photo credit Sonam Gotthilf
January is the Monday of the year. It's not that I don't appreciate this month's quiet rhythm of life following the joyful festivities of November and December; the simple pattern of checking the boxes is a necessary precursor to the sometimes chaotic, emotionally charged season of racing bikes. It is a month of wondering and trusting that the work I have and am putting in will help me attain my goals and until one lines up, it is difficult to say if it has been a successful off season. And so for me January can be a period of mood swings, of doldrums, with some tears of discouragement and small slivers of potential breakthroughs as I steadfastly ride through the weeks of long hours and difficult intervals, looking forward to the promise of spring.
Finally it was time to begin the year of racing. Mid February I boarded the plane en route to Spain where I would meet up with my Pas Racing teammates for a weekend of racing followed by some hard training. I love this eclectic group of people from all corners of the globe, and greatly enjoyed watching the fusion of different cultures under the roof of a gorgeous home on the outskirts of Girona. Initially there was much nervous energy as we quickly prepared for Santa Vall, the first race of the season. With two stages of exciting and difficult terrain and a deep field for both men and women, the race delivered a stout challenge. I was careful to keep from placing any expectations on myself, but was pleased with how I raced amidst a field of very strong women finishing with a 10th overall placing.
photo credit Sonam Gotthilf
Immediately following the race, I came down with a cold that put me in bed for a few days. While I felt awful, I also embraced the rest and armed with cough syrup and elderberry syrup, I soaked up a few days of doing absolutely nothing. After recovering quickly I was able to join the rides again, and was suprised by how good my legs were. I almost went back to the pharmacy to stock up on the syrups so good were the feelings I had post sickness. After a final 7 hr day of riding, I packed up and left for Texas, satisfied with my fitness and eager for the upcoming races.
First on the agenda was Valley of Tears in Turkey, Texas, easily a favorite of mine. Turkey, Texas is a small town set amidst stretches of fields dotted with sagebrush and tumbleweeds that is cut through occasionally by a sudden crevice revealing the red dirt and rocky ground just beneath the surface. The unpaved roads are punctuated by pits of loose sand and the wind can rage ferociously. The weather can change at the drop of a pin, as is true for most of Texas, and was something we experienced first hand during race weekend.
Friday evening we kicked the weekend off with a dirt crit, aka fat tire crit, something I had never participated in. I knew I needed to get to the front immediately as the course had 8 turns plus a quick chicane through a grassy patch. Unfortunately I did not start as well as I wished, but sheepishly held my cautious pace through the sandy corners to eventually end in 4th with a $200 sympathy prime for never catching Lauren Stephens, just ahead of me for the whole race. While I was not satisfied with my performance, I had fun and have learned to welcome slices of humble pie as incentives to improve.
Finally race morning arrived and we woke up in our quaint room in Hotel Turkey to the sight of sleet falling from the sky. What a contrast to the nearly 80 degrees the following day! I appreciate adverse weather particularly because I have a history of racing well in tough conditions. I had chosen 45 mm Terra Speeds from Bike Tires Direct that I paired with my Hunt 40 Limitless Gravel Aero wheels with carbon spokes, a solid combination that gave me speed, responsiveness and most importantly clearance for the inevitable mud. For clothing I chose Pas Normal long fleece-lined bibs, booties, neoprene gloves, and a jacket that I have full confidence is the best cold weather jacket I've ever had. My Ventum GS1 and Wahoo power pedals were fully charged, I had ample UnTapped nutrition stuffed into my Arundel top tube bag (junior tycoon is my favorite of theirs), and there was nothing left but to race.
photo credit Alex Roszko
I had spent quite a bit of time reconning the course and knew there were three sand pits within the first 4 miles. I wanted to be at the front for these as I know I can ride through sand very well, but didn't want to get stuck behind someone who couldn't. I pushed the pace through the first pit, and almost immediately, there was a group of four of us off the front with a small gap. Knowing who was not there and the caliber of riders they were, I continued to push the pace, trading pulls with the other three riders, Cecily, Sofia and Crystal. Before long we were headed into the mmr which was preceded by a deep sandpit. Here I made my first mistake. I knew the right side was best for entering the mmr as the sand was a little more packed and ridable, however, I didn't react to my instincts in time and ended up on the left side. I immmediately got bogged down and had to jump off my bike and run. By the time I was back on and riding, a substantial gap had opened up between each of us with me bringing up the rear. I fought hard to bring Cecily and Crystal back, but by this time Sofia had taken the gap and run with it. She would continue to extend this gap to end a little under 5 minutes ahead of second place, an impressive solo ride.
Meanwhile, I had separated from Cecily and Crystal and was focused on my solo effort of staying away from the chasers and bringing back Sofia. While I never saw her again until the finish, I rode well, keeping the pace at a level I knew I could hold for the remainder of the race. Around mile 30 I hit the Caprock Canyons state park which ended up being one of my favorite sections. Intially when I prerode the course I was sad that the organizers had changed it from what it was last year. However, I withdraw my sadness as I really enjoyed the dynamic and challenging section and it is now my favorite part. Along with that, Texas State Parks and Wildlife is a sponsor of mine for three years now and anytime I get to enjoy the wonderfully preserved and protected land is one I embrace.
photo credit Alex Roszko
About a mile from Turkey, where we would pass through before heading out for a final loop, I was told the race would end in the town as the conditions of the last 18 miles were made impassable by the sleet which was now turning into fluffy flakes of snow. I was completely fine with this decision and finished in second place, thankful for the organizers who put everyones safety and equipment first. The evening was spent with my family in the iconic restaurant of Hotel Turkey listening to live music while the snow continued to fall, blanketing the town into a magical wonderland much to the delight of my ten year old daughter. Overall I am happy with my performance in the first two races of the spring season, though hungry to continue this journey of pushing my limits.
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