Hopper 4

Although I have spent time in a kayak at Lake Sonoma I had never biked the trail around the lake or for that matter knew it existed. There were a couple of times after repeated climbs and descents that the idea of paddling across a cool flat surface instead of pedaling up steep hillsides became enormously attractive.

My weakness in this kind of race is an unwillingness to descend with speed. Theoretically, momentum is your friend, helping one maintain a chosen line with greater ease but practical experience as a seated object perched over rotating wheels has informed me that the results of going over the bars at 5mph is somewhat different than 25mph. A simple formula BxS+I=DD will suffice. Body times speed plus impact equals degree of disaster.

Beside lack of guts on the downhills I had a few geographical miscalculations. One led me down an old section of partly paved road and ended in a thicket of brush and grass. I retraced and went up the old road section and met another rider who pointed out the correct way. Very fortunate timing. These little off course aberrations on the north end of the lake had to be corrected since it is doubtful that the terrain offers valid alternative routes.

On what is to be the final climb up, it called Bum Mountain or something like that, I meet the horse parade and simply pull over and let they and their riders pass. No need to worry about a personal best anymore. At the top is Kim. I am counted and recorded. Dead last but at least I made the list.

Then it is off to Rogers for food , drink, and great hospitality. Many thanks, Roger and Hillary for hosting and Miguel for putting these events on. They add much pleasure to my biking life. Well, perhaps not pleasure but a sense of accomplishment and great companionship.

Cheers,

Charles

2008

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2004