Cathys Report

That was really, really, really super fun (Zoolander). No, really, it was. The day was crystal clear with blue sky. I was stoked to see fellow NorCal gals Pauline and Katrina in the Union Hotel parking lot, along with 70 or 80 other folks fortunate enough to be riding the Fort Ross Grasshopper this year.

Pauline and I started with the main field down the Bo Ho. Remembering my experience last time with the large single speeders, I sought a familiar, trusty wheel to take to Caz. Thanks, Ray! It was a fun and fast express trip to the base of the Fort Ross climb. I really enjoyed riding with a bunch of people again, even if my face while in the drops is level with most folks knees. Funny, I dont remember noticing that particular detail before.

I sort of figured Id pay soon on the climbs for punching my tickets on the way to Caz, but I amazingly felt perky enough to ride "hard" all the way until Joy (more about that later). I met up with Loren, who was having serious free hub problems the entire ride, which although a major bummer for him, was certainly a blessing for me once we hit the windy coastal sections. It was awesome to have someone to ride with along that stretch. I dont know about anyone else, but my 110 pounds almost flew sea-bound a few times. Yikes, that was some serious wind!

Meyers Grade was silky smooth, and familiar like a long lost friend. When did that cattle guard at the top get taken out? There is nothing much better than that descent on a day like we had, clear views down the coast combined with the glorious feelings of weightlessness while screaming down toward Russian Gulch. All that, and legal too!

Ah, but the feelings of weightlessness were soon to end, with the previously mentioned cross wind and the realization that I was completely out of water. Alone now, first I stopped at one of those houses that have mostly fallen into the sea; evidently their outside plumbing no longer works, in case anyone was wondering. I then filled a bottle from a hose at the Salmon Creek ranger station. Its kind of creepy back there, with a weird trailer and junk, and the water ended up tasting even scarier. Desperate now, I tried to go behind the counter at the cafe at the foot of the Bay Hill climb, but got yelled at by the barista for breaking rules. Perfect karma for a school principal! I begged anyways, she filled the bottle, and I managed to climb Bay Hill without too much misery.

Joy was another story entirely. I pretty much completely disintegrated on that climb, and just felt grateful I wasnt riding home all the way to Santa Rosa. I did have the pleasure of watching Pauline come from behind and majorly shred the climb, great job, P!!!

In closing, another glorious Grasshopper...

Katrinas Race Report

Well, the writing was on the wall, because when I got to the bakery in Caz., nobody was there!

These folks are serious! My goal for the day was to be able to ride with somebody, prospects were slim until I hooked-up with a single speed guy named Richard on Joy. Single speed on JOY, what a sicko!!! We rolled into Occidental together, and there were still people milling around, this is not usually the case for me!

Victory at last!

2008

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2005

2004