SCE Women’s Team Works Together for a Successful First Race in 2009
The weather was cold, blustery and rainy for the first race at Mingo Park on March 29, 2009. There was a decently sized women’s field of 11 rides, including 4 from SCE – Barb Grabowski, Patty George, Rachel Teodori and me. Barb and I were riding with the SCE team for the first time.
The women’s race started slowly, with Barb taking an early pull on the front and no one wanting to get into the wind to replace her. The pace was slow, down to 11 mph at one point, on the gradual climb up to the two steep sections. Patty and I had fun attacking on the hills during a practice ride the week before and decided to give it a try. If nothing else, it would wake things up a bit!
We attacked and went off the front, but it didn’t last long (lesson #1 – don’t try an attack when everyone is still very fresh!). I was in the lead on the gradual downhill when I heard Patty warn me that I was pulling the whole pack. I eased up a bit and we all re-grouped. The group stayed together until the third time up the climbs, when 2 riders attacked.
Patty and another rider went after them and I took off a little ways behind (lesson #2 – when Barb says don’t bother going after them, listen to her!). I soon found myself in no man’s land – four riders too far in front of me to catch and the rest somewhere behind me. I was happy to see Barb, Rachel and another rider catch up to me in a short time. I learned later that Barb got them organized into a pace line, which caught me and then another rider ahead of me. The 5 of us rode together in a nice, efficient pace line until the downhill/flat on the last lap.
Rachel took off and got a small gap on us, which I wasn’t quick enough to try and close (lesson #3 – look for the pace to increase on the last lap). Barb passed me and was able to bridge up to Rachel, but I wasn’t quick enough to jump on her wheel and was gapped with the other 2 riders. There was a short, steep rise coming up where I knew I had to give everything I had left to get on Rachel’s wheel – I wasn’t about to be dropped with a mile left after riding in the group all those miles! I jumped on the pedals and gave it all I had, and was barely able to get on Rachel’s wheel, gasping for air. We had dropped the other two riders!
Barb did lead out towards the finish while I caught my breath. With a couple hundred yards to go, I was feeling better and attacked for a sprint finish. Rachel smartly got on my wheel and passed me just before the finish, as I was running out of gas (lesson #4 – don’t start the sprint!). Barb was right behind and Patty had already finished in front of us, giving SCE third, fourth, fifth and sixth! We learned from Patty that she was able to keep the leaders in sight, but wasn’t able to bridge up to them. Great job staying close Patty!
This was my first race with a team, and I loved how we employed team tactics to give all team members a great finish! I learned a lot and can’t wait to try it again!Pam Milavec
