The first 100 miles passed under my wheels in 6:15, I was feeling good. The ride doesn't really start until after lunch when we turn left onto Skaggs Spring Road at mile 110.6. This is the first real test, 36 miles of rollers with very steep pitches, similar to Redwood Gulch Rd. I was standing on the pedals straining to turn my 39x27 at about a 40 cadence. Last year there was a great tailwind blowing down Hwy 1, I was was thinking about it as I topped each painful hill, really looking forward to the coast. I let out a yell of relief as we rolled down the last pitch and the ocean was in plain view.
My little fantasy was rudely stopped as soon as I turned left onto Highway 1 into a very stiff headwind. Making myself as low as possible on the bike I pushed on at about 16 mph. Last year I remember hitting 30+ mph several times going south bound. Doing my best to carry my momentum on the rollers, I push on the down side, and as a hit the apex of a right turn before an upward pitch my front wheel starts to slide out. Turning straight to stop the slide I shoot across the other lane and onto a dirt shoulder on the far side of the road, scaring the hell out of the SAG car driver who just happen's to be standing in my new trajectory. No, I didn't hit him or crash. After losing about 5 minutes changing the flat, I'm on my way again.
The last ordeal is the climb up Fort Ross Rd. after 161 miles. More Redwood Gulch. About 7 miles. with two peaks, more 39x27 at 40 cadence. My feet are sore and ache with every downward push, I sit down and try to pull up on the pedals for 25 revolutions , then stand for 25. All my effort brings about 3.5 mph. With 25 miles to go I'm out of water, and thinking how great standing in the shower is gonna feel. I'm not having fun now, I want to go home!
My total time on the road was 13:59, 1 minute slower than last year.
This year's goal was to beat my time from last year's Triple Crown Stage race. This year my total time for the 620 miles was better by 45 minutes.
I want to publicly thank everyone who helped me:
Paul