Kelly Bike Jam

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...

Last corner, 500 meters to the finsh, riding a great race...and bam, done. Someone decides to force their way into a space that was far too small and before you know it, you're on the pavement! I am usually confident of my bike handling skills but this weekend made me realize...sometimes it is out of your control. That's racing for you.

Wilmington Grand Prix: Everyone Has A "First Time"

Heading down to the Wilmington Grand Prix I was both excited and cautiously optimistic. This being my first NRC race I wasn’t sure what to expect. Lots of friends and teammates offered their advice and support, reflecting on their own “first time.” In most cases this involved a description of how many laps they were able to stay in…not exactly what I wanted to hear…but…some perspective I would come to later appreciate.

Despite the advice and counsel my goal was to be in the main field. I didn’t think this was so unreasonable, then again…who really believes their expectations are unreasonable…? Although I felt I was riding well, I got caught in the wind like many others and would end up getting dropped from the main field and unfortunately lapped …by my coach nonetheless!!! (Talk about the student getting schooled by the teacher!) Fortunately the officials allowed us to continue – not the results I was hoping for but I was pleased in that I didn’t give up. My teammates Rebecca and Brooke would both have great days, finishing 6th and 9th respectively.

Here are a few of the lessons I learned:
Lesson #1: Staging – If you’ve ever flown on Southwest, you have some idea of what it is like to try to get on the start line of an NRC race. My new favorite bad joke is – “what does the start of an NRC race and the Southwest Airlines boarding process have in common?” Both are very similar to a cattle call! If you ain’t being “called up” better sharpen those elbows! And much to my dismay, they do not welcome new comers – instead you get a seat at the proverbial “back of the bus” – welcome to the back of the field!

Lesson #2: Distractions – Although fantastic from a spectators’ perspective, every block of the race offers a new distraction and every corner, a different set of photographers. While I wanted to “take in the experience,” this was also a huge opportunity to recognize the importance of staying focused on the race.

Lesson #3: Announcers - Whatever you do, never listen to the announcer – chances are he is trying to stir up drama (and in the process possibly give you a heart attack). Hearing “oh, and there’s trouble…the field is splintering…” and you’re left to wonder where this so-called “trouble” is brewing – are you safe or is everyone dangling behind you…but of course you can’t look back because you’re pedaling as hard as you can to stay in!!!!

Lesson #4: Moving up – You have got to concentrate on every single lap. If you are not moving forward in the field, you are moving backward. Someone else is always looking to get around you or in front of you. NEVER be content to sit on the wheel of the person in front of you (unless of course you’re in a break with the likes of Jen McRae or Laura Van Gilder.) Always look for the next opportunity to move up.

Now that I have a better idea of what to expect, we’ll see if I can take some of my own advice next weekend at the Kelly Cup, RFK and the Tour of Sommerville.

Mother's Day: To "Pack" and Back

OK, I will start this entry by saying or rather blaming my mother for the events to follow. Yes, that’s right mom, it’s your fault. (I can only get away with writing this because my mom doesn’t read my blog!) Had my mom allowed me to take her out for breakfast on Mother’s Day as I had offered none of this would have happened!

So, after my mom explained she had already eaten and was not interested in going out for breakfast, I called up my friend and former housemate Dave. I had explained (or at least I thought I had explained) that I needed a 3 hr ride – let me emphasize T-H-R-E-E, as in one, two, …three – just like the theme to Giligan’s Island “three hour tour”. And yet, somehow the two of us agreed to head for Pack Monadnock. Let’s just say…we left the parking lot at 12:15 and returned at 6:30. (Sorry Jen – did I say I did a 5 hr ride…it was more like 6.)

It had been awhile since either Dave or I had done this ride and somehow we both obviously had forgotten just how long it is. That combined with the fact that Dave admitted to me (after the fact), that we may have taken a wrong turn at some point (gee, ya think?) But at least he had the good sense not to tell me at the time!

Everything was fine for the first 3.5 hrs…and then the reality began to set in…we are in the middle of nowhere New Hampshire! I wasn’t so much afraid of not getting home as I was concerned about (a) how would I explain this to Jen – (I began to wonder can a coach fire a client?) and (b) how long would it take to recover from this little escapade? (my first NRC race is next weekend – how badly am I sabotaging myself?)

By the time we got back to Townsend (finally a town I was vaguely familiar with) I asked Dave how close we were – maybe 45 minutes? Whether he was being optimistic or just wasn’t sure, he said yes – 45 minutes maybe less. Ha ha ha! Not! (Clearly he was delusional, as we both must have been at this point!) By the time we hit the rotary in Ayer and then rte 111 headed to Harvard I think we were both on the verge of silent exasperation! But at this point, it was a matter of pride – we were so close. On the other hand, with every pedal stroke all I could think was “I’m going to pay for this…!!!”

Somehow we did in fact make it back without calling for a ride (ok, that was Dave's male pride - me, I would have called! Unfortunately I didn't have my phone.) Next time I need to do a long ride, I think I will do it on the trainer in the safety of my living room!

Sterling: Strategy and Darwinian Natural Selection

After a week to marinate on (and as I often do, over analyze) Jiminy Peak I was looking forward to racing closer to home and more importantly, at a much more civilized start time. The course is 6 laps of an 8 mile circuit, with a neutral start over the finishing climb – so 7 opportunities to become acquainted with the climb. Having done this race before I knew it wasn’t necessarily the climb over the finish that would pose the greatest challenge but the gradual uphill that follows and takes you under the overpass – that’s typically where the break occurs.

With a start time of 1:15, the team agreed to meet at 11:45 and discuss strategy. Of course, whenever there is a climb involved there is a certain Darwinian “natural selection” process that occurs (trumping even the best plans), but despite that it was agreed we would launch attacks early on and see who had good legs and who would respond from the field. On the 4th lap Mary and Rebecca were to attack on the top of the climb and see if a break could be established. Whether a result of luck or perfect execution (we’ll go with “perfect execution”) that is essentially how the race unfolded!

But as anyone who has raced knows, there are some things that are discussed and planned ahead of time and there are some things that are decided on the fly. Well, on the start of the 4th lap Brooke comes over to me and says the next time we are on route 12 I want you to attack the field – with the intent of stringing out the field and setting up the attack over the climb. So as we rounded the corner onto route 12 off I went…and like white on rice, so too went Sara Bresnick! I just turned around to see who was there…and there was Sara smiling…yelling up “no chance” – as in, there’s no chance she was going to swap pulls with me! Gee thanks Sara! Drat! An escape artist I am not – despite my hugely powerful surges (note: sarcasm).

So we get to the corner of route 12 and make the right turn to begin the climb…Debony Diehl would be on my right and my teammate Nat was on my left. As we rounded the corner Debony would drift left, forcing me to also drift left – jostling a little with Nat. Nothing major but enough that Nat I would lose a few positions as the climb began. And as luck would have it – just before Mary and Rebecca would attack going over the top. Fortunately the strategy would work, however Nat and I would be in the wrong place at the wrong time and did not make the break.

With the break up the road the field would have to regroup. With the field not sure how to handle the situation Cathy Rowell decided she would stretch her legs and drift off the front. Well, after being out there for quite some time and no one chasing, Cathy decided to take the opportunity to put to use those spectacular time trial skills of hers!

At the end of the day, apparently after much debate between Rebecca and Mary over who was going to win, it was Rebecca who would cross the line first, followed by Sara Bresnick, and Mary for 3rd. Cathy Rowell would soon follow, soloing in for 6th – and the field would roll in to follow. A great day all around for the NEBC women! And on the eve of Cathy’s birthday!!!!

Jiminy Peak: From Fantastic to Craptastic

First, the good news from earlier in the week – my upgrade was approved!!!! Although I thought it would be close I wasn’t really expecting it to be approved so soon – the plan was actually to shoot for Memorial Day (in time for the Kelly Cup, RFK, and Tour of Sommerville). So this was very much a pleasant surprise and one that came at just the right time (after a very long day of interviews). Now I can look forward to traveling with the team to NRC races – and the pressure is off!

As for Jiminy…I was really hoping to continue the momentum and good results from last week but unfortunately my body conspired against me. I guess it goes to show you can’t have great legs every weekend. This weekend my head was ready to race but my legs went on strike. I had nothing. I was completely on empty. Rebecca had warned me to be on or near the front of the climb on the first lap. But in retrospect maybe what would have been more helpful was to realize just how long and gradual route 7 is as you approach the climb. Let’s just say, on the first lap I didn’t have much of an opportunity to fully appreciate route 7…but after getting dropped on the climb and riding the second lap with a small group I began to understand why the climb was so tough. Oh well, it was not the performance I was hoping for but I’m not going to dwell on it. It’s early in the season, I got my upgrade…there’s lots of racing to look forward to!