October 18, 2008 saw Beth Travers and Cat Thornton in Ringold, GA to see what they could do.  The race was either 8 miles for Women’s cat 3/4 or 40K for Women’s open, and the option to do women’s open was provided to all.  Beth was quick to switch to the 40K race, and Cat wound up taking a second number when someone else didn’t make the race and did both.

It was a bit chilly out there in the morning, but the races did not start until 9:30 with the juniors, so the promise of sunlight to warm our bodies was a good thing.  Cat’s first race went well with a 2nd place finish in Women’s cat 3/4.

In the Women’s open, Beth added two miles to her ride as the volunteer at the turnaround (which was moved up the road a tad due to an accident) moved from his post.  She took the mistake well and finished her race with classic grace.  Cat was started in the midst of the cat 3 men’s starts and missed her start time by a few minutes because she didn’t recognize the name called to the line..  the official called for the man that initially had the second bib number.  Cat overcame that time deficit to take 3rd in Women’s open.

Both Beth and Cat walked away with gold medals however.  The race director determined the Velo Vixens deserved accolades, Beth for good sportsmanship and Cat for being the only woman to race double or nothing.