Saturday July 21, 2012 was a beautiful, clear and mostly still Colorado day. Perfect to head into the mountains and in our case take on one of the hardest and certainly the highest road race around. Mt Evans tops out at 14,265Ft and the road stops just 150 ft in elevation from the top. Starting in Idaho Springs the race goes for 27.5 miles and gains over 6900ft in elevation. While there is some down hill the two stretches are very short and your brain and body are both so tired you just gulp air before the uphill onslaught continues.
Racing for the Mix1 55+ team were Chris Leggere, Bill Kellagher and Steve Matous. A total of 66 riders began the race (only 60 finished) and all the best of Colorado's hill climbers were there so we know it would be a good race.
The first 6-7 miles follow the valley flow with a steady but not too steep up hill climb. Dan Grygier (Colorado Bike Law) winner of both Mike Horgan and Cottonwood pass hill climbs went on front immediately and began to set a good tempo. At one point Chris Beaudin (CP racing) went off the front but did not stay there very long. At the first 180degree bend the road kicks up significantly and the race also heats up.
Dan was still on front and the rest of us were strung out behind. Steve decided to up the pace on the steeper slopes to test the waters and went out front creating a gap fairly quickly. Slowing a bit as the group picked up it pace Steve stayed on front but soon had the group with him again. After repeating this kind of attack 3-4 times, Steve widdled the group down to 7.
Just after the feed/water zone at Echo lake (mile 13) Steve again went hard on front and we were down to 5: Steve, Chris and Bill from Mix1, Mike McMahon from RealD-Amgen and Chris Beaudin from CP Racing. In the next few miles Mike slipped off the back and it was just Mix1 and Chris B. Someone commented later it looked like a Mix1 team ride that Chris B had stumbled into!
Chris B now took over on front and drove a good tempo. As we approached the downhill section by Summit Lake a small gap had formed between Chris B, Steve M and Bill & Chris L. A much larger gap formed riding fast downhill and back up towards the switch backs.
On the switch backs it was just Chris B and Steve on front. Steve realised he needed some food and water and slowed slightly to eat and drink. This allowed Chris B to get a small gap but without fueling up it would have been far worse. As Steve absorbed his food and water he felt better and knew he had to ramp up to close the gap, but the question was how hard and how fast?
Unfortunately Steve did not time it well and the last two bends were rapidly upon them. Sprinting for all he was worth Steve could not close the gap in time and ended second on the day in 2:11:41. This was a PR for Steve so he could not feel bad. 3rd and 4th were taken by Chris L and Bill which meant Mix1 had an incredible day in the mountains.
Congratulations to the new Colorado State hill climb champion, Chris Beaudin. It was a hard fought battle and well deserved.
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