Anna, Valerie, Kailin, and Shelly

This weekend was the Berry Peddler road race and time trial in Dayton, TN. Anna, Kailin, Shelly, and Valerie were the riders competing this weekend in the challenging road race and tiring time trial. All 18 women started the 32-mile race together: 2 Cat 1/2s, 9 Cat 3s, and 7 Cat 4s. After a few early attacks that had Shelly off the front with a couple other riders, the 4.5-mile climb at mile 7 split up the group even more. Two women were in the lead, and Anna stayed with a chase group for the rest of the race, riding smart and finishing 5th overall and 3rd Cat 3. Valerie finished shortly behind Anna’s group in 12th overall and 2nd Cat 4. Kailin and Shelly finished in 13th and 15th overall, 8th Cat 3 and 5th Cat 4, respectively.

The 7-mile TT was the final race of the day (this was not an omnium, and there was no criterium) and was out and back on the final 3.5 miles of the RR course. Anna continued her strong riding with a 6th place overall (5th Cat 3). Valerie and Shelly topped the Cat 4s race, finishing 1st and 2nd in their category. Ten women completed the TT: 1 Cat 2, 6 Cat 3s, and 3 Cat 4s. Here are the results for the Team Belladium women:

• Anna: 19:19, 5th Cat 3
• Valerie: 20:41, 1st Cat 4
• Shelly: 20:45, 2nd Cat 4
• Kailin: 20:56, 6th Cat 3

Parri and Kailin ready to race

The Highland Rim Omnium has traditionally been a successful race for Team Belladium (2011 report), and this weekend’s races were another success. The crit was on Saturday, and only Kailin and Parri were able to compete. Both finished well, with Kailin 3rd and Parri 4th in the 9-woman Cat 1/2/3 field.

In the 55-mile road race on Sunday, Kat, Parri, and Kailin competed in the 14-woman Cat 1/2/3 field and Catherine, Valerie, and Shelly competed in the 8-woman Cat 4 field. Although all 22 women started together, we were scored separately. Before the 15-mile mark, Kat rode away from the rest of the field while climbing up to the rim. She stayed away for the remainder of the race as Parri and Catherine controlled the chase group. Catherine crossed the finish line solo to take the Cat 4–field win, and Parri was the 3rd Cat 1/2/3. The same climb that Kat rode away on split up the rest of the field, but Valerie, Kailin, and Shelly rode strong either solo or in the little groups they were in. Valerie’s determination and strong riding kept her just behind the lead group but in a good enough position for 3rd Cat 4, and Shelly finished as the 4th Cat 4. Kailin was the 8th Cat 1/2/3.