Iceman Cometh
Coming into the finish of Iceman in the lead is one of the more memorable moments of my career. With 4000 people starting the race before the elite women and a beer garden at the end, there are a lot of people waiting for us at the finish, making a lot of noise.
Perspective; it’s a funny thing, For the last hour of racing
I thought I wasn’t able to create a pace or move hard enough to shake Chloe,
meanwhile Chloe thought “Catharine’s pace was insidious… I had a long
time to suffer on her wheel. I wish I could say that I was waiting to
make a move… but that move was only going to be dropped.” It
was a lesson for me in sticking to my guns and persevering even if success is
not immediately apparent.
After racing Iceman two years ago …my first race as the
World champion, I learned a thing or two about how to race the course. DO NOT DO ALL THE WORK! Actually that isn’t fair; Chloe Woodruff and
I traded up pulls equally in 2011 for the 2nd half of the race. Chloe appeared to have the best form in the
group and wasn’t afraid to use it, but we both got out smarted in the end and
she had to settle for 2nd and me 3rd.
This year I was coming into Iceman fitter and having
actually worked my top end recently. I
knew that if I raced tactically I could win, but also that one does not have to
be the fittest rider to win this race if you are smart. Fitness is not a guarantee of success when
drafting is a significant factor and the longest climb is still less than a
minute. I either had to make the race so
hard you couldn’t fake it or play a really smart race, or both!
The race starts on asphalt for about a km before heading
into double track. I was pretty content
to sit in the group, but made sure I was near the front. The course is super sandy so not being stuck
behind too many people is key.
The race nitty gritty
A group of us started cycling through pulls. Conveniently, it was my turn headed into the
first twisty singletrack at about the 25-minute mark. A couple hard accelerations out of the corners
and I looked back and only had 3 gals left on my wheel. Emily Batty, Chloe Woodruff and McKenzie
Woodring. Good stuff
Everyone seemed strong and sharp and we rode together well
for another 30 minutes. Another
singletrack section and I come out of the woods into a climb and see that Chloe
and I have a bike length on Mackenzie and Emily. I step on it to grow the
gap. Baring technical problems it’ll be
Chloe and I to the line.
So many times I think we give up prematurely on an attack
thinking it was unsuccessful, but perseverance does play off if you play your
moves right.
So after being out-smarted and out raced in 2011 it felt
extraordinary to find success at Iceman in 2013.
Sometimes the gals have to help each other out!
Country mate Geoff Kabush took the men’s win. Celebrations started with the cheers'ing of our huge (and heavy) Ice chalices full of Bell’s winter ale.
Thanks to everyone who made this spectacular event happen and with equal prize money and pay out for men and women! Iceman Promo, Steve, Waldek and Scott
Mr. Iceman
Scott and Chloe talk shop over some tasty beer. Kabush's worse for wear trophy in the background
Way too many people's lips touched my trophy at the after party! Yes you Sault st Marie boys!
Oh yeah and Waldek was 3rd in his Category. GO Luna guys!
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