For me, March is when the season really begins. Even more so this year. Why? Well...the time changes 3 weeks earlier. Thanks to an act of congress daylight savings time will begin March 11 and end November 4. They are doing this as part of a study to see if there is a reduction in energy consumption. For what ever the reason, I will get to ride my bike during the week.

The big question is, when does the Fast 50 start? The answer is the same as always. The first Wednesday in March there is always a small group to meet at One Mile at 5:00. Once the time changes, 6:00 breeds a much larger group.

On Wednesday March 14th, the first 6:00 Fast 50 there is going to be a special guest riding with us. Former world Champion Larry Nolan has e-mailed me to let me know that he will not only ride the Fast 50 with us, but also grab a pizza after the ride. I'll post details on the Chico Corsa web site as they firm up.

For years now Chico Velo has promoted the Paskenta century every Super Bowl Sunday. Due to the time of the year riders have come to expect poor weather conditions. Rain sometimes and wind always. The wind can destroy the spirits of most but like all hard rides, that is what makes is special.

I don’t know when, but this ride has turned into an unofficial race. You can expect to see all of the big teams out in numbers. This year was no exception. The weather was awesome. No wind. No rain, just sunshine. As a result of the good weather a pack of 100 or more rolled into Paskenta. As we hit the first incline the pace quickened and the pack began to break up. As Rodney put it from his view from a SAG vehicle “It blew to pieces” The 4.5 mile gravel section had not seen rain in a while which made for a white knuckle ride for most, separating the pack even more. Once over the gravel there was some regrouping.

Heading into Hamilton City there were two big groups and no one in-between. In the lead group was the “mountain biking stud” turned “road cycling sensation” Aaron Timmel. Who broke away with a few hundred meters to go and no one could answer. It was nice to see a hometown guy take it.

Flying the Chico Corsa colors in the lead group were Kurt Haskins, Jeff Galland and Mike Ricks. The lead group finished in 4 hours and 12 minuets.

As a result of the large groups and SAG vehicles, many complaints were called into the CHP for the traffic backup on Hwy 32. So...Chico Velo may not be promoting this event in the future. I have a hard time beleiving that that is the end of it. I expect 100 to 200 cyclists to show up next year. Because like the Fast 50, a good ride does not need to be promoted.

It is once again time for our 3 biannual Cohasset Time Trial. Please join the fun. Registration opens at 8:30 and the first rider is off at 9:00.

We start at the intersection of Nicalog and Cohasset and power up the 5% average grade until we get to the store.

We do this every March and September so that you can measure your improvement from the early season to the late season.The time to beat

Come Join us at Mt. Mikes Pizza at 5th and Nord. It looks like we might be talking about training for power. If nothing else, it is always a great social gathering.

I have been humbled by Michelle Beltran since my first encounter with her. She is quiet and very pleasant to be around. When she is on the bike, her strength is as loud as a speeding train. She is fast. what I admire about her the most is her discipline. She has been seen doing multiple hill repeats up Cohasset & Honey Run. She takes this sport seriously and it shows.
I got the chance to ask her a few questions that she is letting me share with you.

Would you please tell me about what you will be doing this coming season?
This season I have contracted with Bicycle John's Serious Cycling. Our team will race the National Circuit. Our first race was last weekend at Valley of the Sun in Arizona. I will be onboard with Bicycle John's through April then will head over to Europe to race with USC Chirio Forno d'Asolo, an Italian UCI team. I'm thrilled to have secured a contract with a UCI team. This was certainly a milestone in my cycling career. I hope to race several World Cups and Grand Tours - Giro, Tour de l'Aude and Tour de France.

When did you start racing bicycles?
I started racing at 33. It's never too late! If you want it, do it.

What got you into cycling?
For many years in my 20s I was a competitive fitness model. I spent hours and hours lifting weights, running obstacle courses, tanning, and stripping down to a bikini onstage before a panel of judges. After a while, I realized that was not me. I wanted to be a part of a sport that would really challenge me: mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I discovered cycling relatively late – at 33, when I was inspired to race in an Ironman after picking up a flyer at Bidwell Class that year. I began training but quickly discovered I had a knack for cycling, so I decided to focus on triathlon’s middle leg and never looked back.

When I first began training, Bud, at Campus Bikes was generous enough to give me a great deal on a Trek 1200. He let me make payments for well over a year! What a guy! I appreciated that ever so much and have never forgotten it. I often think that if he had not done that, cycling may have passed me by.

Like many National level racers, I moved quickly up the regional ranks, and after six races had upgraded to a Cat 2. I recall Michael Peavey telling me that now I would really learn bike racing. At the time, I remember thinking, "What's he talking about? I know bike racing.I'm a Cat 2 now" Ha! What a clueless nut I was! He was never more right. At five years in, I still feel I have so much to learn.

What was your first big break?
I won Stage Four of Vuelta de Bisbee in my first year of NRC racing....found some courage to solo breakaway at mile 15 of a 65 mile race, and made it stick. That victory and other solid placings (at least for a young rider) didn't go without notice to USCF. I then earned an invite to the U.S. National Team Development Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado - in 04'. The next year, 05', I was picked up by Colavita/Cooking Light Pro Women's Cycling Team. I earned a second invite to the U.S. National Team Development camp in 05' but passed on the opportunity to race at the Giro Italia.

How was it racing in the Giro, Were the gals over there as chatty in the peloton as they are here?
Hardly. During the very rare moments when there is some brief discussion, and you want to partake, you' must know some German, Italian, French etc. English is the least spoken. My team directors and mechanics knew only Italian so I was forced to learn the language to survive. We ate pasta for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pasta and eggs are really a lot better than I would have imagined. Nonetheless, by the final stage, I swore I'd never look at pasta again. I remember that my saddle came off on Stage 2 - mechanics attempted to put it back on while I rode at 30 miles an hour hanging onto the side of the caravan vehicle. That was one moment when I said my prayers loudly. Racing in a world class field is almost euphoric. It was hard to believe I was there, and I often pinched myself - truly.

What are you hopes for this year?
Top 20 at Giro Italia
Qualify for U.S. National Team

What are your hopes for your career?Qualify for U.S. Worlds Team
Join U.S. National Team in Beijing’s 2008 Olympics

What do you do when your not training or Racing?
I teach and am finishing some courses toward a Master's in Education so lots of time is spent studying and/or working.

You’re a member of Chico Corsa. What would you like to see improve in our cycling community?
I would like to see a development program established for junior riders. They are our future Games contenders and we need to take care of them by developing them as athletes and supporting them them through the ranks.