10 Reasons It was a Challenge, by Kelly

Challenge Challenge RR in Challenge, CA
Course: 2 approx. 33-mile laps of a hilly course in the foothills of the Sierras (~3,000 ft of climbing per lap)
Day: Warm, but beautiful
Touchstone Riders: Kelly and Beverley
Race Plan (I guess I can tell our secrets after the race): Race hard and have fun!! Simple, yet elegant, and easy to remember.
As I reflected on the day, what was the greatest challenge? I couldn’t decide on just one, so I made a short list:

1. Getting out of bed before sun-up (AGAIN!) 2. Velo Promo getting the race started on time (didn’t happen – bless ‘em) 3. The road with the potholes, no, the pothole with the bit of road on the several mile descent that started the race 4. The attacks by PABW on the pothole with the bit of road - and every descent of the day, for that matter 5. Holding on to a break with Stacy at the beginning of lap 2 (didn’t happen) 6. Making it to the feedzone on lap 2 before shriveling up and dying 7. Responding to the endless attacks by Linda in the last 10 miles of the race – although I don’t think "responding" is the correct word 8. Chasing down Stacy in the last few miles of the race (didn’t happen) 9. Responding to the vigorous leg cramp in the car on the way home 10. Staying awake to get work done after the race (also didn’t happen)

Overall, a great day of racing at a beautiful venue! Thanks to Lisa for setting a pleasant pace for a large portion of lap 1, to the group for entertaining conversation during Lisa’s reign, again to the group for not one, but TWO well-timed nature breaks, to PABW for not beginning their day of attacking until the beginning of lap 2, to Bev for the wonderful words of encouragement throughout the race, to the small, but quality group of hillclimbers that braved this course, to Velo Promo for putting on this fantastic race, and finally to my husband, Steve, for driving my tire, lame butt home!
I am officially in the OFF-SEASON! Ciao Ciao! Kelly
Results - Top 6: Stacy, Linda, Kelly, Bev, Maria, Victoria