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Mount Baker Hillclimb |
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Written by Joel Liefke
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Thursday, 17 September 2009 |
Race: Mount Baker Hillclimb
Date: September 13, 2009
Location: Glacier, WA
Well it’s that time of year, when I break out the race gear ahead of cross season and venture up to Mt. Baker for the annual Ride 542 Mt. Baker Hillclimb. Each year I forget how challenging this ride is, kinda like a 8 year old forgets to tie his/her shoes or make his/her bed…it doesn’t seem that hard from memory, but when you are in the midst of Powerhouse Hill, it all comes back to you like a swift kick to the nether region….that’s right 24.5 miles, 4800k feet elevation gain and the dreaded switchbacks up to Artists Point….ah the pain!
This year, as in years past, I opted for the cross bike. This year’s steed….the 2009 Salsa Chili Con Crosso, my new second love (next to my wife), sexy, sleek and work of art. Decked out w/SRAM’s RED, this puppy was ready to fly, but was I? At least I knew the bike, equipped w/the new super-stoppers of the century (Avid Shorty 6s) was ready to go. (These brakes are great, love the new design, stiffer, better stopping power w/the shorter pads and they just look mean!)
Having moved out to Whidbey Island full-time, I’ve met a few others who opted for this epic ride, so we had a good strategy going in…paceline to the base of the hill and then everyone on their own up the beast….ah the best laid plans, but alas didn’t end up that way. We all got a fast start, more-so than in years past, and the group stayed pretty much intact until Powerhouse which is about at the 6 mile marker of the ride…different from years past, as the group usually broke apart pretty quickly.
After Powerhouse, I ended up in no-man’s land riding on my own until the base of the climb, not ideal, but not too bad. At the base of the climb I hooked on w/about 8 others where we all took turns pulling up the mountain at a great clip. I hit the ski resort parking lot at an hour 40 (5K from the summit) and knew that if I kept up the pace, I’d break 2 hours, the goal for the year. However, I also knew the last 5k was the most difficult w/pitches that make even the toughest of knees quiver. I barreled up the last K which seemed like it was a 40% grade and 2 hours long to cover the ride in 1:55….almost 10 minutes faster than last year. Also congrats to Brian McCleary, Brian Atwood, Frazier Mann and Aaron Racicot on their conquering of the beast!
This week, Starcrossed, the best cross race this side of the Pecos! I’ll be setting up again this year and hope to get a top 25 placing…wish me luck!
Until next time…
Joel
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