Queen of the galaxy
Photo ©: Sheila Moon

Barbarella: The Barbara Howe diary

Just as Barbarella bumps through the universe, comically oblivious to the dangers and threats being thrust at her, Barbara Howe has had a few misadventures of her own. After an illness-filled season in 2006, and a grievous injury in late 2007 she is working to get her fitness back by 2009. Although 'cross is still the favorite discipline of the California resident, she has been known to ride her mountain bike in the mountains for hours on end. She currently resides in Berkeley, California with her cat and eight bikes.

Follow the fortunes of this free-spirited individual here on Cyclingnews.

Latest entry: A quick trip to So Cal (December 17, 2008)

2008 entries

• A quick trip to So Cal (December 17, 2008)
• Hometown mud (November 20, 2008)
• Psycho-cross a Halloween tradition (November 14, 2008)
• Granogue and Wissahickon weekend (November 7, 2008)
• It seemed like a good idea when... (October 27, 2008)
• Vegas and beyond (October 6, 2008)
• Single Speed World Championships (September 11, 2008)
• A late start and new beginning (August 23, 2008)
• A bad day in Belgium (February 26, 2008)
• A foggy recollection of my first days in Belgium (January 29, 2008)

2007 entries

• A foggy recollection of my first days in Belgium (December 30, 2007)
• Perfect Portland weather (December 23, 2007)
• Things to do in Pittsburgh when it's cold (December 9, 2007)
• The mile high club (November 29, 2007)
• Doing Derby City (November 7, 2007)
• Apocalypse Now (November 1, 2007)
• Weekend in the Hamptons (October 20, 2007)
• Interbike (October 9, 2007)
• Cross-training with an Xterra (October 1, 2007)
• Back to the 'burgh (September 26, 2007)
• On Sugar Mountain (August 29, 2007)
• Mt Snow Vermont (August 18, 2007)
• Heading for the Hills (August 1, 2007)
• July Heat (July 18, 2007)
• Heat, Hills and swimming holes (July 5, 2007)
• Tutus and stilt dancers (June 18, 2007)
• Teva Mountain Games (June 9, 2007)
• The home front (May 27, 2007)
• Big birds and bruises (May 21, 2007)
• NMBS #3 - Out of the frying pan into the fire (May 13, 2007)
• Napa Valley Dirt Classic (May 11, 2007)
• Epicenter of Beladom (May 3, 2007)
• Back to racing (April 26, 2007)

2006 entries

• My one and only 'cross race of the season (December 14, 2006)
• Who is that Vanderkitten? (December 6, 2006)
• The fabulous Sheila Moon (November 8, 2006)
• Where in the world is Barbarella (October 26, 2006)
• Life goes on after 'cross season ends. Kind of. (February 25, 2006)
• The greatest show on earth: 'cross world championships, Zeddam, Netherlands (January 31, 2006)
• Lievin, Hoogerheide and beyond: world's preparation in Hoogerheide, Netherlands (January 26, 2006)
• The adventure continues: pre-world's in Hoogerheide, Netherlands (January 24, 2006)
• Another big show: Cyclo-cross World Cup #9, Lievin, France (January 22, 2006)
• Barbarella's European odyssey - Part the first (January 13, 2006)
• Ready for world's (January 5, 2006)

2005 entries

• Holiday season thanks (December 30, 2005)
• The big show (December 18, 2005)
• Queen Ann: Spotlight on Ann Fitzsimmons (December 1, 2005)
• Spills and the chills (November 23, 2005)
• The Martha Stewart of Cyclocross? (November 16, 2005)
• Tour de Pittsburgh (November 11, 2005)
• Climatic extremes (November 2, 2005)
• Fitting everything in (October 25, 2005)
• A home game (October 19, 2005)
• The damp Northwest (October 10, 2005)
• A week in the life of (October 3, 2005)

Interviews

• 2005: Barbarella, Queen of the 'cross Galaxy

Barbarella's sponsors: Velo Bella, Easton, Rock Lobster, Specialized, Chris King, Fi'zi:k, Sheila Moon