Weather: HOT as *&%$@!
This was my first Vuelta de San Jose. I stopped most cycling training after my last race in San Ardo in August and began to cross-train and mix up my workouts with weights, hiking, and running. My muscles were sort of in shock. I decided to participate in the Vuelta for the workout, to have fun, and to hang out with fellow SJBC teammates. I was disappointed that I was the only adult female participant.
ITT: I hadn't done an individual time trial since the 2009 Winter Series and didn't do any special preparation. I warmed up near Live Oak High School for awhile and then hit the trainer until my start time. The temperatures were still mild at this time and there was a slight south headwind. My muscles were sore from my new non-cycling activities and this time trial was painful! I was able to maintain about 20-21 mph into the headwind and about 22-23 mph out of the headwind on the flats. I took the short hill out of the saddle to try to use different muscles. I thought I had a successful time trial with a time of 12:41, but I didn't quite make the cut for the B group which left me pretty bummed.
After the ITT, I grabbed "lunch" at the only lunch spot open at 10:30 am Subway! I ate my sub and caught up on some college football at home as the temperatures began to soar!
Crit: The C crit started at 1pm and temps were in the upper 90s. I did three warm up laps on the course. I was one of four adults in the C group and I completely underestimated my competition. I thought I had this one in the bag because of my many club rides, TNCs, and some racing success. The group had a great race strategy - sit on the wheel of the woman working extra hard to prove she should have made the Bs and let her tire out. I was unsuccessful on dropping my group. On the last lap, Troy Strickland broke after turn two. I bridged the gap to Troy and carried Jordan Wolfe with me. Troy slowed up after turn three and Jordan made his move to sprint and take the win. I finished third behind Troy. We ended up completing seven laps, even though we supposed to only do six.
Day one was complete and I was in second place overall.
RR: I warmed up for about 30 minutes before my race along Uvas. I did most of the pulling in the crit the day before, and I knew I wouldn't be able to hold back today either. Therefore, I decided I was going to try to break away from the group before Sycamore. The pace started out pretty mild and Steve Wolfe picked it up on his pull. We rotated through the pack taking turns pulling. On the descent down Uvas before the Oak Glen right turn, Marek and I gapped the group. It was still early, but I decided to try to go for it and break away. When we turned onto Oak Glen, I stood up and jumped about 15 times and formed a decent gap. I was pretty gassed, but tried to time trial it and maintain my gap. A few minutes later Troy and Jordan caught me. I tried to encourage them to help me and maintain the break, but they weren't interested and we were quickly caught by the rest of the group. FAIL! I joined the rotation and tried to rest and prepare for my next attack. After the sharp right turn at Llagas and Oak Glen, I noticed a slight gap forming. I tried to capitalize by attacking and I jumped about 15 times again. A decent gap formed and I stayed away a little longer this time, but I had the same outcome - Jordan and Troy caught me and then most of the group caught. By this time we were approaching the climb of doom up Sycamore. I knew I wasn't going to beat Troy and Jordan up the climb because they were strong on the crit hill and I wasted too much energy on my failed break attempts. Troy's chain slipped about half way up. Then, Florian and Justin decided to pour salt on my wound and kicked it into high gear. I ended up finishing the Sycamore climb in third after Jordan and Justin. We regrouped on the descent and made our way to Watsonville and back on Uvas for the final uphill finish. Simon broke from the group on downhill just before the gradual uphill section. I figured he would tire and we would catch him, but that didn't happen. I ended up finishing second behind Simon and Jordan finished third. This still gave me the group win.
Final thoughts: Overall, I achieved my goals: fun, workout and socializing with people who share my passion for cycling. I only wish there were more women participating. I was VERY impressed by the riding of Jordan, Troy, Justin and Florian! They are going to be dominating very soon I will hold on to my Vuelta victory over them. ? Oh, and the BBQ was great with awesome prizes for all participants!