TRIPEAKS or 3 mountains over and over again

It's been like 2 whole weeks since i have had a chance to sit down and recap. A lot has gone on since last time i wrote. First let me start by saying 3 stage races in 3 weeks is something you seriously need to consider before attempting. I thought it would be no problem and that my body would be able to handle it, well it's 4 days after and i still feel like i have been hit by a train.

SO today i am taking a much-needed day off. Thanks to my very kind boss I am sitting in my pajamas, drinking some yummy coffee and typing away on the computer. AH the life of a wanna be PRO, this is what they get to do EVERY day. For me, it's a much needed treat.

So here it goes, back to TriPeaks two weeks ago. I wasn't sure i was going to make this trip back to ARkansas. TriPeaks is held in the little town of Russellville, with apparently 3 hills/mountains that surround it. Yes, you guessed it that is what we would be racing over in the back to back stages. This stage race was not as heavily attended as Joe Martin but would end up be just as challenging. The first stage started out on Friday night. It happened to be the hottest day I had encountered yet this year. It was 93 degrees when the crit started at 6pm. The crit started fast. The course was pretty flat but had a couple of technical turns. There was an also a harsh side-wind blowing on the long straight away. After several attempts to be in different breaks, a winning break was made. Unfortunately i wasn't in it. I truly believe i worked too hard at the beginning. That and also being behind that one rider that "always" opens up gaps. I knew this while sitting on her wheel but at the time was too tired to move around. That's what you get for being lazy. So the break went off and I ended up getting on the front and starting a chase. A few of my teammates tried to help but we weren't successful. By the end, my group was a minute and some change down from the leaders. Not the way you want to start going into a 3 mtn climbing day on the next stage.

Stage 2 played out how i expected. I would get caught by myself on the climbs. I have come to the realization that I can not yet climb with the lead group but i am a better climber than the rest of the field, which can be quite frustrating. I always find myself in the middle of the race thinking, should i kill myself and try to hang on to those top climbers and maybe be able to hang on or should i conserve and make it over the climb feeling much better and then go on the chase. Still haven't figured that one out. I guess it all depends on how much you got left at the end for the finish. Stage 2 was 92 miles. 92 miles is a freaking long day of racing. We finished with a time of 4 hours and 45 minutes on the bike and again in the 2nd group. A couple of minutes down from the leaders.

Stage 3 was 82 miles and finished on an 18% 3 mile climb. Most everyone was tired by the 3rd day so the pace was a little slower. We climbed two of the climbs from the day before but we climbed these at a much more mellow speed. Victory Brewing, local Kat Carroll's team, had 10 riders in our pack and had the GC leader. Knowing it was going to be a very long day, the pack let Victory do all the work, I mean all the work. On the first climb, a Cheerwine rider went off the front. Nobody felt like chasing and the pack didn't consider her a threat since she was quite a bit behind. We should have paid more attention. She ended up staying away the entire race and won the stage. It was a remarkable finish. After she went, there were several attempts to catch her later in the race. Kat Carroll put up a great effort to catch her and was off the front from the beginning of the 2nd climb till the final steep climb. Her efforts should be commended. It takes lots of guts and determination to solo off the front.

Finally, we reached the base of the 3rd and monster climb. My teammate, Jenny Trew, Alisha Lion and our host family for the weekend were staying in a cabin on top of Mt. Nebo. We got to see the climb everyday from the car. This climb consisted of 9 tight switchbacks and a long straight away at the top to the finish. After riding this several times in the car and dreading the climb, it was time to put an end to this epic stage. Victory Brewing set a hot pace going into the base of the climb, once we hit it there was an automatic split. Everyone would climb Nebo at their own pace. Alisha Lion set the pace, which was blazing. She is definitely a climber and was planning to make her move at the base. She did and left most of us watching her ride away. I got into my rhythm and found a good pace. I passed several girls on the way up and finished 15th for the day. At the top, i was so tired and freaking hot all i could do was pour cold water on my head. I swear i thought i was having a heat stroke. Luckily the cabin where we were staying was only 100 meters away. I headed straight there and went and laid down. You just can't find climbs like that in Nashville. It's too bad b/c it nice to know what 18% mountain top finish feels like before you try it for the first time!

I finished up 14 in the GC for the race. I wasn't super thrilled but it was a decent effort for a rather hilly race. As soon as the race was over, my teammate I headed to Nashville. Lots to do before Edgar Soto. Stay tuned for my recap of the 1st Ever Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race.