More Racing, and Some Riding For Fun

Saturday - Gate City Cyclone

Cathy - Women's 1/2/3 - 8th/11
Mike - Pro 1/2/3 - 33rd/75


Just a couple of overall observations from the races on Saturday:

1. If the women don't start showing up for races, the promoters are going to start cutting the prize lists and/or the entire fields. Not sure what's up with everyone, but this race literally had 21 prime prizes and a cash payout of $750 for the top 6 finishers. I don't want to hear any women complaining when fields and prizes start getting cut.
2. Team Equipe Specialized showed up for the Men's P1/2/3 race from Quebec. They had two fancy team vans, and they were FAST. Cleaned up on many primes, and won the race overall.
3. Everyone should wear gloves when racing. Manny G learned this the hard way, going down in a crash in the first corner. Looked like a broken finger and lots of skin lost on his hands.
4. Neutralizing a race is always hard. Doing it on a prime lap, at the finish line is harder. Having the pace scooter STOP directly in front of sprinting racers is B-A-D!

Overall, this was a fun race, and I had a good time. With two teammates in the break, I settled in to the "chase group" (when there are only 11 and 4 are up the road, it's hard to be called "the pack") to sit in. I figured that I could settle in for the final sprint, but Kerry L wound it up a bit too early for me, and I got caught out.

After changing up and some socializing, I got to watch Mike, Scott and Oscar race in the P1/2/3 race. They looked great, holding their own in the front third of a tough field. Of course, following up racing with food, friends and beer is always a good end to the day.

Sunday - Lynn Woods



Sunday was all about riding for fun. We don't get an opportunity to do that very often during the race season, so it was nice to head out with Mike, Scott and Wayne. Three hours of technical riding, some crashes and a whole lot of fun reminded me of why I am so passionate about riding my bike ;) Sometimes, perspective is a good thing!

Norwell, Canada and Trees

Once again, I have fallen behind on the blogging. This seems to be a recurring theme this year!

Norwell

Two weeks ago, Mike and I went to Norwell for the MBRC-sponsored race. I loved this race last year, and this year was the same. We lucked out on the weather (it rained the entire way to the race) with sun and warm temps.

NEBC actually had a team of racers in the 35+ - Mike, Scott, Jim, John and Rob. Together, they rode strong, chasing early breaks, working together, and dicing it up with the Corner Cycles and Fuji teams. Their hard work paid off with three top 10 finishes (Scott - 7th, Mike - 8th, John - 10th).


The start; Looking strong

The break; And the chase

I didn't get to see the finish of their race as I was busy prepping to line up with the 45+ men. Norwell doesn't have a women's field, so racing with the boys is my only option (I was the only woman in the field). Last year at this race, I managed to hang on to the field, but got dropped everytime we went up the finish hill, and had to chase back on. This year, I wanted to NOT get dropped on the climb!


Typically, the 45+ field is considered relatively safe, at least by me. I know many of the racers in this field, and they have lots of years of experience. This year, however, some of the racers were unknown to me, and really made me nervous - not holding lines, pretending to be a top Tour de France descender IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK, etc. The other interesting phenomenon? I got the sense that some of them desperately did not want to get beaten by a girl ;). So, it took me a few laps to get comfortable and move around the pack, but I met my overall goal - I never once got dropped on the climb, and was, in fact, PASSING people here! On the final climb, I dug deep, sprinted, and passed about 5 riders going into the finish. I managed to finish a respectable 24th in a field of 39, so was happy with the overall result.

Canada

This past weekend I headed to the homeland for a long over-due visit with my grandma, and a wedding. I flew in this time and rented a car - and since they didn't have any compacts available, I ended up with a convertible! I had a blast driving around with the top down all weekend.


The lake and cottage where I spent a lot of time growing up. The cottage has been moved, and the front room removed, but other than that, it still looks the same as I remember - just smaller!

My rock. It has been green, pink, beige...; My weekend ride - very fun

Me and gram

Enjoyed a visit with gram, who had just turned 86 the previous day. It was a surprise to her that I was coming, which was nice. She was at my aunt and uncle's which used to be her cottage when we were growing up. Lots of changes up there, but the visit brought back some great memories of playing with my cousins and brother.

Then it was off to Paula and Dave's wedding. It's always fun to catch up with good friends, and especially so for such a happy occasion.



Trees

When I got home from my visit, I was happy to see that the tree work we had planned was complete. We moved a large rhododendrun and holly bush, as well as a magnolia tree from the front yard to the side of the house. This will afford us some privacy from the neighbors, as well as from the road! Certainly changes the view out my office window. We also had two apple trees moved, although one of those is looking like it might not survive the stress.


Before - prepping for move; Moving the holly bush

Here comes the magnolia; Placing the rhodie

Finally in its new home; After - a bit lonely?

The finished bed/view from the office!

Off to other adventures this weekend! An MTB clinic, a race in Nashua and who knows what else might be in store...

A Smashing End

Mike and I had a great day up in Maine, until it all came to a "smashing" end.

We got up late, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, did some shopping, went for a bike ride to open the legs before tomorrow's race (ride ended with lemonade and fresh french fries at the town's fair) and were just heading up to Grafton Notch to take some pictures at Screw Auger Falls, and maybe see a moose.

Coming down the hill on Rte 2, I turned on my signal to make the left turn onto Rte 26 and started to slow. With oncoming traffic, I stopped. Unfortunately, the girl driving behind me (talking on her cell phone) did not. Smash.



We are both fine, but the van, as you can see, took a good hit. Good thing the bikes weren't on the rack! Oh, and the other driver claimed that the sun was in her eyes...

Insult to injury? It took Maine's finest almost 45 minutes to show up, and when they finally got there, the skies opened in a vicious downpour. And the bugs? There were MILLIONS!

The tailpipe has been cut off the car with a sawzall, and Mike has removed and straightened the rear shock which was bent and would not compress. Now it's up to the insurance to deal with the aftermath.

HANG UP AND DRIVE!

What's New?

Well, since my last update, life has continued to be busy here. So much so, that you get a summary of what's been going on instead of the full on blow-by-blow! Not to worry though - I am at least providing some pictures for your enjoyment ;).

• Mike started the Working Man's Stage Race last night, along with several other friends and teammates. Sadly, this is my first year in the past 4 not participating in this race! I have requested that the promoter consider a Women's Open field next year. I think the highlight of the evening though was Colin's initiation to the TT - he thought we were all kidding when we told him he needed to ride for over 15 minutes with the nose of his saddle stuck up his butt.
• Last year, I didn't get to race at Pat's Peak. I was determined NOT to have a mechanical during my warmup this year, and to see what this course was all about. Well, it was about climbing and lots of it. Oh, and that bright thing in the sky we haven't seen in two months? It made a grand appearance on Sunday, making it hot. And thunderstorms the night before (not to mention two months of rain) made for lots of energy-sucking, stinky, bug-filled mud. Oh, and I almost forgot about the wrong turn I took in the first lap taking me downhill to the lodge when I should have been going UPHILL... Short story on my result: if your glass is half empty, I lost; if your glass is half full, I won ;). Where were all the other Cat 1 women????
• Mike and I went to Lynn Woods for the first time in years. Of course, it was the day before Pat's Peak, so we only rode the fire roads and some lesser technical trails, but it was still invigorating to ride somewhere different.
• Last week, I played hooky from work to spend the day with my mom, dad and niece up in North Conway. We went to StoryLand for the day, and had a blast, despite gray skies and chilly temps. I've never been in StoryLand except for racing my bike...
• Mike has fully recovered from a debilitating bout of food poisoning. No more Chinese buffet lunches for us!
• Putney came, Putney went. 'Nuff said.

So, I think that finally brings me up to date! Here are some photos from some of the events listed above. I'll try to be better about timely updates ;)


How many roadies does it take to get an MTB racer ready for a TT?

Katherine kicking for 2nd; Colin with his MTB game face - no reverse hole shot here!

Mike looking super fast; Hey - are those MY wheels? ;)

A fun ride at Lynn Woods


My niece loves to drive!

Weather Weary

These are at least brighter to look at than the weather outside...