Redlands finished up on Sunday with the Sunset Circuit road race.  It went well, but first I will mention the crit. 

On Saturday, I lost the yellow jersey.  Kristin was/is sprinting awesome, and she easily took all of the sprint time bonuses.  I tried to race smart and be in contact with anything dangerous that went up the road.  I managed to limit my losses, and still be within 5 seconds of the lead.  Prior to the race, the SC Velo girls (my composite teammates) were super motivated to do anything and everything they could.  I think they were a little bit nervous too, b/c their chatter level was a little bit higher than it had been the day before:).  I was inspired by their enthusiasm. 

Sunday was the 100km circuit road race: ~ 5k to the circuit, 9 x 10k circuits, and then 5k back home to the start/finish in downtown Redlands.  There was a QOM and time bonus on the first lap, and QOM’s with 5 and 3 laps to go.  We were neutral until about 2km from the circuit.  The green light to start racing came about 2k from the start of the circuit.  The first time up, things were fairly predictable.  The teams interested in the sprint along with myself worked to keep the pace up.  The sprint went Kristin, Christine, and then me.  At that point, the group was a lot smaller, and there were a series of attacks that eventually launched Ina with Kristin chasing behind.  Our small group picked up Kristin at the beginning of the circuit.  Around the QOM area on the second lap, I launched an attack to try and bridge up to Ina.  I thought she might be interested in riding with me and going for a stage win so when I picked her up, I eased a little so that she could get on my wheel.  She did, briefly, but then for some reason pulled off.  I’m not sure why, but that meant that I was out for a really long epic solo day, a short attack, or a heartbreaking day because it was going to be all or nothing.  I’m not exactly sure what went on behind me.  I just tried to focus on one lap at a time.  I also tried to enjoy the moment.  It’s not often that I get to race in the states, and it’s not often that I get to race (anywhere) with my husband and coach watching. 

After 7 long circuits and then the really long 5k ride home, I crossed the line with another stage win and the overall GC title.  It was really fun!  It hurt, but I was having fun.  My husband and I definitely need to work on our feed zone exchanges.  (Sorry J!  I know you had to take a lot of abuse.)  I don’t know how many bottles I dropped, but I was having a hard time NOT laughing every time I approached him for a bottle.  Thankfully, I did manage to grab a couple from Jose and Mark (the SC Velo guys running the team,) otherwise I would have turned into a raisin…or actually, probably a dried piece of broccoli.  I also enjoyed seeing my coach at the bottom, and then again at the top, and then again at the bottom, and then again at the top… over and over…each time with a new sign.  (Where was the mini whiteboard?!)  I think he ended the day more exhausted than I was!  It was fun for me to race with the SC Velo support crew and some new cat 2’s.  We shared some good times.  Finally, I also had a chance to catch up with some old knobby teammates and friends (mountain bikers.)  Overall, a great weekend, and a great way to start my first racing block.

My coach’s smile was a little bit bigger than mine.  Like I said, I was having fun…I’ve actually always wanted to win this race.  More photos and links to stuff later.

PS.  Thanks Mitch at www.mitchophoto.com