June 25 - Pescadero Coastal Classic, Pescadero
Race website & results

Race photos: Kieran Sherlock

Men's 45+ report by Geo Kitta, Peninsula Velo

A last minute decision to race brought me to Pescadero, actually I have Fred Stamm (teammate in this race) to thank, as his encouragement on the prior Thursday night ride pushed me off the fence.

Registered that morning by our old friend and fellow coaster Tom Feix, who offered me #666...I turned it down, preferring 667. I felt good, both relaxed and ready to compete, and did only a short road warm-up and some stretching. Met with the PV crew, and was glad to see our presence. Ideal conditions of cool temps, low wind, overcast sky and dry roads set the stage.

Our group pulled away at a steady pace, rolled through town and started climbing up Stage. I made it up and over the two part climb without a problem. First goal completed - check. The long trip down La Honda was tempoville and I stayed near the front end. We had lost a few over Stage, but it was still a big field. Jamie Willin (Olympic Club) and Dave Kavanaugh (Alto Velo) were still there, and Fred too.

Started up Haskins and the riders panned out, especially after the McDonald Park sign. I stayed focused, and kept my tempo as steady as I could manage. Over the top and split from the main field just ahead, it was chase-time. I flew down the hill, and once on the flats put my head down and rode flat-out. They were out of sight but I knew not by much. Halfway through, Dave with a group of seven to nine guys including Chris Black (Arts Cyclery Racing Team) caught me. I jumped in and at first there was a fast, revolving pace-line. Shortly thereafter, it broke down to only a few of us working the front. Then it was only Chris and I. So be it I thought- the race was up ahead, and I was determined to rejoin it. As we passed the graveyard, I was the first to link back up with the group, which included everyone left in the front. Goal 2 completed - check.

Luckily there was a brief time to sit in and recover before the climbs. Back up Stage, and this time I got gapped on the second part, mainly from the effort spent catching. But again, I was not getting shelled. A hard effort on the descent and before the right turn up La Honda, I was back on again. Goal 3 completed - check.

Photo by Kieran Sherlock

I rode to the front of the pack and stayed there up La Honda road. I still felt good but knew the real test was just ahead. Just before the turn, we caught Jamie, who had broken away at San Gregorio. He mentioned before the race that he thought it was a good day for a breakaway, but that was the last I'd heard of it. I might have joined him if he had told me, but at that point in the race I was still on the trailing side of the group. We rounded the right turn and as I rolled through the feed zone in the front group, a rider rammed me from the side. Luckily, I had my arms bent and loose, and there wasn't a problem. He apologized, and that was that. Up the hill and Haskins part two split the field once again, and this time we were joined by a caravan of exotic sports cars! We were all strung out up the hill, and I ended up passing quite a few riders before finally reaching the finish in 22nd place. Better than I thought! All and all, I felt like I had raced the good race and knew that I did my best. Mission accomplished!

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