Webcor/Elite Team Training Camp Report

19-22 Jan 2007

The 2007 cycling season got under-way for the AV Elite Squad last weekend with a 4-day training camp. To maximize participation, we stayed close to home and rode our local Bay Area terrain. For the benefit of guys that have less flexible work hours, which is basically everyone, the Friday and Monday rides started early and were on the shorter side. The Saturday and Sunday rides were longer and had a more reasonable start time.

We met inside Los Altos Peet's coffee shop at 6:50am on Friday and rolled out at 7 in the semi-darkness and very brisk 34 degree but dry weather. Some of us had 2 sets of gloves, ski gloves for starting out and a second set for later in the ride. The plan was about a 3 hour ride, up Kings, down 84, up West Alpine and then back down Page Mill. There were 8 of us after collecting a couple of guys along the route. The pace over to Kings was a mix of easy enough to chat while fast enough to get a good warm-up. We rode together for a little way up Kings and then the fireworks began and the guys settled into their own climbing pace. It was a good opening climb with snow by the side of the road in a few places. We rode along Skyline at tempo pace and watched for sandy/icy corners on the twisty descent. Rolling down 84 at around 8:30 AM was pretty cold, leaving some of us with frozen faces by the turn onto Pescadero. Everybody was happy to be in some warm sun as we climbed back up West Alpine. Again, things split apart as the guys beat each other up on the climb. After a quick re-group at the top of Alpine, we descended a sandy Page Mill Road seeing who could 2-wheel drift their bikes through the most corners. From there, it was back to Peet's for coffee. About 50 hilly miles by 10AM, not a bad start to the camp.

Saturday brought the team out in almost full strength. The route was up and over 9 to Boulder Creek with a return back on East Zayante and Skyline. We set out at 9am, much warmer than the previous day. It was great to see the whole team out together as we headed through the canyons and over towards 9. As usual the climbers dominated going up 9, followed by a good high speed descent towards Boulder Creek. Although there was a ban on sprinting for the city signs, after a solid lead-out from Ted, the sprinters were able to beat the climbers for once in spite of the "pull for 20 minutes" sprinting penalty clause. After a quick stop in Boulder Creek, we continued to Ben Lomond and onto E. Zayante, where we started to climb back. It wasn't clear if penance was ever paid by the sprinters though everyone suffered on Zayante. East Zayante is a stair step climb with some very steep sections. So steep in places that Beebe commented that he nearly hit his forehead on the pavement through a few of the switchbacks. Roads like that are good for team building when ridden together, even if they are painful at the time. Skyline, Down 9, short cut to avoid Mount Eden Road and home. Just about 80 miles, almost all up or down hill. We re-grouped in the evening for a Pasta feast at Dominic's and planned out early season goals and races.

Sunday, we joined the main club ride, the A-ride (aka the A-race), which was going out to the coast; Up Old La Honda, down 84 to San Gregorio, Stage Road to Pescadero and then back over Haskins and 84. No sprinting ban on the A-race so we made a point of going for each sprint as a team and for most climbs as well. About 60 people left from Peet's, a huge group. We all got to sit in and chat a bunch before the usual climber led separation of the group as we went up Old La Honda Road. Going down 84 was fast as usual, with James getting the La Honda sprint. From there, the ride to San Gregorio was a high speed double pace-line, which only needed 3 or 4 pulls per person because of the huge number of people working. The usual long distance suicide attacks went off close to San Gregorio, but with a usual focus on getting the job done, Dominic and Ted provided a rocket lead out, with Rob closing the deal. The run in to San Gregorio left the pack pretty well shattered. After the sprint, the leaders decided to push on for Pescadero and it was small group TT all the way over to Pescadero, with Tracy holding off a 4 or 5 man chase group to get into Pesky first. Haskins and 84 were good solid climbs, with the pain of Zayante still in the legs. Down 84 and Sand Hill to home with time to recount the power numbers. James took the last sprint of the day with an impressive come from behind display of power. The ride was about 75 miles.

Monday; a second dark and early start with another chance for ski gloves. The now fatigued riders were all ready for an easier and flatter day, the Polhemous loop. We all were happy to share the workload at the front while the others chatted at the back. We stayed together for the whole ride and maintained a nice tempo. Hizalev demonstrated on Polhemous that he is just as fast uphill on the forth day as on the first. Easy ride back from there along Canada Road and then back to Peet's for a final wrap up cup of Java.

Bikes, helmets and uniforms are about to arrive. So we'll be all set for the Sierra Road Hill Climb and then Snelling, our first team races.