World Cup xc #1 -- Spa-Francorchamps, belgium

April 24, 2005

Marie-Helene won her first World Cup! I'm super happy for her. What a ride! Of course I had no idea what was going on, back where I was.... For my official report, see Pedalmag.com.

I ended up 52nd out of 80 women. It was a huge field, which was cool. Marie-Helene, Trish, Kiara and I were the only Canadians.

The course was super fun, starting on the Francorchamps Formula One course (a fast start!) and then diving into the forest via a steep chute. It wound through the woods on loamy singletrack, slick with wet roots and mud. It was much more like home than the riding here in Spain. Some parts were faster to run and I was really pleased with the way I handled that. I hate getting off my bike, so I used to refuse and waste so much time trying to ride everything. On Sunday, I hopped off and ran instead of messing around. And when I ran, I actually passed other women! Yay to all my running this winter!

I felt strong throughout the race -- my legs were powerful, I was technically confident and I was having a great time. The crowd was fun -- so many people! I was consistently getting faster and passing girls. Unfortunately I got a rear pinch flat half way through the second lap, which lost me a few minutes and several positions when I had to fix it. I think I was in the mid-40's when I flatted. When I got back on my bike, I hammered and quickly started passing girls again, but the race was pretty short and I didn't have enough time to work my way back up the field.

All in all, I'm happy. My body was good (despite the sore muscles from my epic luggage-carrying adventure on Friday) and I was mentally into it. Mechanicals happen.

After the race, I wrote a web report for Pedalmag.com in the media room (free food!) and then headed back to the hotel and packed up my bike (in the rain -- so it doesn't rain ALL the time in Belgium, but it does rain A LOT).

Trish's super duper Belgium friend, Michel, who fed me during the race and wiped all the dirt and snot off my face and arms at the finish line, was kind enough to drive Trish and me to his home, where his wonderful mother fed us a delicious dinner and Orion (dog) gave us kisses. Then we got to dive into warm beds. Michel is the hero of the weekend. He woke up at 4:30 a.m. to drive me to the airport! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone (random Belgians in train stations and airports, my Belgian chaperone who drove me to the hotel, Trish, the SRAM guys who let me hang out at their tent even though I have Shimano parts on my bike, Michel and Julien for feeding me and everything else, the Maxxis guys for being so simpatico, Robert at Shimano for the brake pads, the folks at La Maison, the folks at the Spa Info Centre...). Thanks for helping me along on my crazy solo World Cup adventure!