Garrett Wonders Memorial Criterium

I was drenched afterwards, but I had a good time.

This was a slippery, wet, miserably rainy race. If it were dry, it could have been faster, more exciting and I would have played the start quite differently.

I wanted to sit in and let the others hammer on each other and then push on them when they were tired, but I was unsure about cornering within the pack. I pushed after the first corner so I could have a clear line through the remaining corners and test things out. The second corner had some bumps, the third had a big paint stripe on the exit, and the fourth had paint stripes just where I wanted to start stomping the pedals. The first corner had the most paint and that is where the slide-outs happened. Luckily I stayed upright and kept my shorts clean as a Break Away rider laid his bike down right in front of me there.

After a few more pushes, I decided to be a bit passive and see who else was there to race. It turned out to be a familiar sight... One guy trys to get away and the limpets would quickly attach themselves to the back tire of the attacker. The attacker gives up and the limpets immediately look for another tire to latch onto. The most frustrating thing about it is that when you do make a gap and attempt to work with the limpets, they don't pull through and ruin a good move.

As the race went on I lost almost all my cornering confidence. I almost sat up and rode on the back at a safe distance. It felt like my back tire was almost flat, but it wasn't. Blair said the rain was picking up but I hadn't noticed as I could barely see through my glasses. Later on, I regained my confidence and moved back up to the front.

The last few laps were the most active and the most positive of the whole race. Scott Spees and a Break Away rider (Andy?) jumped and made a good little gap. The limpets found themselves on the front and just about let them go for good. I soon found myself chasing with a lap or two to go and closing the gap. I was almost ready to slam it shut and decided to ease off expecting the others to be content to sit in for the free ride. It worked pretty well except that two of the limpets got around me before the last corner and that's how we finished 1st-3rd. I don't know what happened behind me on the last corner, but I didn't want to be back there.

I'll pray for a dry course next time I race a crit.

I was nervous, this being my first four-corner crit; throw in the rain, and each corner gave me that feeling in the pit of my stomach as when I'm on a roller coaster, 3/4 of the way up the big hill, asking myself why I'm doing this. But on the other side of the corner, after I got through it with the bike upright, I'd think, OK, it's worth it. Then I'd have to gear up for the next corner. Our game plan was to work for Brooke today, knowing she was young, fearless, and the most likely to attack the corners in ways we couldn't. Those first laps, Laurel worked hard to stay with Sally and Jane, as they flew through those corner, and we got whiplash in the back.

When Laurel blew up, I fortunately had worked myself through the pack, and I inherited the chase down College, knowing we had a ways before the next corner. I looked back, realized Brooke wasn't on my wheel, sat up, and waited for her to get back with me. We reformed as a smaller group of 5, and I tried to keep Brooke from pulling, to save her for the end.

The first part of the last lap, I worked us back up to the front. Unfortunately, when the solo attack came on Summit, I couldn't answer (oh, yeah, that would be because I kept pulling too long, but my justification was trying to keep us ahead of anyone chasing us, and setting Brooke up for the finish). I gave chase on the downhill of Park, too little, too late, Brooke on my wheel. Coming out of the last turn I went wide as I did every time, but my legs still had enough sprint to hold onto fourth place.

Brooke, fantastic job of getting through those corners. I know I was a help to you in the straights, but I sure didn't do you many favors with how I cornered. Our women did a great job in the race, considering the conditions. Thanks to Kurt and Garrett's family, and everyone who pulled this event together.

The race was very cool and very wet the juniors race was fun. Sorry josh for leaving you like that i thought you were on my wheel, the race was short only 10min. The womens race was nice i stayed with the group the whole time (the chase group)the tri tech women were gone the end of the second lap. I crashed in the middle of the race, free laps are nice to know about. Laurel way to stick to it with the hurt shoulder and all your a beast!!

Racing crits in the rain- wish I had a beater bike! Fortunately, there were only a few small crashes. SH kept the pressure high for this one. I wanted to keep it fast and the field narrow in the corners, so if it slowed I tried to get to the front. I tried a couple of times to ride off the front, but it seemed each time a prime lap followed- maybe next time I could be a little smarter! Nice job team SH- again one of the best organized events this year.

Things didn't go ideally today with the rain and short warm-up, but I did manage to stay upright which is an achievement given the slick pavement. I blew up within the first lap or two, and ended up riding most of the race as a time trial. Thanks to those who cheered from the sidelines. Congratulations go to Tri-Tech for their great performance today: Sally Price and Jan Evely got away very early in the race and won handily over the remaining 10 riders. Shari did a nice job taking care of Brooke in the middle group. Thanks also go to the race organizers (Kurt Lehmkuhl et al.) for hosting this event.

This was a great crit with great compotision. I was greatly impressed with how the savage hill women all seemed to work togeter. The race started out fast as two tri-teck women stirred up the pace. I tried my hardest to not let them get away from the field but in half way through they did and I was all cramped up. But, perhaps the best part of the race was looking over my right shoulder to find Brook readdy to take my place in the battlefield!

Interesting...I still don't really like to do Crits, but somehow keep getting talked into doing them. It was rainy, cold and somewhat unpleasant weather wise out there. Support wise was wonderful. Lots of team members in the race and lining the streets. I know I finished either 7th or 8th, I think. I was lapped by a couple of people, but I also lapped a couple of people, some more than once. So, I have no idea.
Thanks to all the teammates yelling encouragement...Todd, did I get whatever it was out of my teeth....?;)