Race Report: 2023 Copperopolis Road Race - Men’s 35+ 1/2/3
Race: 2023 Copperopolis Road Race - Men’s 35+ 1/2/3
Date: 4/8/2023
AVRT racers: Shane McGuire
Top Result: Shane 4/8
Course: 4 counter-clockwise laps of a 21 mile, 1800 ft elevation circuit featuring iconically bad pave and potholes at times spanning the entire width of the road. The elevation is frontloaded into the first 6 miles of the course, with rollers leading up to a 2 mile climb at 5%. After the hill is a 9 mile plateau cutting through now flush, green pastures (courtesy of all the rain this year) and then a bone-jarring, bike-mangling 5 mile descent before a 0.6 mile drag at 3% up to the finish. This years temps ranged from the low 50s at start to low 60s at the finish. Wind was about 9mph from the south.
Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/8856822145
Nutrition: Four 100g bottles (maltodextrin + nuun or blue gatorade), two sleeves of shot blocks, 1 gel.
Race Recap: Having never actually finished this race, my primary goal for the day was to survive and finish. I was on good form and thought I had a decent shot at the win if I could avoid mechanicals and save as much energy as possible for the finish.
I had driven out the night before and camped near reg with some other like-minded bicycle racers. So rather than getting up at 4:30 in the morning for a 2 hour drive, I woke at 6:00, brewed some coffee, crushed a giant bowl of oatmeal, and proceeded with the usual pre-race routines. It was an absolutely beautiful morning in Milton, CA and our massive 8 person field amassed at the start line. There were four guys from Creative Blue Monster Racing (the old Peete’s squad), three of whom had stars and stripes on their sleeves. We also had one guy from the Voler Factory team, AMain, and Work Health Solutions. Given the small number, one of the Creative Blue guys suggested that we combine with the 3s to make it more interesting. Unfortunately one of the solo guys didn’t like the idea and it got the veto.
The first half of the lap, including the climb and the scenic stretches around the Salt Spring Reservoir, was more or less a friendly group ride. We chatted and rolled at an easy pace, no one eager to start the inevitable suffering that this course is sure to bring. This all changed when we reached the small climb prior the the downhill when the Health Solutions guy attacked. One rider immediately followed while I waited for one of the Creative Blue riders to make the move and planned to jump on. One did and by the top of the hill there were four of us. Interestingly the Creative Blue rider was not who I expected (national champ and former copperopolis winner Dan Bryant), so I thought perhaps that Dan was just not on good form for this ealy season race. We bombed down the hill and just when I was sure the rest of the field was long gone, Dan appeared out of nowhere and joined in the group. So OK, he is still the guy to watch out for.
As we started the second lap, it was clear that the Work Health and Voler guys were the most eager to push the pace, while the two from Creative Blue and I were content to sit in and save energy. This time the climb was uncomfortable, but not unreasonable. Somewhere along the line we had dropped one of the Creative Blue riders (not Dan) and were down to four. The pace slowed considerably at the top, with no one wanting to work except for our friend from Work Health. He rolled up beside me at one point and asked why I didn’t want to work. I explained that there was no reason for me to do so when he was perfectly willing, and clearly he was feeling quite good given he was the one who had drove the pace the last time up the climb. We rode on and eventually the dropped rider caught back on.
The third time up the climb is when the race got hard for me. Work Health and Voler pushed the pace hard again and the rest of us were holding on. Just before the top at the steepest part I couldn’t stick it anymore and fell off the back. Figuring they might soft pedal on the flats I kept pushing and put down a steady tempo pace and caught back on before too long. But then the games began, with the Creative Blue pair putting in back to back attacks. They hurt real bad but ultimately weren’t successful in allowing one of them to get away. Then we hit the small climb, another spicy attack went, and both of my legs cramped. Shit. I had to ease way off to avoid falling off my bike and by the time things calmed down the group was well ahead of me.
But remember the primary goal - finish the damn race. I kept pedaling and was determined to complete the final lap. I distracted myself from the pain my body was in by then with the beautiful scenery. At the top of the climb I saw one of the riders from my field on the side of the road with a flat. Too bad for him, but now I was in 4th.
Overall I’m pleased with my performance on the day. I gave it everything I had and finished this race for the first time. I’m sure I’ll be back next year for more fun at the “Paris-Roubaix of Northern California”.
Thanks for reading.
Shane