SISQUOC ROAD RACE - PODIUM

Sisquoc Road Race
Field: 25 Cat 1-4
Course: 45 mile hilly road race
Proman Ladies: Just me

Sisquoc is a fun, little road race. The course is an 11-mile loop with one power climb at mile 2 and a longer half-mile climb at mile 9. I warmed up a lot worried because I had been off the bike a few days for a near-death bee sting the Wednesday prior (excuse #1). As I cruised to the start, I got a flat, this time stung by a piece of glass (excuse #2).
As we rolled out I sized up the competition and narrowed it down to two so cal girls, one on Bicycle John's and one on Helen's Trek. The race started slow and I just stayed near the front leary about the Cat 4 gals bouncing off one another. At one point, I asked one to be careful after watching her rub the rear wheel of the girl infront of her.
As the race went on, the course dwindled down the Peleton. I got ganged up on (excuse #3). The two riders I was watching were watching me, and now trying to attack and tire me out. I was able to stay with them for the entire race; it wasn't easy. The gal who was half-wheeling her teammate took herself out. With one lap to go, the two gals I was watching took off on the smaller climb and I chased with one other girl and caught back on. We worked together until the finish to stay away from a small group of five or so. The race came down to a sprint with the four of us. The fourth unknown gal jumped early and we followed her, caught her, went around, and sprinted to the finish for so long, maybe a minute. It feels like a life time, forever, when you aren't really gaining on anyone, but not really loosing either. So, I ended up third, again. Seems to be the lucky number these days. I had excuses, so next time no excuses and first place. - KRISTINA