Southridge 16th Annual Challenge

[denmother]

Originally Posted by allison

I'm still on the fence about sport or expert. I'm pretty sure if I race Expert I'll be DFL. I don't have to win to enjoy myself, but being competitive would be nice.

Upon checking the DH results from 2007 I found that there were 1-3 women in both the Expert Women 34 & Under and the Sport Women 34 & Under classes. I know 2 of the women who race in the Expert class (Christine & Laura). They are both seasoned veterans and great riders. If you are looking to gauge your progress/skills, they would be the ones to compete against. If you just want to have fun, then do the Sport class.

[cbHarping]

Originally Posted by allison

I'm still on the fence about sport or expert. I'm pretty sure if I race Expert I'll be DFL. I don't have to win to enjoy myself, but being competitive would be nice.

I hear ya...for this race (since it's only my 2nd time back out there) I'm not going to worry about improving my time or anything like that. My goals for this one are simple: take it easy, make it from top to bottom, and have FUN doing it!

Oh, and take as many photos as possible...

[allison]

Originally Posted by denmother

Upon checking the DH results from 2007 I found that there were 1-3 women in both the Expert Women 34 & Under and the Sport Women 34 & Under classes. I know 2 of the women who race in the Expert class (Christine & Laura). They are both seasoned veterans and great riders. If you are looking to gauge your progress/skills, they would be the ones to compete against. If you just want to have fun, then do the Sport class.

Yeah, Seasoned Veteran's and Great Riders. I'd probably be down by at least 30 second's to a minute. They will probably be racing, Sarah will be racing Expert. Not sure who else.

Do you race in a higher class to see how much slower you are, or do you race in a class that you'll be competitive with everyone else? 30-60 seconds back from the podium isn't competitive.

I want to see if the course is split for the DH race also.

You guys all seem to have a lot of confidence in me, but I'm not so sure. The first run down I was pinning it as fast as I could to keep Steph in site. Her comment on the shuttle truck, "Man, it'll be fun to go race pace again." My thought, "OMG! That wasn't race pace?! "

[denmother]

Originally Posted by allison

Yeah, Seasoned Veteran's and Great Riders. I'd probably be down by at least 30 second's to a minute. They will probably be racing, Sarah will be racing Expert. Not sure who else.

Do you race in a higher class to see how much slower you are, or do you race in a class that you'll be competitive with everyone else? 30-60 seconds back from the podium isn't competitive.

I want to see if the course is split for the DH race also.

You guys all seem to have a lot of confidence in me, but I'm not so sure. The first run down I was pinning it as fast as I could to keep Steph in site. Her comment on the shuttle truck, "Man, it'll be fun to go race pace again." My thought, "OMG! That wasn't race pace?! "

For me there was never any challenge in being in a class where it was easy to win. When I raced Beginner, I got way too much grief from other riders because there was a bonifide beginner in my class. I had never raced before so I assumed that was the place to start. I ended up finishing the season in Beginner that year because if you change classes you lose your points. After that I moved to Expert.

I would rather be in a class where I am last and tried my best (Pro Women) then one that is too easy. I look for a 20 second difference to make it worthwhile.

[sdyeti]

I would say to push yourself and if you come in last, at least you know that you gave it your all. If you know with some certainty that you'll get 1st or 2nd in sport, then it might be worth it to see how you'll do in expert...you'll probably surprise yourself.

I doubt that you'd be 30-60 sec off expert time...

Oh man...I don't even remember saying that! Sorry if I sounded like a jerk.

My best advice is: race in which ever category makes you feel slightly uncomfortable. Laura may be there...you could try a practice run or two with her. Christine was posting times that would qualify for the bottom of the pro class. She is fast but didn't race pro because she has a little one at home. My friend Joy Martin will also be out there. She races expert and might be a good one to hang with, too. Of course, you are welcome to ride down with me too.

Originally Posted by allison

Do you race in a higher class to see how much slower you are, or do you race in a class that you'll be competitive with everyone else? 30-60 seconds back from the podium isn't competitive.

I want to see if the course is split for the DH race also.

You guys all seem to have a lot of confidence in me, but I'm not so sure. The first run down I was pinning it as fast as I could to keep Steph in site. Her comment on the shuttle truck, "Man, it'll be fun to go race pace again." My thought, "OMG! That wasn't race pace?! "

This is very good advice.

Originally Posted by denmother

For me there was never any challenge in being in a class where it was easy to win. When I raced Beginner, I got way too much grief from other riders because there was a bonifide beginner in my class. I had never raced before so I assumed that was the place to start. I ended up finishing the season in Beginner that year because if you change classes you lose your points. After that I moved to Expert.

I would rather be in a class where I am last and tried my best (Pro Women) then one that is too easy. I look for a 20 second difference to make it worthwhile.

[allison]

What happens if I move to expert, either get hurt or simply get destroyed in time? You can't go backwards, can you?

I don't want to be finishing last all year next year in the series and get nowhere other than lots of frustration for being slow. That is NOT fun.

I was slow at r/c cars and it's simply extremely frustrating to just "get in the way".

FWIW, I have NO idea how I'm going to do in Sport. I've never raced it. I would've finished 3rd (last) in Sport at the only race I've done for DH out there in March. I raced beginner because I'd never raced before and had no idea how I would do. There was no one really my age (the two girls in beginner were teenagers), so it's hard to judge.

Originally Posted by sdyeti

I would say to push yourself and if you come in last, at least you know that you gave it your all. If you know with some certainty that you'll get 1st or 2nd in sport, then it might be worth it to see how you'll do in expert...you'll probably surprise yourself.

I doubt that you'd be 30-60 sec off expert time...

Oh man...I don't even remember saying that! Sorry if I sounded like a jerk.

My best advice is: race in which ever category makes you feel slightly uncomfortable. Laura may be there...you could try a practice run or two with her. Christine was posting times that would qualify for the bottom of the pro class. She is fast but didn't race pro because she has a little one at home. My friend Joy Martin will also be out there. She races expert and might be a good one to hang with, too. Of course, you are welcome to ride down with me too.



This is very good advice.

[denmother]

Okay, no more cajolling!!! Sport it is!!!

[cbHarping]

Originally Posted by allison

What happens if I move to expert, either get hurt or simply get destroyed in time? You can't go backwards, can you?

I don't want to be finishing last all year next year in the series and get nowhere other than lots of frustration for being slow. That is NOT fun.

I was slow at r/c cars and it's simply extremely frustrating to just "get in the way".

FWIW, I have NO idea how I'm going to do in Sport. I've never raced it. I would've finished 3rd (last) in Sport at the only race I've done for DH out there in March. I raced beginner because I'd never raced before and had no idea how I would do. There was no one really my age (the two girls in beginner were teenagers), so it's hard to judge.

Believe me, I know what you mean about feeling "in the way" because I'm REALLY slow. But you are SO much faster than I am! You're going to do GREAT in Sport, don't even worry about it!

My times were in line with the Beginner class, but I rode in Sport so I don't have to go last (like what happened to me last year). It was no fun being the last at the top of the hill.

[allison]

Originally Posted by cbharping

Believe me, I know what you mean about feeling "in the way" because I'm REALLY slow. But you are SO much faster than I am! You're going to do GREAT in Sport, don't even worry about it!

My times were in line with the Beginner class, but I rode in Sport so I don't have to go last (like what happened to me last year). It was no fun being the last at the top of the hill.

I'm not worried about Sport being too difficult. I don't know if I'd kill it in that class or not. I'll check out the course. I'm sure I can change my entry on Saturday afternoon if I want.

[sdyeti]

i totally understand that. There's no harm in doing sport and then changing your mind later on next year

you just made me realize that this weekend's air-dab could've been the end of my VQ training. btw...when are we training??

Originally Posted by mechmann

i have not wavered on my stance with allison. i think she should race one race at sport level. if she wins, it was one race, next year she can race expert.

i don't think her pushing too hard to try and win at one race is a good idea. she has a lot of training to do to get ready for Vision Quest. if she gets hurt VQ will not be achievable.

i say race sport and see how things wind up.

Fontana will always be there...you have plenty of races next season to go up a level if you want

FWIW, Donny is pretty reasonable about letting people change classes, up or down.

Originally Posted by allison

I'm not worried about Sport being too difficult. I don't know if I'd kill it in that class or not. I'll check out the course. I'm sure I can change my entry on Saturday afternoon if I want.

[cbHarping]

Originally Posted by allison

I'm not worried about Sport being too difficult. I don't know if I'd kill it in that class or not. I'll check out the course. I'm sure I can change my entry on Saturday afternoon if I want.

Oops sorry, didn't mean that, let me rephrase...I wouldn't worry about pushing yourself too hard. Try Sport and you can move up in January for the rest of the Winter Series.

[allison]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

btw...when are we training??

You guys in town over Thanksgiving? We'll be doing at least one training ride. For sure doing some sort of ITT - Holy Jim - Trabuco something or other route. We may do a 20mi loop at Daley one day also.

[Shu]

Originally Posted by denmother

I know 2 of the women who race in the Expert class (Christine & Laura). They are both seasoned veterans and great riders.

Is the Christine you're refering to Mrs BRAAHHHHHHHH....aka Barry?

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

I don't have a number
It'll be whatever they assign me when I register.

what age and class?
what is your bike and helmet color?

[Shu]

Originally Posted by allison

What happens if I move to expert, either get hurt or simply get destroyed in time? You can't go backwards, can you?

I don't want to be finishing last all year next year in the series and get nowhere other than lots of frustration for being slow. That is NOT fun.

I was slow at r/c cars and it's simply extremely frustrating to just "get in the way".

FWIW, I have NO idea how I'm going to do in Sport. I've never raced it. I would've finished 3rd (last) in Sport at the only race I've done for DH out there in March. I raced beginner because I'd never raced before and had no idea how I would do. There was no one really my age (the two girls in beginner were teenagers), so it's hard to judge.

NO matter what class you decide....Race YOUR OWN Race....if you stay w/in yourself...you will be smoother and that most often means faster....it has no barring on the class...if you think tooo much...you will mentally psych yourself out and that is what will cause a bobble/fall...

[jfromlv]

I vote for Allison doing Sport as well. If you do well, and feel like you're ready after that, the Expert class will welcome you with open arms.

[denmother]

Originally Posted by Shu

Is the Christine you're refering to Mrs BRAAHHHHHHHH....aka Barry?

Yep!

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by Shu