Fwd: [GW] Weekend Womens Cx B3 rpt
From: Sara Brokaw
Date: Nov 5, 2007 10:58 AM
Opted for the double after not racing last weekend. Separate womens
starts both days…interesting to see where I am compared to the
others without having the big start.
Ham Lake
5/7 starters
After watching rodents rip it up in the C race (Derek’s return), I
lined up with a field of the usual suspects (Lindas, H-wood, B-wood,
Bella) and local road racing superstar. Went into the woods with the
group when the mudhole took out half of the field & I was suddenly in
third place! Wow! Attempted of course to capitalize on this but my
tech skilz are not quite up to par with those in this field and others
eventually passed me. Fun while it lasted! Soon I rode by local road
racing superstar (who actually was out of breath) and attempted
encouragement at chasing b-wood who was now up the road. However she
was done. LindaC was a casuality of a stick in the derailleur and so
was also behind me now. Focused on B-wood ahead who I kept in sight
for roughly half of the race, something which is a dramatic
improvement over my forays into the B races last year (where I would
see folks for a 1/2 a lap and that was it).&nb! sp; Superfun twisty
sandy course. Towards the end Rich & then Jeff I came roaring by
having good races. Moment of absentmindedness on the last lap at the
barrier on the top of the hill….almost forgot to get off the bike.
The Crit-worthy ksyriums and michelin Jets worked really well.
VeloCx
6/7 starters
Usual suspects + IScorp & Lee (for awhile). After fun in the woods
Saturday, I wasn’t really looking forward to all the grassiness
expected on the ‘drome course, but Grumpy’s did an outstanding job of
making what turned out to be the most epic/technically challenging
course yet! Kept fellow womens racers in contact and was passing guys
until midway through the race I lost it in the mud on the off-camber
section of the ditch of death. I think 5 or so guys went by me (bella
moved out of reach) & my rhythm was a bit destroyed. Part of the
problem was my tire choice of the day..muchelin Jets…since I’d
expected a dry hardpacked grassy course, not a muddy one! Other note
of interest is that I ended up running the “endo corner” on the “ditch
of death” after the second lap of the race. Not alot left by the end
of the last lap, but still a super fun experience!
Stuck the bike in the car & spectated the A race at the ditch of
death. It was reassuring to note that they had trouble with it too.
Upon getting into the car post race I was overwhelmed by the
swampiness of the bike/clothes…. For the third or fourth time this
year I had to use a hose to clean off the bike when I got home! I
think we’re having a real cx season, though I hope our courses are not
causalities of this oddly rainy year.
Thanks for reading..next up Milaca!