Cantua Creek Race Report M35+

Written by: John Echeveste

Located a stones throw from one of the largest manure generating parcels in the Western US, Cantua Creek Road Race is a 90% boring flat and straight road race with a short but sweet climb to the finish. While the race itself is nothing special, it’s part of a great 2-day (formerly 3-day, RIP Dinuba Crit) race weekend that includes one of my favorite races, Pine Flat. The first time I ever did this race, 17 years ago, I believe the Masters 35 plus field was completely full with a wait list. This year, Carl and I lined up to a whopping seven-person field.

Our plan was to race similar to Santa Barbara County Road Race, where I tried to chase down and initiate breaks to help Carl keep his legs fresh, so he could potentially win in an uphill sprint. We rolled out expecting for the race to be a slog, but there was an attack within the first minute and the first lap was fairly well animated with people trying to get off the front. On the second lap things stayed much more in check, as many collective matches had been burned. Coming into the third lap everyone was still together and I was expecting it to come to a bunch sprint, and told Carl to sit in and conserve as much as he could. As we came through the last turnaround I took a flyer, legs cramping from the get-go, and was quickly shut down. There were a few other attack efforts over the next few miles until finally, with a few miles to go, a counter-attack stuck with myself and two others in it. I fought further cramps coming over the freeway and came into the final KM desperately hoping that Carl would catch me, put me out of my misery, and sprint to the win. Unfortunately he played it smart and didn’t shut down his own teammate and I followed my two attack companions into the final 200 meters. Both riders kicked hard for the finish but the Thirsty Bear rider faded, and I was able to come around him and start closing the gap to the front, missing the win by about two bike lengths. Carl ended up winning the group sprint for fourth place.

We had hoped for a win, but the cards didn’t play out today. Maybe thanks to Carl for riding an excellent race!