THE WALL, 2008 (Photo by Charles Minton)
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2008
Number of Riders: 1, 015
Tour Director: Vic Armijo
1. Mike Taylor, 5:16:47
2. Henry Kramer, 5:25:18
3. Dave Figueiredo, 5:29:23
4. Jim Robbins, 5:31:06
5. Mark Cato, 5:33:19
6. Stephen Maluk, 5:34:35
7. Matt Schiff, 5:34:48
8. Ken House, 5:35:28
9. Carl Hesselein, 5:35:50
10. Lance Niles, 5:36:42
1. Pam Jennings, 6:05:41 (New Record)
2. Cindy Carroll, 6:09:06
3. Molly Schmelzle, 6:19:43
4. Sage Tauber, 6:20:11
5. Teri Kolder, 6:44:09
6. Beth Abels, 6:48:32
7. Diane Ostenso, 7:17:03
8. Janet Martinez, 7:35:48
9. Jade Wilcoxson, 7:57:45
10. Nicole Slaton, 8:07:00
The 2008 tour was one of the best to date with a great turnout and ideal weather. There was a total of 1,015 participants and 513 100-mile riders. Tour Director Vic Armijo told me that the 100-mile turnout was one the best in recent years, especially considering the rising cost of gas prices. The weather was clear and sunny with temperatures in the upper 50's to lower 60's. The most important variable was moderate winds along the beach that I would guess averaged around 15 MPH. All these factors would seem to add up to fast times, but the first 40 miles of the 100-mile ride were slow by usual standards. Once the lead group arrived at the base of Panther Gap the pace increased substantially and the large group broke up into several smaller groups. Mike Taylor took off at the bottom of the climb, similar to what Tinker Juarez did in 2007. Henry Kramer set a fast and consistent pace in the lead group behind Mike but we never saw him again. There was a strong group of women riders this year led by local Pam Jennings who set a new women's course record of 6:05.
Mike Taylor (Left) powers up the Wall. Henry Kramer (Right) leads the following group up the Wall. Click on the picture for a larger view. (Christina Russ Photography)
Wildflowers (Left) were abundant in this years tour. Pam Jennings (Right) climbs the Wall. (Christina Russ Photography)
2008 Tour Photos Available from Christina Russ Photography:
Eureka Reporter article, "Grueling local race set for today," by John Magers, May 10, 2008. Click on the article for a larger view.
Times Standard article "Coast tour," by Jose Quezada, May 11, 2008. Click on the picture for a larger view.
Times Standard article "On the road again," by Heather Shelton, May 15, 2008. Click on the picture for a larger view.
Times Standard article "Like father, like son," by Heather Shelton, May 19, 2008. Click on the picture for a larger view.
Times Standard article "On the road, again," by Joe Davey, May 20, 2008. Click on the picture for a larger view.
