The climbers were not pleased with the profile of this stage. It was clear
with the size and length of descent into Clovis, the peloton would regroup
and a sprint finish was inevitable. NOT! That was the view of this rider and
others, but it was not to be the case. Weather, although purported to be a
key factor did not seem to contribute to the results of the leaders. Perhaps
the start time or the ride time played a part in this. It was clear however,
from the reaction at the rest stops, the riders preferred to be riding so
the air motion would provide some relief from the heat as opposed to being
stagnant with sweat pouring and no relief from the heat. The riders this
year were in the 250 range. Present were the Lilje's, Jason from Las Vegas
Nevada and Jim from San Jose California. Notably absent was Song Wrensch.
Song was key in early season declaring this was his ride to take part in.
His absence served the riders well however, as they consistently used his
absence to contrive manners in which to abuse him for thinking this would be
a "cool ride" and convincing others to show for it.
Scenery was spectacular and roads overall were great to ride. Very smooth in
most areas with ample room for the cyclist and the cars to coexist. Food was
great and support during the ride was better than most. Anyway, on to the
ride.
The ride started in mass at 5:30 am. Jason and Jim, arriving at the hotel
the night before at 12:00pm and were late to the start line and were
basically in last place at the back of the pack. The ride was quick at the
start with the first 50 minutes covering about 20 miles. Jason and Jim
worked the way through the pack and by mile 15 both were sharing pulls at
the front of the pack. Stupid, but testosterone, coffee, and the lack of
sleep present a dangerous mix.
The climbs start in earnest at about 20 miles. The majority of these climbs
are not like the Alps rather more like the Pyrenees. (Mount Hamilton rather
more like Felter...., Alps and Pyrenees for European mystique). Constant
changes in pitch prevent a rhythmic climb. Wild cat grade starts the
climbing and split the group like the big bang created the universe. There
were riders all over the place. Similar to Palomaras in length and pitch,
Wildcat is followed by Burroughs Grade, Tollhouse Grade and Pine Ridge
grade. Endless frankly. There are descents in between each, but they are in
significant and no time for recovery. Basically, you climb for 30 miles
before some relief at Huntington Lake. I am convinced that these roads are a
complete civil engineering mistake. For about the first 1/3 to 1/2 of each
climb all is well with a moderate pitch at about 5% to 6% and then after a
resurvey, the engineer's say, "Oh shit" we are not going to make it to the
top like this, we'll have to make it steeper. Mathematicians would
appreciate the beauty of each exponential curve.
http://host.cvc4.org/fresno/syvertsen/cycling4.htm
Jason could not contain
himself at the start was off to set the pace. He was the first person to
reach Shaver lake at the top of Tollhouse grade.
Jason waited at Shaver lake rest stop for his companion, but not as long as
would be expected. Was he in difficulty or just being friendly due to lack
of companionship. I think the later. Jason and Jim started Big Creek grade
together on the way up to Hunting lake. The first 3 miles are about 5% and
then the last 6km like Quimby. Jason created a gap shortly after the start
of the last 6km. Jim had him in his sights but could not close the gap. With
less than .25km to go after a series of switch backs, Jason was caught. He
was clearly in difficulty. Jim, inspired yet reserved closed that gap and
offered inspiration, "You'll never hear the end of it if you let this
happen". The summit was in sight, Jim creates the gap... no response from
Jason. "Do not let this happen", Jim exclaims! Jason responds and the summit
of the second to last climb is his. In the spirit of Armstrong and Pantani,
2000 Tour de France to Mount Ventoux, Jim concedes this climb. A quick
shallow descent and ride around the shores of the lake have the riders
arriving at the Huntington lake lunch stop.
A brief rest, a gazillion calories, fresh water bottles and the riders are
off for the final ascent to Kaiser. Jim sets a good pace on the first 9 km
averaging about 5%. Jason lags slightly off the back initially and Jim waits
knowing he will need a companion later in the ride. Jason in definance of
his lagging declares, "Do not wait for me, cause you know I won't wait for
you" and the competition between them continues. Jim continues to set the
set the pace at the front on the lower slopes. Jim has had a flat tire and
the riders break to correct repairs. The Mavic support car is nowhere to be
found. Repair is done and the riders reach the final 4km in which the road
narrows and steepness again. The riders are together with about 1.5km to go
and Jason creates a gap. The road is now similar to Quimby. An unnamed rider
from the Reno Wheelman, catches the leaders and Jason will have none of
this. They gap Jim and reach the summit with a minute or so in hand.
Finally, the top is reached. Refueling begins, more Song bashing occurs, and
the initial decent begins.
The descent to Huntington lake is done quickly with the riders in excess of
80km per hour. One last climb to Tamarack ridge 5 km at about 5% followed by
a series of rolling hills to the arrival to Shaver lake. At the base of the
descent and the start of Tamarack ridge, Jim, Jason, and the Reno Wheelman
take turns at the front. Soon, Jim takes the front and sets the pace.
Shortly, Jason has lost contact. Jim recalls "Do not wait for me, cause you
know I won't wait for you", and says Fu$# it, and is gone with the Wheelman.
Jim pulls back a much needed 5 minutes on his rival by the Shaver lake rest
stop. Jason arrives with all the KOM points in hand conceding only a small
category 4 climb. I can adequately describe the look on Jason's face at
this point as he pulls up a chair to rest. You would just have to have seen
it. Why are we doing this? I love this chair! I have no intention of moving!
We are done now right? All of these were in his eyes at the same time. More
refueling and more serious Song bashing by now is underway.
The riders leave the rest stop for several miles of descent followed by
several miles of rollers before another lengthy decent followed by several
miles of rollers etc, etc, etc. A group of two, Jason and Jim, turns into
three, and four, and five, and six, and seven, and eight, as riders are
picked up along the way. At this point there are eight and a reasonable
effort is made to share in the work. Jim does the lion share of the work
over the next 30km. He is clearly inspired today. At about 208km Jim attacks
from the front cause there is way to much wheel sucking going on. On a short
uphill climb, he immediately gaps the bunch. Jason, attentive comes from the
back of the group and will have none of this and closes the gap quickly. He
has recovered,... the ride is done, the riders concede. A final stop for
refueling at 232km covered at they set off. A group of three come in
together to complete the ride.
Final General Classification
Jason Lilje: 250km @ 9:48
Jim Lilje: 9:56
Some other guy with us: 11:29
KOM: Jason
Green Jersey: Jim (he seems to be the only one to know where the sprint
points are awarded, the dead squirrel, that telephone pole, the old truck,
etc)
Most combative: Jim
Most complacent: Jason
Most abused: Song
Post Ride Comments:
Jason: "Who is killing all the squirrels in Fresno". "Somewhere and Indian
sheds a tear". (You had to be there) "Where exactly is Song right now?"
Jim: "I know where Song's house is!"
Some other guy with us: "I have three minutes to finish in under 11 and 1/2
hours". (Jason and I pulled for him to make sure this happened)
Overall subjective analysis with some quantification:
Having done the Death ride and now Kaiser, is this ride more difficult than
the Death Ride? You basically climb the 13K ft in 76 miles (3.20%) compared
to the Death ride @ 16K ft in 109 miles (2.78%). Nothing else need be said.
But, I was still exhausted on Monday at work to the extent that fellow
workers were asking if I was okay. This ride is a bad mother. And no pin or
ice cream. What a crock!
See you next year though.
-- jiml
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