Tanned, rested, and ready to go



I was in 5th position for the first half lap and watched the leaders gap me as I recovered from the fast start. I knew I had four more laps to go and needed to pace myself. A few more riders in my group passed me but I caught up to them on the second lap where they reached the 4th place rider. I was in 5th when the 4th place rider mis shifted, causing me to dismount and run up the hill.



Helmets work



I quickly remounted after my run up, and was pedaling furiously when a yellow jacket decided to get in between me and my base layer. I tried to kill it as it stung my chest numerous times. My front wheel twisted in the sand and I went over the bars, landing first on the back of my head, followed by my left shoulder and elbow. I quickly got up and moved my bike out of the trail and watched my group ride away. I finally managed to kill that SOB and quickly took stock of my condition. Bloody Elbow + Broken Helmet = Race Finished.



I slowly rode to the finish line, where EMTs and a keg awaited. On the way back, I passed a rider in my group running along with a broken chain. He later swapped bikes with his sister's and asked if her bike made his butt look big. The EMTs cleaned me up and checked my neck and head. I returned to the car and washed off the rest of the dirt and PO. Then it was back to the EMTs for some bandages. After that, I changed my goal to getting everyone to finish the keg before the experts and pros ended their race. It was a valiant, and tasty effort.

Ok, this was a charity ride, not a race. But I kept stats nonetheless.

77 miles

7,500+ feet of climbing

4 hours, 58 minutes ride time, less than 5.5 hours from ride start

We left at 6:30 am to the bagpipe solo from AC/DCs "It's a long way to the top." I hooked up with the lead group and enjoyed the pull to the base of Kings Mountain Road. Once we reached the climb (1,600 ft. in 4.3 miles), I settled in for the long haul and lost contact with the group. I didn't eat too much at the 1st rest stop. I refilled my bottle with Gatorade and ate 1/4 of a PB&J sandwich along with a small piece Hobee's coffee cake. I then headed south on Skyline and turned right on Highway 84 toward the coast. The descent was incredible, with unbelievable weather. Sunny the whole day and not too windy coast side.

The next stop in Pescadero, same drill, a little bit to eat and drink refill, then onward to Tunitas Creek via Stage Road. By the time I reached Tunitas Creek, I knew I needed to eat more to make it back. I ate about twice as much compared to the other stops, but didn't go on a total binge as I still had to climb back up to Skyline. The final climb (1,900+ in 8.9 mi.) lulls you into a sense of complacency as it gradually climbs on fresh asphalt, only to try and break your will as the roadway ascends on broken macadam. Some spots reach 10%+, daring you to get off and rest. I caught up to a few faster riders, who paced me up the hill. I'm glad I ran into them, as I probably would have eased up, missing my 5 hr. goal in the process. Rick, thanks for setting the tempo. As we were on the steeps, a Webor rider passed us world champion stripes on his kit. I mentioned out loud that the WC was going to show us how it's done and he said he got the stripes on the track as he was dropping us like a bad habit.

It was hot once I reached the top, probably around 90°. I shed some clothing, ate and drank some more, called the wife to arrange the post-race, I meant ride picnic, and started the descent. Kings Mtn. is lightly travelled compared to Highway 84 and Page Mill Road, with great pavement. I managed to follow a Webcor rider (same guy?) with WC stripes down the hill. He obviously knew the descent well and I learned a lot from following his line.

I rolled in just before noon and had real food compared to last year's dried out sandwiches for the late comers.

Other than at the start, this was mainly a solo ride, which makes my time even more amazing.

Sport 45–54

3rd place

35 seconds from 1st

10 seconds from 2nd

Best Race Ever

This weeks game plan of letting the leaders go and reeling them in finally worked. I managed a steady but hard pace and passed Tick at the far end of the course as we reached the pavement on the 4th lap, Robert at the start of the 5th and Bruce within the first mile of the last lap. 

I probably would have caught them sooner, but my front wheel washed out on that second 90° turn onto the single track during the first lap. Tick and Robert got away and it took me three laps to catch them. I got up quickly and wasn't passed at that time. 

I kept pushing and finally left Bruce for good at the same spot as Tick. I managed to pass a few more on the maze before the finish and didn't see too many racers there. I stood around as more finishers arrived and went up to Rod and asked him if number 943 was in the money. It was.

Highlights

Last race, I was 10 min. off the leader. I never thought I could keep up, let alone almost catch him.

The mini-crash session last week worked. I can handle the volume and intensity.

I'd never beaten Robert or Bruce before.

I used my iBike Pro and found that Wattage data was much more useful than HR.