FONG IS THE BOMB! U23 DISTRICT RR CHAMPION

We are so proud of our teammate Kim Fong, the current U23 District Road Race Champion...here's her report...

Fort Ord, a race of attrition if there ever was one. The U23 women were racing with the 1/2/3 women's field for the NCNCA district road race championships in each of our respective categories. Technically, I wasn't racing against all the "oldies" (don't take offense if you're over 23--you're just older than me), but I was still looking forward to racing against all of the women not in my category, just to see where my fitness was at. 6 laps of the infamous Fort Ord course, slightly changed from the year before to include a lollipop turnaround less than 15 minutes from the start and another 180 degree turnaround on the out-and-back section. One nice long pedaling descent before a sharp, quick lefty into the hill.

Things mostly stayed together for the first two laps. Then, on the third lap, Touchstone decided it was time to get something going. Kelly M. threw in a good attack but it was brought back; Maria M. threw in a good attack and it was also brought back. And then, on the climb, Olivia D. got a decent gap, taking the solitary Jazz Apple woman with her. The field was content to let them sit about 500 meters off the front for a few miles but wouldn't let anyone else off. The gap yo-yo'ed a bit, the hill took its victims, and by the fifth lap, there were only 9 of us in the front group (2 Touchstone, 2 Proman, Metromint, TIBCO, Erin and me). Touchstone did a great job blocking, and a concerted effort to bring back the break never formed despite Mary Ellen and Erin's valiant efforts on the front; eventually it had 4 minutes on us. On the last time up the hill, I nearly popped, but managed to convince myself that the race was in front of me and hung on to the Touchstone climbing train led by Maria M. Six of us crested the top together (2 Touchstone, TIBCO, Mel from Proman, Amanda Eaken from Metromint, and me). In the last 300 meters, Maria M. attacked from the back. I hopped on her wheel and came around her in the last 75 meters, but I was no match for Mel Metzger's wicked uphill sprint and took 2nd in the field sprint for 4th overall. I was stoked to have survived the race with such a strong group of women (a bunch of climbers, no less)! And the Women's U23 District Road Race title was icing on the cake. I had fun racing with such awesome women and teammies (Erin 10th and ME)!
Thanks for reading,
Kim

Kim has also made her presence known at the U23 National Championships taking 7th in the road race and 14th in the criterium. Great work Kim!