Wednesday, August 26, Charlotte
The first event of our race binge was the 5th Lowes Time Trial Series race of 2009 (http://www.carolinatt.org/). To refresh, Amy beat me by 3 seconds at the previous race in early August. Determined to reclaim my spot at the top of the cycling food chain (in our house, at least), trash was talked for three weeks as we prepared to lock horns in a battle of the sexes. In an effort to back up my smack, I hung a 52x14 gear on my IRO fixie and set a new PR of 25 minutes, 45 seconds ( 23.3 mph average), besting my previous PR by 41 seconds. I was confident as I crossed the finish line - surely my time was good enough to reclaim bragging rights under our roof.
Ummm... no. Amy handed it to me again, this time by 19 seconds. In the process of making beating me a routine occurrence, she again set a new PR herself, smashing her previous best by 1 minute, 13 seconds to cross the line in 25 minutes, 26 seconds at an average speed of 23.6 mph. She finished first in her division and took a commanding lead in the series points for the Women's 30-34 division. Unfortunately for Amy but fortunately for me, we have no pictures of the race.
Thursday, August 27, Marshall, NC
The following night, we headed up to Marshall, just north of Asheville, so that Amy could compete in the finale of the Asheville time trial series.
The 20k course actually begins in Marshall and travels NC 251 along the French Broad river toward Asheville. To the right, Amy warms up with the scenic French Broad as a backdrop.
At the start line for the final countdown.
Amy winding up her speed after leaving the start line.
Heading in just a few meters from the finish line. The heavily overcast skies and time of evening made for blurry photos. Amy finished in 33 minutes, 4 seconds, besting her previous time on the French Broad course.
Mom gets a congratulatory hug from Addison after finishing second among Women.
Not content to race only two time trials in 24 hours, Amy was invited to join members of the Team Velosports women's team to compete in the team time trial event. The quartet lines up at the start line to the right.
Sprinting away at the start and falling into formation. The team time trial contested the same 12.2-mile course as the individual event.
The foursome sprints for the finish line. This was the only picture I got that has all four visible. The time for a team time trial is taken when the third member crosses the finish line. The strategy is that the member who is at the front of the group heading into the finish takes a hard pull, and then the remaining three slingshot around just before the line and sprint to the finish. Here, the three Velosport women are sprinting around Amy, who has just taken the final pull at the front. The team finished the event in 30 minutes, 31 seconds, winning the team division. The Velosport women were so impressed with Amy's contribution that they voted to invite her to join the team on the spot.
Saturday, August 29, Fork Shoals, SC
We headed just south of Greenville, SC, for Amy to compete in the SC State Road Race Championship.
Amy’s current road bike setup includes a Lapierre S-Lite carbon fiber frame with an Easton EC90 carbon fork. The drivetrain is a mix of Ultegra and Dura Ace with a set of carbon IRD Mosaic compact cranks. The Terry Butterfly saddle sits atop a Thomson Elite seatpost. FSA shallow drop handlebars and stem. The Easton EA90 wheels are wrapped in Vittoria Rubino Pro 23mm clinchers, stopped by Ultegra brakes.
Amy shows off her new Team Velosports kit on her way to the start line.
The Women’s Category 4 field sets out from the start. The 26-mile race consisted of two laps of a 13-mile circuit.
Amy heads out with the field.
The Velosport team is visible at the back of the field as they ease into the rolling hills of upstate SC.
Approaching the start/finish line at the end of the first lap. The field stayed together during the first lap until just before the final hill, when a loose dog charged into the field and caused a split.
Amy crossing the finish line. Following the dog incident, the chase group was unable to catch the lead pack on the final lap. The group was further held up by a major crash in a men’s race that was running concurrently, forcing Amy and others to dismount and run around the carnage before continuing. The result was a 21st place finish for Amy out of a field of 31.
Dissecting the race after the finish with new teammate Marilyn Senz of Asheville.
A post-race smile reveals the satisfaction of a good effort in her first mass-start road race. Despite challenges from loose dogs and crashes, Amy felt strong and came away with valuable experience.
The final stats for the four-day period: 4 races, 600 miles driven, 70.4 miles raced, 3 PRs, two 1st placings, one 2nd placing.
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