Day 2 Rain, Manda Road Race

The rain started early for us today, a 7:55 a.m. Start. Not my ideal time to race, but we had brought along the Orbea mountain bikes to get a ride in after the road race. Didn't expect we would be doing a bit of mtb'ing in the race. In Toby's race he ended up going off the road into a cornfield, managed to get right back into the race without putting a foot down.
Luckily the women's race had no crashes. The roads were wet and the course involved several turns through out the race, made the course for a very technical ride.
We had a descent field size, as they combined the women for an open race. The break that stuck was probably about half way through the race. Christina Moore made an attack, and no one went, I seized the opportunity when we had two turns approaching. I jumped before the corner and yelled as I was approaching for Moore to jump on, she couldn't react at the time. I decided to keep on going through the second corner. Of course, I had chasers and as soon as they arrived, I heard Daniele S. yell, "Christina, PoP It", so I did. And jumped again and we were Off. Kate Sherwin, Chris Wolfe, myself and then joined by Natalie Klemko. We all rotated through as the chase group followed closely behind. Team mate, Bibi was the only cat 4 in the chase group. Way to Go Bibi!! As we approached the finishing stretch Chris W. attacked and we bridged up fast , though, we had stopped pulling thru. I looked back, I noted the field and Natalie suggested we still pull thru. We pulled thru a bit, but then Chris W. and Natalie stopped pulling thru. So, Kate was pulling and I was waiting for the jump, which I figured it would come from behind. But, we got closer and Kate decided to go for it. I was on the right and started to go, but noticed there wasn't that much room to the right, so I decided to back off and go to the left and ended up having to throw my bike out in front of me to the line. I missed it by a hair! I should have Jumped. But, I am learning! No one came around . Kate with the win and I took 2nd, Klemko 3rd . The chase group sprinted in and Bibi finished 11th overall. Way to Go Beebs! Thanks again, Colonels for the Awesome Giant and Kenda tires, and Gu energy gels.