Thanks Andrew,
The Silver Star hill climb was a great experience for me. Since the day I started riding I have heard so many great stories about Olav. Well, they all came true last Canada day! Watching his legs work like pistons, out of the saddle and setting a stiff pace right from the start on Star Rd. By the time we finished the first climb he already had a gap and that was more or less the last time I saw him. In some ways this guy makes we want to quite cycling altogether but on the other hand there is a part of me that gets very motivated and makes me want to push on and improve my fitness or whatever else it takes to be such a dominating climber. It was truly a great experience to watch.
Once we finished the first climb a couple guys went off the front. One of them was on a tri bike. I always find the beginning of these races sometimes difficult until the race gets sorted out and everyone gets into a rhythm. You then start to figure out who is who and who you should and shouldn't try to stick with. I wanted to do well on this climb so I bridged up to the guy on the tri bike thinking that maybe we could get away from the main pack. Once on his wheel no sooner then later the road kicked up and this guy started to make me suffer. I couldn't maintain the pace so I let up a little and went pack into the pack. Later in the day I found out that the guy on the tri bike named Trevor is a pro triathlete. He also laid down a solid time and we didn't see much of him either after that point in the race.
After a couple km's into the race it came down to four of us working our way up this crazy mountain. Sometimes during these races when you end up with a good group of guys there's times when it almost feel like were are all on the same team, working our way up the hill together trying to stay away from the riders behind. I think we all shared the work, each one taking a turn at the front setting a stiff pace. For me there was never a dull moment on this climb. I was pushing a high heart rate from the second the race started. I was really hoping to have something left for the top 1/4 of the climb. Once nearing the top I wanted to start turning it up but no sooner then later my buddy Steve started attacking. He would get out of the saddle and drive the pace. After each attack I kept thinking I was going to punch it while he was recovering but he would only sit for such a short time and then back out of the saddle attacking again, over and over. He was really making me suffer. I was doing everything I could just to hold on. When we hit the first overpass we both shifted into the big ring. Again, I messed up this shift and a gap started to open. There was no way I could get back on. I crossed the line in 4th. All and all a great day of bike racing with perfect weather in an amazing setting with great friends and family!
I had to attach this picture as the look on my face pretty much says it all! There are more photo's of the race here if you are interested.
http://duanebc.smugmug.com/gallery/8756569_YLKXp#579504350_jGnW2
