CCCX - District Championships

Today we made a last minute decision to travel to Prunedale for the NCNCA championships after our originally intended  first weekend off in 11 weeks. We later realized it would have been better to stick to this original weekend plan.  I really enjoyed the course last year so I was actually looking forward to the race. Last year however, there was a rain beforehand so the dry conditions this year led to an entirely different course. Upon arrival, a racer was being care-flighted out.  Mary Anne Hunter crashed out in the warm-up, rendering her bike unshiftable (if that is a word).  There was a lot of sandy turns in the back part of the course and I found it to be pretty challenging when I crashed so hard warming up I bent my derailleur hanger and the Rock Lobster mechanic graciously fixed it for me so I could shift. A thigh raspberry later, I started with 11 ladies. I felt good and moved into 4th, eyeing Stella, Kathleen and Sarah Maille ahead.  Karen B., Melanie, and Bev C., rode on my wheel for a few laps and, feeling like I was doing too much work, decided to sit on their wheels for a bit.  Then 2 laps to go, moves were being made, we were close to the lead group, we crested a steep hill and on the left turn out, I slid out landing smack dab on my knees. In a shocking pain, I rolled off the course and someone grabbed my poor bike as I screamed inside,  mentally assessed my knees, and bent them, realizing I was going to be fine. 90 seconds or so later, I rode off- my first DNF in CX. I guess there is a first time for everything. Lowering the tire pressure as low as I could manage without risking a pinch flat still did me no good.  I guess it was not a wasted effort as until then I was really enjoying myself and felt great and I learned that DNFing really sucks but is okay.. Then Chris's tire flatted with 2 laps to go, he was in 9th and it happened to happen just pass the tire change zone, requiring one to run the full lap. Not up for that task to probably finish DFL, he finished DNF just like me!! We then downed a beer and a burrito and drove home.. My left knee has a hematoma, is purple and only able to function after I slug down a few Aleves. I am nursing it this week as next week will be the Golden Gate Super Prestige and the 5th Cal Cup and I want to be ready for that one.

-Sarah P.

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