Saco Bay Crit - Last RR of the Season!

[SheFly]

Saco W 1/2/3/4 25 minutes + 5 laps
Cat 1/2/3 starters - 9
Cat 4 starters - 2
Finished - 5th

I arrived in Saco early (DH was racing at 8:00 am ) and walked around the course to see what I was in for. The course was relatively flat, but had three VERY tricky corners, that were going to cause issues for me. I have been having trouble with the technical corners in every crit this season...

I will also point out that Saturday was the HOTTEST, most HUMID day of the summer here in New England. DH raced twice in the morning, and the heat took a toll on him. By the time my race started at 11:00 am, it felt like we were in an oven.

With only 4 women pre-reg'd for the race, I was glad to see a total of 11 take the start (including the 2 Cat 4s). The bad news - 4 were from a competing team, and my only teammate in the race was a Cat 4. My teammate went off the gun, and I jumped on her wheel to take the best lines through the corners on the first lap. We both dropped back after that, and I got nervous traveling through the tight corners at speed, fell into my bad habit of dropping off the back, and then chasing really hard getting back out. On one lap, I could hear DH yelling at me to get into the middle of the pack .

After a failed attack on the first prime lap, I finally decided to try and learn something, and stuck to an experienced wheel like glue, matching pedal stroke for pedal stroke - by the end of the race, I no longer had to chase out of the corners!

The pack stayed pretty much together for the whole race (although we did lose my teammate). Getting ready for the final lap, the attacks started fast and furious. I told myself that I just needed to hang on at all costs, and dug as deep as I could to stay attached, and get past a couple of women.

Approaching the second to last corner, I heard scraping metal and knew there was a crash ahead - I slowed, preparing for evasive tactics, and ended up having to take the turn on the sidewalk, and then someone's front lawn to avoid a woman who was dragging herself off of the road. I kept on to the finish, but the crash had completely disjointed the field, separating finishers by quite a bit.

I was surprised to have finished 5th in my field, but happy with such a good result in a 1/2/3 race. I've had a terrific season this year, and am now looking despeartely forward to getting out on my 'cross bike for some more thrashings!

I'll post a pic or two later today.

SheFly

[SheFly]

Here are some pics from the race:

1. I am the one NOT looking at my pedals off the start .
2. All together, but I am in the back of the pack.
3. Finishing the last race before 'cross season!
4&5. Off to Portland for lunch!

[DirtDiva]

Good stuff!

That picture with everyone looking at their pedals makes me feel a whole lot better about only being able to get into my Looks first try if I look at what I'm doing. Have been feeling like a complete doofus for it because nine times out of ten I get into the SPDs on my mtb without the slightest thought.

[Crankin]

Saco is so nice! And the best thing about Saco is going to Portland to eat! Congratulations on dealing with the scary corners and finishing a great season.
Are there any cross races near here? I like to watch those. I've seen the one at U Mass a couple of times, but nothing local.

[SheFly]

Saco is so nice! And the best thing about Saco is going to Portland to eat! Congratulations on dealing with the scary corners and finishing a great season.
Are there any cross races near here? I like to watch those. I've seen the one at U Mass a couple of times, but nothing local.

There's one in Bedford on the 23rd - right at Middlesex Community College. Full details on times and whatnot can be found at bikereg, or you can PM me for more info.

SheFly

[BikeMomma]

Makes me want to take another trip out to Maine to see my folks!! I have a cousin who lives in the old family home in Saco, my aunt and another cousin & family live in Old Town, my dad is in a Veteran's Hospital in Togus, and before she passed, my grandmother stayed in a nursing home in Saco -- so you were in my (greatly extended) neck o' the woods, so to speak. When I visited last year, I fell in love with Portland. Love New England!

Congrats on staying on, SheFly! Corners have always been my nemesis, but like you, I seem to have conquered them. Well done! Nice report....

~BikeMomma

[RoadRaven]

Dunno how I missed this thread, SheFly!
Congrats on a successful crit, and a successful season.

After a failed attack on the first prime lap, I finally decided to try and learn something, and stuck to an experienced wheel like glue, matching pedal stroke for pedal stroke - by the end of the race, I no longer had to chase out of the corners!

Thoes corners in a race are my problem too... often end up dropping to the back and then sprinting like mad to get back on. I'll try your tactic when I can... might find I get better at it. I hope what you have learned stays with you into future corners you race around.

I told myself that I just needed to hang on at all costs, and dug as deep as I could to stay attached, and get past a couple of women.

That digging deep... well done... sounds like you did it. Of all things in racing, I think I still find that the hardest thing to do... Well done

Approaching the second to last corner, I heard scraping metal and knew there was a crash ahead - I slowed, preparing for evasive tactics, and ended up having to take the turn on the sidewalk, and then someone's front lawn to avoid a woman who was dragging herself off of the road.

As I started reading this I thought "oh no!!!" and then breathed a sigh of relief... I hadn't loooked at your pics yet when I first read... so pleased you weren't involved and well impressed with your avoidance tactics...

Enjoyed reading your report - I think one of things I enjoy most about your reports is that you and your DH go to these events together and race them and support each other. I love that