Date: March 23, 2002
Event: Sea Otter Classic Men’s Road Circuit Race
Category: Master 30+ 4/5
Time: ~37 minutes
Laps: 6
Place: 6th
Field: 100

The abuse of the previous day’s road race was still lingering in my legs when I began Saturday’s circuit race. We were scheduled to race for 50 minutes on the Laguna Seca race track. I kept wondering how I would manage to climb up the hill to the top of the corkscrew so many times?

I knew I had to be at the front of the pack each time we started the climb. If I didn’t then I risked being dropped off the back and the race would be over. So I coaxed my legs into high gear and gritted my teeth for the climbs.

Only three laps into the race and they announce three laps to go! Whoa, what the heck happened to the race? They were cutting it short. But that would be to my advantage. With only three to go the heat was turned up. The pace quickened, especially on the hill.
My mood changed from “hang on” to “attack”! I knew it was very important to stay up front. And I made sure to hit the climb and get up the darn thing as fast as I could.

But, I still ended at the back of the lead group at the start of the descent. I watched the tail end of riders drop into the corkscrew as I sprinted to hook on.

Luckily, my descending was rock solid and I easily caught and passed several riders. It was really sketchy though. There was a strong cross wind that hit us as we reached max speed while dropping into the left hand corner under the footbridge.

One guy hit the wind and veered to the right and almost took me out. That would have been fun since I was peaking around 50 M.P.H. at that point. I tried an inside line the next lap and almost got pinched into the dirt by another rider. Oh, they sure were not playing fair!

As we approached the hill for the final lap there was an instant attack. Everyone jumped off their saddles and stood to hammer the hill. Oh the early season lactic build up. It’s too early for that kind of burn!

I managed to hang on to the tail once more before dropping into the corkscrew. The descent is awesome. Instantly up to speed (look at the blue speed line on the graph) and screaming down the course.

The lead riders were hitting the headwind and this allowed me to catch on. The pack pulled itself around the backside of the course and up the last rise. As we rolled over the top of the rise another attack began.

The pack reacts and we dive into the sweeper left corner. I’m on the inside line and 15 riders back. It’s sketchy riding in a pack as we all carve around the corner. Crash!!! The unmistakable sound of bike metal contacting pavement. The riders ahead part and there in the middle of the course is a rider down with his bike. We split and pass, myself just missing by inches.

I manage to see my friend Evan forced off the outside onto the dirt as the pack splits. He uses his cyclocross skills to maintain control and steer back onto the course.

But, the leaders have jumped, having been spurred by the crash and a chance to get ahead of the pack. I jump and sprint hard after them. Picking off one guy after the next. I’ve moved into the top 10 as we round the last corner before the finish.

I’m in the middle of the track and have set myself up behind a strong rider. I’m ready for the sprint. And there it goes up the left side! Then the right! Then the rider ahead of me jumps! I’m on him and we surge forward. But then he veers to the right and heads for the sprinters going up the side. I’m blocked by riders to my right and can’t follow.

So I have to solo up the middle. It’s full on sprint time! I’m spinning up the cranks, head is down, but I’m watching the riders ahead. I’m accelerating but the finish line is coming up fast and the leaders are still ahead. I pick out the 5th place guy and surge to beat him to the line. I’m closing in, the finish line is closing, I’m at his wheel, the finish line is right here! I thrust the bike forward as we pass over the finish line. Too close to call!

I shut the engines down and coast up the track knowing I’m 5th or 6th.

And that’s how it finishes; I end up with a 6th place. This earns me a podium spot and a medal! I’m one happy racer.

Cheers!

p.s. Here are my Polar S710 heart rate graphs from the race.