For the same reason I don’t do cross, I will not do any early bird crits (but my mind might change next week). Why? Because I have plenty of other things that I can be doing and I’ll save my heart the trepidation of pumping at 196 bpm (my LT) for the other 7-9 months of the year.
Last year, I started off my season with an early bird crit the last weekend of January and raced close to every weekend after that until I burnt out mid- April, took a few weeks off racing, and rediscovered that passion itching at beginning of May. Thankfully, it was just in time to be working up to my peak for Nationals (end of June). Then, again by Gateway Cup (September), I was burnt out and the only things that were getting me through the rest my season were the social, coffee shop rides.
The one thing that is pretty awesome about the Early bird crits, though, is that they combine the Women’s P12 with the Men’s P12 races. So last year, as a brand new cat 2, I raced in the same race (and finished!) with current criterium national champion, Daniel Holloway, as well as many of the Trek-Livestrong boys and other local hotshots.
For when the “real” season starts, Vanderkitten has a great schedule planned including March favorites Merco Cycling Classic and NRC Redlands. Last year in the Merco GP, I was able to pull of 20th in a star-studded field including Ina Teutenberg, Evelyn Stevens, Katheryn Curi Mattis, Shelley Evans, Coryn Rivera, etc. and I’m hoping to either do better this time or help one of my teammates podium who has a better shot at ripping more legs.
I can’t wait for our team camp at the end of February when we’ll get our new kits to by JLVelo, Chamois Butt’r Eurostyle, Nuun Nutrition, Selle Smp for saddles, KENDA tires, Easton Wheels, Giro Helmets, Relegate Coffee, and others TO BE ANNOUNCED… :D
KaBOOOM it’s gonna be a good season!
