�Next time will be better�.�

So said I in my last Twilight race report on the 9th. That was the first race back on this course after going down a few weeks ago. Tonight was the second. And it did go fairly well. I felt pretty good and with two laps to go, hadn�t gotten dropped. But then, going into the chicane, what happens � a crash! I could only thank my lucky stars that I didn�t get tangled up in it. And fortunately, it looked like those involved were ok. -Rita

"Giddy-up!"

My new bike has a mind of its own! I mean I know its a good bike and everything, but there was one point in the race where it really did bridge a big gap for me. I didnt even need to click my tongue or use the crop.

The crash at the end was a real downer. The sound of it was terrifying. With two laps to go in a training race, people sure get over-zealous! They were back on their feet pretty quickly, but it really does make you ask yourself "What the heck?" Oh well, I guess the pros crash all the time. In Hell on Wheels Rolf Aldag says that in his experience, a Tour rider will hit the pavement between 2 and 3 times in every Tour. Comes with the territory. The pros take risks and just hope they can get away with it. Because, you know, theyre PROS!!! And they get PAID! And they get THOUSANDS of dollars for a stage win!!!

Now I know Rita up there went down herself a few weeks ago, but she had a flat in the last corner. What could she do? In fact, what she DIDNT do was take down any other riders. That kind of crash, Im afraid, is par for the course. And Rita, you know Id follow you around a crit course any day. You ride smooth as silk.

-Claire

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