Well Madrid was not a perfect race, that is for sure!  Ten minutes in, while riding in good position, I had a flat tire.  I rode as fast as I could on the muddy course to the tech zone, switched a wheel and tried to make up the 15 or so spots I lost during the whole ordeal.  I did manage to catch quite a few girls and finished in 18th, good enough to keep 11th overall.

Chasing

I am REALLY excited to be racing in North America for the next three months.  I think it is time for the Euro girls to travel! This weekend is the Bump and Grind down in Alabama.  Should be fun as my family will be there racing and cheering.  I am spending alot of time online shopping since I have been getting up at 5 am.  This jet-lag better pass quick before I get myself into trouble!

The team on the town

Dining and drinking with JC from SRAM

The June issue of Outside magazine is on the stands.  Here is a link for a slideshow.  http://outside.away.com/travel_photo_gallery/outside/willow-koerber/index.html

Thanks as always for checking in!

Hmmm.  I am starting to wonder if Houffalize is my nemesis.  I felt so amazing the day before the race.  I am not the type to think that if I feel amazing something bad is going to happen, but. . . 

I was so focused on not bonking that I really over did it on the drink mix and gels.  I was on the start line trying to hold it all down.  This is really not the way to go, believe me.  

The start at Houffalize is straight up and manages to make even fresh legs feel spent.  As all the blood was in my stomach, let’s just say my legs were not responding.  I went into the single track somewhere in the 30’s, and spent tons of time standing around waiting for girls to start riding their bikes.

The race was short and even though I started to feel better on the last lap, it was only good enough for 22nd place.  I am still in 9th overall, so I am now focused on Madrid.  I have three weeks before the next race. After seven weekends of racing in a row,  I am ready for some epic trail rides with the boys in NC.

Asheville is sunny and warm, and the air is full of feel-good energy.  The trees are all in bloom, and out my window are the prettiest purple irises I have ever seen.  I LOVE summer.  It is going to be a good one!

World Cup number 2 is done, and I finished 11th.  My result was good enough to stay in 6th overall.  This weekend in Houffalize looks like it will be a muddy one!

I started strong in Offenburg and was riding in the front group (or just seconds off it) for two laps.  Bit by bit my energy started to fade as I slipped to 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and finally, 11th.  Rick and I have a feed zone strategy for this weekend, so I will finish what I started last week!

Heather and I on the front row in Offenburg

This is called bonking