Tour of Utah Whirlwind

The first stage was not our best day on our bicycles. With traveling the night before, mechanical issues, the rain and cold, coordinating logistics with the other gals (I was pretty much failing in this department but they took it in stride), I certainly was a bit preoccupied and didn't show up ready to race.  Not that the outcome would have been much different if everything had gone smoothly.

We stood on the start line shivering in the rain for a good 20 minutes before the gun went off.  The pace was insane from the get-go.  With a decently sized hill in the 1.5 mile circuit, the race shattered on the first lap.  About half of the field was pulled by the third lap.  Danielle Ruane was the toughest of our bunch toughing it out for several more, but in the end we all had a short day in the saddle.  I'm not particularly found of the feeling I get when I don't finish a race, but the circumstances surrounding this race were so absurd, we just had to laugh.  Drinking hot coco on the sidelines, we watched the remaining riders (only about a third of those starting the stage) finish.  Twenty 16 pb SHO-AIR's Dragoo took the win with an impressive solo break.

Danielle Ruane ready to sign-in on the stage

After taking care of some mechanical issues, we re-focused for the next day's crit in Ogden, UT.  The weather was perfect and despite the midweek/midday timing of our race, we had a great crowd of spectators cheering for us.  Although the race was considered a crit, it wasn't your typical crit.  Like the previous stage, the laps were 1.5 miles long and SUPER wide.  So although it was an L-shaped course that theoretically could have been technical, having such wide lanes made the racing dynamic a bit different.  Certainly a bit sketchier than you might expect with some nasty crashes involving sailing bicycles and their riders.  : /

Strung out through the start/finish straight in downtown Ogden, UT

The pace was fast, but manageable with the right positioning.  With 3 laps to go, guest-rider Tina Hughes was up there with me.  Unfortunately, she flatted on the next lap.  I was feeling good and kept decent position in the last couple laps, but the fighting at the front of the race, although impressive, was a bit too much for me.  I wish I had the aggression, guts, and handling skills that some of these women have!  The race ended in a field sprint and I managed 21st.  UHC's Coryn Rivera took the win.

Danielle, Alison, Chelsea, Tina & Kat 

Thrilled to have this awesome group of women join SKINourishment p/b Paceline Projects for the Tour of Utah Women's Edition and represent our great sponsors!  Also, a special thanks to Alison Frye who stepped up as team manager/team representative/racer and made the trek to Logan Sunday night for the team.