A Few Pics From Monterey

[maxwell]

So, Lacey and I made the 5 hour drive up to Salinas - Monterey on Sunday, to get a pre-ride in on the Sea Otter course.
We arrived at the Good Nite Inn to check in at 2pm, and we got the "I'm sorry sir, your room isn't ready yet, can you come back in 1 hour?" So, we go check out the drive to Laguna Seca, talk to a vrey cool ranger, and head back to the hotel. Our room was still not ready, so they put us in a different room. If you are staying up there on the race weekend, I don't think I would take a chance on the Good Nite. After reserving our room a week in advance, then not having one, then oh yeah, we can put you in this one, I'll feel more comfortable staying else where.

Just a heads up on that hotel.

We rode around a little on Sunday afternoon, then went back on Monday morning with our map to check it out. When the course description said 20 miles with 6840ft of elevation, I thought it was a type-o.
It's not!
Most of the climbs were short and steep, with the exception of the final run back into the race track.
Anyways, Lacey really enjoyed it, as did I, and she's really looking forward to the race.
Here are some pictures from our ride;

















and the start of the final climb.....


As you can see from the pictures, the weather was GREAT! We can only hope for that for the race!

[LBmtb]

Nice, looks like a fun course! Thanks for sharing.

[OMR]

Very smart to pre ride the course. I know Lacey is going to enjoy herself. Pray that the weather holds rather than the usual course of mud and slop!

See you at VQ. I'm working the bottom of Upper Holy Jim.

OMR

[Sprockethead]

Looks like a fun course and the weather was nice. Also a great way to warm up for VQ. Good luck Lacey!

[shudder]

I've heard that riders whom are new to the course and the race blast out too fast at the start (everyone starts together, I think?...) and burn up before the first big climb. Experienced riders hang back and then fly past those that have burned out their legs too soon. Just something to think about come race day...

Great pics! I'll bet it is rainy-rainy up there today for Stage 4 of the TOC!!... O_o

[dstepper]

Thanks for the pics...what's that green stuff.

Dean

[Pain Freak]

Shudder has it right. I've raced it 3 different times and without fail, most people are burned up in the first climb. I did it my first race and thought I was okay on my second, but by the time I got to the top I was redlining bad. I suffered trying to get my rate under control and finished 14th out of 18 in my class that day. The last time I finished 6th and I went up about as slow as a casual ride. It paid off big. That whole coarse is about pace, nothing really technical, just very misleading. It doesn't ever seem to be that long of a climb, but it is. A few real steep ones too. That is one of the funnest races I've ever done.

Good Luck, Lacy!!!

[Schecky]

Originally Posted by shudder

I've heard that riders whom are new to the course and the race blast out too fast at the start (everyone starts together, I think?...) and burn up before the first big climb. Experienced riders hang back and then fly past those that have burned out their legs too soon. Just something to think about come race day...

Great pics! I'll bet it is rainy-rainy up there today for Stage 4 of the TOC!!... O_o

You just described my first Sea Otter!