Niagara Classic Road Race

The Niagara Classic Road Race, a.k.a. effingham. The cyclists in niagara all know this famous climb-- saylor's hill. This top of this hill is the killer part of the course each lap and also the top is the finish of the road race. What a great race, close to home, local training areas, but one big hill!
As I was packing up my car early in the morning for my 8:30 start, a stopped got my large tim horton's coffee and headed to the race. I completed my usual race warm-up, legs felt a bit heavy and headed to the start. On the start line, then we all peddled off down Tice Road. I was very nervous at the start, yet stayed at the front of the group, where I wanted to be. We settled into a rhythm, then the base settled down. I placed an attack, and got a good gap off the front. I was wishing someone might bridge up to me, but the group just chased me down. I settled back in, and felt comfortable as we got onto effingham street. I moved up to the front of the group for the climb up saylor's hill. I had a good climb, I wasn't going for the 'queen of the mountain' points, just a good race. Started down Tice Road on lap 2- the fast section, one main group still. Some riders who were dropped on the climb bridge back on. We settled in as a group, and turned onto effingham road. Then as we approached the bottom of the climb, all the riders were trying to move-up before the start of the climb. The rider beside me, got crashed out. She fell onto me, but I managed to push her off me. Then ride into the gravel and grass, back onto the road- and start the climb. Unfortunately, I lost a bit of ground going into the start of the climb. I managed to get on to the back of the pack, but a few smaller groups had formed up front. As we headed down Tice Road, I bridged up to the next group- after a few minutes of solid work. Then I joined into a group of 6 or so riders. We headed up saylor's for the 3rd time... my legs were really feeling the efforts. Then started the last lap, we could see the first group in front of us -- but our group could never close the gap down. I tried to bridge across the gap, but didn't make it. I knew that would have been my big effort, and the race up the hill for the final sprint would be tough. I managed up the last climb, near the back of my group. Overall, pleased with the day - 10th in the category 3/master women's race. And 4th in category 3. I had some good efforts, and with road racing-- the more you race, the more you learn!

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!!