8th-12th June

I met up with the girls from NEBC cycling team based in Maine Canada a few days before the start of the stage race in Prince Edward Island.   We had a long drive ahead of us to PEI but we all had a great laugh together whilst travelling over to which took us about 12 hours in the car.

I have never raced in Canada so it was a new experience for me.  I was told that the local people were very friendly and I was not disappointed as I have never met such friendly welcoming people ever! Such happy faces and they are all so very helpful.

We had a team of 6 girls which included - Sally, Rebecca, Natalie, Sam, Mary and Me.  The team is a local regional team based in Maine and this was there first UCI stage race which they were looking forward to a lot.

Stage 1 - 119k Criterium - 9th place

The circuit looped around a large 9k circuit about 10 times.   I had been feeling quite good since finishing the Tour de l'Aude so I wanted to put it to some good use in this stage race so I tried on several occasions to get away on the small climb past the finish but after a few attempts which were covered by Menikini and Specialized I thought it best to save myself for the finish as I was feeling good for it.  The final lap was pretty mad but I was determined to stay up front and if possible as close to Rochelle Gillmor's wheel as possible! but of course everyone else seemed to want her wheel also! Non the less I worked hard to keep my place but ended up behind the wrong girls who decided die 50metres from the finish! so I had to break but still managed to get across the line in 9th place .  Unfortunately Sam took a tumble on one of the corners today but she will be fine for tomorrows stage-just some grazing.  Rochelle Gilmore won the sprint ahead of Tanja Hennes of Specialized.

Stage 2 - 14.9k ITT - 24th

The Federation bridge is where the ITT was being held today.  It was 15k long and very exposed!  The wind got increasingly stronger as the afternoon went on which was not so good for us late starters unfortunately.   I felt good today although it was a block head wind the whole time I still managed to stay on top of my gear and pass a few girls which is always nice!  Sally had a storming ride, finishing 3rd place today and Rebecca in 7th both great results.  Kori Kelly Seehafer finished 1st, Natalie Bates 2nd and Sally in 3rd.  The GC has changed with Kori Seehafer in the yellow now from Menikini and Natalie Bates in 2nd.

Stage 3 - 119k - 5th place

I wanted to make some time up today as I was lying 17th overall on GC so I wanted to try and get a good result today be it in a break or a sprint!

   The course was consistently rolling which was good as it allowed plenty of places for attacks.  I felt pretty good today even after a crash which took me out but I managed to get back onto the bunch afterwards but I can't say the same for the girls I landed on!   I lost all my computer equipment in the crash so was racing blindly in terms of distance and when the hills where etc.  I counter attacked just before a bend which Menikini then pursued and drove once they caught me which saw a group of us away for the rest of the race.  We had the yellow jersey in the break and 3 other Menikini riders along with 5 other girls.  The gap grew to over 2.30 minutes close to the finish and I felt up for the sprint so I got on the Menikini train and finished in 5th place although I did not feel I gave it my all maybe my positioning could of been better as a podium finish was what I wanted.  Rochelle Gilmore took the stage win today.  Kori is still in yellow with Natalie her team mate in second and me now in 5th place overall.

Stage 4 - 100k -35th

I had a few problems with my bike (again!) today. This time the Bottom bracket came loose but no one could fix it in time so I had to ride with it loose which was pretty scary at times as I could feel it moving around! I decided to stay seated as much as possible due to the BB!  The course was rolling again but not as much as yesterday.  Menikini controlled things up front and any attempts at getting away today were chased.  It was going to be a bunch sprint today so the teams moved up into position for the final few kilometres.  Me and Rebecca were up front in good positions but didn't keep them very well going into the final bend which saw us in a bad position for the sprint.  The Cuban team had two girls up front who stormed the finish in first with Dalila Rodriquez crossing the line ahead of Rochel Gilmore of Menikini.  

Stage 5 - 50 criterium - 1k circuit

Today circuit was in Charlottown where they even had espresso in the local coffee bar! This made me very happy as I had been having espresso withdrawal symptoms for the last 5 days.   Menikini sat on the front for whole race and controlled things.  I was feeling pretty good and tried my hand a few times to get away but nothing came of it so it was then key to keep a good position as the corners on the course were very tight so being at the front was a good idea today!  The last few laps were very hairy with riders trying to move up for the sprint.  I didn't keep a good position in the sprint which was important today being it a short circuit but I was happy to finish in one piece as I heard and saw allot of crashes in this tour!  Rochelle took the win again ahead of Dalila of the Cuban team.  The final GC didn't change with Kori firmly in the yellow, 2nd Natalie Bates of Menikini 3rd Trine Schmidt of Menikini, 4th Sophie Creux of ESGL and Me in 5th place. Rebecca and Sally finished 48th and 49th places.

I had a great time guest riding with NEBC they are such a nice group of girls with a lot of talent. 

Next stop for me is the UK after stopping in Denver then heading back to the UK for some rest time before the National Championships!