Patterson Pass Road Race Men 5's August 7

Jereme Altenberg sprinting to 1st after his “never say die” race.

Going the first time up PP I think, crap, I don't want it to hurt more than this, but it was doable. On to the second, less steep Flynn Rd.climb with a tailwind. Now, David Siegel from Cal thinks he'll go make people suffer and sets a grueling pace the whole way up. I make it to the top and as we're on the long decent back to the finish I think how crazy it is that I survived the first lap.

Second lap: Pain. AT the top of PP I can barely turn my pedals around, as it goes up to 15 or 2o percent grade, I lag climb from the front of the group to middle of about thirty guys as we summit the top, but wait...then I look behind me and there's no one else! Only 11 of us now. Flynn Rd the second time around it hits the fan for me. David once again thinks he'll set a daring pace, but then it was too much for even him, and at the top, the pace kicks up and we both get dropped, along with another. We all try to organize, and soon David falls off, and the other guy just goes for the bridge, so I'm stuck pulling it back in myself, which was by far the most painful part of the race. I make the link on the backside 45+mph descent and as we're coming around to PP for the last time I think, maybe I'll just go kick it with my dad in the feed zone when I get dropped on this climb. But I have a little conversation with Alex Newcomb and he tells me to just not give up. So I persevere. Last time up PP and I'm suffering; deep in the pain cave. I can't focus on anything but not losing touch with the group in that instant, no thinking about the finish or attacks. As we false summit and look at the top of PP all I could do was just pedal. Did I mention I was suffering?! At the very top it’s a fierce wind and I lose contact for a second. I chase back for another minute down the descent. Same story up Flynn Rd. pain, suffer, keep in contact. Now on the back side of course we get neutralized right before the little bump before the finish as the Masters 1/2/3 pass us. I think, “Good, a rest”, but no, my right leg starts a mean cramp. I start hollering seeing if anyone has water or drink mix. I get some from a nice Junior rider then it's back on right before the bump, but no one attacks.  Sweet. I'm sitting 4th wheel and this guy who’s been setting the pace for most of the race is still in front. Most courageous rider? So the final 2 corners someone attacks and then on to the finish ~300m straight ahead and pretty much every man for himself. I get it going seeing everyone out of the saddle, but I'm thinking 250m I gotta sit down. I grind passing three people to 1st place!! 

This was by far the biggest sufferfest and mental challenge for me. I learned a lot about just telling my head/legs to shut up. A lot.