Stage 1 of Willamette

Today's first stage of the Willamette Valley Classic went fairly well, though it was pretty uneventful. The 1/2 women's field is pretty small, but isn't lacking in strength. We have four of us here racing and we are the biggest team in the field. Today's course was a 15 mile loop that favored the sprinters, of which there were many. We worked well as a team and tried to partake in the sprints, but to no avail. We had some good leadouts and kept the pace high, but couldn't hang with the sprinters at the line. They have intermediate sprints here that give not only points, but also time bonuses.

Tomorrow starts with a long time trial in the morning, followed by a circuit race in the afternoon. Wind is going to be a factor again. I think the "climbs" will not be significant enough to break things up, but we'll see. Our team kits have not arrived yet, so we are sporting some very classy $15 blue jerseys. They kind of flare out at the bottom and ride up while riding. Maybe I'll get some photos to post.

Busy, busy

Lots of things are coming up in the next couple weeks. Ted and I are going to Eugene, Oregon tomorrow to do the "new" Tour of Willamette, which is now known as the Willamette Valley Classic. I did the old race several times in my past and it was always brutal. It is now a four stage race - a time trial and 3 road races. No crits - yay!

We get back late on Sunday night and I fly out first thing Monday morning (along with Mom and Dad) for a week in the Florida Keys. My cousin, Jimmy, is getting married, so we're all going down for the wedding. Ted is going to head down too, but not until later in the week. I am excited to be heading somewhere warm, as this has been one of the grayest, wettest springs here. It's supposedly in the 90s where we're heading, so it'll be a shock for sure. I'm taking my snorkeling mask, my new Ipod, and lots of sunscreen.

I'll try to be good about posting updates as the race progresses this weekend.

We're doing a great race this weekend that is often described as the closest thing to a European "classic" that we have in the Northwest. Here's a link to the site for it: http://broadmarkcycling.com/race_promotion/tst.php So far, there are about 40 women pre-registered, but hopefully there will be more. The forecast looks awful, with wind and a 90% chance of rain. Yuck.

I got an Ipod today. I think it will be very nice to have for warm-ups at races and for travel. I'm building my song library right now - slow going, but it's growing.

Elma

Ted and I went over to the west side of the state again this past weekend to do the Elma Road Race, and possibly the Boat Street crit. I felt much better in the road race than I had in my first weekend of racing this season, getting into a break with Gina Kavesh and Carrie Eller. The three of us worked well together, getting a three minute gap. On the final climb, I could tell Carrie and Gina were hurting and attacked, and had the legs to maintain it. Ted's luck wasn't so great, as he was in the winning break when his crank loosened up and he was unable to make it back in the race. To make his day even better, I managed to drive over his training wheels on my way to the feed zone. He had even told me he had put them against the back of the car, and I just forgot they were there... until I heard an awful sound. Still not sure if the front one is salvagable. Oops.

We ended up not doing the crit on Sunday since it was raining and it's a nasty course, even when dry. Sadly, a racer died while doing the 1/2 men's race there: http://www.bikecafe.net/newsmgt/bn/?a=696&z=7

Here's a link to a press release for the other team I'll be riding for this year (in addition to doing NW races for Emde Sports): http://www.bikecafe.net/newsmgt/bn/?a=652&z=7

Well, that's all for now.

Pazza relaxing in the sun.

Pazza and Shamus