This event was once again on my radar in early 2020, when we had no idea what was about to hit us, and was one of the first ones to be shut down as it was scheduled for March that year.
Fast forward 17 months, it almost didn’t make it because of the California fires (and the high temps): what incredible times we live in.
That’s right, you ride your gravel bike into it.
PRE RACE
Drove up earlier on Friday hoping dodge some of the weekend traffic and arrived at the Anderson Valley Brewing Co in Boonville around 5pm. Camped with Steve in the grassy field and we enjoyed some nice live music and some questionable pizza.
Air quality was already pretty bad, bordering 150, which was also the threshold to call the event off. Pretty chill evening and a nice start at 9pm allowed a civilized breakfast.
RACE TIME
Like many Bike Monkey event, everything was pretty chill. After Carlos giving us the course briefing, rest stops and dangerous spots, we rolled out as a big group ride.
Many folks decided to skip because of air conditions, in retrospective not a bad idea.
My game plan was not to kill myself on the first 3 climbs, try to stay in a good group on the descent so to have some company on the flat and windy stretch on Hwy1, then punch the rollers to the midway rest station and gather my strength before the killer climb of Fish Rock: that’s where typically my day turns South.
What I was really expecting was that the temperature on the almost 1hr climb up Fish Rock fire road would not be too hot: It was…
It is pretty telling to compare the power file with the 2019 edition. I ended up with almost 24 more minutes to cross the finish line. I was a bit ahead before the aid station at mile 37. After that the wheels literally fell off the wagon. The main climb I averaged 217W… that’s like 65% FTP, so basically recovery pace.
What is really interesting to notice is that my heart rate stayed constant on each climb, while power dropped significantly on the second half of the race.
BIKE SETUP
This time, my 4th one at Fish Rock, I went back to narrower tires, picking the Schwalbe 33c One-Speed. I loved these tires for Belgian Waffle Ride and decided to keep them. Considering the dry conditions it was a perfect pick as they roll really fast and still have great grip and tracking in the sand.
For gearing I was back to the 42T oval ring paired with the trusty 11-46T cassette.
This time I also rocked the dropper post, a practical addition for the tech loose descents.
Obviously the bike is my Hakka MX, best gravel bike ever.
Zen Turtle Coaching 