O Cup 1 Race Report - Mansfield

So, I kinda took the plunge and upgraded to Expert over the winter. I decided that a win and a handful of 3rd and 4th place finishes, as well as enough points to upgrade were hinting that I was ready to step it up a level. I know it's early days for the season, but I am so excited about racing in Expert, I can hardly contain myself! I think there will be some great battles this season, and I can't wait to keep riding with this great group of ladies.

Shall we back up to the pre-ride? It was pretty good. I was mostly trying not to kill myself on the climbs, and remembering what my mountain bike felt like on dirt. I got in two laps - one easy to check it all out, and one trying a bit more speed on the single track. I had originally planned on three laps, but it was pretty hot (nice, but I wasn't used to it), and I was at risk of getting tired and frustrated.

Saturday night was great. I rarely comment on my pre-race routine, but I continue to be so damn proud of myself for somehow getting my bag packed, dinner made, bottles prepped, and Sunday's dinner done and in the fridge for an easy post-race evening. Oh, and I made it to a friend's going-away party, too!

Sunday was race day, and I learned the first bonus of racing Expert: not needing to wake up and leave the house at the crack of dawn. Leaving at 9am felt so civilized - we even had time to get coffee from Sam James Coffee bar, and traffic was not too bad. Got to Mansfield in good time, and got in a decent little warm up (necessary, since it was a bit on the windy/chilly side). Tried to keep race-tummy and related bathroom breaks to a minimum, but I admit to having pre-race nerves. I had no clue what to expect in Expert, and I was nervous and excited to find out!

First lap was really good - I was riding in a little train of 4 girls, sitting at the back and taking it all in. It was so much fun! It was a good pace, but not killer, and was just fun to be racing so close to others in my category. After the first lap, I had a pretty good idea of where I might be able to open a gap - on a steep uphill, which a couple of the girls were dismounting for. On lap 2, we shuffled order a bit on the opening climb. I went a bit earlier than planned, but I wanted to make sure I got into that single track climb with a clear run at it. Jennifer pulled away from me shortly after, and I never saw her again. On my last lap, I could see another woman from my category ahead, just as we headed into the last section of single track. She had made an early escape, and nearly stayed away the whole race, and was all I needed as a carrot. I pushed to try and catch her. She gained some ground on me on the open gravel downhill, and I gave it my all to catch her wheel through the last corners, but it was not in the cards. I finished in 3rd, less than 10 seconds down from 2nd. And Christiane finished a mere 30 seconds behind me - I hope this means lots of good, close racing this season!