Friday, May 22, 2015

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


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!