Me, Mary, Michael, Emily & KristenNature Valley GP was a totally different experience than in 2008. Being a part of the Nature Valley Pro Ride made this stage race a totally enjoyable experience. Michael Engleman is an amazing, insightful person with so much knowledge to share and the women involved in this were all aspiring to be better versions of themselves. It was a joy to meet these ladies and ride with them. I entered this race with not just the goal to finish. I wanted to push myself and do the best I could do. As it turned out, I improved immensely from 2 years ago. There is still room for improvement and I have a lot to learn, but dare I say, road racing is not that bad. I really enjoy stage racing and if I can't afford to do it on the dirt, I guess the road is the next best thing! Here is a quick recap of my experience.
Stage 1: St. Paul Time Trial. I had the privilege of getting up at 5:45 to be on T.V. before our 8:30 a.m. start. Granted it was 3:45 Portland time, but duty calls. It was a lot of fun. I did not have my best TT, but with the travel and chaos the day prior, I think my body was in shock. I finished in 45th, so top half, 1'16" down. A rough start.
Stage 2: St. Paul Downtown Criterium. This was one of the fastest crits I have ever raced. I don't recall ever doing such a fast, hard crit in my life. It was so fun. Although with 5 crashes, it kept you on your toes. I was cautious and kept myself safe. I finished with the same time as the leaders, in 38th, moving my GC to 42nd.
Stage 3: Cannon Falls Road Race. As bummed as I was to not race, I understood the officials call. Dangerous weather in the state and area caused the race to be canceled when we were on the line ready to start. I think we were all in shock initially, but it sunk in that we were packing up and going home. No race results on this one.
Stage 4: Minneapolis Uptown Criterium. There was a reported 15,000 spectators at this race. It was a fight from the start, especially since I didn't get into my pedals and was off the back from the gun. I worked my way up, but then got sick of fighting for position. I finished with the same time as the leaders, but back in 51st. My GC did not change.
Stage 5: Menomonie Road Race. With a half hour delay, we were relaxed at the start. This would be our only road race of this stage race. There were 4 of our 6 left and unfortunately after the second hill, I was back to racing alone. I was the only team member that made the cut on that first KOH to finish with the main pack. We were 26" off the winner, but the majority of us were just about together. Somehow I made up 11 seconds to be tied for the cat 2 amateur jersey, so pressure was on for the Stillwater crit. I finished 26th and moved up to 32nd in GC.
Stage 6: Stillwater Criterium. This race is hard. There is no way around it. I don't think you can ever be ready for the pain of climbing Chilkoot hill 13 times. Last time I did this race in 2008, I didn't even last half the race. This year, however, leading my team, I got a call up and started well. I was pulled with 2 to go, but the green jersey was up the road, so I did not give up the fight. I did not obtain that title, but the results for this race were so inaccurate. No matter what lap we were pulled on, if it was the last 5, we got 4'25" down. I was happy I lasted so long, but I need to get more comfortable at taking downhill corners at 100% speed. My final finish was 28th. Last time it was in the 60's. I am faster, stronger and actually had fun. It was an amazing experience to have Michael Engleman as our coach and to be a part of this experience. Thank you once again Nature Valley for sponsoring the pro ride. I should also thank Robin Secrist for being unable to go, because it allowed me to be a part of the Nature Valley Pro Ride. Our host family was great and this experience will be one to remember.
Family dinner post St. Paul Crit.
Post race sillyness
Beautiful sky post storm.
I like this sign!
The ladies on Lake Calhoun.
Had to squeeze in a canoe ride.
The family after Stillwater.
And if you still want more, I had to do a video for the Nature Valley Pro Ride. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-ryPEDe00w
Stage 1: St. Paul Time Trial. I had the privilege of getting up at 5:45 to be on T.V. before our 8:30 a.m. start. Granted it was 3:45 Portland time, but duty calls. It was a lot of fun. I did not have my best TT, but with the travel and chaos the day prior, I think my body was in shock. I finished in 45th, so top half, 1'16" down. A rough start.
Stage 2: St. Paul Downtown Criterium. This was one of the fastest crits I have ever raced. I don't recall ever doing such a fast, hard crit in my life. It was so fun. Although with 5 crashes, it kept you on your toes. I was cautious and kept myself safe. I finished with the same time as the leaders, in 38th, moving my GC to 42nd.
Stage 3: Cannon Falls Road Race. As bummed as I was to not race, I understood the officials call. Dangerous weather in the state and area caused the race to be canceled when we were on the line ready to start. I think we were all in shock initially, but it sunk in that we were packing up and going home. No race results on this one.
Stage 4: Minneapolis Uptown Criterium. There was a reported 15,000 spectators at this race. It was a fight from the start, especially since I didn't get into my pedals and was off the back from the gun. I worked my way up, but then got sick of fighting for position. I finished with the same time as the leaders, but back in 51st. My GC did not change.
Stage 5: Menomonie Road Race. With a half hour delay, we were relaxed at the start. This would be our only road race of this stage race. There were 4 of our 6 left and unfortunately after the second hill, I was back to racing alone. I was the only team member that made the cut on that first KOH to finish with the main pack. We were 26" off the winner, but the majority of us were just about together. Somehow I made up 11 seconds to be tied for the cat 2 amateur jersey, so pressure was on for the Stillwater crit. I finished 26th and moved up to 32nd in GC.
Stage 6: Stillwater Criterium. This race is hard. There is no way around it. I don't think you can ever be ready for the pain of climbing Chilkoot hill 13 times. Last time I did this race in 2008, I didn't even last half the race. This year, however, leading my team, I got a call up and started well. I was pulled with 2 to go, but the green jersey was up the road, so I did not give up the fight. I did not obtain that title, but the results for this race were so inaccurate. No matter what lap we were pulled on, if it was the last 5, we got 4'25" down. I was happy I lasted so long, but I need to get more comfortable at taking downhill corners at 100% speed. My final finish was 28th. Last time it was in the 60's. I am faster, stronger and actually had fun. It was an amazing experience to have Michael Engleman as our coach and to be a part of this experience. Thank you once again Nature Valley for sponsoring the pro ride. I should also thank Robin Secrist for being unable to go, because it allowed me to be a part of the Nature Valley Pro Ride. Our host family was great and this experience will be one to remember.
Family dinner post St. Paul Crit.
Post race sillyness
Beautiful sky post storm.
I like this sign!
The ladies on Lake Calhoun.
Had to squeeze in a canoe ride.
The family after Stillwater.And if you still want more, I had to do a video for the Nature Valley Pro Ride. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-ryPEDe00w
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