4.4 miles

an email was sent by a climber - need flatlander to keep pace high and eliminate any early breaks. did i mention it was for mt tam hill climb race? why not, i sign up and respond, ill be there. a few days before the event he rode the course, explained that the first 4.4 miles before the turn are flat and into a headwind. with 16 z-team members in the field they could easily control the race and get a rider or two off the front, this was my job not to let this happen.

got up at 4:50a, got there at 7:30a for a good warm-up. we got to the line 10 minutes early to secure our position. ramon and i made up 2 of the 6 guys in the front and clark was right behind us. then gave the countdown and at the whistle i was off - purposely started in my 39x12 - makes for easy clipping in and the first few pedal strokes. quickly i was to the front of the group and pushing the pace high, it was how fast could i get to the right turn where the hill starts. only 3 of us were exchanging blows, a zteam and a amd, eaching taking massive pulls lasting 30-45 seconds. whenever any other team came to the front we quickly shut that down. we cruised at 27 and pushed it past 30 when the headwind became colder. up ahead was the right turn, folks in the road signaling - and at a 193 HR i was looking for a safe spot on the other side of cones.

4.4 miles in 11 minutes

my job was completed with high success, no one was off the front, the pack was in a long thin line and i could barely peddle for the next 5 minutes while i got my HR under control. it took me 52 minutes to ride the last 8.3 miles. my team mates took 4th and 15th, good day for sjbc.