Cyclocross season has begun!!! Star Crossed & Rad Racing GP, Sept. 19-20, 2009

The west coast season opener up in Seattle is always fun! Star Crossed was my second race ever in 2005. A lot has changed, except it is always a bit nerve wracking, not knowing how you are going to 'stack up' to the competition. And this year I felt some pressure. I had won the previous year and now I knew I had the capabilities to win. I went into this race for the first time with expectations, and not only from myself. This year Star Crossed drew a pretty deep field and I knew a win was going to be extremely hard. My main competition last year, Wendy Simms, was there, but not to race, due to her current condition. Yep, she is preggers. She did cheer loudly!

Oregon gals prior to the start.

Star Crossed was not my smoothest race, but it ended well. I had a good start, got on the Wyman train and then it rode away without me. Alison Dunlap bridged to me and I got on her wheel where we eventually picked up Sydor. Then it was Helen off the front and me with the Alison's. Not a bad place to be. I did do my best to try to not be third wheel, but any move was countered. Man, racing with seasoned racers is hard. Makes me realize I have a lot to learn. And I learned a lot in that race alone. So, I sat on 3rd wheel, Dunlap doing most of the work. I was a disaster clipping in with my new shoes and new pedals I forgot to back off the tension. No excuses. I know better, but after yo-yo-ing off the back, one bad corner after clipping in and I was 'dropped' and in 4th. Or so I thought. I was going to do my best to close the gap yet again and as I was standing up out of the saddle, I watched both Alison's go down in front of me on the Velodrome. I sneaked past them while they picked themselves up and took 2nd for the night.

Going hard...

My best Seattle fans: Pam, Seth & Kirin.

Rad Racing GP the next day was the exact opposite conditions and a totally different course. Last year the run up was my nemesis. This year I was prepared and determined to not let that be the deciding factor of the race. Well, it was in a way, but not a good one. First lap, I took the hole shot and then Helen came around and then Dunlap. Up the run up, I passed Alison and Helen and I were off the front. I was determined, tooth and nail to not lose her wheel. We continued on lap 2 off the front, did the run up and then at the top she said, "I think I've punctured" and I went around and never looked back. It's never good to win because of someones misfortune and I would have like to have 'tested' myself against Helen, because she is screaming fast right now, but a win is a win. And it was fun to win. Opposite placings from last year. A good way to start the season! Now off to Vegas...

My little buddies & best Tacoma fans: Hannah & Theo.