Spooky Bikes 'Cross - Women's Report
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Conditions:
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Sunny and icy, low 20’s.
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The Course:
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The course was very icy with frozen mud ruts and a steep icy hill. This course also had a sand pit, switch backs, and a lot of woods.
Dry and hard patches with stretches of gravel and several pavillions to negoitate around or through
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Results:
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Juniors
- Victoria Gates – 9th
Women’s Open
- Janet Ramos – 15th
- Julie Lockhart – 22nd
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Reports:
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[Janet Ramos]
Day two of cold weather racing for me but I was mentally prepared for it. The whole course wound through pine tree woods in the shade and there was one sunny portion at the loose sand pit that I ran every time. I had a pretty good start since my legs were opened up from racing at Cheshire the day before. My one big goal for the day was to get out ahead of two women that I have been tailing in races this fall and I accomplished passing both of them over the course of the race. :) So as usual, the juniors were racing with us and just as I was nearing the start/finish line area the lead junior passed me, phooey. Honestly I was glad to be done as the races this weekend were extremely tough due to the cold and windy conditions.
I do owe a big thanks to my husband Juan and Jim Lockhart for cheering on Julie and I this weekend – it always helps to hear someone cheering for us crazy crossers during butt cold and blustery conditions.
[Julie Lockhart]
Goal to get a good start is accomplished. Lots of chicanes to practice powering out of the turns, practices bike swaps, a nice deep sand to try, got half way one time in practice and decided to run it. Shaded course made it feel cold even while racing. ice under mud made for challenging turns to the steps and other short up ticks. The off camber steep descent into a run (ride for Karen Potter?) up was challenging, and good for my skills and confidence. Good fun and interesting course.
[Victoria Gates]
My goals were to keep it up right, finish, and to practice in the freezing weather. The start was bad and I wasn’t in the right gear. I rode with Julie for most of the race. I was sprinting out of the corners just as Julie had taught me. I didn’t fall and I beat a couple of women. That was the coldest race I’ve ever done. :)