Sierra Pacific Racing

New Things to Come

2011-09-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

This site will be changing in the next few weeks... stay tuned for updates.

What we saw today

2011-03-28T19:31:00.000-07:00

This little guy was hanging out in the bike lane as we rode up on him. Don't worry, he wasn't hurt, but he was relocated to a safer location.

Tues / Thurs Evening Rides

2011-03-10T21:24:00.000-08:00

It's time for the Tues / Thurs evening rides to start again. We will be leaving from Copper and Willow at 5:30 PM sharp, starting March 15, 2011. The ride time will change to 6:00 PM once there is enough light to allow for the later start time.

Ride starting from Doyals Saturday 1/15

2011-01-14T17:26:00.000-08:00

830am ride starting from Doyals.

Bike Assembly for Holy Cross Center for Women

2010-12-02T04:54:00.000-08:00

If anyone has some available time to help out...

The Holy Cross Center for Women needs help assembling approximately 80 bicycles that will then be donated to families it cares for

Monday, December 6th from 10am-6pm...if you or anyone you know has some time to donate toward this cause, please call 905-5429...thanks

Alder Springs Winter Training

2010-11-14T18:41:00.000-08:00

Had a great ride with 14 team members up Alder Springs today...Here's a couple of pics from Dave Hunt...Winter training is off to a great start with a great group of riders...

Sat. Oct 16, 2010

2010-10-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

Leaving Copper and Willow at 7:00 AM. Pine Flat Loop.

Saturday - Sept. 25, 2010

2010-09-24T16:14:00.001-07:00

Saturday, September 25, 2010 the plan is to leave C/W at 7:00AM and ride up Alder Springs Rd. and descend Tollhouse Rd. Along the way, we our planning and visiting Bob B to wish him a speedy recovery.

Saturdays Edge Data up Alder Springs

2010-08-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

A couple of you asked to have today's ride data posted as collected by Garmin Edge 500

Untitled by boochloe at Garmin Connect - Details

Race Across the Sky

2010-08-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars, we're planning on getting together Saturday Sept. 11th @ 6:00 PM to watch "Race Across the Sky". This is the movie that recaps the 2009 Leadville 100 race. Paul Purviance has graciously agreed to host the event. More information will be coming. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them in the comments section.

Sacramento Crit Video

2010-08-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

After weeks of anticipation, editing, post production meetings and legal constraints, here's the limited release of the Sacramento Crit video. This is what it looks like behind a winner.

Saturday, July 31

2010-07-30T04:44:00.000-07:00

Copper/Willow @ 7am

Saturday, July 24th Ride

2010-07-23T17:52:00.001-07:00

Leaving c/w @ 7am - plan is for 3-4 hour ride max...

Grizzly Ride this Friday July, 9th

2010-07-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

For those not working etc, a couple of us are going to cruise the Grizzly loop (78 miles) - leaving the North Fork elem school @ 8am...

Pine Flat Profile - July 3rd

2010-07-03T12:41:00.000-07:00

Some specifics from our Pine Flat ride today - Garmin Edge 500 - this is going to get out of control...

Pine Flat by boochloe at Garmin Connect - Details

Kaiser - Congratulations to Rebecca/Joey

2010-06-27T16:05:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Rebecca Rising - 1st Women finisher in the 2010 C2K, 11th finisher overall - incredible ride...and to Joey Galloway - 1st finisher overall with a time of 8:55 hrs...Sierra Pacific Orthopedic Center's race team was honored with the privilege of providing the lead out to some 300 riders...Dan Barrows, Victor, Neema, Timmy B, Matt P, Greg and Kaiser-day recruit Mike Slayden from Vapor Racing provided a 26mph pace to Riverbend to get things under way...Joey, Peter Lanik, Pat Doles, and Rebecca did their thing from Wildcat on...Listed below is data from the new "tech toy" the Garmin 500 preferred by the SPOC team...it provides some giggles with respect to terrain, HR, etc...

Kaiser Century by boochloe at Garmin Connect - Details

2010-06-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

Kaiser Century by boochloe at Garmin Connect - Details

Climb to Kaiser Lead Out

2010-06-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

Eric Zentner of Fresno Cycling club has contacted us about doing the lead out for the climb to kaiser, this Saturday June 26th....We have done that the past 3 years and it has actually been fun...They will provide us with wrist bands for the rest stops, food, etc...

We need to have as many SPOC riders as possible, and you are not required to ride beyond the corral on watts valley...many of us are going to go to the top of Tollhouse and then descend home through Alder Springs...should be home by 11:30ish

Eric Zentner asked that we be there, (north side of Buchanan HS on Teague), by 5am for wrist band dispersal, and ready to roll out at 5:30am out 22-24 mph pace...the more guys we have, the less you have to work...this is an important community effort as part of our team effort to promote cycling...

Saturday, June 19th Ride

2010-06-18T13:06:00.000-07:00

C/W @ 7:30...

Saturday Ride - June 5th

2010-06-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

group ride from c/w @ 7:30 am - all are welcome...note earlier start time in order to beat the heat...

Group Rides for Sunday 5/30 and Monday 5/31

2010-05-29T16:48:00.000-07:00

Sunday - leaving c/w @ 8am - riding to O'neals and back

Monday - leaving c/w @ 8am - riding Pine Flat

Both Rides should be steady/mellow

Saturday, May 29th Ride

2010-05-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Group ride leaving c/w @ 8am 4-5 hrs easy

May 22 group Ride

2010-05-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

Leaving c/w @ 8am

I Bike Fresno Corporate Challenge

2010-05-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

Congratulations on those who logged miles for the "Bike to Work Corporate Challenge" on May 19th...Sierra Pacific Orthopedic Center was the winner of the "Medium Team" division, having 14 riders log over 600 miles on the day...(actually more miles than the winner of the "Large Team" division)...T-shirts coming to all who participated...

Saturday, May 8th

2010-05-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

Group Ride leaving C/W @ 8am

Saturday, May 1st Ride

2010-04-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

Group ride from c/w @ 8am

Saturday, April 24th

2010-04-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

For those wanting to get some climbing done this weekend, meet at The Store at 7am to head up to Shaver via 4L and Prather.

World Champs

2010-04-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

Group Ride - Saturday, April 10th

2010-04-09T13:55:00.000-07:00

copper/willow 8am

What's Really Been Going On

2010-04-05T19:46:00.001-07:00

It's been a little while since we have had a race results posting, so he's a brief update...

Copperopolis Road Race - 4/3/2010

Cat 4: 2nd - Matt Paliughi

John DeVeere at Copperopolis

Wards Ferry Road Race - 3/27/2010

Cat 4: 1st - Matt Paliughi

Cat 5: 4th - Neema Assemi

Hanford Crit - 3/21/2010

Cat 4/5: 1st - Matt Paliughi

Cat 3: 5th - Syd Newsom

6th - Peter Lanik

M35+ 1/2/3: 2nd - Shaun Bagley

Women 1/2: 2nd - Rebecca Rising

Orosi Road Race - 3/20/2010

M35+ 4/5: 6th - Victor Mirzayan

Cat 4: 2nd - Matt Paliughi

M45+ 1/2/3: 7th - John Deveere

Rumor has it that Matt Paliughi has acquired enough points to upgrade to a 3. Not too bad for a guy that had a pretty bad crash during the Crit at the Madera Stage Race that broke his frame. This guy knows how to ride hard. Congratulations Matt!

Parting shot:

Brian Bosch at Copperopolis P1/2. Not sure what's going on here, but at least he's smiling.

Sat April, 3rd

2010-04-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

For those not racing, we are riding from copper/willow @ 8am 3-4 hrs

Sat. March 27th

2010-03-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

Group ride on Sat. March 27 @ 8:00 AM. Meeting at Copper & Willow.

Saturday, March 20th

2010-03-19T10:00:00.001-07:00

For those not doing Orosi, we are meeting at C/W @ 8am...

Merco Weekend

2010-03-10T22:43:00.000-08:00

Saturday - 3/6/2010 - Merco Crit

Womens 1/2/3 - Rebecca Rising - 1st

M35+ 1/2/3 - Shaun Bagley - 4th

Cat 3 - Syd Newsom - 4th

Sunday - 3/7/2010 - Merco Road Race

E3 - Syd Newsom - 1st

Women 1/2/3 - Rebecca Rising - 10th

Snelling Road Race & Merced Crit

2010-03-03T20:14:00.001-08:00

Saturday Feb 27, 2010

Neema Assemi takes 1st at the Snelling Road Race in the Cat 5 event.

Sunday Feb 28, 2010 - Merced Crit

Womens 1/2 - Rebecca Rising takes 6th

Cat 4/5 - Neema Assemi takes 10th

Tues / Thurs World Championships

2010-02-24T19:46:00.000-08:00

It's almost time to see who the giant of Friant Rd is, who can serve up the most hate before Rd. 208 or who can summon the thunder for the sprint in Pumpkin Valley. Do you think you have what it takes to be a champion every Tues or Thurs night? It's that time of year when anyone can be champion, beat up on your buddies or enjoy a fast paced training ride. The last idea is probably the least realistic. Just bring your friends (if you have any) and have fun.

Details

Day(s): Tuesday and Thursday, starting March 16th

Time: 5:30 pm (time will change as the days get longer)

Meeting Location: Copper and Willow

Central Coast Circuit Race

2010-02-22T18:24:00.000-08:00

Sat Feb 21, 2010

Congrats to the follow riders for their work at Central Coast Circuit Race.

6th - Neema Assemi - Cat 5

8th - Peter Lanik - M35+ 1/2/3

Weekend Results 2/13 - 1/15

2010-02-22T18:08:00.000-08:00

The weekend of 2/13/2010 - 2/15/2010 was successful for the Sierra Pacific Racing team. Some of these results have been listed below in previous results, but here's a complete list of all the top 10's for the weekend.

Cantua Creek R.R. (2/13/2010)

1st - Neema Assemi - Cat 5

3rd - Syd Newsom - Cat 3

9th - John Pellanda - M123

Pine Flat R.R. (2/14/2010)

1st - Rebecca Rising - Womens P1/2

4th - Kristi Eastin - Womens P1/2

4th - Neema Assemi - Cat 5

6th - Joe Galloway - Cat 3

10th - John Devere - M45+ 1/2/3

Dinuba Crit (2/15/2010)

1st - Joe Galloway - Cat 3

1st - Rebecca Rising - Women P1/2

3rd - Matt Palliughi - Cat 4/5

7th - Syd Newsom - Cat 3

8th - Shaun Bagley - P 1/2

10th - Danny Rondon - M 1/2/3

Saturday, February 20 Ride

2010-02-19T18:09:00.000-08:00

C/W @ 8am...

Dinuba Criterium

2010-02-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Rebecca Rising for laying it down in Dinuba to grab first place on Monday.

Also, Joe Galloway finished first in the Cat 3 race. Nice job guys.

Pine Flat RR

2010-02-14T15:31:00.000-08:00

Here are some pics from the Pine Flat RR ...Sierra Pacific Racing was well represented in all categories (including Bosch/Owens in the 1-2 pro...on loan to Yahoo)...Rebecca Rising looked to be hardly breathing and Matt Paliughi and Joey Galloway were riding strong in their respective categories...great job guys

Early Bird Road Race

2010-01-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

Syd Newsom took the first male win of the season for the Sierra Pacific Racing team by placing 1st in the Cat 4 event at the Early Bird Road Race.

San Bruno Hill Climb

2010-01-25T19:52:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Rebecca Rising for her win at the San Bruno Hill Climb on January 1, 2010. Way to set the bar for the rest of us.

Sat. 1/16/2010

2010-01-15T19:05:00.000-08:00

Leaving from Copper & Willow at 8:00 Am (sharp). Route to be determined.

Sunday, Jan 3rd Ride

2010-01-02T14:57:00.000-08:00

C/W @ 8:03 am...route to be discussed and decided in a democratic process...

Saturday, Jan 2nd ride

2010-01-01T16:34:00.000-08:00

SPOC and all others welcome...c/w @ 8am

Wednesday, Dec 30

2009-12-29T13:25:00.000-08:00

Ride is leaving Starbuck's @ Perrin/Chestnut @ 8am...

Tues 12/29

2009-12-28T17:13:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, December 29, 2009. There will be a ride leaving from the Starbucks on Perrin and Chestnut at 9:00 AM. Show up a little early if you'd like a warm drink. We (Tim & Vinny) were talking about doing the Raymond loop (you can call it the Belgian loop if you like).

For reference only...

Wednesday, Dec 23rd Ride

2009-12-20T13:09:00.000-08:00

Plan is to leave C/W @ 8am...easy/steady ride - plan on 4-5hrs

Christmas Sweaters & Egg Nog

2009-12-10T11:47:00.000-08:00

Put on your favorite christmas sweater and join our good friends and team sponsor Rubber Soul Bicycles for their annual Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 16th from 6-9 PM. This is a party not to miss.

Sat. Dec 5th

2009-12-04T09:16:00.000-08:00

The ride will be leaving at 8:00 AM on Sat. from Shaw and Academy. The plan is to ride out to Orange Cove / Hog Back. Bring some food and money, this should be a 100+ mile ride.

Weds. Dec 2nd

2009-12-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

There will be a group leaving from the Starbucks at Perrin & Chestnut (Summerville) at 9:00 AM. Typical 4-5 hour ride. If you want to enjoy a warm beverage before the ride, please arrive early.

Sunday, November 29 Ride

2009-11-28T18:20:00.000-08:00

Leaving c/w @ 7:30 am to do Pine Flat Loop...good ending to a four-day block or riding...

Thanksgiving Day & Friday 11/27

2009-11-25T17:23:00.000-08:00

Thursday (11/26), we will be giving thanks by leaving from Copper & Willow at 7:30 AM. Riding Alder Springs and the 4-Lane.

Friday (11/27), we will be burning some Thanksgiving calories by doing Balch Camp. Leaving from Shaw & Academy at 7:30 AM. So go ahead and enjoy some pie (not the whole pie).

Wednesday, 11/25

2009-11-24T18:24:00.000-08:00

Meeting @ c/w @ 7am...

Sat. 11/21/2009

2009-11-20T18:22:00.000-08:00

Meeting at Copper and Willow - 7:30 am.

Wednesday, November 18th ride

2009-11-15T14:53:00.000-08:00

This Wednesday we will leave c/w @ 7am...4-5 hours steady/easy riding...

This past weekend we had some great riding:

Saturday: up Walker, over to North Fork, down Italian Bar into Redinger (holy crap that is a rough road...), with a solid tough tempo climb up Italian Bar to Jose Basin, home through Auberry...

Sunday: Pine Flat loop

Good number of riders out both days...good job to all - keep it up!!

Saturday, November 14th Ride

2009-11-12T13:21:00.000-08:00

LEAVING c/w @ 7:30 am...if you are late, you are chasing...out Friant, up Walker, straight over to North Fork, continuing up Mammoth Pool road to Italian Bar Road, down into/out of Redinger, home thru Auberry...tempo climbing, brief rest stop at top of walker and at auberry store...time/distance/climbing will be similar to last week

FYI: from this point forward, we will move ride time to 7:30 on Sat/Sun, unless otherwise posted, as we are in colder months

Wednesday, Nov 11th Ride

2009-11-10T18:07:00.001-08:00

We are leaving c/w @ 7:30 am...

Sunday, Nov 8th Ride

2009-11-07T16:45:00.000-08:00

Leaving c/w 7am...today we had 10-12 riders up Walker, Teaford Saddle, into North Fork and climbing out of Powerhouse, heading home via Prather...95 plus miles and over 6,000ft of climbing...cool

Saturday, Nov 7th Ride

2009-11-04T17:27:00.000-08:00

The suggestion has been made that we do Walker/Teaford/Oakhurst and back, or continue to Rd 600, and home via Raymond...leaving c/w @ 7am...feel free to state your preference...

Wednesday, November 4th Ride

2009-11-02T16:18:00.000-08:00

Leaving c/w @ 7am...should be nice weather this week...

We had a great weekend of riding - Powerhouse plus Boothill loop on Sunday, and Pine Flat on Sunday...Had 10-12 riders - sure makes the ride that much more enjoyable...Victor is logging some serious miles and getting stronger every week...good to see John D. join us for Sunday's ride...rode solid tempo both days...so far an excellent beginning...

Wednesday 10/28 and Saturday 10/31

2009-10-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

Both days, the plan is to leave c/w @ 7:30 am...plan on 4-4.5 hours of steady tempo riding...We had a great ride around Redinger last Saturday...

Wednesday, 10/21 Saturday, 10/24

2009-10-19T17:30:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 10/21: plan is to leave c/w @ 7:30 am / should have a good-sized group - steady tempo riding

Saturday 10/24: leaving c/w @ 7:30 am - doing Redinger lake route....steady riding, there is minimal stopping...bring $ for Auberry store on way back

Saturday, October 17 Ride

2009-10-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

Per BB, leaving c/w @ 7:30 am, doing wildcat, burrough valley, tollhouse, pittman, watts valley...big ride, easy/steady tempo

Saturday Ride - 10/10

2009-10-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

Leaving C/W at 7:00 AM Saturday, October 10, 2009. We are planning on doing the Pine Flat loop.

Grizzly Ride - What A Great Day!!

2009-10-04T19:42:00.000-07:00

We had exceptional weather, great group of guys (and gals) and sushi at the rest stops...They had snow flurries at Cold Springs Summit today (our last rest stop), elevation 7300'

Grizzly Ride, Saturday

2009-10-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

FYI - Bosch sent out a text that most should have received...we are meeting at the Northfork School @ 7:30am - riding @ 8am...

Wednesday, September 30th

2009-09-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

Leaving c/w @ 7am for our "furlough Wednesday ride"...btw realized the waterfall video was of previous trip....waterfall looks the same, substitute Vinny, Jeremiah, John Pellanda for Matt P, Dave, and Dan and it works...

M$M Waterfall II

2009-09-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

Great ride Saturday along m$m, shaver and home...

Sunday, September 27

2009-09-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

Leaving c/w @ 7:30 am

Saturday, September 26

2009-09-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

For those not riding the Lighthouse Century, there will be a ride leaving c/w @ 7am...

Wednesday, September 23 Ride

2009-09-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

Leaving c/w 7am for 4-4.5 hours of easy riding...The furlough days are kicking in for some, so we should have a good group...

Saturday, September 20th Ride

2009-09-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

going to leave c/w @ 7:30 am...note half hour later start time

Saturday, September 19th Ride

2009-09-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

leaving c/w @ 7am to do either pine flat, or alder down tollhouse...popular vote chooses ride...either way it will be easy riding

Saturday, September 12 Ride

2009-09-11T04:23:00.000-07:00

Leaving c/w promptly @ 7am - riding will be steady, easy to tempo, with minimal stops

Labor Day Weekend Racing

2009-09-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

Sierra Pacific racers made their presence know this past weekend at the Clovis Crit Series and the Giro di San Francisco. Some of the highlights included, but not limited too...

Curtis Eastin - 1st on Sat. at the Harlan Ranch Masters 123 Crit.

Brian Bosch - 3rd on Sat. at the Harlan Ranch Pro 12 Crit.

Syd Newsom - 1st on Sun. at the Downtown Clovis E 4/5 Crit.

Curtis Eastin - 3rd on Sun. at the Downtown Clovis Masters 123 Crit.

Brian Bosch - 3rd in the Masters 123 at the Giro di San Francisco. Thus placing 1st in the Cal Cup Series for the Masters 123.

Even D-man pounded the pedals with a smile on his face.

Labor Day Ride

2009-09-06T19:44:00.000-07:00

Leaving the corner of c/w @ 8:30 am for easy ride...

MacGyver - Move Over!!!

2009-09-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

This video should need no explanation...btw - for those not racing tomorrow, (Saturday 9/5), some of us are riding from c/w @ 7am - Go 'Dogs, beat the Aggies!!

Cal-Cup Series

2009-09-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

Going into this final weekend of racing for the Cal-Cup series, Brian Bosch is in 1st in Mstr 1-3, Eric Easterling is in 8th, and Tim Granshaw is in 10th...Great job guys....

Wednesday, September 2nd Ride

2009-09-01T13:17:00.001-07:00

C/W @ 7am...

Vacaville Grand Prix

2009-08-31T10:52:00.000-07:00

Sunday - August 30, 2009

Eric Easterling wins the Masters 123 race (2nd year in a row), Brian Bosch takes 3rd.

Saturday Ride, August 29th

2009-08-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

Leaving c/w 7am...plan is to head toward Prather...some who are racing Sunday will probably do Lodge road, others of us would like to ride to the waterfall on M$M...all are welcome

Wednesday, August 26

2009-08-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

Leaving c/w @ 7am...

San Ardo RR, August 22

2009-08-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

Master's 35 1-3: Tim Granshaw initiates a 9-man break, including Eric Easterling which stayed away...Tim did HUGE amounts of work in the break...Eric finished 4th, Tim G., 9th while Curtis and Tim B. rode strong in the group, controlling any attempts at a bridge...good work by all, Bosch, on his death bed, still retains Cal-Cup points lead...

Suisun Harbor Crit

2009-08-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

Sunday - August 16, 2009

Wednesday, August 19

2009-08-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

Riding from Brian Bosch's house at 8:15am....maybe out toward Watts or Wonder Valley...

8/15 Ridin'/Racin'

2009-08-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

BB finished 8th @ Dunnigan Hills RR, Tim Granshaw was 4th, getting a way in a break...great job guys...Bosch has Cal-Cup lead...

For those who stayed in Central Valley, we had a great ride around Watts, Wildcat, and Pine Flat...great to see John Palanda and John Devere back on their bikes and riding strong!!!

Saturday, August 15th

2009-08-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

Riding from c/w @ 7am...we are going to let Curtis pick the route...

Wednesday, August 12 Ride

2009-08-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

As per usual, we will leave c/w 7am...route tbd

Warnerville TT/Patterson Pass RR

2009-08-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Bosch rolls Warnerville TT/ wins with fastest overall time, then wins the Masters 1-3 Patterson Pass RR today - congrats to Brian...that is one tough race course...we should send him to France every year...He can give you the details - both races begin the Cal-Cup series - great job BB!

Matt Paliughi, one of Sierra Pacific's up and coming U23 riders wins Patterson Pass RR today...by far, one of the most coachable, talented guys around - he has only been riding a bike for a few months...

Saturday, August 8

2009-08-07T18:59:00.000-07:00

Leaving c/w @ 7am...ride tbd: 4-5 hrs

Timpani Crit

2009-08-03T21:01:00.001-07:00

Sunday - August 2, 2009

John Wilk came in 4th and Brian Bosch took 5th in the Pro 1,2 race.

* Sunday - Aug. 2, 2009 *

2009-08-01T18:31:00.000-07:00

The ride time has been changed to 6:30 am for anyone wishing to ride in Fresno. Like usual, we will be leaving from Copper and Willow.

Day 5

2009-07-31T19:40:00.000-07:00

Day 5 was to be a rest/easy day. Just 60K (2.5 hrs) with 1800m of gain. They told us the ride was pretty much just one climb up the backside of Alpe d'Huez. So, I'm good with that. Thinking that 60K most of it going down and only having to go up a 14K climb would be good. Well, we most have made a wrong turn. Because half way down Alpe d'Huez we make a left and the road went up. Not sure how far we rode on this climb, aka "wee bump." But it was long enough to take the "rest" out of rest day.
So, over the bump and past some towns to the real climb of the day, the Col de Sarenne. Which happens to be a 19K climb that starts at 930m and summits at 1999m. Starts off nice only to bite you in the last 6K (guessing around 10%). Great climb with some great views.

-bosch

Day 4

2009-07-31T18:54:00.000-07:00

Day 4 was probably the hardest day for me, because of how hard day 3 was and the fact that this was the 4th day in a row of riding. I really haven't been riding much this year. So, I was way over my head on this trip.

Anyway, the day's ride was just 107K, but with another 2800m of climbing. Start off by going down Alpe d'Huez (this only means I'll have to come back up at the end of the ride) to the town of Allemont. Make a few turns and up we go on the Col de la Croix de Fer (2064m). This climb is almost 28K long. It gives you two breaks to recover on but after each it starts back up with some steep sections of 11%+. The climb was pretty much a death march for me, but I made it.

Ran into the little deli/store at the summit and ordered a few cokes and a ham and cheese sandwich to fuel up for the ride back. Yeah, back up Alpe d' Huez.

Half of the group got in the van at the bottom to get a ride back up to the hotel. At first, I was one of them but for some silly reason, at the last second, I asked Curtis to get my bike down from the top of the van so I could ride up. 59min of pure misery!

-bosch

Day 3

2009-07-29T21:25:00.000-07:00

Day 3 was a big day. 184K with 4,450m of elevation gain. The day started off right out of the hotel with the Col de L'Iseren (17K w/about 900m of gain).

Then down a crazy fast descent (no guard rails on these roads) to 700m. Where I began the Col du Telegraphe (12K of 7% to 9%) up to 1566m. From there it was a small decent to the town of Vallorie (1410m) and the start of the Col du Galibier. This climb is just over 18K long and starts off easy with 1K at 8% and then easies up with 3K of 2-3%. But on that day there was the worst headwind (I'm guessing 30-40mph) I've ever ridden in. At full gas, all I could get out from the engine was 10-12kph. Now that I'm totally turned inside-out, I start the real part of the climb. 10K of 8% and the final K at 10% up to an elevation of 2648m. Not really that hard of a climb, but with the wind, and it's getting stronger as I go up, this climb was a beast! By the time I reached the top, over an hour and a half to do the 10K, I was getting tossed around by 60mph+ winds.

When you're at the top all you can do is go down. That's what I did for the next 40K (down to 600m) and it started off like this.

Now that I'm 170K into this ride and all I can think about is getting to the hotel and finding something to eat! So, with only 14K to go, what better way to end the day than with the hotel being atop Alpe d'Huez.

From 600m up to 1815m in 14K, with the first 3K at 12%, cake! Remember, I just came from 40K of descending. So, for the first few K's I was in shock. Made it to the top in 54min.

BIG FLIPPIN' DAY!

-bosch

Day 2

2009-07-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

Day 2 was 116K with 2200+m of elevation gain. On this day we dropped down to Seez (26K). To climb up the Col du Petit St. Bernard (a 26K climb 5%avg grade). The tour raced dowm this mtn. to the finish. This was the mtn that Jens Voigt crashed on.

Not a bad climb for me, but to carry a backpack (15lbs) up a 26K climb on the 2nd day???

At the top of the KOM

The switchbacks at the top.

And a photo of the race. This is just before Armstrong catches up with the leaders on the climb.
-bosch

France Trip

2009-07-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not posting each day as planned, but my days were a little "up and down." I will write a new post for each day of riding (7).

So, on day one, I arrive in Lyon, France and get loaded up in one of 4 vans and head to Val d'Isere (1800m). Meet the other 32 people willing to try and ride 720K (450 miles) with 16,500m (54,000ft) of climbing in the Alps. After everyone got their stuff unloaded and bikes built. We head out for a little ride to get the blood moving in the legs. A 14hr+ day (6000 miles) in a plane is hard on the legs (When I do this again I when pay for First Class seating). The ride was a 24K out and back with 600m of climbing (a 4K climb). Easy ride - I big ring the whole ride. 53x19.-Bosch

John Wilk is Masters Champ

2009-07-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

Congrats to John Wilk who is the District 30+ Criterium champion...John almost had a double championship, finishing a close 2nd in the road race...great job John!