May 21, 2003 (Big Bear Lakes, CA) – The first US National Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) race of the 2003 mountain bike season kicked off at the familiar site of Big Bear Lakes, California on May 17-18, 2003. Situated 7,000 ft above LA, this little mountain resort town hosted about 10,000 spectators, racers and support staff during the three days of racing, demo-ing, trials and spectating. This was the debut race of a new vamped up, bigger and better schedule! The weekend saw over 300 more racers than any other year! And the organisers are contributing this overwhelming increase to the better schedule! As a racer in the pro women's cross-country category, I found it hard to watch any of my team mates, or friends in their categories…..there was just so much going on, at all times! Good for the sport, good for the spectators, good for the sponsors, but maybe not so good for my friends that enjoy me cheering them on….oh well, small sacrifice (and I got to save my lungs)!
The pro women's cross-country race was on Saturday. We raced two loops of a very long, extended loop. This was to allow the pro cross-country men their space, as they raced at the same time as us on a very similar course. This style seemed to work for me, as there was (unfortunately) a great deal of open roads and double track with very little single track. The men's eventual winner, Ryder Hesjedal of Subaru/Gary Fisher ended up passing, essentially, the entire women's field! It will be interesting to see how this new format will work in the races to come! I didn't have a spectacular race, but a few people did! As I mentioned, my team-mate, Ryder won the cross-country event with a very strong race! My other Subaru/Gary Fisher teammates, Mary Grigson and Walker Ferguson had amazing rides as well with a 4th and 9th respectively! Another Canadian to mention is Kiara Bisaro of Gear's Racing, who had her debut podium finish while offering a major wake-up call to the top women….she was on eventual winner, Alison Dunlap's wheel most of the race and finally succumbed to second! Kiara….You Swing!
Saturday night brought on the exciting action of the Mountain Cross! As I was trying to recover for the next day's onslaught of racing, I missed the action, but check it out on any cycling website!
Sunday brought on the Cross-country Short Tracks (STXC) and the Pro Downhill races. The STXC is a very short (25minute), intense criterium style race, held on a short, spectator friendly, tight dirt course. With the bang of the starter pistol we raced off like a sounder of wild boar. Likewise, I was taken out of contention by being forced into the barrier and taking at least two other unlikely girls with me….one of which was my Canadian team-mate, Alison Sydor. I got up and like any professional got back on my bike to try and salvage my race…all this excitement and I had only ridden 25 meters! After a few laps of racing anaerobically I found myself with the lead group of 20. On the back of the pack, I pined for recovery before the pinnacle attack was launched! Instead, I somehow found myself, yet again, on the ground! To make a long story short, I missed the final attack and finished 10th in the race. I had good legs, but bad timing!
To top off my weekend I was fortunate enough to help my good friend Judd de Vall, Schwinn Bikes, with his final pro downhill run. He had qualified with a spectacular run and I was psyched to help him try and better it in the final! It was a fun twist to be in a support role rather than always a racer. My biggest challenge was pretending to act calm while experiencing all the nervous symptoms associated with a tense race!
While he didn't equal his qualifying run in the final, he certainly showed everyone that he has the potential to be one of America's best downhill racers in the years to come!
I'm now on my way to St. Wendal, Germany for World Cup #1!
Cheers,
Chrissy Redden
www.chrissyredden.com