Chalk Creek & Jackson Hole

Alisha says: Chalk Creek was my first road race in the cat 1,2,3's. In fact I debated back and forth on whether to do it because I would have to go alone (Dave was going to be off mountain bike racing in Jackson Hole) and I was nervous about riding with the fast girls. Finally I told myself that it would be a good experience and to go into it without any expectations. The course was a 50 mile out and back with lots of rollers. The way out had more uphill and the way back had more downhill with a 3/4 mile climb at the very end to the finish. The race started with 11 ladies and we just cruised along for a while. I was sitting very last in the line. Everyone switched places a little bit but we stayed in a group. I went to the front and pushed it up a hill, after a while I looked back and it was only Jamie and I. We worked together for about 10 miles before the group caught us. I thought we had a headwind that was working us over and was looking forward to a tailwind on the way back but when we did make the turn the tailwind turned into an even bigger headwind.

Everyone stayed in a group the rest of the race. The 1,2,3's are cool and I chatted a bit with Kirsten from PCIM who is a super nice and classy rider. Someone would make a move and we would all hammer it and then the pace would back off again until another move was made and we would hammer it again. When we made the turn to go up the hill to the finish line everyone was still there and was going for it. Coming up the last little bit I was in 3rd and I thought, "I think I can get one more" so I gave it a little more and moved into second, then I thought again "I think I can get one more, go for it" so I gave it everything that was left and moved into first just a little before the finish line. After I crossed the line it took awhile for it to sink in that I had just won. I really couldn't believe it. What a crazy and amazing day!!

Dave says: Every time I leave Alisha for the weekend, I come back with a place in the top five only to find that she has outdone me by getting the W! I've been chasing a win in Pro for two years and Alisha has scored it in her first race since making the upgrade. Anyways, my accomplishments for the weekend pale in comparison but I'll tell you about my exciting trip over to Jackson Hole (sorry, no pics except for the sexy orange race shirt that is going to be a bike rag soon).

I spent the drive to Jackson on a couch in the back of the Kuhl team van. We camped a few miles from the race course at mosquito creek and a moose did in fact walk through the campsite. The course itself was a fun collection of singletrack and tight rock gardens that could ding a chainring or break off a derailleur. I took an early lead only to make a wrong turn and miss some singletrack. Oops, suddenly I was back in fourth but moved up to follow AG and BZ. When Grant flew off on the second lap, it was me and BZ until he flatted in a nasty creek crossing. Then, I missed the same turn again on the third lap (ya, I need GPS or something!) and suddenly found myself in third behind Chris Holley. We duked it out in an exciting race to the finish but he was better than me and I had to settle for third by 15 seconds. It was a fun trip with a solid turn out from the team. Plus, Jackson Hole is like Moab with mountains and is an amazing place to spend some time.