4 Laps @ 1.52’19”

7th out of 9

This was my 4th singlespeed race and probably the best one so far, even if the result doesn’t show.

Driving down to Monterey it was overcast and windy, with temps in the low 50s. After chatting with Wade and Seth, we went off for a warm up lap. Counterclockwise loop, about 5.5mi with over 600ft elevation per lap. There are basically 4 steep climbs in this part of Ft. Ord and they were all in the course.

Had some major changes in the bike the day before, replaced BB and crank, new brakes and went down one tooth in the cog, for a 34×20. Was a little bit worried about having to walk some of the steeper sections.

For some reasons we started with the fast group of Sport 19-35 and Clydes. I think Rob was trying to create some Daytona moment at the start. We did a quarter lap, then went thru the start. The group started real fast as always. I quickly settled into my pace and held a 5th place spot. In the first lap I got stuck behind a slower rider in a steeper section, hesitated to pass got off the pedals, so I got passed by 4 SS riders while running up the hill.

Nothing to report in the following 2 laps other than I reeled in two of the 4 riders, but could not catch the other two which I had in sight for a short while during the 3rd lap. Finished 7th, within 2 mins of 5th and 3 mins from 4th.

Even so this was the CCCX race with most elevation this year and where I had my highest avg speed, so I’m pretty happy with it. The 34×20 felt right and gave me some more speed on the flats and DH sections.

The almost 2 hours riding time went real fast, another indication that I was having fun.