GiroJenny

Kindly suggest you start with  
Part 1: Meeting Shawn Brett
Part 2: The Schedule
Part 3: Settling In
Part 4: It's Good to be a Diva
Part 5: GranFondo

Another early alarm and GranFondo were on Sunday’s Tulsa Tough schedule.  Peanut butter toast and some fruit and we were out the door.  With no cloud cover and my body temp still running high, I was thankful I packed a white jersey.  

It wasn’t too hot out at 7am, but I was already looking forward to my 1st rest stop so I could throw ice in my bra.  I can’t imagine doing these rides at normal Tulsa temps, but guessing I’ll experience one in the future.  I might have to start doing my Tulsa Tough training in a sauna.


We parked, unloaded the bikes, and found the Divas.  There weren’t as many people signed up for Sunday’s GranFondo but getting the Diva front row spot was still an advantage.   Carol knows everyone, so she chatted while I sent a picture and text to Terry.  Next year, I’m hoping to drag him to Tulsa Tough with me.
Carol and I took …

Kindly suggest you start with  
Part 1: Meeting Shawn Brett
Part 2: The Schedule
Part 3: Settling In
Part 4: It's Good to be a Diva

I was awake before my alarm on Saturday with a mix of nerves and hunger in my belly.  We had eaten burritos the night before, but I was ready for more and needed to up my calories for the day ahead.  Luckily, I love peanut butter and my hosts had 3 different varieties.  In fact, eating peanut butter for all my meals at their house (3 breakfasts and 1 dinner) became the joke of the weekend.
We parked for the GranFondo and packed our pockets with fuel.  No need to leave room for vest & arm warmers like I would if starting early in Utah.  The Diva experience continued as we got to line up at the front.  With thousands of riders, this is a big deal. 
It was so awesome to see all the Divas supporting each other. I was even more impressed to see so many other women and men coming up front to take pictures, offer encouragement, and ask how they could be involv…

Kindly suggest you start with  
Part 1: Meeting Shawn Brett
Part 2: The Schedule
Part 3: Settling In

I slept well and was delighted to wake to reasonable temperatures.  I put on my kit, packed my pedals and saddle, and we left for the Diva ride.  Not only were the Divas going to get pointers from the Primal and Vanderkitten athletes, but they also got breakfast at Fassler Hall.  I was relieved to see vegan options at a German restaurant and filled my plate.  Carol knows everyone, so I met several new friends as I ate and explained how I had ended up at Tulsa Tough.

Just before 9, when everyone was preparing to ride, I walked down the street to Lee's Bicycles and waited for Chris the mechanic to arrive.  Since that night's Blue Dome Crit was happening out their front door, the mechanics were planning on working all night repairing bikes. To come in an hour early just for me was awesome!  I'm telling you, It's Good to be a Diva and have connections like Shawn and Carol.

Car…

Kindly suggest you start with  
Part 1: Meeting Shawn Brett
Part 2: The Schedule

When I last left off, I had been waiting at the Tulsa International Airport for Tonja and thinking about my upcoming weekend. I kept expecting Shawn to come flying around the corner in a van and throw the door open so I could jump in - Course Marshal style.

That didn't happen, but he did send the text with Tonja's number. I sent her my location and out she walks. She was picking up her mom and they were inside by baggage claim.  We laughed at the circumstance and quickly piled in the van making a beeline for the Primal Pro Women's Cycling Clinic.

We arrived at a large property that used to be a mobile home park and now is used for police training.  The Divas were scattered around in groups learning different techniques like paceline riding, criterium positioning, and bike maintenance.  I was obviously too late, but thought maybe I'd build up the bike and do a quick spin.

I found Shawn and gave h…

Kindly suggest you start with  
Part 1: Meeting Shawn Brett

I got off the phone with Shawn and told Terry what I’d be doing at Tulsa Tough in 5 days.  He was concerned.  He didn't say it, but I could see his thoughts clearly in his expression.

“Don’t you think you might be overdoing it?”
“Please don't get an injury”
Shawn didn't want me filling a typical volunteer slot at Tulsa Tough, he wanted me to experience it like a Diva.  More specifically, he wanted me to ride, a lot!  His wife, Carol, was riding all 3 days and he thought we would have fun hanging out all weekend.  Carol also had the Tulsa Tough Divas to coordinate, so I could help her and then pitch in if Shawn needed something.  
Shawn assured me that a cold front was expected for the region and I wouldn't be treated to the typical heat & humidity.  On top of that, he was offering up his bike so I didn't have to hassle with packing and paying to fly mine to Tulsa.  I had just finished the 100 Miles of Nowher…

I met Shawn Brett last Memorial Day weekend in Boise, Idaho.   Thanks to him, I recently experienced my 1st (and definitely not my last) Tulsa Tough.  Since I told this story several times in Tulsa, here’s how someone in Park City ends up in Oklahoma the 1st weekend in June.

In early 2012, I volunteered to work full-time at the Exergy Tour in order to show my support for women’s cycling and be part of the inaugural (and hopefully not last) UCI Women’s Tour only 5hrs from home.   When asked if I’d be a Course Marshal, I was a little tentative, but agreed.  

I showed up for the initial meeting on Thursday afternoon and stood around like all the other locals.  We were asked to pick a team van for the next 5 days and I moved a couple steps to #1, the closest by me.  I didn’t know anyone or have any idea what I was getting into, but it seemed like the logical choice.

I immediately met David, our team captain, but alas, this wasn’t my Shawn moment.  We departed and because I had arranged a rid…