Mt Hood Cycling Classic

Hood River, home of the Mt Hood Cycling Classic, was definitely one of the most beautiful areas I've ever been to in my life... and the bike race was great too!

The team rode great, we all finished in the top 10 and that really made a statement for our sponsors. The race had everything- a perfect prologue (short yet challenging), a long time trial, a technical and hilly crit, and two hard road races with TONS of climbing.

The last day was absolutely epic. We were to cover 75 miles with 3 climbs... each climb being over 10 miles a piece. Tough day, right? Well, throw in classic mountain weather and it becomes even tougher. On race day it was 40 degrees and raining at the start line, and it never let up. We were cold climbing!!! My feet were absolutely frozen, and I think I could feel my hands some of the time, but there's no guarantee about that. ;o)

After the race, I gladly got some dry clothes on and enjoyed a crisp afternoon at the Mt Hood ski resort with my teammates. The race organizer did a fantastic job. There was a cookout catered at the finish line, and a nice big awards banner set up with some sample expo booths and great music where you could relax after the long race.

I wish I had taken more pictures when I was there. I only got a few shots of Mt Hood thru the windshield of our car on the way to the races. We were so busy racing, eating, and recovering for the next race that I hardly had a chance to really see the town. Here are the pictures I took from the race, if you'd like to see them.

Our host family for this race was awesome! They let us borrow equipment we didn’t have, like a trunk bike rack and a cooler, since our team vehicle didn't come to the race. If it weren't for them bailing us out constantly, we wouldn't have been able to make it to the race starts... literally. We didn't have enough room for us and our bikes to make it there! Thanks David and Sarah!!!

It was a long day of travel to Minnesota for the Nature Valley Grand Prix right after Mt Hood. I was so exhausted from the travel and racing that I was happy to take a day off the bike. :o)

Nature Valley will be a tough race because all the strong women's teams will be present since it is a part of the Women's Prestige Cycling Series.