Race Report: 2023 Patterson Pass Road Race - Men's 35+ 3/4

Race: 2023 Patterson Pass Road Race - Men's 35+ 3/4

Date: August 6, 2023

AVRT racers: Shai Traister

Result: Shai Traister (6/11)

Course:  2 laps. Starts with the 4-mile 1,100 ft climb of Patterson Pass, has a fast descent into the second climb which is 2 miles and 500 ft with varied grades. Then there’s a bit of a lumpy descent to the backside of the course which is flat for a bit before opening up to a fast descent all the way to the finishing straight, which is a mile long 200 ft kicker to the finish line.  There is usually a powerful headwind as you get farther and farther up the Patterson Pass climb, but this year it wasn’t as much of a factor.  The heat, though, was intense.  Despite a pretty early start, it was in the 90s right from the beginning of the race and got to 104 at the end.

Strava: Patterson Pass 35+ 3/4 - Strava

Nutrition: Had some food before the start and brought one bottle of mix, one bottle of water.

Race:    One guy attacked from the gun (to be able to sag the climb).
Another guy chased, and I saw the gap open and realized it might stick even though this was right from the whistle. I decided to bridge and join.
The 2nd guy caught the first, and I was about 10-15 seconds behind. I didn't panic and trusted I could catch on the climb. Even took a bottle from the feed and poured it over myself to cool down.
The first guy got dropped on the climb, and I continued chasing after the 2nd guy.
We climbed the 1st time up Patterson pass road with pretty much the same gap. When we got to the top the first guy managed to pass a couple of riders and I assumed he rotated with them on the descent, because I couldn’t see him anymore.. Kept on pushing on the descent and then on Flynn - basically 1st lap in an all-out TT mode. I knew it was hot and kept drinking (malto + water) - finished about 1-1.5 bottles after a lap, which wasn't a lot, but I thought it was reasonable.
Passing through the finish line, I started feeling the legs complaining but decided to ignore it. Kept drinking and pushing on.

Up on the second climb up Patterson legs started cramping really badly. pushed it as long as I could until I got to the steep part on top. Both legs were completely shut. I knew I was in 2nd with a pretty healthy margin over the group behind, so decided to walk to the top and see if I can shake the legs on the descent.
It worked until I got to Flynn - same story. This time I laid down on the ground unable to move. Riders passed me, and one angel even gave me a water bottle (it was that bad). at some point the guy who I thought was ahead passed me (Not sure how, starva flybys and segment timings confirm he was behind me, so maybe I was first OTF chasing ghosts?), and others from my field as well. I looked for a sag car, but couldn't see one.
After ~6.5 minutes of rest (plus drinking a full bottle of water), the legs started feeling a bit better so I decided to continue.
Somehow managed to finish and came in at 6th.