King Ridge 'Hopper
http://www.norcalvelo.com/information/grasshopper_flier_2008.pdfKing Ridge Grasshopper
First have to preface this with "I am definitely not a road racer", and after today I really have no desire to be one. That was tough!!! I started this epic race mellow, very nervous down Boho, that part freaks me out, all those bodies around me. Then not knowing at all how to pace myself as A. I have never ridden this far on my bike and B. I was racing it today, my longest distance that is. You really need experience racing distances over 70 miles, and today I was getting a taste of it.
I did not feel great, a little sluggish. Climbing though puts me in a zen like state and that was my favorite part of this race, and the fun dirt sections - woohoooo... So I caught up to Claire on Kings Ridge after riding with Mariko a bit in Cazadero. Claire suggested to pick em off up the climb, just like on the dirt. So I did that. I have to say for the rest of the ride I did not get passed, I just passed folks, which felt good, but I still was a bit sluggish.
I then befriended this great guy named Jeff who waited for me in Salt Point. We filled up our bottles and he let me draft all the way to Fort Ross, where I punched it up that hill and was really starting to feel pain. After the descent to 1 I met up with some Bobas who skipped fort ross and were on a mission to get home. They let me draft to Jenner where we stopped at the store there. Without money and really wanting not to take too much time, I had the gal fill up my bottles and off I went. Riding next to Bill Best through Pomo Canyon campground area and chatting, really realizing why I ride with each word of wisdom he gave me. Mainly, enjoy your time on the bike, above all, or it is not worth it, he put my suffering into perspective.
So I got to the finish in under 5 hours which I was happy about and in 3rd place behind 2 studette teammates Hillary ( I bow to you my friend) and Cathy who finished so strong. I ended up with my 2 pit stops drinking 7 water bottles full of liquid and I did not get giardia from the salt point bathroom sink water, thankfully. My goal was to ride relaxed and not cramp and really get a feel for this type of race which was a first for me. I accomplished all that and actually kind of had fun, I look forward to getting back on the dirt though!
Great job to all.
-Sarah
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-Mariko
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Whew, what a difference a year makes. Last year's KR 'hopper was one for the record books, with enough rain and sleet to float an ark. (See last year's race report written by Charles if you don't know the story). This year was definitely a shorts and arm warmers kind of day. Anyways, we had a great Nor Cal turnout for this year's race. My goal was to ride my own race after hanging with the group up to the first main King Ridge climb. At this point, I had to let Ashlee, Hillary, and Cindy pull away, despite their encouraging words to stay with them, as I knew my legs just weren't gonna go that fast uphill that early without all hell to pay later in the day. I felt okay, and had lots of nice folks to ride with along the way. The dirt connector through Salt Point was SOOOO fun. I was lucky enough not to flat and ended up at the bottom with an awesome group of guys to ride with along Hwy. 1 to the base of the Fort Ross climb. They had all flatted, or else I'd never have seen them in a race, but it was great to ride with Brett, Gabe, Giampaolo, Emil, Jeff Russell and a couple more folks. We picked up Ashlee along the way and headed up the Fort Ross climb. Poor Ash was riding SO strong but started cramping, and waved me on. I rode solo for most of the rest of the day, except for a couple spells with Jeff. R. and Andy from Organic Athlete (sorry about your flat!), and my cousin, Rich (until he endoed on Willow Creek). I was starting to really hurt on Willow Creek, but just KNEW Sarah was probably right behind me, as we ALWAYS finish right after one another (turns out I was right again!). Hillary, I and Sarah finished 1,2,3 for Nor Cal Velo.I am once again humbled and inspired by the amazing women on my team, and honored to consider them my friends and teammates (get the Kleenex out!).
-Cathy
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
| - CCCX @ Fort Ord | 2004-10-03 |
| - Documentum Crit | 2004-09-26 |
| - Giro di San Fransisco | 2004-09-06 |
| - Return of the Jedi | 2004-09-04 |
| - Winters RR | 2004-08-28 |
| - 12 Hours of Humboldt | 2004-08-28 |
| - US Pro Criterium Championships | 2004-08-22 |
| - Corral Hollow RR | 2004-08-21 |
| - TransAlp Challenge | 2004-07-17 - 2004-07-27 |
| - Superweek | 2004-07-09 - 2004-07-25 |
| - Wine Country Criterium | 2004-06-13 |
| - Fremont Criterium | 2004-06-12 |
| - ICCC Dash for Cash | 2004-06-05 |
| - California Outdoor Sports Championships | 2004-05-14 - 2004-05-16 |
| - Sea Otter | 2004-04-14 - 2004-04-17 |
| - Pilarcitos Stage Race | 2004-03-27 - 2004-03-28 |
| - McLane Pacific Foothills Road Race | 2004-03-14 |
| - McLane Pacific Downtown Grand Prix | 2004-03-13 |
| - Land Park Criterium | 2004-03-06 |
| - Apple Pie Criterium | 2004-02-07 |