For a stage race there are so many logistical things that need to be taken care of. This time everything went really smoothly. Thanks so much to Leah from
the Bike Shop in Glen Ellyn for putting together the awesome care package! For the race we had
Molly from Cuttin Crew working support. She was great and we can’t thank her enough for a job well done. Also Devon’s brother and mom were out at all of the stages and were wonderful at cheering and providing delicious food at exactly the right moment.
This race was exciting because it was Kristin Armstrong’s last US race before she retires. She won the gold medal in the tt in last year’s olympics and she’s been a world champion and has won this race numerous times. She came out solo and beat all the pro teams. She is an inspiration to us all and it was very exciting to be a part of it and to be there to witness first hand.
Our team worked well together and Devon was our best finisher in 26th overall. On the whole it was a great experience.
Results can be found
hereHere’s Kristen's blow by blow--
Day 1
Am TT: Given my history with the tt I was legitimately nervous. I got myself all worked up and as a result felt terrible. It was out and back on a long flat stretch finishing on a terrific hill. I went out too hard and could not maintain my power on the way back on the flat part but when I hit the hill I felt good climbing it and was able to go hard. Felt like I could have gone faster and was terrfied about missng the cut. It was a big relief to have our whole team legitimately make it, and I think we were all excited to get it out of the way. Devon was now 53rd in the GC.
Pm St. Paul Crit: We all got to the start line late and had to line up in the back. Crazy fast from the gun, Devon managed to work her way to the front of the race, and Madeleine, Anne and I spent the first laps picking people off and moving up. I made it up to the main field, but it took a lot out of me and then I just decided since I had made the cut to quit fighting and save my legs for the rest of the week. In hindsight, I wish I would have just finished. Madeleine and Anne weren’t so lucky and that ended their race. We were bummed, but they decided to stick around for the rest of the week and help us, and they were a great support. Devon’s Power Tap file from the race was interesting. The first half of the race where she was fighting to move up at the back compared to the second half of the race where she had made it to the front, was the same speed; but the second half averaged 30 watts lower!
Day 2
Cannon Falls RR: I had done this race last year and it played out almost exactly the same. Crazy hard moment at the beginning, where I had to fight to stay on at the back, then the rest of the race was fine. This race was fun because Kristin Armstrong was hanging out in the field and I confess I was a little starstruck to actually be riding next to her in a race. We had a “moment’ when a huge piece of metal debris came flying through the field and we exchanged “what the heck??” glances. I know, I am a huge nerd :)
For this race we rode out of town on a big loop and then come back into a finishing circuit via a gravel path. Fine for those
cyclocross types (Devon!) but super scary for me. I did just fine though, and had already avoided lots of crashes during the race, including the big one that took out most of Webcor and half the field, and I hit the gravel section with the front group. Here again I went into survival mode and just rode around to finish. Hindsight being 20/20 I could have/should have made up some time here. Devon rode strong and finished with the front group.
Day 3
Minneapolis crit: . Fun downtown crit within riding distance of our housing. Huge rowdy crowd. I admit to having some high hopes for this race. Got a good starting position but messed it up clipping in. Was caught behind an early crash, caught back on, then rode around at the back until I made the time cut. Legs did not feel good today. After I made the time cut I made a huge effort to move up and it only got me to about the top third of the field. I then immediately blew up, couldn't maintain the position and gave up, not wanting to ride around fighting at the back. I had hoped to do better and was disappointed. Devon finished just fine midfield. Super fun to have my family out to watch, and afterwards we went back to our house where our host Deborah and her daughter had made an incredible spread of food for us!! It was just what we needed, and I’m convinced that’s why we felt so good the next day!
Day 4
Mankato: 91 mile RR. Same deal with the loop and the finishing circuit. Not sure if it was intentional or what but I did not check out the hill on the circuit beforehand and I had no idea it was waiting for me! It was like Stillwater but 3x as long. I was wondering why the first 81 miles were so easy. Needless to say I was blown away when we hit it the first time. It seemed like a cruel joke. The first time approaching the hill I was caught up in a crash--I didn't go down but I had to stop and chase back on but I think I ended up riding the hill ok. I was able to go hard at the top of it and go fast on the way down. Legs felt good after today--definitely tired but not totally dead. I had enough left at the end to muster up a sprint for 72 place which I lost, doh! but I think I did ride as hard as I could today and it felt great. Devon had a spectacular day and finished 18th, moving her up quite a bit in the GC.
Day 5
Stillwater: The race was 13 laps and we only had to do three to finish. This race is snake alley steep without the switchbacks but it’s kind of the same, up hard, down scary. Prior to having kids, this race was my best finish ever. In 2002 I made the break and finished 14th. There was quite a bit of luck involved, but still I have fond memories of this race and was looking forward to it. I got a great start, went as hard as I could and feel pretty good about getting 6 laps in before getting pulled. I then hung out with my family and got to watch Devon’s strong finish for a 26th GC placing as well as the impressive finishes of
Amanda Miller and
Kristin Wentworth. Not to mention Kristin Armstrong’s amazing win. When I started watching she was riding in a break fo 3, and seemingly effortlessly dopped them and finished solo at 1 lap to go. I was glad to be there for that.
I am amazed at how well my BH Cristal handled. I felt extremely comfortable on it and it handles beautifully. On the whole I’m super excited to have finished, but I of course now wish that I had not been so conservative at the beginning and would have aimed for a GC finish a little higher than 83rd. I think that’s the addicting part of bike racing….there’s a lot I can improve and next time I will do better!!
Thanks so much to our amazing hosts Deborah, Jack and Susan, and Rick who put us all in touch. You guys were great! Also thanks to my mom, aunt Sue, uncle Tim and the rest of my family for all their help hanging out with my kids and making sure they had so much fun. Couldn’t do it without you guys.
Pictures to follow
