Pescadero RR, Nor Cal Master’s Disrict/State Champ

Written by: Lindsay Blount

I drove up to Santa Cruz the night before after teammates Carl Parker and Craig Z. had highly recommended this race. I knew going in that without dual citizenship I could not win a coveted Jersey, but I thought it could still be a lot of fun.

The course had stunningly beautiful scenery. It seemed like not a pure climbers race but more of an

“all arounder” type course with, flatter head wind sections where it paid off to be in a fast group, twisty very technical descents, 2 punchy climbs near the start and the Haskins Climb, 1.7 miles at 7.1 % average which we climbed x2, first lap and then again to the finish 20 miles into the 2^nd loop. So, the race for our combined field of 30+ riders of 60-64. 65-69 (13 riders including me), and 70+ raced 48 miles with about 4000 ft of total climbing.

I started out keeping an eye on the 2 strongest 65+ guys I knew about from racing Pine Flat previously, Steve Clifton (2^nd in Augusta this year at Masters Nationals RR), and John Marengo. John and I had talked pre-race about trying to get away together early in the race. Two 60+ guys, Jeff Kosmo and Robert Pasco snuck off the front early in the first lap. They ended up 1^st and 2^nd in the 60+.

The first-time up Haskins hill I managed to bridge up to 2 other 60+ guys who attacked early on the climb. James Allen and Scott Leahy. Scott was super strong doing monster C. Hahn like pulls into the windy sections. We had the other two 60+ guys in site for much of the 2^nd loop…but could not catch them. I was up the road well clear of the other 65+ guys. Although they can lead to strange tactics, combined fields can at times be utilized as an advantage.

On the climb to the finish James and I dropped our break compatriot, Scott.

Results 65-69:

1^st Lindsay

2^nd Steve Clifton (Got the Jersey)

3^rd Michael Vella

I highly recommend this race. It was super well organized by Alto Velo, a beautiful venue near the ocean and at times through redwood groves, with very few cars, mostly smooth tarmac and with good sized fields. The descents were super fun!

Course map:

https://www.strava.com/routes/1434690