Heaven of the South

This was my first big test of 2024 with Sea Otter Fuego XL looming in April. Having a goal on the calendar kept me focused through the colder months, and I logged solid base miles with a few early centuries in January and February. Heading into the race, I was motivated and fit.

We drove over a day early and pre-rode part of the course. I tackled the Owens–Bateman climb (3.35 mi, 925 ft @ 5.2%) at 271 W, finishing in 20:44. That effort boosted my confidence. I’ve learned that a short, hard effort the day before often helps open the legs and calm the nerves. On race day, the climb would be slower (23:06 @ 219 W), but knowing the terrain gave me clarity about where the group might split.

Race Narrative

The Opening Moves — Badger & McBee

After a neutral rollout, things lit up on Badger Canyon. I rode 296 W (170 bpm) for 19 minutes over 954 ft at 5.5%. For a while I hung just behind the lead six, amazed to be so far up. The group strung out, and though I was on the rivet, it felt good to be testing myself at the sharp end.

McBee came soon after, a tough 1.99 mi at 7.6%. I averaged 266 W and 171 bpm. By the summit, I was at my limit. A short 44-second bathroom pause allowed me and a couple others to link up with riders ahead, forming a bigger group for the next sector. The Weber Canyon descent that preceded McBee was smooth, fast tarmac—a highlight before the suffering resumed.

Into the Horse Heaven Hills

The first hour was a steady 253 W (166 bpm). Then came a blissful 10 miles of cohesion with the group—194 W average at 20 mph. But the rollers in the Horse Heaven Hills started to sting. Each rise demanded 300–400 W surges, spiking my heart rate to 177. I managed until about mile 50, then the elastic snapped. Once off the back, I settled into solo pacing at 200–220 W, taking a longer aid station stop (2:30) to refuel and reset.

Fighting Solo

Alone in the wind, the race shifted from tactical to personal. Without drafting, everything felt harder. I focused on rhythm, fueling, and managing the terrain. Fatigue crept in, but the wide-open scenery helped me mentally hang on. A couple riders slipped past, but stopping briefly and stretching at aid stations gave me just enough to keep moving forward.

The Final Push — Jump Off Joe & Highway 397

The last segment was pure grit. Jump Off Joe tested tired legs, but the real battle came on Highway 397: exposed, windy, and filled with the noise of trucks. I pushed hard to keep my average speed above 17 mph, grinding to the finish line. Crossing it was pure relief. I hadn’t been this isolated in a race for a while, and simply persevering was its own reward.

What Went Well

• Strong opening: Hanging with the front group on Badger and McBee showed I can punch above my weight.
• Tire choice: 35 mm S-Works Mondo slicks on my Santa Cruz Stigmata were perfect—no sketchy moments, confident on every descent.
• Nutrition & hydration: Two 26 oz bottles of Roctane mix kept energy steady; aid station resets were crucial.
• Mental toughness: Even after cracking, I kept moving forward and salvaged a strong finish.

Needs Improvement

• Pacing: Going all-in early felt amazing, but the second half exposed endurance gaps. More conservative pacing could have preserved matches.
• Fatigue resistance: Those rollers demanded too many high-power surges late. Training with threshold and sprint intervals deep into long rides will help.
• Endurance base: I can ride 50 miles at the front, but I need to build the durability to stretch that effort across the full distance.

Takeaways

This race was both a test and a training block for Sea Otter. Setting an all-time 2-hour power record (231 W) proved I’m building real fitness. Placing 17th out of 98 finishers (plus 9 DNFs) validated the effort. More importantly, it gave me clarity: I’m capable of racing with strong groups, but the path forward is about holding that pace deeper into the race.