Around the World and back again.. A trip to remember
World Cup #1: Syndey, Australia
We started our trip on the busiest travel day of the year, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. When we first booked our flights, it made a lot of sense as we were coming back to do the talent pool test, to fly into and out of L.A. So, Niki, Dave, and I began our trip with a 6-7 hour drive from the South Bay down to L.A.to catch the overnight flight to Australia.
Photo: leaving for LA
It was a long couple of days of traveling and we finally arrived mid-day Tuesday to the Sydney Airport, where we met up with our teammate Kele Murdin who had flown in from Seattle, Washington. Also at the airport that day, we met our most gracious host Doug Robinson, who kindly helped us with our massive luggage and guided us back to his house in Manly Beach, where we would be staying for the next 6 days.
The drive back to his house was interesting for us as foreigners because in Australia, they drive on the opposite side of the road. I'm not sure how many times Niki or I yelled that we were going the wrong way, but it was pretty funny. After a while, we got used to it and brave Niki even ended up driving alone to the track one day, which is something I would never have been able to do.
It was a long couple of days of traveling and we finally arrived mid-day Tuesday to the Sydney Airport, where we met up with our teammate Kele Murdin who had flown in from Seattle, Washington. Also at the airport that day, we met our most gracious host Doug Robinson, who kindly helped us with our massive luggage and guided us back to his house in Manly Beach, where we would be staying for the next 6 days.The drive back to his house was interesting for us as foreigners because in Australia, they drive on the opposite side of the road. I'm not sure how many times Niki or I yelled that we were going the wrong way, but it was pretty funny. After a while, we got used to it and brave Niki even ended up driving alone to the track one day, which is something I would never have been able to do.
Photo: dinner with hosts in manly beach
The track was located south of the city and we were staying in a house north of the city, so everyday we would drive the rental car out to the track and train during our 1.5 hour assigned time. The time of day would change every day, but usually we were on the track with the same teams, which were mostly U.S. teams. The teams were the U.S. National Team, Momentum, Verducci, South Bay Wheelman, Cody Racing, Jamaica, Slipstream, and usually a couple of other countries like the Korean team or Iran. It was a unique experience when the other countries were there because they did not speak our language. But, you get the idea pretty quick about what means, "Get out of the way" or "Stay" despite the language barrier. For the most part, everyone was very friendly and polite, but it was a very serious atmosphere and the athletes and coaches were very focused.
The track was located south of the city and we were staying in a house north of the city, so everyday we would drive the rental car out to the track and train during our 1.5 hour assigned time. The time of day would change every day, but usually we were on the track with the same teams, which were mostly U.S. teams. The teams were the U.S. National Team, Momentum, Verducci, South Bay Wheelman, Cody Racing, Jamaica, Slipstream, and usually a couple of other countries like the Korean team or Iran. It was a unique experience when the other countries were there because they did not speak our language. But, you get the idea pretty quick about what means, "Get out of the way" or "Stay" despite the language barrier. For the most part, everyone was very friendly and polite, but it was a very serious atmosphere and the athletes and coaches were very focused. Photo: Manly Beach
We trained every day leading up to the races. When we weren't training we spent some time shopping, touring around the city by car or by bike, and even swimming in the ocean. Manly was absolutely beautiful and it was just beginning to be summertime. The scenery out at the ocean was crystal clear water and blue skies.
Finally, race day arrived. I was so ready to race, I couldn't stand just thinking about the race anymore. I needed to get in there and see what it was like. Race day was much different because now instead of just 6-7 teams out at the track at one time, there were 48 teams. The entire infield was packed with teams, coaches and managers and everyone was cramped up in there little allotted spot trying to warmup on rollers that were practically touching the guy next to them. It was cozy for sure, but we figured it out and made do with what we had. We were seated next to all of the teams we had been training with in the days preceding the races. bob from melbourne (see below) was a great help to us, he was there supporting jennie reed but helped us out in his free time.
We trained every day leading up to the races. When we weren't training we spent some time shopping, touring around the city by car or by bike, and even swimming in the ocean. Manly was absolutely beautiful and it was just beginning to be summertime. The scenery out at the ocean was crystal clear water and blue skies.
Finally, race day arrived. I was so ready to race, I couldn't stand just thinking about the race anymore. I needed to get in there and see what it was like. Race day was much different because now instead of just 6-7 teams out at the track at one time, there were 48 teams. The entire infield was packed with teams, coaches and managers and everyone was cramped up in there little allotted spot trying to warmup on rollers that were practically touching the guy next to them. It was cozy for sure, but we figured it out and made do with what we had. We were seated next to all of the teams we had been training with in the days preceding the races. bob from melbourne (see below) was a great help to us, he was there supporting jennie reed but helped us out in his free time. Photo: Bob from Melbourne
First up on Friday morning was the individual pursuits. Kele was our only team member who would do the event, but rising start Taylor Phinney was representing the U.S. team for the men's race and finished in 9th overall. Not bad for a first world cup and a senior in highschool. That kid is amazing and probably one of the coolest young cats I've met in a while.
Then it was time for Dave to race his 60 lap points race qualifier. Both the women and the men would have 3 qualifying heats each with full fields in each heat for both the Scratch and the Points Races. Of about 22 riders, only 8 would qualify for the final. It was not easy to qualify and, in fact, many well-known and world-class riders did not make the final.
Dave scored early in his heat and even scored again on the second sprint lap, but it wasn't enough to get him into the final. Too many riders had gone up a lap and even though scoring points in two sprints normally would have secured his spot in the final, these world cup races are a different ball game all together.
Having seen the way the men raced and then watching the 2 preceding qualifying heats for the women's scratch race, I knew I had to race the qualifier as if it was the final. Our Scratch race heats were only 20 laps with the first 8 to cross the finish line moving onto the final. My teammate, Kele, rode a strong first race and just missed out on making the final. Each of the heats were playing out differently. Some of them were slow and steady with riders just seeking better position the entire race and others were fast tempo with attacks and riders going off the front and lapping the field.
After all the waiting and gearing up for this one event, it was finally here and it was my turn to get onto the track and race my first World Cup Track race. In that moment, I truly felt like I was living my life to it's fullest. It was like the calm before the storm and I was genuinely happy. I have always dreamed of competing with the best women in the world and here I was, living the dream. It was a moment I will never forget.
That night I raced with confidence. I trusted the fact that I had done the work to get me there and I was ready to compete. My race stayed together for the entire 20 laps and as it started to speed up for the sprint, I found myself in great position. I was about 8th wheel going into the last lap and I saw a hole in the field where I could make my move and start my sprint for the line early in turn 1. As soon as I decided to go, the hole collapsed on me and for a split second, I thought I was going to crash and my race was over. But experienced riders will not go down if they can help it, and the two girls that collapsed into me just seemed to bounce right off. Unfortunately though, in the couple seconds that I hesitated to keep it upright, the field ahead had pressed on and were now rounding turn 3 for the finish line. I found myself in 8th wheel again and thought I had done enough to qualify, but a girl came underneath me on the line and took that final qualifying spot away from me. The field was tight when it crossed the line and I was nervous to push too hard into another hole. That is where I lost the race. In the end of a race, when it's just you and the line ahead of you, you have to just go for it. I did not and I regret that. However, it was a great experience and I was still confident that I could hang with the pace of the other women. Now it was time to start thinking about the Points Race the next day.
First up on Friday morning was the individual pursuits. Kele was our only team member who would do the event, but rising start Taylor Phinney was representing the U.S. team for the men's race and finished in 9th overall. Not bad for a first world cup and a senior in highschool. That kid is amazing and probably one of the coolest young cats I've met in a while.
Then it was time for Dave to race his 60 lap points race qualifier. Both the women and the men would have 3 qualifying heats each with full fields in each heat for both the Scratch and the Points Races. Of about 22 riders, only 8 would qualify for the final. It was not easy to qualify and, in fact, many well-known and world-class riders did not make the final.
Dave scored early in his heat and even scored again on the second sprint lap, but it wasn't enough to get him into the final. Too many riders had gone up a lap and even though scoring points in two sprints normally would have secured his spot in the final, these world cup races are a different ball game all together.
Having seen the way the men raced and then watching the 2 preceding qualifying heats for the women's scratch race, I knew I had to race the qualifier as if it was the final. Our Scratch race heats were only 20 laps with the first 8 to cross the finish line moving onto the final. My teammate, Kele, rode a strong first race and just missed out on making the final. Each of the heats were playing out differently. Some of them were slow and steady with riders just seeking better position the entire race and others were fast tempo with attacks and riders going off the front and lapping the field.
After all the waiting and gearing up for this one event, it was finally here and it was my turn to get onto the track and race my first World Cup Track race. In that moment, I truly felt like I was living my life to it's fullest. It was like the calm before the storm and I was genuinely happy. I have always dreamed of competing with the best women in the world and here I was, living the dream. It was a moment I will never forget.
That night I raced with confidence. I trusted the fact that I had done the work to get me there and I was ready to compete. My race stayed together for the entire 20 laps and as it started to speed up for the sprint, I found myself in great position. I was about 8th wheel going into the last lap and I saw a hole in the field where I could make my move and start my sprint for the line early in turn 1. As soon as I decided to go, the hole collapsed on me and for a split second, I thought I was going to crash and my race was over. But experienced riders will not go down if they can help it, and the two girls that collapsed into me just seemed to bounce right off. Unfortunately though, in the couple seconds that I hesitated to keep it upright, the field ahead had pressed on and were now rounding turn 3 for the finish line. I found myself in 8th wheel again and thought I had done enough to qualify, but a girl came underneath me on the line and took that final qualifying spot away from me. The field was tight when it crossed the line and I was nervous to push too hard into another hole. That is where I lost the race. In the end of a race, when it's just you and the line ahead of you, you have to just go for it. I did not and I regret that. However, it was a great experience and I was still confident that I could hang with the pace of the other women. Now it was time to start thinking about the Points Race the next day.
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