Mt. Hood is in the Books

The Wrap-Up


Stage 1 Road Race:  This was a beautiful course with twisting turns, up and down the canyon walls between Hood River and The Dalles.  Entering the final kilometer, we were about 15 riders strong and I jumped first with about 300 to go.  Hammered all the way across the line but got beat in the last 10 meters by a rider from Boulder.  The 2nd place finish was definitely a confidence boost heading into the weekend.

Finally! Some kick arse weather for racing

The Finish

Missed by that much.  Brian was close behind

Stage 2 Time Trial:  I've been working hard at getting better in the TT.  It paid off huge!  I dialed in my pace and made big improvements in my form to land 5th overall in the TT.  I'm usually in the 10 - 20th range, so this was a big jump.  About 30 seconds back on the race leader.

TT with Adams in the background....Perfect day for racing



Stage 3, Crit:  I was 3rd on GC and received a call up to the line.  Cycling isn't typically the best spectator sport, but you combine beer, music and one of the craziest crit courses in the Northwest ...folks come out to watch.  I rolled around for 40 minutes staying safe and saving energy...  There was a big wreck on the final turn (isn't there always?) which took out a couple super strong riders.  I was happy to avoid the mishap but sorry some of the others wouldn't be riding Sunday's EPIC.

Stage 4: This was truly the best bike race I've ever experience.  3 mountain passes, screaming descents, snow covered roads and everything in between.  After 6000 ft of climbing we were once again down to about 15 riders and approaching our final climb of the day.  I was in a virtual 2nd place on GC (the rider in 2nd was a no-show for the final race) and feeling great about my chances entering the final 10K.  Feeling great, until a rider behind me said my tire looked low.  Shit!  No time for a wheel change, the pace was too high and the given that the tire was perhaps low and not flat, I was going to ride it out.  We cranked up the pace and although my tire was clearly losing air and I was counting every klick that passed, I felt I could hang on for a podium finish.  Brian D. was riding like a champ as well and right in the mix as we turned right up a steep gravel climb to the finish.  With the first few bumps in the road, my rear lost all air and in an instant my podium hopes were gone as I started to crush gravel with my alloy rims.  There were 6-8 riders within 90 seconds of me and the fight was on to finish this race while salvaging a top 10.  Brian was holding back while trying to encourage me up the climb which helped a ton as I rallied the rim up the last kilometer to the horrible sound and feel of metal on gravel.  I finished 12th on the stage and just over a minute down on the winner of the race. The charge up the climb kept me in the top 10 and I ended up 7th overall.  

Lead group with 1 mile to go.  My rear tire is not in good shape

I'm not sure if I've ever experienced such a swing of emotions.  It was hard to wrap my head around and overall, pretty disappointing.  The podium at Hood was a major goal of mine this season and to get so close....well...shit happens

Despite a dose of disappointment, it's easy to see the glass as half full.  I had an opportunity until the very very end to reach the top spot and the improvements I've made throughout the season all came together for three spectacular days of racing.  There are so many ways to win and lose in cycling which is a major reason why I find it so compelling.  The time I spend satisfied with a win or dwelling upon a loss lasts only as long as it takes to start the next race.  Just gotta keep racing!