Result: Crushed

How it unfolded: 2hours, normalized to 300W, 1800kJ

Lap1: 325W (5:20)
Lap2: 382W (4:40)
Lap3: 370W (4:45)
Lap4: 368W (4:50)
Lap5: 315 (5:20) - this is where I imploded.
Lap6: 310W
Lap7: 300W
Lap8: 343W
Lap9: 310W
Lap10: 330W
Lap11: 338W
Lap12: 300W
Lap13: 315W
Lap14: 295W

You can see from the power numbers how the race went. First lap was easy, heading into 3rd lap, I knew it would start to pick up. I moved to the front and got on Binder's wheel - he does have 20 points towards cat 2, so I knew he'd be strong. Although, he isn't known for is race tactics, so it was a bit risky.

Anyhow, we attacked on lap 2 (actually 3rd time up hill) and made some people suffer. I felt good, and we sat up a bit just before the steep section. The next time up, same thing, there were 3 or 4 of us at the front setting a hard pace. Felt ok. Finally 4th lap, Binder and some other dude attacked again through the feed zone - I was there, but they had a small gap. Some guy behind me yelled at me to close the gap. I dug pretty deep, got back on the wheel, and then it happened...I got eaten alive on the steep power climb, and then had to pedal a bit to get back on the back. The next few laps I was able to regroup at the bottom of the climb, but got gapped towards the top and was playing the chase game with about 4 others.

The remaining group of about 20 riders were so close...yet so far. I got sick of my company and hammered out a 343W effort and somehow managed to get back into the lead group. Of course, surprise, I got dropped again. Maybe because I was pedaling every descent? Or maybe because I am an out of shape fatty.

Anyhow, while I didn't do nearly as well as I wanted, I completely destroyed my power numbers from the UCSC race here in March - so at least there is some proof that I am a bit faster. Just no points.

the UCSC numbers went like this for me:

1: 330W
2. 365W
3. 315W - dropped
4. 320W
5. 305W
6. 324W
7. 300W
8. 300W
9. 308W...more of the same...

Anyhow, here's a pic from Panoche Road near Tres Pinos, part of the Stanford Road Race.