Clay's turn.
Back in October 2008 I had a bad motorcycle crash that ruptured a ligament in my knee. I did months of rehab, it wasn't getting better, and I was considering surgery. At the end of last summer, I decided to start cycling to BART to further strengthen my knee. And despite my cycling crash in October 2009 (I'm not leaving the house next October), I set a goal in November when I got a new bike to one, ride to the top of Mt Diablo, and two, ride a century. Check, and check.
Corey, Josh, and I rode in the Sea Otter Classic Gran Fondo, long route (see link below) on April 17. We lined up with 1300 riders (450 of them on the long route like us) on the Laguna Seca Raceway at 7 am to start out ride. It was not a race, it was a ride, the rules said.
Together we rode through 50 flat miles of the Salinas Valley, before making it over three different climbs in the last half. The first climb to Cahoon Summit was timed, and I must brag here, as I beat Josh and Corey to the top, placing 70th out of 359. Josh beat Corey by .03 of a second, as documented by this photo, for 137th. And I almost forgot, after the first mile or so, I was actually in first place. For about 30 yards. Corey was yelling for me to take the lead so I did. Alas, 'twas not my powerful thighs that gave me a lead, a poorly marked course sent most riders the wrong way, and we were in the right place (the back) at the right time (the officials realized it and started correcting everyone) to benefit.
One the way down we latched on to four "Alpha males," to quote Josh, and steamed to Carmel Valley in their draft. The 3 mile Laureles Grade, with its 10-12% grades was especially brutal coming after 85 miles. At 93 miles, the 16% grade back into Laguna Seca was a leg killer.
Post ride we had showers (and one towel), a 15 minute massage (glad that Josh got the one male masseur, not Corey), a lovely meal of pasta, and a short stroll through the exhibits. The drive from our house in San Ramon to our hotel in Salinas was about the same length as the ride.
In June, we're going to a century somewhere near Shaver Lake, with tentative plans for the San Luis Obispo Gran Fondo in late October. And depending on the scheduling of my long delayed knee surgery, we'll back at the Sea Otter next year. At the Embassy Suites (reminder to Corey). My next goal you ask? The Mt. Diablo Challenge on October 3rd, finishing in less than one hour. My current time is about 1:25, so I've got some work to do. Every free Saturday morning until then, I'll be riding it at 6 am. All are invited. To quote Tim Krabbe's book The Rider: "Road racing is all about generating pain."
4 comments:
Wow. Way to go guys.
oh cool! How fun! I am attempting a century in August with my husband and his family! Am I crazy since I just got into riding last year and have barely done any?!?
Can you see the pain in my face? I remember it well. But like childbirth (or so I am told) I will forget and sign up again. Ahhhh, the memories.
good job Clay, congratulations, this is quite an accomplishment. that's awesome. and of course, great photos britt:)
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