Katina’s latest Off-Road Success!
July 16, 2008 · Print This Article
by Katina
Hi Gang!
Great news — I raced yesterday at the National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS) #5 race in Windham Mountain, NY, located in the picturesque Catskill Mountains and won my age group! Although there were only a total of 30 women expert racers, the 40 and over racers lined up behind the younger gals. I had a good start and was on the wheel of last year’s national champion in my age group (she has since moved into the 50+ age group). We separated ourselves from the other master riders. The course was approximately 4 miles in length and we rode only 2 laps which was fine with me because there was more than 2 miles of climbing per lap and the heat was suffocating at times. The climbing was intermixed with single track and newly constructed wooden bridges covered in chicken wire. I feel off her wheel each time up the climb, but by the time we got to the top of the hill on our second lap, I was only 20 yards back. I knew she was riding the single track smoother than myself, but mentally prepared myself to close down the gap and hang on her wheel through the final descent. I was fortunate not to have any mistakes on the descent and let her take me through the single track. With about 100 yards to go, I came around her for a sprint! It was awesome! Even though she wasn’t in my age group, I knew the quality of rider she was. So, I won my age group and the next woman in my age group came in about 13 minutes back, but I made the podium and am thrilled.
In other news — I also qualified for the U.S. National Championships next weekend in Mt. Snow, Vermont and got to meet some other cool VBs: Allie, a crazy downiller chick from Paterson, NY (maybe NJ?) and Jen, a pro cross country rider from Boulder, CO.
It was a good day!
Not sure if I’m headed to Mt. Snow for the National Championships but will need to make up my mind soon.
Katina
Editor’s note: YES, since this writing, Katina IS going!
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Yay Katina! Congratulations and it was great meeting you this past weekend. See you at Mount Snow!!!!
yay!
congrats!