By Molly Van Houweling -- Snelling Road Race (W2) -- 02/26/10
The Snelling Road Race was the Metromint women’s first priority race of the season. And despite the mud and mishaps all around us, we managed to have a great turn-out (including our brand new teammate Kaya), a post-race BBQ (thanks Johnny!), and a good minty time all around. Of course the good times inspired a post-race cocktail recipe. But before I get to that, here’s a recap of what I saw in the W1/2 race.
We have a pretty big field of 5 mints (Yukie, Amanda S., Rae, Anny, me) and other strong locals, a ton of Tibcos including national champ Meredith Miller in stars and stripes from head to toe, and Kat Carroll wearing the best kit ever--including one item of clothing from about every pro women’s team of the last decade or more. There is lots of action, some dawdling, solo moves by Tibcos and Olivia D. Wash, rinse, repeat. 2 laps to go with Oliva + 2 Tibcos OTF I launch myself into no-man’s land but get reeled back after a little bit of solo suffering. I burn a few more matches covering attacks right before the final time up the feed zone hill. Tired and distracted in the turns after the feed zone, I get gapped a little and almost drop all of my remaining matches in the next big puddle. But I hear some encouraging words, try to channel my hero Jens Voigt, and decide to move up to the front and attack some more. Light all remaining matches in rapid succession and don’t look back for a loooooong time. For all I know I am just pulling the entire pack behind me as I have been known to do. But when I finally turn around I see the reliable powerhouse Jane D. and--even more important--a couple of Tibcos. With my own teammates (thanks team!) and the rest of Team Tibco neutralizing the field, we are solidly separated and now chasing Olivia and co. I pull my group through the final corner and then of course watch as everyone sprints around me to mix it up with Olivia and the other original escapees just ahead. But Tibco's Rebecca Much survived for the win barely ahead of Olivia.
I was satisfied with an active race and 7th place. The rest of the team finished strong too, with Amanda and Yukie mixing it up for 6th and 7th in the bunch sprint. We were all lucky to avoid the crash that sent at least one racer to the hospital and another into a roadside ditch full of muddy water. Get well soon, friends!
Now for the cocktail. You’ve heard of a drink called the “Mudslide”? In honor of fine Metromint racing and team bonding at Snelling, I present:
The Minty Mud Puddle
.75 oz Metromint Chocolate Mint Water (my favorite flavor)
.75 oz vodka (because hard racing requires hard liquor)
.75 oz amaretto (for the lovely almond trees in bloom in the Central Valley)
.75 oz dark crème de cacao (this is what puts the mud in the mud puddle)
.75 oz cream or half & half (=recovery protein)
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and then strain into an ice-filled glass. Toast springtime racing in the Central Valley!