WORLD CUP #8 (my second): Lievin, France, Sunday, January 13, 2008

Racing in Europe is a continuous learning process. Today we learned that it is not o.k. to show up on the day of a world cup and expect to pick up your number, pit passes, etc. at Permanance. It is assumed that you one, either have a team manager that will do it for you, or two, you come the day before to do this. Well, for us, that meant 3 hours of driving in the evening the day prior, or getting a hotel. Neither which were an option. At any rate, after being berated for our behavior at a 'world cup', mind you, we did get our numbers and did arrive in time to warm up and take care of business. The highlight for me was connecting with none other than Don Klotter, a friend from Portland who works with Tim who happened to be in Paris on business and took the train up to watch me race. Don was not prepared for being a spectator at a cyclocross race during this trip, but he looked awful good in my patagonia primaloft jacket that was 3 sizes too small for him. So Euro. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture. But, Don spent the race in the pits and acted as our team photographer, so I actually have photos! Thanks Don!

The course in Lievin was by far the hardest we have had yet. Lots of short, steep climbs and a few longer grinds as well. And with some short, steep climbs came some short, steep descents. There were some flats, but there was absolutely NO resting on this course. I knew it was going to be tough during the pre-ride, but it was going to be a fun sort of suffering. And you don't race cross if you don't want to suffer. And suffer I did!
I was determined not to get totally boxed out at the start this time. I had sharpened my elbows, so I was ready. My call up was bad, but not as bad as Hofstade, it seemed. There was actually someone behind me for this race. I knew it really wouldn't matter too much, so I kept focused and had an o.k. start, but found myself lined up behind someone that didn't have such an o.k start. Thus, boxed out again, but I saw Wendy to my right and I tried to get out into the far right lane before the left turn after the straight away. I succeeded somewhat and somehow managed the first 3 steep pitches in a row without getting behind the crashers and the walkers. That was a total accomplishment. And in the first lap, the leaders were somewhat in sight. I was working my way up to the top 20. At some point, I may have been in the top 15, but I found myself yo-yo-ing with a group and also feeling a slight fade with 2 to go. I kept pushing, but man, it was hard. The uphills were hard, the descents were too short, the flats were soggy and slow and a lot of work and I was having a dickens of a time getting back into my pedals after the run ups. That costed me for sure, but for what it is worth, I still finished 18th in my second world cup ever. I always have the thought afterwards that 'if only...', but I really did give it my all and I didn't have anymore to give. It was a fun sufferfest and I was glad it was over.
Afterwards I quickly ran Don to the train station in the next town and came back to watch the last lap of the mens race and find Wendy. She actually had to pee in the cup after the race, so neither of us had changed yet, so out of our bike stuff, bikes in the car and we were off to drive back home. Another adventure in the books.

Pinning is always a pain, especially when you are freezing!

You can see the double up down in the background. Fun (but tough) stuff!

Tim Johnson making fun of me during warm up for carrying two bottles of water. What he doesn't know is one is a secret potion. Didn't work too well today, however. :)

The first of the tough run ups. I had a devil of a time getting clipped in on the top of these. Descending unclipped was a ton of fun.

Suffering...

Suffering even more. Tim, this one is for you!!!