Darin Salk, Sea Otter 45+ 5

Spencer (my son) and I had a great time. We definitely need to represent at Sea Otter next year! There were something like 9,000 racers there for all kinds of road and other races and literally hundreds of booths. I was surprised at the # of old dudes (45+) who are fast AND can climb really well. In the RR which unfortunately started at 5pm, 2 hours late, I remember very little flat, lot’s of uphill, and not nearly enough downhill. Popped from lead group after 1+ of 5 laps, started and rode with some chase groups for laps 2 & 3 but they we’re a little too slow, soloed 4th lap but got closed out from doing last lap. It was getting dark, and I wasn’t bummed at all to proceed to the 2+ mile climb to the finish (40+ instead of 50 miles). I worked really hard, didn’t crash, didn’t finish last and had fun! I think Tom C would say the same; he finished a minute or 2 ahead of me; Nelson F made it into the 5th lap with the lead group and came in top 20. As of yesterday, the results looked screwed up (had Tom and I as DNS vs. DNF–although in our book, we finished, and Nelson at 32).

The Circuit race the coolest bike race I’ve ever done (but only can compare it to Snelling, Bariani, Berkely TT and 1982 Hermosa Beach crit). We we’re on the super smooth Laguna Seca course for the whole 50 minute race. There’s one major hill followed by the fast and steep downhill corkscrew... Again Tom and I were popped off the lead group after 1-2 laps. I connected with a small but strong group of guys and finished again, without winning, crashing or coming in last - victory. The real victory went to Jim Kuphaldt who stayed up front with Nelson. Jim broke away with another rider with 1 lap to go, fell behind on the nasty climb, caught the other rider on the descent and played cat and mouse before winning the whole enchilada in the sprint. Nelson finished strong as well. Check results for great performances by DBC juniors; I think Alex Wick soloed for 46 of 50 miles and won his road race by over 2 minutes; Zach Wick came in 5th in his race and Jim’s son Tyler won his circuit race. Also, Mark Hockridge placed in the top 10 in his 35+ circuit race. So despite small numbers, overall DBC displayed its spirit, speed, colors and toughness, nicely!