California TT Race Report
A Time Trial in Italy? Not so easy. But so much fun!
Cycling
- Karen Bond: Joe Santos holding - check<br /> Italian Official Timer ready - check<br /> Red Ferrari Testarossa pace car - check<br />
I never dreamt I would race. I started cycling 3 years ago at age 58, and for quite some time, riding not to mention racing, did not seem safe. With hard work and some great mentors, my bike handling and riding skills are getting much better. Participating in the Jr. Race Team rides has helped too. I got into doing TT's in June of 2009 when Paula King recommended that I try the Davis Wheelworks Putah Creek Time Trial. I said to myself, "Why not? I live on Putah Creek Road". I did my first TT on a road bike and from that point on I was hooked! Since I liked it so much I decided to buy a TT bike. Side note: when I do something, I tend to jump in with both feet. Was I crazy? The first time I rode it I cried. It was frightening! It took a lot of practice to learn how to ride that bike, and completing a 180 degree turn without stopping was a personal triumph. I fell so many times practicing the turn around and have scars on my left elbow to prove it. However, I am not one to quit and just kept it up. Now I love my TT bike. My first official Race was the Dunlap TT last year and was I bad! I think I came in last. I also did the Dunlap this year and took 4 minutes off my time the previous year.
The company I founded with my husband Malcolm, Cedaron Medical, developed the software Joe Santos of Davis Wheelworks uses at the Putah Creek TT (after we saw him using a stopwatch and paper). Malcolm and I have done a lot of business in Italy and visit regularly, so we decided it would be a kick to put on a TT there and also promote our software. We hooked up with our friend Rudy Tonti who owns Cicli Tonti in Cattolica Italy and the first California TT or Gran Prix California was on!
TT in Italy?
- Malcolm Bond: game face is on
It is not easy to put on a TT in Italy even just for fun. We had to meet with a race coordinator who organizes all TT's in Italy; he then has to go to the Italian race commission to get approval for the race and the race date. We all had to get International Racing licenses (UCI) and permission letters to race in Italy. The race was scheduled for September 25th in Faetano, San Marino and was sponsored by Davis Wheelworks, Cedaron Medical, and Cicli Tonti. There were approximately 50 people who signed up for the Race including five Americans. Representing the Davis Bike Club Race Team were: Darin Salk (Cedaron’s CFO), Jean Salk, Malcolm Bond and me. Marlene Simon represented Davis Wheelworks and UC Davis. Joe Santos was our ace mechanic and Mark Adkison and Paula King of Hors Categorie documented the event with great photos.
Training
I rode this course in May on my road bike so I knew the road had a few bumps and pot holes and was not flat. This particular area of Italy is great for climbing and is also the home of Marco Pantani who made the Nove Colli (9 hills) famous as an area to train. To prepare, I practiced going up and down Pleasants Valley Road. The first time I road Pleasants Valley on my TT bike I was scared to death to go down any kind of hill. I had to master this before the race. Marlene and Bruce Hendler rode with me and give me pointers, and that made all the difference. Harvey Nitz also worked with me on my pedal stroke, shifting gears at the right time and breathing. Coaching really does help!
Race Day – September 25, 2011
- Jean Salk: I'm here to have fun!
It turned out to be a bright sunny day at 72 degrees with no wind for the first ever Grand Prix California TT. The race was scheduled to start at 10:00 am with 2 minute intervals between each rider. All of the Italian riders around us looked incredibly strong; it looked like they began riding before they could walk! Malcolm said he was going to get his butt kicked. Marlene thought she didn't have a chance as she was not feeling well and had not been riding in the last few weeks. Darin seemed calm and comfortable and quickly put his social networking skills to work; when he saw a woman warming up wearing a World’s Jersey he walked over and started a conversation even though she didn’t speak English.
The Start
I was number 15 to start. Riders were told to hold onto a small temporary fence at the line. Uh…No. I didn’t travel thousands of miles to pitch over before I even crossed the start line.
- Off safely
They let Joe Santos hold me. Since I am used to a 30 second time interval, two minutes is a long time to wait! It gave me time to get even more nervous. With 30 seconds to go, seemingly out of nowhere, the Cicli Tonti shop “Poppi” pulls up behind me in a 1985 Red Ferrari and starts roaring its engine. Now that’s racing in style! I composed myself and took off. Mr. Tonti followed me the entire race. If a rider or car was going to pass me he gave a little hoot with his horn to let me know what was happening. I felt totally safe! I felt like a pro with my team car behind me.
The Race
- Marlene Simon: Ok, just like Putah Creek
The race was 18k or 11 miles. I had an extremely fast start (for me) as the race was downhill virtually all the way to the turn around. The downhill part of the ride was absolutely thrilling and I hit at least 29 mph during certain sections. But, what goes down must go up, and the return was hard! I’ll never forget as I approached the uphill finish and hit the final curve, the Ferrari was beeping its horn and the small crowd was cheering. I do not think the Italians have ever seen a women age 61 participate in a TT Race. Since there was not much competition in my age group…ok none… I came in 1st!
My Teammates
Malcolm did an incredible TT with stiff competition for his age group. He really put his heart and soul into this TT. He did the TT in less time than he normally does the Putah Creek TT, and it was longer and more difficult. His age group included several former Italian pros, and Malcolm felt that placing 3rd was like a dream come true. Darin had the toughest competition and he placed 8th and was pleased with his effort and this time. Marlene was paced by a car and Jean by a motor bike and both loved the experience. Marlene came in 4th and Jean came in 5th in her first TT. Both did an awesome job!
- Darin Salk: Ready to go fast!
This race turned out to be so much fun, and the Italians treated all of us like royalty. Getting a 1st place award including a bouquet of flowers was a special touch. I do not think any of us will ever forget this experience. So…come join us next year!
