July 11th, 2009

Ebbetts pass #4 (back side)

The descent was nothing spectacular, however it was unbelievably cold. Made my stop at the bottom station to get my sticker, but because I had already filled up/ate at the top I didn’t need to mingle at the bottom so I started the ascent of the back side which was nice since it was short, a sustained climb where I was able to set a tempo and stick to it. This side was the complete opposite of the front side where it was like every 30 feet something new was thrown at you. Either way, I believe I made it at the time that she said I would be back but because I was still topped off with water/Gatorade and there would be food at the bottom of Ebbetts front, there was no reason for me to stop so I descended. This descent was a little trickier since the roads were narrow and there was no dividing line. However, since I think the other riders had already seen me descend past them on Monitor, most of them knew that riders (me, all in white, how could you honestly miss me or forget me (my vanity)) would be descending at some point during their ascent. Either way I was more careful on this descent because of the narrow roads, the dirt, and the lack of a dividing line. Once I reached the point where it was rolling hills/flats I got in the drops and put the hammer down. I definitely got as aero as possible and made it a goal to try and discourage some people by being that much farther ahead of them. I found myself in my 53-11 and was putting the kind of effort that I normally do when I am heading home on a ride. As I approached the lunch area at the bottom of Ebbetts front side, one rider specifically mouthed off “why are you going so fast.” Definitely seemed like his day wasn’t going as well as he had planned seeing as he still had to do 3 more passes. At this station, I had another 1/3 of a banana, one of those bite sized clif bars (100 calories), and for the first time, I filled up a bottle with cytomax. After eating all that was left was to make it back to my car, drop stuff off, then ride out to Pickett’s junction where the start of Carson pass is. Just as I had descended down the flatter sections of Ebbetts, I got as aero as possible and hammered it to my car. I passed a few random cyclists who were just riding in the area and not participating in the death ride.