Lily did her first bike race today, the CSC Invitational in Clarendon, Virginia. After taking the Metro to the venue and doing a quick warm-up, it was time for some publicity shots in front of the Rock Racing bus.
Roger & Me ...
While waiting for her heat to be called up, Lily received some last minute race tips from former British national champ and 2004 Paris-Roubaix runner-up, Roger Hammond. Lily enjoyed talking to Roger, her Dad was over the moon.
Race Face
After receiving her last minute instructions it was time to roll up to the start. Helmet ... check. Bike number ... check. Race Face ... oh yeah ... check.
Blow by Blow ...
The field was huge, and fighting through the domestiques (read: parents) was tricky business, but Lily made the selection and started putting some distance between herself and the main field. Although, bridging to the leaders was a tall order.
Photo Finish ...
In a close fought battle for top ten in the four-years-old and under category, Lily just missed out to a girl on a trike. After originally huddling with the team organization to determine if they would appeal to the race referee (trike girl received way too much assistance from her domestique (parent) without any sign of a mechanical), the team decided 'that's racing' and dropped the matter. "I'm happy with the result," Lily may or may not have said. "The team turned themselves inside out to get me to the line and I did the best I could to finish strong," she might have added.
That Other Race ...
Lily's new friend Roger did pretty good, also. Here he is driving the break. Lily may or may not have told him that she thought the break might succeed today and he should get in an early one. Hard to say, it was a long day.
1 comment:
Lily's future in the four-year-old and under category is assured. Scouts from the five-to-seven set have already begun their inquiries. Watch out bike racing world!
xo aunty vickie
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