Late race reports—Thater
Chris Thater Memorial Races, Binghamton, NY
August 28 & 29
The one thing everyone remembers about Binghamton is the hill. It’s not all that imposing a hill, just a little thing about two blocks long rising about 100’, but after you go up it 20-odd times, it can wear on you.
Saturday
There were 22 of us on the line for the women’s cat 3/4 race, including several other CRCA riders besides Emma & I. It started off fast, and I was challenged to stay with the group the first few laps. Lisa Jellett (Cranford Bike/CTS) attacked on the hill about half-way through the race, and managed to pull off a solo win, leaving the rest of us to sprint for second. Ellen took 6th, Emma took 9th, I took 10th.
Sunday
On Sunday, the pros came out to play—Chris Thater is an NRC event. The course was extended a little further up the hill to add two more corners, and a little more challenge. The women’s 3/4 race was right after the Pro men and on the course (but not with) the Pro/1/2 women. I was the only Swanky racing Sunday, but had plenty of CRCA (and Hell’s Kitchen) friends in the group. Again, we started off quick, but thanks to Saturday’s race, it was easier to predict the flow of the race. And thanks to the pro women passing us, we were neutralized twice allowing for some real mid-race recovery. Lisa tried to repeat her Saturday attack on the hill several times, with little success. Leslie Jennings (Radical Media) and I countered Lisa’s final attack at 2 to go, and got (wait for it….) about 1 second on the group before getting reeled back in on the backside of the course with plenty of time to set-up for the finish. She took 2nd; I took 6th in a hard-fought sprint and Ellen was 9th.
As always, a great event. Everyone is really nice, very helpful, and the entire weekend is just nicely put together. Kudos to the organizers and the city of Binghamton.
August 28 & 29
The one thing everyone remembers about Binghamton is the hill. It’s not all that imposing a hill, just a little thing about two blocks long rising about 100’, but after you go up it 20-odd times, it can wear on you.
Saturday
There were 22 of us on the line for the women’s cat 3/4 race, including several other CRCA riders besides Emma & I. It started off fast, and I was challenged to stay with the group the first few laps. Lisa Jellett (Cranford Bike/CTS) attacked on the hill about half-way through the race, and managed to pull off a solo win, leaving the rest of us to sprint for second. Ellen took 6th, Emma took 9th, I took 10th.
Sunday
On Sunday, the pros came out to play—Chris Thater is an NRC event. The course was extended a little further up the hill to add two more corners, and a little more challenge. The women’s 3/4 race was right after the Pro men and on the course (but not with) the Pro/1/2 women. I was the only Swanky racing Sunday, but had plenty of CRCA (and Hell’s Kitchen) friends in the group. Again, we started off quick, but thanks to Saturday’s race, it was easier to predict the flow of the race. And thanks to the pro women passing us, we were neutralized twice allowing for some real mid-race recovery. Lisa tried to repeat her Saturday attack on the hill several times, with little success. Leslie Jennings (Radical Media) and I countered Lisa’s final attack at 2 to go, and got (wait for it….) about 1 second on the group before getting reeled back in on the backside of the course with plenty of time to set-up for the finish. She took 2nd; I took 6th in a hard-fought sprint and Ellen was 9th.
As always, a great event. Everyone is really nice, very helpful, and the entire weekend is just nicely put together. Kudos to the organizers and the city of Binghamton.
posted by liz @ 1:15 PM
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