New wheels....

Since returning from such a massive race in Italy, I have definitely felt like something has been missing.  I have been on my bikes, both skinny and fat wheeled, but it has the feeling of going through the motions.  This was an emergency.  There was only one thing to do.  Get a new BIKE!!

Craig Calfee knows his stuff.

Bamboo beauty.

And so, the Calfee arrived courtesy of Koiled.  It is a work of art.  I knew it would look gorgeous, but I was unprepared for what happened when I jumped onboard.  Constructed from Bamboo and Hemp wraps it is hands down the plushest ride I have ever, ever had.  The dampening properties and the strength of the bamboo really have made an insanely good frame.  I still have my Koiled custom Ti, but she is in the shop getting some repairs on a busted shifter.  So.  What to do with a new bike?  Ride THE HELL OUT OF IT of course.

A plan was hatched. I went to my usual UQCC club crit on Saturday and then hung around because HPRW are running a women's only series.  This club does so much and in my opinion puts on the best racing on in Brisbane.  I figured, despite my 24hr legs, I would hang around and ride with a view to making up the numbers and supporting a series aimed to support us.

At the end of my club crit I managed to puncture a tubular - a tiny stone ended my race frustratingly inside two laps to go and any chance for a wheel swap.  That's racing!  While we fixed it between races (ex)Coach Tapper helpfully went and entered me into the Womens race.  He did this by handing over my license and money, writing my name down on the Mens B Grade list, and picking up a Womens C Grade number.  Random!

As I rolled over to the start line I learned that they had created club grades, and that meant Elite B were now racing A with the Elite A girls.  The four Uni girls now found themselves as A graders for the day!  I expected this would hurt. I lined up next to Simone Grounds, a rider I have watched and respected many times from the sidelines.  Now I was racing her.  Ok, that's cool!

Cruising behind Simone - (Adam Harrison Photo)

The weather was horrendous but the racing was fun.  I ended up on the front often, I knew I was doing it but the pace was a lot slower and I was interested in keeping it moving.  I am sure I did too much work (mountain biker guilt) but who cares, I enjoyed it.

laughing down the straight.... must work on race face! (Adam Harrison Photo).

The Uni girls all took their turns staging breaks, but nothing stayed away.  Nic was strong off her double metros victory and new girl Brit was showing she is going to be awesome!  Anne in particular made the best solo break of the day.  I would have liked to have jumped across to her to see what we could do, but my acceleration is AWOL (24 hour legs!) and I didn't want to drag everyone to her.  Eventually the bunch decided to bring her in and that they did.    Coming into two laps to go I expected everyone to jump on the pedals.  Nope. Last lap - surely now they will go.  Nope.

Coming into the chicanes on the back stretch I was about 3rd or 4th wheel.  I suggested to the ladies in front if they didn't want to be sprinted down perhaps we should go now.  The pace started to pick up a little.  I was really unsure racing up a grade, so I had just waited.  Then Jess made her winning move.  I jumped and got her wheel and we rode to the front up the straight.  I had no chance of coming around, but gave it a shot - as you do!  It was pretty close.  Simone came through in the last few metres for 2nd but Jess held onto 1st.   Amy finished just behind in 4th.

 

HPRW Race One - A Grade Podium - a happy 3rd! (Adam Harrison photo).

First thought through my head - Miff will love this.... Followed by I guess I will race the rest of the series then..... no longer lost.  Who would have thought just getting out there was the cure? 

See you out there!