Bay Area Super Prestige #3 -- Crocker Amazon

[velogirl]

We pre-rode the course today. Two words: holy croly! I think this is one of the toughest courses I've ever seen. It's all up or down on one side with a long, steep run-up and three extended climbs that if you boff you'll be running. The other side of the course is flat but the promoter created multiple chicanes through the trees -- very narrow and there's no way you can ride them fast.

I struggled with the pre-ride. It probably didn't help that about an hour before I'd finished co-leading our co-ed singles ride. I think I rode too hard -- lots of pressure when you're the leader of a co-ed ride. But I met some nice guys!!! Oh, and then I had a burrito. So, there was zero blood in my legs when I was trying to climb those darned hills.

Woe is me!!!

[Trek420]

We want ride reports.....of both rides. :cool:

[velogirl]

full report to follow.....I'm too tired to be literate right now.

Today was round 3 of the Bay Area Super Prestige Series at McLaren Park in San Francisco. This was by far the toughest course I've ever raced. For me, there was just no flow. Half the course was long climbs and pretty fast descents. I nailed the descents but the climbs were brutal. The other half was flat, but with crazy chicanes that prevented you from getting any speed. I'm a power girl, so this course just didn't suit me at all. And I think it was one of my worst races ever. I rode way too hard leading the Singles Ride yesterday. And I stood on my feet too much as EMT at the race this morning.

But somehow, I ended up on the podium. How funny is that!

[spokewench]

Congrats. Whose the fifth place finisher - looks familiar?

[velogirl]

5th place is Betty Jordan. She's one of my idols. Current 55+ national champion. Actually, she' the first-ever 55+ national champion since they just added that category for women in 2005.

1st place is Linda Elgart. I think she's been national champion in every discipline except BMX and DH. She didn't win last year -- crashed out in the snow and DNFd. She's 51 years old and one tough broad (that's a compliment).

[spokewench]

I remember racing against Linda Elgart and yeah, she is one tough cookie. I don't remember Betty's name, but she sure looks familiar to me.

[SheFly]

Nice job! Thinking you had a bad race and still ending up on the podium is a good thing! Sounds like you had a good race despite being tired, and full ;) .

SheFly

[velogirl]

Um...there were only six women in the master's race, so getting 4th isn't that exciting. That's the irony. I've had some awesome races lately and not gotten a good result, so to podium in a stank-fest is kinda funny.

I think all the fast girls stayed home.

[SheFly]

Hey - take it for what it is. I finished second this weekend in the stage race. OK, there were only two women. BUT I did come in second, and I'll take it. BTW - I stunk at the 'cross race.

SheFly

[velogirl]

Yeah! Betty and I were all excited about being on the podium. I think I skipped there. But we were all kinda laughing about it before-hand and Linda Elgart (the winner) said "who cares if the fast girls didn't show up? the important thing is that you did."

[miffy'sFuji]

I spectated, and it was a tough course compared to the other 2 races I have seen. However, I did think it looked like fun. It was interesting to see some people test whether it was faster to run through the tight chicanes (around eucalyptus trees) or ride. I think most ended up riding, but I heard a couple people say that running was faster. The park was very interesting (my first time there, even though it's only a 6 mile ride from my house [a very hilly ride though]). There is a skate park there and part of the course went right by the park. Every now and then we'd hear a wipe out from the skate park and we couldn't be sure where it was coming from- a skater or a cross rider. We saw a couple of riders fall on the downhill portion that was near the skate park.

I got to meet most of the velo girls, including Lorri (congrats on the ride, Lorri, and nice to meet you). :)

[velogirl]

Hearing the skate crashes while I was racing was spooky. Apparently during one of the men's races a skateboard went flying and hit a bike racer.

I definitely think running the chicanes would be faster. Not sure why I didn't do it. The turns were so tight you were basically track-standing through them going about 2 miles an hour. Even if you're not a good runner, I think walking them would be faster.

So good to meet you MF. When are you going to try a race? How about Watsonville next weekend for the special C race?

Lorri

[miffy'sFuji]

I hope that the rider who was hit by the skateboard was okay.

It is so cool that vello bella put together a C only race. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to try it...I shouldn't pass up the opportunity.

What happens if it rains? Will races still go on?

p.s. "mf" sounds too funny as an abbreviation for my screen name. oops! ;)

[E2theD]

"mf" sounds too funny as an abbreviation for my screen name. oops! ;)

Teehee. This made me laugh. I had to read it twice to get it. Hope to see you out on Sunday. And to answer your question, rain DOES NOT cancel the race. It just makes it that much more fun. Shoot me a pm if you guys decide to join us so we can be on the look out for you.

:D Erin

[telegirl]

Congrats on your podium finish! I think Shefly is right - as well as Linda Elgart- you should get a pat on the back!

Sounds like a gnarly course!