05/26/02 by Tiffany Kenny
Yesterday I switched to the road for the Ohio USCF State Championship Criterium. It was a real treat to stay local. I woke up, ate breakfast and in just an easy 10 minute ride I was there! It was like staying at the host hotel, but much better. My parents, sister and brother even showed up for the occasion. Being the same weekend as the mtb series opener, I was the lone fat tire convert. Since I did really well at the Sea Otter Crit (5th), I thought I may have some secret propensity for crits. I really wanted to win the title and was unusually nervous. Registration added some stress. My upgrade request to cat 2 hadn't been processed yet and they weren't sure if they'd let me race. I only do a couple RR a year, but our local USCF rep agreed I belonged in the Pro 1/2/3's and and they let me in, but first enjoying a few jokes about my unis and that I should be out getting dirty somewhere :)
I felt like it was basically me against the four member Tri Tech team, who has a great sprinter named Jane Evely. The course was a flat, easy 1.6 mile loop and I knew no one would let me get away and I didn't want it to come down to a sprint against Jane. So I figured if I'm gonna lose I could lose 2 ways: be too aggressive and not have enough left for a great sprint or else sit in and possibly get clipped at the line. I chose the first because at least I'd be guaranteed a great workout and that's the way I'd rather win.
I rode a very aggressive race. I attacked and attacked and attacked, mostly on the "back" side of the course with most of the corners and a slight incline, hoping my high-end endurance would wear people out. My legs were fair but it was really tough. The element of surprise was nil- if someone would've even heard me shift you'd hear "up up" and I didn't trust some girls enough to ride at the back. It whittled it down to 6 riders but it wasn't producing like I hoped. The TriTech girls who I thought were my "enemies" turned out to be a help. They were frustrated too because they were counter-attacking and breakaway attempts weren't sticking, they wanted a rider out front too. It was so frustrating, no one else would do a thing. It was all I could do to not turn around and yell some choice words "you all suck! Are you racers or leaches!" But why should they- that's road racing and I know that. With 3 to go, Tri Tech and I made a pact to sit up. After the last corner, all six of us were still together. I finished third, a bike length maybe from the winner (GoMart) and two 2nd places in the primes.
Next time I'd love to have some of my "dirty" friends from the circuit with me! Not too bad for a mountain biker on a borrowed bike I guess :)
Thanks to all of my sponsors: Eddy's Bike Shop, Mavic, Manitou, Trek, Pyroapparel, Rudy Project, Limar, Northwave, White Lightning, Michelin, ohiooutside.com and Answer.