Belgian Waffle Ride CA

This race truly surprised me. Going into it I was expecting more of a road race dynamic because of the history of the event being known for having a lot of road but I was pleasantly surprised. The race started on the road and it was nice to have a separate pro field start. This felt safer and it was easier to stay with your competitors and keep them in sight at all times. Then, after roughly 7 miles of road we hopped onto the first singletrack sector which was honestly chaos. I felt good with my placement into the singletrack riding 4th place roughly. I felt like I was riding strong but 3 girls got away up the road so I was in full chase mode.

After the first singletrack sector, I find myself on the road with one other girl. We worked together for a while and then a girl came flying past on a guys wheel and we both hopped on as well. Then, it was into the next dirt sector. We were all riding strong together but I look the lead into the singletrack because I felt very confident in my abilities here.

I ended up getting a gap on the two girls I was riding with and then road up on two girls stopped. I asked them if they were okay and one of them yelled “you got this you’re in 2nd”. I was shocked so I decided that this was my shot and that I needed to go for it.

I pinned it on the singletrack trying to go as fast and smooth as possible knowing that that long road climb was coming up I just kept telling myself, “as long and I get up the road climb 1st I’ll be in a solid spot.” The road climb starts and I’m feeling good trying to put out high power to make a solid effort up the climb. I look back and I see a big group coming for me. I don’t know if this is amateur men or if those girls from before were in the group as well. About a mile from the top of the 5 mile road climb the group catches me. In the group is 6 amateur guys and 1 girl from before. I try and stay in with the group but I had already burned so many matches to be in that position, they ended up dropping me.

Now in 3rd, I am riding steady and I find myself alone on a long flat road section after the climb and without water. This is where I really started to crack and knew I under prepared on my nutrition. I finally make it to the next aid station after what felt like forever where I got 2 bottles from my mom. I kept going but was hurting and when a big group caught me, with the girl from before who ended in 3rd, I got dropped from the group and was then sitting in 4th.

I held 4th for the rest of the race but was all alone on the way back so it made it hard for me to make up any time on the girls who passed me earlier. I tried to tt and get into my aero position on the way back but there was a very strong headwind and it was tough to continue at a high speed all alone.

4th place for me on the day with some added confidence showing me that I am truly capable of being there and getting results.

now time for Unbound!!