Time Trial (10K)
I still suck at time-trialing and did the usual "not quite last but almost last" thing. I guess I need to add twice the bulk to my legs and I'll be set. It seems that I just have a very difficult time maintaining a constant effort through the time trial. The small out-of-the-saddle roller about halfway through threw me as I really wasn't ready for it and was mashing way too big of a gear. Whenever you get passed by the rider who set off 1:30 behind you, it's never a good thing. I posted a measly 19:56 time.
Criterium (25 minutes)
When I lined up for this race I was so nervous I thought I was going to either faint o throw-up...I wasn't sure what would happen first. Then the gun went off and once I grot around the first corner without dying I started thinking, "Holy crap, this is awesome!" I had no problem cornering on the course and managed to stay right behind the pack for most of the race. I finally started to die on the last few laps and ended up getting pulled from the race on the last lap.
I did learn that I should pay more attention to the rider in front of me. The Starbucks racer I was drafting started to get gapped from the small pack we were riding with and I didn't notice it until it was too late. I tried to bridge up but just couldn't get there. Ah well, one more valuable lesson learned!
Road Race (40 miles)
It seemed strange but the Cat 4 women started 5 minutes ahead of the Master's field. We questioned the official since we knew at some point our race would get neutralized to let them by. Sure enough, about 7 miles into the course that's exactly what happened and the poor condition of the roads made it a very tense few minutes as we all tried to move as far right as possible to let the Masters around. To top it off, some lady in a support car started yelling at the women's field "What do you ladies think this is -- some casual Sunday ride? You should be ashamed getting passed on the first lap...why don't you girls start racing?" We couldn't figure what her problem was, but I didn't see her out there on a bike.
The pace was pretty easy until the first hill climb where a few girls pushed ahead. I managed to stay with the pack but then as usual got dumped on the flat part at the top of the climb. I really need to learn to grab a wheel and stick there. The gap got worse on the descent -- I seem to be the only person in the world that gets dropped on descents. I rode solo for a while until I noticed two Starbucks racers, Carol and Heather, behind me. I slowed and decided to let them catch me so we could work together. We were doing well until Carol pulled over with a flat. We all decided to wait for the support car and ride together rather than go solo since none of us were really in great GC standing. I'm not sure if that was a good decision or a bad one since once we took off again we pacelined together until the second pass up the hill where I ended up pulling away from them. At the top I wasn't sure if they had bailed or continued so I decided to just go for it and get this race done. I solo'd in for the finish about 25 minutes behind the main pack. That third time up the hill was utter brutality and after thinking "I quit!" after the first lap I can't believe I made it.
The road race was good experience and I'm happy I finished. As usual, I'm disappointed that I can never finish with the pack, but I have to remind myself that I really just started riding in December. I just don't have the fitness level yet, but I'll get there! Overall, a great race and good experience and I'm now addicted to crits! I ended up placing 24th in the GC out of 29 women. Here were the final results.
Here's some great photos from the race courtesy of Amara Boursaw at Wheels in Focus.
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