The Dirt Field

The Race: Nature Valley Grand Prix Menomonie Road Race
The Course: 81.3 miles, 4 laps on the finishing circuit
The Field: Pro 1/2 women
The Finish: 17th

Things That Happened In This Race:
1. It poured rain while we waited to start. The announcer cheerfully told the crowds, “At least it’s a warm rain!” He said this to 90 shivering, dripping riders while standing sheltered and dry under an awning. I wanted to shoot him with the starting gun.
2. We rode for many miles. Attacks were met with the full attention of the field and nothing stayed away. I made it into one small break that did not last. A few riders went solo up the road and were left to dangle by the field. Nothing says “non-threat!” like the field not bothering to chase you.
3. Which is why it stung a little when I attacked and was left to chill out on the wind alone. I was just testing the waters and my legs; no way in hell was I volunteering to go solo for 50+ miles, despite telling my teammate the day before that I was going to attack with 80 to go and solo in for the win. Her threat to “punch me in the [redacted]” was enough to scare me into the field. I sat up after less than a minute and slid back into anonymity.
4. Somewhere around 45 miles in, I went to shift back into my big ring after a long climb and got no response. This was unfortunate. Because I am a trained professional, I panicked. My teammates kept me cool, gave me some ideas to try, and then got me back to the follow car. The mechanic leaned out the back window to work on my bike while I rode alongside and I panicked some more. You know when you see photos of guys in the Tour getting their bikes adjusted at 35mph? Yeah, that was not me. The mechanic would say “do X” and I would say “I’M TERRIFIED.” This could probably use some practice.
5. We established that I would need to stop so he could get out and fix the bike, but we hit a downhill and I coasted/spun back into the field. Then I couldn’t decide what to do and while I waffled and fretted, the miles rolled by. I never stopped. This was not smart.
6. The climbs were tiring and I was by no means the fastest climber, but I was able to stay attached or reattach to the front of the field throughout the whole race. My teammates rode like beasts and rocked the climbs, keeping me motivated. They were also like little fast food drive-thrus, constantly offering bottles and food. My teammates are worth their weight in gold, except maybe not their weight after we polish off yet another bag of cookies and pita chips.
7. I figured I was screwed trying to race the four laps of the finishing circuit in my little ring; I knew the pace would be brutal and I would likely be spun out. I wasn’t entirely wrong – it was excruciating and I was cramping, redlined, and cross-eyed with two laps to go. But it went better than expected and I was able to stay with the front until the final few corners. Standing to sprint was somewhat of a non-issue, since I was exhausted and short on gear options, but I was able to push it across the line to get 17th and move up to 15th in the GC.

Lessons Learned:
When you have a follow car, a skilled mechanic, a significant bike issues, and 35 miles left in the race, that is the time to stop and address the problem.

Just because the shit hits the fan does not mean all is lost. I spent those last 35 miles thinking “I’m screwed I’m screwed I’m screwed” and in the end, I was not screwed. That was a good learning experience.