Beer, Bikes, and Snow

CX season has started, at least for me.  I kicked off the 2016 season with one of my favorite races, Granogue.  I decided to registered for the Master's class this year and was stoked to see the number of ladies signed up. The course was incredible.  I arrived early to get in a few pre-race laps and was totally loving it - plenty of short punchy climbs rewarded with some fun descents.  And my 1st flyover! I watched a few of the earlier races and then got ready for my own.  I don't know if it's just experience or racing new faces, but I was relaxed.  I didn't have the pre-race jitters I've had in the past.  I found the group of ladies at the gridding area, exchanged laughs and made my way to the first row. At the blow of the whistle, I sprinted hard and had a decent start on the pavement.  Then I started to see more ladies around me, some passing me as we entered the grass.  I watched a few of the ladies ride away and thought, "crap, ...

Earlier in the summer I was watching for the 2015 CX schedules to be posted.   Granogue popped up and I jumped at the opportunity to register early for the race.   Last year it made a come back by promoters Paul and Lisa, and it was an incredible race.  I couldn't wait! This year, Granogue would be the first race of the season for me.  The days leading up to the race, I was calm and relaxed.  I knew the property and saw the course map, knowing where some of the key features would be. We arrived on the DuPont property and my anxiety started to rise.  First-race-of-the-season jitters.  Was I ready for this? Wondering if all my "playing" this summer was going to show? I picked up my number, pre-rode the course, and said hello to friends I hadn't seen in a while. I helped Lance get ready for his race and had to get ready for my own.  I removed myself from most of the people and hid in the shade.  I plugged in my ear buds to drown out an...

Three years ago I signed up for Granogue as my first CX race - the first one I was racing on a CX bike.  It was the first race of the 2011 season for me.  It was a shock to the system but I loved every minute of it.  Such fond memories of Granogue.  Then the venue disappeared from the CX circuit. I saw that Granogue would happen this year and was excited about racing there.  So much I was the first female to register in my class.  I talked up the venue still knowing that it would be different promoters and the course would not be the same.  The race is held on the DuPont private estate in Wilmington, Delaware.  The tower is an icon. We arrived early as Lance's race was at 11 and we wanted to get in a few laps prior to his race.  The sun was still low and the course was wet with dew, making the off-camber sections challenging.  There were a few climbs, one which was a slick run-up.  The course definitely required some handlin...