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??