A Year To be Thankful For
Bob Cullinan, Dave Verrecchia, Jennie Vanderlaag, Kurt Harvey, Leigh Valletti, Len Basobas, Mark Zefeldt December 30th, 2007Hindsight is 20/20, so they say and as true as that may be, I am glad to have the opportunity to live each day as it comes and bask in the excitement of what the next may bring.
2007 has been a year of progress in my life and I owe so much to a few people that have motivated me and allowed me to live my dream. Cycling is a huge part of that dream but certainly not the only part. For me, waking up happy and living every day with the enthusiasm of a child is the overall picture; the components that fit inside this are just pieces to the puzzle. Yes, some pieces are much larger (cycling) than others (beer) but they all fit together to bring to life a picture of a happy Liz.
If I think back to 2 years ago on this exact date my life was a whole different story. I had just ended a 5 year relationship and was in a serious rut. Leaving was necessary for survival in the truest sense of the word but those first few months were bleak. Feeling helpless and sorry for yourself only comforts you for so long however, and luckily I have an amazing pair of parents who helped “pull me up by the bootstraps” and get my ass in gear.
2 years ago- I would wake up most mornings wishing I hadn’t or praying for the moment I could get back in bed and go to sleep again.
Now- Some nights I can’t wait to go to bed so I can get up and live the next day. Other nights still I’m too excited to sleep!
Bringing me to my point.
I have been overwhelmingly blessed to meet a few special people this year who I would like to publicly thank. They are the reason I get to take this “dream life” and run with it. They are the reason I get to wake up and ride my bike on a daily basis representing and amazing company with a huge heart.
First, I want to thank Dave Verrecchia for finding me in the first place and then not laughing at me when I ask him if Vanderkitten would be interested in sponsoring me. Dave, you are a real one of a kind guy, you make me laugh when I feel like doing anything but. Thanks also to his kick ass wife and the inspiration behind Vanderkitten, Jennie Vanderlaag for being the wonderful person that she is.
Mark Zefeldt, you are the best roomie I’ve ever had, thanks for opening your home to me and Ludo. You’re been my shoulder to lean on and ear to yap in (yeah, I know there’s not a lot of talking sometimes but when I’ve needed it you’ve been there). I owe you for numerous trips to the airport to go race, watching my brat dog while at said races, sushi, 30 Rock, coffee, the fact that you now read cycling magazines even though you really don’t have an interest in cycling EXCEPT that you now own a women’s cycling team(whew!), INTERBIKE, the big framed poster of Pam Anderson that hangs in our hallway, Mother’s Iced Animal Cookies(damn you!), beer, the Christmas party on the boat where I almost threw up, letting me drive your Yaris(awesomely fun), motorpacing me(starts soon, don’t forget), INTERBIKE, and a ton of other things! THANKS FOR BEING YOU, MARK!
To my teammate, Leigh “The Machete” Valletti. I can’t believe that a year ago when we first met I kept asking you an million questions about how you got into cycling and how I should go about getting on a team… Amazing that we get to do it together! Thanks for all the hours of work you put into Vanderkitten and thanks for the hours of “chatting to me” (not with) about who knows what. You are a jewel, chickadee!
If I really sat down and wrote out a list of all the people I should thank I’d never finish this blog but I have just a few more people that deserve special mention.
Len Basobas, you have been so on board with Vanderkitten Racing and shown us a ton of support on Triple Crankset. I also deeply appreciate the attention and respect you’ve given to female athletes in cycling by presenting us as multi-dimensional people who have something to say rather than just images to look at for personal enjoyment.
Kurt Harvey- Man, I CANNOT tell you how awesome you are! I think back to Patterson Pass and you yelling encouragement to me even though I was dying due to my own sheer stupidity and impatience(yes, breaking away on the first lap of that race was idiotic, but I’ll make it up to ya). The gift you gave me in Las Vegas at InterBike is priceless to me. To have a book of photos that you personally took and created to document my first season with Vanderkitten is something I will never forget. My mom and dad are holding it safely for me. They thank you as well. We are all so glad to have you in the Vanderkitten family, Kurt!
My last person is a friend, plain and simple. Bob Cullinan, I know you doubted me a bit at first but I’m glad you did because it forced us to get to know one another. You are too much, Bobo! I get a kick out of you! (Hello, Sinatra!) Just don’t buy another Trek, ok??? 
Yep, A year to be thankful for. I have a feeling that my list for 2008 will be doubly as long…
Happy New Year to you all!
December 31st, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Liz, I am truly thankful for meeting my parallel universe — you! There are the obvious things one is thankful for health, etc., but rarely do people come into your life with such an impact and I have two such people this year alone. You, Liz, are one of them. Hmmm and where did we meet? Oh yes, at a bike race — the base for a lasting friendship! Toast to you Liz, all things shaven, and when making jello dessert, cherries beat strawberries…
January 1st, 2008 at 9:03 am
Dear buddy Liz, its a privilege to be a part of your journey. When I first saw you race at Albany I could see it wasn’t just “a race” for you, it was personal. Ever since I was a little guy I’ve loved racing, participating and watching it too. It goes right to the core of my being in an instant. A great race with a great story really moves me. And when you came smoking around turn 4 in front of a whole group of fast riders to a passionate victory well, I could see a great story to I had to follow.
At Patterson Pass, I waited nervously on that hill for the women’s group to come by. I **seriously** didn’t want to screw up the opportunity to get some good shots of you in the race. It was what I considered my first client project for what had been up to that point a serious side project. I kept checking & doublechecking the settings on my camera to make sure I hadn’t bumped the wheels & knobs from where they should be (like I did for Stage 3 at the ‘07 Tour of California when Jens Voigt came charging by (geez!)). As you pushed your way up that hill on the Patterson Pass course I only shot 4 frames. I don’t know what the heck I was thinking to not shoot more, clearly I wasn’t. (buck fever I guess
But I think one of those shots was the best one I’ve ever taken. You came around the turn and started up the hill and I was struck at how alone you were on the road. No sounds other than your breathing and your tires on the pavement. It was a “holy shit” moment. After you had passed me by about 10 feet I overcame my shyness enough to croak out “Lookin’ good Liz!”. I snapped one more frame as you crested the hill by my car and then you were gone. Please don’t be so hard on yourself. You learned that you’re just short of invincible and thats not bad at all. 
Having been able to document at least part of your ‘07 season and journey means a lot to me on my own personal quest. I’m *very* happy to be in a position to give back to you with words of encouragement and photos to remember these moments by. So all my best to you, your parents and Dave & Mark as 2008 unfolds. I hope to be at as many of your ‘08 races as I can. (the high points and bumps & scratches too (yes I know my special assignment!
. You’re a fireball Liz. Behind you all the way. 
The future is so bright…..
Kurt
check it!
January 1st, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Thanks for bringing us along for the ride Liz.
Blaze those trails and let your colors fly!
Have an Epic ‘08
January 1st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I wish you all the best in 2008! See ya out there
January 1st, 2008 at 10:06 pm
GO Liz, GO! YOU are changing the face of WOMEN’S Cycling… from Butch to HOT!!
It’s almost like Vanderkitten + Liz+ Leigh+ Leah + the rest of our 2008 Team will be something that is talked about for decades to come… the 7-Eleven of women’s Cycling.
Thank you for your love and acknowledgement! This is the best gift ever!!
XO- Dave
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:08 am
Dank je wel!!! Its been a pleasure and an honor to get to know ya Lizzer!
Now let’s go and kick some arse in the new year!
DOMINATE IN ‘08…
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Lizzzzzz…..What can I say other than I’m looking forward to many more adventures in 2008…besides Interbike (road trip), Ludo with the laser pen (he’s fast) & binging on shrimp cocktail @ 3AM (maybe that was just me).
My sincerest “Thank You” for bringing insight and excitement to both Vanderkitten & women’s cycling. Yes, I am now a fan of cycling, I read blogs and websites and enjoy it!
Here’s to your mystical yellow asylum (room), pizza rolls, the Yaris, and not to forget, a Crushed Grape!
Keep Kicking Ass!
Hugs- Mark
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Lizzie, I think I’m gonna cry!!! Maybe it was the Duvel, but you’re someone I felt like I’ve known forever from the start!
You live life to the fullest, you’re not afraid to do and say what you think, and you’re dedication to this sport and Vanderkitten is nothing short of amazing. And those are just some of the many things I adore about you…I wouldn’t want to be on this adventure with anyone else! Love, love, love you to bits!!!
Muah!
leigh
p.s. stay in school and don’t do drugs!