Held the fourth Sunday in May, this second annual event was a big success. The turnout was one indication with 55 riders starting and most of them finishing. This was roughly double what we had last year. The course was similar with the only change being the route up to the top of the grade. Instead of the most direct connection along 101 and up the Stage Rd., we instead went around the back of Cal Poly and took Stenner Crk up to the RR tracks and then around the bend to hook up with the Stage Rd. This added about 4 miles to the race almost all of it on dirt. The fastest finisher took almost a half hour longer to finish than last year, and as it was the Blake Anton once again the winner I believe that indicates a harder course. Everyone liked this year's race better.
My own race went well considering I have not been as consistant in my training compared to last year, but I did take care to follow an good peaking schedule in the month or so leading up to it. My only competition in the "Fastest Winemaker" catagory, Matt Brain both went off course by a mile or so and crashed hard allowing me to catch and drop him on the single track section. Despite my own dubious talents on narrow and skinny trails I still pulled a sizable gap. Luckily my legs came alive once I hit pavement again for the second half and I turned over a big gear to come in strong. Matt actually caught Andy M. and I in town, but I suspect that he blew his wad chasing as he cracked when I put a bit of pressure on a mile or three from the finish and dropped both he and Andy to finish solo in 21st place and at 4 hours and 15 minutes more or less. That was the best I'd hoped for. Gave it my all and had a good day and good luck. What more can you ask for?
