Bear Mountain Race Report
As told by Mary: Rebecca and I had to be on the road at 6:30am on Sunday to head to Bear Mountain, NY. We were lucky enough to be chauffeured by Lance, which took off the stress of having to drive/navigate to the race. The three and a half hour drive went by quickly, and was highlighted (if you can call it that) by seeing a gallon of gas touch $4.15!! Thank God we don’t live in Connecticut! This course was one I had never raced, so I was a bit apprehensive; especially knowing it was a form! er NRC course. After an easy warm up ride, Rebecca and I rolled to the line which was heavily populated with Canadian teams. We knew we had our work cut out for us before the race even started any of the 4 laps (at 14 miles each).
The race started with a monster descent which ended with a hairpin turn right into a 15 minute, stair step climb. This climb would prove to be a selector as we pounded through the laps. Going into the second lap the field began to dwindle down from 50 plus riders to a mere 25 which then continued to be the pattern as we approached the hills throughout the course. In the 3rd and 4th lap there were several attacks that tried to mount on this climb. Each climb would break the field into two separate groups that would then reunite on the rotary leading into a flat section. I found myself having to either bridge to these attacks or I was able to respond and go with them. The pace was brutal on the last assaul! t of this climb but I was able to hold on…Rebecca kept saying she wa s about to puke but thank god that never happened! There was a small group that came onto the back side of the course together. As we headed around the lake, the chase group was able to catch on. Rebecca and I were in this main group together, heading into the final 3k. As we started up the very last grinding climb of the day, I suddenly felt my right thigh lock up. I couldn’t move my leg and when I looked down, it was completely white. I almost fell over, but was able to clip out to save my skin and my bike. I had never had this happen in a race (and don’t care if it never happens again). I tried to get back on my bike, but my leg was not willing to cooperate. I walked a few yards and then got back on my bike, only to pedal with one leg. Finally I was able to get my leg to work and I was off riding. Of course by this time the group was out of sight and my race was over. I managed to get to the line ! where I met up with Rebecca. She was able to hold with the main group and had a fantastic finish. She started to follow what looked like a nice wheel for a lead out, but for reasons we will never know, that wheel sat up and she was boxed. She raced ahead but was unable to get separation and finished in the main pack of 15 riders or so.