Coe Monstercross 1 Ren 0

With just a weeks time to prepare, I was a little concerned that I would not be ready for the Coe Monstercross. I was right.

With a busy work and travel schedule I got exactly Zero training in before the event. In fact, the event was only my second ride since the Spring Classic nearly a month ago. I figured that if I could get to the to of Hamilton still feeling pretty good, I'd be good for the whole ride. On the climb up Mt Hamilton I was harshly reminded that I would not be feeling good. On the summit, I realized I was totally spent; my legs jello and my oxygen deprived brain screaming for relief. There was no hope in going on, so I quit, thinking about the line: "Once you quit something, you just make it easier to quit next time", and Andy Schleck's racing season so far. Neither was enough to inspire me to push on.

When I reconnected with the group at the summit, the last to arrive,  I let them know my decision. As they pedaled off to complete the adventure, I felt the brisk wind on my cheek and realized; even with my choice to turn back now I was still looking at a couple of hours of riding to get home. I pointed the Haka downhill and let her run, wishing I had left on the smooth 30mm slicks I used on the Spring Classic, instead of swapping to the knobby Rocket Rons for all the dirt I had expected to ride today. So with more than a little caution I descended all the way to the bottom -- which, if you know Mt Hamilton, you know involves more than a little climbing. An hour later I was back in San Jose, but on the wrong side of the valley. Another 45 minutes got me home. Strava says it was 55 miles and 5500ft. Seems like it was a lot more.

The next day was a testament to the effort and lack of preparation. I was really sore and it stayed that way for 2 days. Finally today (Monday) the legs don't feel like stuffed sausages. Although nobody like to quit, but I think my decision was correct and I'm glad I did. That said, I still really want to do that Hamilton - Coe ride and how that I have a buddie who has done it and a good map I'm sure I'll get to it in the next few weeks -- this time with a couple of training rides to prepare.

I think the highlights of the ride was having the right spare part to saving another rider's ride. Half way up Hamilton I ran into one of the riders in our group on the side of the road with a broken chain. During the planning for the Spring Classic I ordered some SRAM PowerConnect chain links and only the night before I added one to my seat bag. Luck was with us and that little link saved his ride and providing it was the highpoint of mine.