BRING ON THE HORILKA

“Hoo-Nelly”, still waiting for the easy day – and beginning to think that is not going to come. Today was the Queen stage, this normally denotes the big decisive ride that would shape the final standings in a stage race (though, as I have said along, this is not a race – yeah, right). For ToP III, this would be 118 miles from Bodega Bay to Santa Rosa. Included were two major climbs for the day, Sweetwater Springs and the Geyser – this with its 20% grade at the top.

As has been the case throughout, it was spectacular.

Also, in every race there comes that decisive moment – the one that is known as the final selection. It will represent the majority of the teams, have enough strength to power it to the finish, and either contains the team leaders – or no one of any real importance. That selection happened today – and from this small group the Yellow and Red jersey will land.

So, maybe it’s best to set the stage – 25 riders and 3 drivers; way too many miles – and even more hills. The temperature as we rolled out was in the high 40’s and damp. Since the average age of the group is just a hair under Methuselah – the joints and near-petrified tendons were screaming with every movement. O’, and did I mention that we had 118 miles ahead of us?

The first 25 were relatively flat, just a few rollers as we began to head inland. The van stop was the decision point – take the whole course, or one of the shorter options that Carter set up. The smart money was the easy 75 mile spin, so naturally, the 118 was more appealing. At least this time no one could lay the blame on the route planner.

The one option that the majority took was to eliminate Sweetwater Springs – this was my initial choice, but Andrew, Wayne and Rich – each tag-teaming me with their best rendition of the Jewish Mother’s guilt, made me fall victim. A perfect example of the pressures kids today fall under. I realize that this makes a “kids and behavior” reference in each of the last couple days blogs, but with the announcement that one of original riders is about to be a daddy, I feel that my wise tutelage is in order – that and to remind him that “Kevin” makes a fine name (girl or boy).

Anyway, I digress, I was discussing the selection. Out of the group, eight riders decided to do the whole course. This included:

• Greg Moore
• Wayne Centrone
• Curt Alitz
• Scott Waterman
• Andrew Lee
• Rich Witt
• Mike Peterson
• And yours truly

Tom had taken a flyer at the roll-out from Bodega Bay, and was not to be seen again.

Up and over Sweetwater would prove to be another suffer fest, and my undoing. While I licked my wounds, the remainder of the group powered on to the 11-mile climb up Geyser. While Wayne took the climb, it was Andrew that took the moment of humor.

His legs screaming in protest, and heart rate through the roof, he grabbed hold of the window frame of the truck for a well earned tow up the final climb – still with his perpetual smile, he reminded Carter and Axe, “it’s ok, I’m not in the hunt for the Red Jersey!”

As he was being pulled up the mountain, his arm comfortably hooked on the window and passing first Greg, then Rich, Curt and finally Wayne (O’ and a Bissell Team pro), he chose to heckle each of them as he rolled.

Once next to Rich, he laughed and said, “Now I’ve got that guy”, and to Curt, “Army’s not so tough!” But the best was the roll past Wayne as he sang, “It’s not the Train of Pain, it’s just the pain!”

That really seems to have summed up the day – and really the week. Can hardly wait to see what tomorrow brings.

For the Black Jersey, today was really tough. It has come down to two riders, Tom Armbruster and Wayne Centrone. Tom is in the vote for his 112 mile solo ride. With no one to help him out, he managed to stay off the front for the entire day.

Wayne, on the other hand, drove the selection. He not only took the climbs – practically flying up the Geyser climb, but rode back down one of the 15% grades at one point to bring Rich Witt back to the group. Rich, our resident SEAL, has completely sold Wayne on the “no man left behind” motto.

This one has come down to the Ukrainian Judges discussions, fueled by copious amounts of Horilka. As often happens when the alcohol begins to flow, no decision was made – so it will go to both. But since the committee is no longer capable of clear speech, we will present tomorrow – so pictures will post then.

Now for the Jersey hunt, today really set the bar high, placing Greg Moore in the yellow, and just edging out Scott and Wayne for the red.

Andrew has the lock on the Green Jersey, having taken every intermediate sprint of the day – while still providing the non-stop, laugh out loud quips.

• Today’s Stage, Bodega Bay to Santa Rosa.
• 118 miles with 8100 feet of climbing
• So far we’ve covered 303.3 miles, with 22,490 feet of climbing

Finally, I need to give a special thanks to the crew at the Bodega Coast Inn. Having been invaded by the horde, they went out of their way to make our two nights fantastic. If you are heading that way, you’ll love the place.