2 Bellas and a Fella

Bump bump,

“what was that”?

“oh that’s just Cynthia”

“she’s under the bus”

Now that that is out of the way – LOL

Our story of intrigue begins with a conversation between Cyn and Dee;

So off our intrepid Bella’s go – into the Maw of peril, gracefully negotiating the snaking, rocky, somewhat steep singletrack that is known as “Stile Ranch trail”
Smoothly upward they go – the occasional grimace as DeAnna steeled her resolve and hit the gas to surmount rocks the size of Televisions and Bowling balls leaving them as crushed rubble to flatten the trail for Cynthia. Around the narrow, rocky, stepped switchbacks DeAnna once again delivers and mentors Cynthia in the nuances of the fine balancing act of momentum, power, courage, and talent that is required to negotiate terrain of such a technical nature. At one point it seems that DeAnna was nearing her AT and on the verge of “blowing up” when we pulled off the trail at the top to investigate, it seems DeAnna was the subject of sabotage. In her subversive rascalness, Cynthia had tampered with DeAnnas Brakes and gears – the brakes were set to drag at full engagement and her only gear selection the 44 – 17. In empathic acquiescence DeAnna chose this opportunity to inform Cynthia, “ Okay Cynthina, I’m going to charge this upcoming super technical crux section climb with the staircase steps and bowling ball rocks and after I clear the turn I will excecute a 192 degree slow speed pirouette and come to a gracefully smooth stop while expertly simulating several small lacerations on my left posterior calf and left anterior forearm. To which Cynthia replied “Whatever, I do want I want”.

Upon DeAnna completing her skills demonstration we see on the horizon the waning light, it was decided that it was time to have a couple of libations and supper with the loved ones before heading home to regale with daring stories of bravado and devil may care risk taking.



And for the real version.

C> “Hey you guys wanna ride today”?
D> “sure, we’ve been so busy that I haven’t been on the bike in a few days, I need to get out there and keep my edge”
C> “We’re going to ride Santa Teresa” “it’s EASY”
D>” Is it hard like St Joe’s?”
C>” It’s so easy, way simpler than St Joes, and the hills are shorter”
D> “OH, Okay!” I’ll see you at 6”


Santa Teresa county park is probably one of the most consistently technical places to ride in local San Jose. The nice thing about ST is that if you can comfortably ride here, there are not many places on the planet that you cannot ride with confidence.

DeAnna is rapidly gaining experience and skills that will be well put to use as a Velo Bella you girls better be looking over your shoulders cause here comes the incomparable DeAnna Papedis with a fire in her eyes and piston like legs on a mission to lay waste against all who would dare to oppose her.

I am truly impressed by the courage, resolve and sheer determination of DeAnna to go WAY outside of her comfort zone and through sheer will to succeed, ascend a trail of such a technical nature.

Another Item of note, DeAnna cleaned Stile Ranch with ONLY 3 dabs for the entire trail – That she performed this feat on a Hardtail and on her first try is testament to the positive mentoring and enthusiastic coercion of Cynthia Robles to see the potential in DeAnna and to nurture that seedling until it blossoms.

Congratulations DeAnna and I look forward to seeing you master the sport – you’re well on your way…..

p.s. I’ve included some spy shots of DeAnna working her skills!!!

Daniel Abernethy