Lance’s Mt. SAC Fat Tire Classic race report
This was my first time racing the Mt. SAC Fat Tire Classic. I have to say it was cool having our entire group out and it really did wonders for my anxiety. I felt a lot more relaxed and worry free before the start. Moe is a damn nice guy and let me borrow his brand new KHS Alite Team7000 for yesterday’s race. Unfortunately for me I didn’t test ride it prior to race day except to change the seat and pedals and it was a tad bit stretched out. My own fault, but I still had a blast.
I always like to bring my family along for the ride too so I take my wedding ring but also brought along my sticker for my loyal dog Streaker. Her nickname is Beakers, like the Muppet.
Racing is the ultimate test of your will and I’ve found and sometimes I’m just not willing enough. I suppose it’s my laid back attitude but I always pay the price for not sprinting it out at the beginning and get stuck behind riders with poor climbing/descending skills. I must have had to get off my bike 5 times while people spun out on sections that just weren’t that technical. Frustrating but, again, my own fault.
Gettin the game face ready.
After the first lap(mile 6), the long stem on the KHS took it’s toll. My low back started aching and I was in more pain rolling flat sections than I was while climbing. I began to slow and man did it get HOT quick! Like Priscilla, when I’m into the race I constantly ask myself “why in the hell did I do this?!”. Pain and suffering quickly become your closest friends on a cross country ride.
Playing catch up
While embracing the pain, at about mile 10, I heard music pumping from the finish line. So as I’m climbing one of the last hills I found myself smiling and mouthing along the words to “Bust a move”. “You’re dressed in yellow, she says ‘hello, come sit next to me ya fine fellow”. Haha, that song was as good as as a Clif Shot. I could feel a burst of energy and started gaining some ground on riders ahead. Now right before the very last descent(seen above) there was an extremely steep hill that was about 60 feet of sandy mush that went straight up. I decided to myself that I didn’t care if it killed me, I’d sprint up that thing and then ride the hill down to the end and finish strong.
Final descent
So I’m approaching the last hill and see two guys that missed the entrance to go up the climb to the top. Two down. Then as I reach the bottom of the steep climb I see 5 guys in my class, all walking VERY slowly up this brutal hill. Here we go. I jump off my bike and start hammering it out to the apex of the hill, gritting my teeth and feeling the lactic acid burning everywhere. I managed to pass every one of the guys going up the hill! 5 more down, but they were all hot on my heels 50 feet from the finish line. They managed to catch back up to me after I got stuck behind a slow downhiller.
Finishing strong
I took the last turn really wide as I didn’t want to loose any speed and saw the guys behind me making a push to beat me on the inside. Not so fast suckas! I sprinted like hell and was able to beat the pack. Great way to end the race! I ultimately came in 7th place but probably would have been in 12th or worse without that final push. Overall it was a brutal race but I had tons of fun.
Big ups to Moe for letting my ride the KHS Alite- she was fast! Also gotta give a thanks to Khoa for being our team photographer…you rock man! I was so proud of the group too. Jeremy braved the course on a fully rigid 1×9…unreal! Priscilla had the strongest showing an put in a 2nd place finish in her women’s class! The most inspiring race performance was RL and Breanna’s. Frankly, I struggled on this course and it absolutely blew my mind when I found out those two did the entire thing on a tandem bike with V-BRAKES!!! Just amazing. Congratulations to RL, Breanna and Priscilla on their awards. I couldn’t be more proud of the crew!