Carl Sanders's Blog (63)

Out to sharpen the edge, prime the engine for next week's Tahoe Sierra 100.

Thought I would try something a little different; I'd go out hard and fast on the assumption that so much of the finish is determined by start order out of the gate at these 'short' XC races. All Cat I 19 -34 (group #3) and 35- 44 (group #4) racers would go off in the second wave, two minutes behind the Pros.

The intense interval work on the steepest part of Oak Manor Drive paid off.…

Eldridge TT: Fish Grade to gate at Ridgecrest

2010 PB -- 38:38

03.3.11 -- 40:39

6.29.11 -- 38:23 

8.03.11 -- 36:43 (4.97% faster than 2010 PB)

I had a plan.

The game would play out in manageable chunks. Twelve hours of racing is too much to think about at once. I had studied the course map, calculated my needed carlorie intake, laid out my primary fuels, pre-filled the water bottles and set up my solo pit station.

The course ran through the redwoods across sweet flowing single track descents and up mellow fire road climbs. I figured a moderate 9 mile/hour pace around the 7.4 mile course would allow me to knock off 14…

It had been nearly 30 years since the original Grasshopper had been held at Annadel State Park. It took years of perseverance by Carlos and other dedicated Bike Monkeys to get this event off the ground once again. This time it was for a cause.  The money made by the race this day was to be given to the State Park to thwart off the threat that it might be closed due to the State's Budget Crisis.

An entire city block of downtown Santa Rosa was shut down to accommodate the 600+…

Levi pulled the group at a gentlemen's pace up the lower flat section of Bohemian Highway from Monte Rio. As the grade increased, so did the pace and intensity as we pulled a left in Occidental onto Graton Rd. Down the first descent, the pack began spreading out as the lead group hammered down toward Laguna Rd.

In our group of 15 or so riders, Brian kept it rolling on the only 26 bike in the peloton. Friendly Mig kept the chatter up and the chase group together, as we each pulled a…

This has not been my race. Last year at Sea Otter, I had just crested the first climb when my pedal fell apart. I coasted down, throwing the towel in a my top ten attempt. Bum deal.

This year, feeling strong and mostly recovered from last weekend's NVDC crash, I felt confident of pulling off a top ten, and quite possibly even a top five finish. No luck. 

Around the track and onto to the dirt, I hung on to the back of the lead riders in my group. Past the first climb and down…

The day started out well enough; riders congratulating me on last weekend's Boggs finish, perfect weather, relaxed warm-up, front row line up.  Stayed with the top ten on the run-up off the gun.  Moved up a few positions on flats past the airport. Rode smooth through the looping single track, relishing the smooth ride of my Superfly 100. Easy drop and climb into and out of the big rock-strewn rollers.

All going well. Feeling strong, moving up a few more places. Then, on one of the…

Last year I'd never even tried an eight hour race. For Boggs V, I gave it my best, not knowing exactly what to expect; I stayed relaxed and calm, attempting to tap the cumulative benefit of a winter's base training.

Somewhat to my surprise, I had finished with the best time and with the most laps among all the experts on that cold and muddy 10 mile course. Only 12 minutes behind Kevin Smallman, I would have been second in Pro and third overall (some single speed dude inched passed me…

It seemed that I got up on the wrong side of the bed. The daylight savings time change the night before, meant one hour less sleep. Despite not having ridden or done much the day before, I slogged through breakfast, not feeling entirely rested. Thankfully, Shiloh drove in the dark, while I tried to snooze, waiting for light and a clear mind.

As is often the case, I dreaded the start. Lining up in the second row, I searched for inspiration, attempting to simultaneously stay relaxed and…

One last push. Just past the final hike-a-bike section, one mile from the finish, where I had earlier in the day dodged my way through a mess of downed riders, my rear derailleur suddenly seized up and I abruptly skidded to a stop. Moments before, I had concluded that 4th or 5th place was in the bag, ‘unless something catastrophic happens’.…