SheSpoke team makes an impression
by Pip Read Australian Masters Champion
As I mentioned in my last update SheSpoke entered a team in the Amy Gillett Cup, one of the support races for the Jayco Herald Sun Tour. The team comprised of Sally Robertson, Alison Raaymakers, Lisa Coutts, Gen Southerland and me. The series consisted of three races; the first a criterium held in Traralgon on October 12, Mansfield to Mt Buller road race on October 16 and the finale, a criterium on October 18 in Lygon Street, Melbourne.
As I also mentioned Sally, Alison and Lisa had completed very little racing having participated in the CoffeeCrits, a come and try series of criterium racing and Gen is in her first season of racing. To say that the girls were nervous and apprehensive before the first race is a bit of an understatement.
Some of their comments included:
"Having only taken up cycling in August last year, and not having had my road bike for long, I have to admit I am more than a bit nervous about this event, but at the same time very excited! So, I have mixed feelings of am I ready for this; am I MAD (especially for the Buller RR); and this is going to be fun as well as a great challenge. It will be exciting to be a part of a large and hopefully well attended event," Lisa said.
"My thoughts pre race was 'what was I thinking, when I entered' and 'I'll get over it, I think!'" Sally said.
"What am I doing?!" Alison laughed.
Funny how they were all smiling after the first race. I'm writing this after the second race has been run and waiting for a report, pity I'm not with them but I've got a prior engagement.
Race one, Traralgon. Unfortunately Gen pulled out with a sore hamstring. After a long drive from Geelong we arrived to an almost perfect day for racing; warm, sunny, no wind, a really nice circuit with lots of entertainment and activities happening in the middle grassed area created a great atmosphere.
After my initial impression I noticed the hill in the course and instantly regretted not putting the 12-23 cassette on and then the wind started blowing across the circuit within 30 minutes of the start. I was very impressed not only by the circuit but also the entry list, a good turn out of under 19's, elite and masters competitors. Originally the race was scheduled for one hour plus three laps but to my relief it was shortened to 45 minutes plus three laps. Normally I wouldn't be worried but as I've been injured and there was that great big hill and it was a long drive and and and!
The interesting thing about this circuit was its mix of tight narrow sections and some really open and fast parts. At the top of the hill we did an almost U turn for a downhill leading into a longish straight with two roundabouts, then a right hand narrow turn that lead into another right hand open turn into another open right turn then a tight left hand that had an overhead camera (a bit disconcerting), two more roundabouts then the hill.
The expected attacks kept us all fully focused on the wheel in front. A and B grade were separated after the first few laps although what you might call B grade contained a few A graders which is always a bit of a confidence booster for some. With riders pulling out I was very impressed with our team who all finished and placed well. Sally was fourth, Alison fifth, Lisa sixth and I came third. It was an excellent result when you consider that the girls were all racing an open event for the first time and raced very well.
"Sally caught a bad cold so it was down to me and Alison. We both ended up working together in no man's land. The A graders took off quite quickly and we were spat out the back a bit to be suffer the elastic band effect out of some rather tight hot dog turns (for me these were a bit nerve wracking so I lost a bit of speed there anyway). We were then riding in a smaller bunch of A and B graders who were not going fast enough for us. Unfortunately we left it a little bit too late to break away from them and could bridge the gap to the front runners. Still, we came in 6th and 7th after working together the whole way. Once again the conditions were very hot and windy which did not make it any easier!" Lisa said.
"Although I had suffered some horrible nerves, I have conquered a lot of fears and felt a real sense of achievement. During the week I was looking forward to Saturday afternoon when it would all be over, but now that it is I'm planing what I can do next."
"Looking back it was a fantastic experience. I have leant a lot and had a ball, so thank you for the team opportunity - I (kind of) heard the commentators talking about our jerseys as we raced yesterday. I loved the crowd atmosphere and I was amazed at all the support we received - at the end anyone would thought we had won! It was such a shame it ended up with only Alison and me!" Lisa added.
As for me, I'm finally back on deck after the worst virus that I have had in years. I felt a bit odd one Tuesday at work and the next thing I knew I was off work for three weeks, hardly even left the house or even get out of bed! I have had to re think my season plan and forget about 2008 racing wise. I am now about to start of some base training and looking forward to 2009.
For those who are not aware 2009 looks like being a busy time. The Australian Masters Games are being held in Geelong, the Australian Masters Road Race Championships in Central Victoria and the 'biggie', the Sydney World Masters Games later in the year. I've discovered current Australian Champions are entitled to wear our National Champions Jersey, but of course the only drawback with this is that I need to win the title again in 2009. Now if that's not pressure! Guess that means I need to ignore the pain in my leg and get in some decent training.
Hope you are all taking advantage of the better weather and doing heaps of riding.
Cya!
Pip
Some of the action at the Traralgon criterium during the Amy Gillett Cup.