Gabcast! Team Rev Racing #5

Thanks, Cory, for the great finishing pictures! While the highlight of the day was definitely Bri’s stellar first place finish, the team showed some true grit in all aspects of the race day. Pam caught the worst luck in completely blowing a chain 5 minutes before race time. While literally everyone scrambled to try and fix it, we simply ran out of time as the officials counted down the race start. Amidst all the confusion, the six racers barely made it to the line before the whistle. Whew!

Since the organizers shortened the race by 22 miles, we knew it was going to be aggressive early. Bri didn’t wait longer than 5 miles before she started pushing it up the first little hill. Katie, Syd and Bri all traded turns attacking the field. Half way through the first lap there was a break that finally stuck. Bri was mixing it up there. As we all collect in the group behind the break, we realized that Bri was our only team representative in an 8-10 person break. It took several crucial miles (covering a few bridge attempts) to communicate that we needed better numbers in the front group. Two choices: someone attempts a solo bridge or we work to bring the whole break back.

At the feedzone, where we were delighted to see Pam cheering us on and handing out bottles, we had decided our next move.

Syd didn’t wait long, just before the end of the first lap, to make her solo attempt at getting up to the break. I’m not sure what the final mileage ended up being (was it 18 miles?), or what her average pace had to be, but through true tenacity she made it to them. That effort, in the wind, by herself, is as awe-inspiring as a team win, but not nearly as visible as a deceptive 6th place finish. Katie, too, put in huge efforts–riding a compact crank–finishing 10th.

And then there’s the rest of us. Not nearly as jaw-dropping, but we consistently, tenaciously hammered away at the miles to finish the race. While there’s no bragging rights in simply finishing this race, there’s still pride. I let the chase group go on the last hill before the end of the first lap. As I rolled less than 100 meters from the team van I seriously considered the luxury of watching the finish of my race from a lawn chair. Knowing the cramping in my quads was only going to get worse in the next 22 miles I heard the words of a friend of mine, “DFL is always better than DNF.” I knew I’d finish this race, even if I was Dead F’ing Last. And we all did.

Now we look ahead. Some of us stinging from a race that gave us the kick we needed to inspire our next month of cold, spring training. Each of us with renewed sense of purpose and a measure of our baseline. Next up: Dogwood Road Race. April 6.

Rev on.

Read the race winner’s view on Hillsboro-Roubaix.

tags:hillsboro&bullrace

First, thanks to everyone for the “congrats!” I’m still glowing. My first win of the season. Whew! More than a few people have told me that was the right race to win, huh?

It was a flat course with a nervous bunch of women. A 3-place prime was announced for the first TWO laps: $125 for first, $75 for second and $50 for third. A prime! Two laps! The FIRST two laps! Luckily the course was nearly 3 miles or the jousting for position would have been terrible. Lap one started with me struggling to clip in (as usual) and I was sort of rolled into the gutter by a crooked line of a girl in front of me. Clipped in. Whew! Now, move up from 35th place!

Before the first turn, on the LONG straight stretch a girl hooked her bars on my leg for about 10 feet. She was freaking out! Yelling “don’t crash me, oh god don’t crash me!” I said “Easy.” (Which is all I can ever think to say when things are getting sketchy.) I just soft-pedaled so she could straighten her line and people could give her space. Luckily we had just practiced this drill in our learning series. Luckily she didn’t freak out TOO much and kept her wits enough not to jerk her bars.

The prime for lap one was fun to watch. I had decided to sit it out since I had all that trouble getting started. There was a lead-out by the Wolverines girls that went perfectly (from what I could tell). I think they both got cash that prime. I stayed with the acceleration and considered going for the next prime. I was sitting third when a couple of ISCorp girls were attempting a train. The leadout ran out of gas too soon and, although I was sitting third, I was quickly boxed in with 250 meters left. Oh well, “save it” I told myself.

Lap 3 was uneventful. No prime and no attack that I can remember. There was the usual shufflling reaction to the bell as they announced last lap. But again, with nearly 3 miles left no one bugged out. I was actually really far back and there was a small gap from the front 25 girls. I had to bust my hump a bit to cover the gap and get my good position. I finally got up to the front and somehow fit in sitting about 3 or 4 back from the girl who got roped in to pulling.

Soon, Kristen (Flatlandia) joined me and I happily took her wheel. Wondering how long she was planning to sit in before she started her nearly signature fast last lap. I waited and waited until about 700 meters when the Wolverine girls jumped for a lead-out attack. Christie’s attack was sudden, sure and fast! She dropped her lead-out and had a 10 meter gap on the field. Kristen and I both reacted as she had come by and quickly went around her teammate. I stayed behind Kristen and we slowly started to reel her in. I was getting worried about whether or not she could stay off, but that last stretch is SOOO long and Kristen managed to get behind her for a bit and catch a little breather before the sprint. I was looking for the 200 m sign and was surprised to see the 150. An alarm went off and I jumped with whatever I had left.

I hammered and fumbled to add my last gear and just kept my eye on Kristen’s wheel. Holding steady. Where’s that line?! Hold it. All the way, all the way. Finally, that line! Whew! Wow. Gasp. Gasp. I think I must have been holding my breath…

It went something like this…..I see the field take off, and in 1.5 minutes they double back on the other side of the median past the start/finish. Watching 2-3 laps of girls shuffling around in the pack, 2 primes loaded with money, and gaps happening throughout, I patiently awaited the last lap. With one lap to go, I mosied to the start/finish for te final moment.
From the line you could only see the 100 meter sign (the 150 meter was just around the bend). With a Hyudai (?) sport vehicle in full view, I catch a glimpse of turqoise/red and also a rider in red. Could it be? Yes it was!!! Chris, giving it a 1-2 punch, to take the win and put XPLANE/Team Revolution atop the podium.
Great Job Chris!!!
So exciting to watch it play out.
I am sure you can give us a personal account with details.

Spectator-
Carrie

Some of you may have noticed that I also blog about “Why I ride”. I’ve not been diligent about keeping up with it…mostly b/c my reasons, while I ponder them daily, all boil down to the same basic reasons. But, every once in a while I have a new epiphany. I try to capture them there.

I started writing today’s entry “Because it feels good” and then got side-tracked by the most-signficant reason it might NOT feel good to most people…I don’t know why. Because I babble and write stream of conscience. But, the truth of the matter, is that it does feel great to ride: psychologically and phsyically.

For most beginners, it does seem to be about conquering two main hurdles: “My butt hurts” and “I hate to ride where cars are”. We’re trying to address the traffic issue. Constantly. Education and advocacy (but our emphasis lies in teaching better defensive cycling skills). But the butt issue? We’ll give advice, but don’t ask details. Not because we won’t share them, but trust me, you don’t want to hear them (and neither do we).

Seriously.