I set my sights on the Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic when I found out it was a qualifier for Nature Valley Pro Ride. I had dabbled in road racing in the past, mostly for training and fitness, but I saw this as an opportunity to maybe change courses completely, even it if meant missing one of my favorite local mountain bike races that same weekend. I had a plan with my coach: I would go, race and, if I was still in contention for the win on Sunday, I would do the time trial and the criterium. Otherwise, off to the dirt I would go. I purposely left my mountain bike at home that weekend, not to even tempt myself. I needed to finish what I started.

Photo Courtesy of Pat Malach

This was by no means my first road stage race. I have done Mt. Hood twice and the Nature Valley Grand Prix once. The difference now was my intention to win. It was no longer “just for training.” The first day was fine. The race ended with a bunch sprint, and I ended up 6th, with the same time as the previous five finishers. On the second day of the race, someone had slipped off the front from another team. This particular escapee was last year’s winner Robin Secrist. I was racing solo, but did not want to lose like this. I pushed the pace of our group and eventually broke away to try to chase Robin down. I didn’t reach her, but closed the gap a bit and put some time on the rest. All of a sudden it was Sunday and I was still in contention. This meant that it was all road racing for the remainder of the weekend, without a trail in sight.

The current race leader, Robin Secrist, had won the time trial the year prior. Until today, I had never done a time trial on a time trial-specific bike. I had visions of grandeur, including making up the lost minute during the “race of truth,” but realistically, I knew my goal was just to not get passed by Robin. I started second to last, and she started last. I passed the two girls in front of me, but I got caught and finished with Robin, so she had put thirty more seconds on me. After the race ended, I had no idea how I had done overall. I knew there were some experienced time-trialists in the group but, much to my surprise, I finished second overall.

There I sat, in second with the criterium left to go. Knowing I could not make up time in one remaining race, I was happy with my effort, but also disappointed there would be no Nature Valley Grand Prix for me. Much to my surprise, Robin had prior commitments and could not attend Nature Valley Grand Prix, so even with not winning, I won a trip to Minnesota.

I am excited for the Nature Valley Grand Prix this year. This will be the first road race I have done with a team and not “just for training.” I have been told over and over from my roadie friends that racing on the road is so different with a team. I have been told that I would make a good road racer. But I have been told a lot of things. We will see if this experience can get me away from the dirt. I am always open to new opportunities and experiences, and this will definitely be one!