The lure of the race proves too tempting

By Pip Read

It all started with a phone call from Madam Lash (my coach) asking if I'd considered the Women's Criterium at the Bendigo International Madison as part of my racing campaign. My initial response was 'not really but I'll look into it'. I soon came up with a heap of excuses why I couldn't race in it, ranging from the event being held on the same day as my birthday; Bendigo is at least two hours drive; and the start was scheduled for 6.30pm; and to top it all off my partner was in Adelaide studying and I was car less! OK. Decision made - I was not going to race and told my coach so. Then I started to receive the emails. They were quiet at first, then building in intensity to pleading very loudly 'WE NEED MORE WOMEN OR THE RACE WON'T GO AHEAD NOW OR EVER'.

One of my friends offered me her car, so that excuse went out the window and it looked like I was going to have to enter. With 25 laps and a start list headed by Katherine Bates (Team High Road) and names like Jessica Berry (Bendigo CC), Jenny Macpherson (CCCC) and other high profile riders, I was starting to wonder at the wisdom of being talked into this. The weather was also forecast to be in the high 30's and with 25 entrants, had the making of a hard evening of racing, a good reason to have a day of work at least.

After being hassled during Friday's bunch ride for sitting on the wheel, followed by pleading my excuse 'but I'm racing tonight and its my birthday' (same old excuse) two sessions at the café for breakfast, I left home with a friend for the drive to Bendigo with a stop at Daylesford for lunch. This was followed by a bit of shopping in Bendigo before the race (see above excuse number two) and I arrived to sign on and start my warm up.

The course was a very short and tight circuit in the CBD. Basically four left hand corners and lots of spectators. Waiting on the start line I could feel the heat radiating of the road surface the conditions were that warm. After the first few laps I was surprised when I looked over my shoulder to see that there were a few riders dropping back, and then they just disappeared. I later heard that the officials pulled riders, which I thought was a bit unfair as the circuit was not so small that we could not have had a few lapped riders. Did I say it was hot? Well it was, very hot which probably explained riders dropping back. I saw at least three near misses caused by potholes on two corners with back wheels a long way of line. It was a bit scary if it was the person whose wheel you were on.

Organisers shortened the race from 25 to 20 laps and the pace was quite high towards the end of the race with the inevitable attacks on the last lap. I was very happy with my performance, which was about midfield.

All in all a good race that I really enjoyed, even after the stop start lead up. It was also nice to see 25 entered with entrants' ages from under 19 to yours truly.

Cya!

Pip