There is a better way to do it; find it (Thomas Edison)

Vacaville Gran Prix, Vacaville, CA, 28kms- Sunday 6th July 2008







Results (Top 10 places): or Full results
1. Lauren Ellis (Jazz Apples Cycling)
2. Sarah Bamberger (Cheerwine)
3. Ruth Corset (Jazz Apples Cycling)
4. Flavia Oliveira (Touchstone Climbing)
5. Jane Despas (Klein Real Estate)
6. Starla Teddergreen (Dolce Vita Cycling)
7. Davina Summers (Dewars Racing Team)
8. Taitt Sato (ValueAct Capital)
9. Amy Chandos (Cal Aggie Cycling)
10. Lindsay Myers (Dewars Racing Team) (pictured above with me)

David Albrecht (pictured here) is the complete champ who chauffeured Lindsay and I to this race and to Davis a few days earlier. Dave has raced as a pro in Europe in the 80’s and been on the US National Team, he had great stories and much great advice as we past the hours to travel to and from the races. Thanks for looking after us Dave.

I caught up with Ruth Corset at registrations, Ruth and I met at the Oceania RR in Nov 2007, she is currently racing for the NZ based team Jazz Apples Cycling. The course was technical with 8 corners and a big hill (the biggest hill I have ever done on a crit), it was like a figure 8. It was a very hot day and we started racing at 11:50 in the morning. As I saw it the race was dominated by Jazz Apples, Touchstone and ValueAct. Metromint had good attacks during the race, Lindsay and I got in a decent break of four, we were caught though.

Because of the course, I was pretty sure that a break would go and stay. I did everything to make sure I was going to be a part of it, too much in fact, such that I didn’t have anything really left for a final sprint. Lindsay was also racing in Dewars kit, we were not really working as a team, we just weren’t chasing each other down (what is the difference you ask?)…

I was really impressed by the dedication of some of the DNF team members to commit themselves (to hurting the bunch) so much for their team mates that they could not finish the race, and trust me they (and we) were hurting in that sun.

The highlight of my race was winning a prime, only one though.

This week is the start of our Cascade Classic stage race (hurt week). I am really looking forward to being a part of a team of 7 riders. I have a lift up there with a photographer from ROAD magazine, Carson Blume. We are staying in Redding tonight partway between Paradise and Bend (in the next state up), Oregan. The map shows the journey.

This week I have had some exciting retail experiences with automatic checkout at the grocery store, and because I never worked as a check-out chick, finding those bar codes is hard work. Also a drive thru ATM, now someone is thinking.

We have been watching a little bit of the tour, I was inspired this morning when the four man break managed to stay away for 200-odd kms. Usually, I go for the sprinters in the bunch and hope that they catch the break (being a sprinter myself), but this time I was going for the break, I think they deserved the places.

Hope all is good.