Category: Masters
Result: Top ten

It was 80 degrees at the start at 9am. We started off at a nice pace in an organized single paceline until we hit the hill. People fell off the back on the foothills before the main climb, but on main climb, we splintered. As usual, I was off the back then and looking for someone to commiserate with. I had to settle for the rider in front of me that was pulling away oh so slowly. By now it felt like 90 degrees.

After the climb in the searing heat, it was pretty lonely. Not too many people passed me, and I caught up to a few stragglers from groups in front of me (Sr 4 and Sr 5). After the descent and the rest stop (er, feed zone), 4 of us were finally going about the same pace, so we stuck together for a while. It now felt like 95 degrees. We were working well together on the flats until my left thigh decided to stop working. Cramps. So the three of them sped away as I recovered with my 5th bottle of water.

I ended up with completely empty water bottles and 9th place out of a field of 11 riders in my category. Pretty much the kind of placing I expected (near the bottom), but I was really hoping for more companions at my pace on the hill so that we could try and get back to the front. Perhaps I'll try the Sr 4 category next year instead of a masters category. Or perhaps I'll skip this race altogether next year. I've been in that race twice, and twice it's been a trip through hell's kitchen!

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