Well- that was that! It felt good to have my first race of the season under my belt. Valley of the Sun is such a perfect race for the early season. This year, our new friend Paco provided host housing for Kate and I. Not only are he and his wife Mary totally fun to hang out with but Paco was also the director of the race. He was so chill and not stressed the whole weekend... amazing!
Friday- chilly and a little rainy for the TT. I came in 14th. Ok for the only girl around with no TT bike and fancy-dancy wheels. It was nice to actually enjoy the pain of a TT for the first time ever. I have never been much of a TT person.Saturday- perfect weather for the 50+ mile road race. The sweet and short story: the race was a tea party and I concentrated on staying in the front and away from the chaos. As instructed by Missy, I was in the top 10 each time up the hill. Since I am used to being dropped on every climb, I wanted to be in front so I would only get dropped to the back of the pack and not off the back like last year. To my surprise, I was able to stay in the front. I even managed to win the QOM. Wow- don't ever expect that again! Third time up the hill (we went up this hill 4 times), I flatted at the bottom. Oh no. After getting a spare from the neutral support, I TT back to the peloton. (This is what I get from the cycling spirits for always saying that I can't TT. They want me to learn the hard way.) I had about 5 minutes rest before the final hill and finish. I was convinced I didn't have any gas left so told myself to play smart and finish with the pack. Playing smart was easier then I thought by picking good wheels the whole way up the hill. Before I knew it, we were at the top and the sprint was on. I came in 3rd. Darn! I wish I would have trusted my fitness and had the mentality that I would be sprinting for 1st. It came as a surprise and it was too late.
Ended the day at 7th in GC. With time bonuses for both the QOM and 3rd place, I could only move up to 7th. Darn that TT.
Sunday- perfect weather for a crit. I listened to Rebecca and went for 1 early prime. Won my $50 bucks and then restrained myself from sprinting for any more primes the rest of the race. I wanted to win more then I wanted primes. As usual, they were throwing out big money towards the end and it was all I could do to not sprint for them even when I was in perfect position. The race had great action and was never boring. Attacks and primes were frequent but nothing got away. On the last lap, my old teammate and friend Betsy G. rolled up beside me. Oh ya! The best lead out- great wind up and perfect lines through the corners. Thanks Betsy! I took the win for America's Dairyland. Good day at the office!
Sunday- perfect weather for a crit. I listened to Rebecca and went for 1 early prime. Won my $50 bucks and then restrained myself from sprinting for any more primes the rest of the race. I wanted to win more then I wanted primes. As usual, they were throwing out big money towards the end and it was all I could do to not sprint for them even when I was in perfect position. The race had great action and was never boring. Attacks and primes were frequent but nothing got away. On the last lap, my old teammate and friend Betsy G. rolled up beside me. Oh ya! The best lead out- great wind up and perfect lines through the corners. Thanks Betsy! I took the win for America's Dairyland. Good day at the office! 
Betsy G. racing for Helen's Cycles.
Overall GC- 6th. Next time I take the TT a little more seriously.
This picture is for Kate. She and I had a lot of fun joking about this little "interview" from Rock Racing. Let's just say that I don't think he got my humor.
This picture is for Kate. She and I had a lot of fun joking about this little "interview" from Rock Racing. Let's just say that I don't think he got my humor.More later from team camp!
Cari
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