Today we did the Pine Flat ride. The climb we did at VQ camp last year was Mt. Fig. As you can see from the picture Mt. Fig is a much steeper and longer climb. However it is easier to ride to Mt. Fig. Also the mountain stages of camp are always a race stage. This stage was no different.
Today started as a beautiful morning but a tad cold; a welcome change from the previous days inclement weather. However I was feeling miserable because I was stiff from the cumulative days of riding. I was not looking forward to today’s race. Because I was so grumpy I decided to attend an active stretching class taught by Gardie Jackson, an accomplished national athlete. Gardie had us do lots of hip openers and legs openers plus traditional yoga poses. After 45mn of active stretching I felt fantastic. My muscles had opened up and I was ready to rock and roll.
I now eagerly dressed for the race that was leaving at leave at 9am. I like to get to all rides ½ hour before roll time to give me an opportunity to check my bike, take 2 or 3 nervous pees, and sign in. Because I did yoga I was running late so I rushed to the ride. Fortunately getting ready has become routine so I did not forget anything.
Our ride leader Bob H assembled us early and off we went. Today’s ride to Pine Flat was smooth and fun. It was a beautiful ride through vineyards on Chalk Hill road. We passed the Chalk Hill winery, known for chardonnays, Silver Oak, know for Cabs and a lot of boutique producers. I enjoyed every minute of it. Yesterdays ride in the rain and wind was unbearable. (I learned early today that the winds were 20mph not 12, no wonder I was spent.)
Everyone arrived at the base of the climb about the same time. RV gave us our instructions, which were fairly simple. Ride up as fast as you can and scream your average watts out to the scorekeeper as you cross the finish line. The main goal of the ride was to get the highest average watts possible. Also, if you finished the ride in less than 50mn you could do the optional ride up the entire mountain.
RV sounded the horn and of we went. The total race was about 7.5 miles. The first part of the climb was an easy 4% grade, then there were some slight down hill and then the grade pitched up again. The steepest part of the climb was 14%. Because there were places to recover from hard efforts, the slight down hills, the race did not seem that hard. However because there slight down hills it was hard to keep your power high.
My ride time was 48:20. My average power was just below my tested power. Interestingly my average HR was 164 and my average speed was 9.6mph. Looking at these numbers I am wondering if I could have gone harder? I don’t really know. I rode as hard as I thought I could. I think the real answer is that it does not matter. My perceived effort for the ride was a 9. I had a great time. That’s what bike camp is all about.
After the race I was tired so I chose to descend vs. doing another 40mn hard climb. The descent was steep. One camper gripped his breaks so hard he heated up his rims which caused the air in his front tire expand to the point where it explode. Fortunately he was fine.
The ride home was great fun. Everyone felt good and some of the riders even tried to organize singing in the pace line. But as everyone knows there is no singing in biking. Tomorrow is the last day and we have been promised an epic ride. OY
A final note: While returning to the hotel we passed a rider who looked a lot like Levi Leipheimer. Well, everyone looks like Levi when they are wearing spandex. Tonight was the camp dinner at a local restaurant. The owner, a former pro racer, had a ton of great bike paraphernalia sprinkled around the restaurant. Just as dinner arrived Levi showed up and talked for a few minutes. It was a great conclusion to a great day.
