Riverton RACE REPORT : My Favorite Local Race

Local races are something special in the cycling space and the Historic Riverton Criterium is a top contender here on the East Coast. Carlos (race organizer) has done a fantastic job putting this event together for many years and the ownership of the Historic Riverton neighborhood is truly heartwarming. My racing category (women’s 4/5) was the first race of the day and even as I pre-rode the course nearly each house along the fences already had lawn chairs, grills, and picnics set up in anticipation of the day’s festivities. You love to see it!

This was my second year toeing the line for Riverton’s flat .8 mile course featuring 6 tight 90degree turns which make it a personal favorite of mine. My goal coming into the day was to ride very aggressively from the whistle. I was planning to absolutely hammer the first few laps to ensure that no matter what I was not stuck behind less confident riders on the back side of the course where crashes were likely to take place in the turns. I wanted no parts of sitting in the middle and getting gapped off from the front.

That is not how things went in the slightest.

I was on the starting line wedged between anxious competitors when I noticed my Go-Pro was not turned on and as I was reaching down to fix it the starting gun went off with nearly no warning. I spoke to a handful of other racers after the finish and it seemed like the abrupt start was a collective experience. None of us were ready and I remember not even being able to clip in until a bout 100 feet up the road.

That said, as soon as we started 5 riders shot up the road into the first corner at full speed. They stayed off the front for the entire race and the rest of us pedaled the next 19 laps fighting for 6th place and so on. This race was a lesson for me on strategy and patience as I had to bide my time and choose moments in between the corners to move up in the group and defend my position. I was tempted to hop on the front or try to bridge across a few times but thankfully chose wisdom and waiting for the last few laps to make my moves. This was also the first race this year that I really felt my fitness keeping up with me. After the initial nerves and intensity of the first 10 minutes I got into a good groove and was able to get out of the saddle with no fear of burning up matches I thought I might need later on. I was sitting pretty for the last 4 laps exactly where I wanted to be at 4th or 5th wheel and proudly took many bumps from other racers in order to hold that position.

Coming in to the final corner on the last lap I was 3rd wheel back but let myself get boxed in for a pack sprint to the line. That said, I lit it up as best I could and proudly took 11th place out of 26 for the day.

Overall, it was super hot, I only almost threw up once, legs felt good, lungs felt bad, and I would 10/10 recommend doing it again.

Next up is Harlem Skyscraper before I take my wheels to the midwest for the 2nd half of Tour of Americas Dairyland for 5 days of bike racing fun.