Spring Hill RR, W3/4 combined field by Katy

Spring Hill RR, W3/4 combined field
31 May 2009
Katy 1st, Annie (Big) 2nd out of 30+

Spring Hill RR is a great course - no major climbs, some larger than rollers and some rollers. The Women 3/4 were combined (no distinction in numbers), and we did two laps for 44 miles. I definitely noticed a headwind on parts of the course, and I would surmise then that there was a tailwind, but it didn't really register.

Annie & I were very excited to race together, and this was my first race for the Webcor/AV Bridge team pb Sportvelo. This was also my first USCF race since Snelling (I've been racing collegiate for Stanford), so Annie had to fill me in on who the other women were. Our plan was to keep the pace high throughout the race because while we thought we could get up the final hill fast, we weren't sure we could hold off any sprinters. Also we were hoping to get one of us up the road in a break.

The race was a fast pace from the gun - similar to last year - I briefly thought that there was no way I'd make it if the pace stayed this high. I think the fast start helped to dwindle the group down, but there were probably 30 or so women that made the first lap. The pace dropped occasionally on the back side, so I went up to the front to pick things up. Just when I was thinking it would be nice to have Annie take over, she came to the front and took over for me. Annie put in two attacks on the rollers. The group never let her get far away, but it definitely helped pick up the pace.

The start of the second lap the pace picked up again, and our group dwindled to 15 riders or so. At this point we had dropped any of the sprinters that Annie recognized. We were working well together to keep the pace high until we hit a left handed hill on the back of the course. The pace slowed and the pacelining fell apart, so I attacked the hill. No one was interested in chasing at first, and they let me stay away for a few miles. I noticed the headwind while I was out by myself. I was caught and sat back in to recover. If I remember correctly Annie put in another attack, but the group had her marked.

You can see the final climb a few kilometers out, and last year I went too early for the finish. This year I decided to sit in as long as I could. The pace picked up as we were going through the feed zone. The road flattens a bit before kicking up again. Things slowed down here, so I attacked the final hill and hoped I could hold on to it. I got enough of a gap and managed to hold it, and Annie was right behind me for 2nd. This was a great way to start my season with the AV Bridge Team, and I enjoyed racing with Annie.



-katy