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....
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
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....
(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....
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Around the Clock 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race
5 person co-ed Podium. (Left to Right) Teams "Friendly, but not Nice" - 2nd (I'm in the back with the black visor, Dan's in the orange hat), "Mountain Monkeys"-1st, "Team Chopper" - 3rd.
Riverside State Park, Spokane, WA
noon 5/24 to noon 5/25.
Team "Friendly, but not Nice." 24 hours of good times.
We learned our lesson about braving holiday weekend traffic - don't do it. What is normally a 4.5 - 5 hr drive was a blissful 8.5 hours, 3 of which were basically sitting on Snoqualmie pass. At least we got to memorize the latest 3 CDs of the audio book we're listening too.
The course was dry and very sandy this year. I also made the mistake of not pre-riding (something that I had planned to do the night before had we not been stuck in traffic) so I felt like the Tazmanian devil on a bike the first lap as I overcooked every corner and took myself out on a flat gravel corner. (A reason why I'm still expert and not pro...) Amazingly, that turned out to be my fastest lap of the race - 58:10 (58 minutes and 10 seconds).
After my amazing first lap (ha!) my mountain bike brain kicked in and I felt smoother and more fluid each lap. And was only 5 minutes slower on my night lap (at midnight - we learned last year that Kari's are not meant to bike during REM sleep hours). So in my 5 laps, I only varied 7 minutes total and met my goal of 65 minute or less lap time throughout.
The competition for the co-ed 5 person division was hot. It was the biggest feild in the race - 15 co-ed out of 104 teams total for all feilds. We were again evenly matched against Team Chopper (the team that beat us last year) and it was going to be a test of whether the strategy of fast and faster (Team Chopper) or team consistent (us) would take 2nd place. First was pretty much sealed by a team that consisted of 3 pro level riders. This year consistency paid off as our whole team posted lap times that were within 8 minutes of each other (58 to 66 minutes) for the entire race - 23 fifteen mile laps. Pretty impressive considering it this was the first 24hr race experience for two of our team members.
I think this continues to be one of my favorite races and I can't wait for next year!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Fontana National - Kenda Cup West #2
My first national mountain bike race debut! After a month (or winter!) of endless Seattle rain and blah, regardless of how the race went, being able to ride in the sunshine (without knee or arm warmers) was already worth the trip. My biggest goal for this race was to be able to ride the whole course - aka not have to walk/run my bike.
Looking for a break as well, my mom joined me in the first part of my California racing adventure. As it took 2 hours to get from LAX to Fontana - thanks to LA traffic - we got a late start in checking out the race venue. So as she took a walk in the sunset, I tried to find what I could of the cross country race course.
Running out of daylight, I found some arrow signs and followed them. Somehow they all kept leading up this insane hill...rockface is probably a more accurate description. I had been warned that the course included a pretty challenging hill, but this was too steep to even qualify! Hoping I had accidently rode the downhill course backwards (wouldn't be my first time), I enjoyed the last of a gorgeous sunset over the hills of LA.
The next day I found out that I had unfortunately ridden the correct course... in the correct direction! So much for my goal of riding everything! After a couple laps on the 5 mile course, I found I liked everything but "the wall." Somehow all the guys riding by me were able to do it. My biggest problem was "the wall" was going to be in the first 5 minutes of the race and a decisive point if I hoped to be in the top 5. I spent the rest of the day and evening agonizing about "the wall" and felt a little comfort in learning that even some of the pro women weren't able to ride it and that anything goes in mountain bike racing ettiquette (I was worried about slowing others up when I got stuck 10 feet into the rock face).
I literally felt like a fish out of water. The terrain was dust, loose sand and rock. Back home it was mud, mud with standing water, and roots (buried in mud/water). At the start line, a couple of the racers recognized me from 'cross and made me feel welcome. There were 7 in my class (cat 1, 19-29 years old) and about 15 total in the Cat 1 feild. It was a start like I've never experienced, each category lined up separated by a volunteer with a sign. Our start was slower than I'm used to (anything's slow compared to a 'cross start), but I just worked my way to second in time for the dreaded "wall." Fortunatly, I am a 'cross racer and a decent runner (compared to cyclists), so once I unable to climb further, I took off running and was able to run as fast as the girl in first was riding! So that was my new strategy for "the wall."
The rest of the race was spent outclimbing the Junior (<18 year old) leader only to be out down-hilled by her on the descents. I felt really good, even when running and I was still loving the sunshine!
As I crossed the finish line, I was announced as "an up-and-coming rider" and managed to win my class and take 3rd overall out of all the Category 1 women. Pretty cool for not even being able to ride the whole course...
Looking for a break as well, my mom joined me in the first part of my California racing adventure. As it took 2 hours to get from LAX to Fontana - thanks to LA traffic - we got a late start in checking out the race venue. So as she took a walk in the sunset, I tried to find what I could of the cross country race course.
Running out of daylight, I found some arrow signs and followed them. Somehow they all kept leading up this insane hill...rockface is probably a more accurate description. I had been warned that the course included a pretty challenging hill, but this was too steep to even qualify! Hoping I had accidently rode the downhill course backwards (wouldn't be my first time), I enjoyed the last of a gorgeous sunset over the hills of LA.
The next day I found out that I had unfortunately ridden the correct course... in the correct direction! So much for my goal of riding everything! After a couple laps on the 5 mile course, I found I liked everything but "the wall." Somehow all the guys riding by me were able to do it. My biggest problem was "the wall" was going to be in the first 5 minutes of the race and a decisive point if I hoped to be in the top 5. I spent the rest of the day and evening agonizing about "the wall" and felt a little comfort in learning that even some of the pro women weren't able to ride it and that anything goes in mountain bike racing ettiquette (I was worried about slowing others up when I got stuck 10 feet into the rock face).
I literally felt like a fish out of water. The terrain was dust, loose sand and rock. Back home it was mud, mud with standing water, and roots (buried in mud/water). At the start line, a couple of the racers recognized me from 'cross and made me feel welcome. There were 7 in my class (cat 1, 19-29 years old) and about 15 total in the Cat 1 feild. It was a start like I've never experienced, each category lined up separated by a volunteer with a sign. Our start was slower than I'm used to (anything's slow compared to a 'cross start), but I just worked my way to second in time for the dreaded "wall." Fortunatly, I am a 'cross racer and a decent runner (compared to cyclists), so once I unable to climb further, I took off running and was able to run as fast as the girl in first was riding! So that was my new strategy for "the wall."
The rest of the race was spent outclimbing the Junior (<18 year old) leader only to be out down-hilled by her on the descents. I felt really good, even when running and I was still loving the sunshine!
As I crossed the finish line, I was announced as "an up-and-coming rider" and managed to win my class and take 3rd overall out of all the Category 1 women. Pretty cool for not even being able to ride the whole course...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
