Victory in the 26.5km Author Cup Snow Mountain Hill Climb

Woke up at 4:30 am Sunday, walked the dog, had my breakfast then very slowly left the house, still very tired, to ride 40km to the start area for the race. Not the best way to wake up on a Sunday morning!

The race was due to start at 8 but there was a little delay, eventually we set off in perfect conditions to climb up the 1800m or so Snow Mountain. The race was a stage in the Author Cup, a 26.5km hill climb. I'd won the opening round but had missed some in between after that, so was keen to win this one. 

The group of 60 or so riders soon thinned out even before we hit the climb proper, then there were 5 of us, then 4, then 3. Eventually, thanks to some very solid riding by 范永奕, it was just the two of us. I felt great the whole climb but had never ridden this hill beyond the 10km point, so decided just to sit and wait and see before attacking. 

范永奕 was riding very well and I started to wonder just how strong he was, so moved up to him to have a look. Not having a computer on my bike, I wanted to know the kilometers left too, so asked him - he looked at me and gasped 'I'm on my limit!'

Well, that was all I needed to hear! I immediately attacked and got a good gap and after one km hit the 'One km to go' banner! I thought I still had 5 or 6 km to go, so that was a pretty sweet present! 

I won in 1 hour 12.42 - 范永奕 came in just under a minute down on me. 

Nice to win, only number 3 this year and I'll take it happily. 

The ride down the mountain in the rain was not great, but the McDonald's meal half way home definitely was! ;-)

Thanks for reading...