Race Report - CX Infestation Women’s A’s
Date: December 4, 2022
AVRT racers: Niky Taylor 4th
Course: This course started on a paved hill, then wound through some dirt containing many sharp turns, a few barriers, a run-up, and some bumpy descents. Those descents deposited us on a long sand pit also known as the beach. Then it was a few more turns and back to the climb.
Sometimes you feel strong and excited coming into a race, and sometimes you have a cold. This race I had a cold. But you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take or whatever so YOLO let’s go race in some mud! Also it was my last chance to race the A’s and I at least wanted to say I started. I rolled up on race day feeling anxious, both about racing and riding hard while sick. I warmed up with Claire (Stanford) and Leslie (Ornot) and cheered on Sharon, Lindsey, Janine, and Kelly racing the B’s.
I lined up at the start, and it was great having Kristina, Kelly, and Karen there for support. Then the whistle and we were off. I was so nervous about overdoing it and coughing up a lung or something, so I didn’t push that hard. I came away with lungs intact but didn’t have a great position heading into the dirt.
Once things settled I took stock: there were several riders out ahead. Then Claire, me, and another rider behind me. Claire’s superior handling began to pay off and she pulled ahead. I could feel the rider behind me getting frustrated and wanting to pass me. When we hit the sand she jumped off and started running. I considered getting off my bike since that’s what I’d done in my practice lap, but running in sand sounded like more effort than riding it. So I shifted low and spun my way through, passing her back when she got tired. It was a very tortoise vs hare type situation.
Riding the sand made me feel pretty accomplished and saved some energy. I caught Claire on the hill and stuck with her, forcing myself to then keep with her and follow her lines. When we hit the sand she got off to run, and again I rode it and passed her right at the end. I realized I could gain time on the hill and the sand, but for the rest I had to focus and work hard to keep my position. I managed to use the hill and sand to compensate for my slow remounts and handling and worked my way into 4th place, but never quite caught the top three.
This was a cool race. I once again learned 1) to fight for a top position at the beginning of the race, and 2) remounts matter. Cleaning up my handling and remounts would save me energy and make me feel more comfortable. But overall I was stoked to podium in my first A’s race and happily celebrated 4th place with my hands in the air over the finish line, because why not :)
Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/8208954087
Nutrition: My teammates gave me bottle hand ups! Kristina, Lindsey, and Sharon all gave me bottle hand ups throughout the race, so I got to take some quick sips and then launch the bottle away for them to go find. Thanks guys :)