Phil Zajicek

Ironhorse.

// May 27th, 2006 // 2 Comments » // pz racing

Ah. Early move went today a few miles into the race. The local Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory had a few guys in the move plus three other Colorado racers. They rolled off early and I didn’t realise until too late that there were 6 guys up the road. Time checks were spotty, the first split we received was 6 minutes as we rolled up Shalona. As a solo rider there wasn’t too much that I could do until we hit the first real climb, Coalbank Pass. As we hit the climb the gap was 7 minutes. Moninger and Mike Carter rolled the climb hard and I came through when I was able to. Pretty quickly the field thinned out, one of the last guys to get dropped was Ned Overend. He was competing in his 25th Ironhorse! Over the top of Coalbank the group was down to 4, Moninger, Carter, and Mitch Moreman. All altitude climbers. We pegged the descent and flew into the last climb, Mulas. Unfortunately the wind worked against us and there was a tailwind on the climb. Moninger and I swapped off for most of the climb with Scott taking some big digs on the front. I was suffering as we reached the 10,900′ summit, unfortunately the gap was still 2:30. Not possible to bring back much more time on the fast descent into Silverton. As we reached the town of Silverton Mike Carter hit the front and put in a fast last km, Moninger jumped early and I hesitated as I tried to drop to the 11. I was running out of road and the 11 wouldn’t hit so I gave everything I had and spun out the 12. Managed to nip Moninger on the line for 5th place. Bummer that the early move stuck. I’m stoked to feel solid and am feeling good about the block of racing coming up. Local Durangoite Rolando from Costa Rica soloed in for the victory.
Driving to Salt Lake City tomorrow to pay the t-bird a visit. Looking forward to some good Utah mountain climbing.

Rest Day.

// May 23rd, 2006 // 3 Comments » // pz racing

Durango.

// May 19th, 2006 // 1 Comment » // pz racing

Gila and leaving Tucson.

// May 11th, 2006 // 1 Comment » // pz racing

Gila.

// May 7th, 2006 // 1 Comment » // pz racing