| updated
27.08.04 9:10 AM
Durango
NORBA National Finals, 27-29 August 2004
4.aug.04-
updated
|
tonya
in the short track © Charles Bolden.
|
Short
track was on Sunday somewhere around 1:00 pm. Some
of the women decided they wanted the race course to go
in the opposite direction as it was originally set up
for- and the opposite direction all the amateurs had gone.
So before our race, we had to ride 2 laps the "wrong"
way, and then i got one lap in the proper way. After all
the melee- it was decided to keep the course the same.
The issue was the downhill gravel road start. Everyone
knew it was going to be dangerous. I for one was completely
sketched out and let the start get crazy wihtout me. I
did see one girl get tossed into the bushes- which was
not unexpected. Despite this- the race went off fine.
I made up a few spots toward the end, but we were pulled
before the race was really underway (if you are in danger
of being lapped, they pull you. I hate it when i get pulled,
and it hasn't happened as much this year as in the past,
for sure so i was really disappointed). In spite of everything,
I loved the short track and had a great race. 15th isn't
so bad. -tonya |
Race
Report- Cross Country
Despite
a fairly early race start for the Pro women of 10:30- the
heat was settling in well. The pace up the initial climb was
hard and fast. I maintained a good position for the first
few minutes, but found my self fading quickly, only to be
in about 30th place near the top of the climb. This is a typical
happening for me at this point, so I wasn't too surprised,
just a little disappointed. As soon as the trail turned downhill,
giving me a small break, I was back to my normal self and
fighting the good fight. All the short intense and steep power
climbs were allowing me to pass several girls at once- over
and over, until, near the end of the first lap, I was well
within the top 20. I was riding so smooth and fast, just loving
the technical singletrack and the beautiful trees. Life was
pretty good.
Here
come the log drops. Not enough speed and you have to roll,
so i was rolling the logs and hit the next downhill a little
too fast- depite my carefulness. I didn't slow enough for
the next switchback, and found my body too far forward and
a little askew. The bike starts to get away from me, and I
try to save myself from this inevitable crash and whack. Right
on my knees. and shoulder apparently, as i pedal away, the
pain is excrutiating. I have to pull myself together as i
hear the girls behind me catching up. I slowed quite a bit
and lost a lot of power due to the trauma- so i have to regain
my composure.
As
I am riding up to the feed zone at the end of the lap, i consider
dropping out. Something I haven't considered this hard in
a long time. The pain in my knees and shoulder were pretty
unbearable at the time. I took my feed, took an ice water
bottle and proceeded to shower myself with ice water until
i felt good and recovered, and refreshed. I am NOT going to
drop out. i am going on- second lap- i can make up some more
time now.
The
girls in front of me are feeding my will as I grind up the
climb in my middle ring. I hit the flat section and just t
ry to keep my momentum. I hear someone coming. Dang, I must
have slowed down too much or something. Or maybe- no- this
rider is coming up fast- have I been caught by the men?
I
turn quickly and see that it's Sandi coming up. I am already
in go mode- and figure we'll be pushing the pace togehter.
So i go as ahrd as i can from here on out. I am back on a
rampage and my pain has either subsided, or been forgotten.
I take it really easy ont he descent and just hammer the climbs.
I ride the rock garden cleanly to the cheers of the SMBA crew.
(thanks guys! you rock!).
I
can see a rider infront of me from time to time, but i am
unsure if there is enough time to catch her. I feel like at
any moment, someone is going to catch up to me- so I hammer
harder even though i am beginning to feel a little tired.
On
the final stretch- I am climbing as hard as i can, i turn
to look behind me and see a rider. Looks like Sandi again,
and at that pace she's going to catch me long before the finish.
But as it turns out, it's the first place male, Ryder of Fisher,
and I tlooks like he'll get me before the line- but i think
he lets me finish before he takes his race- which was nice
of him no matter his motivation.
The
race is over. Sandi is only a minute behind me. So great to
have such a phenomenal woman on the team. So fast and strong.
Cindi finishes a great 23rd and Hana is not far behind. As
far as cross country races go- it was super fun, and i thank
Troy
for his incredible support, Team
Big Bear for their hard work and OP
Girls Learn to Ride for making it all possible for us!
look
for complete results at norbanationals.com
coming soon
namaste
tonya
 |
|
| sandi
in the stxc © Charles Bolden |
hana
in the stxc- is that a crash???? © Charles Bolden |
Hot
and dry... as
expected the race was hot and dry- with a few riders suffering
heat exhaustion and dehydration. The chicks had a great day
and an awesome showing with 2 in the top 20! short track today!
stay tuned!
30.jul.04
evening
it's
my bedtime now. The sun has set over the mountains and the
Blue Moon is on its way. Today was another look at the course-
this time riding at speed in the technical sections to get
a feel for the race. The course didn't seem as long today-
which is always a good feeling. i'm really looking forward
to the first National in 5 weeks. It's been a long break.
I'm a little anxious.
The
course is exactly the same as lat year. It's a mountain biker's
course. One fairly long, but not steep climb, lots of technical
singletrack with some shorter climbs mixed in. It's fast and
a lot of fun- in spite of the dust. We're expecting to be
a tad dirty when we finish up tomorrow.
It's
hot and dry here. There hasn't been any precipitation in 2
weeks. And with the haze from the smoke of the Canadian fires-
the landscape has turned a little brown. A far cry from the
ovrsaturated Colorado we've had this year. The town of Sandpoint
is some kind of Mecca- for mostly boating, i think- due to
the size of Lake Pend d'Oreille. The proximity to Canada also
means this town is a thoroughfare for cargo- lots of trucks
and trains here. The downtown is cute, with all your typical
small town crafty shops. There a Starbuck's, but i prefer
the local establishment for coffee: the Everyday Cafe. For
pizza, we're hitting romeo's tomorrow. It's some good stuff.
ok-
well i gotta turn in and get rested for the race. it's early
tomorrow: 10:30. so it means we have to leave by 8. crazy
stuff!
namaste
tonya
30.jul.04
the
chicks are in Sandpoint!
The
team is now in Sandpoint- except for JKisiel who is arriving
today... It's me (tonya), Hana, Sandi, Jessica Nelson, Mary
and Cindi. It's hot here, and dry. It's beautiful, but there
is some haze from the Canadian forest fires. We're off to
ride the course and get our bikes in order. more later from
the Pacific Northwest!
27.jul.04
Hello
from the road! We're leaving Billings right now and we're
on our way to Idaho. Probably stop in Northwest Montana tonite
to camp... and drive into Sandpoint tomorrow! Check out our
pics of riding on the rim rocks in Billings, Montana!
namaste
tonya
 |
 |
| don't
look right! Hana on the Rims |
Tonya
riding up a ledge on the Rims |
|
