My first foray into crit racing!

[Reesha]

So Sunday was my first crit race... a dismal, drizzly morning in Belleville, IL for the Ardie Miller Bicycle Race. It was 25 minutes plus 5 laps of pain but I survived it... finished strong even though I was dropped by the pack of 10ish Cat 4 women. The juniors raced simultaneously so I did finish with some of my students.

I grinned big every time I came around... must have caught me about to flash it


Tonight was our second race... we did the Tuesday Night Worlds practice crit in Carondolet Park in St. Louis. It's a nigh perfect course... gorgeous rounded corners, flawless pavement, beautifully swept. The field is a little gnarly though since the C race is a beginners practice crit with a lot of weird braking and people swerving. Still our high school kids did a great job holding their lines, bearing down into those corners and fighting their way to the top of the climb. Our senior Jack got 1st place and one of our sophomores, Louis got 4th place. So proud!

During the last lap I sprinted my rear off in an attack, fought up the hill (my girls on the team kept up! woo!) and then passed those girls in a Mark Cavendish style sprint across the line. It was awesome. Very nearly puked after crossing the line though.

I am excited. I am really enjoying this. I love seeing my DBF every time I come around. It's the first time anyone ever has cheered my name (helps to have awesome team families that come and watch our races). I love the renewed confidence I have cornering when I'm in a race. I love watching the field move together. I can't wait to come back and do these practice crits after my big ride this summer. It's going to be a whole different enchilada.

We'll be back at TNW next Tuesday and then we have the O'Fallon Gold Cup later in May. So awesome.