Downeast Cyclocross - Women's Report
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Results:
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Women’s 3/4
- Julie Lockhart – 12th
Women’s 1/2/3
- Cathy Rowell – 4th
- Susanne Delaney – 5th
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Reports:
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[Julie Lockhart]
I love Downeast. It is a beautiful venue … Well, start problem #1 … kid on mountain bike fell over in front of me, so I passed people going up the hill, passed people on the downhill, I was regrouping, even passed some in the barriers (the first time). In the end, I passed several women and adult MEN (who knew I could do that) as well as several juniors. And still ended up last … I guess some of the women dropped out (seemed like there were 16). My goals to ride all the hard parts which two years ago scared me – done.
[Cathy Rowell]
This was my 3rd year racing at this venue, and I can’t say enough good things about it. I know that the schedule conflicted with Mansfield this year, but a visit to Pineland Farms for an excellent ‘cross race should be on everyone’s fall list of things to do. They’ve re-done the store/indoor farm stand and we found some yummy Maine-made salsas, honey and cheese to bring home with us.
After debating about which races to do, Mike and I both decided on the Elite races later in the afternoon. That meant no “crack of dawn” wake up, which was really nice. After arriving, I asked Mike to go out with me on the course to help me with all of the sections to have a better race. He gave some great tips, which really helped later on, although I did abandon my attempt at riding the run-up (I tried 3 times during warm-up and ALMOST made it).
Because of the conflicting races, the Elite Women’s field was small – 6 starters including Marianne Stover, Linnea Koons, Sue Maclean, Susanne and myself (the 6th woman was unknown to all of us, and missed the start of our race, although she did go on to finish…). I had a terrible start, and was forced to chase down the high-speed pavement into the 90 degree right hand turn, but I caught on in time to see both Marianne and Linnea catch a little bit of air over the first hump before the barriers. What is it with me and starts this year? I can’t seem to get going to save myself… I’m going to have to practice this in earnest before the next Verge race!
I also flubbed going into the barriers the first time, dismounting WAY too early. From the photos, it looks like I took about 7 steps before actually getting over the first barrier. Mike was great, yelling at me to not get off so early – I listened, and nailed that section for the remaining 3 laps (YAY!). Barriers are another one of my weak points. I think I need to start making a list ;).
I ended up racing with Susanne for the entire race – the first two laps on her wheel (or chasing her down to get on said wheel), and then ahead of her as she had an unfortunate tip over on the off-camber dam section. With Susanne just behind, and seeing that I was gaining on Sue M each lap, it made for great incentive for me to keep on pushing through the whole race, trying not to get caught by Susanne, and trying desperately to close the gap to Sue. With one more lap, I think I may have caught Sue, but I think Susanne may also have caught me, as she finished right on my wheel. It was fun though, to actually be racing so close to other competitors – that doesn’t always happen for me.