The stage was set for another test of the strong men and women. The season
had seemingly progressed well for all. Late news that Darlene would not ride
this years event sent a tidal wave of rumor and suspicion through the
peloton. It is still not confirmed that Darlene Schuab was one of the women
in Jan Ulrich's Porsche 911 the night of the incident with the bike rack.
Perhaps she and Jan shared recent anphetaimines at a disco that fateful
night. We'll likely never know. Non-the-less riders of lesser luck, were
quick to capitalize and gain her entry to the event. Song Wrensch, the
inspiration and motivation to many declared in the early season the Death
Ride was only preparation for the later event, the Climb to Kaiser, was also
was a no show. Bill Schuab, in spite of his severe bonk only days earlier,
was at the start line, but no one new what to expect from him. The Lilje's,
Jim from San Jose California, and the Las Vegas Nevadan Jason were at the
start line with two Reno Nevadans team mate Patrick Casey and Ethan. Also
confirmed at the start was Dan Taylor of Pleasanton California.
An unusually warm morning gave the impression the temperature would play a
considerable role in this years ride. The ride start varied, but by 6:30 am
temperatures were already at 16 Celsius. The riders were planning for the
worst high temperatures in recent years. However, by early afternoon thunder
clouds covered the sun and portions of the course keeping the maximum to 33c
along the valley roads leading to the final climbs.
Pat, Jason, Ethan, and Jim started the early slopes in pursuit of Dan and
Bill. Dan and Bill are notorious for setting the early pace. The Lilje's
started to set the pace on the first climb of Monitor with about 2 miles of
the climb covered and Pat and Ethan in tow. Jim picked up the pace slightly
with Jason responding accordingly. It was not long however, that Jim slowed
and Jason decided the time was right to press on. Pat, recalling the
soreness from last year in muscles he did not know he had, rode tempo with
Ethan. Ultimately Jim conceded 9 minutes by the summit of the first real
test in the high mountains. It was clear the Jason need only match paces to
the end with a sufficient gap already in hand. It was not to be the case
however, and Jason repeatedly put the hurt into the rest of the group the
entire day. By the end of the second difficulty the Col d' Monitor East,
Jason had increased the gap to about 17 minutes.
After regrouping from the descent of the west side of Monitor, Jim took off
from the rest area at the base of the Col d' Ebbetts East early with a few
minutes in hand in order to give Jason and Pat something to chase. Ethan was
clearly in difficulty on the earlier slopes of Monitor and nobody seem to be
able to catch Bill and Dan. With only about 1/2 km to the summit Jim was
optimistic he would stay away. However, looking back down the slope, a sign
he was weakening, Jason was seen with only 10 meters to reaching his
adversary. Exclaiming aloud, "you bastard", Jim put in a final attack, but
it was all for not. Jason kept a rhythm and passed with 300 meters to go and
gained more time. Pat consistently rode tempo. He was not going to abandon
this year. By the decent of Ebbetts east, Bill was found. He looked fresh
and with a handful of food, all were convinced he would not bonk as he did
only days before.
Jason took another 6 minutes from the group on the fourth test of the day,
Col d' Ebbetts West. His time gains were reducing with each climb, but
would the Las Vegas Nevadan crack and hit the wall on the final test. Most
people doubted this. Non-the-less, the Californian, Jim, launched an attack
on the decent of the Col d' Ebbetts, but only managed to pull 45 seconds
back by the lunch stop. It was here at the feed zone the group Jason, Pat,
and Jim, decided to work through the Markleeville valley roads together and
start the final test of the day, the Col d' Carson, together. Bill decided
to press on earlier and set off on his own. He clearly was not going to work
for anyone, not withstanding Darlene.
Jim set the pace during the lower slopes on the way to the Hope valley. Dan
had still not been caught, which in a post event interview clearly was
bothersome. A slight head wind made the lower slopes difficult. An unnamed
rider took Jim's wheel and he refused to pull through and work. The rider
did thank his breakaway companion for the setting the pace, but by this time
of the ride, it only pisses a person off. Jason soon pulled through and he
and the unnamed rider kept up the pace with Jim faltering and choosing to
set a rhythm rather than risk blowing with still 16 kilometers of work to
reach the summit. Conceding several more minutes by the Hope Valley the
riders again regrouped and fueled up for the final ascent to Carson Pass.
By this time, the course was completely engulfed in Thunder clouds. Weather
was threatening and lightening could be seen in the distance near the top of
the climb, but the rains never came. The cloud cover kept the temperature of
the final climb comfortable for the riders. With about four miles to go
Jason had gone again. He faltered near the top, but it was to no avail.
Today would be his. Atop the Carson pass the riders regrouped and enjoyed a
seat and an ice cream. Bill was dropped on the lower slopes and still no
sign of Dan. Pat was here, but what of Ethan?
The riders finished the last 34 kilometers at an average speed of 48kph.
Nine riders worked a pace line from the start of Carson decent. These riders
were working well together and had no intentions of being caught. Not that
anyone was chasing, but in there minds 2700 other riders were in fact
chasing.
Final General Classification:
Jason Lilje: 7:56
Jim Lilje: @ 33 minutes
Pat Casey: @ 60 minutes
Dan Taylor: Abandon
Bill Schuab: May still be riding
Ethan: Abandon
POST RIDE COMMENTS:
Jason: "Overall, I am pleased with my ride. I was in difficulty on the final
climb. I could only manage 6.5kph on the last section. I've never felt so
bad on the Carson pass."
Pat: "My ride was devilish."
Dan: "I do not know what happened. I was in difficulty on the second climb.
I will discuss with my team doctor and the director and decide on my future.
I should have tried doping."
Bill: "I am much better today than on the Comstock. I want that Ice Cream!"
Ethan: Not available for comment.
Jim: "I am very satisfied just to be on the podium today. He (Jason) was
just to strong for us. I am happy for him (Jason). I did not know he (Jason)
was in difficulty on the Carson. Not that I could do anything anyway."
Hope to see you all next year.
-- jiml
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