Race Report (with video) : V3 Hopfest 60 mile ride : Sept 19, 2015

A friend of mine knew I started cycling again and was looking for a good local race to 'break in my saddle'.  Dennis recommended a local race called Veteran's Victory Velo (v3) that combines 30/60/100 mile routes that tour the beautiful rolling San Ramon, Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton hills with beer garden finish!  Earnings from the race primarily benefit the Sentinels of Freedom fund which helps severely injured veterans pursuit of higher education and integration into private-sector life.  Fun tour of the tri-county area, beer and benefit of local veterans group?  I was in!

Ride Stats: distance, start time, elevation gain, expected completion time...

Distance	Start Time	Elevation Gain	Rough Completion Time
30	9:30AM	1,131ft	2 Hours
60	8:00AM	2,500ft	4 Hours
100	7:30AM	6,867ft	7 Hours

I brief step back.  Prior the 'race' I signed up with a local cycling club called, Valley Spokesman Bicycle Club, and rode one of their standard 60 miles rides.  It was nearly the same route as V3!  The spokeman group were experienced riders whom I learned proper bike etiquette from like hand signals to give warning of hazards or just turns/stops coming up, etc.  Getting back into riding you're going to look like a newbie, especially coming from another sport, but at least you can do so safely.

Race morning: There were three distances 30/60/100 with starting times of 9:30AM/8:00AM/7:30AM.  Sign in to pick up bib and goodie bag started at 6:00AM at Bishop Ranch.   My friend I agreed to meet there about 7AM to give the 100 milers time to get through the registration line and us another hour of sleep.  I woke up at 5:30AM, ate and was out the door by 6:30 and there by 6:45AM. There was ample parking and very clearly layed out signin.  First you signed you waiver then brought it plus your confirmation sheet with scan-code to the signin table.  I was in/out in a couple of minutes.  They didn't have the 4oz beer glasses and we were told we'd pick those up after we finished. Motivation!

Hit the porta-poties, store goodie-bags in the car and finish filing water bottles, pumping tires, etc.

Fifteen minutes before start at 7:45AM the race director (RD) called everyone over to the pre-race briefing tent (later the band stage) to go over why we were all there, Star Spangle Banner by local Pleasanton troup then were shuffled over to the start line.

There were several Harleys that lead us out to the start. See short 1 min videos below to get a feel for the various road conditions.



Start:

Out to Sycamore Valley Rd (Mile 4.5):

Luitano Rd ( Mile 10):

Victoraine Rd (Mile 16):

Tesla Rd (Mile 35):

Rest Stops:
1)         23.2 Miles – Leo R. Croce Elementary, 5650 Scenic Ave, Livermore
2)         40.2 Miles – Lunch, Alden Lane Nursery, 981 Alden Lane, Livermore

First Rest Stop - Sausage, potatoes, fruit and electrolytes!

Hopfest:

After the race, you could use your ticket to 'purchase' one lunch and use your beer glass for unlimited beer tasting - yes unlimited.  I believe I sampled four beers before calling it a day.

Several local brewers had tents including:

• Schubros Brewery
• Eight Bridges
• Calicraft Brewing Co
• Altimont Beer Works
• Black Diamond Brewing Company
• Knee Deep Brewing Co
• Fieldwork Brewing
• Angry Orchard
• Deschutes
• EJ Phair Brewing Company
• Lagunitas Brewing Company
• High Water Brewing
• Aqotango Amber Ale
• Sierra Nevada
• Working Man Brewing Co
• Bear Republic Brewing Co
• SpeakEasy
• Handles Gastropub

Summary : V3 is a relaxing tour of the tri-county area with beer/food finish.  You really can't ask for more. I would definitely do this 'race' next year.

One of my favorites : Lagunitas!

Dennis and I sharing post-race recovery drinks