At the last minute I decided to plunk down the cash and get myself a UCI license to race 3 of the premier events present in Colorado this year.
The Colorado Cross Cup was my first experience on Halloween eve. Set at Boulder Reservoir (which I HATE with a passion) on a course that pathetically resembled a dirt criterium, maybe I psyched myself out, or got scared, but I pulled my first DNF in a cross race. The 80F heat certainly didn't help, and I crashed head-first into a haybale and flipped over the bars on the second lap. I continued deliriously for another half lap, and then pulled the plug for better efforts the following day. I later discovered a bent rear derailer from the crash.
The next day at the Boulder Cup provided me a new day with new opportunities, and a course much better suited to challenge the physical and mental aspects of cyclocross. Held at the Flat Irons Mall in Broomfield, the course was a challenging mix of off-camber steep little hills, and super slick descending switchbacks. After sliding out and crashing hard on my left knee and elbow during the warm-up, I raced with more caution, but still crashing twice. However, I had a positive and successful race, finishing 16th of 34 of the best girls in the country!
The "icy" slick dry grass laid me out flat!
Upon returning from our awesome vacation in Cabo, we jetted up to Ft Collins for the 2nd day of the USGP. It was definitely a shocker "warming-up" in 38F temps and back at altitude, after spending a week at sea level in balmy 85F weather. I quickly erased the mental rust from my "still-in-vacation-mode" brain for a lung-busting effort. My goal was top 20 seeing the depth of the field and the greasy, muddy course conditions. Maybe I still had some residual tequila fueling my efforts, as it was one long 45-minute slog. But I felt so inspired by having Chris there manning my spare bike in the pits (as I actually had to change bikes due to the conditions), and cheering me on in spite of my grimacing suffering face. 19th/34 was exactly what I'd hoped for, and I'm now feeling like I'm gonna be ready really fly in one month at Nationals!
The mud was like glue and I had to pit after just 1 lap.
New skin suit is insulated and warm for cold weather bouts!
The finish could not have come soon enough!
