Robin Farina Diary - Vera Bradley Foundation Team
Camp
Robin Farina kicks off her first diary entry after the
team camp in Santa Cruz - starting the season racing with a purpose...
This is my first diary of the year even though the news on my 2010 team has
been out for some time now. Team Vera Bradley Foundation just finished up our
week long camp in Santa Cruz, California and with much relief I can sit back and
say that I am thrilled to be a member of this team.
For those of you who do not know me, I have been around the women's pro
peloton for several years now slowly making my way up the ladder. This year, I
feel I have finally arrived. Not necessarily because I feel I am the fittest I
have ever been or ready for the best racing year but because this year I am
riding with PURPOSE.
Team Vera Bradley Foundation is unique in that we have several goals to
achieve for 2010. Not only do we want to win the Women's NRC calendar, we are on
a serious mission to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research.
Team VBF, left to right: Erica Allar, Lauren Hall, Carla Swart, Alison Testrote,
ME (Robin Farina), Kristin Sanders, Alison Powers, Leah Goldstien, Carry Cash,
Alex Rhodes Photo ©
2010 Brian Hodes/VeloImages
The Vera Bradley Foundation has partnered with our team and we as a team have
decided to not only race our bikes but raise money through a series of different
fundraisers all over the country. In fact, the team has already had 2 separate
events in St. Louis and Charlotte where we have raised close to $4,000. Our team
goal this year is to raise $22,500. That's a lot of money going to breast cancer
research and awareness.
Personally, I find Team VBF exciting, motivating and challenging. Like most
other female cyclists, I constantly play the juggling game. In Charlotte, NC,
where I reside, I am co-owner of Uptown Cycles,
www.uptowncyclescharlotte.com,
the head of my very own cycling coaching company and train to race at the
profession level.
At first it doesn't seem like a lot and then I start thinking about how much
constant communication, face to face time with clients and training time it all
requires. Somehow I have managed it so far and I know it's because I am
passionate about racing my bike and helping more women grow the sport! It is
March and it's the one month I really let myself be a "PRO". Since camp ended I
am staying out in beautiful San Jose, CA to train and prep for the upcoming
season. Racing is only a week and half away and since I have been stuck on the
wet and cold east coast I have decided to make the best of it.
showing off our DR V (vegan friendly energy bars)
Carla Swart, ME, Alison Testrote
Team VBF will kick off it's race season in San Dimas, CA on March 19th. We
will send a small squad there and then be fully represented at the Redlands
Bicycle Classic the following weekend. The team is amazing and we have so much
talent that I am afraid to even talk about it. We have depth, youth, experience
and race savvy on this team for 2010. It will surely make for an interesting
race season. My hope is to entertain you with each diary, give you race/team
updates and inform you on all the efforts Team Vera Bradley is making to raise
money for a disease that affects us all in some form or fashion.
Stay tuned for the skinny on Team VBF!
Robin Farina
Vera Bradley Foundation
VBF Women's
Pro Team - 2010 Roster Announced
2010 USA
National Racing Calendar
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