It's official I'm a bit of a Hen...mother, that is. Yesterday was an event the Wild Bettys have been talking about since the winter, in fact since before we were the Wild Bettys. I so wanted it to be a good day for those who were new to racing. It's funny about anticipation..often it is better than the event itself, not true of yesterday though.
I was a little concerned to say the least about the logistics of getting everyone and their bikes to the start with their cars at the finish, the event had a bus and shuttle truck organized but in the end, as I should of predicted had I chilled a bit, all the Bettys very capably, and a few with the help of their fabulous support crew, managed to get themselves and their bikes to the start in time...there were eleven of us at the start for the Giant Lake to Lake Event on Sunday in Port Colbourne....all lined up in the first wave corral. The feeling of pride when I took those pictures of the long line of Bettys was something I hadn't quite expected. I get a little shiver even writing about it now truthfully.
There was much discussion in person and on our member's forum about how we were going to ride...try and stick together or just ride the best we each could...the latter is what everyone ultimately decided on race day. Judging by the smiles at the end, I think everyone did do their best...
and did we ever have a great time...it always helps when someone in your group is successful as well and we all were!!
Erica, entered the race after our teams were set and so she rode solo...and ride she did...right at the front to win the best overall women's time of the day and get her name on their big trophy...congratulations, Erica.
Our two teams did very well indeed with personal bests for many and one of our teams placed third in the new all female corporate category. We had two new mom's on our teams and a first ever mountain bike racer as well who all finished the day with smiles!! Congratulations Steph, Melissa and Sue, you are all an inspiration!
For many of us the idea of riding straight for 50 km was new in itself but we all did it!!! The Short Hills trails are terrific....lots of flat gravel roads and so drafting was a possibility at times...also there were some enormous mud puddles, one of which tried to consume my 29er but I just kept on pedaling, it usually gets you out of trouble and the Superfly didn't let me down...but I was muddy...the bike was submerged up to the top of my water bottle! There were some beautiful twisty dry trails as well.There was actually a little bit of everything in the 50 km.
Some personal bests were achieved as well. Pat improved on her previous time by a half an hour. It was really great to hear Julie talking about the single track with such confidence after the race!! Isabelle and Becky put in solid rides with strong times and Tanya should never have doubted her fitness.
The day was a success for these ladies also because of the support their families provided. Isabelle's husband , Raoul was a great help with his Norco tent at the start to get us gathered and sheltered and then at the feed stations..a special thank you for helping me refill that mud covered water bottle as I had lost my other one on a down hill and given that we were trying our best, stopping to recover my three dollar MEC water bottle, pretty as it was , was just no longer in the game plan...I had a mission!! Thanks Raoul.
Julie's husband, Jeff was on hand for cheering and photography...can't wait to see his shots...Thanks, Jeff.
When I came over the finish line the first person I saw was Erica...who'd already been for a swim in Lake Ontario, man, she's fast...but then I found Marc and baby Nathan in the shade of a big tree where we had a nice chat before I went for a cool down ride. Thanks, Marc.
Stephanie's husband, Chris was also on hand and was brainstorming about ideas to help improve the outing when we do it again in 2011...a true visionary that Chris is. Thank you also for minding the bikes as we went up to the awards at the end of the day.
In addition, Sue's partner Eric was there riding in the event...next time I'm sure he is going to wear a Wild Bettys jersey. Tanya also had a mini support crew in her husband, Richard, who helped her complete those last few kilometres, and had some ideas on how she will be able to improve her time in 2011!
At the end of it all some very tired Bettys each made their way back to real life, Becky off to Windsor to an early morning business meeting, the rest of us back home to get ready for the work week ahead...but I was smiling all the way home, thinking about how great it is to be a part of the Wild Bettys. Thank you...and the best part...tomorrow is Tuesday and we get to ride again!!!
Ride On!
Melinda.