SoNoMas 100

[Carl Sanders]

Mixed it up with the Pro class this time. All Expert riders were expected to share this opportunity. Rumor had it that a hand full of Tour riders were among the starters. Levi I could recognize. The rest looked unfamiliar, but formidable. Unlike the blazing heat of last year that contributed to the whole racing falling apart, the sky was overcast and the temperature cool this time. Counter-clockwise around Lake Sonoma, the 35 mile course promised to be relentless; steep climbs, followed by loose descents, no place to roll it out.

As usual, I finished about where I started. On the road, rolling up the dam and across the bridge, I held with the top 20 riders. I know they could hear my pain or at least the incessant creaking coming apparently from my damn headset or fork! I chased with what I had, attempting to hold my position. Steady and strong on the climbs, I'd be able to hold on or gap riders around me, only to be caught on the next steep drop. Over and over, this pattern repeated. My weak technical descending skills once again showing through.

Somewhere around mile 20, ready for more water, I rolled into the Camel Back Aid Station and called out to the Station workers 'fill me up!' handing over my hydration pack over for a re-fill. They looked completely perplexed. One of them handed me a bottle. 'No!' I exclaimed. 'Re-fill my Camel Back!' Not quite prepared for this request, they scrambled to find an available jug of water. All finally figured out, I rolled back onto the course, having let two riders slip by. Damn!

For most of the last ten miles, I saw no other riders. Not having a rabbit to chase, my speed must have dropped off some. When fatigue starting to affect my handling, I eased off even more on the sketchy downhill sections. I wanted to finish this race intact.

Off the sweet rolling last section of single track, I blazed down the paved road, crossing the finish in 3:38.

It seemed that many of the top ten riders may actually make their living riding bikes. Go figure. Can't say that I really rolled with them much during this race, except at the start, but the opportunity to share the course and compare times was a thrill. Most of the Experts rolled in some distance back from these Pros. My 18th place was certainly not in the chase peloton at the finish, but rather almost 39 minutes behind Levi who rolled in just under three hours! That man is on his game.

Until next time...

[Paul Montgomery]

Man, your on a long season... nice job!