Spain 2005

On Sunday, race day, I woke up at 7 a.m., loaded my gear into the van, and had some muesli, fruit and coffee for breakfast. We drove off at 8. By the way, the commandeered van (a Ford) has been ailing ever since we arrived. I think I will call her Mildred. Before driving her, she has to be warmed up for half an hour so she will run semi-properly. She has no power and takes about the same amount of time to get to San Feliu as I do on my road bike -- if she gets to San Feliu....

So we (Juerg, Martina, Peter-the-wonder-mechanic and I) were driving (slowly) in the San Feliu direction, listening to Daft Punk on the radio. Martina was enjoying the slowness, because she easily gets carsick on the windy roads. We were about halfway there, when all of a sudden, on a climb, Mildred gave up and died. Juerg tried to start her again, but she wouldn't turn over. He tried to build momentum while rolling (backwards around a corner) to get her started, but it didn't work. That's it. Mildred limped to the side of the road, we unloaded the bikes and our packs and Martina and I rode the rest of the way.

We arrived with enough time to register (The race only cost 5 Euros and included a free T-shirt and food!) and get ready, but not really to warm up. It was sunny, but super windy and cold. It had rained overnight, but the sand soaked it up nicely. Juerg and Peter arrived half and hour before the start (they called the hotel and got one of the drivers to pick them up and drop them off), so we had support!

I felt really good. The race was short (around 1:15), so I knew I had to hammer -- and I was able to! My legs responded! I think I averaged 194 BPM and I often saw my HR over 200 on the climbs. Course conditions were good. The rain overnight packed down the sand a bit and made it grippy.

There were only about seven elite women, but we started en masse w/ a bunch of men, so I was racing a lot of them -- passed a lot too. I had a pretty good start. It started on a pavement climb and then turned right into a rutted fire road where suddenly people had to dismount (it wasn't that steep, but they got stuck in the ruts). I managed to keep my head and weave my way through all the people who were walking. I never actually had the leader, Cristina Mascarreras (Tot Vici amb Bici), in my sights, but Juerg told me that her lead was always the same. She was at about a minute after the long climbing sections, but I usually managed to pull her in significantly (to like 20 seconds) on the descents. Unfortunately I never saw her! Juerg says she was only 10 seconds ahead at the finish! AARGH! 10 seconds is nothing!!!

I won a very cool trophy and we each had a bottle of champagne on the podium -- my first one! Too bad I had to spray it all at the crowd. I did manage to get a couple of sips at the end... and then I rode home.... I need to practice the champagne-spraying. I may have to buy a case of cheap stuff, set up a makeshift podium and do some champagne intervals....

Unfortunately Martina had bad luck. Her cranks came loose about halfway through the first lap and she was obviously unable to continue. Next time though! She rode super strong and clean in the pre-ride on Saturday. She definitely has good form!

Thanks to Juerg and Peter the mechanical genius (at the end of the last lap, Peter jumped on his bike and rode behind me, cheering and making me work my butt off) for their help and Peter the chauffeur for getting the support crew to us in time!

I race again in Banyoles at the Copa Catalana #1 (a bigger race, I think it's an E1) this coming Sunday.