Kym Flynn suffers during the short track.
The second round of the Chevy Trucks NORBA National Series was held at Alpine Valley, Wisconsin, about 30 minutes outside of Milwaukee, June 13-16, 2002. This is Kym Flynn's (The Queen Peggy) home territory. She grew up near here and started to ride here during college in the mid-1990's. Kym prepped the team and told them what kind of trails to expect-twisty singletrack punctuated by short, steep climbs. Team Peggy is used to climbing in the mountains of Tennessee and Georgia; any climb under 3 miles is nothing!
Representing Team Peggy were Kym Flynn in the Pro Women's division, Linell Wright in Master Expert XC, Trish Albert in Senior Sport XC, and Rebekah Venable in Sport DH. Also with the team were Chris Gibson, the team mechanic and Expert Downhiller and Mark, the team coach and Senior Sport XC rider.
Thursday the team awoke to bright, sunny skies and temperatures in the lower 70's. After a hearty breakfast of granola thanks to Linell, the team packed up and headed for the race venue. As soon as the team stepped out of the car, the ground squished beneath their feet. It rained quite a bit in the weeks before the race. The course was a mess during Thursday's preride. Team Peggy discovered that about 30% of the course was unridable. Thick, gooey mud stuck to bike frames, drive trains, and every square inch of riders' bodies. The team had a successful preride and scope out of the course. The most difficult challenge for the Pros and Experts would be the "Trek Liquid Launch," a steep downhill to a creek crossing and steep uphill on the opposite side that was in the first mile and a half of the course. Trish rejoiced when she heard she got to ride the "Chicken Course" (aka the Sport/Beginner options on some of the harder technical parts of the trail). Undaunted, she tried the Liquid Launch anyway during the preride. The team members agreed that the downhill was doable, but the uphill had to be walked because of the slick mud. The hills, as promised by Kym, were not a challenge to the strong climbers on Team Peggy. Had the course been dry, it would have been extremely fast. The preride took nearly an hour and a half because of the deplorable conditions. Mother Nature would not be kind to the racers this weekend. Several thunderstorms rolled through, dumping heavy rains on the area.
The Pro Women's race was scheduled for 11 am on Friday. Kym awoke early to get to the venue to get a good warm up. She was to do three and a half laps of the course. Kym was called up to the line along with the rest of the Pro Women's field. Kym came through her first lap and a half looking very strong. Unfortunately, Kym crashed out on a technical section during the second full lap when her front wheel hit a rock and was forced to abandon the race. She would later get 3 staples in her elbow. By the afternoon, the course was in better shape. Once again, thunderstorms brought several inches of rain to the area in the evening.
Saturday were the Sport and Beginner races. 8:00 am was too early for some of the riders, including the Team Peggy member racing. Trish lined up with about 30 other Sport Women for the start. She soon discovered that the course was in just as bad condition as it was on Thursday. After getting caught up in traffic in the first section of singletrack, Trish started to pass other riders. By the time she started the second loop, she knew she was in a good position to make the podium. She continued with her strong efforts and crossed the line for 2nd in Senior Sport Women and 3rd overall in Sport. Rebekah Venable was busy preparing her downhill bike while the Cross Country races were going on. She was the first to go in the Sport and Beginner Women's downhill divisions. Rebekah had a great run for second place in Sport Women. Saturday made for two Silver Medals for Team Peggy. Saturday was also the Pro Women's Short Track (STXC). Even with the 3 staples in her elbow, Kym decided to race. She put in a valiant effort and was pulled early by the officials. Those watching the race agreed that the officials could have waited 2 more laps before pulling them. Kym placed a strong 39th.
The Expert races moved on the NORBA schedule from Friday morning to Sunday morning. Linell found the course to be in much better condition and faster than in previous days. Mother Nature finally decided to be kind, and it had not rained since Friday night. Linell had a very strong race and finished 11th in Master Expert 30-34.
Team Peggy had a lot of fun and a great weekend at the Alpine Valley, WI NORBA National. Team members are looking forward to West Virginia June 20-23.
Thanks to Chuck Flynn, Kym's Dad, for some of the pictures.
Kym Flynn suffers during the short track.
Teamwork-getting the bikes unloaded.
Roland Green (Trek-VW) on his way to the win in Short Track.
Kym fixes Trish's bike before the preride on Thursday.