2016 Sea Otter CAT 1 50-54, 5th Place

[Dave Benjamin]

   This was my 6th year at the Sea Otter Classic.  The first year doing the road gran fondo with my then 8th grade son, Carson (single speed Masi), then progressing through CAT 3, CAT 2 and the last two years in CAT 1.  I was stoked for this year's edition as it looked like the organizers had finally changed up the course to include more single track and I was going to see Carson race Pro Short Track and Pro Cross Country as a U23.

  For the race I set up my Highball with a Bontrager XR1 2.2 in front at 23 psi and 2.0 XR1 at 25 psi in back.  The bike was totally transformed with the fast rolling treads and the low pressure seemed to help in the sandy conditions.  

  My 50-54 category only had 13 riders and I noted Johnny O'Mara, Tinker Juarez and Mike Warren had aged up to 55-59.  I figured that was good for three places and was telling myself a top 8 might be possible.  As we rolled out of the start, the pace line formed with me in 9th heading out onto the first gravel hill.  I got into 8th soon after and at the top saw I had gapped the last 5 riders.  That gave me confidence knowing there were two extended climbs in the last part of the race.  Shannon Lee from Roaring Mouse, who I out sprinted at last week's Napa Valley Dirt Classic, was just ahead.  Entering the first uphill single track behind Shannon and Donny from Florida, I was feeling pretty amped up, so I got by both of them and managed to gap Shannon, but Donny held on.  Donny and I worked together for a good 6-8 miles increasing our lead over Shannon.  At the sand hike a bike, I out hiked Donny, as I wanted a good cushion going into the sand downhill, as Donny could really fly going down.  Thanks to Mike Warren's tips before the race, I aced the sand, thanks Mike!  Donny and I caught another rider soon after, moving us into 5th and 6th.  More downhills allowed Donny to catch and pass me at about the half way point.  Some how he got a huge gap and I lost track of him until the long fire road climb back toward the race track.  The whole race I had been waiting for this hill as it was the perfect climb for my riding style.  Seeing him far up the hill, I got into a good rhythm and let those fast tires go to work.  The catch happened about 1/2 way up and then built a couple minute gap before the last downhill.  I set a steady pace up the last climb, making sure no one was closing in and came across the finish line in 5th.  

   This was my favorite Sea Otter course to date, with a little bit of everything, except sketchy downhills, perfect!  

I was also fortunate to have so many fast guys age up to 55-59 this year.  I think I would have been about 10th in their age group.  Luckily I have one more year in 50-54.  

-Dave

  

[Cathy]

Great race Dave!