Mount Tam Double Century 2015 'Wind in My Sails'

[Carl Sanders]

Just never know what might happen at these double events. 

Somehow, from somewhere, I managed a fairly descent ride at the tail end of my 'racing season'.

The week prior to the Mount Tam Double (MTD), the final race in the CA Triple Crown series,I felt strangely tired and un-motivated. Telling signs of true burn-out for certain.

I thought at least that this unenthusiastic mood would make  for a good taper leading up to the MTD.

Way out of contention for a Stage podium this year, after my first two lack-luster performances, I had no strong expectations or goals. Instead, I vowed to ride my own race, maybe even enjoy myself.

My simple strategy was to lay low and take it easy out the gate. No need to get over excited or chase down those rabbits. It was far better to stay together, conserving energy during take-off, than to burn up precious fuels needed for a safe landing later on. Time to channel my inner Choi, renowned Triple Crown Stage Legend, when he has reminded us countless times during past races of the long day ahead.

I also reminded myself ‘to race like you train’. No sense seeking that new performance threshold now.

Watching the legendary current MTD record holder MarC Moons go down hard just in front of me in the loose gravel at the intersection of Lucas Valley and Nicasio, really put a damper on any desire I may have had to push limits early in the game. 

Over Tam, in the cool overcast, I held to my own pace. No KOM points awarded here for burning candles too early. No need to attack or be the hero.

In my own backyard, I definitely had the home-field advantage on the long descent off East Peak. I the lead top group down the smooth ride into Muir Woods, where I flew across the dry sections and eased off on the fog-dampened slick corners. Seemed I was feeling pretty good after-all.

North on Highway One in the lifting fog, I cruised comfortably along with a strong and steady group of nine leading the pack. Strange not to have MarC in our midst, but I was glad to have seen him back on the bike, looking either angry and/or in pain, powering up Tam as we began our descent. 

After a brief stop in Point Reyes for food and water, we continued our brisk rotation east toward Petaluma under an overcast sky. I kept up a steady and consistent intake of fuel and water, remembering the old adage, ‘drink before you’re thirsty and eat before you’re hungry’. Good time-proven advice.

At the lunch stop in Petaluma, I made the mistake of braving the crowds, seeking more water as part of this strategy. Unfortunately, somewhere in this chaos of what seemed to be thousands of riders, I lost the lead group and ending up back on the road solo, in no-man’s-land. Motoring north into a steady head wind, past the throngs of other century riders, the lead group was no where in sight. ‘Do I race ahead or pace myself?’ I kept asking  all the way into Valley Ford. All those miles alone, face into the breeze, was not part of my plan.

As I was pulling into Valley Ford Rest Stop, Aaron and Brandon, followed closely behind by Gary, Glen and then Michael were already back on the road heading north. Into anotherjumbled mess of riders at this rest stop, I once again got frustrated scrambling off my bike to find water and check in. Miguel appeared to be in the same boat. 

He and I finally broke free from this time-sucking quagmire, and got back on the road in pursuit of the top five riders. To our surprise, just a few minutes from Valley Ford, Gary, Glen and Michael had turned around on Highway One, thinking that they had missed a turn. They hadn’t, but this section of road is must seem strangely empty without all the Century riders, which must have thrown them off. Turning around, frustrated by their own lost time, our new group of five then rolled ahead over those annoying bumps en-route to Bayhills Rd. when Michael challenged us to chase down Aaron and Brandon, but I just did’t have it in me. Those many miles alone into Valley Ford had taken their toll. Michael took off alone, not be seen again, leaving Gary, Glen, Miguel and I to battle it out. 

Just prior to the Coleman Valley climb off Highway One, we surprisingly overtook Brandon, who appeared to be faltering. Then, over Coleman Valley Gary started falling off the pace as well. After a super refreshing and quick rest stop near the top, the remaining four of us bombed, down the bumpy Joy(less) Road toward Valley Ford, when Miguel unfortunately flatted. He appeared to have what he needed for repairs, and was left by the side of the road as Gary, Glen and I sailed past Valley Ford, along Tomales Bay, over Marshall Wall and into Hicks Valley as we traded leads, buoyed by a strong coastal tailwind.

Past Nicasio, Gary quietly slipped off the back and Glen seemed to be fading fast, apologizing for not taking his share of pulls. I still kept charging forward, glad for the company, his funny Irish accent and the brief respite each time Glen jumped out front for a quick pull as we motored up and over Lucas Valley Road, with the wind and sun on our backs.

Into the Civic Center at 11:14 with Glen still on my tail, he and I finished third and forth behind Aaron and Michael who tied for first, some 10+ minutes in front of us. Gary rolled in shortly after, then Miguel for fifth and sixth positions.


A good day indeed.