Kari is Single Speed CX World Champion!

Velo Bella-Ellsworth rider Kari Studley won the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championship in über-muddy conditions. Portland hosted the race, which included a Le Mans style run to the bikes start. Kari’s win granted her the privilege of wearing the Golden Bikini and ensured that next year’s World Championship race will come to Seattle. Janet Hill of Spot Shot Events captured Kari and striped tights in action. Check out Janet’s galleries for more images of all the wacky, muddy fun. Cyclocross Magazine also has some video and Portland Xcross has a gallery of Dirty Pictures.

Here’s what Kari had to say about her big win!

Doing this event made me think back to the days of Seasame Street and the lyrics of the song “One of these things is not like the other.  One of these things just doesn’t belong…”  Me doing a single speed race, much less the “World Championships” in Portland is pure irony…      It’s the similar irony I enjoy in training on a pink bike and racing in nothing but pink this whole season.  If you ever get to meet me, you’ll understand.

It was a dream come true to be able to give my custom painted pink with chopper flames bike the showcase it deserves and I even made a pair of sparkely pink boot shoe covers for the event, but discovered while racing in them for the Halloween race the previous weekend they wouldn’t be suitable to race in if running was involved.  Therefore, plan B: pink stripe tights.

The course was  a complete MUDFEST.  Having been raced on since 8am and rain showers in the afternoon, there was not a blade of grass to be found and mud “puddles” that went half way to your knee in depth when riding through.  Half way into the race, ramps were added so that you could catch air on a couple barriers and other places in the course – very fun!  And the most important part: the “Thunderdome” where people would swing overhead and/or near you as you rode through.

As there were 250 riders, it was a la mans start with the women further away from the pile of bikes, in an effort to separate the groups. Not sure how effective it was as I was into a sea of men the second I got my bike.  From them on, it was navigating through riders in costumes ranging from the “man-kini (aka Borat thong)”, Shiela Moon’s team of boyfriends and “Tina Turner” (who corrected me when I complimented his “Pregnant Wendy Simms” costume…oops!).  Although I had been advised to have dollar bills to race with, I forgot, and therefore had to ride the extra out-and-back section added to the course since I didn’t have a dollar to bribe the course official to take the “shortcut.”  By that point, it was such a mass of chaos, I just stuck to riding my race, figuring that if I won, I was at least going to win correctly (or cheaply, as cheating was encouraged).  5 laps later, the “race” was over.  I outsprinted a guy to the line in good fun, but had absolutely no idea on my overall result.

I was thrilled to hear my name announced at the Thunderdome, and did my best to change into the golden bikini in the back of a trailer in the dark (hence the sportsbra addition – I couldn’t get it to stay on in a family friendly fashion!).  It was also an honor to be the deciding factor in the competition between Seattle and San Francisco on who would host the event next year.  See you all in Seattle!

Huge thanks to: The Sweet Spot for the bikini “preparation” help and River City Cycles team and Nuun energy drink for the tent space!

 

Photo copyright Janet Hill, Spot Shot Events, and is used with permission. Thanks Janet!

Two Days in Louisville

Full concentration as Kari navigates through the mud in Louisville.

Velo Bella-Ellsworth riders Kari Studley and Devon Haskell headed out to Louisville for the U.S. Grand Prix series race. Recent rains left the course muddy. Though the grass made the course look fast, the reality proved rather different as the wheels sunk into the soggy grass. The course also included a staircase run-up. Kari took 9th and Devon finished 12th. Katerina Nash of Luna won ahead of her team-mate Georgia Gould. Velo Bella alum Amy Dombroski, the current U23 U.S. National Champion, rounded out the podium. Roll over to Podium Insight for more stories from the race.

More mud for Kari.

The following day, Kari and Devon lined up for a second day of racing at the Derby City Cup. Sunny skies greeted the riders for this second day of fun in Louisville. But the mud still lingered and the course included a staircase and flyover. Kari bettered her pervious day’s result to finish 7th, while Devon took 11th in the deep women’s pro field. Luna again dominated the field as Nash took a second straight win. Amy Dombroski of Richard Sachs finished second, followed by Alison Dunlap of Luna. Check out the full story at Podium Insight.

Keep up with all Kari’s adventures on her blog, Studley Racing. Want to know about the Velo Bella-Ellsworth pro cyclocross team? Check out our Pro Cyclocross Introduction.

Thanks to Lyne Lamoureux of Podium Insight for the use of her photos from the Louisville Grand Prix. All photos this page copyright Lyne Lamoureux and are used with permission.

Kari Wins!

Kari Studley won this weekend’s Starbucks GP held at Lake Smammish under sunny skies. The flat course included a lengthy beach run along the lake shore. Studley beat out Kristi Berg of Redline and Ann Knapp of Kona for the win. Congrats to Kari! Read the full story at Cyclocross Magazine.

Kari Makes Podium And VeloNews!

Velo Bella-Ellsworth’s elite cross team is off to a quick start so far this season, as Kari Studley finished third over the weekend at the Rad Racing GP in Lakewood, Washington. Studley formed a chase group with Allison Dunlap during lap two behind the leader Sue Butler. The dry course included an 80 meter run-up and fast descending sections. VeloNews captured Kari action. Read all about it!

Make it Fun! Pro Bella Leads Cross Clinic

Learn to ‘Cross like a pro!

Velo Bella elite cross racer Kari Studley will lead clinic in Kirkland, Washington on 12 September.  The clinic is open to all levels.  All you need is a bike!

Check out the all the details below.  You can also contact Kari directly for more information.

Please share this with those you know who are interested in racing cross, but may be intimidated by the sport.

This clinic is all about making cyclocross less scary and actually FUN – what it’s all about!  Plus, you’ll get the advantage of practicing the course for the MFG Kirkland Kick Off Race (the next day).

When: 10 – noon    Saturday Sept. 12, 2009

Where: Big Finn Hill Park, Kirkland   (Enter from Juanita Drive NE onto NE 138th St – we’ll meet next to the playground)

Cost: $15 with USCF license, $20 without

Don’t have a ‘cross bike?  No problem, a bike with knobby tires is all that’s needed – mountain bikes welcome!

Email me to RSVP or with questions: 

Thanks!
Kari Studley
VeloBella Pro Cross

Fame and Fortune: Kari Heads to the Midwest

By Kari Studley
Bothell, Washington

I can’t let my new almost celebrity status go to my head.

In checking my bike for my flight to Ohio, the TSA guy looked at the tag, looked at me, did a double-take and exclaimed, “You’re Kari Studley!  You took tenth at Cross Vegas!!!”  Completely dumbfounded that a stranger (who looked like he’d follow football more than cycling) knew cycling, the obscure sport of cyclocross, there’s a race called Cross Vegas and me!?!   As I was speechless, he continued, “ I knew you had to be a serious cyclocross racer when I inspected your bike last time [when I traveled to Cross Vegas].  So I looked you up and you did pretty good.”  (Turns out his dad used to own a bike shop and he sold Chris Horner “his first road bike”, so he likes to follow Chris and the cycling world.)

So my first trip to the midwest started out well.  It was an “unseasonably warm” (or really hot!!! For us west coasters) weekend with temps in the mid-high 80s.  I’m not complaining, it was just a shock to go somewhere where the lowest temp is your hopeful high temperature (of whappin’ 55 degrees) and it never even got that cold at night…   Saturday’s race sponsor, Java Johnny, graciously allowed me to stay in one of his furnished apartments less than a mile from Saturday’s race venue which I REALLY appreciated!

Friday’s race: Darkhorse Stampede in Birmingham, KY.  Aka: my cross nightmare come true.  Seemed like the course was 70% of my weakest types of corners – tight and off camber. <=/   Lesson learned from this race: know the start.  Duh.  But I forgot about that part until I was at the start line and realized I had no idea how/where the transition from pavement to unfriendly cornering would take place.   So I tried to hang on and think happy thoughts when going somewhat blind into that and missed my chance to be in the lead break.  When my race brain finally kicked in, someone crashed on one of the (many) off camber corners and I barely missed running her over.  When I settled into a grove again, I took myself out on one of the choice ditches at the bottom of a downhill.  Then that same girl (who passed me in my self destruction) crashed again.  I was done with her at that point and set my sights on putting as much distance between us.  Which brought 10^th place into sight….   I like 10^th place… so I managed to secure my lucky number to bring my UCI point total up to… (drum roll please)  2!  It’s a start.

Saturday: Java Johnny’s in Middleton, OH.  Anything could be more favorable for me than Friday’s course, and since this was so close to my lodging, I got to practice quite a bit on it.   Knew the start, and was pretty excited when I realized “I’m trying to catch Georgia Gould’s wheel!”  Never thought I’d ever think that (at least this season).   At least I felt like I was actually racing, and I got to follow Georgia’s wheel  when she was chasing back from a mechanical.  I even thought of passing her on the slight hill just because I knew I could, but decided to be nice as she already had enough stress in her race and didn’t need to worry about getting around me again.  But I enjoyed managing to stay on her wheel for a while.  After Georgia went her way I was able to work back to my lucky number: 10^th.  And although 9^th was dangling like bait for me, I never caught her.

Sunday: BioWheels in Cincy (Cincinnati) OH.   Aka:  being Barb Howe for a day.  Celebrity again!  I was told that a photo of me made cycling news from Saturday’s race!  The only catch, I was labeled as Barb Howe.  Guess it’s a start.  I’ll just make sure to wear a name tag next time.   The course was really cool and suited me well.   I thought I felt better, but 3 days of racing, travel, the HEAT, and a funky stomach caught up to me so I didn’t have the reserves that I had hoped to make the lead group.  Just when I was closing in on (take a guess on what place) 10^th, my celebrity photo twin, Barb Howe, my back tire went flat!  So I lost a lot of time trying to ride / run a half lap before I got Barb’s “B” bike in the pit.  At least my knees didn’t hit my elbows too much as I ride a frame one size bigger… and now I really knew what it was like to ride like Barb!  Amazingly, 11^th was still mine with 12^th no where in sight!

And I realized I’ve already surpassed what I set out to do this season: place top 15 at UCI races.  Now I want to crack top 10…. I’ve heard 7 is also lucky….

Cross Vegas: Top Ten for Kari!

By Kari Studley
Bothell, Washington

As I summed it up to co-workers who asked where I’d been the past week: “ I was sick, slept all Friday and Saturday, Got enough energy to race Starcrossed Saturday night, sick Sunday & Monday. Felt better Tuesday, went for a ride and felt okay, so I went to Vegas….to race!” I think I will forever remember their blank expressions –I’m sure Vegas is the LAST place they’d ever think I’d go, even when in perfect health. But I think I am addicted to Cross Vegas – I just love the excitement and energy of this race. Where else does Elvis sing the national anthem and help hand out awards? Love it! And this year there were BUSLOADS of people being brought from the strip to spectate – at least 4x as many people cheering and watching compared to last year.

But CrossVegas is totally worth it! And since I didn’t have anything to lose (last year I crashed 1^st lap, taco-ed my front wheel and got pulled second lap…and I only had the big ring as we hadn’t found a derailleur hanger that worked on the frame) I could only improve on last year if I finished the race. And with a start number of 35 (out of 39), hopefully the only way to go was up. They had also changed the course from last year which really favored me a lot better – it was now an even bigger time trial on grass >> just my thing!

Without any particular expectations, other than finishing and not getting lapped by Katie Compton, I took my place at the start line, got to meet fellow Bella Marian, and guess I was standing near Laura Van Gilder (HUGE professional road cyclist) among other big names in women’s cycling. I’m honestly still learning who’s who… but I at least now know who Laura is.

Photo copyright Lyne Lamoureux. Used with permission.

The start was hot! Literally as it was 81 degrees. Just when I had settled into what I thought was a good position, a surge of riders from behind swarmed past me, so back to work in moving back up through the pack– let the attrition begin! I saw Shannon & Tilley in the group ahead of me so I jumped across and joined them on the run up. Half a lap later and still feeling good, I pushed on to join Kathy Sherwin. A lap later, another bella came into sight – her racing greatness: Barb Howe! In total shock and still feeling good, I kept moving through to the front of the pack into 12^th with 10^th & 11^th in sight up ahead. A lap later, “black” and “green” (I nickname by kit colors when racing when I’m on the hunt) were mine (I was now 10^th!!!!!) and it was now 3 more painful laps of time trial solitude. It was awesome to hear people cheer for me and see Alex beside himself with excitement. On the last lap, Alex exclaimed: “You’re in front of Laura Van Gilder! One of the best road cyclists ever! Keep it up!” For all I was concerned, there was no way anyone – regardless of who – was going to take 10^th from me if I could help it.

When I crossed the finish line I had to resist sitting up and doing the pro arms-up victory pose as I rode through – I might as well won as far as I’m concerned. That was the best race of my life! With 10^th I also qualified for UCI points which means I will no longer start 4^th from last (which is based on registration order), so I’m very excited about that.

Alex just laughed when I asked in earnest if Laura was in the black or green kit. I now know she’s in a black kit. Hope to see her more in passing…