Oh yeah, East Canyon

77°F
Ergomo Pro/Spin
This definitely wasn't the hardest race I have ever done thanks to Todd T in the break. The first climb on the way out was no problem. In fact, I was right at the front at the top and I wasn't pushing the pace. I just don't think the pace was that hard. Wasn't hard all the way out and back because we had Todd in a 4 man break about 1 minute up the road. Patrick and I had a little plan to create a break on the big climb on the way back just before the interstate to shed some climbers, yeah right. We were at the front about half way up when Ali Goulet decided to throw down. We were on his wheel in nothing flat and flew over the top. That was a pretty intense effort. Gathered ourselves and kept it on for a minute. Ali wouldn't get off the front for us to pull through, kind of hard when your going 30-35. I looked back and the 3 of us had a decent little gap but I could see the cavalry coming. We kept going for a little more, but then we lost our gap and let it come back together. I forgot about the little hill right before the interstate, and Ali attacked again. Goo in hand, I sucked it down and jumped with them. That effort seemed to hurt me a little more, I had to dig a little deeper. All together again except for the break. Everybody was content to let the big climb back do the separating. I got into 5th spot and just sat there comfortably as we started out on the mild grades. Piece of cake. Came to the left bend and started up the steep kicker that snaked a little. Getting tough but hanging 5th still. Still going. Still going. Then pop, there went the gasket. Somebody clicked down a gear and went one speed faster. I tried to go with the acceleration but it pushed me over the edge. Suddenly everything went out the bottom of my shoes and I was having a hard time keeping an ok pace. Getting passed a lot. Got into a rhythm for the final straight to the summit which I was pushing and feeling the pain but maintaining. Hit the top with only one, rotated for about 5 minutes until 3 more caught on (including Todd from the break). The 5 of us rotated as fast as we could trying to chase back on. We could see the 2 groups, but they had a good gap. With 2k to go we knew it was amongst us. I was feeling confident and attacked after what I thought were the 2 threats took a pull. I dug really deep this time trying to find a maintainable speed and hold it. Looked back and they were on me, crap. Hurry up an recover. Hit the final climb, got attacked, tried to go. Lasted about 10 seconds and know I was totally blown. Everybody caught me and passed me with 200 meters to go. Oh well, that's the first time I've had the opportunity to finish this race without a mechanical.