Natasha's version:
So Derrick and I set out for big trip # 2 for cross season 07 last week. First rule of the trip, travel with a road map of Quebec and eastern US. I guess we kind of got spoilt last week when we travelled with Greg to Southampton. He of course had a map. So as we almost got lost in Quebec because of the 40 being closed and randomly crossed the border to the US at crossing we didn't even know we were driving to, we then preceded to ask the border crossing guard on directions to the I-89. At that point it was finally time to pay 5$ and get a map for the car.
We got to Gloucester at a reasonable time, 6 ish after Derrick telling me I was going the wrong way and then turning around, then me letting him drive and me reading our map quest directions and sending him the same way I was going. We finally arrived at our cottage for the weekend. We stayed at the same place the year before but in a room, but found out they had cottages with kitchens. We were sharing the place with the John Fee and Cynthia Phelan, they were yet to arrive. So Derrick and I went to the local Shaw's and bought are groceries for the weekend. Did you know power bars in the states are $1 US? That's like major savings, only 95 cents or so Canadian! We ate, the Fee/Phelan crew arrived at 10 or so we chatted and then hit the sack.
Race day #1.....we pre-road in the morning and course looked favourable. Fast and dry, only one forced dismount over barriers, nothing too technical. Rest of the mid morning I spent feeling pretty nervous. I always hate racing after 2 pm. I feel like I get up and just worry about the race all day. Time went by and I went back to the course on bike and Derrick drove the car as his race was an hour after mine. The start was exactly like last year, up a big pavement hill and then on to the dry grass. Last year I started at the back with no UCI points and got killed in the start, I think I was lucky if I finished top 30 last year. So this year's goal was a top 5 finish by the end of the season at a verge series race. I wasn't top 8 in UCI points so wasn't in the call up list but got in the second row with the few points I got last year in Aurora. Start went off, I drove it up the hill but could only go as far as the rider who started in front of me on the line. First U turn I was in 8th and my new grifo tubulars saved my life. I took the corner tight and the tires spun me even tighter and came out of the corner in 4th. At this time Lyne was already gone and another rider was chasing her down. I rode with a group of a few riders for most of the race. The rider chasing Lyne blew up and went backwards so I was in a race for 2nd. I decided with one lap to go to give it going up the hill and split the field down to me and another rider. I probably did a lot of work to keep it only 2 us for the last lap and ended up losing the sprint for the line and came 3rd. I was pretty happy, okay extremely happy but really didn't let it soak in. The announcers were talking about me the whole race and I could hear it as I rode. They were like "who is the girl in the Steven's kit", they were calling me the dark horse, it was pretty cool. I think Derrick was way too excited because of all this. Oh well, it's really motivating for him when my day goes well, ie. this years provincial criterium championships. So Derrick's race went off shortly after mine ended and I road around cheering him on and watched him do extremely well compared to last years race here.
Race Day #2......same as day one, pre-road the course in the am. They didn't change a thing, usually day 2 is a little different, but this year for some reason they kept the course exactly the same. So I still was super nervous waiting for the race again. The afternoon finally came, road down to the course, watched a race, then went for my warm up. I honestly really didn't have any race plan day one or two. Today I knew though that Anna, who gave it a go yesterday to catch Lyne and blew up, would be super motivated to get on the podium today. Same spot on the line, in row 2, start went off and everyone was going for it. Ended up being 7 or so of us together in the first lap until Lyne attacked and we were left again fighting for second. No panicking, I road at the back, then people began to slide out and take bad lines. Anna attacked leaving two of us on her wheel, then someone else caught on and another rider got a flat. Anna drove it and I was left following, we kept the pace high and it was her and I working together for the podium spots. I guess I road safe again and did more work into the wind and flat sections than I should of. So ended up getting caught off guard on the last lap towards the finish and Anna had got a gap. I tried everything to close the gap in the last 500m but ran out of course. So another 3rd place finish. Got in a quick warm down and then went to the pits to help Robbie O. for Derricks race with him having to be ready for Derrick, Oz, or Greg with any mechanicals. I'm really glad I went over to give him a hand as I had no idea of what went on in the pit and if I ever need a bike change now I know what to do.
So Derrick finished his race and had a bit better performance than the day before and moved up a position on his finish. His start was much better and managed to get in the top 15 through the first lap. This probably costed him years off his life,
as he finished one place better than Saturday but worked a way lot harder. After he was done, we showered, packed up the car and was out of Gloucester within half hour. Then the fun began. As we began the journey home Derrick started shivering, I was driving so this wasn't a big problem until the shivers turned into constant shivers. I was pretty nervous at this point and tried to grab him some food from the back seat while driving. It didn't stop, so I stopped to find a restaurant, driving in circles, we got out to eat, Derrick didn't even make it in the restaurant before he said he was too cold and wanted to get in the car and warm up. Finally another half an hour of driving in what was feeling like the Bahamas inside the car, Derrick stopped shaking. We stopped, ate and then continued the journey home......still don't know really what was up with that?
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