This was fun. I have ridden up the mountain before but have never raced up it. Racing brings some extra pain. I started out really well and rode well the whole way. I wasn't sure what kind of time I would get and I am quite pleased with it. Especially since I was riding a 42 chain ring with a 12-25. I think there was only 1 other tri bike out there.

As I rode up the mountain, I started to see some people in the distance riding. They guy ahead of me had a 1 minute head start. We were going off in intervals but they had a 1 minute gap because the guy ahead of me was not there. (they let everyone go in 30 second intervals).

About 1/2 way up as I thought I was still gaining on the guy ahead of me, 2 guys from behind came blowing by. They were really moving. I kept grinding and then could see the guy that started ahead of me again. There turned out to be 2 there. I finally caught them with about 1/2 mile to go. I rode hard and into the finish squinting one eye that was filled with salt as I went by a photographer.

Well... a road bike with some better gearing options... but you have to do with that which you have and I did well.

Watched LaVerne and Kevin finish the rode back down to the car... went to the post race festivities at Spokes. Chorizo and eggs... yum.


The hill and my TT setup... not a hill climbing machine but I sure to attack the hills.


This was my first "bike" race and it was fun. The crowd was different as it was a road cyclist crowd. I had a lot of fun punishing myself as I pushed it up the hill.

Punish = reward :)