Last Saturday was the San Ardo Road Race. San Ardo is a little farming town off of Hwy 101. Just a little further south than bumf#%$k Egypt. Tony Dzoan met me at my house around 4:45am and we headed out after loading up. Stopped in King City for coffee, along with about 100 other racers and pulled into San Ardo around 7:00am. Being a TTE Garry had a sweet spread laid out for the team. Got reg’d and kitted up then went to the usual long line for the bathroom. The Velo Promo guys let everyone know about the prevalence of goatheads all over the place. I was extra careful and luckily didn’t puncture. Erik, Jorge, and I were the Team Fremont dudes in the 4’s and we had 7 other guys in different categories. Nice team showing. Did a 5 mile or so roll to warm up then lined up and waited for the start.
The 4’s were slated for 3 laps of 23 miles plus one more trip up the short feed hill to a left turn and then the finish. All told 70 miles. Race was sold out with a decent waiting list so I figure we rolled out with close to 65 riders. We headed west out of town across a narrow bridge and onto the feed hill. Under the freeway and out into the fields and vineyards. The roads are awful. I remember some bad sections from last year but this year it seems like the whole course was jacked up. The pace was down right mellow at first. The first few rollers felt like a social ride. After a bit Erik got bored and went to the front. He raised the pace and people started grumbling in the pack. Jorge rolled up at asked him to ease off a bit. I was comfortable either way, just happy to be out on my bike. The course continues north paralleling Hwy 101. The first half is rolling but pretty easy, all big ring stuff. Once you cross back over 101 there are one or two short climbs then it is flat back to town. Oh and the road still really sucks. First lap was pretty boring. A small group went off the front. Erik tried to bridge but stalled out in no man’s land. They were all brought back in short order. We rolled back through town as one big happy family. On the feed hill I got a textbook bottle handup from Brian. Much thanks! I went to the front to keep an eye on things. Chased down a few break attempts and tried to stay active. Faster pace on the second lap but not hard by any means. Once again came through San Ardo gruppo compacto. Jorge was out though due to a puncture. As we enter the feed zone for the last time some numbskull puts in an attack and gets a gap. Talk about a bush league move. A few other guys bridge up to them so we have a small group off the front. One of the guys Andreas from Bicycle Planet was riding strong so the group decided to chase. Not very organized I might add. With all the groups on the road it is difficult to tell who is who. The moto told us the break had 30 seconds on us. The pace goes up and we are clipping along on Cattleman Rd pretty quickly. Finally swallow up the guys on the front but no Andreas. He was still off the front never to be seen again. Coming into town for the third time was a little hairy. A lot of people in the road and guys doing goofy crap in the group made it interesting. We cross the narrow bridge all bunched up. We were rolling pretty mellow and some dude in the back goes nuts. Screaming and yelling to pick up the pace or make way. Ummm I think you new what was coming and should have positioned yourself a bit better for the finish. He finally stops crying and passes on the left. Guess the center line rule didn’t apply to him (from same team as feed zone attack guy). Whatever, we hit the hill and the hammer drops. I get out of the saddle to move up and my legs said “SIT DOWN!!”. Nuts. Grind up the climb seated. Try again to make a move just before the turn and legs say ” Sorry mate race is over for you”. Oh well. Cross the line midpack in 33rd position. Better finish than last year but not enough long rides in my legs lately. I like this race but the road conditions are terrible. I may not be back next year for this reason. Like to give a big thanks to all the team support we had . Brian and the rest of the Duncan family, Dave G and of course Gaz. I heard a few envious comments about the setup Garry had out for us. Also props to all the racers who made it down there even if your day didn’t go as planned. Gotta give Ziggy his due also. First race of the year for him was 92 miles with the P12 hammerheads, nice ride man.
Mike Baxter