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| Into the Wind. Photo: Pat Malach |
Washington County Fairgrounds is flat as a pancake, with so
many twists and turns that it just about makes you dizzy. There is also a long, flat, windy
section. This is the location of my
tactical error. I worked too hard for too
long and in the end, couldn't respond to a well timed attacked by the lovely
Laura.
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| Corner of Pain & Cave Photo: Tim Schallberger |
Laura was smarter, smoother, and on the last lap, stronger
than I on Sunday. She rode brilliantly,
really.
She was patient, strategic and
attacked at the perfect time. She was
racing, I was just being silly. I was working so hard to drop her that I wasn't
even paying attention to the lap count. I
was putting in huge efforts, into the wind, with Laura right on my wheel (not
smart) and she just hung tight (very smart) until the opportune moment and
launched a real sling-shot of a move, and took off. We were running into the guys field, or they
were running into us, and that created a bit more separation. I recovered after a moment, but a small gap
had opened and try as I might, I couldn't close it.
Laura crossed the line first; a well deserved win and well played
race. I have much to learn, but each weekend I take my lessons, file them away,
and remind myself not to repeat these same mistakes again in the future.
Here’s to being smarter, smoother and stronger!