My First Crit! Bunny Hop - May 3, 2015

By TSF April Greer

Bunny Hop
May 3, 2015
Suitland, Maryland

Nearly psyched out and stayed home.  Failed to pre-register, told self it would be EASY to stay in bed. Already had queasy race stomach. Convinced self to go. 

Warm up- with Deirdre and Angela. They're good chatting partners and serious warmer-uppers. 

Racing-personal goals included: hang on, learn, be aggressive/defensive.

Course- cornering was ok, some gravelly patches.  Many riders hit the brakes initially, most eventually loosened up after a few laps. Rider touched my bars. Got nervous and decided to scoot closer up and ditch the wiggler. 

Saw friendly legs, Angela and Erin.  So amped it was hard to contain. Felt insecure about my stamina since I'm not endurance rider, focused on 2 good riders in front, they were good wheels with steady pace. 

Blinked and it was lap 10.

Parents on the sidelines yelled out to the youngsters to "do something now."  They did, but it was half baked. Youngsters didn't get away. Pack surge and reformed. Possibly the only attack of course. 

Shuffling of riders and different places, pace comfortable 20-23mph.  Heard ladies talking low behind and guessed attack was coming.

Jumped ahead of the pack on lap 3 (for fun) quickly realized it was dumb. Suffering chalky mouth and and tired legs. Tried to abort mission. No one would take it. Sudden mad dash for final lap. Everyone followed. Didn't have the legs. Cruised to finish line out of gas but smiling.

Can't wait to do more crits. Small victory is staying with any pack, for any part of any race. Hooray.