Zachary Hilton
Red Kite's Bump Circuit Race (Winter)
Livermore, CA
Category 40+ 4/5
Red Kite's Bump Circuit Race (Winter)
Livermore, CA
Category 40+ 4/5
Place: 13
Field: 31
Teammates: John Moore
Field: 31
Teammates: John Moore
Weather: 45 partly cloudy, not windy at all
Start Time: 8:00:00 am
Start Time: 8:00:00 am
Total Time: 01:13:00
Power: 259 W avg, 747 W max, 236 W NP
Power: 259 W avg, 747 W max, 236 W NP
Average Speed: 20.3 MPH, Top Speed 39.9 MPH
Average HR: 160 Max HR: 185
Elevation Ascent: 1,827
Elevation Ascent: 1,827
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. I am carrying 2 bottles of Hammer Heed with me to the start and a 2 Hammer Gels (Espresso and Banana). You could go with one bottle if you wanted to lighten your load. It's not that hilly of a race though. The finish line is several miles away from the start. I like taking the long way home and complete another lap. I am wearing the Zaavy Custom Speed suit and I've got a S-Works Evade helmet. No pockets in the speed suit, so I tucked two gels under the power band on my legs. Fits perfect!
My goals for this race are to get some racing in these legs! My last race for San Bruno Hill Climb. This race has some hills to power through, and its on part of the Wente RR course to.
We start around the building from where registration is located. It's a nuetral start until we all get onto Patterson Pass Rd and get near the first swerve in the road. Pen Velo has 6 racers, and CBRE has 4. We are on the first gradual climb when the race starts. It's hard to move up on this road. Last time I raced this I got too frisky and came around the front on the left side before we made the turn onto Patterson Pass Rd just to be up front. This group wasn't going anywhere, so I opted to stick it out in the back and be protected. No attacks were made until the final K. I was able to pretty much stay at the back for the entire race. The group would surge on some hills, and then completely back off. There was never even a counter attack. I could stay in my tempo and make it back to the group each time.
The group was getting faster by the last lap and we dropped several on the third climb up to the bump. I was able to stay tucked in and protected. The final turn onto Patterson Pass Rd was fast...everyone was trying for positions upfront. I was mid-pack now and feeling to surges. I was able to stick with the group about half way up the climb. At this point Pen Velo was launching attacks for just like 10 seconds off the front and everyone was chasing. At 1K to go the front 5 started to separate, and I tried to follow but didn't have the juice! I tucked back in and hoped to catch a few before the finish line. No one passed me up, and I came up a few spots.
What I learned from this race is that positioning is key. This is a great short course to practice positioning and attacks. I think that if I train for this race I can podium here. There's enough climbing that it hurts weaker climbers. I will be back for the Summer version.
We start around the building from where registration is located. It's a nuetral start until we all get onto Patterson Pass Rd and get near the first swerve in the road. Pen Velo has 6 racers, and CBRE has 4. We are on the first gradual climb when the race starts. It's hard to move up on this road. Last time I raced this I got too frisky and came around the front on the left side before we made the turn onto Patterson Pass Rd just to be up front. This group wasn't going anywhere, so I opted to stick it out in the back and be protected. No attacks were made until the final K. I was able to pretty much stay at the back for the entire race. The group would surge on some hills, and then completely back off. There was never even a counter attack. I could stay in my tempo and make it back to the group each time.
The group was getting faster by the last lap and we dropped several on the third climb up to the bump. I was able to stay tucked in and protected. The final turn onto Patterson Pass Rd was fast...everyone was trying for positions upfront. I was mid-pack now and feeling to surges. I was able to stick with the group about half way up the climb. At this point Pen Velo was launching attacks for just like 10 seconds off the front and everyone was chasing. At 1K to go the front 5 started to separate, and I tried to follow but didn't have the juice! I tucked back in and hoped to catch a few before the finish line. No one passed me up, and I came up a few spots.
What I learned from this race is that positioning is key. This is a great short course to practice positioning and attacks. I think that if I train for this race I can podium here. There's enough climbing that it hurts weaker climbers. I will be back for the Summer version.
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!
Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!
Thanks to SJBC Race Team!
