Patterson Pass Road Race 50+ 1/2/3

Race: Patterson Pass Road Race 50+ 1/2/3
Date: August 2, 2026

AVRT racers: Shai Traister

Top Result: DNF

Course: 65 miles, 3 laps. There is a ~17-24 minute climb (steep with rollers) that begins the lap, followed by a very fast descent which leads into an 8-9 minute climb (steep with rollers), followed by a long false flat downhill drag. The lap/race finishes on a 0.5 mile uphill drag kicker. 

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/19574008525

Nutrition: Two frozen bottles to start with ~100g carbs each. Gave one to Leo to hold it in the cooler for the later laps.

Recap: Another race in the 50+1/2/3. I didn’t feel too great coming into this race and didn’t favor my chances but decided to race anyway. 

We started 15 riders on the line. Race started on a fairly relaxed pace and I was hoping it would stay manageable on the climb, at least on the first lap. Unfortunately it didn’t, and pretty soon one of the riders went to the front and started setting a hard pace. I slowly started drifting to the back of the pack and then just tried to hang on.
At some point a small gap started opening and i couldnt close it. Had to rest for a few seconds and then I saw the group slowing down, but I still had a 15-20 seconds gap. Chased on.

I saw one more rider drifting to the back and decided to catch up to him and possibly work together. We got to the top together but probably 45 seconds after the group.

We went down the descend and onto the 2nd climb where the other guy just rode away. So demotivating, I realized it was not my day and decided to call it a day after the first lap.

I completed the lap solo, then went to the feedzone to collect a bottle I left with Leo. There I saw a couple of others from my race who dropped early.

Tough race, but it is what it is. Have to get better :-)