Duluth Classic Stage Race, Stage 1 - Wrenshall TT

As you can tell, I'm writing up my summary retrospectively. What can I say? Without a laptop, I have to keep to the archaic method of waiting until I get home. So, to make it easier for the handful of readers, I wrote it so Day One is at the top, and you can just work your way down. Again, its all a jumble of memories at this point, so it'll be a brief summary of the weekend. Stop me sometime and ask...I know there's a lot I'll leave out. :O)

Stage One was a 16 mile TT in Wrenshall, MN. Still early in my experience with El Gato, I was so excited to get 'em back out there for another ride. The rollers were of little worry for me, as we cruised over them gently. I couldn't believe the speed I could keep up and feel my heart so under control. For the first time, I was so comfortable and in control that I didn't even look at my mileage until I'd already gone 10 miles. Knowing I only had 6 miles to go, I dug as deep as I could and dropped it into a harder gear.

I was so cross-eyed that I didn't even see the officials as I blew by them. Two miles later with no cyclists or officials in sight, my eyes welled up with moisture and my breath disappeared. In a panic, I turned around and sprinted back to miles in some attempt to make sure I hadn't missed a turn. Luckily, I found the finish line conveniently located in my original path, and they giggled at me when I asked if I finished. Talk about being deep inside the hurt locker....I didn't even know I was done. To my surprise, I finished in 5th place in a time of 45:10, with an average speed of 21.5. Sure I would have loved to come up with some wicked fast time, blowing the field away but, hey! I'm just not there....yet.

Zach did fabulously, riding his tail off on his stock Fara, finishing 16th in 48:45. Jay rode great, too, only 2 minutes down from the winner in his field. Nice work, guys! You two never cease to amaze me!

Stage 2 - South Range Road Race

Saturday was exciting, as we woke early for the drive to South Range, WI. This was to be my bro's first big road race, and I couldn't have been more amped for him.

Jay followed behind my field in Tone's support truck for the duration of our race. This was the first time Amy, Jacki and I got to ride as a team together - what a joy. The pack held tight through the first lap, not shelling any riders until we neared the 2nd. The pace was awesome! We got into some sections when we'd just FLY!

Yep, Dad, that's us cruising at 33mph. :O)

Jacki is by far our strongest rider, so I pulled her up to the front and tried to split the field when a gal went off the front. I got her up there, adn we continued to work hard until the finish. Coming up the finishing hill with less than 500m to go, I was sitting around 9th in our 10+ pack. As the riders started to attack, I frogger'd my way out of my cage and unleashed my best sprint ever...taking 4th in the sprint, and 3rd in my Category!! Yowza, that was bad a$$! Jacki rocked out a sweet 1st place finish, throwing her hands high in the air. Amy came in right with the pack too, having kept a great pace all day.

After us, the boys went. The 35+ Open Men's field was off the chain - making up over 5 minutes on the 1/2's to finish the 17 mile loop before them on t he first lap! Unfortunately, that whipped Jay off the back early, but he kept 'er steady to finish off the stage and compete again the next day.

Zach had a pretty rough time, having missed a turn on his second lap due to an out of control car.... I guess someone snapped a tie-rod and careened through the turn, into a ditch, and the corner marshall left his post to help out. Luckily, someone caught up with him and the rider at his side and got them to turn around. Weary, road worn, and red faced, Zach finished out his first road race! I'm so proud!!! Nice work, kid!
Afterwards, what else would we do than grab some burgers and beers at a local hangout? We headed into Superior on our way back to the hotel and filled up at the Anchor Bar. And what do we see when we arrive? A Hollywood Cycles sticker under the address! And we didn't even put it there - it's been there for years. Yep, its true, he gets around.
Full, tired, and satisfied, we retreated to the hotel for some rest. We laid low all evening, grabbing some time in the hot tub, and a late dinner with friends. Before midnight, we were fast asleep.

Stage 3 - Duluth Road Race

Distance - 37 miles.
1 LARGE climb - need to climb 4 times.
Elevation change - more than 300 ft of elevation change in less than 1.5 miles. 235 feet of elevation change in last 1/2 mile of climb.

Stage 3 was the Duluth Road Race. This one was to be tough, even by Tone's standards, but I tried not to worry. The killer was a 1K+ climb we had to tackle 4 times.... Tone was sweet enough to start us at the bottom, and make us finish at the top 3 laps later (thanks Tone!). Keep in mind in this picture, we're only 2/3's of the way up.....
The fog was beautiful as we pedaled through the north woods. Fortunately, it burned off quick and the sun came out to warm us once again. So much so that the support vehicle slowed along side us on the first lap, entertaining us with music as we shed some layers.

The course was full of climbs and rollers alike and the field seemed to be having fun. We kept the group together until we hit the massive ascent again, shedding a few riders on the climb. Though the well planned meals and relaxing in the hot tub left me feeling great, I hung onto the back hoping to learn from the amazing group of women I was riding in. By the 3rd time up the hill, exhaustion was starting to reveal itself in some of us. The pack was smaller still and, as we got to the top, I got dropped. I bombed the following downhill, reaching 38mph in a desperate attempt to get back onto the lead group. Unfortunately, my solo pursuit and TT efforts weren't enough to catch back on, and I found myself alone on the road.

Jacki and Sue bridged up to me and gave me a rest after a few miles. We worked together as we tried to keep pace and finish the race. The 3 of us rocked it all the way to the final climb, only to go into solo mode for the final push. I ended up coming in 7th, Jacki in 8th, and Sue took first in her 40+ field. Amy (our little mountain goat), made the break, finishing 6th with the leaders!

Hollywood's Hellions on the attack

Hwood never ceases to surprise me, as he rode phenomonally in the race, finishing just outside the top 10. I know it's still early in the year, but I see that he's really starting to come on! Nice work, Sugar! It was a blast cheering for you, and having you out there cheering us on - Thanks.