Wente Win

Jill victorious at Wente Road Race. Maria 5th. Thanks to Damian Gonzalez for the post-race video interview and race action show.

(we survived) Sea Otter Circuit Race by Kelly

Kelly was sure to win until they canceled it (Ha! Ha! If it had only been 2, instead of 22 laps, I might have had a fighting chance). In reality, Pat had a stellar performance, hanging with the main field through flash flooding and freezing temps! Maria was amazing, too, as she hung in there even after doing the RR yesterday (I'm impressed). I had a nice, short training ride but got to catch up with my friend Stella. Holly had a longer, training ride and is coming back well from her injury.

(We Won) Copperopolis

By the second lap the field had been selectively reduced to a group of six with Jill and Maria (Touchstone), three Proman, including Shelley and Emily, and Sarah Ellis. Emily drove the break at warp speed hence chasing riders didn’t stand a chance of rejoining the group.

At the beginning of lap three, I inadvertently dropped the group in the hill feed zone/rest-stop. In short order the group caught back on and we arrived at the base of the climb together. At this point I decided to up the tempo. I was surprised when Emily fell off the pace as she had been flying up the climbs the previous two laps; most likely she was tired from driving the break for the past hour! At the end of the climb only Shelley and I remained.

We worked together through the valley to hold off the Sarah-led chasing pack. At the base of the last pre-finish climb I attacked. The gap obtained was enough that I was able to hold the advantage to the line for the win. Shelley took 2nd, and Maria 5th. Pat and Holly finished with the field.

Thanks to Maria for all her help on the climbs!

Jill

Wards Ferry by Pat

The good part of the race was that the first two laps, I very happily worked at hitting the rollers at a nice pace. A fair amount of our group drifted off the back until we were left with a group of 6 including Kelly and myself. ( Maria was still working off a horrific head cold/sinus infection.) Jane Despas should have been with us, but after only a few miles in to the race developed a flat.

The third lap was more relaxed as we all recouped from our attacking the rollers, and without Jane Despas to set a constant flaming pace we did manage to ease up. By the end of the third lap, who should reapppear? Jane. She must have put in a great TT effort to move up from being dropped due to a flat about 7 miles in to the race to catching the lead group at the end of the third lap. She did not bring anyone with her.

On the 4th lap Kelly put in some great extended attacks off the front which forced Jane to work hard to reel her in.

Our group of 7 headed to the finish line all in a bunch. Pat and Kelly had their wires crossed about who was supposed to lead who out. So, Pat was nipped by Jane to come in 6th place, and a half wheel back came Kelly for 7th.

Overall, it was a hard race, but fun.

Garrett Lemire Memorial Criterium

Holly and Jill were there. Report to follow.