Mt Diablo Challenge

Zachary Hilton

Diablo, CA 
Place: 61
Field:  404
Teammates: Alexander Komlik, Andy Crews

Weather:  70 degrees avg. sunny and getting warmer as you climb, direct sun was melting me :)

Start Time:  08:30 am

Total Time: 00:56:16
Power: 244 W avg, 569 W max, 251 W NP  

Average Speed: 11.55 MPH, Top Speed 31.30 MPH

Average HR: 183 Max HR: 193

Elevation Ascent: 3,120 ft

Training Peaks Data
Results Mt Diablo Challenge 2014

Mt Diablo Challenge!   First off thanks to all my donors who supported Save Mt Diablo in my name this year.  This mountain represents everything cycling has offered to me, and it is who I have become today.  You can see this majestic mountain all over the Bay Area.  I see it on a regular basis when I ride to work from Pleasanton, and there are areas near my Fire Station where I can see it.  Mt Diablo Challenge was the first race that I ever competed in.  I got a time of 01:12:00 and that was in 2010.  In 2014 I achieved a time of 56:16!  My goal was to go sub 54 min, and that was a tough goal to meet.  I got a personal record (PR) however of over 1 minute.  Those seemingly little milestones are actually a foundation that you build on when trying to go faster up this mountain. It lives up to its name Diablo Challenge!  You are fighting your brain and body after a few miles into this race.

I'm riding my 2009 Specialized Tarmac with the new Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set.  I want the new 2015 Tarmac :)  I ride a 53/39 11/28 for most races.  I am also racing with my Race Rim 32 Carbon Tubulars, and Vittoria Corsa EVO CX Tubulars.  My goals were to go sub 54 min, improve my time on the climb, and enjoy the life I have!   I arrived early and warmed up on the trainer for around 45 minutes.  Pack a bag for the top.  The organizers will sag a bag to the top for you.  I always pack a pair of shorts, shirt, hat, bottle, and shoes.  You are at the top for over an hour eating, hanging out, and walking around.  Make sure the bag is something that you can descend with after.  You'll also be able to get some free items at the top.  We lined up in our Waves with 15 minutes to hang out and wait.  I lined up next to my teammate Alexander Komlik.  Kudos to Alexander for showing up to this race.  He was in a bad accident earlier this Summer on the bike.  He has guts to come back from that and still climb this mountain in under an hour.  As always I saw Stuart from Cushman & Wakefield!  This has been a traditional good luck handshake for the past 2 year.  I was planning on trying to hold Stuart's wheel in a group for as long as I could.  I carried 1 bottle of Hammer Nutrition with me.  It was a warm day and sure enough I needed all of it.

Wave 1 is off and we are spread all over the road.  You still have to work your way around guys that sign up for Wave 1 but really aren't under an hour guys.  I always stay within the top 25 riders as we make our way around some turns before we hit South Gate.  Seems that most guys can handle their bikes pretty well in Wave 1.  I am not sure about the other waves of riders coming through that first section.  The pace was good for me this year climbing up to the pay station.  As we weave around the turns there's room between us to take the momentum of the turn while staying in a draft position.  I was also keeping an eye on my watts and trying to stay around 275 W.  That's my FTP right now.  This race is about saving as much energy as you can while not loosing time.  Each time you drink, sit up, soft pedal, and etc...that is time lost overall.  As we were climbing to the pay station the sun was extra hot today.  That was going to play a negative factor for me.  The top 15 guys started to move ahead quickly and a group started to form around me of about 15.  It was a fast pace and this was the group I wanted to stay with through Rock City and hopefully to the junction.  Stuart was also in this group and I after some words of encouragement from him I stayed close to him.  We hit the pay station single file and strung out as we raced through Rock City.  Once we started the slight downhill there were some accelerations in the front that I was ready for.  We started to climb again near Curry Point and I was sitting 6th place.  I was watching two Team Fremont guys pacing each other but not taking the inside line. No center line rule for this race.  I tried to see if I could drop the group and get them to come on the inside.  Within a 20-30 seconds they caught me.  Sometimes that works but this group was moving fast.  I stayed within the group until we hit the junction.  I set a lot of PR's on the first 6 miles :)  Time to settle in for the last 4 miles.  These are the hardest and test you the most!  It was hot, I was thirsty, and fighting the resistance of my brain telling me to stop.  The only way out of it for me is to keep finding wheels to draft and push on.  I found a small group of 3 that came along side of me, and that's who I stayed with through Devil's Elbow.  Once we hit the elbow I was rejuvinated perhaps because I knew it was almost over!   I didn't set any PR's from the Junction to the Summit.  I made it up The Wall without falling over and finished my 4th Diablo Challenge with a personal record time of 56:16!  Stoked out of my mind that I can still ride my bike the way I do while improving each season.  My best bud Hanns Detelfsen of CA Technologies won the DIABLO CHALLENGE and set a PR of 00:46:22!

It's been a great year for me, and my family!  My wife has taken up running and now she's racing it too.  She does her first half marathon at the Nike Women's SF, in a few weeks.  Kudos out to her for her accomplishments, and thank you for all the support you give me my love!

Well my off-season is officially here.  I'll be competing in San Jose Bike Club's Winter Series and also the Low Key Hill Climbs.  All are welcome!  SJBC Race Team is also recruiting right now for the 2015 season.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Race Rim Wheels!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!
Thanks to Vittoria Tires!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Fremont Peak Hill Climb 2nd Place!

Zachary Hilton

San Juan Bautista, CA 
Place: 2
Field:  14
Teammates: Jeff Rogers, Giles Douglas, Manny Managbanag, Andy Crews 

Weather:  68 degrees avg. sunny and getting warmer on top of climb

Start Time:  10:20 am

Total Time: 00:45:09
Power: 238 W avg, 737 W max, 255 W NP  

Average Speed: 12.9 MPH, Top Speed 36.7 MPH

Average HR: 182 Max HR: 193

Elevation Ascent: 2,461 ft

Training Peaks Data

Fremont Peak Hill Climb is a time for me to see how my training is coming along for the last race of the season....Mt Diablo Challenge!   I'm riding my 2009 Specialized Tarmac with the new Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set.  I ride a 53/39 11/28 for most races.  I am also racing with my Race Rim 32 Carbon Tubulars.  My goals were to get a podium again in this race, improve my time on the climb,  get a sub 45 minutes for a free beer, and always help out my teammates.   I arrived early and warmed up on the trainer for around 45 minutes, and then got on the road for 15 minutes.   My time last year was 48:39   It's one of my favorite courses!

We started at the line with 14 racers and 5 of those were my SJBC riders.  We were combined with the 55 1,2,3's (6) , and the 45+4's (7).  I carried 1 bottle of Hammer Nutrition.  I'm glad I did that.  It was hot up top, and I needed it.  The weight wasn't a factor because I was drinking it the whole way up.  We stayed back from getting up front at the start line so the 55 1,2,3's would lead us out.  It was funny because no one wanted to be up front...we held our ground and most of the 55's and 45's came up. :)  Carl Nielson from CA Tech and Giles Douglas SJBC took turns up front leading us SINGLE FILE from mile 0-3.5!!  Amazing pace was set from the start.  Each other year the pace was slow and usually 2x2 pace line.  I positioned myself 6th back.  I had a great draft off of a Pen Velo guy that was bigger than me.  At mile 3.5 Giles peeled off the front and I gave him a big kudos!  Thanks again Giles and Carl for setting that pace.  At mile 5.5 I backed off a bit and started to settle into a good cadence.  I knew that the biggest climbing was coming up on mile 6-8.  Around 8 guys went ahead.  I could see Jeff Rogers SJBC and one other up ahead as we started mile 6.  The others I couldn't see anymore.  Mile 6-8 are the toughest, but the only place I beleive you can really pass someone and make it stick.  I came around Jeff Rogers around mile 7, my friend and fellow fireman Robb Herrick Team Revolutions after that.  Right in front of Robb was Phil Tercero.  He's a strong MTB rider, and took up road cycling recently.   Phil and I stayed together till the end, constantly trying to drop each other. We caught the rider that was in 2nd place right before mile 8. That's a great attack spot for someone that doesn't know the course.  It looks like you keep having to climb, but it actually levels out at mile 8 and then the rollers come for 1 mile.  Now Phil and I are racing for 2nd and 3rd.  James Rainbow of Pen Velo was a minute up the road and was out of sight.   Attack after counter attack with Phil was exhausting, but I knew that I had to stay with him. I wasn't giving that up.  I was waiting for the right moment to attack and leave him behind.  Before the 1K to go it flattens out and Phil knew this also.  I led us into it and sprinted ahead.  You can't look back on this section.  It's fast, quick turns, and a hillside on the right!  I was feeling strong and in full time trial mode.  At 500 meters Phil came up on my right side and I grabbed onto his back wheel.  He would beat me in a straight sprint for sure, but I was hoping he wasn't familiar with the course.   At 200 meters to go I think he moved to the right just a bit on a left hand turn and I sprinted on the inside line, gave it my all, and it finally stuck!!  YES YES YES  2nd place by one second and a 3:30 personal record!  I also finished 4th overall in the combined fields! That was the best 2 mile battle I've had all year with someone.  Phil is a cool guy and got to meet him after.   He also shops at my local bike shop Concept Cyclery.

My next race is SJBC Vuelta Stage Race on September 28th.  It's a non USAC race that brings together our club and team for the end of the season.  It's also a chance for us to get new members and our race team application will be opening up then.  All are welcome.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Race Rim Wheels!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

Trader Joe's Pizza Dough and Fresh Veggies From The Garden

Justin Poulson captured this amazing view on descent from Fremont Peak State Park

Mt Diablo Challenge Fundraiser for Non-Profit

This year I will be once again taking on the Mt Diablo Challenge October 5, 2014!  

I am riding for my Mother Nancy Hilton who is so courageous and beautiful!  I am also riding for my friend Dan Taylor who passed away this year.  Dan was an amazing climber and loved these hilly races.   

It's an 11.2 mile ride with 3,249ft of climbing. It took me 3 years to join the "Under Hour" group with a time of 57:13. My goal this year is sub 54:00! Please consider making a donation to Save Mt Diablo under my name. 

It is a beautiful mountain that needs our help and support! I’d like to invite you to join me in raising funds for an organization that I think really deserves our support. Save Mt Diablo preserves, defends and restores the Diablo wilderness for us, wildlife, and future generations to enjoy. Click the link listed below to see my fundraising page, where you can view my progress toward my fundraising goal and sponsor my efforts with a donation of your own to create more parklands for all of us!

Sponsor Me Link Here

Thank you for your donation!

The first year I finally got under and hour.

University Road Race

Zachary Hilton

Santa Cruz, CA 
Place: 9
Field:  11
Teammates: Tom Stanis, Jeff Rogers, and Giles Douglas 

Weather:  71 degrees avg. sunny and getting warmer

Start Time:  10:51 am

Total Time: 01:38:00 
Power: 181 W avg, 665 W max, 233 W NP  

Average Speed: 17.83 MPH, Top Speed 40.01 MPH 

Average HR: 171 Max HR: 193

Elevation Ascent: 3,766 ft

Training Peaks Data

University RR has come around this year in a build period for me.  I am starting to feel the pains of all that riding this morning also.  My legs are feeling achy.  I'm riding my 2009 Specialized Tarmac with the new Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set.  I ride a 53/39 11/28 for most races.  I am also racing with my Race Rim 46 Carbon Tubulars.  My goals were to improve my course lap time, improve my time on the climb,  and help out my teammates.   I arrived early and warmed up on the trainer for around 45 minutes.  The last time I did this race was in 2011.  It was my 2nd cat 5 race.  The course is easy to get used to once you go around it once.    It's one of my favorite courses!  This is a great course for me to get ready for Fremont Peak HC and Mt Diablo Challenge.

We started at the line with 11 and 4 SJBC riders.  I carried 2 bottles, one with water and the other Hammer Nutrition.  There is a neutral water provided by the race promoter Velo Promo.  The race starts off on a hill, and I was feeling good.   I stayed up front and wanted to be there until I get dropped.  I knew going into this race I wasn't fresh enough to last the 12 laps.  I am content with that.  I'm just not there yet, and I am building towards that in 2015.  Yes....I am already thinking of 2015 :)  Thats why I write so much, so I don't make the same mistakes!  Once you reach the top of the climb its a right turn towards the descent.  You can take this section of the race with no brakes.  There is an awesome sweeping right turn before you go straight down to the bottom of the course.     Lap 1 was uneventful and seemed like SJBC would be able to control the race.  Pen Velo wasn't doing much.  I felt good on the climb in Lap 1 and Lap 2.  On the descent of lap 2 the 45+4's passed us up.  After lap 3 started a Jon Meals from Team Oakland started to accelerate and I stayed on his wheel.  Once he started to quit I came around him and counter attacked to the top of the hill and then put in a huge acceleration towards the descent.  At this point I just felt great and knew my teammates would either sit up and block if no one chased or grab a wheel.  My goal was to lead this whole lap and try to separate myself if I could or leave my opponents hurting.  Half way down the descent I could see the 45's ahead.  I wasn't going to let them slow me down.  I came around them as we were at the bottom of the descent, and I never looked behind me.  In my mind I thought maybe my chasing group would sit up because we were coming to a hard right corner and the groups were colliding, and that could be another chance to separate myself on the climb.  I could hear guys behind me, but I was still not going to look until I made it to the top.  I lead the group to the top and one complete lap!!!  That was huge for me, and a confidence builder.   Jeff Rogers came around me and the group chased.  We were 9 now, and I could see the pain on some faces from that lap.  Jeff and Tom came by and lead us down the descent.  I stayed up front and tried to recover from that last lap.  I started to loose contact with the group right before we got neutralized by the Cat 3's.  After we made it to the top of that climb I was done.  I finished racing the rest of the course at a steady tempo.  As I came into the finish I was told that SJBC got 2nd and 3rd place on the podium.  Whohoo!

Recovering from 6-9 minute hard climbing efforts is an area that I need to work on to compete in this type of race, and also for many of the races in our district.  This is my last road race for the season.  The final 2 races are going to be Hill Climbs.  Fremont Peak and Diablo Challenge.  It's been a long season for me, and racing all different types of races.  I still feel like I'm trying to find my way in this competitive racing district, but writing these reports has been huge for me to not make the same mistakes.  I'm learning a lot!

My next race is Fremont Peak HC Sept 7th.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Race Rim Wheels!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

Patterson Pass RR

Zachary Hilton

Tracy, CA 
Place: 16
Field:  24
Teammates: Tom Stanis, Jeff Rogers, and Giles Douglas 

Weather:  65 degrees avg. sunny and getting warmer, heavy humid air, windy as usual (not as bad as past or I'm just used to it now)

Start Time:  8:35 am

Total Time: 02:20:00 
Power: 179 W avg, 636 W max, 218 W NP  

Average Speed: 18.96 MPH, Top Speed 45.60 MPH 

Average HR: 165 Max HR: 190

Elevation Ascent: 4,469 ft

Training Peaks Data

Patterson Pass RR has come around this year in a build period for me.  I came off a great July with the Death Ride, and the California Firefighters Stage Race last week.   I'm riding my 2009 Specialized Tarmac with the new Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set.  I ride a 53/39 11/28 for most races.  I am also racing with my Race Rim 46 Carbon Tubulars.  My goals were to improve my time climbing Patterson Pass, improve my lap time on the course, and help out my teammates wherever that might be.

I got a good warm up on the trainer and legs felt good.  The wind died down during warm up and the sun was coming out.  There was a hot humid feeling in the air.  No need for any extra clothing. I met up with Jeff Rogers and Giles Douglas riding around before the start.  Field size was about normal for Patterson.  Pen Velo had four guys, and we had four.  We allowed them to be out in front at the start line.   I wanted to make sure we lined up up front because you can clog the road up fast with 3 wide, and a center line rule enforced.  Pen Velo immediately however formed a single file pace line until right before the feed zone.  Los Gatos Bike Club put in a good acceleration around the group and Pen Velo chased it down with Jeff Rogers in tow.  As we made our way through the feed zone it was nice to see Paul Morel SJBC there ready to take care of us with water and Hammer Nutrition bottles.  Then Ben Cannon went off the front and SJBC teammate Tom was up front and went with him.  The group didn't react at all.  Everyone thought we would catch them eventually, and it was just a test of the group.  They had around 10 seconds on us as we started the windy climbing of Patterson Pass Rd.  The only place to hide in that valley with the crosswinds is on the inside.  That wasn't on my mind at all.  I was thinking how can I slow this chase down for Tom.  I cam ego the front and set my own tempo.  Jeff was on my right, and no one came around us.  If you haven't climbed Patterson Pass Rd before its hard to explain....not a real steep climb, but add the fact that it looks huge because you can see the top the entire time and you go REALLY slow front he crosswind and then headwind.  I have never seen anyone attack and come out of the place line on this climb.  You just waste so my energy.  It's better to sit in and keep your head down.  Jeff and I did a great job slowing the chase!!!!!!!!  Some started to come around as we peaked and I was sitting 5th as we descended to Flynn road.  This is one of my favorite road race descents.  I am familiar with the roads and you don't need any brakes.  If you need to slow down, you just sit up and take some wind.  We regrouped at Flynn Rd and we could see Tom and Ben around 30 seconds ahead of us.  Moto ref was doing a great job letting us know the time gaps (which is unusual) and keeping an eye out for us.  Flynn hurt a bit, but Carrol Rd crossing over to Altamont Rd was the hardest to control the bike on the crosswinds while going really fast.   Jeff and myself were still doing a good job disrupting the pace, and finally on Altamont Pass Rd when we couldn't see Tom and Ben anymore some started to get really frustrated with the lack of work from the chasing peleton.   Finally Pen Velo came around Jeff R and initiated an attack trying to drop us.  It might have dropped a few, but most of us were still getting a free ride.  It was up to Pen Velo to do the work in the chase anyways.  They didn't have anyone in the break!  Racing 101.  The pace was intense and I stayed up front 4-5th wheel.  As we came around a corner we could spot two riders but couldn't really tell if it was Tom and Ben.  Giles road up next to me and thought it was them....I thought it was them.....and the chasers thought it was them.  This next part cracked me up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They freakin stopped chasing them down.  I don't know whether it was because they thought we would get them, or they ran out of gas.  I realized it wasn't them I think before the front guys did.  It was two women who got dropped from the Pro 1/2 race.  We all stayed together up Midway and back through the finish line.  While going through the feed zone I grabbed a Hammer bottle from Paul.  That was the tastes time I've gone on that first lap, and yes I was feeling the effects.  I eased off the group, and watched them ride away and blow up at the same time.  We were all scattered on Patterson Pass Rd climb now.  I could see that Tom and Ben still had a nice lead.  I settled in and rode my own pace up Patterson Pass Rd climb.  I was with a group of 4, and stayed tucked in behind them.  They got a 10 second gap on me during the descent, and I never saw them again.  I can't believe how much I was sweating at this point.  It felt like a faucet was on in my helmet.  I drank as much as I could and forced down some food.  I enjoyed the final stretch of Altamont Pass Rd!  Having the CHP open up intersections for us was awesome.  No one can get these achievements on Strava, unless you're racing.  :)  I came into the finish line in a sprint, and felt accomplished of my goals.

I wish I had more to give in lap 2, and that will come in time.  Looking back at 2011 when I raced this for the first time I completed a lap in 01:25:00 in 2014 I'm doing them in 01:04:00.  The slowest I ever climbed Patterson Pass Rd was 00:30:00 in 2011 and now I'm riding it in 00:21:02.  I am getting better in time and that's what drives me.

Congrats to my teammate Tom Stanis who ended up staying off the front the entire race pretty much.  He also crashed on Flynn Rd's left hand turn on the final lap, got back up and chased down Ben Cannon.  He rode with Ben till Midway, dropped him, and sprinted for the win with a 10 second gap!  It's been great watching and being apart of Tom's racing this year in the 35+4's.  Thanks for the placement credit also buddy!  I owe you a beer.

My next race is University RR August 17rd in Santa Cruz, CA.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Race Rim Wheels!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

California Firefighters Stage 3 Road Race

Zachary Hilton

San Geronimo, CA 
Placed:  4th overall GC and 2nd Silver Medal in Age Group

Weather:  74 degrees avg. sunny and getting warmer

Start Time:  9:00 am

Total Time: 02:24:00 
Power: 146 W avg, 857 W max, 197 W NP  (Spent 30% of time with 0 W)

Average Speed: 20.27 MPH, Top Speed 43.74 MPH 

Average HR: 154 Max HR: 192

Elevation Ascent: 2,930 ft

Training Peaks Data

The California Firefighter Olympics are held annually.  It's either up north or down south.  San Francisco Fire hosted this year.  The cycling portion would be a 3 Day Stage Race.  Hill Climb, Time Trial, and Road Race.  I'm riding my 2009 Specialized Tarmac with the new Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set.  I ride a 53/39 11/28 for most races.  I am also racing with my Race Rim 46 Carbon Tubulars.

I began my warm up on the trainer.  We all decided on a neutral roll out for the first 15 miles of the race because HWY 1 had a spot where it was one lane and a traffic light was there.  Getting about 20 minutes on the trainer first was ideal.  I felt recovered but I knew my legs needed a steady warm up.  After 2 hard days of racing I wanted to maintain my position in the GC and possibly get the gold in my age category.  I needed to find a way to beat Dave Stepp.  My only chance would be on the Marshall Grade climb, and then hope I can stay away with a better group than he would be in.  This was the biggest group of riders so far.  Around 24 racers, and all are different racing categories.  There were 4 in my age category.  David Stepp, John Galvin, and unknown rider who just showed up for today.  I made sure to stay in the front of the group during the neutral start and made sure to not put out any efforts.  I needed to stay ready for the Marshall Grade climb.  That is where we would all be separated and attacks will occur.  My plan worked well.  I saw the sign for Marshall Grade and had no idea how it was going turn....it ended up being a soft right and the first part of the climb was upon us.  I accelerated around the left side and was sitting top 10 now.  Several guys were off the front.  I noticed a teammate to my right and got a draft off of him.  Dave Stepp was on my right and another guy in our age category was right behind me.  I stayed on my teammates wheel and pretended to be tired for 20 seconds and then attacked around him trying to drop Dave and the other.  Dave and I dropped him and the others.  Now left up the road was Hanns D, Rob H, and Ken R.  We still had 2 miles of climbing left.  I dug so deep to stay with Dave but he dropped me and crested the top of the climb 45 seconds before me.  I caught Ken R as we descended.  That was one of the fastest descents I have raced.  You could see the entire descent in front of you and it was relatively straight.  Hanns and Dave were gone and Robb H was about 45 seconds in front of Ken and I.  We decided to stay together and work with each other to catch Robb.  I was hoping Robb would not see Dave and come back to help us.  With three of us we probably could catch him and then have a 4 way sprint to the finish for 2nd overall.  Hanns was out of sight.  The next 27 miles was Ken and myself trying to stay away from the chasing groups and after we turned onto Nicasio Rd we realized we weren't going to catch anyone.  Dave and Robb were now together.  We ended up only 4 minutes off the winner and 2 minutes off 2nd and 3rd.  Ken and I sprinted for the line and I took 4th overall.  I would also get a silver medal for the finish in my age category.  I was stoked with my results!  Looking at the results I actually spent 30% of the time with 0 W.  That's a boat load of saved energy on descents, drafting, and the awesome rolling resistance of racing on my Race Rim Tubulars!

My next race is Patterson Pass RR August 3rd in Tracy, CA.

Thanks for reading!
Thanks to Race Rim Wheels!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

Avery and I both have medals!

Some well deserved ice cream!

Gilroy Garlic Festival with Kate!