Rain Can't Dampen Mt. Tam Hill Climb

Despite dismal weather and thick fog, more than 350 cyclists turned out for the 2010 Mt. Tamalpais Hill Climb road race Saturday morning. Jesse Moore of Sacramento was the winner and a slew of Mill Valley riders placed high in various categories for the grueling 12-mile race.

The inclement weather had more pop-up tents in the parking lot at the start, more riders huddled in cars staying dry, and the usual warm-ups were noticeably brief. But the rain and fog didn't seem to dampen their spirit. Coming late in the season, many racers sign up for the Tam Hill Climb purely for fun and the personal challenge. Some use it as a chance to get that last push of fitness for the few races left in the season, while for others it is strictly for bragging rights among friends.

The classic 12-mile race starts in Stinson Beach, traverses along the Bolinas Lagoon, heads up the grueling Bolinas-Fairfax climb, and finishes at the end of Ridgecrest. It is along this final stretch that racers must contend with the "Seven Sisters," a series of considerable, punchy climbs that prevent your lungs and legs from settling into any real rhythm.

Moore, who races for the Cal Giant Cycling Team, won the Men's Pro 1/2 race in 40 minutes and 48 seconds, beating Nate English of Zteam by 12 seconds. It was Moore's first overall win in four tries.

"Nate is a full throttle rider and I respect that," he said. "At the bottom of the climb, he was just going for it and I stayed with him, about 3rd or 4th wheel back. I looked behind me and saw that we still had about fifteen guys with us, which was cool to see. I think the level of racing just keeps going up and guys on all levels just keep getting better and better."

Despite a nagging leg injury that has hampered her season, Susannah Breen of the Wells Fargo Racing team won the Women's Category 1/2 race with a considerable gap on her rivals.

The fog may have favored racers who ride the climb regularly on training rides, said Mill Valley's Bill Buckingham, who rides for Above Category Cycling on Millwood Street.

"On a day like this, experience with the course paid off, because if you don't know the road, there was no way you could see what was coming," he said.

The Above Category team had a number of high finishers, including several Mill Valley father-son duos. While Blair Peterson finished 29th in the Master 45+ category with a time of 52 minutes and 35 seconds, his 15-year-old son Spence raced in Cat 3 men and finished 10th at 47 minutes and 14 seconds, despite dropping his chain on one of the "sisters."

When I asked them who clocked the faster time, the older Peterson burst out laughing.

"Seven years ago maybe? Me! This year, no way. Spence is faster, no question," he said.

Skyler Taylor finished three seconds ahead of Spence Peterson, while his dad Jeff Taylor, who rode the famed Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race in Colorado last month, finished 19th in Master 45+ at 49 minutes and 23 seconds.

When I asked Taylor if coming up the hill slower than Skyler was bittersweet, he said, "No, it's all sweet. The boys have helped us keep our enthusiasm for the sport. We all have had to go into our closets, get out our athleticism, and dust it off a bit."

Click here for the full results of the Mt. Tam Hill Climb.