To CA and Back

This will probably be a long post – maybe I’ll break it up into different days – I don’t know.  I didn’t have much access to a computer down in CA, so all the updating begins now.

Chris and I left for CA on the 10th of September.  We stayed a night in Klamath Falls with Chris’ family and headed the rest of the way down to San Mateo (bay area) where his grandparents live.  For most everyone in the Eugene/Oregon area the road racing season was about finished, but they were still going strong in CA.  During that week, Chris and I rode for a while – nothing too long, but did some hard efforts – some of which almost made me throw up which never happens – it was a weird feeling.

Anyway, the first weekend we were there I planned on doing part of an Omnium up in Folsom, and Chris was prepping for the San Fransisco Twilight Crit.  My TT was on Friday afternoon, so we headed up.  After going about 10 miles past the exit, we turned around and finally found where we were supposed to be.  The description of the TT said it was fast, flat with a couple rollers that would “break up your rhythm.”  I was a bit nervous for those, but oh well, what can you do?  I didn’t warm up much because I ran out of time and it was pretty warm out – that was a mistake.  I started my TT and my left leg was ‘burning like it’s never burned before.’  (please refer to the tune of ‘maniac’) Anyway, the first kicker came right after the 200m mark.  OUCH!  I tried to mash up it.  These little rollers were short and freakin’ steep (probably about 15% grade).  They go over an overpass – is basically what happens.  The nice thing is that there is a downhill on the otherside.  So, I tried to mash up it, and my legs burned even more.  There were two more of these little pain enhancers along the way, all in the first 1/4 of the course.  The third one is especially nice because it flattens out at the top and doesn’t go right back down…pain.

Anyway, I got to the turn around point and didn’t really know if I would be able to make it without blowing up.  But, at this point, the burning was actually going away and I felt warmed up.  So I punched it.  I went all out the rest of the way.  On the way back I tried a different method for the rollers, gearing clear down and spinning till I felt myself almost loose momentum and then stood up and mashed it.  It was much easier on my legs and I think I made it up a lot quicker.  Anyway, long story short, I got 5th out of 6 girls.  I was only behind 1st place by 40 seconds, and only missed 4th and 3rd by about 10, so I don’t feel so shabby.  The girl who got sixth was more than a minute behind me.  So, 1-5 place were all pretty close.  Also, they all had TT bikes and disc wheels, so I also don’t feel so bad.    I could have done better if I had warmed up – but that’s the price you pay right?

The next day was the crit.  A few more girls showed up, including Vanderkitten, Webcor, and touchstone (all pretty good women’s teams).  The crit course reminded me a lot of the Green hill course – D shaped and not extremely exciting.  So, we started out.  And it was sort of boring.  The first two primes were merchandice and the second 3 were omnium points, so I figured if I was going to go for one I should go for one of the first 2.  The first prime went by and I didn’t get it – I sort of half-assed tried for it.  The second prime came along and I had a lead out from the TOuchstone girls (one of which was actually sprinting for the prime).  I flew passed her and got the prime!  Wahoo!  THen I sat in the rest of the time.  It was the easy.  The sprint came and I waited a little too long and missed 3rd place by a hair.  4th place is okay – positioning and timing is key.  Don’t wait Karey!  Don’t wait!  It’ll come though, with practice and experience.  My sprint is doing much better these days – I can even vie for primes now!  It’s great!

That night was Chris’ SF twlilight crit, and I’m sure he’ll write about that today.  It was fun to watch and there were a lot of people.  I got to watch the Women’s crit and it looked painful – something to lookforward to next year!

The next week was quite adventurous.  I went on my first century ride ever!  I would have been fine – well, let me rephrase that – I was fine and I made it home in perfect condition without bonking or anything.   But, during the ride…I was furious!  The ‘couple of climbs that are kind of like McBeth’ turned out to be 3 really large climbs (1 lasting an hour) and another shorter but steep climb.  So, not only was this my longest ride ever, but it was also my longest/hardest climbs ever.  This climb up Alpine Rd. made Wolf Creek look like a roller.  I was pretty upset by the end of the climb (Crabapple Karey coming out), but the descent was nice and the area and lookout were beautiful, so that kind of made up for it. So did the In-N-Out that we ate afterwords.  My first In-N-Out experience – It was quite good. Of course, at that point cardboard probably would have tasted good as well…

The next day I rested, but Chris went out and did some Mt. Biking at Waterdog Lake.  The next day I took a Mt Bike and Chris took a cross bike out with his Coach Clark Natwick (former National Cyclocross Champion) and Chris’ boss Les and we all went to Arestradero Park.  They all went off on the cross circuit and I got to do a little venturing on a Mt. Bike.  The area is pretty open, but there’s a lot of hills and crazy descents and a couple bowls in the middle.  It took me a while, and a little coaxing from Chris before I tried diving into the middle of the bowl but it was a great thrill.  My bike handling skills improved quite a bit from the first time I went Mt. Biking and it was a lot of fun.  The switchbacks still get me though.

Some how – well, I actually think it was when I was trying to put my sports bra on the morning of the 100 miler – I ended up straining or pulling a tendon in my shoulder.  Yes, as odd as that sounds – it’s true and it hurts.  By the end of the week I couldn’t hardly lift my arm at all.  In fact it still hurts a little.  The pain had subsided for the crits on Sunday, so that was good.  We were going to do a road race near Chico on Saturday and the Crit there on Sunday, but we decided to go to Great America Amusement park on Saturday instead.  It was tons of fun!  Nothing like a lot of scary roller coaster rides to get the adrenaline going.

Sunday was the Chico crits.  We went and stayed with Rand at his parents house in Chico.  I was planning on racing 2 crits (the women’s 3/4 and the 1/2/3).  We got to the line for the 3/4 and there were only 4 of us.  Crummy – even if I did win there wouldn’t be upgrade points.  But there was a $500 payout 10 deep, so I would get some good money.  The race was on a pretty technical course, L shaped with a few bad corners.  We were about 3/4 of the way into the race, on a prime lap and came out of the final corner into the sprint (I wasn’t going for it though because it was a gift cert) – and as I came through the corner on the inside line – a nearby girl swooped in and took me out.  4 RIDERS ON A WIDE COURSE AND I WAS ON THE GROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was fuming mad.  And as luck would have it, we had just reached the 6 lap rule, so I couldn’t have a free lap.  They told me I could get back in and race and finish 4th, but I couldn’t contest for primes or the final sprint.  That sucks.  I watched the sprint go off and just knew that it was slower than what Kennett’s mom could do and knew that I could have gotten first – So, now I had a cracked helmet, 4th place, and road rash.  Well, time to redeem myself.  1 hour later the 1/2/3 crit began.

There were 11 girls this time. It was pretty fast the entire time (due to more vanderkitten/webcore/touchstone going on).  It was fun.  The corners were exciting and I actually got really comfortable with my tire skidding out over bad pavement and reflectors all of the road.  I took a prime, which was pretty exciting.  The final lap came and a cheerwine girl went sprinting off the front.  I don’t know who was up front behind her, but for some reason they couldn’t keep up with her and she got about a 10 foot gap, and ended up wining.  The rest of us sprinted and I ended up getting 5th.  I almost took the 4th place, and was gaining on her quite rapidly, but couldn’t quite get her before the line.  Positioning is key, I’ve learned these last couple weeks.  So, now that my sprint is up to par I need to figure this whole positioning thing out.  Can’t wait for next year!

So, that was the last races of the season.  I made out like a bandit with 2 continental race tires, a shirt, a large food package from a local food company, a box of GU’s and $140.00.  Not too shabby!  But, no upgrade points, which was what I was really looking for.  Looks like Cherry Pie and Banana belts are going to have to go well for me!

Now the season is over and time for some rest and recoup and then it’s off to the gym!  Can’t wait!

PS Kristin Armstrong is on the front of VeloNews – which was extremely exciting to me because she is my hero- on the other hand, she has her nails done, which almost ruins it for me with her.  Fake acrylic nails????  I figured she just had them done for the photo opp…but no!  There’s a picture of her during the TT and there they are!  Wow….it’s a good thing she’s beast and she’s freakin’ awesome – or else the nails definately would have ruined it for me. 

Pedal by Pedal

So, Eugene celebration ended with Wolf Creek stage.  Monster climb involved, and a lot of pain.  We started out and seeing as how we were only doing 1 lap of Wolf Creek (some of the other fields did 2), I knew that the climb would be essential to the win, and therefore it would mean pain for all of us.   The ride started out at a steady tempo, and it was actually quite enjoyable being able to talk to Jill and some of the other girls.  My nerves started acting up as we were headed down Siuislaw road and I saw Lisa and Rebecka move to the front.  They were in contention for second and third and both pretty good climbers.

We started up the first couple rollers – it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. I made sure to stay at the front and not to get behind anyone that would gap off.  Then the steep hill before the long climb began.  Rebecka smashed her way through it and we all followed in hot pursuit.  My adreneline was pumping fast and I knew that I could do it.  I stayed right on the girls wheel in front of me and before I knew it, we were over the hump and down the descent.  I looked behind and there was no one there.  9 of us had made it over.  We sped down the descent – except for the girl in front of me who seemed to enjoy hitting her breaks hard into the corner and then sprinting to catch up to the group.  I tried to get in front of her on one of the sharp turns and she just sprinted out of it and wouldn’t let me pass.  Ridiculous if you ask me.  But oh well, we stayed with the group.

Then the long climb began.  REbecka and another woman had gone up the road a ways so we were on the chase.  We held a pretty fast and steady tempo up the climb and I could feel my legs slowly filling up with lactic acid – then they decided they didn’t want to pedal as fast as I wanted them too.  I slowly slipped off the back little by little.  But!  We were almost to the top and only had about 2 turns left, so I didn’t fall very far behind.  I was on my own from then on.  I was scared that I wouldn’t have what it took to keep it strong through the rest of the course and not get caught by the ensuing chase group – but I felt amazing.  I bombed down the descent – so it was actually more fun than following a bunch of other people – and I time trialed the rest of the way.  I stayed within site of the lead group the entire time.  I even saw them turn up the finishing 1k climb.  I was amazed that I would actually be able to do this on my own – and wished that I had been in that group to help Lisa catch Rebecka – but oh well.  There I was.  The entire time I was out there I would say I averaged about 23-25 and sometimes even more – so it was a good ride. I started thinking I wished we would have had the TT that day instead of the day before. haha

Anyway, I finished on my own only 2 minutes back from the main group.  I finished 9th – the chase group finished about 3 minutes behind me.  I feel like it was a good race for me.  I made it a lot further on the hill than I thought I would and that was exciting.  I can’t wait for a good winter training base and a lot more work on climbing next year!  (I never thought I’d say that about climbing).

Anyway, Tuesday was the renegade crit and I went and watched.  Larry ended up taking 1st in the 4/5’s and David raced his first 1/2/3 crit.  Overall it was a good ending to the season.

As of now, I feel a little lost – and like I don’t know what to do.  We’re still planning on racing a couple races down in CA so I guess I still need to train a bit for that.  OH yeah!  I went on my first ever Mt Bike ride the other day with Dave and Chris.  IT WAS SCARYYY!!!!!  The actual climb wasn’t bad – it was the stupid switchbacks that got me – and then the way down was a little scary – but I made it out alive without crashing!  wahoo!

Eugene Celebration Update

Well, I’ve missed writing about a couple weeks of hard training and racing.  It’s been going well, despite some weird pains in my knee and so forth.  This last couple weeks I’ve really been working on my sprint and today it paid off. But…hold on a second…going back to yesterday.

STUPID KAREY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Patience is Key.  And i’ve learned that I need to work on my smarts when it comes to riding a road race – or any race for that matter.  The first day of Eugene Celebration: Maxon ROad race – it starts out, we’re pace lining – holding about 25 mph – it’s awesome.  We make it through the first lap and I’m feeling great, and my heart rate probably hasn’t gone above 150, even on welder’s hill.  Well, the second lap started and rebecka took off up one of the rollers about 2 miles or so from Welder’s hill.  I was stupid enough to chase after it.  We sprinted up the hill and down and stayed off for the little while.  One girl bridged up and we stayed off for a while longer.  Then we hit the Welder’s.  Rebecka is a great climber, so she was able to stay off and though I was trying pretty hard, I couldn’t hold off the pack, especially since there was an attack from behind that sped up the pace quite a bit.  I was engulfed and passed by the field.  I couldnt quite hold on, due to lack of energy and the generous amounts of lactic acid that had been building in my legs for the past 5 minutes.  I was officially off the back.  There were three of us that spent the next while chasing and staying within 20 feet of the field, but unfortunately the relentless wind would not help us any and we fell behind.

I rode the next 20 miles with the other two women – and eventually my knee started throbbing and my back was aching.  I was frustrated because I knew I had made a stupid move and that I could have been in the pack if it hadn’t been for me chasing Rebecka down.  I was also frustrated because my heart rate was incredibly low by the end of the race – (the last 20 miles), but I couldn’t go harder because of the throbbing in my knee.  Anyway,  I got first out of the three of us girls – and ended up placing 10th place with 6 minutes back from the leader.  Shit.

This morning was the time trial.  I had a rough morning and couldn’t eat because of a nervous stomach and just felt like poo from the day before.  (Physically and mentally – moreso mentally) Anyway, we got to the TT course and I realized I forgot my TT bars.  That really helped my morale.  We tried putting Mike’s on but they were for undersized bars, so didn’t fit mine.  So, I was left to ride the TT in my drops.  I rode hard, but not my hardest.  I took it a little easy on the rollers, and just kept a steady pace.  I averaged about 24 mph – my usually pace for TT’s – and finished in 5th place.  Not too shabby – especially for not having a disc or aerobars or anything  really (I had a helmet – so at least I looked a little cool)

We got to the crit and it was raining cats and dogs.  Luckily, it stopped right before our crit and so we didn’t have to deal with the rain (though we still had to deal with wet pavement).  My goal for the night was to sit in and not chase.  There were a couple times I did have to chase because the poplollies were doing some awesome team tactics – but overall I conserved energy pretty well.  My goal was to just sprint like mad coming around the last corner.  It’s a pretty long sprint from the corner to the finish line, but I knew this was what I had been training for. I positioned myself about 4 back on the last lap, and then hopped on Rebecka’s wheel.  She’s not much of a sprinter, but has some good power, so she led me out around the corner, peeled of and I went for it.  I sprinted like mad, yelling at myself outloud to not sit down and to keep going.  Well, it paid off, and I won!  WAHOO!!  All the hard work this last week really paid off and I accomplished my goal of not waiting to sprint and to not chicken out and just go all out.  It was a fun race!

Tomorrow is wolf creek.  Not so much fun.  I’m already out of contention for any prize money, but it’s actually some what of a relief to me.  I can just go into this race knowing that it’s going to be one that pushes me to the limits – especially in the climbing area – and that’s what I need. No pressure to hold on to any time – but just pressure to push my self as hard as I can go. Fun times!