Robert Winder

Last year I raced and endured Elkhorn, finished over 37min back in 57th place. I said I’d never go back, that this race had too much climbing for me and the drive to eastern Oregon is 700miles.

Don’t know what happened, but in February I decided to race The Elk again and set about making a better go of it this year. Working with the newfangled power meters, training everyday, riding 2+ mornings a week on Mt Diablo and putting in serious amounts of racing. I’ve had a good season so far.

Elkhorn took me to the edge, and inspite of my results, I raced well and had a great time. I finished inside the top 40 - just - and was only 12min 30sec down on GC. My TT was a PB, my crit result was respectable if not great. I flatted, chased and contended in Stage 1 until the final couple of uphill miles. I made my plan and worked out on Stage 4 but paid the price early on the first climb. Thanks to the organisers of Elkhorn, the sponsors, the town and the other races - I loved it.

I guess to become a good climber you need more than I’ve done - already a lot. So I’m at a crossroads, enough points to upgrade to the 2’s and race with the big boys, at least in crits. Consign myself to a crit and flat road race specialist is one option. The other, sounds like more hard work, keep training on the mountain and keep improving my climbing.

In England I raced well uphill all the time, but I was a younger me, junior racing up short, sharp climbs is one thing. Racing up 15min+ climbs is quite another. But, I’m up for the challenge. Upgrade or not? - not even a legit question really - upgrade it is. Keep working on the climbing or not? - no contest - give up - concede - I just had to look them up in the dictionary. I’ll be back in the mountain again soon.

As for the immediate future - I’ve raced 33 times this year and need a rest (thanks for reminding me, Judd). I’ll be racing the next couple of weeks at Fremont, Vacaville, Davis, Coyote Creek then taking off 3 weeks to rest and rebuild for the upgrade.