with my new Serfas saddle :)

I saw Ryan a few times throughout the course, and he was looking strong!

I have few positive words for the run today.  All I can say is that it happened, and I kept my place...  Yikes, it was challenging!

In the end, I took second place in my age group.  I've got a lot of work to do before I can even dream of beating the first place winner!

On a side note, I also earned 2nd place in the 5k that I did last night!  -Charissa" 

Charissa & Ryan getting ready to race

Charissa once again rocking the podium!!

RAWR...Ryan.

37th Annual 4th of July Crit, Davis CA

Both Leslie and Richard raced at the 4th of July Criterium.
Richard placed 22nd in the Elite 4 race.
Leslie place 12th in the women's elite 3 race

Here is Richard's race report:

"The race started at 4:30pm, so it was a very HOT start. The course was very good
to good. But it had two bumpy corners and a few potholes.

The race went well.  I stayed in the back just to get used to the race pace. I
worked my way to the front, and stayed there until two laps to go. There was a
small break that got a gap on the peloton. I bridged the gap, and when I got up
there we only stayed away for 3 turns before we were caught. Last lap had 2
crashes. The first one I just missed being a part of!!   I had to slam on my brakes and
swerve to miss it, but I still caught a part of the downed rider’s bike and bent
my wheel. I just cruised in after that because I had to loosen my brakes so the
wheel wouldn't rub my brakes. The second crash was on a bumpy corner and had 6
riders involved. Luckily everyone got up and finished.

Hope the next race goes better than this one,
Richard"

Random Photos by Ryan Bates

Here are a few random shots taken by one of our sponsors Ryan Bates of Ryan Bates Photography.     www.ryanbatesphotography.com

Also please check out the first of several photo shoots with Ryan: 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151646234926940.1073741827.89835246939&type=1

Tri for Real, Rancho Secco Ca - June 2nd 2013

Charissa & Ryan Odom have been flying the TRI flag for Team Velo Wrench this season & they have been rocking it!  Both raced hard to second place in their divisions @ the TBF Tri for Real.  Keep up the great work you too!!

Race report by Charissa Odom

Hello!

Ryan and I had a fantastic time yesterday racing the TBF TRI for Real at Rancho Secco.  It was my first Olympic distance course, and I LOVED it.  Ryan and I both took 2nd place in our categories.  Ryan was 20th overall!

The water is just warm enough at Rancho Secco.  I wore my wetsuit, but I've swam here before without and was fine.  Though I was passed by a few swimmers in the wave that started after me, I didn't lose heart.  I had a feeling I was one of the last of my age group out of the water, but you never really know!  For me, I still have to keep focused on a steady stroke and breathing, not so much on speed yet.  I'd love to cut my swim time way back!  

This is my first race on my new TT bike.  I am so thankful for VINNY for how well this went.  Not only was the bike tuned up perfectly, but it fit me very well!  Vinny spent 3 hours on Friday afternoon making adjustments for me.  First I was up in the trainer to get the fit.  Then he'd send me out for a trial, I'd tell him what was happening, and he'd make expert changes.  It's amazing how important a few mm can be on that bike!  Thanks, Vinny, for helping find just the right saddle and saddle fit!  

By this point in the day, it was HOT.  The run has no shade cover at all, but plenty of aid stations.  I could see the little white tents ahead and kept thinking about the cool water that they'd have.  TBF always has a great group of volunteers!  So, I was trucking along at my pace and feeling strong enough.  Then, I was passed by a woman who might have been in my age group (her markings had worn off).  I considered pacing off of her, but decided to keep with my steady run.  Here is where planning and pacing comes in--she was heaving on the side of the trail five minutes down the line and I trotted right by her.  I had planned to pick up my pace for the last mile, but the heat was a bit too intense.  So I could only sprint the last 3 tenths of a mile, but I passed a few folks right at the end (none in my age group).

I am looking forward to the next TBF race coming up in July.  Ryan and I are going to do the TRI for Real series and see how much we can improve our times!  

Cheers,

Charissa

Charissa 2nd Place!!

Fear the Beard!  Ryan second place!!