It was another gorgeous day for a race, in the high 40s when we started. Our race was 10 laps/12 miles, and we had a nice group for a women's race--12. The course was nice, with nice turns and 3 that were 90s, protected well by trees all around. This was the first race where I've encountered primes, so of course I did something stupid. In lap three, the prime was announced, and I attacked on the small hill on the backside. I thought I had a good shot at it, but the woman from Tri-Tech blew me away in the final yards to the line. My effort cost me, and I needed a lap to recover. I was glad to have another woman I recognized, Loreena. She encouraged me to grab a wheel, not give up.
We raced friendly, no bumping, with attacks usually occurring on the hill. The break occurred in the 7th lap I think it was, while I was still towards the back of the field. I worked my way through, then had to decide whether to chase. I told myself to be happy where I was, eased back a bit. Three of us worked together briefly in the 9th lap, gaining ground on a solo woman in front of us, and in the 10th lap I asked my legs how much they had left. I was hurting far more than I wanted to, but heck, it was only one more lap. I attacked again on that hill, moving into 4th place, but I quickly lost it. I stayed on her wheel into the last two corners, came out of the last one cleanly, put my head down, and drew even with the other woman. I stood up, worked harder, and came in just in front of her.
Again, riders asked about the Savage Hill women they met last year. You're missed!
