Patterson Pass

Dr. Professor Smitty convinced me and Seth to head up the 300 some odd miles up north to race PattersonPass Road Race.

The course was freaking awesome. started on a climb that was around 6% grade with 11% pitches into a gnarly 25 mile (maybe more) head wind, then a short descent and another little climb a short decent, a sharp left turn and rollers for the remainder of the course. We would do three laps for a total of 69 miles.

The biggest factor this race was the wind. except for a short section of the second climb there was always virtually a head wind or cross wind.

Coming off the second decent was a sharp left turn into a brutal cross wind. The pack was strung out from the decent and everyone was pretty much guttered. A front group of about 5 riders echelon'd themselves into a little break, followed by a less organized chase group of another 5 and the field. We quickly caught the chase group and the lead group shattered leaving 2 riders up the road and the rest of the field. The winds pretty much discouraged any kind of chase... with a couple effort here and there but nothing organized. Most of the riders were hurting as it was and the other half weren't even aware that there was anyone up the road. By the time we made it to the top of the first climb on the second lap the two riders had put 6 minutes into the field.

This was my first 3's race... The pace was blistering and the cross winds were miserable. The middle of the second lap I could feel my muscles threatening to cramp. The feeling that they just might go at any second is a miserable way to ride: Muscles not quite seized but threatening a full fledged revolt at any second. I was able to maintain all the way up the main climb the third lap (in part to team mate seth who rode near the middle of the pack and as I saged backward toward him he would catapult me back up near the front- I got three big pushes in all ;) I made it up and over with the lead group. The field has shattered. We dropped over half of the remaining riders on the lap 3 climb. Something happened with Smitty and Seth mid at the lower part of this climb. Seth had to unclip and smitty crashed into the side of the road and ended up breaking a deralier and had to call it quits. I cramped up completely on the last little climb and had to unclip and give me legs a little shake. A small group was formed off the back and we were flying until I cramped all the way up to my pelvis and had to actually dismount the bike momentarily and give a little stretch. the remaining 5 or so miles were the most painful miles I have EVER ridden, EVER. In an act of generosity some old masters guy We had just blown by in the the chase group caught me and waited for me, providing me with shelter from the wind and dragging me all the way to the line. If it wasn't for that guy I don't think I would have made it back. Seth held on and took second in the field sprint for a placing of 4Th. When all was said and done the winner (pro triathlete I'm told) had put 10 minutes into the field. I ended up finishing 18th despite the mishaps.

What an awesome course. I will definitely be returning next year if I can convince team mates to make the trek. I can't tell you how much it helps having them around. If for nothing else the moral support of riding with guys you know is huge. There is no way I would have made it as far as I did if Seth and Smitty weren't right there. Top class.