They decided to change up the way they did the race, so that every women’s group would be on the same lap (we would all get the same one-lap-to-go bell). Well, with 28 cat 4s, 16 senior women, and 5 masters women, that a big crowd. They sent off the senior women, then right after they went by us, they sent us off. I immediately jumped in front and sprinted up to the seniors. I am so glad I did–it was a complete clusterf*k. I imagine it must have been very difficult for the riders in the back, with 50-some people all squished together. The women aren’t really used to riding in huge packs like that, since our fields are usually so small. The senior women didn’t seem to care much and were elbowing their way around, but I think it freaked the cat 4s out a bit. Also it was nearly impossible to tell who was who, even with the (tiny) colored ribbons. I pretty much held my spot the whole race (which was NOT easy since everyone was trying to move up, as usual).
The pace was pretty good, not super fast, not totally mellow. I went hard the last lap, went all out up that damned hill, and ended up in 5th place (I had no idea at the time, since most of the people in front of me were seniors). I felt really good about this one, although I have to say its somewhat less fun in a huge group like that. When it’s just the Cat 4s, we have control of the pace, can try breakaways and so on…when we’re being bottle-necked by the seniors, we can only just hang on to the back. Kinda sucks. If they keep doing it this way, I’m not sure I will do anymore of them.
Nice job hangin w/ the senior women at Tabor…and good luck this weekend at Elkhorn.