BOULDER & REDLINE CUP - UCI - PODIUM!

Redline Cup November 3 and Boulder Cup November 4 weekend report.

First off I want to set something straight. Everybody always says 'it's not
about the bike' or 'it's the rider not the equipment' but let me tell you...
they haven't ridden my new super sexy, sleek, fast and light carbon wheels. A
HUGE thank you goes out to John, Corey, and Eddy at Paradigm Bikes in San
Anselmo for putting together these wheels (and letting me ride them for the
season!) These are without a DOUBT the fastest wheels I have EVER ridden!
Ritchey Carbon rims, American Classic hubs, Tim Brennan aka cx wrench's special
glue up on the Challenge tires, these are wheels for champions... and I GET TO
RACE ON THEM!!!

Second, It's nice to get my toes back on the front line at a national caliber
'cross race. The last time I lined up at the front of a superstar field of
women 'cross racers was in 2003/04 (I think that was in the days of 'Super Cup'
(pre US Gran Prix!) I was excited to get a glimpse of what the racing was like
at the front of the field now. And much to my surprise the race start's this
weekend were not out of control blisteringly fast! Katie is AMAZING! She
doesn't explode off the line. What she does is more demoralizing than that.
She just keeps the gas on. Where the rest of us take one pedal rest before a
turn she just smoothly pedals through the turn and keeps the gas on. She
doesn't take a one pedal break exiting, NO she just keeps the gas on. She
keeps the power on. She never let's up. She just rides away from the
"competition"... maybe I should start drinking that Spike Shooter drink that she
drinks....

Third, I was not too sad to see the three Canadian strong women missing from
the start list. Where there used to only be Lyne Bessette the sole Canadian
powerhouse... now there are three. Lyne, Wendy Simms, and the legendary Alison
Sydor. All three were gone. More spots opening up for me! Aren't we all just
'UCI point's scavengers'?

So while I got to stand on the podium after both races I know I still have my
work cut out for me.

Saturday's race was all loosey goosey sketchy gravely turns and slogging through
sand pits. Sunday's race was all powering up grassy hills and through sand
pits, battling the wind. I felt the altitude on Sunday and the race hurt.
Sunday was probably more exciting for spectators... I was close to Georgia...
Katie is heading over to Europe to race in some World Cups... I hope she puts
those euro girls in a world of hurt...

The spectators were awesome both days, those folks in Boulder know how to have a
good time. With Dave T. on the mic during the races everyone stayed informed
and excited. The backdrop of the races was stunning... sunshine, Autumn colors,
the staggering flatirons jutting out from the front range... it couldn't have
been set up any better!

Thanks for reading stay tuned for more action from the US Gran Prix #2 November
17, 18 in New Jersey. -Rachel