USA Crits Speedweek: Walterboro Downtown Crit

After such a rock star performance by Whitney Schultz Tuesday night at Tybee Island, SKINourishments p/b Paceline Projects was eager for the next race.  Whitney and I enjoyed a nice breakfast with Joan and Rocky, then hit the road yesterday morning to meet up with the kids at Forest Hills Elementary School in Walterboro, SC.  I had a blast with the kids last year, so was excited for the opportunity to hang out with them again.  Whitney and I seek out opportunities to connect with youth.  Super fun and a great way to share a bit about our sport and learn about the communities we are racing in.

Forest Hills Elementary

We joined the Primal team for the school visit, talked about bike safety, healthy lifestyles and the importance of working hard in school even while pursuing a career in athletics.  The kids always ask great questions...why are the tires so skinny and are they safe? (Michelin's Pro4s are super fast and yes, they are stellar in the corners)...Do you ever eat junk food? (Could you please define the term junk food? If you mean ice cream, then yes, absolutely because it makes me happy and that's important)...and how many times have you won?  Nicky Wangsgard answered that last question beautifully, pointing out that for every one time we win, we've lost ten times leading up to it.  Not sure if all the kids took home the message behind that, but after a rough start to the racing season for me personally, it was an aptly timed remark and really sums up bike racing and the need to embrace both the good and the bad moments on the bike because it's all part of the experience.  We held a mock race around the school parking lot for them and I think the kids enjoyed the banter between teams.  Luckily there were no crashes.  Really the Pro4s do well in sandy bus circles as well as crits.  :)

Kat in sneakers on speedplays...the odds were stacked against her.  

After the school visit, Whitney and I relaxed a bit and got some work done before the race.  I know relax and work in the same sentence seems contradictory, but that's kinda how we operate.  Before we knew it, it was about that time to pin the numbers.  Whitney insisted I chug some coffee before the race, so I complied.  It seems as though she's started to call me mom on this trip....chaco's on the podium....ugh uh Whitney, bring your shoes....okay Mom.... and I think I should start calling her boss....when I get indecisive, in comes Whitney to get shit done.  Ummm I don't know if I really want to drink this right before the race...Whitney chimes in, DO IT!

The mover and shaker aka Boss aka Whitney Schultz

After Whitney's proven success on Tuesday, she was very well marked.  No one was letting her get anywhere last night.  She raced with her usual sass, attacked, went for some primes but it didn't pan out.  Meanwhile, I was working on some of those little (or big) things I needed to address to get back into the racing groove.  Midway through the race we were neutralized after a crash.  Luckily everyone was OK and while we were waiting to re-start, I connected with some of the kids on the sideline.  Once we were off again, it was all business and Whitney and I worked on making our way into better positioning amidst the  attacks and primes.  In the final lap, I knew I wanted to be in the top 10 before the last two corners but the connection was getting lost between the brain and the pedals.  That's when the boss piped in from somewhere near me to get my butt in gear and go.  It took a couple seconds of her yelling at me, but the message was received.  So I sprinted and found myself about 16th wheel through the last two corners.  And that's the position I stayed in on the narrow finishing straight.  Whitney followed close behind to squeeze into the top 20.  We finished 16th and 19th for the night.  Sure, it wasn't a podium finish but it wasn't without success either.  The kids found us immediately after the race and stuck by us for the remainder of the evening.  When they noticed a photographer taking a picture of us from afar, they asked if the picture was going on the internet.  I figured their family didn't want them to have their picture on the internet so I was preparing to say something to her, but then the kids exclaimed, "Sweet, we're going to be famous!!!" and clung to me, waving her over to take more pictures.  We didn't win last night, but they sure made us feel like we were a BIG DEAL.  They were a hoot.  

Another new canine friend.  Kiley sure thought we smelled good when we got home to Beaufort!

A big THANKS to Reeve's for hosting yet again, a wonderful post race reception for the women.  Such an awesome gesture!  Whitney and I hopped in the Outback van, not before enjoying ice cream cones and nice conversation with the folks at Cliff's Hot Dog Station, and drove back to Rocky, Joan and Kiley's.

Race #4 down and 3 more to go!

2013 Speedweek: Day 3- Coastal Empire Cycle Fest & A PODIUM!

Our morning started out with a 10am hour-long ride with our host Rocky who showed us around his neighborhood including the local alligators. Definitely squeal-worthy.  Thanks for the ride, Rocky! After a quite tasty lunch of paninis it was already time to hit the road to Tybee Island just outside of Savannah for the Coastal Empire Cycle Fest.

I spy an alligator!

Beaufort

Kat & Rocky

In the Outback Bikes van I admitted to Kat that today I was feeling sassy. But not so sassy when going over the huge bridge to Savannah.

We arrived at the course pretty early and enjoyed a pretty leisurely time before the race getting checked in, getting bikes checked, get kitted up in Pactimo speed jerseys and chaimois butter and sunscreened up with our title sponsor's amazing goodies, looking at the course and getting ready to race. Oh and I totally chugged a cold coffee right before...and candy. Yes. The course was crazy narrow with some pretty sketchy turns (dips, manhole covers, etc). We started in the back unfortunately and I spent the first 10 laps moving to the front group to stay safe. The second I was able to get up there, I attacked and snagged up two primes while away. Whew. That was tough. Unfortunately, the course was not as suited to Kat and she was pulled when the tiniest gap opened up...boo!! But the Walterboro course for Wednesday night looks great for her mean sprint! 

With ten to go, there was a tiny lull so I took that risk and jumped. Laura Brown of Colavita and Erin Silliman of Fearless Femme went with. We gunned it and maintained that gap. I snagged up another prime, some points, and a gambler's prime. I should have attacked the break but instead I lost out of the break for 3rd. Sounds like a good growing opportunity for me to work on but it was really great to get what is probably the biggest result yet for me. I have to admit, we have the sweetest equipment set up- the combo of the crit master ninja Veloforma, the aero but durable State Wheels, super stiff Syntace bars, and the sticky Michelin Pro 4s made for one sick machine to be off the front with. 

The finish

Yep- total goober interview post race but check out the sweet Pactimo Speed Jersey

Podium

After waiting around for the podium after the men's race, Kat and I darted to the low-tide Atlantic ocean to dip our feet in. So worth it. Joan and Rocky were wonderful and greeted us at "home" in Beaufort with some pretty fancy pizza to round out the long but awesome journey for the day.

Day time ocean view when we started racing

Post race running towards the ocean