The course was an 18+ mile loop in Idyllwild Back country. Absolutely beautiful course, but extremely challenging. By far the most Technical race I have ever ridden and I was talking with a few of the PRO riders who had the same to say.
I attacked out of the Gun with my usual strategy: Try to get as big a gap as possible on the first couple of climbs and then hope that no one catches me on the descents. The gun went off and I sprinted for hole shot, as the first climb was a rocky single track and I knew I needed to be first in line if I was going to have a chance. I reached the top of the climb and there was still a rider on my wheel. Not a good sign. He quickly passed me on the first decent and I caught him again on the flat. It was neck and neck for the first half of the race until another rider from our class caught up. We all stayed together until the first long downhill section when the lead rider took off. I stayed neck right ahead of the rider behind as we suffered through technical descents and even more technical ascents. It was an off again on again affair and due to the technical nature of the second half of the course, my fitness was of little use. I put some time into the rider behind me, but after my 4th crash of the day he finally passed me up and that was the last I saw of him. I limped in to the finish line with a time that put me 12th overall and 3rd in my class. An awesome race, through some of the most beautiful country in all of Southern California, but definitely not a "roadie course". I'm sure Ill be back for more next year!
Results:
Chester Gillmore - 3rd place, Cat 2 mens 19-19, 2:06:07 (11th overall Cat 2)
Steve Bertrand -4th place Cat 2 mens 55-59, 2:28:58
Results:
Chester Gillmore - 3rd place, Cat 2 mens 19-19, 2:06:07 (11th overall Cat 2)
Steve Bertrand -4th place Cat 2 mens 55-59, 2:28:58
No comments:
Post a Comment