Full race report is now posted below photos.
Some articles about the race from the web:
Photos:
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| Climbing Deer Vallley (Photo Chris See) |
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| Finish Line (Photo John Shafer) |
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| My Brother-in-Law, Carl Richards |
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| Amanda and Erica |
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| Amanda, Erica and John (Photo: Cycling News) |
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| Amanda, Erica and John |
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| Race Director, White Pine team mate, and friend: Jay Burke |
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| Pro Women's Podium: Kelly, Evelyn, Rebecca, Erica, Amanda, Sonya, Jenny |
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| Erica, Brad Keyes (Mr. CarboRocket himself) and KC |
Racing is a mental game. A few weeks ago I told a friend that I was just going to have fun at Point to Point because there were so many fast women that were going to be there I didn't have much of a chance for a top 5 spot. He reminded me to stop bowing down to my fear and imagine being on the podium. So I did. My husband then told me I had to be top 3 no matter what. So I began to believe that I was going to do it. I started the race conservatively. I hopped on Rebecca's wheel I knew she'd have a good pace. She dropped her chain 10 minutes in and I passed her. I then sat on Evelyn's wheel for almost an hour. At that point I knew that Amanda and Jenny were the only ones in front of us. Then
Kelly came blazing past and I just wanted to see how long I could hang onto her wheel. My sweet friend, Haley (who is 12 and KILLS it with the sport women) passed up a bottle to me at Snow Park. I knew she was super reliable and would find a good feed spot, and she did! It was a short climb to the first official feed zone. My support crew was standing in the
White Pine Touring tent. Luckily, Jesse (an amazing mechanic from White Pine) threw my bike on the stand and adjusted my rear derailleur that had been shifting into my spokes. I grabbed a camelback, fresh bottles of
CarboRocket and was out of the feed zone in less than 2 minutes. Kelly and I started climbing Deer Valley together again and at one point we saw Amanda. I was concerned I was going to fast, but I felt good. Then I let a guy pass me on bowhunter and Kelly got away, but I didn't give up hope. I just knew I had a good pace and if I held it there I wasn't going to blow up. I didn't know if it would keep me in front of the rest of the field, but I knew if I pushed it higher I'd start to cramp. I ended up catching Kelly on TG. TG happens to be my favorite trail in the world. As soon as I started to descend it I was so stoked that I didn't hit the brakes. I sat on Kelly's wheel for a bit, but was getting anxious. I know that descent and wanted to rail it! She pulled over for me and I was gone! I suffered a bit through the trees on John's but I knew everyone else was suffering too. I was just psyched to get back onto the climb. Everyone hates that next climb, but I don't. I knew I could put time on the field behind me and I only had 2 women in front of me. If I could just hold it at a solid pace I could come in third. I tried to tame my climbing and excitement...the race was far from over. Shadow Lake came quicker than I expected and I was ready to roll WFO down into PCMR. There are a few climbs before Cresent Mine Grade descent and I remembered being cooked on them last year. This year I felt good so I knew I was going to at least beat my time. I rolled into PCMR so excited and had to tame the excitement and fear and joy of seeing friends and support. I found my crew and stated my needs and was out in less than a minute this time. Someone lubed my chain, someone switched camelbacks and bottles and I do know that Jen H. helped me reload my coin purses with Elete and Sport Legs. She was the only person I was really aware of, I never looked up! Someone said second place was 2.5 minutes up, but I wasn't chasing. I was just trying to maintain. Next think I know I was climbing Spiro and half way up was Jenny. Once again I thought perhaps I was pushing too hard and I sat on her wheel for 10 seconds. Then I knew I had more...so I went. I was in second place. Oh my! I better keep this up! The new cut-section of Mid-mountain wasn't as bad as it was last year. I've ridden it a few time this year and knew it's not awesome, so I decided to just go as fast as I could to get it over with. Once I got to the Canyons I knew I had to hang on for one more climb. I was running low on Elete and CarboRocket. I started to ration for that last climb. But I still had Ambush to descend, and I flew down that trail like never before. I hadn't ridden Ambush since I had the Lefty and was thrilled at how much faster I could go because it just smoothes out the bumps. I hit the last climb and was suffering, but I knew everyone else was suffering too. I just had to make it ten more minutes and I would be fine. The very last descent sucks. There is no way around it. Hollys is the worst descent in Park City. It was loose and dusty and scary. But I survived. When I got to the last 4 switchbacks I knew I was home free. I could see the plaza and hear the music. As soon as I hit the pavement the biggest wave of emotion came over me. I rolled through the finish line fist pumping (probably screaming!) and then found a familiar face and collapsed in joy! My brother-in-law happened to be the one standing there, so he caught me. I was overwhelmed with happiness, I couldn't stop crying/laughing! Finally someone led me to a bench and gave me a cold wash cloth. I cleaned up and then did a quick interview for
Cyclingnews.com. It was a banner day for me, I am more than pleased with my second place finish with that field of women.
