According to Kelly...

Mt Tam Hillclimb - Sept. 16, 2006
Touchstoners - Mo, Pat and Kelly
Course - a 12.5 mile beautiful climb beginning at Stinson Beach State Park. The first 4.4ml are flat on Hwy 1, followed by an 8mile climb to Rock Spring parking lot. It was one of the most beautiful days on the coast that I've ever experienced - low 70s and not a cloud in the sky.
All women started together, maybe 25 total?? The first 4.4 mile flat stretch was pretty fast with Mo and Pat taking some nice pulls and me sitting on their wheels. Right before the turn to start the climb, we were neutralized briefly due to the remanents of a wreck in an earlier race. As soon as we were clear, Mo took off and pulled hard to the corner, stretching the pack out a bit and putting me is excellent position. After the turn, she pulled off slightly and I went on the inside to start the climb. It was not long before Maria went by and I grabbed her wheel with Mo right beside me.
I think Maria and I got a gap on a steep switchback after about a mile of the climb. Maria went wide and I passed on the steep inside - a move that I have the "Rings of Fire" to thank - nothing seems that steep when you've survived that beast! I pulled for awhile then Maria came around again and I stayed with her until about mile 6 or 7, when she began to pull away, while I cursed myself for starting my offseason eating binge two weeks ago. I kept her in my sights as long as possible. I knew she was setting a great pace and I would break 50 min if I could keep her close. Although I could never close back in on her, she pushed me to ride hard to the finish, breaking the 50min mark by a solid minute and a half.
Mo was close behind in 3rd and Pat not far behind her in 5th. A very successful day overall. Of course, I probably could have won had I not been carrying the camera in my back pocket (at the shock and dismay of my poor husband who weighed every wheel in our garage to find the lightest combination for my bike)!
Alright, then, I'm in off-season for real this time!!
Kelly