Redlands, ohhh Redlands … One of the greatest, funnest, and toughest stage races of the year.  Challenging because it comes so early in the season and with courses so hilly that anyone not at the top of their game suffers… As I learned this year.

Between San Dimas and Redlands the team had 10 days of training and riding which was really great.  We did a couple school visits, which was so rewarding and I loved being able to give back to the community.  To see the kid’s enthusiasm and interest in bikes really makes the sacrifices for the sport worth it.

School visit with the team in Redlands

During the week we also rode some of the race courses and then on Easter Sunday we went and road along the Pacific Coastal Highway.  It was an amazing day and so beautiful, with the best views and amazing weather that day.

Even after our week of relaxation and California exploring the racing settled in and the pressure of everything came down quickly.  It was a difficult week with so many external challenges that my racing was not in prime form.  In the days leading up to the 5 day race we moved from San Dimas to Redlands where I was on my feet and packing and unpacking gear.  Team prep was a matter of everyone pitching in to get food, gear, bikes, and all other details ready for race day.  Then just as I thought I could settle in and rest a bit the night before the first race in Highlands another turn of events took me by surprise.

I woke up to a fire alarm and as I slowly opened our bedroom door I discovered a small house fire downstairs in the host house we were staying at.  I quickly yelled to my teammates to get outside and threw open the front door.  I ran to the kitchen to find a bucket or something for water and discovered ANOTHER fire in the middle of the kitchen floor.  What the hell is going on!!  At this point I noticed our host, Rosie (nick named Rosie Blue, for her blue hair), with a glass of water trying to put out the living room fire that was a large tower speaker that was burning from the inside.  I managed to get water on the kitchen floor fire and then my teammate and I began running back and forth to get the speaker out.  Once we were finally able to, we dragged the thing outside as it was still smoking and assessed the situation.  Smoke was everywhere, hearts were pounding, and we felt uncertain if we were dreaming or awake.  We found out her husband was passed out in bed (probably drank too much), he is a musician and that night had friends over to play in their music studio downstairs.  What ended up happening was Rosie forgot to blow out a candle that was sitting on top of the speaker and so it burned down and caught the speaker on fire.  Luckly I woke up when I did because much longer and the living room blinds would have caught and who knows how much more.  It is a good lesson that candles need to ALWAYS be blown out and not forgotten about!!  They can be so dangerous.

The post burnt speaker at Rosie Blue’s house

As a cyclist I’m so grateful for host housing and the generosity of families to open their homes to let us stay and support our drive to be athletes.  It is just unfortunate when some hosts are not exactly in the right mind frame, have a comfortable situations or have the environment to host others, let alone athletes.

So with that we went to the race at 7am and put in all the energy we had to race the 14 laps.

The next day was the Time Trial in Big Bear Lake.  This was my favorite event and favorite course.  A 12km race along the lake up at 8,000ft elevation.  I did considerably well with a solid time, but when the results came out I did not see my name where I expected.  Sure enough there was some sort of error and 1’30” had been added to my time and so I was placed 116th rather then 47th where I should have been.  Since the error did not greatly affect my placing or the team, our director decided not to contest it.  So I was stuck dealing with knowing what my performance and result was but not being credited for it.

That evening we changed housing… so yet again… moving.  This time to a comfortable and much nicer home on the other side of town.  The family was very nice and I did not forsee any house fires or life threatening accidents.

New host house pooch, biggest dog I’ve ever seen… great cuddler 😉

The next day was a new stage to the race, Oak Glen, with 3 laps of a lower circuit that dropped then climbed, before heading up a 10km climb to the finish.  I was fatigued and my legs were blown in the 2nd lap.  I wasn’t able to stay with the group and so finished far back up the climb.  This was a tough day where the judges were unrelenting to gaps and so the 10% time cut meant I and 2 of my teammates were out.  Yup, OUT.  No more racing for us.

Saturday morning team spin out

So on Sunday, the last day of the stage race, I raced in the “sprinters” crit that the city of Redlands puts on for those that are time cut or for locals in the area.  I had a lot of fun and came in 10th.  It was a no pressure race and just to get out and ride with others.   That afternoon, after the Sunset Loop circuit race was over the team rushed back to the house and all hell broke loose to pack and organize all the team stuff.  Since everyone was flying out and I was the only one staying to drive the car east we had to have everything in order and fit to take.  Once that settled and everyone headed to the airport I had the evening to spend with my hosts for dinner and relax before my trip back to Arizona.

So now as I fast forward to the present moment I lay on my bed with my feet up after a tough day on the bike.  A big workout at Gates Pass pushed my climbing limit and is getting me ready for the races ahead.  It is nice to be back and settled for a moment, even if it is just for a moment.

Visiting my buddy BoBo back in Tucson

Workout on Gates Pass with my awesome team bike

I leave early this Saturday morning to drive to Texas.  I will go to Houston to pick up Mandy, my teammate, and then we go up to Arkansas for the start of Joe Martin.  A 4 day stage race in Fayetteville.  I am excited for the race as I did it 2 years ago but last year wasn’t able to because of injury.

Lots of travel over the next week, but the season is off to a busy start and I am excited to see how my legs come through and compete as races get grinding.