Fitchburg-- stages 3 and 4 That's the breaks!
The stage 3 Circuit race on Saturday was held right at Fitchburg State College, and had almost a downtown "crit-like" feel to it, as the peloton hit a hill right near the start/finish line each lap, where huge crowds of folks stood lined up to cheer (I think secretly enjoying the racers' pain). On lap 3 or 4, I started hearing "Go Jen!" with the enthusiasm only a Mom could muster as one cheers on a loved one. I think to myself while I am enduring my own private world of hurt, "some other woman racing, must share my name"
Fast forward to the end: Our lead group had whittled to about 15 of 65 starters with 2 laps to go, right when the official neutralized the women's field to allow the men's masters' 35/45s race to pass by. We were neutral for a bit over 3 minutes and it allowed about 25 women to catch on as we rolled out for the finish stretch of 1 1/2 laps to go. Last right corner into the finish hill I maintained good position, and then blamo, the pack powered up the final 500 meters to the line; I thought most of them had a bowl of Wheaties while we were rolling neutral, according to the speeds they mustered on the last 500 meters. The top 2 GC women got 5 and 3 seconds on the pack, with the rest of the top 32 getting a "same time" result.
I still am hearing "Go Jen" even at the final 10 meters and when I crossed the line, I saw the woman who was screaming for me and rolled over to her. It was Ann Ferris' mom, Bev along with her husband, Jim. Laura Melendez was there too, yelling and cheering Emily and I on, as well. Thanks Laura! After thanking them for being there for us, I told Jim and Bev I needed to go spin my legs out a bit, and we made arrangements to meet for dinner later so we could talk. They picked Emily and I up, at our hotel, and drove to a cute little steak place that was so "New Englandy". Jim promptly says, "girls, get whatever your hearts desire"! I think to myself, "Dude, I race in 11 hours, and I don't think the lobster is going to do me any favors for tomorrow's crit"; but thanks anyway"
The conversation was witty, upbeat and the Ferrises were the most fantastic hosts. I felt like I was with my family that night! It was incredibly wonderful for Ann's parents to take care of us especially as Ann was not able, and travel with us out to her homeotwn to race.
We shared some more laughs, they drove us home, and told us they would make it out to the final stage in the morning.
Stage 4- Moved up a spot to on the GC to start the day to 19th, following yesterday's circuit race. Bev is there on the corner, doing her cheering thing again, but this time, I know it is her!
No real awful pace... tight corners, nervous riders touching wheels and taking risks to jockey for positions, and doing some stupid stuff. I settled into the pace, and was racing hard, when I had a mechanical on the back side of the course on lap 7. The Official stopped to assist and told me to roll past the pit. I fixed and centered my breaks which were shifted over so far my rear wheel couldn't make clearance, and rolled past the neutral support pit. I knew I had my free lap to get my mechanical behind me, so I could race to again. I got back in with the pack after rolling by neutral support with my breaks now shifted back, and continued racing on.
At 3 laps to go, I was motioned over by the same official to come out of the race, letting me know, that I was required to check in at neutral support after I fixed my mechanical, which I didn't know to do, and hadn't done. Oh, now that was a tough way to learn how to race a big race! I was overwhelmed and dejected to know that my weekend of racing was over, and that I didn't get credit for stage 4 and wouldn't have a a GC finish. But it was a great weekend of racing with Emily and Christy, meeting Ann's parents and getting outside the Michigan Scene for some hard core action. Fitchburg is worth all the effort!!!
Thanks again to Bev and Jim for making Emily and I feel welcomed and for treating us like queens on Saturday night!
Jim--- you might need to work on a few more jokes before you quit your day job at the "Water Department".
Ride Safe!
Jen
