Will to compete

AUXVASSE — In the last leg of the Show-Me State Games’ cycling race Saturday, two female racers, one wearing electric yellow and the other in black, rode side by side, approaching the finish line where volunteers armed with stop-watches and clipboards waited anxiously. Suddenly, 59-year-old Sandi Wulff pulled ahead with a burst of speed and sprinted toward a first-place finish. The crowd erupted in applause.

“I was afraid that someone would catch me from behind,” Wulff said of her extra effort. “She (Walsh) kept me hopping all the way around. Also, sprinting comes naturally to me.”

Wulff, of Jefferson City, finished with a time of 59:40, winning the 50-59 year-old age bracket. This time also put Wulff three seconds ahead of the next fastest finisher, L. Marie Walsh from the 25-29 year-old age bracket.

Wulff’s finishing time mimics her SMSG time last year, where she also finished with the fastest time in the women’s field, one second before three women in younger age brackets.

“I just wanted to make sure last year wasn’t a fluke,” Wulff said.

The 19.76 mile rectangular course featured small rolling hills with one sharp incline and very few turns, a setup that played to Wulff’s strengths.

“I have no problem with hills,” Wulff said. “They make me stronger. At 25 mph, the (larger) hill felt like a mountain.”

Nine women participated in this year’s race, filling age brackets from 25-29 to 50-59. The younger field was not a concern for Wulff.

“I like riding against younger racers in low-key races (such as SMSG),” Wulff said. “When I get on that line with younger licensed racers (in more competitive races), they know I’m not going to beat them, but they respect me. And I usually don’t finish last.”

Wulff’s own youngsters played a big role in her beginnings in cycling. Cycling became a stress reliever for Wulff while she worked a hectic job, tried to raise two teenagers and things at home were tense between her and her husband.

Now, one of those teenagers who spurred Wulff into cycling has grown up and become her riding partner. When asked if she rode once a week, Wulff said her son, Jason, wouldn’t let her.

“I ride about 200 miles a week with my son,” Wulff said. “I ride five or six times a week.”

Besides riding recreationally, Wulff participates in organized rides and plans to take part in the MS 150 Bike Tour, a group ride benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, in September. In June, she participated in four cycling races during the Senior State Games and qualified for her fifth national competition.

In recent years, Wulff has avoided participating in extremely competitive races.

“The intensity of racing takes a toll on me,” Wulff said.

SMSG cycling, a friendly, less demanding event is a good fit for Wulff, whose mental preparation and endurance allow her to out-perform many of her opponents.

“It (the will to compete) just comes naturally to me in here,” Wulff said, gesturing to her head. “I can just do it.”