Zachary Hilton
Mt Diablo Hill Climb TT (NCNCA Hill Climb Championships)
Diablo, CA
Category 35+ 4/5's
Mt Diablo Hill Climb TT (NCNCA Hill Climb Championships)
Diablo, CA
Category 35+ 4/5's
Place: 4
Field: 9
Teammates: Miguel Vargas
Field: 9
Teammates: Miguel Vargas
Weather: 84 sunny, not windy
Start Time: 10:15:00 am
Start Time: 10:15:00 am
Total Time: 00:32:29
Power: 258 W avg, 770 W max, 259 W NP
Power: 258 W avg, 770 W max, 259 W NP
Average Speed: 11.4 MPH, Top Speed 31.6 MPH
Average HR: 183 Max HR: 191
Elevation Ascent: 1,644
Elevation Ascent: 1,644
I'm riding a 2015 Specialized S-Works Tarmac with Ultegra 6800 53/39 11 speed group set with an 11/28 for this race. I have a pair for Race Rim carbon tubular 32's with 25mm tires for this race. During my pre-race ride the rear 32 hub was making a clicking noise and I decided to switch it with the 46 as the rear wheel. I wasn't willing to chance a lock up in the wheel! Although I could have used the slimmer and lighter wheel! I follow Hammer Nutrition's Steve Born on many pre-race strategies. I am carrying 1 bottle of Hammer Heed with me to the start and a Hammer Gel. Zaavy Custom SJBC short sleeve speedsuit is being used. I've got a S-Works Evade helmet.
My goals for this race are to set a higher FTP (Functional Threshold Power) on the climb and go sub 30 minutes for the race. In order to get on the podium, that's the time you need. I am going to try and not overheat. I have brought some frozen towels with me during the warm-up. My start time is a bit late, and it will be 84 degrees at the start. This mountain has no shade.
The start is a mile from the warm-up area. Some years they have had a start ramp and someone to hold you so you can be clipped in. This year there isn't a ramp, but someone holding you so you can get off faster. My plan is to hold around 10W less than my current FTP for the first 1.5 miles and then once the climb starts hold a steady 260-270 W. There are some areas of this climb that are so steep, that I will be going above threshold. From the start it was hot, but no wind. I'm through the first 1.5 miles at a faster pace, and not burning too many matches. I hit the climb and feeling great. I was catching some of the racers that started before me. We can use the whole right side of the road. I was cutting all the corners and taking the turns as straight as possible. Around mile 4.2 I started too overheat, and I was beginning to slow down. I continued to push as hard a possible, and was able to get a good effort for the final mile.
What I learned from this race is that I need to sign up for an earlier Wave! I could have started one hour earlier. I've been putting in the work on the bike and might have backed off a bit too much leading up to this race. I haven't been doing too much extreme heat riding and racing yet this year. This was the first!
The start is a mile from the warm-up area. Some years they have had a start ramp and someone to hold you so you can be clipped in. This year there isn't a ramp, but someone holding you so you can get off faster. My plan is to hold around 10W less than my current FTP for the first 1.5 miles and then once the climb starts hold a steady 260-270 W. There are some areas of this climb that are so steep, that I will be going above threshold. From the start it was hot, but no wind. I'm through the first 1.5 miles at a faster pace, and not burning too many matches. I hit the climb and feeling great. I was catching some of the racers that started before me. We can use the whole right side of the road. I was cutting all the corners and taking the turns as straight as possible. Around mile 4.2 I started too overheat, and I was beginning to slow down. I continued to push as hard a possible, and was able to get a good effort for the final mile.
What I learned from this race is that I need to sign up for an earlier Wave! I could have started one hour earlier. I've been putting in the work on the bike and might have backed off a bit too much leading up to this race. I haven't been doing too much extreme heat riding and racing yet this year. This was the first!
Time to recover with Hammer Nutrition's Recoverite and get a good night sleep. Don't forget to recover during your sleep and take some Hammer Whey to boost that HGH. I've also added Hammer Nutrition's Chromate, and Super Antioxidant to the recovery mix. Both have great recovery ingredients!
Next race will be Red Kite's The Bump Circuit Race July 24th!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!
Thanks to SJBC Race Team!
