Steel City Endurance Racing

Women's & Men's Cycling Team

Thoughts on Race at the Lake: I Swear, there were whitecaps on the lake

Posted by Barb on 6/16/10 • Categorized as Race Report

I Swear, There Were Whitecaps On The Lake
RATL is a staple of the Western PA/Eastern OH spring racing series.  The Summit Freewheelers do a fantastic job with this event:  a closed course around a small lake near Canton OH,  a women’s open race, a team competition, friendly volunteers, and not too long a drive for us Pittsburgh folks.  The team was represented by one or more of us at all four RATL races.  The last one brought classic conditions – spitting rain, 50 degree temps, and  wicked winds:  Belgian weather but without the waffles and raging fans with cowbells.  The “lake” that is Race At The Lake is really a small impoundment but with the winds whipping through the trees from the west, I *swear* there were Lake Erie worthy waves and white caps.  For me, the race was a rarity where I did not once put my nose into the wind. It was the end of a block of hard training so I was feeling a bit weary and I was happy to just follow wheels for the day.  Rachel, Patty and I were in the main bunch along with Erin and Sam from Carbon Racing, a new rider,  Sally Price and Jane Evely, and Lee-Anne Beatty.  Any attack was soon covered and in the bunch sprint, Patty, Rachel and I garnered 4, 5, and 6th while in the second  bunch, Stacie lead Kate out for the field sprint.  The team’s results across all four races in the series gained us a 3rd place in the Team Competition.  Sweet !

32098_1183799934572_1815463661_359113_3230470_nRace at the Lake Series

Race #4

May 8, 2010

Munroe Falls, Ohio

I Swear, There Were Whitecaps On The Lake

RATL is a staple of the Western PA/Eastern OH spring racing series. The Summit Freewheelers do a fantastic job with this event:  a closed course around a small lake near Canton OH,  a women’s open race, a team competition, friendly volunteers, and not too long a drive for us Pittsburgh folks. The team was represented by one or more of us at all four RATL races. The last one brought classic conditions – spitting rain, 50 degree temps, and  wicked winds:  Belgian weather but without the waffles and raging fans with cowbells.  The “lake” that is Race At The Lake is really a small impoundment but with the winds whipping through the trees from the west, I *swear* there were Lake Erie worthy waves and white caps.  For me, the race was a rarity where I did not once put my nose into the wind. It was the end of a block of hard training so I was feeling a bit weary and I was happy to just follow wheels for the day.  Rachel, Patty and I were in the main bunch along with Erin and Sam from Carbon Racing, a new rider,  Sally Price and Jane Evely, and Lee-Anne Beatty.  Any attack was soon covered and in the bunch sprint, Patty, Rachel and I garnered 4, 5, and 6th while in the second  bunch, Stacie lead Kate out for the field sprint.  The team’s results across all four races in the series gained us a 3rd place in the Team Competition.  Sweet!

32098_1183798854545_1815463661_359088_4525467_n

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