Walking up Nicholson Avenue towards registration you are confronted with Cat’s Hill. It kind of disappears into the trees making it look longer than it really is. As we all know it isn’t the length of the climb that is the problem. It is the 23% grade that makes you pause and think what I an getting myself into.
I parked in the park-n-ride lot right off of Hwy 9. Walked over to the course to get my number and see what was going on. Was able to see Alec finish up his race. Chatted with Gaz, Ziggy, and Scott for a few before heading back to warmup. Put in a good 45min+ effort on the trainer. Then rolled back over to the course. Found out they were running about 30 minutes behind schedule so I rode around trying to stay warm. I got to the staging area just as they let us onto the course.
There were 55 of us lined up. I was somewhere midpack . Since they were running late the 35+ 4/5 race was shortened to 10 laps from 12. That kind of changes things a bit. I had decided to race Cat’s Hill competitively as opposed to just trying to finish. Not that I had any idea what that would entail. Whistle finally blows and boom we are off. The only sketchy part of the race for me was the first time into turn one. I took a tight inside line and had a guy dive the corner on me. Had to stand on the brakes or get stacked into the curb. The road surface is pretty messed up but, I really think that it adds to the character of the race. The only thing I was worried about was the seam down the center of the road. It’s the perfect size to grab a wheel and end your day. Turn 2 is another 90 degree right which takes you onto Massol and the lead in to the hill. Left turn and you hit the wall. Better hope your in the right gear. I thought I was the first time up. Was in the big ring but instead of the 27t cog I was in the 24t cog. Made it a bit hard toward the top. I hit the top of the hill mid bunch. Then went to work moving up. On the little rise in turn 4 I turned the screws and moved into 4th or 5th wheel. The descent down Bachman and the high speed turn back on to Tait were my favorite part of the course. The pavement in the turn is pretty torn up but I had no problem railing it at 30+. So I sat near the front for the first 5 laps really focused on what was going on in front of me. I tried different gearing up the hill but should have stayed with the 50×27 combo. After the 5th time up the hill I see Erik for the first time. He was saying something but I was not paying attention. The sixth up the climb I finally heard Gaz and the Duncan crew cheering for us. Funny thing was that was about the time I blew up. Crested the hill OK but on the little rise in turn 4 I blew sky high. Like I threw out an anchor. Went on for two more laps till I got pulled. Nuts. Rode around for a few cooling down. I wasn’t to bummed about getting pulled though. I was glad I raced aggressively and just didn’t sit in for a pack finish. I’ll be back next year and hopefully I learned a few things this time out. Thanks go out to everyone who was out there supporting Team Fremont. Especially the Duncan family. Definately could hear you as I worked my way up the hill. Also props to all who raced : Bill,John,Thomas,Alec,Erik and Gonzalo. I’m putting my $.02 in and saying that this should be a TTE next year.
Mike