ECNI Champs 2008

[RoadRaven]

Yeah... the psychology of corners... I reckon there is a whole book in that one

I am just pleased there were no sprint laps, because to corner fast and sprint several times in a race? I would not have done so well - mind you, I would not have to have sprinted anyone as my sole competition was waaaaay off the back.

Looks like I might have to marshall for one of the final stages on the 24th/25th. Thats ok, I just have to compete in 3 events to be elegible for a place.

[RoadRaven]

Round Two:
The second two stages were also held in Ramblers territory; a road race and a hill climb.
Gisborne were unable to muster enough marshalls and suggested we should host it. Sadly again, no Gisborne riders turned up, so the whole competition was essentially between Ramblers riders only.

33km or 67km Road Race
Well, the road race distance was dependant on your age. If I had been riding I would have done the 33km distance. There were 5 masters women riding, so it would have been an interesting race.
But I helped to marshall so the race could happen. We had a reasonable turnout, and like the first weekend of competition, the rain stopped for most of the racing... pouring down while I starting the grades off (I had two men holding umbrellas over me to protect me and the race lists). But once the last grade left (all the women and girls started together as there was only about ten all up), it was dry until the last grade to arrive home - masters 3 men - were on their last lap and they were saturated.
My partner and two sons rode this race, and they were all placed in the top three in their respective grades.

Hill Climb
Well - I did this - a 3km hill climb. It took me seveteen minutes but as I was the only one in my grade, I won
I am guessing if I was racing against someone I might have been faster, but as the steepest bit on this hill is 16% and I had never ridden this road before, my goal was basically to get up.
To finish the Sunday ride meant I got the points necessary to win the champs.

Essentially I won because I turned up - to qualify for a place you needed to ride in both weekends, which I did. None of the other Masters 1 women did.

However, I am still really pleased with my cup and gold medal - I was the kid who always wrote notes to get out of anything remotely physical at school. I hopped on a bike at 40ish and have never been fitter. I deserve this and I am pleased.

What makes it sweeter is that one son got bronze in his grade, my other son got gold and a cup in his grade, my partner got bronze and his riding mate got gold. All in all a good series, even though the other club never joined us

[SheFly]

Congrats! I've been told that a win is a win, regardless! Savor the victory. Besides, just think of all of the women who didn't show up - you're much better than they are!

Woohoo!

SheFly

[RoadRaven]

Yup - a win is a win... and several of the other women could have ridden (and seriously challenged me for top three placings), but because it was a championship, chose to go on a training ride instead of putting themselves out there and facing the day.

I was brave enough to have a go, and I have trained damned hard to get to a point where I had enough courage to get to the starting line.

Thanks SheFly, knew you'd understand what i was trying to say

[lph]

However, I am still really pleased with my cup and gold medal - I was the kid who always wrote notes to get out of anything remotely physical at school. I hopped on a bike at 40ish and have never been fitter. I deserve this and I am pleased.

Just gotta say, Raven, I love that attitude I was outdoorsy as a child but not fit, and truly terrible at all team sports. We do deserve that feeling of pride, for not letting that steer us into a sedentary adult life. And yep - it takes courage to commit to a race!