7/22/2012 Cascade Cycling Classic - Stage 5

22 July 2012 - Written by Guest Rider Melina Bernecker Cascade Cycling Classic - Stage 5 Circuit Race The last Stage of the tour (and by reputation one of the hardest) this year the Circuit Race had been cut to 3 laps instead of 4 which was a welcome change by all. The 81km (51 mile) circuit race started and finished at Summit High School before heading out onto Schevlin Park Drive where the circuit started and descended its way into the Tumao Reservoir Park before heading up the first climb (approx 1.5km) to the Feed zone> The second climb was Archie Briggs Road which is a 1.6km climb with a short very steep section at the start (approx 200 meters) with a max gradient of 18% before flattening out to about 3-4% before the last little kicker (200m) at the KOM which has a grade of about 10%. From there road offers only a few more little rollers before either turning right (and downhill) onto the next lap of the circuit or straight through the roundabout and the final 2km to the finish line. Excited to have made it to the final stage of the race we waited in the shade for the start. It was a very hot day with temperatures around 38 degC (104 degF) so staying as cool a possible was important prior to race start. The Pro Men’s race headed out at 1pm and the Women’s Pro race only 5 minutes later. Standing at the start line ready to go many of the girls had ice packs in their jerseys in an attempt to keep them cool. As we rolled out in neutral until the circuit started there was already a lot of pushing for position as nerves began to take their effect prior to the first descent. People stood on the side of the road with water hoses spraying us down with cold water (which was a fantastic relief). The peleton stayed together for most of the first lap until we hit the second climb at Archie Briggs Road and the field began to dwindle and tired legs were taking their toll! I managed to hang in there for the first climb (counting the meters of suffering I had ahead of me). Surprisingly I got over the KOM and I was still with the group. Lap two was a similar story as each climb I just hung in there trying to ignore the burning lactic building up in my legs and trying to stop my heart from exploding in my chest! I saw Jenny and Lisa ahead of me in the group and as we suffered together over each of the climbs as we hung on (amazingly each lap seemed to hurt a little less (this could be because I was suffering heat stroke) but amazingly I was still with the group on the final climb as we crossed the KOM mark. From the KOM I knew it was only 4 km to the finish line and I mustered up all the effort I had left (and some I didn’t know I had) to move up in the group as girls began to fall off the back. Through the final roundabout the pace picked up with only 2km to go as we seemed to sprint at full pace to the finish line. Jenny was next to me in the peloton and we both rode as fast as our legs would take us to finish. The feeling of relief and exhaustion at crossing the line was in sharp contrast with the surprise and excitement I felt with finishing in the front group as Jenny and I had big smiles on our faces as we headed back to camp. Kristen McGrath (Exergy) won the final stage in a solo sprint in 2.11.30, the bunch was only seven seconds behind with team mate Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Exergy) taking second in 2.11.37 and Alison Powers (Now) taking third. SC Velo did well with all the girls finishing despite a mechanical mishap with Amber suffering a flat in the final lap. I finished in 12th place with Jenny Rios finishing 14th in the front bunch in a time of 1.11.37. Lisa Campbell who had ridden an amazing tour finished only a few minutes behind in 52nd place in a time of 2.17.32, Holly Breck finishing 72nd in 2.36.43 and Amber Gaffney finished in 73rd place after suffering an unfortunate flat in the last lap and having to wait for a support vehicle to eventually bring her a new wheel. Note; A big thank you to all the support provided by James, Charlie, Sharon & Jakcob each day in getting us to the races on time, setting up our equipment each day, listening to our woes, supporting and feeding us through each race and just generally being there and providing a smile along the way! It makes such a difference to have a support team at a stage race such as Cascade and your work was very much appreciated. Thank you also to the girls and SC Velo for inviting me to ride with you, I had a fantastic time despite some personal trying times throughout the tour… The team camaraderie was second to none and I am humbled by the friendships I have formed form racing with you.