Race Report: 2026 Berkeley Hill Road Race - Men’s 35+ 1/2/3

Race: 2026 Berkeley Hill Road Race - Men’s 35+ 1/2/3

Date: April 20, 2026

AVRT racers: Paul Levy

Top Result: Paul Levy 6/19

Course: 4 laps of the 3 Bears route. Poor pavement on San Pablo Dam Road with potholes and large cracks, but everything was well marked by the Berkeley Bike Club. Also, it was announced at the start that fields would not be allowed to pass each other on San Pablo Dam Road, luckily that never became an issue during our race, although fields were passing each other elsewhere as there were a lot f fields on course at the same time. The most significant feature are the bears, a series of 3 climbs. The finish line is at the top of the longest climb - Papa Bear, a steep 4 minute climb. Low wind today with a small tailwind at the finish line.

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/18166218265

Nutrition: 1 bottle with 140 grams of carbs, one hand up bottle from the team, 1 bottle of plain water

Recap (written by Paul Levy): Pace was mostly chill except for the 3 bears climbs. I tried to take the lead up them a few times hoping maybe going at a pace that was as hard as I wanted to go would dissuade any very punchy attacks. Whether due to that tactic or not, the climbs were just pretty grindy each time. Starting on lap two people were getting popped on Papa Bear. Most of them caught back on the descent. After the third time up the bears the group was thinned down to maybe 11 or so. In the last lap Lamorinda sent some attacks up the road that the rest of us were forced to respond to, but nothing stuck and what was left of the group got to the final climb all together. I went very early on the final climb, before it really ramped up, probably should have waited a bit longer as I think there was still some drafting benefit for the early part of the climb. I just tried to put my head down and grind it out even after starting to get passed, finished 6th.