Pomona Valley Stage Race Stage 1- 6 March 2003 – Glendora Individual Time Trial – 8.5 mile 2,400ft climb
Pomona Valley Stage Race
Stage 1- 6 March 2003 – Glendora Individual Time Trial – 8.5 mile 2,400ft climb
Eighty pro women had registered to compete in the Pomona Stage race which kicked off with a tough individual uphill time trial.
The course was 8.5 miles (13.4km) of steady climbing, including 5 switchbacks through the beautiful Los Angeles National Forest. The start elevation was 1,300 ft with the total elevation gain being 2,400 ft. The gradient varied was approximately 7-10 percent. There was a very short descent at the 7 mile mark, (12km) and then the final 1.5 miles was all uphill.
Given, this race is the first National Road Calendar race and it is still winter in the US, many riders are still finding their fitness and our team was no exception. Our TDS Telecom team was using this race as a training race, to learn each other’s strengths and to bond together as a group. We had 4 of our team travel to Pomona for this race; Joan Wilson from Romona, Emily Gloeckner from Denver, Shawn Heidgen from Chicago and myself.
Joan and I rode the time trial course yesterday and decided on very different tactics. Joan is 115lbs (52kg) prefers to climb standing and opted for the big chain ring. I am 140lbs (64kg) and just under 6ft and knew I would be climbing seated, in the small ring with a much higher cadence.
Joan is a talented climber and finished just outside the top 20 in 38.54mins. I pushed really hard, climbing with my heart rate at 180-190 beats per minute. I finished just over half a minute behind Joan in 39.27mins. Genevieve Jeanson (RONA) rode a brilliant time trial arriving at the summit in 32.46mins, 6.41mins ahead of me.
1st Genevieve Jeanson Rona/Esker 32.46mins
22nd Joan Wilson TDS Telecom 38.54mins 6.08mins down
26th Helen Kelly TDS Telecom 39.27min. 6.41mins down
44th Shawn Heidgen TDS Telecom 40.59mins 8.13mins down
63rd Emily Gloeckner TDS Telecom 43.54mins 11mins08 down