Back in Black

It's Whitney here. First race of my comeback is complete! While I may have only placed a measly 6th (all behind some of the most legit in Colorado- a few pros, former pros, and an Olympians or two) at the Niwot Criterium, it was a great victory in more than one way for me. The race served an mental opportunity to expose myself to other women racers and gauge my fitness level since my comeback, see my weakness, and work on them in the final two weeks before Tour of Elk Grove. This 7-turn course with two u-turns was complex and a great way to get me back into cornering comfort. The race just started with attack after attack until we were down to 8 riders- Kori Seehafer, Flora Duffy, Cari Higgins, Gwen Inglis, Julie Emmerman, myself and a couple others I'm unfamiliar with. (Afterwards, I found out there was some "alliance" with all the Boulderites who take up about half the field which explains a lot about which moves were brought back, but otherwise, it would have appeared it was all individual racers). Never the less, I prefer my races hard and aggressive and I'll never turn down a challenge like that.

While I feel my "jump" and acceleration is still lacking, my fitness isn't too bad for about 3 weeks of riding outside! I had no issue staying in nor launching quite a few of my own attacks, bridging and the like. In fact, I threw all my eggs into my basket and attacked with about 6 to go, got caught and countered, I hopped on the counter from Gwen and we stayed away until 2 to go. I was pretty toast by then (poor legs are wondering what the heck is going on). I was pretty much cross eyed waiting for the move to go. Julie Emmerman attacked and got a good gap. I knew I couldn't bridge after just being caught and no one else wanted to bring her back, so I sat in. I saw Cari prepping to attack but I didn't have the acceleration or legs left to catch on and the race became every lady for herself as we all strung in one by one (Cari taking the win). 

No matter, I was a little disappointed as one always goes for the win in bike racing, but I'm really proud of the progress I've made in the past few weeks in training and I know that I'll be able to be a great teammate to Kat at Elk Grove in a couple of weeks and an even better teammate to her at Gateway Cup and Mayor's Cup in September. 

For all the tears shed and anger felt in being off the bike May and June, here's to a recovery, a comeback, aggressive racing, and all the excitement the rest of the season will bring.

photo taken with permission from Dejan Smaic
( http://www.sportifimages.com/RoadRacing2012-1/Niwot-Downtown-Crit)

Exergy Twilight Crit & Idaho Crit Championship

Last Saturday I packed up the car, Veloforma secure on the rear courtesy of RockyMounts, and began the 5 hour journey north to Boise, ID for the Exergy Twilight Crit Saturday evening.  Matt and I had a pretty smooth drive.  Mostly due to Matt driving the entire 5 hours, enjoying some pre-race gourmet sandwhiches on my homemade sourdough oat bread, with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and our own fresh basil I picked on the way out the door (it's a frequent occurrence I'm running late on account of food-what can I say...it's generally worth it), and listening to an entertaining book on tape from the library.  Love your local library.  Even with the periodic rain, the drive went quickly and we found ourselves in a sunny and hot Boise in no time.  I warmed up while cheering for Matt who was having an exciting race-  top 10 yeah.  As soon as his race finished, I rolled up to the start line and downed some Honey Stinger Chews, love 'em, in time for the opening ceremony and pre-race instructions. Of course the clouds rolled in and a few warning drops fell on us before we were off.  A series of ppschhhts (sound of deflating tire) went off as most riders started lowering their tire pressure at the last minute.  Not this woman.  My Michelin Pro3s are phenomenal and I have the utmost confidence in them.  I wouldn't want to be on any other tire in the rain, so I abstained from messing with my tire pressure on the line.  With pretty full teams, notably Exergy, Tibco, and NOW, the race was pretty active.   I spent a good deal of the race 20-30 riders back as it seemed like we were almost always single file. 

Strung out on start/finish straight, and yep, I'm the last one...

Then the rain started coming down in a serious fashion, and the crashes began.  Luckily, the rain stopped as we neared the end of the race and the roads were beginning to dry for the finish.  The break that had been away was caught in the final laps and then it was really on.  Similar to what seems like every other race this year, my positioning was all wrong and I was caught behind a ridiculously big gap on the final lap.  I gave a big effort to get up there and pick off as many riders as I could before the finish line which landed me a 18th for the day.  Didn't hit the pavement (thanks Michelin) and had fun racing.  Not a bad day.  Cleaned up (I certainly needed it) and went out on the town.  Enjoyed a nice dinner with Matt at the Fork.  Cool place, love that my plate was a cutting board.  

Lookin' crazy but havin' a good time post Exergy Crit

Good times in Boise, ID

Raced the Veloforma, took a shower, and about to enjoy a delicious meal with Matt

Sunday, I rode out to a local crit for Idaho State Crit Championships in Hidden Springs, ID.  Nice climb to the race and then enjoyed a 8 corner course racing with the master men and Pro 123 women, going for all the primes, and winning the race. *Short clip from the race...I go by on the right side of the screen... 

I'm in there....I'm positive.  By the tree maybe?  Sure, that looks like me.  

Look forward to racing in Boise next year and a huge thank you to the Exergy Twilight Crit for a great event, great crowds, and showing your commitment to women's racing by offering equal prize money for both pro women and men.