I registered and rode the course. It had six turns, two close left-handers after a nice downhill, a small hill and an S turn to the start/finish straightaway. The pavement, in spots, was a little rough, but well marked. We rolled to the line for the Women’s 4, all eight of us—Trish (was in my break away at Forest Park), Tara (did the solo break that we couldn’t catch last Saturday at Carondelet), Danielle (first race ever) and four junior women from MICDS. I was very proud of one of our juniors who pulled up on the line for the first time ever. She shyly asked me if that was okay and I told her to never be afraid to be in front. Buddy gave us pre-race instructions, couldn’t tell us if we got a prime, and had trouble blowing the whistle to get us started. We all had a bit of trouble going because of that. Everyone got clicked in and we were off. By turn four we were down to a 3 women lead pack, Trish, Tara and me. We all took turns pulling as we moved through the next couple of laps. About 11 minutes in, we got a bell for a prime. We played nice through the backside of the course until the middle of the S to the start finish. Tara took off and I was on her wheel. I didn’t want to give her too much because I knew first hand she could handle the course solo. She got the prime by less than a bike length and kept going. I tried to stay with her but didn’t have it. I let Trish come around to pull and Tara made up more ground.
The next twelve minutes or so were filled with Trish and I keeping Tara in our sites. We took turns pulling, but when Trish was pulling, I felt we lost ground on Tara. We got to three laps to go and I knew I had a decision to make—if I we were going to catch Tara, I was going to have to do the work knowing full well that Trish would sit on wheel and go for the sprint. In my mind I had to take that chance and at least have an opportunity for first rather than settling for a sprint for second. (Have I ever mentioned I’m a bit competitive?) The next three laps flew by but seemed to go in slow motion all at once. I bombed through the quick left turns, swearing I could have reached down and touched the pavement I was laying it so for over. I worked the hill to my advantage and made up ground there. Coming around with one lap to go, I heard Mike Weiss, our team sponsor, tell me, “if you’re gonna do, you gotta do it now.” We turned to the back side of the course and I grabbed Tara’s wheel and held tight. It was going to come down to the sprint. I let Tara pull us up to the 200M mark, right at the turn to the start/finish. It was on. Out of my saddle, adding gears as I went, I dropped Tara and fought Trish tooth and nail. Trish had played it smart. She got me by less than an inch at the line. I felt great with the results and was confident I made the right decision to go after Tara.
Women's Open Race. Photo cred: EvilleMike
I had about an hour between races so I grabbed a granola bar and a bottle of water and noodled around the area. I wanted to keep my legs warm and be ready for the second effort. I talked with a few of the more seasoned Cat 2 & 3 women—they knew I was doing the race to get more experience and were incredibly supportive. Eleven women rolled up to the line, representing six teams. Tara had jumped in this race as well. The start was much smoother this time and we were off—at a bit of a slower pace than the last Open race I was tried. (This was later attributed to the fact the Chris wasn’t racing—she likes to go out hot). Two laps in and we were still all together in a pack. I realized something after turn two in our third lap—the reason Tara goes for the single break is that she’s uncomfortable riding in a pack. She moved all over, staying on the outside of the group most of the time—never grabbing a wheel. I made a note to use that knowledge in future races. We hit turn four and headed uphill and a break went off—Jamie, Molly, and Emilie. Three teams represented. Amy took the charge of trying to take us after them, but they gained ground on us. We flew by the start/finish and through turns one and two when I heard Amy shout “I need some help up here.” That was my cue and up I went. For some reason I was feeling sassy and that gap they had on us didn’t look that big—it was time to take one for the team. I looked at Amy and said, “Hop on, let’s go!” My plan was to spend my legs pulling her up to the break, and then fall back to the pack and slow them down. Amy had different plans as she had ridden and won the 137mi fondo the day on Saturday, but didn’t have time to tell me that. I took off and was about half-way to the break and looked to make sure Amy was still on. Nope! Aw, heck, I was out there by myself, what was I thinking. (Amy later told me as soon as I got off, she sat up and slowed them down for me…great teamwork!) My little friend inside my brain told me you’ve already committed to this, get on up there. So I did, I rode that bike like I stole it and caught Emilie’s wheel in the middle of the S turn. We cruised through the straightaway and I looked up long enough to see Klucker’s sheer sense of amazement at where I was sitting. (he was officiating the race)
I had about an hour between races so I grabbed a granola bar and a bottle of water and noodled around the area. I wanted to keep my legs warm and be ready for the second effort. I talked with a few of the more seasoned Cat 2 & 3 women—they knew I was doing the race to get more experience and were incredibly supportive. Eleven women rolled up to the line, representing six teams. Tara had jumped in this race as well. The start was much smoother this time and we were off—at a bit of a slower pace than the last Open race I was tried. (This was later attributed to the fact the Chris wasn’t racing—she likes to go out hot). Two laps in and we were still all together in a pack. I realized something after turn two in our third lap—the reason Tara goes for the single break is that she’s uncomfortable riding in a pack. She moved all over, staying on the outside of the group most of the time—never grabbing a wheel. I made a note to use that knowledge in future races. We hit turn four and headed uphill and a break went off—Jamie, Molly, and Emilie. Three teams represented. Amy took the charge of trying to take us after them, but they gained ground on us. We flew by the start/finish and through turns one and two when I heard Amy shout “I need some help up here.” That was my cue and up I went. For some reason I was feeling sassy and that gap they had on us didn’t look that big—it was time to take one for the team. I looked at Amy and said, “Hop on, let’s go!” My plan was to spend my legs pulling her up to the break, and then fall back to the pack and slow them down. Amy had different plans as she had ridden and won the 137mi fondo the day on Saturday, but didn’t have time to tell me that. I took off and was about half-way to the break and looked to make sure Amy was still on. Nope! Aw, heck, I was out there by myself, what was I thinking. (Amy later told me as soon as I got off, she sat up and slowed them down for me…great teamwork!) My little friend inside my brain told me you’ve already committed to this, get on up there. So I did, I rode that bike like I stole it and caught Emilie’s wheel in the middle of the S turn. We cruised through the straightaway and I looked up long enough to see Klucker’s sheer sense of amazement at where I was sitting. (he was officiating the race)
OMG! I'm in the break in the Women's Open. How did that happen? Photo cred: EvilleMike
I stayed on for about four laps, taking my turn pulling and helping our group grow the gap. The girls were fabulous and supportive, giving me tips as we rotated through. I lost my hold on the group on the hill and knew I didn’t have what I needed to get back on with them, now what? Time for my friend and I to chat. Do I sit up and wait for the pack? Do I try to maintain solo? We were about 23 minutes into a 35+3 race…hmmmm. Looked over my shoulder, no pack. To heck with it, let’s go. Fourth place was still In the money for this one. It could be a profitable day for me.
Off the break..riding solo. Photo cred: EvilleMike
About to get caught by Allison & Natalie. Photo cred: Eville Mike.
I rode the next 12 minutes solo, not seeing anyone behind me or the break in front of me. It was three to go I heard the announcer tell me two riders were closing in. I got a backwards glance at turn one and saw it was Natalie and Allison. I did my best to hold them off, but they got me between turns one and two with two to go. As soon as they caught me, I sat up. I had worked hard and was ready for a few seconds recovery. They were taking the bait though. They held my wheel until after turn four when Allison took off on the hill. Natalie and I tried to go after her, but couldn’t catch her. I dropped back behind Natalie and took her wheel. If I wanted to stay in the money, I would have to take Natalie in the sprint and I needed to recover. That girl did her best to shake me. She slowed down, she tried to sprint away, she rode from side-to-side on the road. I was on like glue. Up the hill we went and into the S-turn. As we made our way onto the finishing straight I revved up my cadence, got out of my saddle and through on gear. I took the sprint by a comfortable margin. What a feeling! My goal had been to hang with the pack and I went on a break and took 5th? Unbelievable!
Natalie and I sprinting for 5th. Photo cred: EvilleMike
This course and venue were incredible! I really hope that Veloforce will be able to hold onto this location and grow the race. It was a challenging course with a great area for spectators.
Great race report - I always feel like I was there after reading your reports! Saw a bunch of the tri peeps yesterday - didn't ride w/them though - went on an AYH ride instead (to Maeystown). Was awestruck by all the new bikes! And then had a deflating moment when I discovered a crack in my own bike frame :-( I am hopeful it will be covered by warranty. Back on the hybrid for now...
ReplyDelete