Beer, Bikes, and Snow

I signed up for Marty’s double weekend a while ago, when I was in full CX-mode.  The week leading up to Marty’s, I was starting to lose motivation to race.  The weather forecast was looking perfect to be on the trails and I considered bailing on the race.   Even after doing my pre-race routine Friday, I thought about not setting my alarm Saturday.  But I did. I arrived Saturday morning to see that the course still included the climbing I remembered.  I parked next to some of the funniest ladies, one who reminisced with me about our first time racing together at Marty’s two years ago.  How could I forget? Marty's CX 2012 - photo by R. Edelstein I got in two laps, pinned my number, and warmed up with my Fear Factory pre-race mix.  Even though it was a smaller, local race, I knew it was going to be a fast race.  We lined up, cracking jokes before the whistle blew.  That’s the thing about racing local - we all know each other, ...

I registered for both UCI races at HPCX.  I checked the list of ladies registered in my class and knowing the names of the girls registered, I knew it was going to be a tough weekend.  I made my goal for Day 1 to not get pulled and finish on the leader’s lap.   I warmed up on the trainer while trying to watch Lance’s race.  I arrived at my start and rode around, chatting with the ladies.  I had a 3rd row start and picked a wheel I knew to line up behind.  The whistle blew and we charged up the paved hill.  And then I heard it.  That awful sound of carbon “crunching” next to me.  I didn’t know what was happening, whether it was a crash or something else, but I’ve learned is never look back.   photo by Barb Foley I stayed with the group for as long as I could.  And then girls started pulling away.  I was left riding by myself with a carrot ahead of me me to chase  I heard “2 laps to go ladies” and wondered...

I arrived early to Cooper to get out for a pre-ride lap before the first race.  While there isn’t any climbing at Cooper River, they made up for it with the amount of turns.  I cruised through the first lap, grabbed my number, and met up with my teammates.   This was the first race in a very long time that not only was I lining up with friends but my own teammate.  Talk about an incredible (and comforting) feeling.  I know that having a teammate in road racing can be beneficial. I'm also learning it can be damn right awesome for CX.   We went out and inspected the course together, warmed up, and got ready for our race. I noticed that my brake lever (that was giving me problems already) was acting up. I should have known this could be an issue as I skid through the tape and broke a stake. No big deal, right? The start of Cooper River has always spooked me - a road sprint with a 90-degree turn onto the grass.  When my number was calle...

Watching the forecast last week, they were predicting rain to move in Friday night into Saturday.  Those who were planning on racing Whirlybird were keeping their eyes on how the rain might impact the course.  Including myself. For me, this season has been full of dry dusty conditions.  I had to think hard back to the last time I raced in mud.  It was a while ago.  And the last time I raced in the rain.  A really long time ago.  So I was curious as to how the day would play out. I woke up to the sound of water draining out of our gutters and new that Whirlybird could be epic.  We packed up the car and headed to the race just in time to see the Women 3/4 race.  In the rain.  As the day progressed I watched the course continue to get sloppy.  And more sloppy.  By the time it was my turn to pre-ride, I only went out for one lap to avoid getting completely caked. I even avoided the run-up section. I got to see Lance's rac...

After hitting my low at Day 1 of Gloucester , I knew I needed to turn my attitude around for Day 2.  At the start of my mountain bike season, I went to see Joe Friel - and he said your attitude going into a race can really have an effect on how your race goes.  I didn't want a repeat of the day before. We arrived early to check out the Master's race and cheer on a friend.  We picked up our numbers and I pulled my call-up.  Number 1 - which meant after the girls with UCI points lined up, I was first.  Yes! But that also meant that I would be sprinting within the pack of ladies, which has caused anxiety for me in the past. We pre-rode a lap and the course changed in some areas, added some things and had the same amount of steps and barriers.  I felt good on the pre-ride.  The day was already off to a better start than the day before. As we were waiting to get on course for another lap, two of my friends rolled up next to me.  I was chatting w...

"You HAVE to check out a New England CX race.  They are EPIC!"  We heard it for a few years and this year we finally committed to a NECX .  We were on the fence whether to do Gloucester, Providence, or Northampton. I knew when I registered for Rapha Super Cross  I knew this was going to be big.  I would be racing in the UCI Elite Women category, among some of the fastest women in the country. I kept telling myself "go for the experience and have fun". We packed up and left Friday afternoon for Gloucester.  Excitement set in as we headed north.  Then the traffic started and what was supposed to be a 5.5 hour drive ended up being 8 hours.  We rolled into Gloucester at 10:30.  We had a room at the Cape Ann Motor Inn as recommended by friends.  We woke up to see the sunrise on the Atlantic.  Talk about WOW. Not a bad view to wake up to We arrived at the venue early to see a friend race at 8:30.  We found out that he wou...