The Sea Otter Classic was April 16-19!
Henri's Race Report

Henri got 4th in 50+ Sport women, out of 15 starters— My time was 1:54+. I was pleased with that time as breaking 2 hours is always a win on that course.

The winner was a team-rider, gray-haired lady who did 1:48(!), which was close to the 50+ Expert winning time, so I assume she will move up next year. She was from SoCal and had never won a big race, so she was thrilled, with a huge smile on the podium. Second and third were at 1:50 (three seconds apart, a real battle!). So I was a few minutes back.

Race Report: I tried to hang with the three fast gals, but they took off when we left the track. It was such a unique feeling to be on that track in the mist as the fog was breaking up. I was 4th and stayed in that position. I caught up to them near the bottom of 50 as they were held up by some slower gals from the wave before. But then they left again going up the other side of 50, and I never saw them again. Much of the race I was alone (no epic duels this year), except for passing folks, which went smoothly. Everyone was nice, and some called out my name in support. I dabbed my way down much of The Beach, as there were gals in front of me who were having a hard time and I needed to avoid them. Going up 82 is always hard, but the best part was having fun taking those little jumps on the water bars at the top of 82 where it levels out! Yippee! I slipped a little going up the “Witches Back” (that steep uphill toward the Sisters up from the bottom of Lombard) and in one other area, where I had to run a bit. I really liked that new single-track section after going up the lovely Trail 33, which takes us back to the pavement. On Goat meadow, I met a nice woman from France who exclaimed, “What a beautiful country!” as she rode among the lupines etc. I was especially grateful for light winds heading back to Laguna Seca (which definitely helped my time), and tried to catch any woman I saw ahead of me. I felt a little tired from volunteering on Friday, but overall, I felt pretty good. A great day among friends, old and new!

Daphne Hodges was 11th in our race. I do not recall the time. Good race, Daphne!

Tom Biggs was very pleased with his 10th place out of 67 riders in the Open Sport single-speed. Despite a few skid-outs on the course, his time was 1:32 !! Wow! The winner was way in front, but it was a tight race for many as evidenced by seconds separating several places.