Race Report: MO State Time Trial and Criterium

It had been a rough few days last week.  I was mentally and physically exhausted and wasn't in the frame of mind to race two courses that I really don't love.  Plus, I hadn't raced since early July in Indy.  I did not have high expectations for my performance.

Missouri State Time Trial

I wasn't focused on this race like I like to be focused on a race.  I haven't ridden a 40k on the time trial bike since August 2011.  That being said, I knew I would regret not doing it.  Plus, the ride to Jeff City was a hoot.  Kate was hyped on her Double Big Gulp and Phil's sense of humor always makes me laugh.  Add in that Adam was a little loopy from sleep deprivation and it made for great laughs.

I got on my bike and warmed up on the outer road near the start.  The weather was beautiful, sunny, light breeze and cooler than it's been in two months.  I took my Gu and headed to the line.  It was quickly my turn to go to the line.  Ron took hold of my seat post and I clicked in.  Mark gave me the countdown and I took off.  I felt like I didn't have a great powerful start.  I was in my 54/23 so it should have been fine.  I added a gear, settled in and kept telling myself to tap it out, tap it out, find a rhythm. I found a good cadence and started singing a montage of songs to myself.  I never did get the melody to Fighter right in my head.  I hit the 10K mark and had originally planned on adding a gear.  While I wasn't fatigued, I didn't think I could sustain anything further.  About 20 minutes in I was passed by the guy who started a minute back.  I had expected that to happen at some point.  I also had to tell myself to hold back and not to try to chase him down, knowing that would cause me to blow up later on.  At 30 minutes I knew I should be getting close to the turn.  I got passed again by the rider who had started further back.  I kept telling myself that was okay.

I got to the at 30:03:30ish.  I didn't handle it well.  I haven't done a tt this year with a cone turn, so I was skiddish on speed and ended up sliding my rear wheel a bit.  I took off a gear stood up and got back up to speed.  I added my gear back and put my head down to pedal.  I had hoped for a more significant tail wind on the way back, but that never happened.  At 40 minutes I got passed for a third time.  UGH!  I kept this one in sight a lot longer and was still feeling really strong.  It was about that time that I started getting more and more uncomfortable in my saddle.  I knew I needed a new one on my tt bike, but with only doing shorter races this year, it hasn't bothered me.  There were a few times I had to stand on the way back to ease the discomfort.  I got to the 30k mark and knew I just needed to keep my effort hard and consistent.  I worked to maintain a cadence around 100 and didn't focus on speed.  Overall I felt really good the entire race.  My legs worked, but never felt like I couldn't keep going.  My effort was consistent throughout.  My official time was 1:05:31.  That's two seconds off my best time on this course.  Perhaps a better turn or not standing on the way back could have given me those few seconds--wouldn't have made a difference in how I finished, just a PR for me.  My place was 2nd for Cat 3 Women.  1st for MO licensed racers.

Missouri State Criterium

In spite of the results on Saturday, I still wasn't anymore ready to race Sunday.  I got there and registered and there were three others on the roster.  I was surprised and hoped we'd get more ladies.  I watched part of the Cat 5 race and then got dressed.  I was able to ride a couple of laps on the course before the Master's race started.  Kelly (Momentum) and I rode around for a while after that to warm up.  I attacked a few hills to get my heart rate up and then found Amy.  She and I spun for the last 10 minutes talking about who to watch in the race.  We ended up with 14 girls on the line at the start.  It was a good field, with some strong ladies in it.

The clouds had cleared and it was sunny, warm and humid for us.  The race started pretty quickly.  The first lap was hot.  The second lap eased and we rode about 20 minutes before the first prime.  Several small attacks were attempted, but nothing stuck.  The prime bell sounded and the positioning began.  I felt good and decided to give it a go.  We hit the back side of the course and the hill and Britta took off on us.  She got a great jump on the field.  I wasn't ready to let her have it though.  I went after her hard.  I rounded the last turn on the course and was out of my saddle sprinting as hard.  I think she assumed it was a given and sat up.  We went to the line and it was so close I didn't know what had gotten it until the next lap when I looked at Mark and he shook his head No to me.  I was disappointed, but was happy with my efforts.

Amy doing the work! *photo credit: Don McKinney

I found my smile! *Photo credit: Don McKinney

It was a close finish.  *Photo credit: Don McKinney

We came through with one to go and Britta took off.  She surprised everyone and got a sizable gap.  Emilie, Jamie, Ashley, Renee and I were all up front working to close the gap.  On the back hill Emilie drilled it and Ashley was on her wheel. I followed along.  As we hit the second hill Ashley faded and I tried to jump up on Emilie.  I couldn't grab her wheel and she was off.  I put my head down and knew I needed maintain my gap.  I turned onto the finishing straight and tried to stand on the little rise and my legs yelled at me to sit down.  I did and put my head down.  I could feel someone alongside of me and looked over to see Renee pull even. Shut up legs, we're goin' now.  I got up again and added gear and pushed.  I could see my tire move past hers and looked down to see the line on the road.  I snatched third!  It was a good hard fought race.  Amy worked very hard launching a some attacks and covering others to help me stay near the front and ready.  I was really happy that I was able to focus my mind and shut down the outside noise and get in a race frame of mind and stay there when it mattered.  And lots of friends cheering along the race course was an added bonus.  My surprise came when I went to check results.  Mark said he felt so bad that I didn't win the prime, but I was the Cat 3 state champ so that really mattered more.  It didn't hit me what he meant until Sara said something about getting my medal and jersey when results were final.  I think I squealed.

Race Report: The Great Forest Park Bike Race 2012

This is the least technical course we see all year. It's almost completely flat and only has two real turns in it.  The weather wasn't nearly as pretty today, the sun was hidden and there was a nice little wind.  Amy and I did some efforts in the park and I spun around a bit more until race time. Today our field was 16 deep, a few different faces from yesterday.  I felt really, really good when we went to the line.  When the whistle blew I merged to about third wheel in the pack.  We formed up quickly and had a moderate pace on the back side.  Towards the end of that stretch, I took a little jump to see what would happen.  Caught immediately.  We went around two more times with some small attacks coming.  

In the mix.  Photo credit: Tony Lowther

Lap three right after the start finish I decided to really try.  I was sitting third wheel and had a clear line so I jumped...into the wind. I'm guessing I wasn't geared heavy enough because within a few pedal strokes I lifted my rear wheel off the ground. I sat down and kept pushing.  Chris, Pam and Ashely were with me.  Pam tried to organize us to get the break to stick, but no such luck. We were reeled in by the time we got back to the start/finish. About 18 minutes in we got the first prime.  We slowed way down and I positioned myself near the front again.  I had no real interest in it, but knew Carrie was entirely capable of taking it and staying away.  We turned the last corner and the pace ramped up but no one jumped until about 100 meters out.  Carrie and Ashley took off. I stayed with them but didn't even attempt to match their sprint.  We came back together on the back side and went around again.  Teresa pulled up alongside of me and I asked her how she was feeling.  She said she felt good and I told her I did too.  I nodded at her and jumped.  This time I had the right gear and got off and away.  No one was with me, which was good and bad.  I was adding ground until I hit the wind. It was there I needed someone to trade pulls with.  I got pulled back in at about the spot where I originally jumped.  Within two laps we had another prime bell.  It set up much the same as the first until the very end.  There were about four girls sprinting it out.  For a quick minute I thought they were going to get away, so I pushed and worked to bridge up to them.  By the time we were crossing the bridge they had let up though.  

Team work! Photo credit: Tony Lowther

From there until one to go we would have a couple of attacks attempted every lap, each eventually pulled back.  On the bell lap I was sitting in a poor position, I was about third wheel, but in the center of the pack.  I knew it would be impossible to get a good sprint from there.  I waited for any opportunity to move and got it on the backside.  I eased up and slid behind Heather and around to the outside.  The pace picked up as we moved through the false flat and into the final turn. The pace slowed and then revved up, but again no one jumped.  Finally Carrie made her move.  Ashley and Britta and several others were right with her.  This time I didn't need incentive to sprint.  I jumped and spun and added gear.  I pulled alongside Britta and got her by inches on the line for third.  

All-in-all I feel really good about the weekend's races.  I was very happy with my ability to recover today.  I need to still work on my sprint and on timing...endurance too if I ever think I'll make a solo break stick ;-)

Race Report: Chicago Cross Cup New Years Resolution

In the spirit of full disclosure, like so many of the out of town races I did this season, these races were no where on my radar at the beginning of the cx season.  My season was going to be done in early December after state, and I then found myself driving north in the rain on Friday afternoon.  I had no real idea what to expect, other than sand because it was on a golf course.  But, I was ready to have fun. 

I got up Saturday morning and headed down to the course to pre-ride it before any of the other races began.  I wanted to make sure I had a good feel for it and got a full lap in prior to my race.  CCC described it as being four sections:  one power followed by one power/technical, another technical, and a final power section.  The start was on pavement and headed up a small incline and past the finish line.  A sweeping left led out to the grass to a few little off cambers and an off camber hill that was going to be muddy and sloppy as the day progressed.  From there it went to "mini Mt Krumpet" that would have been totally rideable in other conditions, but it was thick mud.  From the hill the course straightened out into a true power section, making two 180s before heading by the pits.  After the pits, the course doubled back and headed through two crushed limestone sandpits.  After the second there was boggy mud leading to the barriers. From the barriers there was another sand pit, and an off camber hill and back to the big hill.  After a quick trip through several more sandpits, the course turned 90 degrees and passed back by the pits into a sweeping 180 to the left and back onto the cart path to the s/f.  

I got a good warm up in before the race and headed to staging.  Somehow I had enough crossresults.com points to get a first row spot.  We lined up, got instructions and were off.  I was sitting around fifth wheel as we headed out on the grass.  I was able to ride the first off camber and headed to the big hill.  I was somehow riding it, about 3/4 of the way up, when the girl in front of me when down.  I tried to maneuver out of the way, but the mud took me and I had to unclip.  My foot slid and I bashed my knee.  I shouldered the bike and ran to the top.  I was sitting in fourth as we came down.  I passed the two girls in front of me in the power section, but was geared wrong into the mud after the pit and had to dismount.  They got ahead of me.  I stayed with them through the barriers, the hill, and the sand pits (which were SO much fun to ride).  We wound to the cart path and I added gear and didn't look back.  I passed them both as we headed out for lap two.  Victoria, the girl sitting in third as I passed, later told me "You just took off.  I didn't know what happened."

Descending the mini Mt Krumpet *photo credit:  William Draper

Lap two and three were much better for me as far as execution.  I decided not to try to ride the hill, to run it and play to my strengths.  I also geared better for the muddy sections and was able to ride them without issue.  I was getting time gaps on the girl in front of me and knew I was closing it down.  As I headed out for the final lap, she was close enough that I was keeping her in sight on the entire course. I was heading up the hill as she was remounting.  I jumped on my bike at the top and watched her pull off the course.  She broke her derailleur.  All I had to do was keep it together and the W was mine.  And that's exactly what I did.  I rode smart and clean and crossed the line for the win.  I was still in disbelief as I got on the podium.  My wins in cx have been so few, and this was a big race.

On the podium with Skylar and Victoria.  These juniors are gonna kill it in a few years.  Watch for them!

I hadn't planned on the second race of the day because I was tired after my first run.  But, the numbers were low and I wanted to make sure the ladies at least had five in their race so they could earn upgrade points.  We ended up with seven total.  I did a short warm up to get my legs ready before heading to the line.  Ellie (the broken derailleur) and I were the only two who had doubled up.  The race was set for 35 minutes, but the official let us know to only expect three laps because the conditions had deteriorated so much.  I got a great start off the line and was third heading into the grass.  It was definitely muddier and slicker this time around.  I had to dab to get up the first little off camber.  In the power section I was able to pass the girl sitting in second.  I chased Ellie the rest of the race, closing her gap, but never catching her.  It was much muddier this time through, and the mud was sticking like crazy.  I think I spent half the race out of my pedals.  Getting out of the sand pits was proving to be interesting as well because a nice little lip had formed.  Midway through lap two, I went in for a different bike.  This is the first time I've ever done a bike change in a race.  I felt pretty good about it, but it took me a minute to adjust from Campy to Shimano.  I stayed on that bike through the end, finishing second for the race.

Sunday's weather was just awful.  I went down early to preride the course.  It was snowing with incredible winds.  The only changes to the course were that the 180s after the hill was removed and so were the barriers.  The rain and snow made it even soupier than it had been the day before.  I got a bad jump off the line and couldn't find my pedal.  I was sitting in 7th when we went into the grass.  I knew I would have to run more than on Saturday.  I rode down the off camber hill and dismounted and run up it.  I decided to run up and down the big hill and had moved into fourth by that point.  I passed two more girls as I headed into the mud.  Again I was geared poorly. I hopped off and ran through the first sand pit and got back on.  I rode into the second sand pit and mud that followed to where the barriers had been and couldn't ride through it.  I ran it and tried to remount, but the wind was so forceful I struggle to get on my bike.  I lost second place there taking three tried to get going again.  I finally ran a little ways and remounted.  I changed bikes on my second time past the pit in lap one.  I bobbled a few turns in lap 2, actually getting caught on one of the plastic stakes in the third section of the course.  I switched back to my Ridley as I went by the pit again because it's a better fit and I'm more confident on it.  My third lap was cleaner for me in that I didn't make as many riding errors.  My lines were better and I rode all the mud and the sand.  I finished third on the day, but this one was definitely not a great performance for me.  I was tired and let myself get pretty sloppy in execution.  

Overall these were great events for me.  I've had enough practice in the mud this year that I was confident in my handling.  That being said, I still learned some lessons about my gearing when I ride it.  I also got some great advice (from the "most influential person in cx") on my positioning in regards to dropping my heels a little more and pulling my knees closer to the bike to add some power.  I also got to meet some really cool people (people I follow on Twitter!) and catch up with some old friends.  For me, that's been the highlight of my cross season . . . new friends across the country.

Kyle Bainter Video of Saturday's Elite Races

This video is beautiful!  It shows the course conditions when the Elite Women and Men raced.  My second race was after the Elite Men.  Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy!

Race Report: Boss Cross 4 & Missouri State CX

Another weekend, another road trip . . . this time it was for Boss Cross and the Missouri State CX championships in KC.  Cory and I had the pleasure of having the Sass as our travelling companion.  After a quick S'bux stop, we headed west.  Sass was out cold by the time we went Wentzville.  Cor & I kept ourselves entertained with great stories and Twitter pics from Jim. I was able to add two new Coryisms to my list . . . that blog post will come out post Madison--be warned it is not for the faint of heart.  We hit KC about nine.  After unloading and grabbing Jim, we headed to North to meet G and Trent.  Dinner was great and Patrick joined us after he got settled.

Saturday morning I could hear the rain pouring down outside my window.  It was going to be a nasty race.  We actually found a freestanding Starbucks, with no u-turns, and made it to the race course without incident.  Not so for Jim.  I'm not really sure what happened, but between Patrick and Cory they guided him in.

At the start of our race, it was wet and soggy with temps in the high 40s, low 50s.  The rain had briefly stopped, although it spit on us intermittantly through the race. The race was held at a BMX park, but we weren't actually using any of the course.  Most of the course was held in two large open fields--the upper section was flat with some easy corners, the lower section had a nice grade to it.  In addition, the north part of the course went near the BMX track.  It was the technical, muddy section with two down and backs, a muddy run up over a log, off camber mud and a sloshy mud pit that led out to a long slow uphill grinder.  Fun times!  There were ten women in the open field and we were on course with the Master's 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 riders.  We got the whistle and I was fourth off the line.  We hit the back section and I was able to pass the third place girl on an uphill.  I could hear someone behind me but was able to hold her off until we got to the muddy run up.  She passed me there.  I rode the muddy off camber well the first lap.  I dismounted and ran the second mud pit and headed up the hill.  I was able to catch the girl who passed me at that point.  I added gear as I passed her and started looking for Karen.  I think I got within about 10 seconds of her during lap two.  I hit the muddy off camber and it just went all to hell.  I let Patrick and John distract me (they were heckling and I was laughing) and I went straight off the course, at Patrick, into a tree.  I jumped off, untangled myself and went back at it.  I lost time on Karen through that whole fiasco.  I have to admit that the other passes through the muddy off camber were no better.  While I didn't run into the tree or go off course anymore, I was never able to completely ride it.  I should have been smart and shouldered the bike and run.  Lesson learned!  The rest of the race was great for me.  I talked myself through any muddy sections with "pick a line and pedal.  pick a line and pedal." It seemed to work.  I must have looked like I was having fun because I got multiple comments during and after the race about smiling.  In the last lap, I came up on Guillarmo, he didn't seem to be having as much fun as me, so I gave him a little butt smack as I passed . . . almost taking myself down as well. I ended up holding onto third without a problem.  My highlight for the race was not freaking out in the mud.  I worked on spinning and finesse.  Even through the off camber mess, I didn't get uptight.  My point of improvement is recognizing my strengths.  I should have improvised and run instead of thinking I needed to try to ride it each time.

Up and over the log on the run up. *Photo cred: Jon Peck

Off camber, downhill and mud.  -Yikes!- *photo credit: Jon Peck

Podium -- Congrats to Sarah and Karen. *photo credit: Jon Peck

Our St. Louis contigent caravaned to the car wash to rinse off the bikes.  It was a sight to see.  The rest of the day was filled with washing kits and shoes, great food, laughs and shopping.  A perfect day in my mind.  Our evening plans took us back to La Bodega--we had dinner there our first KC road trip.  The boys all joined us, including Peter and Travis who had just gotten in, and Cory's teammate Chris.  The food and sangria were outstanding and the laughs were never ending.  Although I do think we made Trent shake his head at us quite a few times.

By Sunday morning, the rain had stopped.  It was still muddy and was cold...34 degrees with a wind chill of 29.  The course was almost identical to Saturday with the exception of it being run backwards and the muddy off camber was taken out.  Instead of climbing the grinder out of the mud, we went downhill into the mud and circled around to the run up and log.  The course conditions had also deteriorated quite a bit.  There was very little solid grass left, and was what there was saturated.  I made a costly clothing mistake for Sunday.  I let the cold scare me and I decided to wear my knickers instead of my skinsuit.  With the weight I've lost this season, the chamois in the knickers is a bit saggy.  I also almost let my head get in the way of me racing well.  I saw one of the ladies I had yet to beat this season and I started to get nervous.  I literally banged my head on the dashboard telling myself to get my head in the race.

We again had 10 ladies at the line.  Sunday we only had Masters 50, 55, and 60 on course with us.  The whistle blew and we took off.  As I raised out of the saddle, my chamois caught on it. EFF ME! I was immediately sitting 6th wheel.  I kept telling myself to calm down and to just stay in contact with the lead five.  Within two turns I was able to pass the girl sitting in 5th.  We were all together through the barriers and down the hill to a muddy 180.  The lead women, as did I, tried to ride it.  (So were some of the men we caught).  Everyone got bogged down and had to do an unplanned dismounted creating a bit of a jam.  Karen and Sarah were able to take advantage of that and get away from us.  We climbed up out of there and headed down to the mud.  As soon as I hit the deep stuff, I dismounted and shouldered the bike.  I sloshed through and decided to keep running.  There were two short sections I may have been able to ride, but I didn't know if it was worth it.  After the log I got on and went after Britta.  I was able to pass her in the upper section of the field and caught up and grabbed Cory's wheel. I know Cory is a good handler through the mud, so I stayed on her wheel and watched her line.  As we turned out of the mud and down the hill, Cory went into the tape and off the course.  I was able to go around her.  At that point, I didn't know where Sarah and Karen were and who was sitting in what place. I crossed through start finish and saw we had four to go.  That lap I tried to ride the muddy 180 again and only got halfway through.  Two guys standing there told me that everyone was having better luck running it so I made up my mind that was my plan the next lap.  I headed off towards the mud pit.  A bunch of the Big Shark guys were there and told me that Sarah wasn't that far ahead and that I could go after her.  I again ran the bike the whole way, ignoring John who told me it was a bike race, not a run.  I tried to remount after the log and again caught my chamois.  I finally got going and headed after Sara.   I saw her when I got into the upper field.  She had about 30 seconds on me at that point.  I put my head down and rode my bike.  I tried to keep a high cadence, but stay relaxed through the mud.  By the time I saw the boys again, they were telling me I was closing the gap.  I asked them to count time for me.  I was close enough to Sara at the point that I could see she was trying to ride part of muddy section where I ran.  I told myself to stick with my strengths and I slogged through.  The boys had moved to the top section by this point and told me the gap was at 15 seconds.  When I rounded the corner, Guillarmo was there telling me it was at 13 seconds.  We headed back through the lower section, down to the mud and out in the open field again.  The gap was around ten at this point.  When we wound towards the start/finish, I made my move.  I added gear and pushed.  I passed and didn't look back.  The cool part of it was the play by play from the announcer as I did it.  We had two to go and the boys were telling me that Karen was catchable, so I kept pushing.  They gave me a gap of 15 seconds and I could see her through most of the lap.  As we headed through the upper half of the field, the men's leader passed me.  It meant that I was now on the last lap.  Try as I may, I couldn't close it down on Karen and ended up with second.  I was pretty happy with my decisions on the course.  I played more to my strengths and stayed relaxed even when my line choice wasn't the best.  I've also learned my lesson about clothing.  

Nothin' but muddy goodness.  *Photo credit: Jon Peck

Yesterday was the second state medal I earned.  This one, although the same place, means much more to me than the crit medal I have.  CX is not my strongest discipline.  I've really worked to improve.  I analyze my races, think through where I need to improve, and then go out and practice those skills.  Sure I do the same thing with road races, but that just seems to come easier.  Some day, some how, I'd really like to win the state jersey.  For now I'm happy with the silver medal.  It is what it is.

Race Report: Bubba #4 and #5 -- Faust Park

I knew going into Saturday night's race it would be hard.  I did the trail run in the morning and had fun, but I haven't really asked that much of my legs since GEO in July.  It also didn't help that I realized at Tesson Ferry that I had left my number at home and had to turn around to get it.  By the time we got there I didn't have a chance to pre-ride the course and I effed around and didn't warm up.  All my fault, I own it.  Just like I own my poor performance.  I was quick off the line at the whistle, but Sunny just rode away from us all.  I was quickly passed by the rest of the A field and that's where I stayed--DFL.  I even got passed by some of the B racers.  That really helped my ego.  The only thing that kept me going were the lewd comments from the crowd about my costume. I did get quicker every lap, as my legs got warm and I got familiar with it.  But I never got quick enough to catch anyone.  The big lesson for me was when I downloaded my data.  I obviously played bad mind games with myself because my average HR was only 168 . . . a good 20BPM slower than typical.  I let my "perceived" fatigue and overall poor attitude get in the way of having a good race.


Sunday morning didn't start off much better.  Saturday night's sleep was about three hours due to issues to remain unnamed and my problems sleeping past 5AM any day.  So I began crabby and my legs were still a little tender.  I emailed Coach and asked him if I could just go for a long road ride instead.  In typical Chuck form, he gave me permission but made me really think.  Here's part of his message:
if you are not looking forward to the cx race today, don't do it.  there is physical and mental fatigue.  staying 'in the game' yesterday was likely similar to a very tactical road race of a couple hours or more duration or a 60-70k tt.  if you decide to go for an easy ride, be able to say (if it's true) 'my muscles are sore, i've had enough.'


Of course after reading that I decided to race.  Because truly, above all else, I'm a horrible bike handler and anytime spent riding and working on those skills is good for me.  I made sure I got to the park early enough to get on the course.  It was basically the same as last night, with an added side section through the trees.  It was about 1.5 miles and at least I could see the ruts and avoid hitting them in the daylight.


It was windy and overcast at the start, about 58 degrees.  We got the whistle and I jumped but was third off the line.  Courtney immediately took the lead and Gina followed.  I tried to stay with them but didn't have the power today.  Kerry was right on my wheel.  We stayed that way until after the tree section when Kerry passed me.  I pushed to stay on her wheel through  the rest of that lap.  A few times I thought about going around her, but knew I didn't have the gas to put a gap on her and didn't want to continue to go back and forth with her.  On lap two we were heading to the path and I felt good.  I went around her and added gear and kept going.  I concentrated on seeing how much room I could put between us.  I was able to extend my lead on her through the next three laps.  In the final lap, she made some ground, but when I saw that she had come closer, I went harder.  I ended up with 3rd.


The hardest part of the day's race for me was the barriers.  I tried to run and jump but my legs told me no.  I made sure my dismounts and remounts were clean so that I didn't lose too much ground there.  I also worked on pedaling through my corners and taking clean lines.  The handling is definitely getting better.  And I say that knowing I haven't faced anything truly technical yet.  

Race Report: Tour de Grove

I had been looking forward to the Grove since last season.  The courses are fun, the fields were great sizes, and this year it was earlier, meaning cooler weather.  This was definitely a case of be careful what you wish for.

Midtown Alley

It all started Friday night . . . 

It was in the low 70s, windy and overcast at race time. I got a good warm up in and my legs felt ok. The course was a long rectangle, wide streets on the sides, short one block and narrow on the ends. The pavement was rough in spots, with manhole covers and holes, especially in the corners. I'm guessing we had about 20 in our 3/4 field. Most of the race was pretty uneventful. We'd speed through the front side of the course, slow down on the top end and the backside due to the wind, and gain momentum through turn three and four to the finish. There were two primes. I couldn't get good positioning for either one. A break went off after the first, but it was brought back within a lap. At some point in turn one, I hit a hole or crack and my front wheel seemed to wobble a bit.  It was very windy, so at that point, I attributed the wobble to the wind and high profile wheels. 

The race all came down to the finish. I knew I needed to focus on positioning going into the third turn because that was what would make the sprint. I was fine for three, but I got pinched out in turn four. We came onto the finishing straight and the sprint was on. I was up and gaining, sitting about fourth. I think I hit a hole because the next thing I knew my front wheel was wobbling. I tried to ride it out, but couldn't hold it. I remember feeling my bike fly out from under me and wondering if I'd ever stop sliding. The only other thought I had was “at least I didn’t hit my head.”  The next thing I remember is seeing Steph running towards.  Richard helped me up, and Walker was snapping photos like crazy.  I tried to smile through it all be because I didn’t want anyone to worry about me.  My left side is pretty raw, shoulder to ankle and I have a little damage on the right side.  After the fall Lee took a look at my bike and my front wheel was barely held in.  I’m assuming that the holes I hit knocked my skewer/wheel loose, causing the wonkiness.  I’ll never know for sure, but I’m happy nothing is broken on me or the bike.  It’s also of note that this was my first, and hopefully, last DNF in a race.

The Grove
Saturday was better because I finished, but that’s about the only good thing I can say. It was a cold, rainy race...about 52 at start. I prerode the course and ended up with a flat, got that changed and decided to warm up on the trainer. We had about 24 women on the line. I took the lead the first half lap and then settled in the pack. The course was a technical one with about six or seven turns. My goal was just to sit in and be in a good spot for the sprint. All was fine until four to go. We were around turn four when a girl slid out. I moved to avoid her, but she took out Jamie who landed square in front of me and I hit her and went down. I got up, grabbed my bike and hauled it to the pit. Steven straightened my bars and I waited for the pack.  I asked multiple times if we got our free lap. There were six of us in the crash. We jumped in, went through the start/finished and got two to go.

We headed into turn one and another girl slid out. I moved left to avoid her. That put me in line for the curb. Gotta love cx skills cause I hopped it, cut through the grass, and hopped back on the back of the pack. We got around the course, got the bell. Everything was great until the final turns. The pack had been skiddish there all race so I was concerned. I saw the first girl go down slide across so I moved right. She hit someone else who came straight towards me. As I tried to move further right, I slid out. I got up and finished the race but have no clue how I actually finished. I was pretty discouraged. A few bumps/bruises and the bike is fine.  However what really soured me was that we (the six of us in the first crash) were not given our free lap.  We were technically a lap down when we jumped back on the group.  I would have chased and not been involved in the other two incidents had we been told that at the pit.  Frustrating!!!

Dutchtown Classic

Our weather was much the same Sunday as it was on Saturday, chilly and rainy. The course/event was a new one. It started on an uphill and went directly into a right turn and an immediate left. Next was a quarter mile straight with a soft s-turn into the wind. That went into a right turn to a false flat and a long gradual downhill that ended with a sharp right. Another right led to the finishing straight. It was about 400 meters to the start/finish with about half of it uphill. The pavement was beautiful. I think we took 12 to the line, and thankfully they were all women who knew how to ride a bike in rain. There were a few surges early in the race, but nothing got away. I'm not sure when we started shedding people, but about 15 minutes in I realized we were down to nine. We got the first prime bell and I was feeling good. The sprint started at the bottom of the hill. I crossed the line third, but no where near the girl who took it. We came back together as a group. I think it was the next lap that a girl wiped out in the last turn. I was just happy to avoid her. That split the pack even more and Britta and Jamie got off on a break. I had Skyler (Tibco), Tulsa Tough, and Ashley with me. We organized our chase and went after them. Everyone but the Tulsa girl was giving her all. At that point I wasn't sure whether she was doing all she could or sandbagging. After two laps of chasing they rang the prime bell. I knew Jamie and Britta would cat and mouse and possibly slow so it was time to make our move. I took the lead going into the downhill turn and caught Jamie at the line. Britta pulled away.

Catching Jamie at the prime. Had to wear lots of gear to keep all my bandages in place. *Photo credit: Mike Dawson

We spent the next few laps trying to chase Britta down, but the Tulsa girl would take 10-20 second pulls and slide out. By this point we had dropped Skylar. At about three to go we couldn't catch Britta. I concentrated on placement and riding smart for the finish. Jamie went on the downhill on our last lap. Ashley reacted and went after her and I stayed on Ashley's wheel. We hit the hill and I was out of my saddle. Ashley pulled in front of Jamie and away from me. I pulled past Jamie and took third. The Tulsa girl had enough in her to go for the sprint and take Jamie as well.

Overall I felt good in the race. I was timid in the last two corners every lap. If the others had been smart, they could have taken me there. I also think we should have worked hard to shell the Tulsa girl because she was content to let us work for her. This was also a race I really had to talk myself through. After two laps, I was second guessing myself. When we narrowed the field, I knew if I stayed in I would get upgrade points and payout. That kept me going. The more women we dropped, the more I got into the race. When we got it down to five, all I could think was podium and ending on a great note.

Finally, a good result!  *Photo credit:  Mike Dawson

Race Report: Hot Time in Webster

I was not looking forward to this race because of my experience there last year---I was not prepared to race with the 1,2,3 field and it got the best of me. I was spit off the pack early on, tried to work with a girl who was happy to knit, got lapped and spit off by the leaders a second time. I had memories of a killer right hand turn following a downhill and an ugly climb. Even though I know I'm having a better season, I still wasn't mentally in the game.

We got to the course early so that the kids could do the kids' race. CRK has a great race face--she will be a serious racer some day! AWK is just out there having fun. He wins the style points. They both enjoyed the races and have announced that it's time for the training wheels to go!

AWK stylin' & profilin'

*Photo credit: Mike Dawson

After the kids' races were over, I headed out with the Steph and Kate for a warm up. No matter how much I ride in mid county, I still get turned around and am always greatful for their navigation. I got a little over 20 minutes in and was wishing for a longer time. I'm coming to find that I do better with a longer warm up. I decided to try something new yesterday to deal with the heat--I put an ice pack in the radio pocket in my bibs and in the back pocket of my jersey hoping to keep my core temp down and my heart rate under control. I pulled to the line and got a great position. We got instructions and a whistle and were off--no problem getting in the pedals! Right away Chris took off. She had started in the back row and quickly established her place. Everyone went after her and we were off and racing.

Most of the race went by in a blur. It was hot and our field raced well. It was all I could do to concentrate on staying in the race. The first prime bell rang and I made a conscious decision not to go after it. Instead, I made sure I was ready for the sprint and staying with the group that did go for it. Luckily, the girls slowed down after crossing the line. I may have fell out had they kept that pace.

Wheels on the line.

About eight laps in we got another bell for a prime. Kate went off the front early on this one. Britta, Natalie and I made an effort to go after her. She was still out in front as we passed came into the finishing straight. Since Kate hadn't been pulled in, so I went on my own to pull her in. I got her wheel and decided I might as well put a little more into it for the cash. I grabbed the prime by a tiny margin--I looked to my right as I crossed the line and saw that Chris had been right there.

Right after that I heard the nasty sound of a crash as we went through the first corner. It was behind me so I couldn't see who went down. Someone said it was Emilie. I later found out that Steph felt like she took the corner too shallow and laid it over. I know Teresa and Emilie went down with her and both got back in after their free lap...Emilie's bike sounded out of whack for the rest of the race but she still managed a strong, strong finish.

The next two primes went pretty well the same as the first.

Rounding the final corner early in the race.

At five laps to go, I started to work on positioning. I knew who the other 4s were and made sure I was in a good spot compared to them. We got the bell lap and everyone played it safe. We made it to the final corner and the sprint took off. I was sitting about 4th wheel at that point. I felt strong in the sprint, but Courtney held on by about half a tire, with Britta a bike length ahead.

This year was much better for me than last. I felt like I had a good grip on what was going on at all times, I was able to anticipate what was going to happen, and had it in my legs and lungs to react. My goal for next year will be to make things happen instead of reacting. And BTW, that downhill right turn and ugly climb somehow got flattened out over this past year. I gotta find a member of the Webster street department and thank them for that!