Sea Otter XI: XC Sunday

I got to the start grid with under 10 minutes before my start. My group moved up twice before the horn, so I had ample opportunity to move up to the second row. The horn sounds and we're off, going up the hill to the top of the corkscrew. The group of about 100 racers spreads out nicely and I had no problem getting to the singletrack, settling in behind a row of pretty fast guys who didn't slow me down that first descent to Skyline. Tuck and mash down the little decline, hit the bottom and then stand and mash to the sharp right hand turn. I have no idea what place I'm in, but I feel good and just want to be as slick as possible without blowing up.

The next little climb back towards the track produces a sign of things to come: Racers on the two good lines, going the same speed and clogging things up. I can understand spinning up a steep or extended climb an hour into the race, but this is a very gradual climb and about 3 minutes in. An opportunity presents itself and I barge through saying "thanks" to nobody in particular.

That quasi-singletrack down to the camping area is a fun spot. Everything went fine down that and by the camping area to the braking-bumpy lefthander. I caught up to a guy at the exit of the turn and we start the fast and bumpy section with him about 10 ft. in front. He gets a little wild and then "whoops", he's on his side in a matter of moments. Plenty of time for me to react as I go to the right (downhill side) to get around. Of course, with perfect timing he gets on his feet and walks right in my line as I arrive. Not a hard impact, but I have to slow to almost a stop to avoid it. He gives me a little push (he's unhurt) but the damage has been done as a couple people get by me. No problem, I'll get them later, I say to myself.

After that screaming fast singletrack, the trail makes a hard left and we descend to bridge/creek crossing. This is where I start to catch the back markers of the 35-39 group. I'm thinking "Already? Damn!" It takes a while, but I eventually pass a few and finish the descent unhindered. But then we begin the long singletrack section that leads to Hurl Hill and it's packed with people going perty dang slow. Man, it's difficult for me to shout encouragement without sounding like a jerk-ass, but I do my best trying to just get guys off the saddle and go a little faster.

I reach Hurl Hill and I get lucky as the I hit a "thin" spot in the crowd. I get to stay in the middle ring and don't have to worry about someone stalling in front of me. Back on Skyline and I'm flying down to the Goat Trail. I reach the Goat Trail and I remember the trail moves to the left along the edge of the hill, but the radius of the turn decreases before the trail straightens out. Sure enough, someone (call him Michigan) about two in front of me slid off the trail and was off the bike and attempting to remount just as I come along. Nothing I could do but slow down and offer Michigan some encouragement, he was completely blocking the trail. I follow him for a while and we reach that flat section that twice offers an alternative line, but only briefly. Michigan makes another poor choice and picks the left line to get around someone we caught up to. That line shortly enters a pretty deep rut, he's forced to stop and I sail past him and the guy he was attempting to pass. I figure I've seen the last of Michigan.

No problems until the sharp right-hander that briefly angles up. I hate this part because it's always backed up and people over compensate by gearing down too low, which just makes it worse. Sure enough, someone right in front of me tries to shift to the little ring and gets his chain sucked in. Dismount! Oh well, I run by and I'm back on with minimal damage. Climb up a ways, then it's down the Manzinita Trail. I have to slow a couple times to get around guys, but not too bad, and I did better than the guys behind me since I somehow opened a gap. Down to the pond where I take some Clif Shot.

No problems up to the hike-a-bike. I used the same strategy as Dave L&N and take longer strides on the right line up the climb. I pick off a couple people, but as I get to the top, I notice Michigan is already there and on his bike. "What the...?" He must have gone past me when I was forced to dismount and I didn't notice. OK, no problem. I catch up to him as we hit the next singletrack. He's actually moving pretty well, so I decide to use him as radar as he feels out the trail and gets people to move aside for me. We pass a few people at the short paved section, then we hit the next twisty singletrack. I love this part of the course. It's short, but really fun with the tight twists that alternate with one going up slightly, then next one down. Yes! Cross the creek and approach the next choke point (another short incline that people over-gear for). Caught a break! Everyone in the immediate vicinity does alright and we move through quickly. Once we reach the section with straw all over the ground, both Michigan and I get out of the saddle and pick off some slower riders all the way up the ladder-climb. We move off the straw and, shortly afterwards, I make my best move of the race.

Michigan reaches down to grab some drink, and I smoothly move past him and another guy as he slows slightly. He says "Hey" and tucks in behind, but there might be that one guy between us. That's it. Pretty routine. "What's so special about that?", you might ask. Well, you know that little jump after the course crosses a wide dirt road? Then the left-hander, on rocks, that sends you up a little incline? I hit that part and hear the sounds of someone going down hard right on the rocks. Ouch! It was either Michigan or the guy between us, but either way I figured (correctly this time) that I wouldn't see him again.

Wow, this is getting long. I'll wrap up by mentioning that on the climb home, I passed Zap Espinoza in his Mountain Bike Magazine jersey, and riding some XC/FS rig. He's shorter than I imagined.

Crossed the line 27th in 1:30, with a group closing on me fast (I was alone). Results say 103 signed-up. I'll take it.

Sponsor kudos

RaceFace - This year I got a XY seatpost, 400mm length. I use most of that length and I put the saddle pretty far back. Solid, but I can feel just enough flexing. Plus, adjusting the saddle position and tilt is a pleasure. I love it. I also switched back to a straight bar on my race rig after a year on the risers. Of course I picked a black RaceFace bar to blend in with the stealthy Schwinn Advanced Tactical Fighter (aka, Homegrown Factory). So far, I'm glad I switched.

Schwinn - What can I say? A light, tight frame with a great parts mix and great wheels. Built for speed and handling in the twisties. This is a Porsche 911, not a Lexus 300GS.

RockShox - I use the 2000 SID SL that came with the ATF, and I couldn't be happier. A lockout would be nice, but then I'd probably abuse it.

Bell - I tried on the X-Ray at the Bell booth. The new retention system is so cool. Turn the wheel and the helmet hugs your head like your mother used to. Sweet. Can't wait to get it.

Rich Henthorn

^TOP

Tortoise and the Hair

My day began at 5:15...I'd been up for a while already, but didn't get out of bed until the alarm went off. Still raining...not good. As I rise, I hear the sound of coffee brewing and bagels toasting... mmmmm that Brenda is one good woman. I should have dumped that friggin anti-wife years ago...but I digress. Load the bike on the rack, grab the bagel and coffee and I'm out the door at 5:35. I make good time and there isn't much traffic, so I'm in the lot by 7:30, plenty of time to do the pre-race ritual of organ cleansing.

I get all ready and head out for a couple of warm up climbs. I immediately run into Joel and we head over together. We climb up the start run and he bolts while I slowly catch up. We turn around and go for another. On the drop down I get this strange break grab every tire rotation. I figure it's badly trued wheel and look for a spoke wrench, but then just forget it, too much hassle(turns out the rim is flared on both sides and can't be fixed...Mavic 517 ceramic...<1 year old). As soon as I see someone on the start line, I head over and line up. I try to take up as much room as possible to let other TWW join me on the front row. Soon, Joel, Nick and Jon were there to see how much more anxious they could make me. Nick was, of course, all full of how his only goal was to beat me.

Racers start to go off from previous classes and we begin the march to start line. Advancing every 5 minutes attempting to hold position on the line, we get squeezed at each advance. I'm about to explode as we reach the start. The countdown begins. Bang! We're off! Quick start on the climb, and without a doubt the biggest surprise is seeing Nick pretty much in the lead about 20 yards up hammering to beat all hell. I have to really hold back to not jump at the thought of him ahead of me, but better that than blow a lung right off the bat. We crest the hill and enter the dirt, Nick it about 10 people ahead of me and I'm about 20th. Having pre-ridden I know there is a double track climb right around the corner and expect to use it to catch a few people...but, it's not there...the course goes down a fireroad...what? Oh well, so much for starting strategy.

We bust a move and end up in the singletrack where it started last year. Passing the TWW camp site I hear the cheers for Nick and then the prodding by Mike and Mark about how Nick is ahead of me. I tell them not to worry it's a long race. We descend single track and people are clogin spots, but not much pass space so just relax and enjoy. Short climbs and fast downs on the rolling single track. I pass one or two as I can, but not much. Nick is about 5 people ahead as we make the 180 down into the canyon before the bridge. Since this is fast and bumpy I'm just wonderring if Jon is coming to catch me as the guys in front of me wont open up and I'm too chicken to pass in the rough. I hit the bottom without being passed, so I'm happy. Starting the climb up and around I can see Nick just ahead. We continue to climb and pass as we hit more open singletrack. Nick is really impressing me with his strength at this point. Through the fireroad rollers and more singletrack and finally to the singletrack before Hurl Hill. Nick is 3 people up now. As we make the final turn onto Hurl Hill I start the attack. Most folks drop to the granny for this climb, but I leave the middle ring and stand. It hurts, but not that bad. I pass Nick at the bottom and give a "hey" or whatever will come out of my lungs. I must pass about 30 people on this climb. No one is going hard. From the top it's big ring jam down. Wide open fun. Hard left to the doube track and more passing practice. Some dude passes me and cuts me off...what a prick. He's a marked man now. We hit the hard litte grunt where everyone drops to the granny again and spins up the 20' vertical rise of this bump. I keep middle ring and stand passing about 10 people that will leave some room, but I can't pass that prick since he is smack dab in the center. We jam the rollers. Somehow I loose track of him but some other guy in front of me heads into a turn too hot and is taking a bunch of tree and riding on his front wheel for about 15 feet but manages to pull it out. I give him big kudos for getting out of that alive. What a stud.

Through the tree lined singletrack, pushing others and getting pushed. Fast as possible given the conditions. This is fun. Dump out past the lake on the fire road. People yelling "WATER" and handing off cups. I grab one and throw it in my face/mouth...cough, choke,...that's not water, that's sport drink...nice. Up ahead I see Mr. P(that's the afore mentioned prick). Climbing into the singletrack we go. As we round the last steep pitch I start to back off knowing the hike-a-bike is just ahead. Mr. P is right in front of me and I attempt to run the hike. At the top I see Peter S. Not a happy camper, but he sticks to me for a while.

Jamming through singletrack and passing wherever possible is the name of the game now. Sooo many slower riders on the course. At least this is a fun course. Then the 3 bitches appear. Meet Mr. P. He drops to a small ring and I stand and pass in middle. I manage to hold him off until we dump out on the "long climb home" where he passes pretty good. I muster up some energy and settle in for the climb. Riding hard, but not blowing up. Soon I see Mr. P can't hold the pace and I pass him again for the last time. Cresting the short added bump and down onto the track, I'm thinking yes, it's over. But, the finish is way around. Starting to push, I don't have that much energy left. Some guys pass in a blaze, I just let them go and then try to suck in. The pull away and I just try to go as fast as possible. The end never comes quickly. Rounding the last stretch I see the finish. I start faster, some guy tries to pass in the last 300 yards where we do an all out sprint for it. 300 yards at all out and I beat him by 1/2 a bike length....

Not good enough for real points in the series, but good enough to stay ahead of Nick!

Great job to all, what a team!

Keith White

^TOP

Friday morning I arrived to find that the new chain I had installed on my Homegrown was sucking on the middle ring and jumping the rear cassette. I began to panic, running to vendor booths to find a new set of gears. No one had any for sale! I lubed the chain really well and hoped for the best. During the preride I made a few adjustments to get rid of the jumping, and the generous application of lube seemed to help out the 'suck'.

Sunday morning I got a 20min warm up in and lined up in the third row. I waited patiently for the start horn and took off next to Paul. We worked our way through about 60 riders towards the front. I kept up a good pace all the way to the edge of the pavement and dropped down the first single track in 8th. On to the first fireroad where I dropped to 10th, then 12th, 14th. Passed the TWW cheering section. I stayed as strong as I could, but continued to let guys pass me. I settled into a non-aggressive mindset. Just rode along comfortably.

But by the time I got the the long climb home, I was a little tired. I felt like I was going too slow and decided to try to draft some faster guys. the first set passes and I couldn't tuck in. The second set, and I push to stay with them for a bit. I drop back to the next set and then I am on my own until the pavement. I start a charge on the pavement. Pass two guys before the little climb. Draft some guy after cresting the top. Pass him on the inside and push hard. He is not in my draft. The last corner he gets along side me and we both pass one more. The crowd is cheering me to pass the only one left in front. I sprint out of the saddle across the finish line, that last guy didn't even try to keep me from passing him. My time is 1:25:37.70, good for 34th place (second in beginner!). The Schwinn performed flawlessly. I just need to train a little harder to beat those 33 other riders.

Loren Thomas

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So anyway, I saw a few friends while waiting for the start (Tim and Mark from CVC). I coaxed Mark to ride with me and he said he would. Another damn liar. I never saw but the back of his jersey again, and even then it was only until the long winding climb out of the valley before Hurl Hill. After I stopped to remove my well-fogged glasses, which, by the way, I spent considerable time preparing with defogging solution the night before (again, more liars), I never saw him again.

Now in contention at the rear of the disseminated pack, I spent the rest of my time casually dicing with a couple of guys on matching brown Bianchi SS. Okay, so there's some single track. And some more. I keep getting passed by tandems, and then getting stuck behind them on the tight stuff. I'd pass them on the climbs again. Repeat. Okay, so there's the lake, then the Hike a bike. More single track, blah, blah. Three female dogs. More single track. Blah, blah. Crash into a fence, I think the only such fence the entire race, on the last section of single track.

The climb home seemed a cinch compared to years past. I guess it was because I wasn't really too worried about pushing too hard. But it seemed to go quicker this year, and I had more energy at the top. I was bummed that the "extreme" section was bypassed 'cause I was committed to the doubles up top. Oh well.

The spin on the track seemed to take forever. Top speed must be like 15 mph on my bike. Boring, boring. Finish line. Yay!

So I think I was 43rd out of something like 65, with a time of 1:40. Not bad for not pushing too hard. I was satisfied just to have finished. I was also a little miffed that I was not DFL. That was my goal. I failed on that front.

Scott Seery

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Cheered by Mark and others, I stuck with one of those guys till crossing the bridge over the creek. Having resigned that I would be lucky to not DFL, I just had fun on all the singletracks - catching air where I could, encouraging on the guys that passed me on the steeper climbs, etc. I was totally blown away when some of the Experts caught me at the last singletrack decent - I was bombing down that hill, a little exhausted, not at full-speed, but passing a few guys, next thing I know a guy is right next to me asking very politely if he can pass, we both pass another guy in a turn, and I think I've lost him, but nope - this guy was good - and there was another one after him! Let 'em go, ego a little more bruised, but still having fun. (I don't get passed much in singletrack decents - and these guys were on hardtails, and were flyin'!)

Dave L. passes me on the climb out, along with about 100 other people on singlespeeds, tandems, Bigwheels, Greenmachines (remember those? You were the envy of the neighborhood if you had one while everyone else still had Bigwheels...), skateboards, and even some of those stupid scooter things. I said something to Dave, but he was focused. Up the last hill (a couple guys were walking it - wimps) - down - yeah looking forward to trying that double again - but no double this year! Down to the road - dicing - I've decided that I like that finish - the track finish adds a cool dimension to the race... Done.

Lessons learned: get up earlier, stupid; need to get into better shape (duh); Otter XC is way to fun on a FS to bother on a hardtail; don't forget about the TWW group pic at 12:30 (sorry guys... :-) two dope manuevers in one day!)

Scott Schlachter

Welcome to the world of Sport (1st offical Sport Race). The Sea Otter had its typical mass of people all lined up and jockeying for position. As a slow starter and the single track closer this year, I tried to get a good position in the group. I was in about the third or fourth row when the horn went off. Quickly I got shot out the back, damn I have to get better at my starts. At the single track section there was a huge bottle neck, which cost me some time. Around and out onto the road, I picked quite a few people off on the climb. Although I was still pretty far back stuck in the single track now. One person would bobble and the rest of us would come to a complete stop. I had to push my bike up a few small hills because of this.

Over the little bridge onto the last years first part of single track, Mark D. was cheering and told me I was sandbaggin, he told me I needed to get up close to Peter S. Or maybe he said Peter S was a sandbagger, can't remember. Now my goal was set, I had to try and catch Peter. Through the first part of single track I was passing a person here and there but not making up a lot of ground. Then before the down into the gullie before the climb out, I drop my chain. Quickly I get it back on without loosing to much ground. Although at that point I also saw how far the leaders were in front of me. They were approaching hurl hill (near the swamp) and I hadn't even decended down to climb back out. Oh well, I didn't think I was going to win. As I got to the bottom to climb back out, I finally see Peter at the top of the climb. I have no idea how many people are between us.

The next thing I remember is climbing hurl hill and a guy at the top, hurling all over the place. Quickly onto the fire road and I am in the big ring jamming. Caught a few people but not many. Next section of single track, and I was worried because this is where it really got jammed in the beginner race last year. Not a problem this year, infact people moved out of the way as myself and group of guys were flying. All of sudden I see Peter off on the side of the trail, I ask him if he's okay, and I get a big NOOOOOOOOOO!. He was pissed but moving fine, so I went on my way. At the water stop is where I got caught by the leaders of the 35 to 40's. Man am I moving slow. I stick with some of them on the climb up to the hike a bike, but they are blazing.

I get to the three sisters and had to climb around people hiking, then I hear go Wrong Way. Its Keith W, damn that was my second goal not to get passed by Keith (started 5 minutes behind me). The rest of the way I just try to keep him in my sight. I did a fairly good job, we were passing people at a good clip on the long climb out. Down onto the track and put it in the big ring. Then I hear a scream and look over and Nick is on my side. I suck up his wheel and we head for home. Nick starts to fade so I pull for him until we can see the finish line. Nick leans over and says lets hold hands over the finish line, at first I was like "What?" Then realized what he was saying, we threw our hands in the air and got a big cheer from the crowd.

Thanks TWW for letting me be a part of a great group of people. I got 73 in my first Sport Race, met the second goal of finishing in the top half. The third goal was time, which I did not make either, although the course was different this year. I did check and I would have finish 11th in the beginner Men 30 - 34, so I am truely suppose to be a Sport rider and not a sand bagger.

Dave McCrimmon

The race was fun, but very disappointing for me as I was physically fit for it, but my bike was not. To make a long story short, my chain dropped 5 times which caused me to have to get off the trail and off my bike to fix it. All I could remember was hearing all these people flying past me and then trying really hard to merge into the traffic. Dave MCCrimmon passed me and asked if I was OK only to get a nasty look and an angry 'NO' from me. It got my spirits down and I was not as motivated, but as Keith White creep up behind me I got some motivation back and stuck with him for a bit until once again the chain dropped as I tried to shift into the big ring. Then, a few minuted later Nick passes me. Man has he gotten faster. He tried cheering me on, but I was not into it. I finally got the last climb and wound up passing a bunch of people. Almost at the top I turn back to see Jon Heim creeping up on me. I pushed on and dropped back onto the Laguna Seca course. On the crest of the short climb on the road, my chain drops again. I am freaking out at this point, but get it back on and motor on. I see Jon and he passes me just before the finish line. I finished 88/165 finishers with a time of about 1:35:00. This was 2 minutes faster than last year even with all the stops I had.

Congrats to all who got medals and more importantly thanks to you all for trying to cheer me up at the finish line. This is what a team is all about. I apologize if I was cranky, but in the words of Jon Heim, "that's racing!!". See you at the next one.

Peter Sterlacci

Sunday/The moment of truth: Did all my months of training, weights, protien powder, amino acids and roadie miles pay off? I was pretty beat up from practicing DH since Thursday and Trials and DH the day before but I went to Long's the night before and picked up some Advil and Icy/Hot. I felt 100% come race day. Keith, Jon, Joel and I line up smack in the center/front of the line. I figure that the climb is short enough to sprint to the singletrack and kick some ass carving on the turns. The rain the night before and my new WTB Nano Raptors were all tools I needed to hook up in the turns. The gun goes off and I make a mad sprint to the front, I look back and no-one is behind me for about 20 feet, I let a couple pass me at the top and file 8th into the singletrack, I pass by Camp TWW where I see Mike Gin, Mark Davidson and Ron Chai hitting me with a plastic water bottle.

The guys in front were fast and setting a good pace, I pass on the fast downhills and get caught up behind people in the climbs, I settled down and ran my race, I wasn't really worried about Keith, I knew he was a strong climber and sure enough, he put me in my place by catching and passing me on Hurl Hill, I kept up with him towards the top until someone clips me in the front and I was forced to get off my bike and push it to the top. From then on I kept my pace every so often seeing a glimpse of Keith but keeping his pace not being able to reel him in. I caught up to some other TWW'ers and gave them a "go Team Wrong Way!!!".

The long climb home was a mess of burnt out riders and I was working hard pedaling through gravel to pass them, I felt that if I was going to catch Keith, it was here. I saw Keith at the top of the climb home when he made a right turn on the new hill section just before the race track, I gave it all I had and up and over I went.

Once on the blacktop, I catch Dave McCrimmon, we do the roadie draft thing and pass a couple guys, crossing the finish line, I told him "let's hold our hands" he gave me a weird look but finally understood, two TWW'ers crossing together with arms in the air!!! Kodak Moment.....

I finished 35 of 187, time of 1:28:13. 1 minute, 36 seconds behind Keith, he now has something to train for.

I was glad it was all over and I had a great weekend! Congrats to the medalists and especially all the Team Wrong Way riders that raced the colors and did a great job! Would I do all three events next year? Hell yeah!!!

Nick Relampogos

C-Otter,XC Race, 50-59 Sport

So this year they changed Sport 45-54, to 45-49 and added 50-59 and 60+.

I'd been on travel from Sunday to Friday night, and finally got packed on me way to Monterrey at 3:10 PM on Saturday. Rolled into Laguna Seca (LG) at 5 and managed to get rolling on my preride at 530. My strategy was go concentrate on the LG end of the course, so I Rode the first 3 miles of the course and then cut left on Skyline road back to the track so that I could barely managed two passes by dark.

This was fortuitous, since it lead me straight back to the new section of single track at the top of the corkscrew.

Unexpectedly, I ran into the rest of the team who were supposed to have been at the Olive Garden at 5, but they were hanging around for Eve to get her Medal, so I decided to go with them instead of eating Tuna and Bread in the car.

Leaving the Restaurant at 945 or so, it was starting to rain, which was scary, but by 1030 when I was parked and settled in for the night, it had died down to drizzle. I woke up at 3 am to see a starry sky. Things were looking up.

Waking up at first light inside the track made for a much more relaxed morning. Although, with 35 minutes to my start as I was about to warm up I decided (*STUPIDLY) to add just a FEW PSI to the front tire. Naturally when I pulled the fitting off the it caught the end of the Presta and pulled the whole valve out of the tube deflating the front tire.

DECISION. Run a FRONT KNOBBY or fix the wheel with the Avocet Front (which I prefer for anything but DEEP SOFT. I changed to tube and was ready to warm up AGAIN. 20 MINUTES TO RACE TIME*#@#@@@@!!!!

So I did about 5 minutes of warm and went straight to the grid. I'd heard you could get stuck WAY BACK>. Fortunately I only looked like about 25 in my group. (50-59, Sports and Experts were starting at the same time). I got so focused on get a place near the front, that I never noticed that the field filled up behind to a total of about 65 RIDERS!

Near the front where many familiar faces from last year. Gary Anghinetti from Bud Lite and Mammoth, Dan Yu from bud Lite and Boggs, several of the So. Cal riders from Last year. My Nemesis from Road Racing Dan (Dannibal) Dole, an Expert from Kern County Named BobG (Gucimelli) Well we were starting on pavement right.

Dannibal remarked.. "You thought you'd get rid of me by racing MTB's eh!!"

I really needed a hole shot on the bulk of the group to have a change to "settle in" on the singletrack. Last June, I missed clicking in and really got TOASTED in the Bud Lite at the start.

But the Bud Lite starts on DIRT and for some Reason Asphalt has some effect on MtB only riders like they thing there is some kind of SPEED LIMIT or something.

So the horn goes off and BobG jumps HARD and I don't want any part of that action. Dole was also pushing hard, but I was holding the wheel a group that included Dan Yu so I was happy. With 300 yards before the steeper section up to the corkscrew.. (This a all BIG RING/small cog stuff). So BOOZO flailing his bars around overlaps wheels and goes down taking out another rider that beat me at Boggs last year. (We Roadies always go HARDER as soon as he hear the sound of bike hitting the pavement!).

Coming to the top of the "SCREW", after leap frogging from one wheel to the next I passed Yu and headed for the single track. Not having ridden it in sunlight, I tapped my brakes once and YU passed me back, but I got back up to speed and as we got the right turn for the next section of dirt road climb. I could see about 8 riders ahead of me. Not good or bad, but a Hell of lot better than have 30 or 30 riders up the road.

I rode the first single track conservatively, but no one was "pushing" me. The guy behind me when MikeG took that picture passed me several times on the way down to the "POND". I'd let him go by so I could follow his lines and then I'd pass him immediately on the next climb.

Some of the S.Cal guys I remembered from Bud Lite were NOT going to be so easy and I was closing up by not passing them on the climbs.

In all I had a much better run down to the Pond than on the preride.

On the first climb after the Pond, so "Silver Fox" glides by me on the climb like this had always been his plan.. he really got my attention.. I just couldn't stay with him and I was thinking about why he could still be behind me.

AT the "ROCK CLIMB".. 10 back markers or so queued up like cattle to slowly march up the Hike a Bike. I shouldered the Stumpy and took giant steps up the other side of the wall, but Silver Fox and the other Bud Liter's were doing the same thing.. We left the top of the wall together, while the other guys were slowly inching up it.

At first I thought I could pass the Silver Fox because he was very aggressive on the descents, but when we encountered Traffic he was smooth!!.. HE caught this group of back markers, I didn't pass the guy cleanly and all of sudden the Silver Fox was GONE!

The rest of the single track was very congested with "Sunday Racers". SS riders were overtaking and yelling all kinds of stuff.. Finally in the last single track before the Long Climb home, I hit a berm too hard and caught me bar end in the wire fence on the outside of the corner and went down..

Gary Anghinetti went by me while I was down.. I was up in a few seconds and was trying to hold the gap to about 50 yards.. (Damn.. How long has he been back there?.. First real MISTAKE and ZAPP!!)..

On the long climb home, I tried to collect myself and take EVERY opportunity to draft passing riders as long as I could.. Slowly I inched closer to GaryA. He's really just as good a climber,, But purely because of roadie I tactics I managed to get pulled closer and closer to him.

Finally and the last steeper section he slowed significantly and I got up and pulled up onto his wheel and moved a little left to be in his blind spot. He was looking left at people back..(this is Roadie trick).. His pace didn't change.. (HE DIDN"T SEE ME).. I carefully followed him up the little detour to the water tower..

Tactical Dilemma.. Should I try to pass him to potentially gain time on riders up ahead and risk losing to him on the line? I was almost at my limit and getting twinges of cramping.. I decided NO.. I didn't SEE anybody that I needed to catch and if slowing slightly to stay behind him allowed other to catch us, then just follow whomever to the line and BLOWEM Way in the Field sprint.. ( I didn't know that GaryA was racing Expert)..

Anyhow, I drafted Gary all the way thru the last turn.. The biggest question was whether to start the sprint in the 12 cog or the 11.. (Oh the decision).

GaryA didn't even sprint so I beat him by 5 or 10 secs.. Because Dole and Dan Yu were the only SPORTS I was SURE of up the Road I could be Thirds, but now way to be sure!!..

With the automated results, they came up very fast. I WAS third at 1:32:04.. BUT 4th thru 7th finished in LESS THAT 1:33!!!and 8th to 11th were in less that 1:34:30.. It was closer than it looked!!

Dan Dole (in supposedly only his fourth MTB RACE) Won at 1:22 something.. Which was good enough for 3rd in the EXPERT 50+ race. Dan Yu was 2nd and he apparently crashed badly enough that he was at Medical at the awards ceremony..

What a different 5 years makes.. If I'd been racing 45-49 I would have been 16th!!!

Anyway, it was good day and it was great to see all the tougher TWW people that were racing in the bigger and MUCH TOUGHER classes!

Dave Longinotti

PFA's Sea Otter Sport XC 25-29race report

Paul from Antioch (3 races)

Right off on the first lap I could not believe all the dust, didn't they get any rain down here? I got dust in the eyes and when you wear contacts, it can become quite painful, and then add sweat in the eyes, yes sometimes it felt like I was riding by the Braille method. My Cannondale is a sweet, fast handling bike, it also has this nice feature where you can lock out the front suspension, great on climbs, and on the road, I rode the entire race with it in the locked out position, (dumb) and boy are my wrists hurting now, this is one course where I truly believe full suspension is a must. My eye balls where rattling at times but still not enough to shake out the dust that had collected on them.

What was really neat about riding with all these experts is that they are all good at riding, sure there was some pushing but passing and all where top notch. In fact, I hooked up with a group of four riders and we all took turns pulling, and encouraging each other as we ran the road section and then out on the track. We eventually lost two on the second lap, but I had a "teammate" for the entire second loop, where we where always trading with each other. I ran out of water, had a side ach and legs that were always threatening to cramp up. On that last section of the track we where giving it everything we had, still trading the lead, and right at the finish were wheel to wheel! What a race!

Pete Rudnick

Sea Otter Pro/Ex Single Speed

On the start line there were people of all ages (no age groups here). Before the race a friend told me this class was full of bored experts who want more of a challenge. Great.

Anyway the gun sounds and off we go. I am about mid pack as we come up to the corkscrew and notice that the pack is already splitting into 2 groups- the "real" experts, then everyone else. I manage to barely hang at the back of the first group. I don't know if I was a bit over geared for this course or just not strong enough, but I felt like I was pushing a big gear all day. Up Hurl Hill I get big cheers for making it up without a dismount.

By the end of the first lap I am still basically in the same position give or take a couple. Checking my computer, I've got a respectable 1:29 1st lap. Past the start/finish for the 2nd time, the "real" experts have pulled a way a bit. Quite a bit.

Up past the corkscrew again and my legs are starting to cramp. I have no choice but to go into "fast as you can go without totally cramping" mode. Back onto the single track I see Pete Sterlakenpoke and Eve D. have stayed behind to cheer me on- and boy, did I need it at that point. I felt like dropping out but I'd come too far. I resolved to finish the race good, bad, or regardless of what it was doing to my ego. This time up Hurl Hill I do almost hurl.

Next time I race this long I need to bring some Clif Shot or the like. Half thru the 2nd lap I feel my energy reserves depleting and now my ARMS are cramping as well and I think "well this is a new one". Yanking on the bars to get up the climbs while out of the saddle is getting more difficult now. Along the way I see the race is taking it's toll as 2 or 3 other SS'rs are starting to walk with cramps or fixing flats- I pick up a couple of positions. On the downhill single track I'm having a blast despite being wasted and finally gapping some of the guys in back of me.

On the fire road climb out I am in survival mode but still not willing to slow my pace. I had defintely found a level of pain I hadn't experienced in a long, long time. Another SS'r has been chasing me the whole lap and there is no way in hell he's going to get me- at this point it's beat him or puke!

Out onto the race track I look back and he's no where in sight. Sprinted to the finish against a guy on a geared bike (he wins) but I had the crowd on my side. After crossing the line and stopping, my whole body hurt and I barely mustered up the strength to get back to the truck.

The result: 23rd out of 50 entrants. Did this race kick my ass? Yes. Will I be back? Yes. Psychotherapy may be in order.

Mike U.

Sea Otter - All Women 50+ aka Expert-For-A-Day

As it turned out the oldest women and the youngest kids raced together. The new Olympic classes 14-16 and <14 followed immediately after my class and they quickly caught up to most of us. I had been apprehensive about the kids thundering down on us and riding right over the top of us, but as it turned out, most of them were very courteous and passed safely. Frankly, I rather enjoyed racing with the kids. When I passed other women, they stayed passed but it was different with the kids; there were several kids that I traded leads with for most of the course. One kid who I yo-yoed with at least 4 times would say "Oh, it's YOU again!!" every time we passed each other - I didn't have the heart to tell him that I am older than his mother.

I had a great race and could really see my improvement over last year's race. My climbing still has a long way to go - 7 minutes to be exact - that's how much I lagged the winner. I came in 4th after a Sport(1), an Expert(2), and an indeterminate (3), and BEFORE an Expert (5) and a Sport (6). (The other indeterminate didn't finish). I enjoyed my Expert-For-A-Day status!!

Susann Novalis

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