My first race in Newfoundland!

Lining up at the start! All the women started together.

I loved my first road race in NL! I had gotten away from road racing before we left Qatar, and more interested in ultra-distance.

But today’s 81km race was beautiful, challenging and really enjoyable. The course had some beautiful downhills, one descending straight down to some beautiful big icebergs in Pouch Cove! No photos of icebergs because, well, I was racing.
 ☺️
There were a record number of racers (47 total) and a record number of women out for this race: 8 Women’s B Cat, and 3 Women’s A. Which was exciting! We are growing!

It’s a bit different here than we are used to and you can choose your category, so some people who didn’t want to do as much distance signed up for B or C category (A= 3 laps/81 km; B= 2 laps/54km; C= 1 lap/27km)...so there were some very strong riders in B category who were fast but just didn’t want to do the distance.

There were some strong women riders out on the course and I was feeling strong too despite some over-training recently (my fatigue is 112 and form is -33) but I got smoked on the hills. So I know where I need to focus if I want to improve.

I gave it my best and it was a great day on the bike. Sun is shining, strong headwinds a little chilly but tolerable, and I got ramen and sushi to celebrate.
😉
Huge thanks to all the volunteers and organizers, especially Ted Correa! It takes so much to put together a race here, and you’ve excelled yourself. Volunteers around the course were helpful in providing moral support as well as logistical!

First medal in NL! :)

With 1st place finisher in the long race, Julianna, who smashed that hill out of Pouch Cove! Well done!

It's not Qatar prize money, but it's not a vacuum cleaner either ;)