Redlands Sun Prologue

Kudos to the podium ladies today at the Redlands Prologue: Amber Neben: High Road 11:12:44 Eve Stevens: High Road 11:20:80 Erin Willock: Tibco 11:25:07 It was not an easy feat. It’s hot and dry. It’s hard to believe that completed 100 miles in the rain 5 days ago. I’m not sure how everyone else felt, but from this riders point of few…. Here are a few details. I feel great in the start house and got movin’ up to speed to tap out the first 1K quickly, but as soon as I hit the right turn to face the first hill, I took a huge breathe of fresh hot oven air. We’re talking lung drying, moisture wickin’ tongue numbing HOT AIR! Hill #1 was a grinder but the suffering was worth it after for the quick downhill section that included wicked turn at the bottom that super fun to take a full speed that transitioned onto the avenue of orange blossoms. That’s not what it is really called but that was all I could smell the entire length of this section of the TT. Ahhh! The smell of Redlands; way better then the smell of the central valley on a hot summer day of racing. Finally reaching the freeway overpass, the dry air has now aged me 20 years; really, I could see my skin wrinkling on my arms as it needs water. I thought to reach for my bottle; but of course, this is a prologue, who carries water bottles? Must grind out more pain, no water for me! I can barely talk about the second hill without embarrassment. It is photographer alley. If there were any photos of me they were all of my tongue licking my front wheel and my eyes rolling into the back of my head. I would have cried, but I ccouldn't waste the tears. The best part of the 2nd hill grinder, is the gift that waits for you around the next corner, yep, a little brat of a kicker that robs you of your hopes and dreams as a High Road riders buzzes past you tapping out a 120 cadence in a 53x11. I try not to focus on the rider that just past me, but the 200 meter sign awaiting me up the road. Only 200 meters I think, it’s a quick sprint, I got this, not much more suffering. 5 minutes later I’m still looking at the 200 meter sign wondering if I misread the sign and it really said 2K. Like I said, it was hot and dry; 13 minutes into this prologue can make you a bit delusional. Finally crossing the finish line, I raise my head and thank the stars it’s over. Like I said, kudos to the women who made the podium today, it was a hard prologue, physically and mentally. Congratulations to all the 113 women starters today, your participation continues to puts the Redlands Stage Race on the map!

VK placed some good numbers:

34 Jen Weinbrecht: 12:53:23

35 Emily 12:54:08

74 Jazzy 13:41:39

83 Me 14:06:26

86 Vanessa 14:07:48

87 Maura 14:08:79

109 Guest rider Kat Carr 15:41:87

113 starters no time cuts, 0 DNF’s, 0 DNS’s

Tomorrow Beaumont RR stage 1 Start Time 9:30