Carl Sanders's Blog – April 2011 Archive (3)

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…