Menlo Park GP
https://www.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2008-596Menlo Park Grand Prix
We had a strong showing of 3's and 4's out there, Cathy, Rita, Denise,and Lindsey all showing up for their 8:00AM start time, followed by Alexis, Heather, June, and myself at 10:00. The threes all managed to stay upright with just a few scares, but unfortunately we can't say the same for the fours. After about nine or ten laps with NorCal Velo solid in the front half of the pack, I started to hear a lot of unfortunate noises behind me two or three laps in a row, with the last set of crashes sounding especially bad. The next time we came around there was a lot of confusion and a bad scene. The course marshall was panicked and Cathy had taken charge, Denise and Lindsay were assisting the wounded, keeping them calm until the EMT's arrived. The race was finally stopped, with five laps to go, and an ambulance came out on the course. We re-started the final five laps about 30 minutes later, thankfully crash free, and finished the same. I'd like to throw it out there that if these types of events ever happen during a race of your own, please put your ranking aside for a moment and be quiet so the race officials and volunteers can make the best decision possible about how to proceed. I was a little shocked at some of the blatant selfishness and disrespect that some of the girls in the field chose to exhibit.On a lighter note, it was June's first criterium ever (!!) and she had a very strong 8th place in the W's Masters 4 category. Cathy took home 8th in the W's Cat. 3, and I eeked out my first top ten finish at 9th in the W's 4's. Our little team went home with some great placings, and everyone stayed upright (with some mountain biking skills coming in handy). Despite the unfortunate events, for us 4's it was a good season opener and it helped us build confidence and security in racing together.
Peace in your hood (as Alexis would say)
-M
This weekend brought us to Menlo Park Criterium. Denise, Rita, Cathy, and myself made it out to the course for our cat 3 only race. We all put in some great efforts bridging gaps, setting a solid pace, keeping to the front and riding next to each other. It came down to the last lap and Cathy was in great position until two trains formed on either side and boxed her in. The final turn arrived and the sprinting began. I attempted to hammer up the side but this proved unsuccessful and I came in at 16th. Cathy managed to get herself 8th, Rita 13th, and Denise, in her first race of the season, 30th. It was a lot of fun and good practice for our very long season ahead of us. Thanks for reading.
-LindsaySo, as you know, I was swayed at the last moment to head down to Menlo Park with Cathy and Lindsay to do my first 2008 race as a Cat 3. Rita was there too....four NorCal's made for a good showing. After a rough winter, I wanted to just hang with the pack, not get lapped, and complete the race safely.
The field was 31 total and we were the first race of the day at 8am. BRRRRRRRRR....COLD!!! For the first few minutes, some jitters in the field seemed to get worked out, and the race seemed pretty calm from there on out, although a bit "surgey." There were a few unsuccessful breakaway attempts, I played with coming up the outside and inside and was just feeling good about keeping up. Lindsay won a prime, she and Cathy and Rita were like my "big sistahs" riding toward the front 1/3 the whole time. I want to be just like them when I "grow up." With about 4 laps to go, I made my way up to the front and rode behind Linds for 1/2 a lap then got in front to lead her (and the whole field) for almost a lap. Apparently this tuckered me out, as I had no sprint in me at the end, and finished close to (BUT NOT QUITE) last.
We sat afterward and reviewed the race, and WOW it feels so good to be part of this team. There were a few spectators who told us how impressed they were with our team showing. I believe Cathy was in the top 10....Rita rode strong like always, and Lindsay's wheel was great to follow for the bit I hung onto it.
This was a great start to season, and I'm now hungry for MORE. Since Mariko commented on the Cat 4 crash, I won't go into that in my report; suffice it to say I learned just as much from helping with that scene as I did in my own race event, and Lindsay and I have decided to take some courses and get our team well equipped with all supplies to be able to better help out with similar scenarios in the future (NOT THAT ANY OF US WILL NEED THIS TYPE OF HELP!!!)
-Denise
Race Reports
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
| - CCCX @ Fort Ord | 2004-10-03 |
| - Documentum Crit | 2004-09-26 |
| - Giro di San Fransisco | 2004-09-06 |
| - Return of the Jedi | 2004-09-04 |
| - Winters RR | 2004-08-28 |
| - 12 Hours of Humboldt | 2004-08-28 |
| - US Pro Criterium Championships | 2004-08-22 |
| - Corral Hollow RR | 2004-08-21 |
| - TransAlp Challenge | 2004-07-17 - 2004-07-27 |
| - Superweek | 2004-07-09 - 2004-07-25 |
| - Wine Country Criterium | 2004-06-13 |
| - Fremont Criterium | 2004-06-12 |
| - ICCC Dash for Cash | 2004-06-05 |
| - California Outdoor Sports Championships | 2004-05-14 - 2004-05-16 |
| - Sea Otter | 2004-04-14 - 2004-04-17 |
| - Pilarcitos Stage Race | 2004-03-27 - 2004-03-28 |
| - McLane Pacific Foothills Road Race | 2004-03-14 |
| - McLane Pacific Downtown Grand Prix | 2004-03-13 |
| - Land Park Criterium | 2004-03-06 |
| - Apple Pie Criterium | 2004-02-07 |