caloso

Well?

enthuesd

what is the mt. diablo challenge?

msincredible

https://www.savemountdiablo.org/Bike%...llengeHome.htm

rydaddy

I'm doing it (wave 2)... not sure if I am ready though. Actually I am more worried about bicycle congestion than I am my climbing abilities

BlastRadius

We were born ready! haha. I won't be making it to that though. 10/7 is the season opener for the Pilarcitos Cyclocross series. https://www.pilarcitos.com/2007Cross.htm

msincredible

I'll be back on the track with my Ducati next weekend.

DiabloScott

I am volunteering and my job is to haul your baggage to the Summit and then collect your transponders when you finish. That'll be my red pickup parked in front of the line and my take off time is 15 minutes before Wave 1. (look for the Rescued Dog magnet on the tailgate then come introduce yourself). Riders put their junk in bags, volunteers put the bags in boxes and then in my truck (probably a couple other vehicles as well).

caloso

That's great! I'll look for you. I'll be the guy on the silver Trek who's blown himself up.

caloso

Diablo Scott: I'm shooting for the hour but it's going to be close. Do you think I can get away with one water bottle?

'nother

Yeah sounds fun and all but I'm also heading to the Pilarcitos CX opener (I'll be riding Cs).

There's another chance to prove your might at climbing Diablo in week 4 of the Low-Key Hillclimb Series. Saturday, October 20.

uspspro

I'll be doing the Low-Key @ Kings instead, I think.

DiabloScott

Yup.

rydaddy

I am trying to figure out what I can get away without as well. What about tube/pump/multi-tool? I guess once we flat or have a mechanical the race is over but will there be any assistance if we are stuck somewhere on the way up?

If yes, I will be losing the saddle bag and pump.

Thanks Diablo Scott - I will say hello at the top!

DiabloScott

I wouldn't count on much assistance. I know the Dublin Cyclery guy is going to be at the Summit but I think it's mostly for advertising. I don't know of any official SAG vehicles but I'm sure there are none driving during the race... maybe one or two stations along the way. My suggestion is lose the saddle pack and stuff a tube, levers, and a CO2 in your back pocket if you want to be prepared; I'd estimate a 3% chance of flatting on the way up... I've got statistics for everything.

At the Summit they're making us park at the farthest away point of the Lower Parking Lot so you won't recognize me by my truck - I'll wear my Mt Diablo State Park ball cap.

BenRidin

I'm in Wave #2 as well. Hoping to improve on my 1hr09min from last year.

Just a hint, if you're dropping off a bag, put it in the front box. Last year it took my bag an hour to make up to the top after I did. And it got cold too.

Scott, I'll come by and introduce myself.

BR

parity

When I was preparing for the Death Ride and riding up and down Mount Diablo, I once saw a guy running his bike downhill (barefoot) because he had a flat. I guess he had no patch/tube/pump/etc. I didn't bother to offer up one of mine because I figured he'd enjoy the run.

As for what to take with you. Well I am not taking any water bottles up with me. I don't know how smart it is but I figure there is water at the top so I don't need it. I told my wife that I was going to drill holes in my frame and saddle after she mocked me for my decision not to take any water with me. Of course she fell for it. See you at the top, I think I am in the first wave but I am not too sure I'll be able to make it under an hour.

hammern_frank

I'm in wave #3.

First time doing the challenge. The goal is somewhere between 65-70 minutes.

Ty.S

I'm in wave 4. I think I could hang in 2 or 3, but I've only been up diablo once so I might as well start in the back. My training has taken a hit lately so maybe wave 4 is the best spot for me.

Most of you sound like you're trying to shed weight on your bikes for this ride, I wasn't planning on dumping anything off mine, but I'm sure you guys know something I don't know.

Care to tell me about the event in years past? How long are we up on the summit for? What to bring? all that kind of stuff..

Ritterview

Sunday, I had my best ever time of 41:35 up Highway 9, which according to Kreuzotter, is 305 watts, which should translate into 58 min 55 seconds, and a coveted one hour tee-shirt. However, last year pre-Diablo Higway 9 time of 43:25 ended up a miserable 1 hr 10 minutes. My speed of on the 6.8 mile 6.6% grade Highway 9 climb was identical to the 10.9 mile 5.56% Diablo climb. I don't recall being tired or anything, so I can't explain why I couldn't go faster, unless it was all those dang slow riders in the third wave who wouldn't get to the right, and were hindering my progress.

I'm 10 lbs lighter this year, which according to Kreuzotter, is worth two minutes.

https://www.kreuzotter.de/english/espeed.htm

Smooooth

I am in wave 2 and am real close to the 1 hour mark. Weather looks like it will be in the 70's. Maybe bring a bag for gear and food... Still debating. My girlfriend is in wave 3.

I will be wearing the Sport & Spine kit, green and white.

See you guys at the top

Ritterview

I am just going to take one of these:



...and hope for the best. It is around 65 grams, which is much lighter than tubes, CO2, etc., and if it is successful in fixing a flat might be so fast that I can meaningfully continue the race. If I have to change a tire, the race will essentially be over.

I also switched out my Krylion's, to Michelin Pro Race lights, which are lighter than ProRace2's. However, they come only in blue, which looks absolutely hideous on my Team Red BMC.



https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...il.asp?p=MIPL2

DiabloScott

They're telling us volunteers we won't be able to drive back down until noon. They don't let any riders go down until about 95% of the bikes are up. So you hang around the parking lot for quite a while and weather looks good this year but that's a long time so you'll be glad you have some warmies in the checked baggage. There are a few things going on at the top - presentations, schwag, and snacks. Jamba and Hammergel will be served, not sure what else but it's less than a lunch.

rydaddy

I usually bring more than I need on a ride and it looks like I will at least be prepared for a flat... even though the gatorskins have proven to be pretty bomb proof.

I am in wave 2, and will be very close to the hour mark. I'm not sure if I will be wearing my NorCal BF jersey or my hideously colorful Caltrans jersey. Good luck to everyone and see you at the top!

caloso

Ritterview: If you don't mind me asking, how much do you weigh? I was playing with the kreuzotter power calculator myself and I think we're in the same ballpark. I'm in wave 2, by the way.

ericm979

There were headwinds last year. Also, the south gate road isn't a steady grade like 9. There's some steeper parts, and some flat parts. That makes one's time slower. And of course if you have not trained for the longer climbs you may fade a bit.

With four waves it ought to be a little less of a zoo than last year.