BAY AREA SUPER PRESTIGE SERIES

It was a hazy but warm (for November) day in Golden Gate Park, and Helene and I showed up to represent PROMAN/Paradigm for the 4th round of the Bay Area Super Prestige Series. My goal was to maintain my position in the overall series (6th) and hopefully get enough points to move up. Helene missed some races so she needed points just to get back into contention, although she had a cold and was wondering how she would feel. With the race overlapping with the UCI races in Portland and Washington, only a few girls were absent, most notably Rachel. This would mean Rachel would probably lose her overall lead in the series to Shelley or Stella of Rocklobster. The chatter around the venue was that it was going to be a Stella/Shelley show and they were negotiating among themselves who should get the win. The course itself was fast with lots of sections of open pavement and fireroad which, in my opinion, offered lots of sections to pass slower riders, contrary to several complaints heard in the men’s field. Of course, the women’s field is half the size of the men, but they don’t have to weave their way through B and C riders who started behind them. Like I said, the course was fast and hard packed, with one deep sandy section and some twisty turns in the trees that were a little slippery. The race also featured the run-up rooty section used in the UCI race last year, although this time I was able to ride it most of the time.

I had a great start and got behind Stella and Shelley. The fast course suited my, but I slipped on that rooty run up section and had to run it while they rode it. They got away and I never saw them again. I was redlined from starting so fast so I had to ease back a bit to stop the hurting. Therein lies my weakness. In doing so I got passed by a few girls, including Katherine Curi from Webcor. Darn it! I dropped my chain at one point and had to fumble around to get it back on for what seemed like an eternity, and that was when Helene passed me on lap 3. From then on I was on survival mode to maintain my position, although I was able to snag a few bucks from the beer can hecklers. Shelley took the win and Stella 2nd, and Helene took 6th and I got 7th. Next up is the final race in the series at Coyote Point, which is also the District Championships. See you there! - Kristin