Adventures of the Northwest

Monday Night full of insight, fear, harrassment and plain old fun!

Monday night racing was interesting. Jane, Jill, Melinda, Liz and I took on the roles of ‘mentors’ as we had 5 new girls, all from Sunday’s track class, and a few returning new girls show up for racing. We had a field of 12 total (including 2 juniors that we split up) which is a great field. We were able to split into two groups and we split the more ‘experienced’ of us 5 between the two groups so we can assist them with the race strategies, push them a bit beyond their comfort level and such. Jill and I were in the same group. We tried to let them know what was expected with the first race, what the neutral lap was about, what strategies they may want to use on the race – 5 lap, point a lap. I think they did great. Liz took off way ahead with the junior rider. Then, Jill worked with a couple girls in the back and I worked with one girl in the middle. I tried to have her work with me on pulling laps, trying to close the gap and so forth. She did an excellent job! I kept hoping that Jill and her two girls would be able to close the gap on us so we could all work together but no such luck.

Second race:

We went out for a 5 lap scratch race. The girls were more prepared on this one. We did a bit of pace lining for the first few laps as I think that is what they were comfortable with and we worked well together. Jill decided to spice it up a bit near the last lap. She revved it up and took off! I was right behind her wheel. I tried getting around, no such luck, got back on her wheel. Then it was an all out sprint although I didn’t want to take the points away from her from all that hard work she did with the break away and pulling my sorry butt so I wasn’t trying to put a full effort in my sprint. She beat me by a couple inches!!! She did awesome!!! 

Third race:

We only had 4 girls this time. The junior, went home sick – we pushed him so hard the first race he just up and got sick – then another girl also went home totally tuckered, I think. This one was a 3x2 so 3 sprints every 2 laps. The first sprint I think Jill got it. The second sprint – I think Jill got it… I tried so hard but couldn’t get up there. I think one other girl beat me so I may have come in third – the details are fuzzy for me – the third sprint I was like – heck no! I am beating someone even if I can’t get Jill. The second girl and I worked together to try to close the gap with Jill but we couldn’t so it was an all out sprint at the end for us. I sprinted HARD!!!! Then, as I was in the last maybe 10 meters to the finish line I stood up to pound it out and even yelled as I went through the finish line. I was able to make it 2nd and the other girl made 3rd place! WOOHOOO!!! That is what I was working so hard for - I was NOT going to let her beat me out of 2nd! GRRR! Later some girl – maybe about 10 years old – asked: Who was that that yelled so loud? I said, that would be – the big mouth! Phil (our critic) said that yes, I am a bit loud. LOL! Ok well ahhh huh…. Do you expect any less? LOL!!! My max speed on Monday was 34.4!

Tonight’s races were quite interesting. I think Jill and I helped educate the girls while also pushing them and showing them what has to get done out there to start winning and to train for the winter. Also, Jane was able to race against a few faster girls; however, they were a bit squirrelly so she was giving a bit of distance. She was smoking out there though! I can't wait until Wednesday! The second group of girls had someone in their group get unclipped out of her pedal at some point. It was quite scary!!! She was able to recover, get clipped back in and keep on racing. My friend Brian also had that same issue but BOTH pedals. EEEEK!!!! It made the officials very, very worried out there. It was truly an interesting evening. Gregg sprinted hard on a few races and won; however, on one of them he went hands free after crossing the finish line which was an instant disqualification. I know he was TREMENDOUSLY ecstatic for winning with all that effort. Poor guy! :)Everyone did a great job though…. I can really see the improvements with Brian regardless of his knee being very sore lately and the pedal issue. He has increased his speed, been able to suck on a wheel better and overall look more relaxed and strong. I think everyone is improving by leaps and bounds. Next year we will be killer on the track! Bob and Greg are thinking about joining the Byrne team. I think Brian is still unsure but if all them got together, with Pat who is already on the team, wow!!! They will be kicking butt like us Divas! 

I DO need to pay Farmer Bob back though…. Hmmmm… I have to scheme to pay him back for picking on me and harassing me. There is a ‘weird’ guy in the stand each race night that is difficult to describe. But he is “ODD” and “NOSEY” as he is in everyone’s business, has to talk to everyone, ask people about their bikes, their clothes or whatever else. He tells people about his pancreatic surgery. He looks like he is trying to be a cross between a Grateful Dead band member and a Harley Davidson biker with his skull cap minus the Harley. He walks like he is about 9 months pregnant and sadly looks like it too. The guys were giving me a hard time – all with the influence of BOB egging it on – about keeping my guy in check, etc. The way they were saying it I was completely confused until they had me turn around and I realized who they were talking about! MAN!!! GRRRR!!! Those guys are going to get it…. I got to scheme something up for them.

OH! Brian brought his rollers that he hasn’t been using so I could borrow them and see if they will work. I hope to get on them a bit later this week. We will see – or maybe even Tuesday night after the SBC picnic. WOOHOOO!! Winter training – here I come!

posted by Seattlebiker @ 11:41 PM