When I reconnected with Tracy during IMAZ, cheering on friends, she let me know about a team she joined out of San Diego in 2016. The team is RIDE Tri Team. The team backed by RIDE Cyclery and Wattie Ink was my introduction into a different level of where I wanted to take this sport. Little did I know how much of an impact it would have in my TRI life and TRI lifestyle. My application was accepted and I was elected. Team camp is here! How exciting! Two full days meeting my new teammates, sponsors and getting a chance to swim, bike and run in California! A dream come true. This marks my first road trip with Tracy. I was so grateful she and I travel well together and she even puts up with my singing. We arrived in Cali! Blessed and grateful we were able to stay with family friends of Tracy's who live close to Oceanside. The weather was gloomy and a bit cold and rainy. The first stop on our list before we got settled for the day was Harbor Fish House for fish tacos and clam chowder. Yum! We sat outside even though we were nearly blown away by the rain and wind, just being near the ocean was enough to not let the wind and rain bother us. Day 1. Friday Night Social; Wow! Do we have some amazing athletes on our team. I got a chance to Meet Shawn Watkins (Wattie) and Heather Jackson as well as Michellie Jones. Our sponsor Ten Barrell Brewing Co. supplied us with the drinks of the night as we gathered at Ride Cyclery to get things started for the weekend. Everyone was so incredibly friendly and welcoming and approachable. I was nervous. "I hope they accept me" , "will I fit in ?"is all I could think about. all weekend Day 2.:Food, run, meet n greet sponsors, swim and team dinner at CAF Headquarters Our team sponsors are amazing! Felt, System 4, Pioneer Powermeters, Pjur Active, 10Barrel Brewing Co. and BioAstin. We heard from many of them as well as from Michellie Jones, who is a 2017 Team Partner but most importantly a World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist. She and her husband Robyn offered their time to put a swim workout together for us. She also passed around her Olympic medals for us all to see and hold. Wow! Going to the Challenged Athletes Foundation Headquarters was such a treat! It was very impacting to look around at the facilities and to hear/read the stories of athletes that have been blessed by this organization. Day 3: A very wet and cold bike ride happened. Originally it was to be on Saturday but the weather caused us to move it to Sunday yet the weather was worse on Sunday. Go figure. I would easily say that was the wettest and coldest bike ride I have ever been on. Every part of me was cold and frozen. I wouldn't have traded it for the world .Talk about bonding moments. I met a few teammates that day that paced about the same as me through the rain. We took care of each other. I think I am going to like this team.
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Victoria "Torie" GrammarJust your average Mom and Friend who found a love for the swim, bike, and run. Archives
January 2023
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