FLCC> A "pink slipper" report I wrote to the velo bella race listserve

[LiLynn Graves]

The little town of Ithaca, NY has some of the strongest riders and
most humble and supportive of all. I am lucky to have joined these
amazing athletes the past few years and participated in the town races
held every Tuesday evening after work starting right after the spring
forward time change, and lasting right up until the lack of daylight
forces us to hold the infamous "pink slipper race." The true meaning
of the name means the summer road races have come to a close, but the
legend of the "pink slipper" is so much more meaningful that these
folks actually train for this event. There is no set date, there is no
purse, there are no actual prizes, but the sincere commitment to the
legend is taken so seriously that the casual gathering in the parking
lot after the race to ask who won is burned in each riders memory for
that entire year until the next "pink slipper."
The actual slipper does exist. It was a strappy pink sandle found on a
ride along the side of the road about ten years ago and picked up by a
rider which he placed on his handlebars not knowing the future of such
an item. From there the legend began and a few years later a beat up
old brown berkinstock was added for the B group of riders. They felt
they needed a shoe to shoot for also. Now the races have at least 60
folks per race so we have A, B, and a C group.
Last night, a most appropriate, run over silver ballarina shoe, found
next to a dumpster up on campus was donated to the C group. So the
race was a great success and with the weather looking like tornados
threatening the race, I was the only chick. Feeling a little nervous
about the weather and if I had a chance at winning such an important
event, I put on every piece of velo bella war fare I could find.
Sleeveless jersey, sleeved jersey over, arm warmers, team shorts, team
socks, team vest, pink helmet, pink wheels, pink handlebar tape, pink
fluff, team gloves, and I had the best time ever riding with my home 
town boys who have taught me so much about racing. To top it off, I got 
my name forever scratched into the stinky insole of the silver shoe and 
a hug from the pink slipper king!
LiLynn