Tour of Bronte

Yesterday, we packed up the minivan for a great bike race at Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville. My husband and I both raced in this inaugural race. The road race was a mix of smooth and not so smooth paved and unpaved winding roads-- and of course a few potholes thrown in there. The women's race started with the masters 2 men and junior men--which always makes for a different type of race for the women. The women's field had some very good riders --Helen Wyman -5 time national British cyclocross champion, Sue Palmer-Komar- semi-retired Olympian and commonwealth games medalist, and Leigh Hobson-Olympian. As the raced started, we headed out down the paved road--not too bad until the right turn onto the gravel section--then there were bumps, and potholes. I held my position through this section on the first lap, riding through the gravel well. Up through the registration area and across the narrow bridge still with the pack. Once back on the road section, I settled in and started to feel more comfortable in the pack. Then we hit the start of the gravel section, one rider took the corner too fast and slid out in the gravel. Myself and a few riders got stuck behind him, we got around the rider, but not quickly enough as the pack had got a bit of a gap. We all chased but with the head wind, we were unable to get back on with the pack. I rode with a small group that grew to 5 by the end of the race. We worked together through the sections of the course, and I was feeling more comfortable with all the gravel turns. I was really happy with the tubular wheels that my husband set-up for me, the wheels were solid and held-up well with the few potholes I didn't manage to avoid! My group came down to 4 of us on the final lap, a few small attacks on the last lap but nothing stuck. I did an attack on the road in the last kilometer, but didn't manage to get away. One of the guys did a counter attack- I attempted to go with this- but got outsprinted at the line --by the other women in my pack. I was 5th in the women's field. I really enjoyed the race course and the race. It was a great venue, after the races we went over the children's park, petting zoo and barn with the kids. Hopefully this race is on the race calendar next year because I would love to go back!!