2005 Mt. Diablo Challenge - Preface

I am very proud to report that Wheely Cool had an unprecedented number of participants this year on the mountain: 3 riders and 1 volunteer. Willis, Jeff and Don rode the mountain, while Alicia helped the organizers at the summit. This gives us several perspectives on the event, as you will soon read in multiple installments.
The Mt. Diablo Challenge is a timed bicycle race from the bottom to top, lasting 10.8 miles and climbing over 3000 feet, with close to 1000 entrants all huffing and puffing their way to the top, where they face a final 17% grade known as "the wall" at the finish.