Chicken to Race?

The Velo Bella Surf City Annual Halloween Cyclocross Race never disappoints. Ask anyone, the Bellas know how to put on a fun party! If you've never experienced this race you should definitely not miss it next year so mark your calendars now.

Although a bit apprehensive to test out my cross legs after 4 yrs. of retirement, I was excited to utilize some of the creativity that I've been storing up all season long and went into costume making mode.


Ingredients as follows:
1 LS White T-shirt
1 pr. White bikini panties
2 feather boas
1 hood off an old hooded top
1 piece of red felt
1 pr. industrial gloves
Hincapie bib shorts and knee warmers

My one prayer would be that the weather would be sunny as the thought of wet chicken feathers just ain't pretty.

I was very excited that not only did my chicken feet stay solidly positioned on my feet but they were as much an advantage as disadvantage on the run-ups. With a necessary exagerated knee lift in order not to trip myself and go head over heals, I propelled myself up those run-ups like the champion chicken I've always imagined myself to be! My construction was rock solid...I retained most of my feathers and the ones that did go flying others were able to enjoy. For my efforts I received an entire flat of California Giant Strawberries...yummy!

So gals, the competition is on! Can you top it?

Another Aaron's rider feature

(Readable Text Below)

West Palm Beach’s Kristin Sanders, 36, is one of South Florida’s toughest female cyclists. A pro for three years, she’s been in the top 10 in national championships in road races and time trials and won the masters national championships in road races, time trials and criteriums.
Q:What’s your training routine?
A:I usually train on beach roads, north on A1A to Juno Beach or south, sometime to Fort Lauderdale; it takes five hours to Commercial Boulevard and back. My routine depends on the day, anywhere from two hours to six hours. We’re so lucky we can ride outdoors 12 months a
year. When I’m training I can enjoy the scenery.
Q:Have you ever been hit by a car?
A:No. I try to be proactive with cars because I know they don’t know what we’re going to do. Accidents are a little the fault of the riding community. Some are riding against traffic, some stop at traffic lights and some run them. West Palm Beach is like a big beach town, not like Fort Lauderdale. It’s slightly slower, more laid- back. Up north in Jupiter it’s like farmland.
Q:What does it mean to be a pro cyclist?
A: I race for Aaron’s Corporate Furnishings, a national women’s team based in
Atlanta. We have salaries, etc. I also have a full-time job managing advertising accounts for Cox Radio Miami but we can work from home so I have amazing flexibility.
Q: What is your race schedule?
A: Our team goes to every one of the national race calendars, the professional-level women’s races. Some of our members are suited better for some races so our director decides who races
in each. I get 60 to 80 starts per year. People have this misconception that because I’m in Florida and criteriums are in Florida, that’s what I do. But I usually do stage races (like the Tour
de France) because my skills make me competitive in time trialing and climbing.
Q: What bicycle do you ride?
A: I absolutely love my Specialized Ruby, which takes a woman’s proportion and weight into consideration. Women are different from men. And it’s super lightweight.
Q: What’s your diet?
A: You want to be as light as possible without losing strength. My diet is pristine. I eat lots of really good food but no bad food. I’ve taken everything that won’t benefit me out of my diet including ketchup and butter. I went a whole season without candy or cake. I eat tons of
vegetables, red meat, whole grains and pasta.
Q: Have you done other sports?
A:I’ve been doing sports forever. I showed horses for 10 years then had a college swimming scholarship. After that I was burned out on the structure and lifestyle of being an athlete so I was a regular person for a few years. But I’m better off being an athlete.
Q: How did you start cycling?
A: When I moved to Florida I gravitated toward a couple of girls who were run-
ners, but I was never a great runner. Then I ran the Disney Marathon and 5Ks for fun. Eventually I started triathlons, which was a no-brainer since I had the swimming background. Of the three sports, cycling turned out to be my best.
Q:How does South Florida rate for cycling?
A: We have a ton of great cyclists but the problem is getting courses for races. It’s very difficult and expensive. You need road closures, police support... There used to be a great race in West Palm Beach, but no more.

Aaron's in Bicycling Magazine and Women's Adventure Magazine

Aaron's, Katharine Carroll, aka "The Kat" is currently featured with her Mom, Vida Greer in the November issue of Bicycling Magazine...check it out!


Aaron's Team Director, Carmen D'Aluisio is currently featured in the Sept/Oct. issue of Women's Adventure Magazine.
And coming soon...Kristin Sanders will be featured in the November issue of South Florida's Adventure Magazine!!!

Next Generation of Specialized rider

After the Crit World Championships in Las Vegas last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Millie Tanner and her family. Millie is a young rider from Southern California who also rides a Specialized S-Works Ruby like us. In 2007 she was the 2nd strongest rider in the Women's 10-12 age group in SoCal/Nevada.

While its a little weird that I have been a licensed driver longer than she's been breathing, its pretty cool that we're both working hard to get stronger and faster. I have heard so many of the women that I race with and against state that they wished they had found cycling at a younger age. One day cycling as a junior will be just as popular as little league baseball and rec soccer. Keep up the good work, Millie!