Mike Horgan hill climb

The Mike Horgan hill climb is the most dynamic and arguably the hardest of the 3 hill climbs. While not as long or reaching the altitude of Mt Evans it sports long sections of quad busting steeps 15%, and 4.5 miles averaging over 9 etc. 5-7 miles of dirt road. A short fast S-turning decent and a bit of flats before the last kick up to Eldora ski area.

We blasted out of the gates with Tokyo Joes team and Ralf from the Wild Oats team (my team) on the front. We got to the crucial part section of the race in 10 minutes or so. Ridding up hill at 25 MPH makes you feel like a stud I don’t care who you are, it does.
I road well right in 5th or 6th wheel and was feeling good. I went in fount of the surge and turned onto Magnolia rd 3rd wheel or so. Hitting the supper steep start of the next 30’ I shuffled my gears down into my 27 and road steady while 20+ riders passed me. After 3 or 4 minutes 2 groups started to form ahead of me and they stalled. I started to push a bit more. The longer I road the more people I passed and what was to be the second group on the road was in sight and striking distance. I was now riding with one of the Aussie guys. I started to push into the red zone a bit to early before the top and lost the group ahead of us. Onto the dirt road we picked up one rider but couldn’t catch the next group. we simply didn’t have enough guys and I wasn’t willing to ride that hard on this section. I will admit I was scared of the Horgan, well if not scared lets say I had a deep, deep respect. OK onto the paved decent, and to the short stretch of flats that leads to the last few miles up to the finish. As I looked back to judge the condition of my 2 companions I realized that our little party of 3 had turned to 7 or 8. I was worried but then realized how good I felt, and with the final climb less than a mile away I told my self that if they got dropped before I will drop them again. I went to the back as we hit the climb just to see the pace of every one. After a minute or so I moved to the front and accelerated. I told my self I was going to wait for the Aussie rider to make a move but I couldn’t help it. I settled to a rhythm and tock a look. There were a few who follow so I kicked again, this time only my mate from down under was there and looked to be in trouble. I pushed more but couldn’t quite shake him. I should have been either more aggressive there or much less. With 200 to go he jumped me and I didn’t have enough in the legs to respond.
13th on the day. not so bad I guess with 12th and 11th right in sight. I felt great and after as was eating breakfast with the lady at our favorite place in the world I thought… maybe I should have been more aggressive?
Maybe??

Firecracker 50

So off we went through town leading out a parade in Breckenridge, CO it was quite a sight. After a bit of a flurry we settled in. I road 2nd or third wheel for most of the first long, paved and dirt road climb. after some time I had pulled away with another hard tail rider in my class. We hit the single track and I stayed in control of my effort but the going was tough. I was in the lead now with no one in sight. “sweet!” we came up to the second climb, long and crazy steep. 3 mph or so. Lose balance at all go of the single track and you were walking. I did a few times but did my best cyclocross remount and got back to work. 1 sport guy and came up behind me on the long double track decent. There was some traffic on the climb but I was in no real hurry… yet. I just focused, kept my rhythm, and tried to as efficient as possible. 50 miles on fat tires equals 4 ½ to 5 hr’s with no rest. At the top of the second climb I recovered very fast and with my competition no where in sight I could get to work just keeping my bike moving and trying to stay with faster riders on the descents. Bamb flat! Things get bad here, kids stop reading now.
I’ll give you the quick run down. My CO2 didn’t work. After a few minutes my sport class friends started to pass. I chased down mr. yellow jersey on a flat and convinced him to give me his pump. Pumped up tire. 2 minutes later. Flat! With no tube I sat there swearing. Allot! After 10’ or so Chuck my driving companion and 24 hr. of moab mad man stopped asked if I was ok dropped all his flat stuff with me a tock off. His co2 was spent already. I pumped then realized I I had 2 tears in the tire not 1. deflate. Tear my old tube apart with my teeth. Butt the tire pump again then, after 20’ total fu*#&ing around time and I was off again in the fire cracker 50 with a soft tire and no hope of winning. I told my self I could still do it and for a while I believed it. But It tock forever to even catch mr yellow jersey and return the pump. Thanks by the way dude I would still be out there!
I crushed it. For the rest of the race and the last 1hr or 45’ got pretty ugly I had really laid it down after my double flat debacle. And I paid the price. In the end my results got a bit messed up as well with them placing me in the wrong age group but no worries I was out of the top 3 either way and I didn’t bump anybody out of any prizes or fame. In the end I was really upset with yet another “lost opportunity” but I got a great workout had fun and meet some really cool people. if you ever have the chance to do this race do not pass it up. it is one of the best in the country!