Trial by Fire!

Mount Hood Cycling Classic
left a mark!
by
j.Fritzgerald b.
Photos
by
Ryan Wilcoxson

Taking it to the next level is a shock when in the hunt for National glory. MHCC featured amateurs and Pros so large even our Oregon Cup leader could not upset the balance of power.

This time!

This time survival amongst the fittest was "Job 1" in a race that started with 155 people and ended with 105.

"I couldn't make it to the front, but the one time I did, I couldn't go down hill that fast!" Jake Hansen lamented after the first road race.

"These guys are crazy! They attack in the gutter!" Hansen said.

Thanks to River City's David Guettler and his Time Trial man Mark Gefalia,
Jake arrived at the time trials in a lower position on the bars and $1,000 Zipp wheels on the bike, and hope glimmered in the in the haze of the malaise.
Only in the TTs did Jake pass 70th place twice.

Everything was hard.

In the crit he lined up so bad, he never saw the front, and was pulled, luckily after the time minimum that gave him a pro rated time penalty, but the ability to continue the next day.

Despite his personal struggle, Jake's weakness brought strength and leadership to the whole Cyclisme program. To pay for Jake's race fee, Father Word drove his son in support of the totally pro women's field. Mother Cambell drove her mini van to the limit at the head of the Pro/Elite MENS CARAVAN as the chariot to the Lead USCF OFFICIAL!

Tim Miller and Mary Pattiani were at wit's end for two hours of wild and wooly cat 4 men's action. They learned a TON about bike racing.

I got to see The Columbia Gorge completely from my campsite at Memoloose State Park. Then with Greg and Willy C. I was able to thrill and mourn at the amazing Discovery Center in The Dalles.

Also big for me- Perhaps in response to the race pressure, Jake and I motor paced on the way home from Trout Lake, Washinton. With cyclist-filled cars lined out in both lanes behind, watching in praise, Jake motorpaced spun-out at 63mph for about fifteen minutes like a bullet flying South toward Hood River.

It was a site to see!