The Cote 2015

This was the 6th annual running of this "outlaw" race. It was the 2nd year without a formal sponsor since Tolosa pulled out. I got a bit of a late start organizing it and getting the word out, yet 25 or so riders showed up so not too bad. The course was a return to the pattern on the first three. It most closely resembled the third Cote. We left from Bang the Drum on Orcutt in SLO at a few minutes after 8:00. We rode through town to Cal Poly and then up Stenner Creek Rd. to the RR tracks. A couple miles along the tracks and then dropped onto the Stagecoach Rd. From there up and onto TV Tower Rd for 10 miles or so of tough mostly vertical riding. Then straight down some challenging single track to Cerro Alto campground. Highway 41 to Morro Bay, and then back to town via Turri Rd, and LOVR with the official finish at the top of Foothill. The day was foggy and cool, which was ideal. The winning time was 3:05 at a 17+ mph average! My own average a much more modest 12mph. I approached it this year more as a ride than a race choosing the MTB over the skinny tired touring bike as the more comfortable rig. While the MTB was less punishing on the dirt, it was so slow on the pavement, I'm not sure it was the fastest choice. Regardless I got a great workout. My legs were still deeply fatigued this morning commuting to work.