Tour de White Rock -- July 22-24, 2005

Hill Climb -- July 22, 2005
For my Pedalmag.com report, click here.

It took 1.5 hours for me and Mathilde to drive the 40 kilometres from my house to White Rock for the hill climb during rush hour on Friday evening.

It was ridiculous. But anyway, we made it in time to warm up a little for what turned out to be a very uncomfortable experience: riding 700 metres uphill as fast as I could. I have done hill climbs in the past, but it had been a while and I'd forgotten the intensity of the pain and the amount of suffering involved afterwards.

I was one of the first to go, but unfortunately the woman who was supposed to race me up the hill, head-to-head, didn't show up, so I had to ascend alone. It was difficult, because I didn't have anyone to race against. I think I went too hard at the start, because by the top I felt slow, but destroyed. I was weaving across the road and after the finish, I felt like I was going to pass out or throw up or both. My throat and lungs hurt a lot and I had a cough for the rest of the week. That's gotta be healthy! I placed 17th.

Lisa did really well, which is funny because she constantly lets everyone know what a horrible climber she is. She qualified for the final in which the women with the top five times went head to head to decided placings and ended up an impressive second! Nice work!

Criterium -- July 23, 2005
For my Pedalmag.com report, click here.

After my rather disappointing criterium experience in Gastown earlier in the week, I was determined to get back on track in White Rock. I was happy! I was confident and aggressive and really focused on staying near the front the entire time and I quickly moved up if I found I had ended up near the back. I even attempted an attack on the climb, but unfortunately wasn't able to get anywhere, as the field was ready to jump on any move. But I stuck in the pack the entire time and actually enjoyed myself. My teammate, Emily Sandwith (AdventureBound.ca), won the bunch sprint for second place. Yay Emily!

(Left to Right) Women's podium: Sarah Uhl (Quark), third place; Brei Gudsell (BikeNZ), first place; Emily Sandwith (AdventureBound.ca), second place.

Lisa Sweeney (Team Coastal): Hot!

Emily and coach, Steve Lund (International Cycling Coaches)

Road Race -- July 24, 2005
For my Pedalmag.com report, click here.

Mathilde and I woke up at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday to get to the White Rock road race, which started at 8:00 a.m. Who starts a race at 8:00 a.m. anyway?! I guess it was due to the road closures, as White Rock on a sunny Sunday gets super busy, as we saw after our race.

The course was 10 kilometres and quite hilly with two big (not super long, but long enough and steep enough!) climbs. On each lap we got to ride along White Rock's beautiful oceanside street.

I felt confident because I enjoy climbing, but these climbs were hard! Because they were short and steep, even powerful sprinters could hold their own. I tried to push the pace often, leading the group on the start of the climb, but I had trouble following through. I stuck with the pack through most of the eight laps, getting dropped on the sixth and managing to chase back on! Halfway through the eighth lap, I got gapped again, but I was happy with my ride. It was a beautiful day and some great competition and good prep for the last three Canada Cup mountain bike races of the season.