Tour De Toona - Downtown Criterium

This was my largest crit field, about 75 women between the two fields. This time, I had a better position on the start line, in the third row. Things started fast, and I fought to move up. I'd make headway in the uphill section after turn 1, only to lose it on the downhill section leading into the s-turns of 3 and 4, then the right-handers of turns 5 & 6. Then it would be sprint to get back to the field as women popped on the slight uphill with the headwind, into the 90-degree left-hander 7 followed by the 90-degree right-hander 8, then the sprint uphill to the start/finish line.

To make things interesting, you had the sewer grates and sewers, covered with boards. When women took a bad line, it was over the boards, and things would get interesting between the unnerving "thump" sound as they hit the boards, and bikes that went a bit wild sometimes.

There were several accidents, mostly caused by over-braking and panicking, and women not holding lines. Only one accident was near me; the rider who was in front of me then panicked, almost coming to a stop, so I shouted at her to pedal, that the fallen rider was sliding away from her line. She started pedaling again, and that saved me from coming to another dead stop. Whew! I sprinted and got back into the field.

It was pretty much the same every lap. Again, it was the friendly faces of Sam, Mary Ellen, and Krystal that gave me comfort. All three drove the pace and the attacks; but I was never capable of getting all the way to the front and trying to help. For me, it was survival, moving forward as the pace and the yo-yo effects of the corners and attacking took their toll. I was working hard, but not maxed, and getting ready for the uphill sprint finish, which took us across a small section of cobbles.

By 2 laps to go, I was moving up again, and on the last lap, I took a good line through turn 5 and made up a few places, then sprinted and made up a few more to set myself up for turns 7 & 8. I made up a few more places on the finishing climb, but finished out of the money; today they paid only through 12. Figures! By Jim's count, no one who finished in front of me was a 4, so it really was 14th out of the combined fields and my field of 3s. I'm pretty happy with that. Wendy, way to come out for this race, even though you hate crits!

I would highly recommend this stage race. These were the largest women's fields I've ever seen, with excellent payouts. Women 3's got the same cash payout as the men's 3s: $4,386 between the races, KOM, and GC payout. How often do we see that? There was a phenomenal number of volunteers; and marshals holding signs with big read arrows so that, even half dead, I knew which way I was turning next. There was also a racers' tent, where we could pick up free water, soft drinks, bagel bits, and fruit. This was the best-supported race I have seen yet.

I really want to do this again next year, and get myself in better shape for climbing, and braver for the descent. It's a great goal for next year. Anyone wanna join Wendy & me???

I will say it yet again, I love to ride crits, I really, really do. Can you hear the sarcasm. I will say, thank God, no big hills. Just one quick climb. I did get pulled after the first 15 minutes or so, first time ever. But, I gave it a try. I did get to practice some rather lovely cornering for a few laps. Watching the Pro Men later gave a whole new perspective on cornering. What an event.

All three days were such a learning experience. I don't know if I would do it again, but mabe someday.

The cold I started getting yesterday hit me like a ton bricks today. Drinking anything was like drinking acid, breathing deep burned. I had planned a daring break from the gun with a few others but got crowded out in the push to start line.

It's not a terribly diffcult course but it is fairly technical for the last half mile. The field was pretty strung out from get go. People were getting popped right and left. In fact you be going a long fine in a nice line then someone would die all of the sudden 5 or 6 spots ahead and you'd have to chase up to the group. I got popped with 8 to go and chased back on on but the next time up the incline on the backside was my undoing. Had I made it 2 more laps I wouldn't have been pulled. So with 7 to go I couldn't suffer any more. and my first toona experience came to a close.

As far as Toona itself, what a great race with terrific spectators. Thanks to everyone there for the cheers. It seemed like this entire community came together to support this event. All in all I'm really not too disappointed, other then getting sick and not finishing the crit.

Congrats to Shari for being the only one of us to actually finish the race.

On a side note, Shawn Jonas, we've met your twin. At Baskin Robbins the night before (trying to sooth my throat) we ran in to Scott Moninger of Health Net (who won stage 6 and went on to take the overall). In case you're curious he was having an iced cappucino.

I actually felt better today. Once I got passed the shear violence of the first 4 or 5 laps, I felt good enough to move up front. The only word my 1 1/2 yr. old son knows is Uh Oh ! Uh Oh, there's that familiar out of gas feeling again.

Well there's always next year.

If nothing else this was a fun and different race. It is VERY well organized and they difinitely do things right. They had so many motorcycle cops and marshalls, it makes you feel like your in your own Tour de France. You get the entire road to race on. Each category has their own support, and own start time. The marshalls have billboard sized arrows so you'll always know where to go, free after-race food and drinks for racers, and the mechanical support was just like the Tour also. I was looking for a wheel pit at the Crit. and one of the ref's. told me I didn't need 'em (my wheels), Mavic would have three locations on the course.

Until we can get something even close to this in Ohio, I would suggest everyone try Toona at least once.