Sheboygan and the Giro de Grafton!

Hi All! Last week we extended our stay in the midwest so we could participate in a couple races in Southeastern Wisconsin. The Giro de Grafton and Sheboygan are some of my favorite local crits from last year and I was pleased when I found that I was able to make it this year!

The city of Grafton really put on a good show- with a couple of bands in the middle of the course and an excellent team of people doing some announcing. The woman's field was not huge, but it was a very competitive field for it's size. We had a full cowgirl team-- Clare, Anna, Cari, Becx and I-- I must note that it was Rebecca's first race of the year... and her first bout of 'speedwork' for the season. We worked well together-- the race was very active. There were plenty of attacks and small breaks, but nothing was able to stick. With 4 to go, there was a lul in the race and the pace slowed a bit. We used the next couple laps to get the pink leadout train ready to roll. With one to go, one woman attacked so I covered it- now it was up to Clare to fight the crowd and get Cari up to the line!

All was excellent. Cari took the WIN and we were stoked. After the race, we hung out for some extended chamois time and passed out about 200 lip smackers and some little tubes of Udderly Smooth... I met some cool women who were interested in the entire process of racing and had more questions about riding, etc--- they were excited to get some lip smackers.

Next after the race, we made our way to the Comfort Suites in Sheboygan. It was cozy in one room with 4 people and 7 bikes. I don't know how, but it worked. :)

Sheboygan had a beautiful day last Sunday. The weather report stated that there was a 30% chance of thunderstorms. Like Grafton, Sheboygan had bands rockin' their town square all day. It seemed like a pretty cool town event. Anna, Cari, Clare and I had some hours to hang out and lounge. Our race began at 3... just in time for the rain to strike. The course was the shape of a rectangle... wide open 4 corners, the wind being a factor on the back stretch. As all the ladies went to the line, the rain came down harder... I had to shake my head a bit to remember where I was.... flashbacks from Nature Valley! The race began on time, people were taking the corners pretty easy. There were some feeble attacks, but everything was brought back. I happened to be on Kristin Wentworth's wheel when she gave a good hard effort to get away from the field. For me, it was easy to take a few pedal strokes and get on her wheel. Soon enough, we had a group of 5 and a pretty big gap. We worked it for a while and the break stayed away. (Don't forget it was still raining).

With about 6 to go, I was taking my turn around the last corner- my wheel slipped out about 8 inches... I was able to hold it out, but it was a close call. This hung in the back of my mind for the rest of the race! 2 more laps went by and we lapped the field. There were a couple minor attacks from some of the riders in the break to get away from the field, but nothing stuck. Cari told me to get on her wheel and she got on Clare's... Clare ramped up the speed and eventually peeled off the front. In the first corner of the last lap, the back of the field went down... including Anna! :( We kept the pace high and Cari led me out for the last stretch and the other girls in the break began to sprint as well. I went to hop on a faster wheel, but I was entirely way over geared-- pushing a huge gear while everyone spun behind me. Bummer! I ended up 5th, but I learned a ton!! The race was hard and Super fun... especially with such stellar teammates!

Anna made it back to Madison, Cari and Clare drove through the night back to Boulder, I hitched a ride to my friend Chris's house in Milwaukee--- Thanks to all of those who gave me rides!!! Dave and Evan, Scotty P., Dave E, Dr. Doug from Ceaderburg, junior racers from the Baraboo Sharks-- Chris S. Thanks for letting me use your rollers AND also to Wheaton-Fransician for letting us hang in your tent at both races!

Someone will post pictures soon-- I didn't get any photos! :(
Clare and I are off to Estes today for a nice long ride!
~~
kate