Riding with a Smile makes you Faster!

Michigan Bella Erin Lumbard brought some game to her first time riding as a Bella in one of Michigan’s largest cycling races — the Killer Gravel Road Race held March 26, 2011. The race tests riders against rolling gravel roads (80%), pavement, one mile of rough two-track, rocks, sand, mud, and even snow and ice, along with 2200 feet of climbing over a 35-mile loop.

“What an awesome day it was,” says Erin. “It was just 19°F at the start, and I hadn’t even been on this cross bike since November. Thirty-five miles of hilly, winding gravel road and a party at the finish line — I never felt that it was cold while riding until my water bottle froze over.” Erin conquered hill after hill and chased each biker in front of her, so despite the frigid temps, she stayed “toasty warm. I felt good about myself for trying something different. I love the feeling of conquering fear. But the icing on the cake was a 1

st

Her mentor, Monica took 3

rd place for the 35 + division.

This fabulous post was written by one of our awesome bella volunteers ~ Send me your race results so I can post them here!!