Spin City Classic

March 25-26, 2006

by Aaron's Cycling Women's Team 

The Spin City Classic, formerly known as the Festival of Speed, in Orlando, FL greeted riders with sunny skies, mild temperatures, a tricky downtown criterium course, and a windy circuit race.  The Aaron’s Corporate Furnishings Women’s team came to the O’town (Orlando) to kick off the Southeastern racing season in style.  Mackenzie Dickey’s family hosted the team in nearby Winter Springs, FL and made everyone feel right at home.  The team stopped by one of the Aaron’s stores in Orlando and met with David Culley, the manager of the store as well as several of the employees.  It was a great opportunity to involve the sponsoring company and expose them to cycling events taking place in their area. 

The evening’s race was a straight forward 4 corner course that unfortunately had a tricky first turn composed of a brick crosswalk, a dip in the road and a manhole cover that claimed quite a few riders throughout the day including Aaron’s own Kari Bradley.  Early into the race Kari and Rebecca Larson attacked with a slight gap heading into turn one where Kari ended up going down.  The remainder of the race was active with Cycle Science and American Classic trying to get riders off the front with a real threat when solo break specialist Candice Blickem of Aaron’s attacked with several laps to go and held a slight gap but was brought back to set the field up for a field sprint.  As the field rounded the final corner with a long drag to the finish line Aaron’s Mackenzie Dickey lit it up with teammate Shannon Hutchison-Krupat hot on her wheel.  Shannon took it over half way down the stretch capturing the win with Mackenzie just inches behind giving Aaron’s a 1-2 finish with Larson taking the 3^rd spot on the podium.  It was a special win as David Culley and his son had taken the team up on their invitation and witnessed his first criterium as well as his first Aaron’s cycling win!  Also on hand to witness the win were Aaron’s Corporate Furnishing’s President as well as his wife and kids.  It was a bitter sweet win as teammate Kari had to be taken to the local ER.  The entire team headed  straight from the podium to the ER where Kari was later found to have broken her clavicle, scapula and collapsed her lung. (Note: Kari has since been operated and is still recovering in Orlando Regional Medical Center).   

Early morning Sunday while Mackenzie’s Dad was busy preparing breakfast the Team Director Jeremy Hutchison-Krupat received a call from Kari in the hospital wanting to make sure that she wished the team good luck in the circuit race and congratulations on the night before!  Even from the hospital she’s still contributing to the team!  Following a hefty Sunday breakfast complete with fresh squeezed OJ (yes, Mackenzie’s Dad squeezed it himself!) the team headed over to the circuit race.   

The course was a flat winding course that snaked its way around the Southpoint Park.  The wind would definitely play a factor as gusts seemed to come from every direction.  The race was fast and active with quite a few attacks challenging the will of the peloton to chase into the winds.  Mid way through the race Mackenzie Dickey and Rebecca Larson took off to what looked to be a dangerous move as they gained distance on the field.  After being away for several laps a chase group formed with Lee Anne Asbury of Aaron’s in it.  The field was not content to let two Aaron’s riders get together and the break was brought back.  As the race wore down to the final laps the wind had taken its toll yet what looked to be coming down to a field sprint was spoiled by Candice Blickem as she put in a furious attack through the start/finish stretch and quickly put a 20 second gap between herself and the field.  Candice expanded her lead to 30 seconds as she rolled in for the win.  As the field came down the long stretch leading to the finish Mackenzie jumped from a long way out with Larson close behind.  As Mackenzie continued to accelerate down the stretch Sherri Stedge came by Larson but was unable to match Mackenzie as she powered across the finish to give Aaron’s another 1-2 capping off a successful weekend of racing.