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!

California Firefighter Olympics Stage 2 Time Trial

Zachary Hilton

Nicasio, CA 
Placed:  4th overall GC and Tied for 3rd Bronze Medal in Age Group

Weather:  61 degrees avg. Foggy and wet roads at start, rain back half of course

Start Time:  9:08 am

Total Time: 00:34:12 
Power: No Power on TT Bike

Average Speed: 24.59 MPH, Top Speed 34.09 MPH 

Average HR: 174 Max HR: 184

Elevation Ascent: 174 ft (Too Flat!!!!)

Training Peaks Data

Stage 2 of the CA/FF Olympics is the TT.  I have been riding the TT bike for 1 year now and love it.  It's a totally different discipline, and the advantages of training on a TT bike pay off in road racing.  You are lower, more aero, and use different muscle groups.  I recovered well from yesterday's HC and was feeling good.  I got in an hour warm up on the trainer and included a 7 mile ride to the start line.

We were separated by 1 minute intervals.  I started 3rd.  I settled in to a good position and had to take the first few miles a little slower because we were on unknown roads, and they were wet.  I figured everyone else was probably going to do the same anyways.  I was able to get my HR up to threshold with no problem and keep it there.  I carried one bottle of Hammer Heed.  I caught my 1 minute guy and never got passed up by anyone.  That was an awesome feeling.  I knew there were a few guys that were a threat behind me.  The one thing I love about the TT is its all about milliseconds.  For instance getting out of the aero position to manage a sharp turn, or drinking some fluid.  These all add up during the race and can separate you from winning by only seconds.  I ended up in a tie for 3rd place with Rob Martone, and Dave Stepp beat us by 1 second!!!  If we had better timing there wouldn't have been a tie but hey its all in good fun for this stage race.

I drank some Recoverite when I got back to the truck.  Were all hung out, and had a quick medal ceremony.  I walked away with another Bronze in my age category, and I am sitting 4th overall GC. Time to recover!  

My next race is Stage 3 CA/FF Road Race.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!

California Firefighter Olympics Stage 1 Hill Climb

Zachary Hilton

Stinson Beach, CA 
Placed:  4th overall GC and 3rd Bronze Medal in Age Group

Weather:  63 degrees avg. light rain morning, sunny with clouds for the end

Start Time:  10:00 am

Total Time: 00:57:00 (STOPPED FOR 2 GUYS WITH FLATS)
Power: 194 W avg, 655 W max, 237 W NP

Average Speed: 13.68 MPH, Top Speed 38.49 MPH 

Average HR: 165 Max HR: 190

Elevation Ascent: 2,277 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 32 Carbon Tubulars.  The HC is the same course we race every year in September at the Mt Tam Hill Climb.  I was very familiar with this course, and excited to see how I would do this time of year.  I had some breakfast when I got out there with Hanns.  Blueberry pancakes, maple syrup, and egg whites.  I have ditched the morning oatmeal for a while.  I created a multi-grain oats with whole wheat flour pancake that I now eat with fruit.

I put on the SJBC Race Team Voler Speed Suit and began my warm up on the trainer.  I needed at least a full hour to get warmed up.  I carried one small bottle of Hammer Heed with me for the race, and packed a bag they would sag to the top of the mountain for us.  This race will be done in less than 1 hour.  I wanted to PR on the climbing portion, and try to set a new and higher FTP (Functional Threshold Power) for the month.

We had around 15 to start the HC.   Mostly smaller fields for the first 2 stages.  Good competition however.  I had no room to carry anything besides a bottle, so I ate a quick Hammer Gel Peanut Butter before the start.  We were off and I was sitting 3-4 wheels back.  The first 4 miles is on HWY 1 and can be pretty windy. At mile 1.5 there was a pothole that 2 guys hit and pinch flatted.  We all agreed to stop and wait.  No big deal after we all calmed down a bit.  Some guys traveled real far for this competition, and good sportsmanship in a small field is always appreciated.  In a real race they would have been out.  In the big picture everything you do counts towards placing higher than your competitors in a race.  How you train, eat, recover, prepare your bike, and race your bike.  One of the guys who flatted Dave Stepp from San Diego ended up being my strongest competitor in the overall GC and our age category.  He finished the HC 1:47 ahead of me and the TT 1 second ahead of me.  Dave became a good friend during the races, and happy to have raced with him.  Good karma always comes back around.   Once we got back on the road I stayed up front.  At mile 3.5 Hanns D went off the front and I followed his wheel.  This was a good place to start ramping up the intensity for what was about to come.  The first few miles of the climb are the toughest and a great place to separate the group.  Rob Herrick came around us and set a fast pace up the climb.  Followed by Rob Martone, Dave Stepp, Hanns Detlefsen, Ken Rodriguez, and John Galvin.  I settled in at my FTP power and decided to stay there.  I would either catch them or not.  This has been my plan on HC's especially at the beginning.  I can attack later.  Rob H, Rob M, Dave S, and Hanns D were all about 20 seconds ahead as I caught Ken R and John G.  The four of them were putting in a steady climb that I couldn't bridge just yet.  I had them in sight which was still to my benefit.  There are a few flat spots where you can try to gain some ground.  Rob H started to drift towards me, and now the three of them where 30-40 seconds off the front.  I then saw Hanns break apart from the group.  Rob M broke away from Dave S in the dark forest where it was really wet this year.  As I came through the forest I spotted them at the top of the first sisters climbs.  Hanns wasn't in sight.  They were now over a minute ahead of me, and Rob H was still about 20-30 seconds behind me.  I settled in TT mode and paced myself over these next 6 climbs.   I wasn't going to catch them now.  The sweeping left turn and uphill finish is one of my favorite.  You can catch someone off guard if they aren't hitting the finish hard!

I PR'ed the hill climb by over 1 minute.  PR'ed on all the sisters hills, and my new FTP is now 272. That's way ahead of where I was this past year.  I am feeling strong and right on track.

I drank some Recoverite when I got back to the truck.  Were all hung out, and had a quick medal ceremony.  I walked away with a Bronze in my age category, and I am sitting 4th overall GC.
Time to recover!  

My next race is Stage 2 CA/FF Time Trial.

Thanks for reading!
Thanks to Race Rim Wheels!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!