Kelli Emmett (Ford Cycling) (Image credit: Chris Davidson)
Hi Cyclingnews.com readers, back to back race weekends in searing heat with national champion's jerseys at stake most recently, and I am a little tired. Two very different places, some very different results and some cool stuff along the way. The details go like this:
Similarities: It was hot in both Deer Valley and Sonoma, close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in both places. There was some challenging racing.
Differences: Everything else. Deer Valley was just above 7000 feet in elevation, Sonoma was about 70 feet. Deer Valley is home to 200+ miles of killer single track trails, Sonoma is home to the Infineon Raceway.
Deer Valley had some killer trails that unfortunately eroded quickly over the course of the weekend. By the time the SuperD was done on Friday the braking bumps going into the 180 turns were developing deep ruts. It was also really green and overgrown in Utah from all the rain they have had this year. The plants and trees were in full effect, making the trail tight and passing difficult.
Sonoma was wide open, very brown and freshly mowed in some spots. Not really very trail-like, but better than the previous NORBA National here in 2004. Getting offline was costly, as loose terrain and potential flats were just inches away on both sides of the course.
Read the entire Chris Davidson diary here.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
