After a week in Chattanooga, TN I traveled back to Tucson, AZ and really started to feel the heat.

I didn’t have the best results at Nationals, but it was a good experience.  I don’t like making excuses, but because of my injury, taking time off, and training, I didn’t have the greatest expectations either.  So I traveled to Tennessee with a plan to race smart and learn all I could from the race.

View over Chattanooga, TN

The Time Trial was tough, where focus is not always my strong point.  I felt good and held to my plan through the first lap (of 2), but then the fatigue of the race and broken up training started to set in.  I pushed as hard as I could but when your legs just don’t want to go anymore its hard to keep that mental drive.  Despite the low result and not improving on my time from last year it was good to get out a gain and push myself in a race situation.

Time Trial at the Volkswagen plant

The Road Race was fun but again tough and I didn’t finish with the greatest result.  The first 3 laps in the small circuit were fun and easy as the group rode through town and allowed a solo rider up the road to have her moment.  Then going into the climb I was in good position, but nervous about my ability.  And just as expected, after the first couple minutes there was no easing up and the group climbed hard.  I know when I am fit and ready I can hang with them and compete, but after about 4 minutes of pushing my threshold was hit and I couldn’t stay in.  So a group formed of about 15 along with my teammate Starla and we flew down the descent and back towards downtown.  I must admit I was scared of the “wall” on Kent St. that was added on from last years course.  It was about a 25% hill, about 200-300m, and with my back I was nervous for the strain I would have to put on it in the climb.

So making the final turns before hitting the base I was in front and going in hot.  But then I spotted cars stopped on the road.  Oh Shit!  “MOVE,! MOVE!” I yelled. In quick last second thinking I went inside and hoped there was enough space.  If something happened I had 14 other riders behind me and no where to go.  As I made the fast turn I saw the lead car (of 3) with the back door open and just as the guy jumped in and closed the door I managed to squeeze by the car and the race guard rail.  It was so close and I heard the cars wheels screeching as we passed.  In the highest gear we climbed fast and over the wall, it was not easy and my lower back was completely fatigued to get up and over.  But thanks to some fast moving there was no wreck and we made it over.   After that we headed through the circuit and back towards Lookout Mt. and for another long climb.  This time the group took it steady and not surprising I felt better and probably could have climbed faster actually.  Up and over to the descent which I took 100% without breaking, creating a gap on the rest.  So a Tibco girl and myself road back in towards downtown hoping to make the circuit.  Unfortunately, the judges were there waiting and shut down our chance to ride the wall and final circuits again.  So with that my day was done and I had to settle for a top 30th position.

Road Race going over the bridge back towards downtown

I look back on these 2 races with disappointment as I know I am much stronger and can perform much better then these results reflect.  But to look at the positive, the races were a good test for my body and my legs after my cramping, time off, and coming back into training.  It was only a month ago that I was barely riding and now I am back at 100% in race mode to ride with the best in the country, that has to say a little something about my drive.  So in conclusion, it was a good experience and I look forward to some training and then hard racing in Minneapolis and Wisconsin in June.

Present from our hosts

Majestic balls of light … having fun with Starla after racing was over