My First first!

[NJBikeGal]

I won my first race yesterday!! I'm very excited and had to share the news with all you ladies...

It was a crit in the Lehigh Valley. It was tough for a crit, with two big hills and a descent that allowed us to hit 43+ mph! The race started out relatively controlled...with everyone sticking together for the first couple of laps. After about 4, the group started to splinter a bit and I realized I was in a break of 7 women. A few laps later, we lost one of our seven and the 6 of us were together for the rest of the race. There were a few preme laps, but no one really attacked. On the final lap, one woman attacked on the first big hill. I followed, but didn't counter attack...we were still a ways from the finish. At the bottom of the final hill, I started to charge. I caught her at the top and pulled ahead to the finish line!

I got to raise my arms up over my head and everything...how FUN!

[uk elephant]

Congratulations! That must have been such a rush!

[limewave]

Yay! So thrilling! Congrats.

[ohmyspokes]

Yay Sarah! George said he knew you were going to win it all along.

Sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you. I had ridden there and my bladder was about to burst.

Was it dry for your race? That descent was scary as he!! in the rain the first few times down.

Congrats! That is so awesome and what a way to wrap up your first season.

[NJBikeGal]

Sorry I missed you, too....I had to rush out of there to get all the way down to North Wildwood for a dinner banquet with the hubby. Good thing I left when I did, because I got lost going home. Man, I hate driving in PA! I didn't really get lost...I just took the scenic route!

We didn't have any real rain for our race...just a bit of drizzle, but it was hardly even noticeable. I was thinking about you guys as I was heading home in constant rain! I hope that it wasn't too bad, but I'm sure that first hill was a doozy! How did the race go for you? What was your field like?

[ohmyspokes]

I was soooo not in the mood to race, shivering in the rain at the start line...

I went up the hill hard a few times and Colleen (multi time national junior champ on road and track) rode up next to me and said "If we keep the pace up on this hill, we'll drop people". So she and I took turns, with Arley from Boston Scientific pitching in. And she was right - I looked back and there were six of us: Jackie, Colleen, me, Arley, Emily from GPOA, and Barbara from Somerset. Tough group! We lapped a few girls. I tried keeping a high pace up the hill and heard after the race that they were fighting for my wheel. Got into a little predicament at the end, since I knew every one of these girls could beat me in a sprint. So I gunned it out of the saddle on the last rise, but was passed by them all at the line. So, sixth place for me. I was just glad it was over

Here's a photo from one of the early laps.

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...9890513&size=l

[Zen]

I got to raise my arms up over my head and everything...how FUN!

YAY YOU!

[SheFly]

Congrats! That is the one that has eluded me all season, but good for you for capturing a win! Very well deserved.

SheFly

[AZSpinner]

Wooooohooooo!!!!

[cosc]

NJbikegirl, what a great competitor you are. How I wish I could of watched your win. Congrats.

Ohmyspokes, sounds like a challenging race with you giving your all.

[maillotpois]

Wow that is SO great!!!!

[ehirsch83]

congrats!! That is amazing! you go girl:-)

[NJBikeGal]

Kristy, I do not envy you that kind of race on that course. It was a really tough course! Sounds like you put in one heck of a fight though...great job! I admire your guts when it comes to going on the attack...I still have to work on that!

There was a photographer on site taking pics, but he didn't stay into the rainy 1/2/3 race. Here's a photo of me at the finish.

[slmdunc]

Yeeeeeeah! Now that's just COOL!!!! Way to go!

[ohmyspokes]

What a cool photo. I'm really happy for you!