Mt. Hood Circuit Race - DFL

Jason thinks my cockpit is a bit much with the Garmin and SRM.  Particularly when I have to wear 2 heart rate monitor straps for the 2 units.  Jason uses the new Garmin also and late in the race, one of the pro racers, Tim Johnson (former cyclocross national champion) asked Jason "you watch video on that thing?"

Funny story bout my SRM, below.

My old stage racing handle, given to me a few years back at the Tour of The Gila was "Big Jim of the Peloton."  Today I was given another recognition (later...)

The Men's pro race break lap 3/5.  Tall guy 2nd wheel w/ 42" legs is more recent cyclocross national champion Ryan Trebon.  Ryan is Jason's friend and when they ride together and Ryan stands to sprint Jason says his saddle almost hits Jason in the head....

The beautiful pro women racers, for Wes, natch

The Centerpiece of the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic - Mt. Hood!!

Wes is always tryig to confince me to take an ice bath for recovery.  Well Sager decided we should go stand in the freezing cold Hood River for 10 minutes.  We'll see if that helps us tomorrow.

Why is it that I can finish last in my class, and yet feel good about my ride?  I started at 9:05 in the 35+ class (45+, ie me, racing combined, scored separately.)  The 2/3 race started at 9:00.  We started the 19 mile circuit (10 mile continuous climb then 9 mile descent.)  4 10-mile climbs with 3 9-mile descents.

I got popped 5 miles into the first climb, when the 2-3% grade turned to 5+%.  Fortunately there were 3 others with me who paced me to the top of the climb so I returned the favor and did alot of the work on the downhill.  We picked up a few guys on the descent and had a group of 7 for the next couple of lap.  The last lap and a half we picked up a few guys who were all from the 2/3 group.

I heard a funny rubbing or whirring noise early in the race and it sounded like it was coming from my front wheel.  I hoped that it was coming from someone elses bike, but the noise did follow me around the pack.  Kinda forgot about it.  20 miles into the race I noticed my SRM wasn't reading speed.  I pushed the sensor closer to the magnet (carefully so as not to lose a finger.)  No speed reading.  Then I noticed the wire leading to the sensor was in 2 pieces.  Must have been rubbing between the brake and rim for a while then broke.  Oh well, quick job for Rick when I get home....

I had to ease up in the last kilometer the final time up the climb as the guys in my group were eager to be finished and I just couldn't keep it going with them.  Lost about 30 seconds.   We rode (actually coasted) down the 10 mile climb after we finished and was told by the guys I had ridden with that I was the "most courageous descender."   So maybe new nick name?  Courageous Descender?

Anyways I am placed last in the 45+ class, but ahead of a few of the 35+ guys, so not sure if that qualifies me for DFL or not.  

Sager had a good race.  Off the front in the break with his friend Ryan Trebon, then sat up at the top of the climb to get back into the bunch and conserve energy.  The pro men did the 10 mile climb 5 times for around 10,000 feet of climbing.  Jason finished about a minute back, in the middle of a splintered field thru the finish line.

Tomorrow.  The race of truth.  The TT.  18.5 miles w/ 2000 feet climbing.  Ouch.