The BIG CLIMBS:   The start from Woodfords Inn at 5:10am to warm up for 3.0 miles and climb 600 ft. was great. The 1st and 2nd passes (Monitor Pass front and back side) felt great and the sun started to warm us up. Then I lost my rhytm on the 3rd and 4th passes (Ebbetts Pass front and back side). My aerobic range was fine as I could ramp it up and bring it down easily. The legs had power as I pushed on the steep sections either seated or standing with absolutely no problem. However, I lost any motivation to climb Ebbetts. I felt absolutely flat on Ebbetts. It felt like one of those days when you just wanted to be a couch potato.

The WEATHER:  The fast downhill all the way to Markleeville was in the low 60's. That is unusually warm by Death Ride standards. I thought to myself that this could be a hot day, even though the forecast was only supposed to be in the mid to high 80's. My Ebbetts problem seemed to coincide when the weather turned colder instead of warmer. This is weird since the cooler temperature was what I normally consider great climbing weather. Also, Ebbetts is normally warmer than Monitor, but not today. I ended up climbing both Ebbetts passes with my vest, knee warmers, and long sleeves still on. I continued to wear them until I got back to my lunch stop in my hotel room at Woodfords at 12:59pm. Afer my lunch and brief hot shower, I finally put on a fresh set of Velo San Vicente kit and the first time during the day that I did not wear knee warmers or long sleeves.

The DESCENTS:   So far, it's just minor weird stuff ... but hold on to your booty for this next one. A lot of riders passed me on both of the Ebbetts climbs but less than a handful passed me on -ANY- of the Monitor, Ebbetts, and Carson descents combined. How can this be, I asked myself?? In all my years of doing the Death Ride, more people pass me on downhills than on uphills because of my cautious descending. Have I gained 20-lbs. by too much carbo loading 2 weeks before and/or suddenly turned into a fearless downhiller? ...

The BIKE:  ... Or is ELVIS (De Rosa KING) a better descender than DRAGO (Calfee DRAGONFLY)? Or is DRAGO a better climbing machine? Or a combination of both? Well, we all know ELVIS was a bit overweight, in this case 4-lbs. heavier than DRAGO. That translates to 400-lbs. in man weight <LOL!>  All kidding aside, ELVIS has been my main ride in all the hardest Double Centuries this year (6 out of 8). I know I have gained enormous downhill confidence with ELVIS. It is rock-solid and gives me the feeling of indestructiblity. Then add my Campagnolo Eurus wheelset on it. These wheels survived huge potholes at +50mph on the shoulders of I-5 without a scratch. Yes, yes, yes ... we all know it's not about the bike. But this is an example where the equipment can have some influence in one's confidence. So even though it does not add additional power to the legs, it can still translate into better performance.

So, the question that I will be pondering for the next year until the 2006 Death Ride is "Should I ride ELVIS or DRAGO next year?"  But before you say I should get rid of the fat and go lite next year, consider the fact that in spite of my weird climbing issues this year, I did a PERSONAL BEST and shaved 35-MINS. from my 5-Pass best in 2003.