Super Sweetwater 2014 'Ready for the Devil'

[Carl Sanders]

A good day to ride.

One week before the Devil Mountain Double, I needed one last primer to sharpen my edge, shake out sludge. A 60 mile Hopper over west Sonoma County mountain roads seemed the perfect last intensity push prior to easing off before digging deep across the 200 miles and 18K in climbing at the Devil the following weekend.

On course, I see many familiar faces, many at the same locales along the route seen in previous Hoppers. We start in Occidental and roll out neutral for 10 or so miles - a much safer way to get this show on the road and an ideal warm-up to boot.

Giving just 90% effort this round, trying to save something in the bank for the deep withdrawal I'll need the following week, I motor along at a comfortable pace out the gate.

Moving up through 150+ strong pack from the start at River Front Park was the first task.

Sticking with the top 30 or so over Sweetwater was the next objective.

Staying clear of the multiple riders going down on crazy steep, decreasing radius turns on the steep backside of Sweetwater was the next focus. One after another, I watched and steered clear of failed late breaking efforts that ended with slow speed wreaks over the outside road edge.

Clear to the bottom, then into a pace line with Mig and half a dozen or so other riders, we motored along the Russian River to the base of the Old Caz Climb. Glad for the OSMO Aid at the top of this very familiar climb, I kept my downhill run in check past a few more broken and flatted bikes on the muddy descent. Why do these guys run 23cc flimsy racing tires?

The cool scramble across the creek felt good on hot legs. A loose gravelly climb on the other side of the creek is always a challenge on any skinny road tires. 

Back on pavement, up the Fort Ross climb, I chatted with MIg, the race organizer, Brian, 7 time Terrible Two winner and course record holder as well as Gabe, local rider extraordinaire. Brian and Gabe walk away from me near the second summit and Mig drifts off behind, HERO camera rolling calling out to those leaving him behind, 'you'll miss out on being in my movie...it's gonna be porn!' Intrigued, I still keep chugging ahead, but not killing it in pursuit of Gabe or Brian. Not my day to blow it all up. 

Solo down the screaming Meyers descent to Highway One, I'm grateful for the tailwind and moderate coastal temps heading south. Perfect riding conditions.

Still solo across the Russian River and south to Coleman Valley, I begin to zone out with no rabbits to chase and no pace line to hold my attention. A sharp left off Highway One onto the final climb up Coleman Valley still shows no one out front or behind me. I've slipped into no-man's land again. Oh well. Down shift, stand up, pedal on.

I swear Mig pushes the finish further up the hill each year. One bump after another, I finally get passed near the top, but lack the motivation to challenge the attack.

At 3:43, I'm in 19th place at the finish, just inside my goal of a top 20 position.

Ready for the Devil.