Date: May 19, 2000
Event: Chevy Trucks NORBA NCS#1 - Big Bear
Class: OPEN
Category: Pro Women
Length: Two 8.47 mi laps - 17miles!
Time: 1:38:27
Bike: Litespeed
Tires: Continental

Pictures from TWILIGHT AMBC, Athens, Ga

Did you do anything special to prepare for this race?

I stayed in altitude in British Columbia with my boyfriend trying to get used to the altitude just because it makes a lot of difference. Some people it doesn't affect too much but me personally..... I know it does. So I was out there trying to get some "high air".

The race was on Friday..... when did you get into town to start your altitude training?

As I mentioned I was in British Columbia for a whole week and I think we got into Big Bear Saturday night about a week before the race.

What was your position at the start line?

Sixteen. Actually I was probably 14th or 15th cause there were a couple of girls that weren't back from last year. They call us up according to our rank from last year and I was 16th last year.

Does the rush of a big event like this make you stronger during the race?

I think so..... but I didn't have a great race that day. I was not feeling good at all. I had a really good second lap but the first lap I was having severe stomach craps and couldn't push nearly as hard as I wanted to. I thought I might just have to stop and get off my bike and breath. So the first lap was not so good, I couldn't push up the hills as hard as I wanted to (which is usually where I can gain a lot of time). I like climbing. I was just glad that by the end of the first lap I was able to pick up the pace. My second lap was about five minutes faster.
But, if you are feeling good you always go much faster in the big events because the competition is just so much more - even if you feel like you're not going that much faster than you would in a local race.... but you are........ you're just amped and ready to go and everyone is forcing the pace and you just do your best to keep up.

Where you strong from start to finish?

I wouldn't say I had a strong start at all but the second lap I was able to pass a lot of people. I wasn't "horrible" on the first lap but on the second lap I passed maybe six or seven people and ended up 16th so.....I wasn't happy at all with the first lap........ just how I was feeling and everything.

Going through the feed zone on the second lap I saw Shari Kain and Carmen Richardson. They were right in front of me and I thought, OK, I'm going to catch them so I'll have somebody to climb with...... then I wasn't cramping up as bad and I figured I'd just hang on for one more lap.

Did you have any unusual problems with the race?

Not really except for my stomach really cramping bad. But that was it as far as problems go. No mechanicals or anything.

How do you rate the course?

The course was definitely not my favorite. It was kind of disappointing for a lot of the riders I think. There are some really good trails around Big Bear which they don't put into use. We just climb straight up this fire road to the top and then come down this not too exciting downhill. It's OK, but it's not one of my all time favorites or anything. It's just not very technical..... not anything you'd want to go out and ride on your free Sunday.

Yes. They always do a good job at Bear. They are very professional about that.

If you could do the race again would you do anything differently?

My stomach was feeling bad a few days before so perhaps I could have taken care of that. When you are pushing as hard as you can that all comes up...... you know.... like "Oh, that little ache in my leg... or whatever...... it all comes back"... so.....

Is there anything you would like to add?

My bike and sponsors were great! I had a good time out there. It was fun hanging out with all of my teammates at once (we have four girls on the team) which was fun because in the past it has been pretty much just me. It was fun.