Monday, May 31, 2010

Casey Criterium, women's race

Casey Criterium- Flat and fast, with a combined field of women racers ranging from beginner to category 1. It ran counter closkwise, like last year, very nice. After of couple small attacks early on in the race VBVK's Ingram launched a massive attack that blew the field apart.

I was able to stay with Ingram we stayed away for a few laps until VBVK's Cook and Tripower's Enser bridged tha gap, and struck the final blow to the struggling chase group. After Enser took a turn on the front VBVK pushed the pace hard enough to put Enser off the back. At this point I was left to fight off attacks in the two-on-one situation. We were all together for the sprint when Cook put the pressure on to lead Ingram out for the sprint, happily I was able get around her before the line and win the race. Thanks to JRVS for a great race!



Bruce also raced at the Casey Crit, in the kids race. It is so nice when a race has a kids race, it has become something Bruce really looks forward to. The little ones had to go an entire lap, which was tough for Bruce (I think he is a sprinter), but was worth it for the Rita's Ice cupon which we used immediately after the race. He decided on Orange, "like my bike".


Thank you BJ Samuel for the great photos!


Monday, May 24, 2010

Wilmington, Bike Jam, & Sleepy Hole

Wilmington was a crazy course, coming from flat VB I particularly liked the turns at the bottom of the short steep hills, especially the one with the construction fence and narrow road... ok not so much. This race definently favored the experienced (and the less cautious) riders. It turned out to be a race of attrition, starting with about 70 riders and ending with about 30. I was among the 40 category 1,2 riders to get dropped along the way. I did enjoy the end of the race from the sidelines, with the drama of a 5 preson break (and mechanical issues) adding to the drama.

Bike Jam, we got luck and had dry roads. About 50 riders lined up to start the race. Van Guilder was present, but many of the other big names from Wilmington were absent. Riders from Vanderkitten, Verducci, and Fruit 66 kept the pressure on but no one was able to get away. I was happy to escape two wrecks unscathed, at one point crossing between a fallen rider and her runaway wheel. In the end it was a fight for position and a sprint from the s turn that decided the order. I did not end up with a good position coming into the sprint and finished 16th place.

Sleepyhole Smackdown, Ava was present for the category 4 women's race Sunday, which ended up being a nice day for a race. The women stayed together for another sprint finish. TWR's Ava surprised the field with an early jump. She had a great jump and was in the lead before being passed by 3 riders at the line. 4th place for Ava, nice job!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

SIS women's race report, oh toddlers, too!


Sprint into Spring was awesome, the thrill of the day for me was watching our youngest team member (honorary) in his first bike race. He has clearly seen a few races in his 3 years of life because he looked back and saw that he was ahead of a little girl, then threw his fist in the air to celebrate his victory.
After Bruce's race I rode in the women's 1,2,3 race. The course was new this year and very nice, smooth and fast. The field was small but ready to race, and after the first prime a break of 5 riders got away with Fruit 66, Nature's Path, Fat Frogs, Tripower, and TWR/VA Asset Group represented. The 4 primes kept the pace fast and for the most part, the break worked together until the race was getting towards the end. The last lap was fast and the finishing stretch was into the wind. Joyner from TWR/VA Asset group jumped at the 200 meter mark and stayed in front through the line. Jen Pope (Fat Frogs) placed 2nd overall. Not sure about the rest of the places for the overall.
I took a break and then rode with the masters men, thanks to all the guys who raced safe and hard and were very encouraging to me and my effort!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Fastest bike split at SML

I'm pleased to report that at last weekend's Smith Mountain Lake sprint triathlon I finished with the fastest bike split time (00:35:43) out of 120 female competitors, which boosted me to a podium finish of 3rd place overall female. The bike course was extremely hilly, so my training in the north Georgia mountains the week prior certainly paid off (Thanks to Rick at Bike Beat for lending me the compact crankset for the training!). I would post race photos but regretfully I'm not "Miss Photogenic" when time trialing, so here's a beautiful photo of SML. -- Tiffany

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