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Date/Location: |
April 16th, 2022 – Milton, CA |
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Distance: |
43mi |
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Place: |
3rd, Master 50+ Cat |
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Teammates: |
Anna Soares, Robin Soares, Shantelle Tupaz |
It’s Easter weekend. Jesus died for my sins, to give me life that I don’t deserve. Therefore, how can I complain about anything?
It’s pouring rain on our drive to the 8:50am start. We knew days ago it would be raining and it’s never fun to bike in the rain. I didn’t want the extra risk (it’s already a dangerous enough course) and I didn’t want extra stress for Anna who is trying to also train for track finals. And I have an injured hip. But I’m having faith and remembering to look to the Lord for direction.
Robin brought a pop-up tent which really helped as we sat under it watching the pros go by in a downpour. We sign in and find out Anna is the only one in her category so they move her to race 2 hrs later with Robin. As we wait, the weather starts easing up. Thank you, Lord!
Anna and Robin start first at 11:15am and it’s not raining at all.
I start at 11:30am. In my group are 9 50+ Cat 4/5 riders and about 9 60+ open riders joined together. I have a base shirt, jersey, long-fingered gloves and heavy booties.
I’m not in the hill climbing shape I was last time, and with the hip I’m not even sure how hard I can push. But it doesn’t matter, I’ll just do my best for the Lord, be a good representative for Him and listen to His direction. Go!
As we roll along the 1st bumpy road, the pace is really slow and I feel like this shouldn’t be too hard, I’ll lead for a while. Every time someone goes ahead I wonder, “Are they better than me? Should I watch out for them?” Bike racing for me can be a roller coaster of thoughts, effort, overconfidence.. I need to give it all over to God. Up the first climb they all drop back and I think “ok, maybe it’ll be easy”. 1/2 way up, though, there’s still 7 or 8 around me. I get to the top staying seated and not hurting my hip. I hurry to rotate with a few at the front into the wind thinking we’re ahead but there are still 8 in our group.
Across the top, it’s nice temperature and not too windy. I’m working hard and realizing I’ve got a few competitors that may be stronger than me. After the turn and heading back West I feel really good and lead fast (at least really fast for me) for a while but didn’t rattle the group. Now another guy pushes hard for a while and I can barely stay on. Then another guy.. and this time it splits the group. Just 3 of us. And now they ease up and start talking about working together the rest of the race before “every man for themselves”. I’m just glad to be with them and still have a hope of controlling the hill on the 2nd loop.
We drop down the bumpy treacherous descent. I can hold my own fine on the descents. Bump the bumps make my bike feel like it’s going to explode apart. It really is scary and I’m praying and it reminds me how much I rely on the Lord’s help every day. There are a thousands things that can kill us, this is just another one.
Through the first loop we start the approach to the big hill again. The 2 guys with me start talking.. the tall guy says to the stocky guy, “so are you more of a sprinter?”. stocky guy says, “actually I’m more of a climber”. Tall guy says, “Oh, I didn’t want to hear that.” It surprised me as well. Just then a 4th guy catches up, “I’m back! But now I’m spent of course”. I tell him good job. I also realize that what looked like an easy 3rd place finish is now in question. I reach for my water and realize I lost my bottle on the bumpy descent! I’m thirsty, but I’m also lighter I guess.
We start pushing the hill and I’m starting to struggle. I don’t feel in control at all. And then the 2 of them gap me. Ok, just get composed, get efficient and give your steady best.. you never know.. maybe I’ll still catch them somehow. Almost to the top, I can’t see the tall guy, but the stocky guy is only 100 yds ahead, and the catch-up guy is behind but I don’t look. I give it my best to the top and push into the wind but the 2 of them are pulling ahead separately. Soon I realize it’s just me trying to stay ahead of the 4th guy somewhere back there. I push across the flats pretty well but now my hip starts hurting. I find standing helps to I do that through the big turn. I push a couple times come back West but the hip is hurting so ease up a little… and the catch-up guy catches up again. He says, “How far are the other 2 guys?” “Pretty far I think”. I had hoped to stay ahead of him so I could take the scary downhill easy. But now I’ll have to go faster. I definitely have to push the last climb.. I start up it.. seated.. he drops back a little.. at 1/3 of the way I stand. I stand the rest of the way.. the hip is ok.. I think I’m pulling ahead.. over the top I push and think I have a good gap.
Going down, but front wheel sounds terrible. It even makes some rotating noise like something broke loose. Very concerning. Dear Lord, please keep me safe. I hit a smooth section and the wheel sounds fine. Ok, but I’m doing everything possible to reduce the weight on it. I lean back and absorb bumps with my knees. 1/2 way down, my knees are getting sore. Everything is vibrating like crazy. I see Shantelle, a 15 yr old that often races Anna. She’s way ahead of her group and descending like a pro. At the bottom I know I have to give it my all. I don’t know where catch-up guy is but I don’t want him catching up right before the finish. I gut it out and finish 3rd.
I’m so thankful the Lord kept me safe and I immediately pray to thank Him and ask Him to do the same for Robin, Anna, and others out there. I wait and praise God again when He does bring Anna across, and then Robin. Anna was 1st (only one in her group), Robin 2nd (Shantelle was in her group), and I was 3rd.
I’m also thankful that the Lord made what could have been a wet cold miserable day, a beautiful, fulfilling day for all of us! Really teaches us to rely on the Lord even more. Thank you, Lord.
