Uni Hill Crit Race Report

When I woke up at 5:45 this morning it was only drizzling a little, but it sure was cold. I planned on arriving at the race early to check out the course before the first men’s race at 8am. My race didn’t begin until 8:55, but I arrived by 7:15 and it was definitely raining. I’d heard that the race was pretty technical with some sharp turns, and that there was a significant hill (thus the name Uni Hill, right?!).

The race start was at the bottom of the hill, and it was a long haul to the first 90 degree right hand turn. Shortly after there was a 90 degree left turn, and more uphill. I had several friends and Coach Alison there cheering for me during the race, and that made all the difference! Finally there was a sharp right turn and then coasting downhill…a sharp right, then left, more downhill, and two super fast right turns before heading uphill briefly to the finish. I knew I had to be first in those last two right turns if I was going to take the sprint in the end.

I have already earned 20 points to upgrade to a 3, so my goal for this race was to support my teammate Athena and hammer on the hill to tire out the field so she could sprint for the win. We finally started after a confusing warm-up in which we thought our race start would be delayed, however at 8:45 it was confirmed that we were indeed starting on time and I had warmed up less than 20 minutes. Merilee took off at the start and set a great pace. We all had to work on that hill and I believe we all stayed together. By the downhill section, I noticed a CU racer who was making a gap. I wasn’t too worried since she was by herself it wouldn’t be too hard for the field to catch her, but I also noticed she was taking the corners really well (even in the pouring rain!) so at some point I bridged to her. I had to accelerate a lot and I believe that is when the field broke up. I heard a girl come from behind me who said it was just four of us now. I wasn’t sure where Athena was but I knew slowing down would cost the team a chance on the podium because I likely wouldn’t be able to drop back and then catch the break again. So I rode with GS Boulder rider Jill Duster, the CU girl, and the fourth girl was on and off again with us.

Around five laps to go I made an attack up the first section of the hill. The two girls caught me and I hoped I didn’t blow myself up. I stayed with them and let them work a bit while I recovered. When we made the right turn before the finish line for one lap to go, I made a big attack but I don’t think I made too much of a gap. Alison was there and encouraged me to go harder, and I knew this was the crucial point for me to break away before the downhill so that I could be first through the last two turns. I thought about all the training I’ve been doing and I worked as hard as I could, took the corners fast, was first through the last two turns and sprinted first through the finish! I don’t know how far behind CU girl was, but results posted that she took 2^nd and Jill 3^rd.

It was only in January that I was telling myself I will never upgrade in road because the competition is so strong and also I will never be able to do well in crits because of my poor cornering skills. I am really proud of how I took the corners today and that I actually felt quite comfortable. There were some scary moments when I went wide after the turn and didn’t exactly have control over my line, but fortunately the field was so strung out there was a lot of room. I know I have a lot to learn and I look forward to racing with the 3’s and having more practice with larger fields.

I’m also happy that all my interval training is paying off. My powertap data looks just like an interval workout. My LT is 245, and I did about 12 intervals up the hill, each about a minute and a half and averaging around 270. Peak power for 5 sec was 787, 30 sec 458, 1 min 348. I worked hard and this win felt good…Koppenberg was great, too, but I was with the field the whole time and didn’t work hard until the very end, except for the three short climbs up the hill. My all time peak 5 sec was at Koppenberg at 912 which shows just how bad I wanted that win!

I don’t think I got up to 25 points for a forced upgrade today because the field was so small. I hope to race Sonic Boom and Superior Morgul as a 4 and hopefully after Morgul will have an auto upgrade.

Congratulations to Athena who braved the rain and sharp corners – this was a scary race and showing up for it is a huge accomplishment and definitely a learning experience. Merilee did a great job supporting the team in the beginning of the race, and I hope she is warm and dry by now! Once again I’m especially thankful to Coach Alison for her support and positive energy.

Koppenberg Win!

This race was super important to me – I’ve never ever wanted to win so badly in my life before! Two years ago, I came in last place, and last year was 14/17. Besides redeeming myself, I wanted to win today because I am nearing an upgrade and I want the points I accumulate to come from winning races. I plan to stay in Cat 4 as long as possible to gain experience, and I don’t know how competitive I will be once I upgrade to a 3 so this is my time to shine!

My experience racing this course before showed me three main challenges: first, it is a fast start and everyone hauls ass right away to get a good position up the hill; second, climbing the hill itself; and third, the 90 degree right turn from Marshall at the Costco gas station. Those are all places I’ve been dropped before.

I always raced on my road bike before which up until this year had eggbeater pedals so I could wear mountain bike shoes. This year I finally got road pedals on it, so I thought I better ride my CX bike in case I have to run up the hill. I was encouraged by Coach Alison (the best coach ever!!!) to ride my road bike and just be first up the hill so unclipping would not even be an option. I have a triple and had never gone up the hill without using it before, and Alison also gave me the confidence that I don’t need it, and it turns out that I don’t!

One goal I had for the race was to be first up the hill at least on the first lap, and I’m happy to report that I was first up for all three laps! Thank you Donna for cheering for me – it really, really helped! I also had friends Anna, Wendy, Courtney and Amy from Title Nine (now Outdoor Divas) cheering, plus RM company from Breeze, Athena, Allison and Gretchen who also raced.

I rode up front for much of the race. I tried to make some attacks, but quickly noticed the whole field on my tail so I slowed way down. I kept looking over my shoulder to watch for anyone to attack so I could grab their wheel, but it never happened. After the hill on the first lap, a Natural Grocers girl asked if I wanted a break from pulling, so I said sure! and got on her wheel. When we turned right onto Marshall, I encouraged her to step on it and said let’s try for a break. Didn’t work, so again she and I sat up front and I was only doing about 160 watts, super mellow pace.

I stayed up front setting the pace and then hustled to be first up the hill for round two, and again tried to attack at the top of the hill to take advantage of people trying to recover. I just couldn’t drop anyone so I slowed down. I made an attack as soon as we turned right onto Marshall, but the whole darn group just accelerated with me again so I slowed down but stayed up front. It was a short enough race that it seemed more important to me to be up front to choose my own line than to conserve energy drafting, however I think at this time I decided to drop back a little bit because if I wasn’t going to be able to break away from the field then I’d better rest up to beat 12 girls in a sprint.

Third and last time up the hill and I was nervous that I still had so much company. Once we turned right onto Marshall, Breeze said some kind words of encouragement that was perfect timing. The pace picked up and I realized this was all going to be about taking the sharp right in a strategic way to set up for a sprint. I was not happy about that because that turn is one of my weaknesses on the course. I pulled to the front again and Gretchen was up there, too. As soon as I turned right I stepped on it. I’m lucky that I stayed away because thinking about it now I think that was pretty far from the finish to start a full gas sprint. You can bet that after last week I was looking behind me left and right to see who was there! When I crossed the finish line first, I yelled, “YES!”

I am so, so happy J I have so much support from Alison coaching me, and all the awesome athletes on our team. It is amazing how different I am riding this season than ever before, and I really attribute that to Alison’s training plans for me and all the great mentoring and camaraderie on the team. Thanks for reading!