At the packet pickup at a local high school

Getting geared up.

Heading off for the 3 mile ride up to the start...

...at the Athenian School at the base of the mountain

Rick's wave

The start, for Ferrell's wave

...and mine

The summit comes into view

Beautiful views. I was hoping for solid cloud cover to avoid the sun, but mostly, we got sune.

Getting warm. Says 92F on my cyclo-thermometer

The 16% grade section to the very top, starts at the cones ahead

I was digging deep for max oxygen after crossing the finish line. Heaving breaths for a solid minute or two.

I found the race director and asked if anyone had ever had a heart attack on this race. He said "Yeah.... every couple of years". Rider beware!

Fortunately, looks like my heart and pipes are in good shape. That last ~200 yards was the most intense work on a race, ever, for me. I kept track of my heart for a couple days afterwards. No irregularities.

I've paid special attention this year to my electrolytes, which got me through some very tough long races with rapid recovery, like this one, and the GraniteMan Iron a month earlier. No 3am "charlie horse" moments either, this year.

Nothing but electrolyte for my fluids on this one. 94F on my cyclothermometer as I headed down.

After some carbs at the top, they stage the riders down the mountain behind pace cars. Mine took extra time to go because of an incident with a rider several miles down below.

While the Mt Hamilton ride is longer, and has more elevation gain, the Mt Diablo climb is steeper and harder, in a time trial situation.

Lunch back at the award ceremony was welcomed. Turkey burger for me.

Properly protein'd up, we were all smiles again before the drive home