The UCLA cycling team has been promoting its killer race up in Pear Blossom for sometime now and this year they decided to open it up to USCF categories.
The course was very similar to Devils Punchbowl RR, the only difference being they took the first right up a steep ~1 mile run up to the finish, cutting the lap sizes down a bit. The course was roughly 13 miles a lap with 1500 feet of climbing per lap. The Cat 3’s did 4 laps, the P123 raced 5.
The Cat three race was pretty tame for the most part. The biggest selection came on the second lap seeing only about 1/4 of the peleton in the main field.
The course took its toll on the riders with fewer and fewer riders in the lead group every lap. Cresting the hill on the last lap only about 15 riders remained. There were a few attacks and counter attacks on the downhill and the false flat leading into the finishing climb.
When the lead group began the final climb there was still a rider 200m up the road. Several riders attacked and the gap whittled down, but no one was willing to do too much work with the finish line rapidly approaching and the pitch of the road growing steadily.
At 200 meters to go local Santa Barbara Platinum Performance rider Chester Gillmore attacked, passed the rider who was off the front, and finished with a very comfortable sized gap and as the Belgians would say, “no one else in the photo”.
Doug Urbach rode a solid race in the CAT 3’s and finished 16th.
Chris Walker, AKA The Vampire put the screws to the Pro field throwing the entire peleton deep in the pain locker. He then slammed the door, locked it, and threw away the Key of said locker. He took second place in a very strong Pro1,2 field.
RESULTS
Chester Gillmore, 1st place- CAT 3
Doug Urback, 16th place- CAT 3
Chris Walker, 2nd place- Pro 1,2
CANTUA CREEK ROAD RACE
Saturday Feb 14th
Results
Derek Johnson 2nd CAT 4
Steve Weixel 3rd CAT 4
Mark Luke 10th Masters 45+
PINE FLAT ROAD RACE
Sunday Feb 15th
Results
Steve Weixel 15th CAT 4
