THANK YOU

2008 has been a great year for me and Cycling. I had 54 days officiating races this year, starting with the Southern Nevada Stage Race in January and ending with the Harvest Moon Criterium in September. Richard had 36 days officiating for the year. We spent 34 days officiating together. We have both learned a lot and been able to put that knowledge to use at races. Some races have truly challenged us and other were a piece of cake. We want to thank all of the local officials that we have worked with. So THANKS to Harry, Cindy, Gary, Louise, Missy, Doug, Ellie, Steve, Shanna, Chris, and Mark. You guys are where it is at, the Local races that we all love and where we have grown and tested our skills at. Thanks for making them fun and successful at the same time.


Thanks to Marilyn Allen, who I worked with numerous times, thanks for your patience with me, your willingness to spend the time needed with me to help me grow and develop as an official. Thanks most of all for your words of encouragement when things didn't go so well. Thanks for helping me to see the importance of taking the next step.

Thanks to Tod Manning for including Richard and I at the Walla Walla Stage Race. It was great to work a race in Washington near where I grew up. It was fun to work with Al and Dot on the results. I got to work with Tim Sherrill (he was in my Cat A class). I met and enjoyed working with Terri Camp.

Collegiate Nationals in Colorado. It was great to see Tom Vinson, we miss him as our Regional Rep. Thanks to Lynn Taylor and Debbie Vinson for making it a fun weekend. It was fun to work with Shawn Farrell, and see him as an official. I love working with Diane Fortini, she gets the job done and enjoys it at the same time. Thanks to Richard, my husband, for sharing the experience with me. Thanks Harry Lam for "being the Man" and enjoying the long ride with us. Thanks to Dan McLeod, for doing evaluations and giving us bigger and better things to strive for.

Mt Hood Cycling Classic - my biggest challenge of the year. Thanks to Josee Bedard, for letting me see how to tell someone they broke the rules and still stay nice. Thanks to Jeff Wu and Ryan Fu - you two are great to work with. You know your job and get it done, you step in and help when needed and make sure that everything gets done. I learned lots from you guys. Thanks to Tom Simonsion, who after I made a mistake, reminded me that it was over and done with, and to learn from it and move on. To Bill WyKoff, my mentor, thanks for your faith in me, for the reminder that I can do it, for your answers to my emails all season long.

Iron Horse Bicycling Classic - Sherri Barr, Dan Thomas, Art Razee. We had a great weekend even if the race did get snowed out. (Special thanks to the Zink Family for your love of this event and making it happen every year. Dinner at your house was FABULOUS!)

Nature Valley Grand Prix - I got to work with Bruce Brasaemle again. He operated the finish camera and made things look easy. Marilyn Allen was the Chief Referee for the event, I appreciated her willingness to listen to all sides of the story and then make her decision. Bonnie Walker kept us laughing and willing shared of her knowledge. I had a GREAT Assistant Judge in Gina Ouimette. I hope to work with her again very soon. She helped me get every thing done quickly after each race. I finally got to work with the famous Judy Miller. Judy was such a help to all of us, much patience, and she was able to help us all learn and grow from her vast amount of knowledge. I got to work a little bit with Jeff Helgeson, someone from my "A" class. It was another week of lots of learning and growing as an official.

One of my favorite local events every year is the Gate City Grind. Rob Van Kirk was missed, but he left the event in great hands.

Wells Fargo Criterium in Boise. What a fun night of fast racing. I again got to work with my mentor Bill Wykoff. Bill quietly leads and helps us all to become better officials, I appreciate his warmth and smile. George Knight is a great official, we had a fun evening under the lights.

Tour of Utah. This event really cemented things for me this year. Having Kinnin Payson has the Chief Judge gave me the opportunity to do the things that I had learned all season without the pressure of being the Chief Judge. Many of the things I had been doing made sense and I could see the importance of doing the "Whole" job and not relying on the computer alone. It was fun to do such a big race right here in my own backyard. I had a great time with Kinnin, she kept me smiling, laughing, and enjoying the job. I again got to work with Dot Abbott, Bonnie Walker, Bill Wykoff, Harry Lam, James Abbott, Splinter Wren, Cindy Yorgason, Doug Gates, and Roberta Abbott. Especially thanks to Richard, again it is the BEST working with you and sharing a room with my husband. I think that Rachael enjoyed watching Doug Gates and Roberta Abbott as the Time Board Crew. Someday Rachael wants to be the Time Board Person. Special Thanks to Dot for your kind words at the end of the race.

LOTOJA - This is truly my most favorite local event. 206 miles from Logan, Utah to Teton Village, Wyoming in one day. Why over 1500 people would want to do that I will never know. My backside hurts just thinking about it. Thanks so much to the local officials who were a part of this great event. Harry Lam, I couldn't do this without you. Brent Chambers, the promoter who puts in hours, and hours, and hours every year to make this event truly "EPIC". You and your family and crew are FABULOUS! Thanks for already inviting me back next year.

What can I say about Tour Of Missouri. I had the best roommate all week - Lynn Taylor. She and I learned so much from Judy Miller. Judy is so willing to give us an opportunity to learn and grow. Lynn and I are both better officials because of the time spent with Judy this week. I think the thing that was the most fun at this event was seeing Cycling the way we are taught in our classes. The motorcycle officials, the policeman clearing the roads, the motor marshal's keeping the cyclists safe on course. the marshals on course directing us at each turn, hearing the Comm's talk on the radio, listening to Radio Tour, having a Time Board, doing an "official" sign in, working with a Fred and Hilda on results. Having Medalist there to run everything.
Thanks to Wayne, Marilyn, Phil, Bruce, Judy, Lynn, Marek, Jim, Frank, Tod, Stephen and Vicki - the best crew!

What a Great year in cycling - I can hardly wait until next year!!