New Gloucester race report

by Stephanie White

This weekend was the first race of the Verge New England series in New Gloucester, Maine. The courses for both Saturday and Sunday were fast and (mostly) dry, with just one muddy section on either day. Saturday’s course was slightly more interesting, with quite a bit of climbing, an off-camber section, and a longer mud bog. Sunday the course was faster with more road, still a lot of climbing, and a fast, twisty descent in the woods.

On Saturday I got a good start and was in 7th around the first few corners. Anna passed me at this point and I managed to grab her wheel. We sort of worked together for the next few laps, aka I was barely hanging on while she pulled me. I tried in the beginning to help pull, but it was all I could do to hang. At the end of the third lap we caught Mackenzie Dickey and I fell of of Anna and Mackenzie’s wheels. Another woman, Chris Rothfuss, passed me on the last lap and I finished 9th. I was happy with this (UCI points!) but I wish I could hang on for the last 10 minutes of every race.

Sunday was more eventful, but not in a good way. My sister, Libby, did the B women’s race at 11. She was leading when she lost control on a descent, crashed, and hit her head. It was terrifying. She had a concussion and couldn’t remember where she was or what she was doing. She was taken to a hospital with my Mom in an ambulance. My Dad and I stayed behind and I raced, but my heart wasn’t really in it. I knew there was nothing we could do for Libby and sitting in an emergency room waiting would be hell
(especially for my Dad). Libby was fine and we took her home that night, but it was unsettling to say the least.

My race was strained and the start was delayed for the ambulance. The race was cut short, thankfully. I just wanted to get out of there to go check on Libby. I finished 10th (still in points) and when we got to the hospital the timing was perfect (Libby had just been released). Everyone at the race was very supportive. Thanks especially to Cally and Anna, you guys were great. It was a hectic weekend, but everything worked out in the end. Libby won’t race for a few weeks, but her headaches were mild enough that she went to school today.

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