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Mt. Baker Hillclimb |
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Written by Joel Liefke
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Monday, 08 September 2008 |
Race: Mt. Baker Hillclimb
Date: September 7, 2008
Location: Mt. Baker, WA
Ok, maybe not the best idea to do the Mt. Baker Hillclimb after your first cross race of the season, but what the hell, you only live once. Well, this race is a doozie every year, but gets me into cross shape real quick, as you can tell by the profile below.
 Unlike in 2004 when it absolutely down poured this year it was absolutely beautiful, 60 degrees at the start and sunny as could be. Instead of bringing two bikes, I opted to swap out the Kona Major Jake to a hillclimb steed and see if that would work out for the day…and it actually didn’t do too bad! Got all setup with my Greyhound Juice Original Formula and off I went at 10am. Every year, looking at the profile, I think, the first ½ will be easy and gently rolling and each year I get the virtual slap in the face, as the first half is rough! For the first 3-4 miles I was in a pace line with a great group (the key to a good time is to get through the first half as fast as possible, as on the climb, you’ll pretty much be climbing at one speed…slow!
 After the fourth mile there is a steep incline and I switched from the head of the paceline to the back and couldn’t catch on….so for the next 5-7 miles I was in the middle of two groups out in no-man’s land looking for someone to hook up with…..alas, no luck. Now I know how those guys in the Pro Tour feel when they try to bridge up to an escape….sucks!
 Finally though about 2-3 miles from the base of the start of the climb, I found another group that was pulling much quicker so I jumped on…great decision. We flew up to the start of the hill. As we began our hour long jaunt up the hill, it didn’t feel as bad as I remember and we just all kept plugging along until the ski lodge (which the first year I thought was the finish). The goal was to finish under 2 hours for the event, and at the ski lodge we had 2 miles to go and ~11 minutes to do so….unfortunately for us, the last 2 miles is also the steepest. Even though I could’ve probably pulled away from the group I was with, I owed them for pulling me through the flats, so I pulled them up the hill. We got in at about 2:03, so not quite under 2 hours, but still a great ride. Did I mention there was snow? (see photo)
All in all fun race as always, there were 770 people this year which was huge compared to years passed. BMC racing continued their dominance, with Ian McKissick breaking the course record in 1:17…absolutely amazing, no wonder he gets the big bucks! Next year’s goal is 1:47 (aka – finish only ½ hour off the winner!) And the downhill ride, so much fun although you better make the turns, if not, off you go!
Until next time…
Joel
Photo Credits: Norkarecreation.com; Burke T Hovde Productions
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