Gold Nugget Stage Race - Day 2 - Road Race Teamwork in the Heat

Day 2 of the stage race first involved getting up early, having a good breakfast (at the Pizza Plus, where else?) then driving about an hour up into the mountains, via a spectacular canyon pass.

When we arrived at the start, the temperature was still moderate (about 75 degrees) but it was clear that it would be another hot day. The boys were facing a 45-mile road race (except Skyler, whose group had a 25 mile race ahead), over a rolling course at about 3000 feet altitude.

Junior 15-16 lineup at the road race start

Heading out into the relatively cool morning, though it was 95 degrees by the end.

Junior 13-14 group heads out for their 25 miles

The races took fairly different turns, but there was a common theme - strong performances by the AC Juniors. In the 15-16 race, Bjorn worked hard with the front group, and managed to stay up front for much of the race. The battle was going to be between Bjorn, Alastair Eckmann, and Chris Flanagan.

Bjorn hammering on Alastair with three laps to go

Bjorn worked hard, but also managed to conserve his energy, and he kept the pressure on the rest till the last couple of laps. There was a breakaway with Bjorn, Alastair, Andrew Freund and Hanson, but Bjorn turned it on, dropped the break and soloed the last part of the race, to finish with a resounding First Place!

Bjorn takes it - First Place!

Skyler's race was equally challenging, with a battle between Ryan and Henry - Skyler kept the pressure on the whole way and outlasted the other boys to finish with another First Place.

Skyler finishing the 13-14 race - First Place

Bob and Spence had been working for Bjorn earlier in the race, and as a result, were fairly spent towards the end of the race. They met up with Dom, a kid from Southern California. Bob and Dom hung together and rolled in several minutes behind Bjorn. They finished a very tough, 45- mile race in the altitude and heat, and did a great job of supporting Bjorn in his win.

Bob and Dom rolling in at the finish

Spence came in a few minutes behind them - this was the longest race, and one of the longest rides he'd ever done, and he went through 9 water bottles in the process of finishing! Well done Spence...

A very hot and tired Spence finishes his 45 miles.

After the road race, there were several hours to go until the afternoon time trial began, so we grabbed sandwiches, and headed over to a swimming hole and waterfall that Bjorn and his family had discovered two years ago when Bjorn did Gold Nugget.

The first small swimming hole was in and around a large basalt canyon, and featured a nice 12-15 foot drop off into the 8 foot pool. The boys, goaded by Bjorn, had a great time jumping into the pool and swimming around for awhile, cooling off from the race.

Bob trying out the jump at the "small pool"

Of course, because they are teenage boys, jumping off small cliffs is never enough, and Bjorn knew of a bigger place "just around the corner" - actually about a 10 minute hike across the scorching basalt. It led over to a BIG swimming hole, with a 40-45 foot rock which had several "jumping off" points. Bjorn led the way, starting with the 12-15 foot jumps, then he and Bob headed up to the top, where they did the 30-35 foot drops into the pool - which they didn't get near the bottom of.

Bjorn and Bob re-enacting Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid

Bob about to land after his 35 foot jump. Hint - wear shoes or flip flops!

After the fun and relaxation in the water, it was time to trek back to the start of Stage 3, just a short drive away. It was mercifully a short time trial course, only 3.8 miles, which was about 1 mile of mostly flat to rolling road, then a 0.8 mile hill, followed by about 2 miles of rolling "false flat" to the finish. The boys went out at one minute intervals, and hammered up the course solo.

Bob near the top of the hill climb section.

Bjorn turning it on into the "flat" section.

Skyler pushing hard at the top of the climb.

Spence was last one in - hammering towards the finish.

All the boys, glad that the TT is over - short, but painful.

After the finish, they rode down to the start,
and enjoyed the shade before heading back to the hotel

After the two races in one day, we had a long drive back to the hotel, where the boys spent much of the evening in the pool, practicing their cannonball and other techniques, then early to bed for the final day of racing - a 36-mile (or 24-mile for Skyler) road race.

Glad to be back at the hotel with the pool!

More pictures are HERE