Merco 1 - 2 - 3

(veloimages photo -- they are always good ones)

CA is the only place you can kick off the season racing in the sun against world-class athletes in March! This weekend the miniNOW team consisting of Olivia, myself, as well as our super mechanic and awesome swanny headed to Merco for three days of racing.

Day 1 -- 12 mile TT mostly flat with a couple little bumps. The legs were feeling slow, but the Specialized Shiv doesn't need much power to go fast!! It was the first ride on the Shiv and I was loving it!

Day 2 -- 30 mile Downtown Crit. A flat, 8 corner course in the heart of Merced. This one was fast and furious with an average speed of about 26 miles per hour. After months of not racing, my legs were in shock but I hung in there. Meanwhile, Olivia sped her way to the front and made the promising break of the day. A five woman break with the biggest teams all represented. Unfortunately it got caught with 4 to go and ended in a field sprint.

Day 3 -- 72 mile RR. A long 24 mile wide open circuit with a few rolling hills. The race was aggressive from the start with attacks starting less than a mile into the race. After that it was non-stop action with attack after attack. Olivia and I were a little outmanned by the other 8 person teams... but we managed to get in a number of moves. None of them got very far on the first lap. Unfortunately, on lap 2, a pothole took a bite out of my brand new front wheel and my race came to an end. Olivia was all on her own against a star-studded field. She got herself in another promising break, but in the end it came down to a field sprint with Ina taking the win for the 4th? 5th? 10th? year in a row.

All in all, it was a fun weekend and a good chance to break the legs into racing against great competition. Next up... Team Camp, San Dimas, and Redlands!