Ohio UCI3 Weekend

I flew to Cincinnati, OH this weekend to compete in 3 days of
internationally sanctioned racing. I housed with Ken Getchell (owner
of SpectraSports) and Barbara Howe (the current US masters national
champion) and her family at Scot and Julie Herrmann’s house who are
active on one of the biggest cycling teams in Ohio, Michelob Ultra
Cycling. I’d like to thank everybody for all their help getting me and
my equipment to the races, helping out in the pits, and cooking great
meals.

Day 1- The course was dusty, bumpy, climby, and mountain bikey…
probably the four things that I am not too into when it comes to
cyclocross courses. At #17 in the call-up, I had a 3rd row start. My
start was probably the best I’ve ever had. By the first turn I somehow
ended up 5th wheel. I very quickly lost this position after a two
little slip ups about 10 people passed me… valuable seconds in the
first lap. The time gaps continued to grow and I couldn’t pass
anybody. It was definitely not one of my best days.

Day 2- Flat turny course with a road finish. Just my course or so I
thought… Third row start again but not as good start as the first
day. The first 9 people started to get away immediately, and gaps
started opening up right away. I quickly got in a group with Kari
Studley (Redline) and Barbara Howe (Ibis and the danger twins) and
later joined by Linda Sone (Planet Bike). With two to go, I was
feeling so haggard. It was so hot in my long sleeve skinsuit. I was
getting seriously dehydrated, and needed water. I tried to stop in the
pit to get a water feed, and I was told I couldn’t feed that lap. I
exited the pit without doing anything (not even bike change), so I
would’ve been DQ’d anyway so I decided to drop out. It was
disappointing because the course suited me, and I was riding strong in
my group for the last UCI point.

Day 3- A little bit of everything. Long sandpit, some long paved
sections, uphills, downhills. My start was the same as Day 2. There
were a few people crashing on the first lap. But I was able to ride
the sandpit, which gave me some valuable seconds in the first lap. I
was following Kari again for most of the race, and with about two to
go she tried to attack me after the barriers. I was able to respond to
most of her efforts but as soon as we came to that uphill sandpit
again, that was where I lost the positions. I had been riding it every
time prior, even getting airtime from the announcers for that, but
that time, all the power was gone from my legs and all I could do was
barely run (more like walk) through the sand, and Linda passed me.
Linda later told me if it hadn’t been for that sandpit, she would’ve
never passed me. I had such a hard time recovering from that and I
lost another position. Guess I know what I need to work on now! I
borrowed a water bottle cage from Scot for that race, and that was
definitely the best idea ever.

All in all, I learned alot. I learned that Katie Compton is really
powerful but really smooth also. I learned that sometimes it’s a
really good idea to bring water with you. I learned about the sections
of the course where I gain time, and where I lose time. I learned that
Ohio has really good ice cream too.

I can’t wait for Granogue!