As always, my legs felt like crap on the warm up. While this is normal for almost any race warm up, I was particularly worried since my legs haven't really not felt like crap yet, as I try to get back into race shape after winter. But once the race started I was actually feeling pretty good, thank goodness.
Getting ready to race. Photo by Darian Nagle-Gamm |
I made it up the steep climb to the finish line with the group and kept up with the attacks going on pretty much from the start of the race. And then on the first big hill I managed to drop my chain. I should really not be having this problem, but I made a bad choice about when to shift. So there I was, half way up the hill, on the side of the road trying to get my bike functioning!
It was jammed pretty well and by the time I got my bike working again I was in absolute last place and on my own with 4 1/2 laps to go. Oh boy, I knew this wasn't going to be easy but I was not going to pull out of the race. I got back on my bike and took off. If nothing else I would get in a good ride!
It took an entire lap, but I finally caught up with two teammates right about where I had dropped my chain. After another lap, again in about the same spot, I saw another racer ahead and took off to chase her down. By the climb to the finish area I had caught up with her. I was informed by the spectators that another teammate wasn't far ahead so I sat in or rode slowly, not wanting to bring a non-teammate up to a teammate ahead.
The next time through the finish area, I saw one lap to go, so I attacked off the front. It worked and I was able to get away, maintaining my place through the finish of the race.
I was so happy that I was able to catch up to a few riders and ride well on my own, that I wasn't even upset about the chain issue. I didn't give up and proved that I am in better shape than I thought. And that was worth so much to me!
Hanging out post race with Niels and Robin. Photo by Mauro Heck. |