The 29th Annual Army Spring Classic featured a hilly road race in the Harriman State Park on Saturday, as well as a hill climb time trial and a criterium on the beautifully situated West Point Academy campus on Sunday. This was my first race weekend in the Women’s B field.

Women’s A/B road race was the last to start and we had roughly 55 miles and close to 5,500 feet of climbing to conquer (four 14-mile laps). The first lap was relatively easy, we stayed together as one pack for most of it, getting familiar with the course. After the steep descend into the second lap, however, strongest A riders picked up the pace on the initial climb. Multiple A and B riders were dropped. I worked hard to keep up but eventually found myself off the back with McKayla – an A rider from Hamilton. We worked together to catch the main field but we could see the gap widening. Nevertheless, our goal was not to get pulled and finish the full 4 laps (this would still put us in good position to get points). At one point I dropped my chain, and McKayla actually waited for me so we can continue working together – something you would probably NEVER see in a men’s field. I made a new friend in her, no doubt!!!

On the 3rd lap, we picked up two more riders who were dropped from the main field – a B rider from Brown and an A rider from Temple. The four of us worked together and we “rejoiced” when the officials let us do the final lap – we were the last four riders not to get pulled (10 out of 43 got pulled!!). We finished the fourth and final lap in pain and suffering, which made crossing the finish line so much sweeter. I got 5th place in the B field – a result I was extremely happy about given it was my very first B race!

As soon as I woke up at 5AM on Sunday, I knew my legs were cooked from the previous day of climbing and chasing. I did quite terribly on the hill climb time trial, getting 10th in the B field – however, views of the Hudson Valley and West Point campus while descending the Stony Lonesome were stunning.

The Women’s A/B criterium was the second to last event of the day. As I was warming up on the trainer, I could see the awesome team work of Mike C and Ben during the Men’s B criterium. Mike was on a breakaway for 3/4 of the race, while Ben blocked the field – an amazing feat! As we were staging, we saw the Men’s B field sprint to the finish. Unfortunately, there was a crash, which really threw me off my game. As our field rolled out, I stayed at the back of the pack, afraid to get too close to the other riders. This was a major strategic mistake. After 4-5  laps, I was off the back and worked solo against the unforgiving wind for roughly 7 laps before the main field caught me. I was able to rejoin the pack (it is an exception they make for Women B riders) and I happily stayed with them, working a lot less, for the last 5 laps. In the end, I got 12th in the B field.

Overall, I had a great first experience in the B field. Next weekend, I plan to pay closer attention to staying near the front of the pack, especially in the criterium. I look forward to some dirt/hardpack riding at the next road race in Rhode Island!