CanadA Cup #4 -- Fernie, BC

July 30, 2005

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I drove to Fernie all by myself -- nearly 1000 km and 11 hours with just my brain to keep me entertained. It wasn't bad. The drive is really quite beautiful as it heads out of the green Fraser Valley, through pine forested Manning Park, arid Osoyoos and into the Kootenays and Rockies.

I arrived in Fernie with pleny of time to pre-ride a course I could ride with my eyes closed, I've raced on it so many times. But I love it anyway! On the day of the race, I spent the morning finishing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I was worried I wouldn't finish the book before the start pistol went off. I had even arranged for Keith to read to me as I rode through the feed zone each lap....

But I finished the book with time to spare, so it wasn't an issue.

The gun went off and I took a position near the front and tried to stick with the girls up there and push the pace. I was in third place going through the feed zone, but unfortunately I lost my bottle on a bumpy downhill right after the feed zone. It threw me off a little, because it was a hot day and the same thing happened to me two years ago and I had major dehydration issues. I backed off a little bit because I didn't want to blow my race. On the next lap, I got a bottle, drank lots, and got back on track. However, I had dropped back a few spots.

I ended up fading a little at the end, but I was happy, because my goal was to give it my all and take the risk of going out too hard. I was pleased with the way I felt at the start: fast, aggressive, confident. That's the feeling I need to get back all the time! I crossed the line sixth.