Vuelta de San Jose

Zachary Hilton
Vuelta de San Jose

Morgan Hill, CA 
Place: 5
Field: 21
Teammates: SJBC Club Members

Weather:  83 Sunny and warm

Total Time: 01:24:00
Power: 230 W avg, 790 W max, 224 W NP  

Average Speed: 21.6 MPH, Top Speed 36.4 MPH

Average HR: 169 Max HR: 193

Elevation Ascent: 1,588 ft

Training Peaks Data

I'm riding a 2015 Specialized Tarmac with Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set with a 53/39 11/28 for this race.  I have a pair for Race Rim Tubular 46's that are perfect for this race.  I've been hooked on my current breakfast for a while now.  Trader Joe's Multi-Grain oatmeal cooked in egg whites, peanut butter, berries, and maple syrup.  Yum and full of energy to start race day right.

My goals for this race are to get some great quality racing for the legs in a short distance and climbing race.  I registered for the B group.  I am not in any shape for the A's right now.  We were set to do two laps around Uvas Rd.  There were also KOM points each time around on the top of Sycamore.  Scoring would be omnium style.  I wanted to take the KOM points and try to create  a breakaway somewhere during the race. There was a time trial the morning of but Katie and I did the 5K at a vineyard down the street.

The race starts with a nice group of 21.  It's mixed of guys I know and some I'm unfamiliar with.  Staying up front with this group is key.  We are all at different levels of racing.  Riding in packs and paleness is newer to some.  During one of the pace line attempts around mile 6ish there wss a touch of bikes...no bueno.  I witnessed that from the back also...where I shouldn't have been anyways!  Max Hudson kept the pace high by being on the front for most of the race.  I was trying to stay tucked away around 2-3rd wheel until we approached the KOM.  The pace was tough and Max went off the front a few times.  He just seemed frustrated with the pace, but thats how he rides :)  We all stayed together and I moved up front as we approached Sycamore KOM.  Its a short steep climb thats over in less than 00:01:30.  I was sitting 3rd wheel and Max comes around on my left and takes off.  No one else attacks and I let him go out a bit.  Hal way up I attacked and settled into a good tempo coming up right behind him and keeping quiet.  100 meters to go and Max appears to be slowing down.  I came around his right side and took the KOM and 3 points.   We were now a group of 12 as we made the right turn on Watsonville Rd.  That KOM damages the groups each time.  Time to recovery just a bit before the final 1K up to the finish line.  One lap down and one to go.  Hammer Gel time.  Max is still on the front pushing the pace as we come around the start line.  I just stayed tucked away like the first lap.  I don't think anyone was dropped as we made our way around Uvas and turned right onto Oak Glenn Ave.  This is when the race started to get interesting and I noticed the pace line would be on fire and then slow up.  I was feeling good and decided to try attacking the group and see if I could get a breakaway started.  The trouble with that was that we are all club members and I knew no one would block for me if I went away.  Who cares!  I have to try something out here besides just sitting in the group till the end!  I went off the front during my pull with Chesbro Reservoir on my right side.  The group responded and we were single file.  I moved over to the left and the group came through, but of course no everyone came through.   I came back to the front and attacked again as we approached the right turn to continue to Oak Glenn Ave.  I led the group around the turn and this is a natural area to get ahead.  The group needs to go around these sharp turns slowly.  No cutting corners for the back but I was taking these turns hard and fast.  I was off the front with a maybe 5 second gap.  Time to take a Hammer Gel now.  I tried to create more separation but just ended up stringing the group along and I was doing all the work.  Not what I wanted to happen!  I backed off and stayed second wheel.  After we cross over Edmundson stop sign I was going to attack again.  Peter C. pulls off to the left and eases up..I go full gas down the winding turns and don't turn around...I've got a gap and its growing.  As we approach Sycamore for the right turn I was 10 seconds off the front and they were charging.  I was hoping some disorganization was going to happen.  I had one guy with me and I didnt even know he got a free ride!  He was quite until we reached the base of the climb...not to long into it the group surged behind me.  I was gassed and just had enough to reach the top of the KOM in 5th.  That wasn't my plan.  I wanted those 3 points!  I had nothing left.  I stayed with the group on the back.  There were just 5 of us now.  As we turned onto Uvas I knew I was in trouble when my calves started to pop.  I was cramping and fresh out of time and fuel.  I stayed with the group and then watched them sprint away with 1K togo uphill to the finish!

That really bummed me out but this race was the first road race I've competed in for months.  Yeah my expectations were met. I tried something new and it worked.  It cost me, but I dis accomplish the first KOM and blew this group up!

I used two bottles of Hammer Heed, Race Caps Supreme, and two Hammer gels.  This race was over in less than two hours, so no Hammer Bars were needed.  Time to recover with Hammer Nutrition's Recoverite and get a good night sleep.  I always take Hammer Whey Chocolate with 8oz of water before bed....get some extra HGH boost!

Next race will be Low Key Hill Climb (Alba Rd) on October 17!

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!
Thanks to Vittoria Tires!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

Prize Bags for the Vuelta

Pre-Race Dinner

Fremont Peak Hill Climb (NCNCA's Hill Climb Championship)

Zachary Hilton
Fremont Peak Hill Climb

San Juan Bautista, CA 
Place: 4
Field: 4
Teammates: In Other Categories but grouped together (Alexander Komlik, Andy Crews, Alan Weatherall)

Weather:  85 Sunny down below and the warmest on the hill, especially miles 6-8!! No wind..just sun!
Start Time:  10:20 am

Total Time: 00:54:52
Power: 235 W avg, 632 W max, 251 W NP  

Average Speed: 10.8 MPH, Top Speed 35.7 MPH

Average HR: 179 Max HR: 187

Elevation Ascent: 2,365 ft

Training Peaks Data

I'm riding a 2015 Specialized Tarmac with Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set with a 53/39 11/32 for this race.  I have a pair for Race Rim Tubular 32's that are perfect for this race.  I've been hooked on my current breakfast for a while now.  Trader Joe's Multi-Grain oatmeal cooked in egg whites, peanut butter, berries, and maple syrup.  Yum and full of energy to start race day right.

My goals for this race are to try and salvage any racing effort I have after Mt Tam and get back on the podium.  Last year I set a PR of 45:09.  That's 9 seconds off from getting a free beer from the promoter at Jardine's Mexican after in San Juan Bautista!  I am not in the same shape as last year though :(  I'm still showing up and giving it my best.  There is a huge need to support these races.

I went to bed way to late the night before.  We were hosting a party and staying up late with friends we hadn't seen in a while, and you can't say no to that.  I still managed to get 8 hours of good sleep.  I woke up tired and the weather was starting to heat up again.  I got a great warm up in the shade, but the average temp is 87 now!  Not great weather to do a hill climb in for me.  Making me feel more out of shape.

We started off at the whistle and quickly formed a two by two formation that lasted for several minutes.  At around mile 2 we were starting to break up into smaller groups.  I followed the leaders until mile 3.5 when the rollers came.  At mile 5 I started to drop back and settled into my own tempo.  Miles 6-8 are the toughest and also most exposed to the sun.  I was by myself now and hoping to pick some others off.  I hit mile 7 and started to loose power and felt like I was going backwards.  Not a good feeling but I kept on pushing through it.  At mile 8 it begins to level out with some rollers and then the final mile is the best.  It's a technical and fast final 1K!  If you know the course well, you can take risks.  I crossed the finish line 9 minutes over my PR.  What a bad feeling, but it's what I deserved for being out of racing for so long.  The second and third place guys were at 49 and 50 minute marks.  That was even more defeating because I wouldn't even have to PR in order to get on the podium.

Overall this only make my will to come back stronger!  I'm racing SJBC's Vuelta, Winter Series, and some Low Key Hill Climbs.  I plan to be stronger than last year this January for the 2016 season openers.

I used one bottle of Hammer Heed no need to carry any more for this short race, Race Caps Supreme, and two Hammer gels.  Time to recover with Hammer Nutrition's Recoverite and get a good night sleep.

Next race will be Vuelta de San Jose on September 27!  That morning my wife Katie and I are running a 5K together in San Martin.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!
Thanks to Vittoria Tires!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

Mt Tam Hill Climb

Zachary Hilton
Mt Tam HC

Stinson Beach, CA 
Place: 16
Field: 24
Teammates: None

Weather:  64 foggy down below, and warm on the hill
Start Time:  09:55 am

Total Time: 00:53:36
Power: 260 W avg, 640 W max, 251 W NP  

Average Speed: 13.6 MPH, Top Speed 41.9 MPH

Average HR: 173 Max HR: 192

Elevation Ascent: 2,280 ft

Training Peaks Data

I'm riding a 2015 Specialized Tarmac with Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set with a 53/39 11/28 for this race.  I have a pair for Race Rim Tubular 32's that are perfect for this race.  I've been hooked on my current breakfast for a while now.  Trader Joe's Multi-Grain oatmeal cooked in egg whites, peanut butter, berries, and maple syrup.  Yum and full of energy to start race day right.  I'm playing a big catch up game with racing.

My plans for this race were to get a current FTP on the climb, get some hard racing on the legs, and enjoy being back racing!  I got a great 45 minute warm up on the trainer right next to the beach.  Stinson Beach is a great destination!  Golden Gate Velo always makes it worth the trip.  This year they gave away bottle, socks, and banana bread!  I was feeling well rested this week and took two additional days off the bike to recover.  I registered with the Elite 4's because the only masters 4 categories started at age 40+.

Race starts at Stinson Beach and mile 1-4 are flat on Highway 1 before we make a right turn onto Bolinas-Fairfax Rd.  The first 4 miles you need to be near the front.  Sometimes there are attacks and sometimes just a nice pace line.  I got to the start line early and was sitting 4th wheel.  The pot holes on this stretch of the road are brutal when not called out.  Mile 1 there was an attack of the front and everyone let him go.  The headwind was moderate and no way he was going to stay out front with us charging for the next 3 miles.  An attack came from behind with 3 from different teams and all of us at the front jumped on for a ride.  At mole 2.5 we were all back together and another solo attack went off the front.  We let him go and he started the climb on his own.  He was caught by everyone on the climb.  I stayed on the wheel of a tall rider until we made the right turn. My legs were feeling it from the surges, but I'm used to that at the start of the race.  We were only 8 minutes into this race and already attacking each other and covering them too.  I settled into a good tempo and power for myself like I do on all these hill climbs.  There is no good reason to blow up early.  You will always catch people that do that.  I knew this climb well and planned to use that to my advantage.  There were three of us together now with me just following a wheel.  I wasn't planning on attacking until some of the areas where it flattens out around mile 7.5.  We caught 4 others and now were a group of 7.  I came around to lead the group into the flats at mile 7.5.  At this point I never looked behind me!  I kept my head down and breathing steady.  It was starting to get hot and I was sweating down my face.  I didn't want to show them any of that.  No one ever came around me so I just settled into my own tempo, and led us into the "dark woods".  I wanted to be the first one through the dark woods before you get to the seven sisters.  So many obstacles on the road and no room for mistakes.  There are potholes and tree roots that can throw you off your bike.  I led us through all of the sisters.  Right as we approached the final one I didn't hear as many riders behind me anymore.  Two of them were talking to each other and trying to figure out how many miles were left.  I knew they didn't know the course.  I had to try and shake them now.  Around mile 11.5 you can get into the big ring and just let it ride.  I knew this course well enough to drill it around the corners tight!  My S-Works Tarmac takes corners like a champ!  As we crested before the final sweeping left up to the finish one rider came around me...it was me and him....I was going to follow him down and sprint around in the final meters...he hesitated as if he didn't know what to do and I had a quick decision to make.  Come around him on the inside and punch it or wait for him to make the move.  I didn't know how far back the others were, but looking a pictures they weren't far back.  I decided to cut him on the inside of the turn and go full gas (41.9 mph to be exact)  This is such a fun finish!  He never came around!

I didn't PR on this ascent but I didn't expect too.  Last summer when I did this course I was peaking.  I did however set the same FTP that I had at this point last year.  That's a great way to go into the final race of the season and the Low Key Hill Climbs Series.  I can build off that number, and be ready early for the 2016 season.

I used one bottle of Hammer Heed no need to carry any more for this short race, Race Caps Supreme, and two Hammer gels.  Time to recover with Hammer Nutrition's Recoverite and get a good night sleep.

Next race will be Fremont Peak Hill Climb (NCNCA's Hill Climb Championship) on September 20!

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!
Thanks to Vittoria Tires!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

University RR

Zachary Hilton
University RR 35+ 4's

Santa Cruz, CA 
Place: 12
Field: 12
Teammates: Giles Douglas

Weather:  70 little headwind on descent, sunny at start
Start Time:  10:32 am

Total Time: 01:36:00
Power: 233 W avg, 701 W max, 225 W NP  

Average Speed: 16.7 MPH, Top Speed 37 MPH

Average HR: 171 Max HR: 188

Elevation Ascent: 3,540 ft

Training Peaks Data

I'm riding a 2015 Specialized Tarmac with Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set with a 53/39 11/28 for this race.  I have a pair for Race Rim Tubular 32's that are perfect for this race.  I've been hooked on my current breakfast for a while now.  Trader Joe's Multi-Grain oatmeal cooked in egg whites, peanut butter, berries, and maple syrup.  Yum and full of energy to start race day right.  I'm playing a big catch up game with racing.  My last race was Berkeley Hills RR in May.  That's just the way the season has been with me.  This race will be the opener for me on the second half of the season.  I'll be racing a few more USAC races, Low Key Hill Climbs, and then SJBC Winter Series.

I needed a good warm up for the legs before this race starts.  It starts out on a hill.  There are 4 legs to this circuit.  An uphill gradual climb, straight away that turns into a hard right, downhill, and then final straightaway.  There were only 12 of us in the 35+4's but that's normal for this race.   I was here to suffer and I knew that I wouldn't last long.  Racing is essential throughout the year if you expect to compete.  It's hard to get that race effort in your legs any other way.  Something about racing against the clock and others drives you to the extreme.  I survived 2 laps and then the pace was exploded by the eventual winner of the race.  Only 3 were able to stay with him, and then rest formed groups throughout the course.  He eventually dropped everyone and lapped the field.  He obviously needs to upgrade soon :)  But not enough points given out in the small fields.  Once I was dropped I pushed myself to complete the race at my temp on the climb and recover on the downhill.

Not much else was learned in this race.  It went as expected, and it felt awesome to be back racing.

I used two bottles of Hammer Heed , Race Caps Supreme, and two Hammer gels.  Time to recover with Hammer Nutrition's Recoverite and get a good night sleep.

Next race will be Mt Tam Hill Climb on September 12!

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!
Thanks to Vittoria Tires!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

I'm Back For More

Often times when you start racing January 1 by the time July comes you look for ways to not get burnt out from the sport you love.  This year was a bit different because in April we decided to look for a home to purchase.  This home was going to be the forever home for the three of us.  Suddenly my focus on the bike and racing was sidelined and I went full time into finding a home and financing.  Anyone that has been through this process understands that timing along with being aggressive is everything in the housing market, and in return you will come out a winner.  This also means that no doubt when you are training you will get contacted for some piece of paperwork that needs to be signed or you need to send in.  The process seems never-ending, and the strong do survive in the end.

We have been in our new home for one month now and things are finally settling back down.  I picked up the training two weeks ago and found some races to complete the season.  The best part of living and cycling in the San Francisco Bay Area is that you can leave the sport for a few months and pick up right where you left off.  There are three races that I will be competing in.  All three are USAC races and then this fall I will take part in the Low Key Hill Climb Series!  I focused on a few of these races last year.  It was a great way to spring me into the beginning of the season.  The series is exactly what its named.  A group of races that enjoy hill climbs and charity.  All proceeds each week go to a local charity of the organizers choice.

University Road Race August 23
Mt Tam Hill Climb September 12
Fremont Peak Hill Climb (NCNCA District's Hill Climb Championship) September 20

I am really enjoying being an Athlete for Hammer Nutrition in 2015!  Everyone knows I'm constantly talking about their products and I always have extra Hammer Gels on me.  Hammer Heed is consistently in my bottles.  Strawberry has been my goto choice for months now.  Hammer Chocolate Recoverite fuels my body for the next day.  This has been especially true since I just jump started the training again for the second half of the season.  I am taking premium insurance cap daily to fight off getting sick and staying strong.  Race caps supreme daily before training, during, and after.  Clear Day is my choice each morning to fight off the allergies in the San Francisco Bay Area heat.  Hammer Bars are in my pockets for when I reach my two hour mark on rides and need some protein.  The great thing about Hammer's new Pro Gels are that they contain protein now also!  Each night I take a scoop of Hammer Chocolate Whey and mix it with water 30 minutes before bed.  All this allows me to push my body to the limits each day.

You will see me around the SF Bay Area in my Hammer Nutrition kit or my SJBC Racing kit.  I am looking forward to some final altitude training in Truckee before University Road Race.

For me this year getting over the hump of the mid season was simply some forced time off the bike during May-July.  We shall see how this pays off!

Berkeley Hills Road Race

Zachary Hilton
Berkeley Hills RR 35+ 4's

Orinda, CA 
Place: 27
Field: 34
Teammates: Giles Douglas

Weather:  59 little wind, sun
Start Time:  8:00 am

Total Time: 02:42:00
Power: 224 W avg, 704 W max, 242 W NP  

Average Speed: 20.0 MPH, Top Speed 45.2 MPH

Average HR: 162 Max HR: 190

Elevation Ascent: 4,826 ft

Training Peaks Data

I'm riding a 2015 Specialized Tarmac with Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set with a 53/39 11/28 for this race.  I have a pair for Race Rim Tubular 32's that I wanted to race by the rear wheel wasn't lining up in the derailer.  So I have my 32 on the front and a 46 on the rear.  Not a bad set up for this race.  You want to be light for the climb, and it provided a bit of aero for the flats.

The race begins at the boat ramp and is neutral until we get up on San Pablo Dam Rd.  I have done this race for the past 3 years.  Each year I am improving and staying with the group longer.  Giles and myself are alone with some other stacked teams.  The plan was to lay low, stay in the pack, and conserve energy for the climbs.  We immediately started a pace line as we hit San Pablo Dam Rd.  No attacks that I can remember.  The wind wasn't a factor this year.  I stayed protected and conserved energy for the climbs.  The group stayed together for most of the race until the last climbs.  We might have dropped some throughout the race, but no one went off the front that wasn't caught.  I began to drop of the front group as we summited Mama Bear for the final lap.  The year before I only made it with the lead group till the second time up Mama Bear!  Stoked and mission complete.  Normally my reports would be longer, but May this year has been stressful and my focus just hasn't been there.  June will be a turn around for me.  I'm still getting some good training miles in.

I used two bottles of Hammer Heed , an Oatmeal/Apple Hammer Bar, Race Caps Supreme, and two Hammer gels.  Time to recover with Hammer Nutrition's Recoverite and get a good night sleep.

Next race will be Mt Diablo HC TT on June 27th!

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!
Thanks to Vittoria Tires!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

Cat's Hill Classic

Zachary Hilton
Cat's Hill Classic 35+ 4's

Los Gatos, CA 
Place: 12
Field: 17
Teammates: None

Weather:  79 little wind, sunny
Start Time:  3:00 pm

Total Time: 00:26:11
Power: 237 W avg, 832 W max, 216 W NP  

Average Speed: 19.2 MPH, Top Speed 32.8 MPH

Average HR: 173 Max HR: 183

Elevation Ascent: 794 ft

Training Peaks Data

I'm riding a 2015 Specialized Tarmac with Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set with a 53/39 11/28 for this race.  I am using my Race Rim Tubular 46's.  I arrived early and warmed up on the trainer for around 50 minutes. Katie and Avery joined me at the SJBC tent at the top of the hill for great views of the race and a warm-up.  I carried one bottle of Hammer Nutrition with me.  This race is going to be quick for me!

The race started with 17 of us.  The pavement was pretty rough all around the course.  My plan was to stay with the group long enough to either get pulled by the officials or finish with them.  This course doesn't suit me well, and I'm here to challenge myself.  The climb isn't the hard part by any means.  It's not long, but the hard part is that there is no time to recover once you hit the top on the false flat.  It's a small ring climb, that I switched into before the climb started.  Once you hit the top you are challenged to quickly switch to the big ring for some more hard efforts before you reach the only downhill portion of the course.  I stayed with the group for 10 laps and led one of the laps early on.

Exactly what I needed to feel for some early May racing!  Next race is Berkeley Hills Road Race.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!
Thanks to Vittoria Tires!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

Chico Stage Race #3 TT

Zachary Hilton
Chico Stage Race #3 TT 35+ 3/4's

Chico, CA 
Place: 26  (GC Placing 24)
Field: 34
Teammates: None

Weather:  62 cold, crosswind, headwind, and crosswind, sunny
Start Time:  8:35 am

Total Time: 00:27:40
Power: No Power on TT

Average Speed: 22.45 MPH, Top Speed 27.60 MPH

Average HR: 163 Max HR: 174

Elevation Ascent: 79 ft

Training Peaks Data

I'm riding my new 2013 Specialized Transition TT with SRAM Force group set.  I ride a 53/39 11/25 for TT's.   We stayed in our same parking spot near the crit and I warmed up on the trainer for the TT.   I carried no bottles for this TT.  It's going to be windy and it's just 10 miles.  The start is about 1 miles down the street from where I am at.  I stuck a Hammer Gel under the leg of my Voler speed suit.  I warmed up on the trainer for 20 minutes in the sun, drank though a bottle of Hammer Heed and headed to the start.  The intel that I've gotten on the course is that you hit crosswinds on the first section, then a right turn into a headwind, and then final right turn into some crosswinds.  I don't have a power meter on my TT bike so pacing is difficult.  I have to base of heart rate.

The TT starts and we are given the option to be held while clipped in.  I take off and get into the aero position on the bars.  The trouble with pacing off heart rate on the TT at a stage race is that fatigue is starting to set in also.  So even though I might be pushing threshold my heart rate might not be able to get high anymore.  I tried to go out easy and consistent.  There were some strong crosswinds blowing me around.  I have an aerodisk cover on my back wheel and a 54mm carbon wheel on the front.  We are all separated by 30 seconds.  I stayed in my drops the entire time.  The right turns aren't sharp ones.  While in the headwind I tried to not push to hard to fight the wind.  My heart rate was staying the same and when it increased I just backed off a bit.  During the final stretch the the finish I was able to increase my effort and heart rate.  Especially the last mile.  I really need a power meter in the future to be more competitive in the TT.

Well that's the completion of the second stage race.  The last one was Cascade Classic in Bend, OR.  That was 2 years ago.  My next event is SJBC Team Training Camp in Paso Robles, CA.  It's more like a three day stage race.  It's a mixed group, and I plan to get a great workout from it.  I'm sticking with those that are stronger than me :)


Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Race Rim Wheels!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!
Thanks to Vittoria Tires!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!

Post Race Meal In-N-Out for the ride home!

Chico Stage Race #2 Crit

Zachary Hilton
Chico Stage Race #2 Crit 35+ 3/4's

Chico, CA 
Place: 26  (GC Placing 22)
Field: 36
Teammates: None

Weather:  49 cold, little wind, tailwind to finish line, sunny
Start Time:  8:35 am

Total Time: 00:27:40
Power: 180 W avg, 700 W max, 200 W NP  

Average Speed: 25.29 MPH, Top Speed 31.97 MPH

Average HR: 169 Max HR: 181

Elevation Ascent: 0 ft

Training Peaks Data

I'm riding my 2015 Specialized Tarmac with 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's Carbon Tubulars, and Vittoria Corsa EVO CX Tubulars.  I arrived early and warmed up on the trainer for 40 minutes.  No bottles needed for this Criterium.  We got a quick chance to warm up on the course, and then we got delayed for 10 minutes because of a previous race's crash on turn 1.

Race starts and my plan was to stay at the back of the pack so that I can take smooth lines around every corner with no braking.  All I need to do is preserve my place in the GC and perhaps move up.  I never race Crit's.  I'm comfortable with them a lot more now.  I did not want to get pulled.  That's happened in every Crit I've been in up until now.  The first few laps were easy, and then the front started to really stretch us out.  The course is an L shaped one and really fun.  The turns are mostly 90 degree turns and some are more sweeping because we have the entire road before and after to use.  The extreme inside line have chips in the road, and I stayed away from those.  Like in most of these races when the pace picks up it will eventually stop.  We were full gas for 2 laps and began to pop riders off the back.  My plan was working and I didn't need to yo yo on and off the group.  I would accelerate around the corners on the line I picked and roll up tot he group.  A breakaway formed with 4 guys and our group slowed.  I looked up front and the yellow jersey is staying with us.  Eight laps to go and I've survived the time cut!!  I'm really feeling great and confident.  Three laps to go and now we are going fast trying to catch the breakaway.  More riders getting shredded off the back and a few I notice are ahead of me in the GC.  I stayed tucked behind the pack and came across the finish line upright!  I didn't get dropped, pulled, or lapped for the first time in a Crit!!!! Whohoo!!!!

Overall I moved up 3 spots in the GC by sticking to my plan while trying to conserve energy for the TT at 12:40 today.  I was so excited that I came back to the car ecstatic where Katie and Avery were waiting for me.  Next up was some much needed coffee and food.  Avery has a kids race coming up at 11am!

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Race Rim Wheels!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!
Thanks to Vittoria Tires!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!