Starbucks Gran Prix - Issaquah, WA

A big day for me - my first local call-up & win in the elite women class!

It was a day of perfect conditions - sunny skies, fun winding course, a LONG (almost football feild length) run in DEEP sand along the shore of Lake Sammamish, hydroplanes racing in the background, and a formal call up to the start line!

I felt so pro as the MFG series did a rolling call-up for the 1-2 women (yes, all 8 of us racing that day got a call up!). I was highly amused to roll past the announcers, then work my through both the master men's feilds to the back where the cat 3 women were staged. At least it's a start.

I had been feeling a bit blah on the bike since Cross Vegas, so my main goal was to have a good ride. Although I missed the hole shot, I stalked the lead wheel for a lap then utilized the perfectly engineered top tube shoulder spot of the Ellsworth Roots frame & my long legs on the football field length sandy shore run to make my gap. Every part of the course, except the mile-long sand stretch, became more fun with each lap and I focused on trying to ride as cleanly and smoothly as possible on all the fun grassy turns and slopes. I just continued to flow on the course, stretching out my gap to a solid lead to eventually solo in for the win. Very fun to both start and end the race feeling like a pro!

Planet Bike Cup (USGP 1&2)

(Pictures from Cyclingnews.com - Thanks, Dave!)

En route to a new personal record of number of UCI races in 8 days...

My lungs were not happy post-Vegas and I don't get how anyone can chose to smoke with the consequence of coughing like that all the time. (although I bet cross is just as crazy a concept for them!)

Unfortunately it wasn't really a true race weekend for me as I just felt off - dizzy and lightheaded while racing Saturday and short of breath on Sunday. So this is more of a Kari's-health-report-while-riding-her-bike post.

Planet Bike Cup 1 - Saturday

I felt dizzy all morning and had doubts on whether racing was really all that great an idea. As it went away when I was on the bike, I figured I needed to at least try and race since I was all the way in Wisconsin to do so! The start was weird and kind of blobby - not the fast, hold on for dear life crazy fast starts I'm used to with the big girls - Compton, Gould, Nash, etc. My body was on a different wave length of communication and didn't want to play race despite my encouragement. I held on for what I thought was 10th... to find out it was 11th place when I crossed the finish line. Oh well, at least I finished.

Planet Bike Cup 2 - Sunday

After a good night's sleep, I felt MUCH better and was looking forward to actually racing today. I was hoping for rain as it would favor me, but strong winds would have to do (one of the few times it pays to be a tank in the women's field - you don't get tossed around as much). Another weird blob start (which I in the future will go try and do something about!) and I was sitting in 9th with hopes of moving up. 4th lap in, my chain popped off (for no good reason), and not being able to shift it back on, I had to get off and physically put it on, losing 4 places! I chased back and regained a couple places and was making gains on the next in line when I started having trouble breathing and got dizzy again. Passing out is not something I strive for when riding, so I backed off a bit and finished the race what I thought was 12th, to later learn 13th on the results.

Needless to say I need to learn how to count and have been working with doctors to figure out what's going on... But still, in the big scheme, placing top 13 both days when not feeling stellar - pretty cool. I just can't wait for everything to fall into place and get the results I know I'm capable of.

Cross Vegas

UCI race #3 for me in 5 days....

I love the excitement and energy associated with Cross Vegas! It's the only course where you're pretty much guaranteed to be cheered at along the WHOLE course. Last year I surprised myself in placing 10th. As this is THE biggest race in North America with the most competitive field of U.S & Canadian riders, my goal was another top 10.

Heading to the staging area, I realized I had forgotten my pre-race goo! Since I had time, I dashed back to the car. Being in race brain mode, I managed to rip the "litter leash" side off (not realizing this opened the whole side of the package) and when I went to rip off the top to correctly open it, goo EXPLODED everywhere - entire left side of my face and whole left hand! not to mention the complete handlebar region of my bike!!! Trying not to panic, I "washed" what I could off, pryed my gloves on and did my best not to think about goo stickiness on the handlebars (something I really hate!). (Of note, I am still cleaning goo off my bike...)

On that note, I headed to the staging area (again). It was a confused mess, but I got to meet Rick from Ellsworth Bikes and teammate Devon Haskell. A guy suddenly pointed to me and told me to "go" for my call up (I got a call up!!! Finally another chance at fame and ego fulfillment!!). All to be short lived as I as announced as Barb Howe as I rode by the crowd. Love it. At least Barb has a good sense of humor.... Time for me to get a big name tag in addition to my race number.

8 minutes later (yes, 8 long glorious minutes in the starting grid) the race was off. Devon had a fantastic start and I quickly realized that I don't like 8 minute long start grid waiting as my legs were a bit grumpy. They finally came around and I settled into the 10-15th place chase group - including Van Gilder, Syder, Howe and eventually Dombroski and teammate Devon. My legs just weren't happy racing, but I enjoyed the opportunity to be having an off day and still sitting on the wheels of some of the top women in the sport. Very cool and the reason I love this sport! Where else is there that opportunity?! In the end, I took 13th. Not bad for an off day. Just can't wait to see what happens when I really feel good!

Rad Racing Gran Prix (NACT #2)

After the disappointment of finding out that 5th isn't good enough to make the podium (as was the case at Starcrossed), I was determined to make it happen this time. And with Syder not racing, my chances were already improving.

Another good start and I was 4th up the infamous "Knapp time run-up" chasing Alison Dunlap's wheel! (how cool is that?!) Sue Butler and Helen Wyman rode away after a half lap, leaving me sitting on Alison's wheel for the next couple laps. Alison had just started to pull away from me on a long gravel climb when Wyman came into sight (and not looking in good form either). Alison charged ahead to pass her and realizing that my shot at 3rd place was infront of Wyman, I followed. The rest of the race was basically a time trial where Alison kept her gap on me and I kept my gap on Wendy Williams & Barb Howe. Coming into the final section of the last lap I heard shouts that Wyman was chasing! Although my gap was comfortable, I wasn't going to press my luck so I gave everything to make sure I crossed the line 3rd - for my first official UCI race podium! No question this time on whether I'd make the photo shoot....

As luck would have it, this time the podium shoot went 5 deep!

Starcrossed

Aka: My "ego" race. As it is the only one where friends and family will likely ever see me race. My goal this year was to finally conquer it as this race the last couple years was anything but a boost to my ego. With big names like Dunlap, Syder, Butler and Helen Wyman (from Britin, ranked 5th in the world) I didn't have high hopes of this race being a big ego boost. Mainly I just wanted to ride a clean race and not crash at the beer garden barriers (something I have accomplished at this race before).
Thankfully the luck of the women's race was with us as the rain paused long enough for the course to become perfectly tacky and almost ideal race conditions. (not so for the elite men - downpour the second our race ended!) I had a great start - 4th going into the first set of barriers. I tried to keep composure while mentally screaming "Alison Dunlap's chasing my wheel!!!!" but she came around me shortly after so then it was me in no man's land for a couple laps in 5th place. My goal was 5th. My first UCI podium shoot (as this race generally goes 5 deep)! There was no way I was not going to get 5th today. The chase group eventually caught me, but with some serious attrition. One lap later and it was me against Wendy Williams and Emily Van Meter from Subaru/Hudz. Although I could get the gap on them, they kept working together to chase back on and with 2 laps to go I went into roadie mode - sit in and go for the sprint! Going into the last turn, Emily attacked but I was able to outsprint her on the final stretch to take 5th!
Talk about a boost to the ego! I might as well of won the Olympics as I got surrounded by friends and family! In anticipation I went over to the podium, ready and overflowing with excitement...to find out that they decided only to put the top 3 up there this year!!!! Go figure! Looks like next year's goal is top 3....

Never thought I'd need a C bike...

Hard to believe the season I have been counting down for since last December has already snuck up on me! And so far in the local early season races, it hasn't been meant to be for me. I'm hoping that means that I'm just getting my "bad news" races out of the way from the start.

Case in point, my MFG Kirkland Kick-off Cross race experience
I had a fantastic start - got the hole shot and was 100 feet off the front by the time the race hit the trail. Held that lead going into the second lap when I got so excited about being in the lead by such a margin, I lost focus on a grass-pavement-grass while off-camber corner and took myself out in spectacular fashion (kartwheel with bike type action where next thing I knew I was on my back, backwards facing the course). Thankfully it was close to the pits, so easy transition to B bike to begin the chase from 7th place. After finding my groove again, I worked back up to 4th and had just solidified it a quarter into the last lap. (having calculated every dismount for the past 3 laps as my R cleat was loose and rattling like a jingle bell). Going into the final trail section which has a "whoop" approach (down & up a small gully onto a rocky hill), my front tire went flat after cresting the last of the rocky hill. I tried riding it to no avail. Running was not ideal unless barefoot because of my cleat, not to mention I did a number on my left knee in my previous acrobatics, so I unfortunately DNF'd. Bummer. In the span of 1 race, I had gone through 2 bikes, 1 cleat and 1 knee.

Oh well, hopefully things can only get better! Despite the misfortune, I still felt really good about the race and how I rode and can hardly wait for Starcrossed!

The Amazing Race

Carmicheal Training Systems Sand Creek International Bike Race - Colorado Springs, CO
(Kenda Cup West #6)

June 11-12th, 2009 (+/- a day or two if amazing airport races are included)

I think the travel adventures on this trip have been bigger than the races themselves! I forgot about the randomness of Denver weather, so flying in I got to spend an extra hour in the air as we waited for lightening storms to pass and then an extra 3.5 hours waiting for the 15 minute shuttle flight to Colorado Springs. (Lesson learned: drive next time. I could have made 2 1/2 trips to Colorado Springs in that time).

So after a whole day spent traveling (8a - 11p), I was ready to ride & race Friday. First up was my first short track experience. (Basically the mountain bike version of 'cross without the barriers and shorter time) I knew it would be a short race for me as there was no women's feild and I instead got to "race" in the open cat 1 & 2 feild (of mostly men). Did I mention I was also at altitude? The biggest effect I'm finding altitude has on me is my response to get to race speed is a bit delayed. So the race took off and 2 laps later I finally got in my groove and started working up...to be pulled 3 laps later to complete an exciting 15 minutes of "racing." But it was a good experience, even if not self-esteem enhancing.

I also finally got an answer on whether a leaky front fork is okay or bad from the Fox Shocks guy: it depends. I guess "a little bit of leak" is okay, but my amount of leak was not and due to a worn out seal. The Fox Shocks guys was kind enough to fix it after my amazing 15 minute "race" which made the whole night worthwhile and totally ready to really race the next day. HUGE thank you to Fox Shocks for their event & personal support!

The actual race: I think God was smiling on us as all of Colorado Springs was engulphed in dark clouds while the race site was the only spot with a beacon of sunshine and open blue skies. It got better too as at the start line I learned the race had been shorted from 4 five mile laps (with 900 feet of climbing each lap) to 3. Works for me and my sea-level lungs. My goal was to try and stay with the locals the best I could. I took the hole shot off the line and tried to keep a steady pace as we worked through the men (after the first 200 meters!). Eventually two ladies passed me and rode away, but I just tried to ride conservatively until the 3rd lap. The course itself was wide singetrack with lots of loose gravel and a few rocky sections - half ridable, half hike-a-bike. Thank goodness I have improved on my technical skills so I wasn't doing the bulldozer approach into each rock, but I still have a long ways to go in becoming more fluid rider. Going into the third lap I got a little dizzy (I think due to that whole altitude thing), so I backed off slightly. Once I got my brains back, I felt good, found a bigger gear and caught & passed the girl infront of me to take 2nd place! And, better yet, cinch the series title for the cat 1 expert 19-29 class for the West Coast Kenda Cup! (yes, a lot of work and traveling for a jersey...)

the Amazing Race: God started laughing.... My travel buddy, Mike (who is my husband's NRC/PedalMashers teammate) & I thought we were going to enjoy leisurely dinner after getting checked in for our Colorado Springs connector flight. WRONG. After checking the rental car in and standing in the flight check-in line for 20 minutes we learned that all flights in/out of Denver (DIA) had been cancelled earlier due to lightening storms and funnel clouds (they actually had to evacuate DIA that afternoon) and all flights in Colorado Springs were in the same situation as the storm was moving south. Perfect.... As our flight in Denver was still on time and scheduled to depart in 2 hours, (and there was no chance of getting out of Colorado Springs by air that night & possibly the weekend) we rented another car and made record time (including through the most insane rain/lightening storm) to DIA. Only to find out 5 minutes before arriving that our flight had been cancelled...by bird strike! Mike was able to miraculously avoid the 200 person line (that came right after he walked in) and sweet talk our way to a complimentarly night at the Mariott and the first flights out of DIA to Seattle the next morning. I got to spend 40 minutes waiting in the car in the "no park load/unload only" zone. Thank goodness the weren't enforcing that night. After another mad rush to get our stuff in our rooms before restaraunts closed, we finally got our "leisurely dinner" at Applebees at 10:45p - essentially our first meal since breakfast (at 7am). Onion rings never tasted so good....