(l-r) Sandra Walter (Local Ride Women's MTB) 5th, Jean Ann McKirdy 2nd (Local Ride Women's MTB), Emily Batty (Trek Store Toronto) 1st, Mical Dyck (Trek Store Toronto) 3rd, Amanda Sin (3 Rox Racing) 4th
Jean Ann, Bianca, and I lined up for Canada Cup #3 in cold, windy Ontario and it started to hail?!?! What was that all about?! Luckily, after only a brief spate of the white pellets, it just went back to being frigid with whipping winds again, although according to the Weather Network, only about 30 minutes North of Hardwood it actually snowed! Happy May 31, I guess!
I opted for short sleeves despite the weather, as I am generally warm-blooded (she’s hot blooded, hot blooded!) and I knew I would be overheating before the end of the first lap if I kept my arm warmers on. I was stoked to ride the 9km swoopy, fast course, because it had rained quite violently overnight, but that was perfect for the sand-based loop. On pre-ride the day before, it had started to get a little too loose for optimum speed.
Photo: Marek Lazarski
We started the four-lap race in a pack on a wide chip trail. Jean Ann and I got a front-row call-up, so we were in a good position to see what was happening and mark any would-be attackers. I didn’t feel like hammering off the start like last weekend in Tremblant, which was all Jean Ann “The Animal’s” fault. Luckily everyone stayed calm and let Emily set the pace. After a couple of short popper climbs at the beginning, Emily, Mical, and Jean Ann had already created a small gap, and I was kicking myself for letting it form. I was chasing in fourth and I could see them, but I just couldn’t bring them back. I felt amazing on the fast, twisty, buff singletrack. Railing the corners courtesy of my Maxxis Crossmarks, I would almost regain contact with the front three in the tight trees… so darn close to that comfortingly familiar DT Swiss rear wheel with shiny turquoise spoke nipples so lovingly built by the boyz at Local Ride -- that’s Jean Ann’s wheel I’m talking about! Yet, I couldn’t quite make it back.
So there I was, out in the wind, chasing by myself, pursued by my buddy Catherine. Eventually I lost sight of the front trio on the sinuous course, and Catherine passed me, but I latched onto her wheel, hoping to work with her to get a gap on the chasers behind and make up time on the escapees up front (I believe my exact words to her were: “C’mon, let’s do some damage!”).
Photo: Marek Lazarski
Little did I know, Catherine was having mechanical problems that were seriously hindering her. That sucks, dude! I was forced to pass and go it alone. Somewhere along the way, Amanda blew by me at such a fast pace, I couldn’t match it. Too bad I couldn’t, because for the rest of the race, I maintained a steady gap of 15-25 seconds to her that I was just not able to diminish. I saw her almost the entire time, but that short distance just didn’t get smaller, no matter how hard I pushed.
Dawn and Ron were great supporters, giving me splits, cheering me on, and informing me that my team mate, Jean Ann, was in second! That made me smile and motivated me to keep hammering… so I could share the podium with my friend and show off our beautiful new blue Sugoi jerseys (yes, I know we’ve had them for a week now, but they’re seriously never going to get old)!
According to everyone, Jean Ann was just killing it (Kyle Douglas even called her “Killer” when he cheered, and what Ontario race would be complete without Scotty Dawg spurring on “The Jeananimal”?! She finished less than two minutes behind Emily, who has been putting a lot more time into every other second-place finisher of late. I was pleased with my fifth-place ride, but not ecstatic. You know how it is, we competitors always want more. My legs felt like they were starting to come around after last week’s disappointing ride, but I still don’t feel quite like I’m on top form yet… just you all wait until July! But my steel Xprezo hardtail and I were a perfect team on the fun trails that made up much of the course.
Bianca had a solid ride, once again finishing 11th overall and third U23 rider. She should be very proud of herself. She’s riding incredibly consistently, even though she’s been thrown into the deep end of the elite field for her first season in the Senior category.
Thanks to Dawn and Ron for the wonderful place to stay and the great company and support, David and Antoine of Xprezo for the feed and tech support, and everyone out there for cheering! Next race for me is the Test of Metal on June 20. Jean Ann and Bianca will head to Edmonton this weekend for Canada Cup XC #4, followed by Canada Cup XC #5 in Canmore on June 20, while I’m getting pumped and trained up for BC Bike Race, June 28-July 4 - yeah baby!
Sandra :)
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