Old Caz' Grasshopper 2015

[Jim Hewett]

Feel free to see my race report archives for numerous posts on this race from years past that discuss the unique nature of Grasshopper "adventure rides" - this one is going to get down to business.

The dead of winter in Northern California;  sunny and warm, mostly dry.

For the first time in years, I chose to race a cyclocross bike instead of a mountain bike.  My new Trek Boone Disc was outfitted with carbon rims (23mm internal) and Specialized Trigger Pro 33mm tubeless tires (38psi rear, 36psi front), 34/50 chainrings, and 11-36 rear cassette.  SRAM hydro discs were trying to slow me down with 140mm rotors front and rear.

I knew the lack of grip on these file tread tires would cost me some time on the loose descents, but I was hoping that the light weight and low rolling resistance would make up for it on the pavement and climbs.

This event sold out, once again, at 400 riders, though only 20 or so would really be racing it hard.  Levi, Barry Wicks, Michael Hosey, and Shane Bresneyan were all guys that had beaten me on this course before.  I was told to watch Neil Shirley, an Old Caz' first-timer.  Lots of other fast guys around, among them Phil Mooney, Kurt Wolfgang, Sam Lueck, Chas Christianson, and Tony Smith.

It warmed up quickly for our 10:00 a.m. start.  Things were pretty well organized as we made the right turn to climb Coleman Valley Rd, and the pace was more than civil.  The field thinned out a bit by the top and a little more as we rolled over to the Willow Creek descent.  I went onto the dirt in 10th place, reluctant to go as fast as I wanted.  I rode conservatively to avoid crashing or flatting and lost 5 places by the time we were down on the flats.

I dug hard and reconnected with the group ahead of me, only to realize that 7 or so guys were off the front pretty far.  That is where I wanted to be, but I couldn't get there by myself.  Glenn Fant, Tony Smith, Chas, two others and I tried to organize and chase through the broken pavement and muddy puddles.  We passed Neil Shirley with a flat and lost Kurt Wolfgang to some mechanical issues.

Once we were out to Highway 1, we could see the lead group in the far distance.  Usually, we would have been able to rejoin them with some effort, but not this time.  They were blasting it and we were not exactly working together smoothly.  I did what I could to push the pace and conserve energy, biding my time 'till the steep climbing on Duncan Rd.

At mile 20, we made that right turn and started going up.  I pulled away from our group of 6 and quickly caught Ryan Gibson, who had fallen off of the lead group.  I moved by him and out of sight, climbing smoothly and descending as fast as I dared.  I rode by myself over to the start of the Old Cazadero Rd climb, where I was second guessing my route finding enough to sit up and let the others catch me.  Once together and on course, we started up the steep paved road.  I was at the front, steadily pushing the pace.  We dropped a few riders until only Tony, Chas, a guy named Andrew, and I remained.  This is how we started the fireroad descent to Austin Creek, where Tony and I got away a little.  We discussed our options and slowed on the climb after the creek to let them catch up;  four would be better than two on the windy paved roads back over to Willow Creek.  Andrew caught us, but Chas wasn't in sight.  We three made it safeley over to the pavement, where we scooped up another victim of the blistering pace of the front group, Shane Bresneyan.

He fell in with us and we kept a steady paceline to 116 and onto Willow Creek.  Andrew fell off as we hammered back along the busted pavement for the final climb back up Willow Creek Rd.  I had been eating and drinking well, and my tire/bike selection was an advantage on this climb.  I knew I still had gas in the tank, so I pushed the pace at the front, slowly riding away from Shane.  Tony stayed with me until the steep section, where I kept pushing and opened a decent gap.  I was hoping to catch another shattered racer, but the next time I saw the leaders was at the finish line.

52 miles in 3 hours.  Not a bad day of training and I finished 5th overall.  I enjoyed some food and drink as we watched the other racers come in, listening to the stories, both glorious and tragic, that racers tell.