No, I didn't spend my summer at the beach...or camping...or sleeping in....but to me, riding my bike brings me just as much happiness as roasting marshmallows does to an 11 year old.
This summer, I competed in a variety of different races and the Ontario-Cup Series.
Starting on Good Friday and Ending on Labour Day weekend, the O-Cup Series consisted of 8 races. Each race, depending on how you place, points are awarded and are accumulated through the series. Despite missing a few races here and there, and racing with older women, I finished 4th in the series.
In July, I was chosen as a member of team Ontario to attend the 2015 National Road Championships in Thetford Mines, Quebec. This was my VERY first road nationals, and it really opened my eyes to all of the talent Canada has to offer in regards to women's cycling. I raced my heart out, (as always) and managed to get a 5th place in the National criterium race. Road Nntionals was also the first time I have competed out of province without my parents...(believe it or not)....and HEY! I survived.
After road nationals was over, my teammates and I headed straight to Rimouski, where we would tackle "Le Tour de la Releve Internationale de Rimouski" (sounds pretty intense, I know). Rimouski is a 5 day international stage race also in Quebec, and is especially known for it's INSANE hills. (One of the 85km races contained more than 1100m of climbing......OUCH). I competed at Rimouski last year, and finished 8th overall. This year, however, I set my goals high and left Rimouski with a Silver Medal in the GC. It was really cool to look back and see how far I've come in terms of fitness and 'race smarts' in one year. For me, Rimouski was the highlight of my summer. All the work I had done leading up to this race FINALLY paid off. The feeling of pride and success is worth ANY hard training session!
When I got home from nationals and Rimouski I found myself saying...
"Well...What now?"
I had spent so much time and energy into the preparation for these two huge events... and now they were over.
It was a feeling I had never felt before.... I can't imagine how Olympic athletes must feel after the Olympics are done...
So I entered into a few different 'fun' races. Races that didn't count for points, and that there was absolutely NO pressure. I raced in the 'Tour de Terra Cotta', and won. I have done this race for 3 years, and it is one of my favourites. I also raced in the Tour de Via Italia, in Windsor's Little Italy. I had one of the best races of my life here (though results don't really show it [3rd].....). I broke away from the peloton on numerous occasions, and had A TON of fun.
One of the last races was Road Provincials, in Huntsville. This tough 109km race was full of hills, but was also one of the most beautiful races I've ever done! There's nothing better than racing in the heart of Muskoka on a summer day. I finished 3rd in the Provincial Time Trial and 4th in the road race.
In case you're wondering, I somehow also managed to fit in some work... Yep, I'm still working at Webers Hamburgers. Thanks to all you people who stop on the side of highway 11 to buy burgers, at the end of the summer I was able to buy A BRAND NEW TRACK BIKE!!!!!! (very exciting, I know).
Right at this very moment, I'm sitting on my bedroom floor drinking peppermint tea out of my mug that has bikes all over it. Now that I think back to the amazing summer I had, I realize that it wouldn't have been nearly as awesome if I hadn't been supported with all my family. I don't think there was one race this summer (with an exception of Road nationals) that I didn't have a family member at the finish line to give me a hug. You can have the best bike in the world, and win every race, but if you don't have family or friends or teammates there to share that moment with you...is it really that special?
So, a big THANK YOU goes out to everyone who has made this the most awesome summer in the books!
Cathedral Hill...2km and 12% Grade......
An Intense TT shot...
