Tour of Walla Walla

[Pink Kona]

Nice job Eden! Sounds like you had a good experience. Mine was a little different - but most importantly I was sooo happy it was sunny this weekend! Beats the snow from the previous week. And last year at Walla Walla they cancelled the RR because of a thunder storm! Here's a recap from my experience in the 1/2/3 field....

It started with a 5 mile TT - uphill for 3/4 of the course and somewhat windy. I did alright - placing 10th in the TT. My original start time was bumped from the beginning of the course to the very last position for some reason. I caught some poor woman who was 3 minutes in front of me. She was somewhat devastated. My advice to her - learn to LOVE time trials. That's the only way to do better in them. If you tell yourself you don't like something then chances are you'll have a disappointing performance. But if you embrace them and learn to like them - well then anything's possible.

We were able to relax between stages - lounging in the warm sun on a nice green lawn. Amara took the team switch news pretty well. She and I were one of two women on Gregg's team and I was recently invited to ride with Tamarack - a pro womens team based out of Idaho. I'll probably still be sporting Gregg's on the track and Tamarack on the road. I was more afraid of the Boursaw's reaction than anything. But they were very understanding and encouraging.

The 60 mile road race started out well. I felt super strong but as usual once I got up front it was a detrimental mistake. Instead of saving all of my energy for the 3km climb - I got up front and stayed there like a rookie. We completed the first small loop and came back around to do the climb and I was immediately dropped. I couldn't catch back on for the life of me. I just don't think I was prepared to deal with the pain nor in my head did I make the decision to go for it. I ended up catching up with Melinda, Jaimie and this other local woman. We did a rotating paceline through to the final climb - of which I was immediately dumped off. Needless to say I finished the RR and was looking more forward to the crit the following morning. I was the victim of what I told the woman I caught earlier in the TT - I need to learn to LOVE climbs. Biggest lesson learnt - get comfortable being uncomfortable and start hammering out the wattage. Bike racing isn't easy - so get on that pony and ride!

The crit was an opportunity to see how we as a team work together and hang in there. We communicated throughout the race - but Kele ended up pulling an amazing move and lapping our field. The course is super fun - lots of corners and my goal was not to break at all. Once Kele made her break and it was obvious that she was not going to be caught it was a matter of making sure Jana was locked into 3rd place in the GC - which she easily did. I really enjoyed working with the ladies and contributing. There were three of us in the field and we were able to chase down any attacks and win some premes. It's so nice to be on a team where I can actually do something! And although I didn't place well in the final sprint, I still feel like I accomplished a lot in the grand scheme of things. First of all - I can play ball. It's only my second year and I'm proving I have the fitness and ability to hang in there. Now I just have to want it. And I have to also be able to deal with pain. Cycling pushes you to the limits - and the only way to advance in the advanced field is to push outside of your comfort zone and become comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Speaking of which - it's time for me to get outside and work my weaknesses!

[DirtDiva]

Well done to you both.

[Eden]

Good luck with the new team -Sounds like a really great opportunity. I think I saw quite a few Tamarack team members out there last weekend.
We hung around and watched the W1-2-3 crit. Kele was quite amazing. I get the feeling she may have started it with the goal of lapping the field in mind. She went out hard and fast right from the start. No fair wearing the Starbucks jersey in the local races - but maybe everyone in the field knew she was a pro to begin with? I was hanging around the first corner taking photographs for a while (If I find any of you or you team mates I can send them to you, but I was concentrating on my team mates ). About 1/2 way through I went down to the finish line. I heard them call your name for one of the primes -congrats for that!
My husband may do some announcing over at the velodrome on Wednesdays - if he does I'll probably ride over with my camera - maybe I'll see you race there some time.

[CR400]

Thanks Pink Kona, for reminding me that I'm supposed to suffer to get better and to place well. I often see people who are going faster then me and it looks like they are hardly trying. If I went that speed my heart would be doing about 204 with lungs and legs protesting.

[BikeMomma]

Way to go, gals! Sweet!! Sounds like you guys had fun...

[Nanci]

Racing sounds so fun! Do you (most people) do all three things, time trial, road race and crit, or is it more usual to have a specialty?

Nanci

[Pink Kona]

Racing sounds so fun! Do you (most people) do all three things, time trial, road race and crit, or is it more usual to have a specialty?

Nanci

Racing is fun. I highly recommend it to those adrenaline junkies out there.

Most people do all three types of races - although it seems these days some specialize in one area vs. another. This is where the team work enters the equation. Say you are a super good climber but have a terrible sprint and okay time trial. Then say someone else on your team is an okay climber, good sprinter and good at the time trial. At this race, the time trial was first which determines where people start in the general classfication. It usually shakes down who's in good form at that particular race and then team strategy is based off that. So for instance, the next stage is a hilly road race. Well instead of the really good climber doing their thing and beating every one up the climb, they shepard the person who placed well in the GC and fight off any threatening attacks. It's just like the Tour de France - except not as epic with 3000+ km over three weeks.

The people who do well in the GC are those who are a jack of all trades. But they rely on the strengths of their teammates to help them through the toughest climbs and the fastest sprints. Does that make sense?

[Quillfred]

Hey, good for you locals!

Still learning the difference between the different race types. I believe TT is all out speed with special HB, wheels and frames and more of a solo affair?

RR is more of a team event and longer? Still not sure what a brevet is either. I'll do a search and see what turns up.

Carole