Sea Otter Classic 2006 Race report by Loren Thomas

I didn't sign up for SO as early as I usually do. I think others
took the same approach since there were only 34 entries when I
signed up. Once committed, I knew I needed to fit a pre-ride in
considering the new course, so after several rain cancellations, I
made it down a few weeks before the race.
The pre-ride didn't really excite me. It mostly worried me because
of all the mud and chainsuck. The next few weeks I watched the
weather showing nothing but rain!
Race weekend and I am still unsure what to expect of the weather,
but I pack my camping gear and head out Saturday morning with my
Sweetie prepared for the worst. I got the run-around trying to
check-in to camp just like everyone else, but finally got settled.
Sunday morning I woke to clear skies, had a bowl of oatmeal and
headed down to the start. My strategy was to hang back in about
25th place during the start then ride my own pace to the end.
The pack of about 100 take off with me in the middle. We ramp up
quickly to a good pace and I concentrate on staying in the middle
with a good draft. Up past the grandstands, then the leaders start
slowing to make a wheel sucker take the lead. This gives me a
chance to come around the outside and settle in with the top 15.
The pack adjusts as others come around the outside to get their
positions. We look like a bunch of roadies slowing and leap
frogging down the blacktop. I'm on the outside of the turn to the
dirt, so I end up about 20th into the dirt. The course narrows as
we maneuver through some single track onto the fireroad. The
leaders handle it well then group up into a fat paceline. I stay
back and settle into my own pace.
I crest the top of a wide fireroad which drops down a fast lightly
rutted hill. I let it roll as I focus on picking lines to get me
around the wimps who can't handle the speed. In to some single
track with no one to slow me down. It's heaven as I carve the
corners. Spring must be here since I am picking off pansies and
pussywillows on this trail too. Could life be any better? Damn...
mud in my eye! No time to wipe it out. Blinking will have to do
until I begin to climb and have a chance to let off the bars.
Out of the single track and the lead pack is in sight. I'm still
running a comfortable pace and don't attempt to change that. The
first guy to pass me does so right before the sandy down hill. We
treat it like a walk in the park maneuvering around the love birds
building sandcastles. I think someone forgot to tell these guys it
was a race. Anyway, it's a blur until I get to the fantastic single
track before the sisters. I love this part! Around a corner and
more wimps walking around a short mud hole. I just wheelie then…
opps, front wheel sinks, bike stops I step off in to the deep mud
then pull my bike back between my legs. That was close! Then the
lovely sound of sand in the chain and doh, crank binds. I'm
prepared for this…. I drip water on the chain as I peddle slowly.
Again, this sucks! Big ring until I can't, OK see if the rinse has
worked. Nope. Back in the big ring. Big hill, middle ring, suck.
Damn! Off the bike, good rinse, those pansies are passing me. Run
up the hill, big ring. Is the chain going to snap. I don't usually
ride with such an angle on things.
After only a few spots where the big ring didn't work for me, I get
to the last climb. Find someone to complain to about my chain suck
problems. Then I see Matt. OK, done with conversation new
mission. Far from mission impossible. What seemed like no effort
at all and I pull up beside the rookie. He's going way too slow for
me to even consider drafting him, but I tease him then continue on.
I find my number one cheering section (Esther) at the last hill.
I'm out of the saddle (because that damn big ring) so it looks
impressive:) Through the last single track and I catch two more
guys. As we enter the track I hammer (in the big ring) and pass the
guy in front of me. I make sure he can't catch my draft then focus
on the guy 300 feet down the track who thinks he has his position in
the bag. I am closing fast then he looks back and starts to
hammer. I'm still closing as he tries to get up to speed. Seventy-
five feet apart we round the final turn and he has matched my
speed. Oh well, he wasn't in my class anyway, but the guy behind me
was! My best finish ever at the Otter 7th of 78. 1:34:16 was only
3:25 from the leader.
This give me great confidence. I don't know why I am not that
concerned about Hillstrom and Leonard's challenges for NVDC. I
guess I know they don't stand a chance;)

Mr. T (what did you think that's my nick name for nothing?)