

Riding with my second helmet casualty of the week. I should be a product tester. As the race progressed it was loose and bobbing around on my head. It was on the side of my head like I was wearing a freakin' beanie.


I started a little too fast. I realized this when I could still see some pro men a few minutes in and I was on the wheel of a pro woman. I made myself slow down so I didn't blow myself up. In the first lap I broke my helmet and lost my gel. Second lap, no mishaps, Chris Eatough flew past me like I was standing still. I remember I was amazed at how clean he looked and smelled. Most of the time the men who pass you leave you in a vile wake of stench. I kept thinking "How can he keep those white shoes so clean?". When I went to pick up another bottle at the car I noticed Ike was sitting straight up in the backseat and watching everyone....he had a front row seat! Third lap, lost bar (the rest of my food), flatted, helmet was sooo bad had to stop and smash it on my head. Fourth lap, survival. I finished and had no idea I had won. I went to the table and they told me I was the only female to do 4 laps. I didn't know if I should be happy or feel like a sucker because I was the only one to keep going! Either way, it was good training...