Although it is not a well known fact, Ohio has a booming CX scene. As this event grows each year, it surprises me that more people do not come. Granted, the fastest woman in the world right now comes, so the rest of us are racing for second, but the OVCX crew has done an amazing job putting on 3 different races at 3 different venues and paying more than any other race in the country. Maybe I shouldn't tell everyone that, because I feel like it is my little secret. But it is no secret. My third year back to Ohio, I had a blast. Conditions could not have been more different than the year prior. Last year, temperatures in the 90's. This year, mud, slop and I don't think it cracked 70 degrees. Here is a quick recap of the racing.
Friday: Darkhorse Cyclo-Stampede. New venue in a park just south of the Ohio border in KY. Park overlooks Cincinnati and it was a mud fest. I have not seen such slippery slide hills in any race I have ever done. It was a mess. But a fun mess. Only problem was that even though I had 2 bikes, I only had one set of mud tires/wheels. And I was too scared to ride my other tires, so I never changed bikes. A slip and slide from the start, after getting the hole shot, I took a high line into the 2nd muddy section. Being that it's natural camber kind of slid you to the right, I found myself sliding right into Katie. She was in the tape. I apologized, but it took her seconds to get right back with me and we were off the front. Then she was off the front and I was in no mans land in 2nd. It was a lot of fun to be able to ride calmly, alone and just maintain my position. No pressure, just good old fashioned fun in the mud. Practicing skills you don't always get to use.
Saturday: Java Johnny's/Lionhearts International CX. This race never ceases to amaze me. A pint size park with a supersized CX course. It is not easy. It has twists and turns, poppy short climbs, sand pits, this year some mud. It is all within a small city park. What surprises me more is that the town of Middleton allows us to trash it year in and year out. Today played out much like yesterday, only less mud and less gaps. I had a great start, Katie went, I maintained a gap to the rest and race was over. It was not an easy race and there is really no rest on the course. Another fun day in Ohio.
Friends from North Carolina: Dave & Beth Frye. You never know who you are going to see!Sunday: Bio Wheels/United Dairy Farmers Harbin Park I really like this course, although I am not sure if it likes me. I suffered through this race. I had a great start, was feeling fine, and made mistakes from the first sand pit on. I may have had a tad bit too much pressure in my front tire, causing me to wash out on the corners and really not being able to ride with any speed through them because I was scared. The biggest flub, however, almost cost me a podium spot. With my ribs as sore as they are, it is really hard to lift my bike. Esp. when still on it. I could not bunny hop to save my life, which is usually not a problem. On the second to last lap, I didn't even get my front tire up and I stacked it, sending me ass over teakettle. I thought the race was over at that point and I was off the podium. Surprisingly, I closed the gap back to our group of 3 rather quickly and it was a race for second. I really tried to drop Laura and Barb every chance I had, but it was as though I had a rubberband connected to them. I'd drop back and then try to attack with no luck. I'd try to go off the front. Nothing. As we entered the last lap together, I knew it was trouble. I have been told many times, "Never get in a sprint with Laura Van Guilder. You will lose". And that my friends, is the situation I found myself in. Up the power sucking last 100 meters, the most winningest female on the road zoomed by me with an unmatchable speed. And now I can say I have sprinted against LVG. Yes, I lost. But I am not the first and won't be the last.
3 podiums in 3 days. Lots of good racing. Ohio Rocks! As does my host family. Thanks again Jeni and Geoff for a marvelous stay in Cincinnati!!!
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