The monster stage of the week, from a climbing perspective: FIVE King of the Mountain Stages, including an HC (beyond category) climb and a Cat 1 climb over Sierra Mountain Road. I think everyone is asleep so I have no pictures yet from their cameras. Keep checking back.
The A Group ride started in Patterson, and we quickly turned on Sierra Canyon Road and started to see picture perfect riding terrain. Amazing. We then rolled up the B Group on our way to the first of the five climbs. Everyone – in both groups – did really well. Everyone conquered the HC climb at Mt. Hamilton…an epic effort that had most folks climing switchbacks for 10-12 mins before seeing the 5k to KOM sign. OUCH!!!
The descent down was almost as amazing, with multiple opportunities to see switchbacks below. Dropping into San Jose was beautiful, warm and green. And FAST.
This is the chase group at the bottom of Sierra. George Hincapie had a :40 sec lead at the bottom. He was cranking when he came around by us. But when Astana came around the corner you knew his time in the front was going to to be short. Levi and and crew were on a mission…a mission that landed Levi first place OA. Totally awesome.
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