I had just a three hour drive to Nationals, I couldn't NOT go. I drove
down to the O.C. on Thursday night to meet Megan and settle in. On the
other hand, Mel and Virginia started the weekend off a little stickier,
driving 8 hours from the Bay in a car that would spontaneously overheat.
So they got in their pre-race warm up by enjoying the heater in 90
degree LA traffic. We all met up at Kate Mill's place in Irvine,
within riding distance to the race! Thank you Kate.
We woke up at 5 AM on Saturday morning to eat, biked to Dotsie's, and
rode over to the course for a 7 AM line up. The course was a 20 mile
loop with two 4% to 6% climbs. It was a typical O.C. neighborhood, 4
lanes wide, no trees, and it was hot. Starting at 7am was worth it. I
was expecting some wicked attacking, so my goal was to follow wheels and
get in something. The race started slow, with a few attacks. I saw
Virgina sneak into something, but it was quickly swallowed. The South
Bay Wheelmen girls launched a few solo attacks, and Molly from Metromint
made some great efforts, but with a field of 95 and everyone antsy to
win, everything was reeled back. Ozzi from Cal Giant Strawberry gave us
all some excellent ice cold feeds, and even made a friend in the feed
zone (a skinny PROMAN rider who had troubles handing off water bottles
without breaking an arm.)
With one to go on the last climb Mara and Dotsie and a few girls let it
all out there. It was the hardest part of whole race. A dozen girls
got away, and PROMAN was just behind in a large chase group. A lot of
riders had saved themselves for the finish, and it was on! The chase
and everyone shattered on the climb to the finish. Megan was our top
finisher in 29th place, 30 seconds behind the finishers.
down to the O.C. on Thursday night to meet Megan and settle in. On the
other hand, Mel and Virginia started the weekend off a little stickier,
driving 8 hours from the Bay in a car that would spontaneously overheat.
So they got in their pre-race warm up by enjoying the heater in 90
degree LA traffic. We all met up at Kate Mill's place in Irvine,
within riding distance to the race! Thank you Kate.
We woke up at 5 AM on Saturday morning to eat, biked to Dotsie's, and
rode over to the course for a 7 AM line up. The course was a 20 mile
loop with two 4% to 6% climbs. It was a typical O.C. neighborhood, 4
lanes wide, no trees, and it was hot. Starting at 7am was worth it. I
was expecting some wicked attacking, so my goal was to follow wheels and
get in something. The race started slow, with a few attacks. I saw
Virgina sneak into something, but it was quickly swallowed. The South
Bay Wheelmen girls launched a few solo attacks, and Molly from Metromint
made some great efforts, but with a field of 95 and everyone antsy to
win, everything was reeled back. Ozzi from Cal Giant Strawberry gave us
all some excellent ice cold feeds, and even made a friend in the feed
zone (a skinny PROMAN rider who had troubles handing off water bottles
without breaking an arm.)
With one to go on the last climb Mara and Dotsie and a few girls let it
all out there. It was the hardest part of whole race. A dozen girls
got away, and PROMAN was just behind in a large chase group. A lot of
riders had saved themselves for the finish, and it was on! The chase
and everyone shattered on the climb to the finish. Megan was our top
finisher in 29th place, 30 seconds behind the finishers.
~Kristina
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