It was a GREAT day for the Mt Hamilton loop! Perfect air temp, clear skies, moderate wind (it's usually much worse!), and the best flowers I've EVER seen in San Antonio Valley.
Bill (Fackler Hug) met me at the start and opted to ride the full 129 miles w/ 8.3K climbing, even though he hadn't ridden longer than 60
miles previously this spring! Then while climbing Eylar Ridge (the
climb on the back side of Hamilton before descending Mines Rd into
Livermore) we encountered Gregg Shores riding the opposite direction, enjoying the scenery after completing the Wente RR. We chatted a bit and then continued on. The climb up Calaveras Reservoir at the end of the day was particularly gorgeous, and greener beyond description.
We then even found a tandem to help pull us in along the flats (and into the wind) to the finish in Santa Clara. It was a long day, but went really well.
Kevin Griffin also met us for part of the ride, turning around at the top of Hamilton.
Yesterday I again met Kevin for "Part 2" of "The Uglies", and we rode
122 miles w/ almost 9000' of climbing, including Page Mill, BIg Basin, Jamison, Empire Grade (then down Bonny Doon), Swanton, Bean Hollow, the Stage Rd "bumps", and Tunitas. Another spectacular day and again with perfect conditions (albeit a STRONG headwind up the
coast!) and no flats or mechanicals. Lucky for me, Kevin was happy to pull more than his fair share up the coast! I could hardly see straight, let alone ride straight, by the time I got home.
A mondo training weekend for me, at least for this time of the year.
I am very tired today!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Breakaway "Death" Ride
Just kidding about the title (but not too much).
Ride / Race: Breakaway from Cancer ride from Davis to Santa Rosa (along the same route as the upcoming stage 2 of the Tour of California).
Distance: 115 miles
Vertical: 8000 feet
Number or riders on the long route: 550 (including George Hincapie) another 1500 did the shorter rides of 25 and 60 miles.
My time: 7:25:25 riding time (8:20 including rest stops)
Weather: Clear and sunny. 55 at the start and 80 at the finish.
Misc info: Well run, well supported and enthusiastic volunteers.
Other: My average heart rate for 7.5 hours was 163!! I drank 7 bottles of gatorade, 2 cans of soda and ate over 1800 calories during the ride and I still lost 5 pounds
This was an epic ride that in hindsight I should have realized two things: first, I was not in good enough shape after having pneumonia only 5 weeks ago, and two, the ride gets progressively more difficult as the miles add up. I did the first 60 miles in 3 hours and the next 55 miles took me 5 hours and 20 minutes!
We started in Davis at 7:30 a.m. with a lead out from three motorcycles and numerous police. There were cops at every intersection stopping traffic and hundreds of people lining the 4 miles heading out of town. George and a few of the stronger riders kept the pace high and we wittled the field from 550 down to around 100 within 15 miles and we were at the 22+ mile mark by the end of the first hour. Then the climbing started and as we climbed up to Lake Berryessa, I began to feel the pressure but with a lot of work and a little chasing, I stayed with the main pack until mile 32. We then did rollers for the next 30 miles and a group of about 15 of us chased to the bottom of the first real climb (this is the one that goes over the hill from Berryessa to the Napa valley, but I don't know what it is called. Some of the riders were calling it the "E" hill.)
This climb came at the 65 mile mark and I was already starting to feel it in my legs and I knew I had another 50 miles to go and I was getting a bit worried, so, I stopped at the rest stop at the beginning of the climb and rested for a full 20 minutes. I rode OK after that and made it to the top a little of the 3 mile 1400 foot climb better than I thought I would which probably made me a little too confident as I descended for the next 15 miles on my way to the dreaded Oakville grade followed by Trinity gap.
A small group of us got to the bottom of the grade and as I looked up I realized I was in trouble. My legs had started cramping about 10 miles earlier and as I pulled over to stretch, my hamstrings and quads tightened up and I almost fell to the ground. I considered my options (quit or forge on) and I decided to give it a go. I made it about 200 yards up the 15% to 17% grade and quickly cramped up again. I've never had to get off my bike and walk and I was not too happy about this turn of events until I noticed about 40 other guys doing the same thing!!! We walked about 1/2 mile and then it leveled out to about 6% and we were able to ride again. However, about 2 miles later came the Trinity climb and that is a 3 mile 1400 foot climb that has some very steep switchbacks and looked extremely daunting. Again, numerous riders were walking up this climb and I decided to ride until I cramped then rest and then do it all over again. It took me over an hour, but with the exception of a few super steep parts, I was able to ride most of it. (Also, about halfway up the climb, a guy that I was riding with gave me some "Sportlegs" pills and within 20 minutes my cramping was almost gone!)
Once I crested the top of Trinity, I was able to make the final 20+ miles including the last 600 vertical foot hill without getting off the bike. The finish was fun as they had the "Tour of California" Stage 2 finish line set up for us and a few hundred volunteers and onlookers cheering for us at the end.
Bottom line, this was the toughest ride I have ever done and probably the worst I have ever suffered in my life. While not having great fitness contributed to the debacle, the difficulty of the course with all of the climbing in the second half definitely makes this course hard no matter your fitness.
Thanks for reading,
John Pauley
Ride / Race: Breakaway from Cancer ride from Davis to Santa Rosa (along the same route as the upcoming stage 2 of the Tour of California).
Distance: 115 miles
Vertical: 8000 feet
Number or riders on the long route: 550 (including George Hincapie) another 1500 did the shorter rides of 25 and 60 miles.
My time: 7:25:25 riding time (8:20 including rest stops)
Weather: Clear and sunny. 55 at the start and 80 at the finish.
Misc info: Well run, well supported and enthusiastic volunteers.
Other: My average heart rate for 7.5 hours was 163!! I drank 7 bottles of gatorade, 2 cans of soda and ate over 1800 calories during the ride and I still lost 5 pounds
This was an epic ride that in hindsight I should have realized two things: first, I was not in good enough shape after having pneumonia only 5 weeks ago, and two, the ride gets progressively more difficult as the miles add up. I did the first 60 miles in 3 hours and the next 55 miles took me 5 hours and 20 minutes!
We started in Davis at 7:30 a.m. with a lead out from three motorcycles and numerous police. There were cops at every intersection stopping traffic and hundreds of people lining the 4 miles heading out of town. George and a few of the stronger riders kept the pace high and we wittled the field from 550 down to around 100 within 15 miles and we were at the 22+ mile mark by the end of the first hour. Then the climbing started and as we climbed up to Lake Berryessa, I began to feel the pressure but with a lot of work and a little chasing, I stayed with the main pack until mile 32. We then did rollers for the next 30 miles and a group of about 15 of us chased to the bottom of the first real climb (this is the one that goes over the hill from Berryessa to the Napa valley, but I don't know what it is called. Some of the riders were calling it the "E" hill.)
This climb came at the 65 mile mark and I was already starting to feel it in my legs and I knew I had another 50 miles to go and I was getting a bit worried, so, I stopped at the rest stop at the beginning of the climb and rested for a full 20 minutes. I rode OK after that and made it to the top a little of the 3 mile 1400 foot climb better than I thought I would which probably made me a little too confident as I descended for the next 15 miles on my way to the dreaded Oakville grade followed by Trinity gap.
A small group of us got to the bottom of the grade and as I looked up I realized I was in trouble. My legs had started cramping about 10 miles earlier and as I pulled over to stretch, my hamstrings and quads tightened up and I almost fell to the ground. I considered my options (quit or forge on) and I decided to give it a go. I made it about 200 yards up the 15% to 17% grade and quickly cramped up again. I've never had to get off my bike and walk and I was not too happy about this turn of events until I noticed about 40 other guys doing the same thing!!! We walked about 1/2 mile and then it leveled out to about 6% and we were able to ride again. However, about 2 miles later came the Trinity climb and that is a 3 mile 1400 foot climb that has some very steep switchbacks and looked extremely daunting. Again, numerous riders were walking up this climb and I decided to ride until I cramped then rest and then do it all over again. It took me over an hour, but with the exception of a few super steep parts, I was able to ride most of it. (Also, about halfway up the climb, a guy that I was riding with gave me some "Sportlegs" pills and within 20 minutes my cramping was almost gone!)
Once I crested the top of Trinity, I was able to make the final 20+ miles including the last 600 vertical foot hill without getting off the bike. The finish was fun as they had the "Tour of California" Stage 2 finish line set up for us and a few hundred volunteers and onlookers cheering for us at the end.
Bottom line, this was the toughest ride I have ever done and probably the worst I have ever suffered in my life. While not having great fitness contributed to the debacle, the difficulty of the course with all of the climbing in the second half definitely makes this course hard no matter your fitness.
Thanks for reading,
John Pauley
Monday, April 19, 2010
Race Report: Sea Otter Classic RR-Chris Hawley
• Name of race: Sea Otter Classic, Monterey, CA
• Category you raced: Road Race Cat 5- Masters 35/45
• Date of race: 4/16/2010
• Distance: 47 miles
• Place: 10th out 35
• One line recap of the course: Great event with 8,500 total participants. 4700 feet of climbing in the road race. Starts on Laguna Seca raceway which is fun to ride on!
Race recap:
The race starts on Laguna Seca Race track which is smooth as silk! After ½ a lap on the race track, we veered off onto an 8 mile loop that we did 6 times. The start of the loop begins with a 7-13% grade climb for 1 mile. This splintered the group, though I think everyone came back together on the first few laps. As the race wore on, that darn hill kept looming in my mind…how many more times do we have to do this, and who put this in here? I think by about the 4th lap, I wasn’t able to hang with the lead group of about 8-10 riders and couldn’t seem to see them on the curvy, though not too technical, 1-2 mile downhill. I eventually caught up to 2 riders and we were able to work together to pass a bunch of folks who were getting lapped (some in our race, some in other divisions). After finishing the circuits they wave you away from the big hill and direct you to another road. My legs were very pleased that we avoided THE Hill again until they realized we were starting a 2 mile uphill finish. I think I was going 9 mph up the hill and one of the riders I was with surged ahead at about 10 mph. Couldn’t stay with him. The other guy in our group, I think, was going about 7 mph, Sayonara baby! I’m sure for spectators it was like watching snails race. Fun times, though. About 4700 feet of climbing for the 47 mile version. Finished 10th and was happy with that.
• Category you raced: Road Race Cat 5- Masters 35/45
• Date of race: 4/16/2010
• Distance: 47 miles
• Place: 10th out 35
• One line recap of the course: Great event with 8,500 total participants. 4700 feet of climbing in the road race. Starts on Laguna Seca raceway which is fun to ride on!
Race recap:
The race starts on Laguna Seca Race track which is smooth as silk! After ½ a lap on the race track, we veered off onto an 8 mile loop that we did 6 times. The start of the loop begins with a 7-13% grade climb for 1 mile. This splintered the group, though I think everyone came back together on the first few laps. As the race wore on, that darn hill kept looming in my mind…how many more times do we have to do this, and who put this in here? I think by about the 4th lap, I wasn’t able to hang with the lead group of about 8-10 riders and couldn’t seem to see them on the curvy, though not too technical, 1-2 mile downhill. I eventually caught up to 2 riders and we were able to work together to pass a bunch of folks who were getting lapped (some in our race, some in other divisions). After finishing the circuits they wave you away from the big hill and direct you to another road. My legs were very pleased that we avoided THE Hill again until they realized we were starting a 2 mile uphill finish. I think I was going 9 mph up the hill and one of the riders I was with surged ahead at about 10 mph. Couldn’t stay with him. The other guy in our group, I think, was going about 7 mph, Sayonara baby! I’m sure for spectators it was like watching snails race. Fun times, though. About 4700 feet of climbing for the 47 mile version. Finished 10th and was happy with that.
Weekly Ride and 4/24/10 Ride
Hi everyone,
A couple of things --
1. First, thanks to Gregg, Greg, Patty, and Dave for riding w/ me at the Tierra Bella and making this one great day! This was a (mostly) beautiful ride with a bit of everything -- long climbs, short twisty climbs, rollers, flatlands with fast pacelines, new roads for most of the group, you name it! Lots of wildflowers and gorgeous scenery along some of the smaller roads, and terrific support provided by ACTC. Best of all, we finished the 100 mile route as a group. With 6.2K of climbing, this was great for an early-season century!
2. Next upŠ is the Mt Hamilton Challenge, this Saturday, April 24 (see http://www.hillsidegraphics.com/hamilton-challenge for ride info, starting location, and registration). Meet me at check-in at 7am if you're "in". Let me know in advance so I know to look for you. You can register on-site on Saturday morning. This is a tougher ride than the TB.
3. There was some talk after the TB about an occasional mid-week group training session, so I'd like to follow up on this. Not every week, but at least sometimes. Is there interest in this, and if so, is your preference before or after work hours?
I'm looking at Wed Apr 28 (or Thurs 4/29) for possibly the first of these, probably after work although 6 am on Wed would work too. Tentative workout: 5-6 seated repeats up Huddart to the Kings Mtn intersection. (Repeats up Kings to Huddart would work OK too, as would Canada College repeats.) This is an excellent (albeit painful) workout for AT/LT threshold and leg-strength training.
Let me know if a mid-week ride is of interest to you (as well as day/time preference). If there's little or no interest, I wont pursue it any further.
L.
A couple of things --
1. First, thanks to Gregg, Greg, Patty, and Dave for riding w/ me at the Tierra Bella and making this one great day! This was a (mostly) beautiful ride with a bit of everything -- long climbs, short twisty climbs, rollers, flatlands with fast pacelines, new roads for most of the group, you name it! Lots of wildflowers and gorgeous scenery along some of the smaller roads, and terrific support provided by ACTC. Best of all, we finished the 100 mile route as a group. With 6.2K of climbing, this was great for an early-season century!
2. Next upŠ is the Mt Hamilton Challenge, this Saturday, April 24 (see http://www.hillsidegraphics.com/hamilton-challenge for ride info, starting location, and registration). Meet me at check-in at 7am if you're "in". Let me know in advance so I know to look for you. You can register on-site on Saturday morning. This is a tougher ride than the TB.
3. There was some talk after the TB about an occasional mid-week group training session, so I'd like to follow up on this. Not every week, but at least sometimes. Is there interest in this, and if so, is your preference before or after work hours?
I'm looking at Wed Apr 28 (or Thurs 4/29) for possibly the first of these, probably after work although 6 am on Wed would work too. Tentative workout: 5-6 seated repeats up Huddart to the Kings Mtn intersection. (Repeats up Kings to Huddart would work OK too, as would Canada College repeats.) This is an excellent (albeit painful) workout for AT/LT threshold and leg-strength training.
Let me know if a mid-week ride is of interest to you (as well as day/time preference). If there's little or no interest, I wont pursue it any further.
L.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Dave's Menlo Park Crit Race Report (4/11/2010)
Menlo Park Grand Prix Criterium April 11 2010-written by Dave Jevans (ed.note: Glad to know there are some other nut cases on the team racing in driving downpours)
Sunday dawned cloudy and promising rain throughout the day. I drove over to the start of the Menlo Park Grand Prix at the bayfront park area of Menlo Park. The Velogirls put on a great show with top notch race announcing, corner workers, and pit area. I signed up for my lowly cat 5 race, and settled in to watch a couple of races.
The cat 3 mens race was exciting, with the Specialized team leading the charge throughout most of the 40 minute crit race. Fortunately for them it was dry....
Once the women's cat 1 2 3 race started, the heavens opened and the rest of the day was rain soaked madness. The womens race splintered into 6 distinct packs, with the leaders (including several tibco team riders) about 2 minutes ahead of the chasing field. Two riders went down in the back part of the course. Fortunately this was one of the few wet crashes.
5pm finally arrives and all looks good for my race. Its not raining, and its warming up to a balmy 41 degrees. As soon as I start my warmup ride, the storm returns and we've got pouring rain and driving winds from the south. Great.
A small field of about 20 stupid riders line up in the driving rain. We get a warm up lap and do a rolling start, reminiscent of my days racing cars. The pack settles in and we all try to learn the lines around this 1.4 mile circuit, and we try to avoid crashing.
Basically its all quite civilized, until about lap 4 when the breakaway attempts start to happen.
What I noticed is that I tend to exit the slower corners more cautiously than the field, and I'm getting dropped. Then I've got to work hard to catch back up to the pack.
5 or 6 laps in, and someone loses a water bottle in the middle of tight left hand turn 2. Riders are scattering to avoid it (remeber it is pouring rain with 1 inch of standing water in some of the corners). The pack splinters. Naturally I'm caught in the back group....
The rest of the race is basically a story of creating a virtual "team" with the guys who got dropped by the front pack. We coalesce and work together as a "team". I pull around most of the back part of the circuit, and my new friend Steve pulls hard on the upwind straightaways, giving me a welcome break.
As we come to the "2 laps" sign, we pick it up. Finally its the "1 lap" sign and we pull the pin. I drop Steve, but half a mile later he's on my tail. I'm expecting him to pull past on the first straightaway before the final finish straight, but he hangs back. Aha! Some race strategy enters my tiny brain. Let's hold back till he comes past, then sprint....
Clever guy, Steve's thinking the same thing, and doesn't fall for my trap.
Finally we enter the final straightaway, and Steve makes his move. The rain is hammering down, and I'm out of the saddle sprinting like a madman, and its wheel to wheel. I think I've got it, then I think I've lost it, then finally I out sprint him to the finish.
We ride a cool down lap together and discuss the race.
Its amazing how much drama can transpire at the back of a cat 5 race.
Sunday dawned cloudy and promising rain throughout the day. I drove over to the start of the Menlo Park Grand Prix at the bayfront park area of Menlo Park. The Velogirls put on a great show with top notch race announcing, corner workers, and pit area. I signed up for my lowly cat 5 race, and settled in to watch a couple of races.
The cat 3 mens race was exciting, with the Specialized team leading the charge throughout most of the 40 minute crit race. Fortunately for them it was dry....
Once the women's cat 1 2 3 race started, the heavens opened and the rest of the day was rain soaked madness. The womens race splintered into 6 distinct packs, with the leaders (including several tibco team riders) about 2 minutes ahead of the chasing field. Two riders went down in the back part of the course. Fortunately this was one of the few wet crashes.
5pm finally arrives and all looks good for my race. Its not raining, and its warming up to a balmy 41 degrees. As soon as I start my warmup ride, the storm returns and we've got pouring rain and driving winds from the south. Great.
A small field of about 20 stupid riders line up in the driving rain. We get a warm up lap and do a rolling start, reminiscent of my days racing cars. The pack settles in and we all try to learn the lines around this 1.4 mile circuit, and we try to avoid crashing.
Basically its all quite civilized, until about lap 4 when the breakaway attempts start to happen.
What I noticed is that I tend to exit the slower corners more cautiously than the field, and I'm getting dropped. Then I've got to work hard to catch back up to the pack.
5 or 6 laps in, and someone loses a water bottle in the middle of tight left hand turn 2. Riders are scattering to avoid it (remeber it is pouring rain with 1 inch of standing water in some of the corners). The pack splinters. Naturally I'm caught in the back group....
The rest of the race is basically a story of creating a virtual "team" with the guys who got dropped by the front pack. We coalesce and work together as a "team". I pull around most of the back part of the circuit, and my new friend Steve pulls hard on the upwind straightaways, giving me a welcome break.
As we come to the "2 laps" sign, we pick it up. Finally its the "1 lap" sign and we pull the pin. I drop Steve, but half a mile later he's on my tail. I'm expecting him to pull past on the first straightaway before the final finish straight, but he hangs back. Aha! Some race strategy enters my tiny brain. Let's hold back till he comes past, then sprint....
Clever guy, Steve's thinking the same thing, and doesn't fall for my trap.
Finally we enter the final straightaway, and Steve makes his move. The rain is hammering down, and I'm out of the saddle sprinting like a madman, and its wheel to wheel. I think I've got it, then I think I've lost it, then finally I out sprint him to the finish.
We ride a cool down lap together and discuss the race.
Its amazing how much drama can transpire at the back of a cat 5 race.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Spring Hill (Two Rock) Road Race Report
Wow...what an event. It was a race, but seemed to be a bit of a survival fest as well. So let me start from the top.
5:15am, up and listening to the rain. Hmm, well, maybe it is not raining in Petaluma. I am 50/50 on even going. Check the reports on line. weather.com clearly states that there will be no rain till 10am in Petaluma. My race starts at 8:40am. I figure most the race may be dry. I say what the heck and drive up. One hour and 45 minutes later I am in cow country and can barley see through my windshield with all the rain, so much for that report. Temp gage on my car reads 40 degrees. Well, I am here, so what the heck, maybe only 10 people will show up and I will have a good shot of placing.
8:40am, standing in the rain with 65 to 70 other Cat 4 racers. You kidding me? Are these folks nuts? I opted for the Cat 4 Open race (all age Cat 4's). The kid next to me looks about 14 (man I am getting old). They start the race at 8:45am. I am already shivering. I figure, as in most road races, we start off tame and then at some point someone punches it. I can use that start to warm up. I have been hiding in my car for the last 1/2 hour. No such luck. There is an organized team of six up front and four go nuts and ride super hard from the gun up the opening hill (which is about .1 mile into the race). The other two on the team soft pedal and try to slow the other 63 riders down. Now there is a gap. This is minute one!! I jam hard up the hill (about like Sandhill towards Woodside). I am close to getting dropped in the first minute. My legs are screaming, how about a warm up? I would say at least 20 are dropped right there.
The entire race was very fast. The course is all rollers, with about three Sandhill hills. The rain is crazy, never letS up for a second. I am soaked five minutes into the race. I had on a technical undershirt, long sleeve undershirt over that, a long sleeve jersey and then a vest. All soaked. By the second lap it felt like I was carrying around a backpack with all the water I had on. The wind was strong just for good measure. I opted not to use glasses, and could barley see with the rooster tails of water off all the wheels and the rain. About the start of lap two a rider yelled out, "flat". I actually felt jealous of him. We were hammering.
On the second lap there is a long downhill, followed by a hard right turn that then went into the final steep climb on the backside of the course. Since it was so wet, the riders really hit their brakes to make the turn. I was about 20 riders back in the group when we hit that turn. I knew that was a bad spot, but with the road conditions, I was not willing to risk passing on the downhill to gain spots. Well, the first eight guys punched it there. The rest of the group fractured. I was dying but made the second group on the road. We had about 10 guys in our group. The rest of the field was way back. For some reason, only three of us were willing to work and the rest of the group just sat on our wheels. There was some good yelling going on asking others to help us catch back on...all to no avail. The first eight stayed a minute or less in front of us the rest of the race. The finish is up hill. The hill is a bit steep, then flattens and then climbs again. I went at the bottom of the hill and won the sprint to the false flat. To bad the race actually finished mid way up the second half of that hill. I would say five or six passed me on that last bit of climb and I came in somewhere from 12th to 15th out of the 65 to 70.
This was a crazy race environment. Rain, wind and hills, and sharp turns on descents. It was painful, but fun! I will do this race next year, though if it is raining, I think I will pass :)
5:15am, up and listening to the rain. Hmm, well, maybe it is not raining in Petaluma. I am 50/50 on even going. Check the reports on line. weather.com clearly states that there will be no rain till 10am in Petaluma. My race starts at 8:40am. I figure most the race may be dry. I say what the heck and drive up. One hour and 45 minutes later I am in cow country and can barley see through my windshield with all the rain, so much for that report. Temp gage on my car reads 40 degrees. Well, I am here, so what the heck, maybe only 10 people will show up and I will have a good shot of placing.
8:40am, standing in the rain with 65 to 70 other Cat 4 racers. You kidding me? Are these folks nuts? I opted for the Cat 4 Open race (all age Cat 4's). The kid next to me looks about 14 (man I am getting old). They start the race at 8:45am. I am already shivering. I figure, as in most road races, we start off tame and then at some point someone punches it. I can use that start to warm up. I have been hiding in my car for the last 1/2 hour. No such luck. There is an organized team of six up front and four go nuts and ride super hard from the gun up the opening hill (which is about .1 mile into the race). The other two on the team soft pedal and try to slow the other 63 riders down. Now there is a gap. This is minute one!! I jam hard up the hill (about like Sandhill towards Woodside). I am close to getting dropped in the first minute. My legs are screaming, how about a warm up? I would say at least 20 are dropped right there.
The entire race was very fast. The course is all rollers, with about three Sandhill hills. The rain is crazy, never letS up for a second. I am soaked five minutes into the race. I had on a technical undershirt, long sleeve undershirt over that, a long sleeve jersey and then a vest. All soaked. By the second lap it felt like I was carrying around a backpack with all the water I had on. The wind was strong just for good measure. I opted not to use glasses, and could barley see with the rooster tails of water off all the wheels and the rain. About the start of lap two a rider yelled out, "flat". I actually felt jealous of him. We were hammering.
On the second lap there is a long downhill, followed by a hard right turn that then went into the final steep climb on the backside of the course. Since it was so wet, the riders really hit their brakes to make the turn. I was about 20 riders back in the group when we hit that turn. I knew that was a bad spot, but with the road conditions, I was not willing to risk passing on the downhill to gain spots. Well, the first eight guys punched it there. The rest of the group fractured. I was dying but made the second group on the road. We had about 10 guys in our group. The rest of the field was way back. For some reason, only three of us were willing to work and the rest of the group just sat on our wheels. There was some good yelling going on asking others to help us catch back on...all to no avail. The first eight stayed a minute or less in front of us the rest of the race. The finish is up hill. The hill is a bit steep, then flattens and then climbs again. I went at the bottom of the hill and won the sprint to the false flat. To bad the race actually finished mid way up the second half of that hill. I would say five or six passed me on that last bit of climb and I came in somewhere from 12th to 15th out of the 65 to 70.
This was a crazy race environment. Rain, wind and hills, and sharp turns on descents. It was painful, but fun! I will do this race next year, though if it is raining, I think I will pass :)
Monday, April 5, 2010
Rides Coming up...From Laura
Hi Everyone,
Thanks to all of you who came out for the Saturday ride this past weekend! It was a great day and we really lucked out on the weather.
Looking out a couple of weekends, lets set Sat. Apr 24th as the Mt Hamilton ride day for those interested. I would like to do that as part of the organized Mt Hamilton Challenge (or Ascent) tour. It's a route that I often ride on my own, but doing it as part of the organized century has the advantage of riding with many others (and showing off our cool jerseys!), not to mention sag or other support if needed. (The roads on the back side of Mt Hamilton are quite remote and offer limited services). Plus, if our group splits up a bit during the ride, it's less worrisome with other riders out there too, and with route markers on the pavement to follow.
If interested, download the registration form from http://www.hillsidegraphics.com/hamilton-challenge/index.html and send in your $15 before April 15. It's a no-frills and inexpensive century, and all proceeds go to LAF. You can also register on-site on the 24th, but the cost goes up to $25.
Here's the deal -- you bring 3 bags of food that you want toted to the 3 rest stops. They sag whatever you give them. They also provide water and other fluids at the rest stops, as well as some snacks. There's some food at the start/finish too. Best of all, if it's one of those days where you get 5 flats and run through all your spares and patching kit, 70 miles from home, there's people to help you out.
The full route is 125 miles with about 8200' of climbing and terrific scenery. Basically, Mt Hamilton is only half the climbing -- after that you still get to climb Eylar Ridge (sometimes called Mt Mocho I think?) and then Calaveras. Plus numerous bumps in between. You also get to thank your lucky stars you're not one of the poor Devil Mtn Double riders who are out there for 206 miles and 18,500' of climbing, and who you get to see (and heckle?) twice that day.
Or if pressed for time, consider just the 70-mile Ascent. (I'm not sure there's even a need to sign up for it, if you carry your own food.)
RECAP OF OTHER UPCOMING RIDES:
If you're new to the list (Gregg and Mark take note!), the other centuries that we already have at least several people signed on for are:
Tierra Bella, Saturday Apr 17, info and registration at http://www.tierrabella.org/index.php (the 100 mi route is great, with the option of 200km if we make the time cut), and
Grizzly Peak, Sunday May 2, info and registration at http://www.grizzlypeakcyclists.org/century/ (go for the Campolindo HS starting location.)
Both typically fill early, so sign up soon if interested. Neither offer day-of registration.
If you miss the April Mt Hamilton ride, I'll re-run it as a team ride sometime in mid-May or whenever you all want. Flowers are best in April though.
- Laura
Thanks to all of you who came out for the Saturday ride this past weekend! It was a great day and we really lucked out on the weather.
Looking out a couple of weekends, lets set Sat. Apr 24th as the Mt Hamilton ride day for those interested. I would like to do that as part of the organized Mt Hamilton Challenge (or Ascent) tour. It's a route that I often ride on my own, but doing it as part of the organized century has the advantage of riding with many others (and showing off our cool jerseys!), not to mention sag or other support if needed. (The roads on the back side of Mt Hamilton are quite remote and offer limited services). Plus, if our group splits up a bit during the ride, it's less worrisome with other riders out there too, and with route markers on the pavement to follow.
If interested, download the registration form from http://www.hillsidegraphics.com/hamilton-challenge/index.html and send in your $15 before April 15. It's a no-frills and inexpensive century, and all proceeds go to LAF. You can also register on-site on the 24th, but the cost goes up to $25.
Here's the deal -- you bring 3 bags of food that you want toted to the 3 rest stops. They sag whatever you give them. They also provide water and other fluids at the rest stops, as well as some snacks. There's some food at the start/finish too. Best of all, if it's one of those days where you get 5 flats and run through all your spares and patching kit, 70 miles from home, there's people to help you out.
The full route is 125 miles with about 8200' of climbing and terrific scenery. Basically, Mt Hamilton is only half the climbing -- after that you still get to climb Eylar Ridge (sometimes called Mt Mocho I think?) and then Calaveras. Plus numerous bumps in between. You also get to thank your lucky stars you're not one of the poor Devil Mtn Double riders who are out there for 206 miles and 18,500' of climbing, and who you get to see (and heckle?) twice that day.
Or if pressed for time, consider just the 70-mile Ascent. (I'm not sure there's even a need to sign up for it, if you carry your own food.)
RECAP OF OTHER UPCOMING RIDES:
If you're new to the list (Gregg and Mark take note!), the other centuries that we already have at least several people signed on for are:
Tierra Bella, Saturday Apr 17, info and registration at http://www.tierrabella.org/index.php (the 100 mi route is great, with the option of 200km if we make the time cut), and
Grizzly Peak, Sunday May 2, info and registration at http://www.grizzlypeakcyclists.org/century/ (go for the Campolindo HS starting location.)
Both typically fill early, so sign up soon if interested. Neither offer day-of registration.
If you miss the April Mt Hamilton ride, I'll re-run it as a team ride sometime in mid-May or whenever you all want. Flowers are best in April though.
- Laura
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