We got to the race with plenty of time for me to ride the course. I was so glad. I had watched some videos of last years race so I knew it was flat and fast. I did a warm up lap. When I went through the sandpit, a bunch of sand got in my chain catcher, and that made for a noisy bike.
The course was dry, hardly any mud. A few slight slick spots where I saw one girl go down, but that's about it. Mostly flat with some tight turns, a little bit of singletrack, pavement, gravel, two sand pits, one set of barriers, and long stretches on grass.
The cat 3/4 open women and 3/4 master 35+ lined up, maybe 25 total. Some of the girls are starting to (GASP!) actually speak to me now. We started on a long stretch of pavement going uphill.
The whistle blew and we were off.
The same two girls who always win were GONE. Poof! I stayed middle of the pack and kept telling myself I'd catch them when they got tired on the 3rd lap. Haha! Whatta joke!
I made it through the sand pit and then came around to go through the second one. The sandpit had a tight turn which made it hard to ride. I went down right after this picture was taken. I landed on my right side but got right back up. The only problem - I don't jump on the bike from the right so I looked like a total retard getting back on.
I was chasing that chick in blue the entire race. I caught her on the second lap but on the third lap she passed me back.
I went down a second time but didn't let anyone pass me. I ran with my bike and jumped on and just kept pedaling.
Both chicks in blue passed me about 500 yard from the finish line. I didn't have anything left in me. I didn't even realize when I passed the finish line and I stupidly thought I had to keep going. I went through the sand pit and then this guy says "You're done".
And I said "Oh, did I finish?"
He was like "Yea, you were 6th".
It was a fun course. It was nothing like any of the 3 previous CX courses I raced because it was dry, flat, and there was hardly any running involved. The girl who won cat 3/4 35+ won the race overall and is the state champion.
I gotta a lot to learn about cyclocross.
One last thing. Somehow, I got an invite to be on Team Kenda. It's a huge opportunity. I have been thinking about it a lot. They aren't even taking anymore athletes in for 2010 but the coach offered me a spot. It's a successful team too. What to do, what to do.
14 comments:
great job, chica! love the pics!
Great job. I also have a lot to learn about CX with ya. There is a local rider who rides for the kenda midwest regional team and is really happy with them. they seem to give awesome support.
Way to GO!!
Love the pic of you jumping the hurdle, that one is frame worthy!! Don't know about the team, but you'll make the right choice!
I love that picture of you totally airborne, that rocks ass!
Uh, yeah, do it, do it...if you're ready to commit, of course. I know you have to commit to a certain number of races, blah, blah, blah.
CX looks like so much fun. I would join the team - it looks like a great way to learn from tough women.
With socks like that who cares if you didn't win!
It sounds as though you were having fun, which is what matters.
I would love to make the top 10!
I ate shit coming out of the 2nd sand section too. The best line was to take it straight into the tape and then turn once you were on the grass. But one time I thought I was hot shit and tried turning in the sand -- my front wheel hit the lip going onto the grass kinda sideways and KERPOW I went down. Sounds like we both need to practice remounting from the right. That was a really fun course -- I liked it alot.
Kenda, wow! Have some serious conversations with the director about team goals, expectations, etc. Be brutally honest about what you want to do and are capable of doing. Make sure that your goals line up with the team's, and be realistic. I've seen it from both sides (as a rider and as a director) when team:rider goals don't match up. It makes for pissed off riders, teammates, and directors. But when they do line up it makes for a hell of a lot of fun bike racing!
Good luck!
...ah totally nailed it as regards opening up a dialogue w/ kenda's director...
...they know you're new & they obviously see that you have drive, determination & serious athletic abilities...
...they recognize that you have a certain potential that w/ coaching & proper direction, you could represent team kenda within your age group...
...remember, it is a business so there will be certain obligations but at the same time, don't let that scare you off...you WILL have a blast & you'll have the chance to really evolve as a rider...
...that's big for a first year cx rider...
...can you handle being directed within a 'team' structure ???...i'd suggest yes, because you're very disciplined when it comes to your own training & this might even make it easier, having the encouragement & influence of solid teammates...
...this could be a wonderful win/win situation for both you & the team, so do as 'ah' suggests & have some serious talks...
Are you kidding....take the spot on the team. That is big shit girl. If you look on my previous post there are two chicks from the Kendra Team that rode with us. How cool!
Emailing you on FB to let you in on my little secret I posted about.... you will see why.
Way to go Judi!
You know, if you're on the team, you gotta wear the team kit!
AWESOME! Congratulations.
I love the shot where you look pissed.
I love when people get into the grove and then don't realize that they finished the race until a few people start yelling at them "Your done!"
I don't know if I'll ever try a cross race again, but you never know.
Well, there are certain dynamics on a team that are going to piss you off. OTOH you will learn things that will take you years to figure out on your own. I'd take it knowing I was going to have to turn up my filter a little and let some stuff slide.
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