Lower Providence

Race: Lower Providence CAT 4

Course: 4 corner square one mile crit 15 laps

Weather: Cold with gusty wind, this course is typically windy, but this was beyond the norm.

Number of sturdies: 5, Beth, Judi, Julie, Lindsey, & myself.

Number of riders on the line 24

This is my 3rd time doing this race so, I had some ideas on what I wanted to do and when. My goal was to finish better than I had, previously. However, the wind pretty much put my ideas on how to handle this race to rest.

George laid out our tactics during our frigid warm-up and off we went. One rider went right from the whistle, folks were kinda sitting in and waiting to see if she would slow, I decided that was not a good idea and went after her. We brought her back in. On the next lap, Beth comes around and says "get my wheel." This is not a statement to be taken lightly, so I stuck to her wheel like bubble gum. Beth and I worked together for the rest of the race. We tried to get away a couple of times, but that was not to be, so we adjusted. Beth pulled me through the headwinds, told me where to hide in the crosswinds, and worked with me echeloning. She protected me the entire race. Beth had decided that this would be my day, and put her total effort into getting me the best finish, sacrificing her own, and it worked! We won a prime, and I finished 5th, my best finish ever!!

Thank you so much Beth, it's always a bonus when you are out there with me!

Barb