Very cool ride, mostly because a decent amount of pro's showed up, dave zabriskie and tinker juarez most notably. i can say that i rode part of the ride ahead of dz...while he took a nature break at the baldy dam. about five minutes later he cruised by with the greatest of ease. one could make the usual sportive complaints about lack of quality swag and small portions at the post-ride meal, but all of this was amended for by the presence of the legend himself bill walton, who was as obliging as possible to all the people who wanted to greet him (myself included).

i rode within myself, didn't try to contest any of the kom points, and managed a top 100 placing that could have been higher had i not cramped on the last hill up to the lifts. i was entertained by the number of riders who were surprised at the steepness and difficulty of the climb up from the village. i'm not really sure what they thought they had signed up for, but i was trying to encourage riders who i passed on the switchbacks, and about half of them just looked at me in disgust. ah well. it was nice to see so many ridiculously expensive bikes and enthusiastic riders in my home town...and in two weeks, i get to do it all again as a spectator.