Stop #3 on the Aaron's Bicycle and Helmet Safety Tour

Meredith Miller demonstrates how to fit a helmet properly.

Rebecca Larson poses after her Athens Twilight victory with our team's "Biggest Fan ": )


Prior to the Team's awesome victory in the Athens Twilight Criterium in Athens, GA the women visited the Barrow Elementary School on Stop #3 of the Aaron's Bicycle and Helmet Safety Tour.

Over 200 kids listened intently as Rebecca Larson, Erica Allar, Anna Lang, Kristin Sanders and Meredith Miller spoke to them about what their daily lives entail as professional bicycle racers as well as the importance of helmets and general bicycle safety.

50 helmets that were generously donated by the team's title sponsor, Aaron's Corporate Furnishings, and were delivered to teacher Teresa Sheppard prior to the team's arrival. A contest was created that would challenge the kids to think about bicycle and helmet safety and to express that through a written story, a poem, or any creative process. The top 50 entries will be awarded one of the bright red helmets! One of the kids raised her hand and asked, "Can we submit multiple entries?" The helmets have been a great hit!

Rebecca Larson wins Hometown Athens Twilight Criterium

Victory was SWEET in Athens for the Aaron's Team!!!! Check out the article in the Athens Banner-Herald

http://onlineathens.com/stories/042808/news_2008042800574.shtml

Hometown gal, Rebecca Larson proudly displays the Leader's Jersey that she will be wearing in Race #2 of the South East Crit Series. She took this jersey after winning the Athens Twilight Criterium in Athens, GA.Rebecca also claimed the Lap Leader Jersey for the Series for leading the most laps during the race. Prior to the nights racing

"The Kat" is interviewed on thebroadbandracer.com

During the Redlands Bicycle Classic a couple of weeks ago, Mari Holden, former World and National Time Trial Champion, interviewed Aaron's, "The Kat" Carroll.

Check it out and enjoy! http://www.thebroadbandracer.com/fly.aspx?taxid=19&layout=player&videoid=313

We are looking forward to a creative video diary from Kat soon...hint, hint, hint.

Garett Lemire Cycling Classic

Aaron's, Anna Lang, riding solo at the Garett Lemire Cycling Classic in Ojai, CA finished 4th by winning the field sprint. A breakaway of three riders took the top spots on the day. With temps of 102 degrees Anna said it was a battle just to over come the chills she was experiencing.
*correction and due credit should be given to Rachel Tzinberg of the Bicycle Johns Racing team for winning the field sprint.

Way to go Anna!

1 806 Cromwell Tiffany Colavita Racing 1:00:17.1
2 835 Wynter ParkIosna Colavita Racing 1:01:18.1
3 842 Tzinberg Rachel Bicycle Johns 1:01:21.3
4 821 Lang Anna Aaron's Womens Pro Cycling 1:01:21.7
5 834 Wilson Jennifer South Bay Wheelmen 1:01:22.3
6 812 Gauthier Shontell Colavita/Sutter Home 1:01:22.3
7 820 Kroepsch Lara ValueAct Capital Cycling Team 1:01:23.4
8 845 Schuster Pamela Helens/Trek 1:01:23.5
9 817 Kelly Helen Team TIBCO 1:01:23.9
10 833 WangsgardNichole Colavita Racing 1:01:24.2

Redlands Overall Podium

Redlands Bicycle Classic Overall Podium

L to R: Mara Abbott, Alex Wrubleski, "The Kat" Carroll

The Aaron's Women did a fantastic job this year at the Redlands Bicycle Classic. Katharine "The Kat" Carroll got things rolling with her 2nd place finish in the uphill individual prologue on day one. Teammate Meredith Miller also had a very solid riding placing her inside the top ten in 9th place which would be a preview of her strength in the coming days.

On Day 2, the Aaron's Team would not only claim the lead in the Sprint Jersey Competition but would also put together an aggressive race that eventually would allow Kat to claim the stage win at the end of the day. Meredith Miller set the tone of the race the entire day with aggressive riding. First in a strong break of 5 riders that would put Team High Road on the defensive to protect their yellow jersey, second, in a 1 1/2 lap solo breakaway, and third with a finally last effort to contribute to the winning leadout for Kat's stage win...bravo Meredith!!!

Stage 2 Podium Sprint Jersey Leader "The Kat" Carroll

Day 3, the Redlands Downtown Criterium would finish in a bunch sprint with Rebecca Larson and Katharine Carroll finishing in 5th and 6th place respectively.

The Final Sunset Road Race once again saw some "Miller Time" at the front of the race with an early solo 1 min. bridge attempt that would join Aaron's with Cheerwine rider Anne Sampolonius off the front. With only seconds separating the top three in the overall GC and the win still in reach of all three it would be a show down for the time bonus given at the first QOM sprint on lap 1 and at the final finish in downtown Redlands. In the end it would be a trio of young guns standing atop the overall podium with Alex Wrubleski overtaking Mara Abbott with time bonus and Kat Carroll retaining her 3rd palce overall.

The Next Generation

One of the best parts of returning to events year after year are the reunions you get to have with friends that you've made along the way. I first stayed with Andrew and Laurel Haglund way back in 1997 during my 4th Redlands Bicycle Classic and have gotten to see them pretty much every year since. This year I was able to bring their boys Reed, Josh and Ethan their very first jerseys. We hope they too will be proud to be an "Aaron" as our Erica Allar says.