It looks like there is on site reg but not same day. page 10 of race bible. don't take my word for it I wouldn't want to steer you wrong.

I didn't race today, I was super busy being a photographer and podium girl at the NCNCA Women's Series closer at the Giro di San Francisco. However, I did race yesterday (some of you know that) and my race report is coming!

NCNCA Masters Championship Criterium, 60-64 age category, Pleasanton, CA

Teammates 2 - Heidi and Norma

This was the third A race for me this season. It was a 40 minute crit on a flat, wide course in an industrial park. Weather was perfect, 66 degrees at the start, and no wind. The field was 13 preregged, and I think there were 15 in all. It was a Masters Women's Criterium, ages 50 and up. Age grades were 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-open. I was the only rider in my age category, but roll around to finish was not on my mind. I had teammates in the race and we had plans to execute. I needed to work for my team, and I intended to.

We rolled off at the whistle, and the pace was at first moderate. On the second lap, some of the riders decided to throw a few punches, but things were kept handily in check. The pace went up, and the average laps were up to 23 MPH. I was moving around in the peloton keeping an eye on my teammates, and watching other riders to gauge fitness, strength, etc. Early the race, there was some nervousness, and hence sketchy skills, but things settled down. I prefer to be as efficient as I can, and I use momentum to move around in the peloton quite a lot. Doing that, I found myself at or near the front on a few occasions. I don't like to feel wind, so I'd pull off and drop back way before I started taxing myself. Moving up was not a concern, I could do that whenever I wanted to.

Ex was on the on the sideline, and he was shouting encouragement to me and to and to my team, and believe me, that was really good!

The team tactics we had discussed weren't working, and late in the race, with seven to go, the prime bell was rung. I don't chase primes, as a matter of "policy". However, I came up with an idea to go off the front chasing any prime sprinters, and then drop back to the front and close the peloton down so my teammates could try to get away. This was a plan we had discussed. I slid up the inside of the pack on the turn going into the short chute before the finish straight. The peloton moved left, and a rider went from behind me. I checked my left, looking for Heidi, who was sitting fourth or fifth wheel, and nodded that I was going. I expected she understood what I was going to do and would attack when the group slowed after the prime sprint. I went after the woman who went up the road, and I was at first surprised that no one else was coming. I had about fifty thoughts going through my little head at that time, and the foremost one was "commit!". I went after the gal, saw I was closing on her, and then we hit the final turn to the finish straight (I'd gone from a LONG way out). I moved left, thinking she might not have seen me, and I drilled it, just pinned myself. I got her a good thirty feet before the line, looked back at her, and she was smiling and nodding "you got me!" I slowed, looked back at the peloton, and no one was making a move. I watched a little longer, still nothing, so I stayed left, and sat up. My legs were a bit trashed after that sprint, and I could have tacked back on, but I decided, hey - six to go, I've got the jersey, I've tried to get my teammates up the road, no dice. I just won a prime, gave away my sprint (they all now know I AM a sprinter), and that's all I have.

I soloed around for my age cat win!

And holy cow, did THAT ever feel good!!!

It's been an incredible season. I have many people to thank, especially Ex. He understood my potential, and after a lot of head banging, he taught me how to realize it. I won a race outright this year, won my age group five times, four in non USAC events, and one in a USAC event. I won two State Championship jerseys. I improved my time trialing drastically.

How awesome is that???

Now, it's time for cross!!

Dang, Sara, you sure kicked some antediluvian booty out there! :lol: Ya done good, lady! :beer:

Chuck, it's been unreal! Thank you, buddy!!

Sometimes when you chase a prime, you end up with the win. It's all about the circumstances and the commitment. Policy is policy, until you win.

Congratulations, Champ.

I bet you wish you could jump in that chopper and buzz the state house.

You know, I do!!!

Thank you, Shovel!!!!

Sweet, @sarals!

:)

:love:

A picture is (truly!) worth a thousand words! Photo by my friend Craig Huffman.

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...pscz8s2xme.jpg

Great photo, congrats Champ!

Tom, thank you!!

Way to go Sara. You worked hard and it paid off. Very happy for you

Nice work sarals, and great results! that picture is awesome!

Steamboat Stage Race SW3, 8th/9 finishers

Rough weekend, I got 9th/10 in the TT. 9th /10 in the RR, was dropped and chased back on 3 times before being really dropped, then worked with 2 other gals for a while, then they dropped me, then alone for 45 miles. They raced us with the P12s for the Crit, and I was dropped 11 minutes in, and worked with 2 others for the rest of it, then won the sprint for 7th/9 (one gal bailed).

So, didn't quite manage lantern rouge, but almost.

For some reason, i'm ok with it. I worked as hard as I could. My team mate was 2nd in the GC, and my biggest disappointment was that I was supposed to work for her in the crit and take a time prime to consolidate her lead, and I wasn't there to do it. but she did it herself and still got 2nd in the crit, so at least I didn't screw it up for her.

I'm in Ogden for masters nationals now. Last year I had a crap steamboat and good Nats, so I'm feeling fairly positive about this, despite just having my ass handed to me.

:)

Great work Sara!

I hope your plan works, valygrl. I like it. Lull them into a sense of complacency, then kick their teeth in next week.

Seriously, best wishes to a successful Nationals!

Valygrl, first - thank you!

Second. It sounds like you had a really tough field, small at that, at Steamboat. Darn, I wish they wouldn't combine us like that, but I know, they don't have much choice. You're a super strong, gritty racer, such a fighter. So, I know you'll do well at Nats!

LAJ, thank you!!

IBO - your turn!! Thank you!!

Good luck at Nats VG.

Laj, um yeah that's my story and I'm sticking to it. :)


Thanks for the luck, shovelhd.

Sarals, thanks for the nice words. I'm working on my never-give-up and staying positive.

How did Heidi and Norma end up in their races?

Good luck valygrl!

You are welcome!!

Norma took the jersey in her age group (she's a legend, that one), and Heidi got fifth in a really tough age group.

Indeed. It was even better watching in person. And the prime was just bad ass. She went from wayyyy back and I was thinking "nope, don't think she can make it". Then she turned on the jets. So cool.