Tour of the Dragons! Rarrrrrrr!

http://www.benningtonraceweekend.com/

Headed off to Bennington VT for the first year running of the Tour of the Dragons Stage Race. I will be racing in the Women's P/1/2 field. Saturday starts off with an "up-hill" 11 mile Time Trial and a "flat" downtown Criterium, followed by an insanely hilly 62 mile (97 mile for the men P/1/2) Road Race on Sunday. Despite the massive amount of pain we all will endure, it is going to be a  beautiful weekend!

ExpoWheelmen Time Trial Series #1, Hebron CT 4/27/11

First time in the time trial position on my Amira road bike this year. I had to make several adjustments on my 18 mile ride to Gay City State Park (the TT course registration) and then to the start 5 miles. Raced the 6 mile course and back to Gay City, did a cool down, then back home the 18 miles. I was the first female overall and placed 11th out of 37 riders! Only 10 Cat. 1/2 men beat me :)

Expo TT Home Page

Quabin Road Race, Ware MA 4/23/11

Craziest & toughest road race of everyone's life today. For those of you who did not look outside, or go outside, well the weather report was 35 degrees and freezing down-pouring rain...for the whole time we raced. 1/2 of each field did not show, & at least a 1/4 dropped out in every field. Laura and I were 2 of the insane few to push through and finish. Laura jumped with 2 other riders that broke away. I was unsure if I should go with or hold the pack pace back. I tried to jump on, but it was too late and I did not want to pull the field onto her wheel. Unintentionally, me and this other girl Kate, split from the group shortly after. We were less than a minute away from catching them, but I dropped my chain...on a hill...of all places!!! Kate helped me, it was quit a disaster and took some time. The pack had caught us again. Ugh. I tried to get my GU out, but it was too cold and did not squeeze out. Each time I reached into my pocked it was a 10 minute ordeal. It was not long until Kate and I broke off again, unintentionally. Another rider joined us this time. We were just pedaling up one of the never ending climbs and then no one was there. Laura and the 2 other leaders were 3 minutes ahead now though and stayed that way until the end. Us three knew that we were far enough away from the pack, so we settled in and took turns pulling. Kate left us with 5 miles to go. I had taken off my gloves because they each weight heavier than a full water bottle. I could not shift into the big ring, my hands were so numb. There was a descent and I could not pedal. Myself and the other rider turned the corned to the Reservoir and I took off leaving her behind. CONGRATS TO LAURA for winning the race and I placed 5th, receiving the last place for payout. I was so glad to see that finish line. Everyone was just soaked & chilled to the bone. It took me a good 1/2 hr to stop shaking and de-thaw. No joke. Helmets off to those who stuck with it today! If you could finish that, you can finish anything!

http://www.bikereg.com/inc/content/flyers/quabbin-road-race-flyer.pdf

No pictures from the event, due to the conditions

Root 66 #1 Winding Trails, Farmington CT 4/17/11

One of my best performances on an XC bike. I placed 1st out of 12 Cat. 1 racers. I had the hole shot, but then flipped over my handle bars hard into a tree in the first woods section. I was totally spaced out and not paying attention. I was lucky I did not get hurt besides a minor bump. My chain got jammed between my front derailure and big chain ring. I was stuck trying to yank it out for a few minutes on the side of the trail as everyone passed me. I finally got it back on, but had issues with it the rest of the race. However, I was in last place and sprinted harder than I every have on a mt bike to get back to the front on the first lap. I passed the girl in first and never looked back. Super muddy day, but fast fun course of 20 miles. Ready for the rest of the season!

Root 66 Series Home Page

New XC Bike: Cannondal Scalpel 2

ZERO PIVOTS, ZERO COMPETITION. The lightest, stiffest, most efficient dual suspension XC race bike on the planet. The Scalpel isn’t just in a class by itself - it’s attending an entirely different school.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/mountain/mountain-full-suspension/scalpel/2011-scalpel-2-16280

Beanpot Criterium, Tufts University 4/3/11

First team race for the NorEast women of the season. It was the perfect day for a race. Jena Greaser, Laura Ralston, and Katie Quinn raced for the women's team. I was sick from a head cold that I had been battling half the week, but the adrenaline kept my body from paying attention to it for too long. The women's open race had a lot of top notch women competitors. I did an attack up the second hill on the 2nd lap, which broke up the group. I was very proud of this effort, considering it was the first time I had every been the one to lead the split of the pack. Throughout the rest of the race, I attempted several other attacks, with assistance from Katie, but due to the strong group of women and lack of no primes, it was hard to make anything happen. I pulled a large majority of the race, jumping on other riders wheels if they tried to make a move. On the last lap to go, a Wheelworks rider went off the front and I was right there, so not knowing weather to go or hold on, I went for it, gunning her down on the last climb. This allowed Laura to use my wheel and sprint against the rider to 2nd place. Katie and I followed in 5th and 6th place out of 19 riders. Great all around team effort, and we all look forward to having successful races the rest of the season.