Zach Hilton Gilroy City Council Member: September 2013

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Mt Tam HC Race Report

Mt Tam Hill Climb Stinson Beach (Elite 4’s)

Field Size: 29

Placing: 19

Start Time: 9:55am (Finishing time 00:51:36)

Teammates: None

Average Speed: 13.9 MPH, Top Speed 38.6 MPH

Average HR: 179 Max HR: 189

Power: 257 avg 654 max

Elevation Ascent: 2,470 Ft.

Weather: 67.6 deg avg, sunny, strong headwind first 4 miles, warmer on the top of the mountain

Race Data http://tpks.ws/eu9b

This was my second time riding this course. Everyone talks about being ready for the first 4 miles riding down to the turn onto the climbing portion. Some groups go out attacking and I wanted to be ready for that. Miles 4.5-8.5 were the toughest with 7% avg grade and the rest was 2.3% avg grade. Big sweeping left hand downturn and a hilltop finish. There was a strong headwind today on the 4 mile stretch. Things would play out a lot slower because of this. I wanted to get sub 49 minutes today, and trying to peak today for this race. I feel fresh coming off a 3^rd place at Fremont Peak 6 days ago. It took me around 2 hours to arrive at Stinson Beach, CA. Great destination and awesome starting on the beach! I wanted to get a 45 min warm-up at least, but settled with 30 min.

Large group of 29 racers. There is no 35+ in this race so I registered in the Elite 4’s. I got to the line early and made sure I was up front. I stayed 7^th wheel for the 1^st 2 miles and then the front wanted to start a pace line. This is probably what slowed us down, however the guys up front were taking a beating with the wind. We had to pass up a bunch of century riders, and this completely screwed up our pace line. It was obvious some of the racers had no idea how to be in a pace line. I found myself too far back because of this at around mile 3 so I began to move up on the outside. I took on some wind, but moved up to 4^th place on the turn to the climb. Attack!!! The entire front of the group just began attacking each other all across the open road. I held with them for a ½ mile and then backed off. I’ll catch some of them after I settle in and they blow up. There were a few of us left now and I was using the shortest line on the road between turns. Around mile 6 it levels off a bit and I switched into the big ring. I was now starting to gain some ground on guys that went out to hard. Before you get to the seven sisters segment you go through a really dark part of road that you can fly on. I took my sunglasses off for it this year. After fogging them up just prior to this stretch, you really cant see anything. The seven sisters segment felt great this year. I was passing up riders from other categories and building momentum on the rollers. I was ready for the big sweeping left turn to the finish and gave it my all!

No PR for the course time because we went 2:30 minutes slower on the first 4 miles, but I PR’ed on the climbing portion! Now it’s time to for a 2 week build before the final race of the season. The Mt Diablo Challenge on Oct 6^th. Please consider donatingto Save Mt Diablo in my name. My goal is a sub 54 minute time.

My next race is our SJBC club stage race Sept 28-29 in San Jose.

Thanks to SJBC!

Thanks to my teammates!

Thanks to Clif Bar!

Thanks to Concept Cyclery!

Thanks to Specialized!

Thanks for reading!

Fremont Peak HC Race Report 3rd Place

Fremont Peak HC San Juan Bautista, CA (35+ 4’s)

Field Size: 7

Placing: 3

Start Time: 10:20am (Finishing time 00:48:39)

Teammates: Andy Crews, Manny Managbanag

Average Speed: 18.6 MPH, Top Speed 47.8 MPH

Average HR: 183 Max HR: 194

Power: 243 avg 768 max

Elevation Ascent: 2,451 Ft.

Weather: 82.2 deg avg, sunny no wind, warmer on the top of the mountain

Race Data http://tpks.ws/IpAz

This is my 3^rd time racing Fremont Peak HC. Its a great course to see how well I am climbing for the upcoming Mt Diablo Challenge on Oct 4^th. My goals were for a sub 49 min, carry no water bottles or cages, and survive to the top. Mile 1-6 (3-6%) rollers similar to Calaveras Rd, mile 6-8 (10%) attack point right before mile 8 when gradient levels and rollers come back. Mile 9 flattens and you can drill it to the finish. You dont need drinks and food for anything less than one hour. I also wanted to arrive earlier to races, and have time to do a long warm-up. You need to be firing on all cylinders from the start. My pre-race meal routine has been the same for a few races now. See other race reports for that info. I have added some super foods to the dinner plan the night before. Kale and Arugula Salad. It has lean turkey meat, sunflower seeds, avocado, and fresh roasted beets. Email me for the recipe.

I arrived 2 hours before my race started. It was really hot here in the valley this weekend. I brought a pop up tent with me to warm up under. There is no shade here at the start line. I got a one hour warm-up on the trainer, and it felt great! Legs were open and I was hydrating well. Packed it all up and got a 10 minute road warm-up and was at the starting line 10 minutes before the start. We were combined with the 55+ 1,2,3s, and the 45+ 4s. Like always its hard to know who is in which category so you just race hard, and at your own pace. You don’t want to blow up in this race because you went with the wrong guy. Race starts out double wide and center line rule is in place the entire race. Miles 1-6 were pretty tame. I managed to stay 7-10^th wheel for most of it. Some accelerations at the front but nothing was sticking. At mile 4ish Alexander K and a few stayed away from the main group. They were brought back though right before we started to get to the climb…with no help from any SJBCer! I began to fall off the front group right before mile 6. I couldnt hold with that group and I new the hardest part was coming up. No cramping and still feeling great on the bike. I settled into my climbing pace and still had no idea where I was placing in the race. I knew 2 35+ guys were ahead of me, but that was it. I always tell people to attack right before mile 8 on this course because if you don’t know this course it looks like the climb keeps going, but actually it turns into rollers as you crest over mile 8-8.5. From miles 6-8 I was by myself and using the entire road. Always using the shortest line on the road to reach the next turn. You can actually gain a lot of time doing this when no one is around you. Around mile 8.5 I was beginning to burn out a bit and looking for some inspiration. The views up on Fremont Peak are amazing! I turned around to see if anyone was behind me, and I saw Andy C. on the wheel of a rider chasing me down. Thats the motivation I needed! Dug deep and as I reached mile 9 and shifted into the big ring for the rest of the race. Andy C. did a great job by staying on that guys wheel. He conserved his power and didn’t contribute to chasing down a teammate. The last mile is super fast and technical. Before you know it you are at the finish line. No time to waste here, just bury yourself. I ended up in 3^rd place by only 8 seconds. My first podium!