The ride started off very mellow until we started up our first climb. Quickly, we had a six man lead group. Joel and myself were doing most of the pulling. Some squirly guy from San Luis Obispo was just sitting in. I didn't have the proper gearing for the 20+% grade sections of Santa Rosa Creek Rd. I had to stand up and power climb it and was first to the top. The descent down is a very treacherous section that I almost crashed on 13 years ago. (Back in 2001, I was coming down this crazy descent, I got thrown off road into the gravel and slashed a tire.) A few of the guys said they were going to take the descent slow, as was I. Next thing I know, they have all left me as I cautiously take this descent. One guy not from our 6 man group (Carl) even passed me on the descent. For the next 5 miles, I had to chase extremely hard to finally get back on. Now it's a 7 man group as we head north up Hwy 1. We were going north 20 miles into a very strong headwind. Brook suddenly broke a spoke, now we have 6 guys. Two more guys got dropped on the Hwy 1 rolling climbs. At mile 87, it's a four man group as we approach the deciding climb of the day. Nacimiento is a 7 mile climb with some very steep grades in the first 3.3 miles of the climb. At about 2.5 miles into the climb, I finally had to let Joel go. My standard crank set-up (not compact) with a 26 cassette on the back, just didn't cut it. Had I known it was going to ease up in 1/2 a mile, I would have stayed on. All I knew was that it was a 7 mile climb, next time I'll know. Joel had a minute plus lead on me coming into the lunch stop at mile 116. He filled up his bottles and was leaving as I pulled in. I took my time. I went to the restroom and was going to grab some food. Carl came in shortly after and I gladly waited for him to go to the restroom and grab some food. Thank god, I waited for Carl. For the next 10 miles we headed into a crazy headwind. We stayed together most of the way, until the climbing got too much for Carl. At the 120 mile mark, I was left on my own. I never saw Joel again. I take my time at rest stops, as I would leave a stop, Carl would be coming in. More headwinds and crosswinds but mostly tailwinds to the finish. 2nd place for the day. http://www.strava.com/activities/139782784
1st place - Joel 11:26
2nd place - Rod 11:46
3rd place - Carl 11:50
