Race Report: 2022 Red Bull Bay Climb Open Women

Race: Red Bull Bay Climb - Women’s open

Date: October 22, 2022

AVRT racers: Steph Hart, Sharon Newman, Niky Taylor

Top Result: Niky 1/20, Steph 5/20

Course + Recap: Red Bull Bay climb is a very straightforward blast up Potrero Hill in San Francisco. The course has three tiers: the first tier is about 8%, the second is about 20%, and the third is about 15%. Tiers are separated by short flat sections where cross-streets meet the main climb. The race begins with a standing start on a 6% grade, so a big challenge is clipping in on the start line efficiently. And then the bigger challenge is getting up the hill fast.

Before race day I swapped my pedals to my double sided gravel/cross SPD pedals because I was nervous about the fast clip-in. Sharon and I carpooled to the race, looking forward to bike partying all day. When we got there we saw Simon, and we all did a practice lap and some sightseeing. Then Sharon and I met up with Steph and listened to the riders briefing, where we found out our first heat was just performative (all women were set to advance the first round). 

Since it was just for show, I wanted to take the first heat really easy. I tried to chill up the hill, but you can’t really chill up a 20% grade. My legs felt terrible, and I figured it was because I had done very little warm up. Then we hung out in cold windy SF for three hours and Sue Lin and Gina and Jack tried to get me and Sharon and Steph to eat. 

For our second heat we decided to actually warm up, so me, Sharon and Steph rolled around and then I sprinted up some shorter hills in the area to get my heart rate up, which turns out got me some crowns. Sweet.

At 2:30 we had our second round. This one mattered because only the top 5 of each heat would advance. This time Steph and I were in the same heat. We started pretty calm, but midway through the second tier more than 5 riders were in the bunch. So when we hit the third tier I opened up a bit. I rolled in solo, then Steph and one other rider followed. Sharon also made top 5 in her heat, so we all advanced to the finals!

Then we had a slightly awkward 45 minutes to stay warm. I was nervous but excited for the finals, expecting a bit of a showdown with Alex Obrand. She had been winning all her heats, but we hadn’t raced each other yet. 

We rolled up to the final heat and I took a position next to Alex and another girl named Liz. The announcer shouted go and we all took off. Right away the pace was faster than I’d taken all day. I hung back, tracking Alex, and followed another rider up the first tier and into the second.

Starting the second tier I was in about 6th position, with Alex beside me. We both moved up as a few of the riders faded on the 20%. I’m not sure where Liz was before, but at the end of the second tier she was moving up and in the mix. I pulled ahead into first position and Alex stuck on my back wheel through the flat into the third and final tier.

The third tier hit along with a LOT of shouting people. I shifted up and started grinding, but Alex started gaining on my right. Then I heard “GO NIKY GO!” and saw Cam and George cheering and taking pictures. I thought “fuck I can’t get passed in front of the guys,” and dug in harder. Alex started fading back, but then almost to the finish Liz was right there on my left. I was maxed out and she was just about to get by me when we hit the finish, but I somehow found the energy for a final punch and a bike throw to snag the win! Steph rolled up a few seconds later with a 5th place finish! Then I sat down because my legs hurt.

Then followed podiums which was a huge party and I got interviewed by RedBull and everyone was very hyped and it was all very exciting and Liz cheerfully soaked me with champagne, possibly as revenge for beating her in the race. 

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/8004456570 (not sure what’s going on with the GPS data tho, it didn’t take 5 or 30 minutes to get up the hill).

Nutrition: snacked throughout the day on deep fried okra, chicken nuggets, mochi donuts, French fries, gummy bears, water, scratch mix.