U.S. Built Custom Bicycles in Titanium and Titanium-Carbon Mix
Mike and I made it back safe and sound from our whirlwind racing adventure in Europe 8/27-9/10. We began our trip in Munich, raced in Austria, drove through the Alps, and raced in France. We could have easily spent a month over there.
After a restless night, I awoke at 5:00 am for my race breakfast of coffee and oatmeal. It began pouring two hours before the start. "I'll just try to be positive about it," I thought. And so after warming up on the trainer, I lined up at 8:30 am in the rain.
From the back of the pack, I slowly made my way through crashes and the bogged masses. I couldn't believe the number of spectators, yelling and cheering: Bup! Bup! Bup! The course soon turned into a slippery mud fest as 80 women attempted four laps.
Many dropped out and several got pulled, lapped by the leaders. I was determined to finish. My cyclocross skills came in handy when it was impossible or too dangerous to ride. My legs didn't cramp despite all the running. I finally finished 25th, after 2:36 hours—smiling, despite the mud and my aching body.
Mike was incredible. He wrenched my bike, cooked, and massaged my cramping rump. During the race, he handed me clean eyewear and cheered me on. I couldn't have done it without him.
We had a few days to meander over to France for the World Cup Finals. Race day turned out to be beautiful and sunny. I felt good and was ready to charge on my feather-light titanium Seven Sola. I started in the fourth row, but wasn't worried; the course started on a long climb and had tons of room to pass.
I worked into 12th on the first lap. I settled in and passed two more women. My legs felt good climbing and I was riding the descents well. I knew I was holding my ground, though I could see the mad pack behind me. "Keep spinning up those hills, ride smooth and make no mistakes," I told myself. I was closing in on another woman at the top of the 3rd lap. Passing her then another, I was now in 8th place with one lap to go. I stayed focused and managed to hold my spot to the finish, only 30 seconds behind the 2002 World Champion (Norway's Gunn Rita Dahl). I was the 2nd American after Alison Dunlap's 5th place. But my day wasn't over.
Mike's race began a half hour after mine ended. After washing my bike and a quick warm down, I scrambled to shower, change, and eat. I sped up to the feed zone to watch the 140 Pro men go off. It was exciting to watch, knowing the tremendous amount of dedication it took just to get there and what pain and suffering these guys were about to endure. They had five laps to complete.
The field roared by in a steady stream at first. Then gaps formed as the lead men pushed a blistering pace. The field began to dwindle as several contenders dropped out. Mike kept coming around each lap, and even though half the field was in front of him, I could see that his fitness and focus were as strong as ever. He finished the grueling race (68th) as the 3rd American in 2:15. It was a challenging and successful day for both of us.