Yipee! Almost the end of a very good season.

[Eden]

So today was the last big race of the WSBA road season
I can't really say there's much of a race report to write. It was an Uphill TT, so no exciting tactics or harrowing tales, just go as fast as you can until it's over. This kind of thing is good for me - I'm small and light and I can put the pedal down uphill. It was also my first race that I ever did, 2 years ago, and the whole reason I decided that I might actually be good at this.
This year it was pretty meaningful to me too, because for most of the season I've been the BARR (Best All Around Rider) point leader for the Cat 4's. I went into this race with a 34 point lead, but that's not a run away (1st =100 points, 2nd=70 points, 3rd=50 points, 4=36 points and so on), so I had to put on a good show to keep my standing. My ultimate goal was a win.
I feel lucky that my main competitor - the person 2nd in the BARR started a minute ahead of me, so she was my rabbit instead of the other way around. This TT is short - only 6 miles. I caught my 30 second person about 4 miles in and we were both gaining on my minute person. All 3 of us passed the first two people to start. Just at the end of a short portion where it flattens out and goes down just a little, my 30 second person passed me again, but she never got more than a few seconds ahead of me. At 1000M my main rival definitely started to pick it up a bit, but I was totally determined to not let her get back any of the time I'd already pulled back on her. I glanced at my watch when she hit the 200 and I was pretty darn sure that no more than 30 seconds elapsed until I hit the same spot. Had all the usually shakes and nausous feelings after crossing the finish line, but I WON! Whoo hoo. (and I bettered my time from last year)
I feel awesome. 2 BARR race wins, 1 second and the overall. I don't think I could ask for a better season.
Here's me and a couple of my team mates (3 of them took 1-2-3 in the Master B's. I'm in the middle, but I didn't have my medal yet )

[AuntieK]

Congrats, Eden! You're awesome! Way to wrap up your season.

[Eden]

And just so everyone knows roadies can have fun too - the annual beer run tandem uphill TT (loosely), with its accompanying entourage of domestiques to bring up the brews.... (these fellows are spouses of my team mates and/or members of our erstwhile brother team - we used to be co-ed, but split off some years ago.) - The two on the right are men wearing our kit.... There being only 3 tandem teams entered the boys did get medals too, which were richly deserved for their heroic beer drinking - one per mile!
so yeah - we got to ride the course twice, but trust me the beer run was not at a back breaking pace Oh - and you can't see the boombox strapped to the back of one of the tandems playing selections like "Beer Run" - of course, "I'm Bringing Sexy Back", "My Lovely Lady Lumps" etc.

[salsabike]

Eden, that's pretty cool. If there are any races next year we can come watch, I bet a bunch of us would like to do that.

[DirtDiva]

Well done!

[Eden]

Eden, that's pretty cool. If there are any races next year we can come watch, I bet a bunch of us would like to do that.

Road races are pretty notoriously boring to watch... Criteriums are more interesting, since the racers go around many times on a short loop, and there are some in Seattle, Bellevue and other close places (unlike road races, where the closest one I went to this year was in Ravensdale).
Since I know I'll never remember later, after next year's racing schedule is set, it will be posted at http://www.wsbaracing.com/events.asp

I will be attempting to do some cross racing this year - which is fun to watch, but I don't know if I'll be doing Star Crossed or not (that's at Marymoor on Sept 22 - I get the sneaking suspicion I already have something planned for that day......). Even if I'm not personally there its a fun event if you want to watch bicycle racing. Not only do you get the races, there are booths and a beer garden.

[mimitabby]

Eden, great fun! so where was this uphill time trial?

[RoadRaven]

Most excellent Eden
I always read your racing stories and reflections with interest

Great pic - you all look absolutely chuffed

Uphill TT eh? Thats tough for a big girl like me - you must've absolutely flown to be passing and catching like that. Its such a good feeling to catch those in front, eh?

KNow that there are quite a few "fans" here at TE who are basking in your reflected feelings of awesomeness... you have managed to really get out there this season and do so well.

[Starfish]

KNow that there are quite a few "fans" here at TE who are basking in your reflected feelings of awesomeness... you have managed to really get out there this season and do so well.

True...I always read your posts with interest. AWESOME season. Woohoo!

[Tri Girl]

Nice job!!! Congrats on a great season!

[Eden]

Eden, great fun! so where was this uphill time trial?

I think you've done it before Mimi - its the 6 mile road on the left as you near the entrance to Mt. Ranier National Park that goes up to the Crystal Mt Ski Resort. Didn't your tandem race end up there?

[smilingcat]

Hi,

Congratulation on your phenominal season. 2 wins, 1st overall. Love reading about your acomplishement.

can't do a beer ride here in California. you go directly to the pokey for "driving with open container" or DUI.

smilingcat

[Eden]

Hi,

Congratulation on your phenominal season. 2 wins, 1st overall. Love reading about your acomplishement.

can't do a beer ride here in California. you go directly to the pokey for "driving with open container" or DUI.

smilingcat

ummm yeah, we have an open container law too, but everyone looks the other way for this - including all of the USAC officials... (though it is legal to be drunk on a bike, we just passed a law saying that though the police can impound your bike if you pose a danger to yourself and/or give you a citation for public drunkeness it is NOT a DUI) Also, it's not a very heavily traveled road - it dead ends at a ski area, and its summer so not too many people are headed up there this time of the year.

[Eden]

I got my jersey yesterday! How cool- yeah its kind of big. I couldn't keep myself from laughing hysterically when the person taking the photos asked me to put my arms up in the victory salute though
(now I want to know just what is the etiquette for wearing this.... )

[RoadRaven]

Oh Eden - I LOVE your pic!
You champion, you

What an awesome prize and memento


What is the etiquette?
Its your jersey - you make the rules girl!