Jeff to the Snake: Rematch!  Next Year! 

I had a great starting position and tried to remember everything I had been told while waiting on the line.  The whistle blew and we were off.  Matt Smith led the charge to the foot of the Snake and Andreas and I followed a few wheels behind.  1 switchback up and a guy just fell over.  All he could muster was a "sorry" and I think he gave up.  Worked my way around and up and began the harrowing descent to start all over again.

It went on and on like this for 15 laps.  Smitty had to pull out 4 laps in and Andreas did the same a lap later.  I'm not sure how I mustered enough strength to finish, but I did.  I've never experienced so much abdominal pain in my life!  I rode strong the entire race and flew up the snake each time around (I thank my awesome Trek Madone for such an easy ride up).  Despite having a slew of mechanical failures due to the improper seating of my rear wheel before the start and not actually passing anyone in the race, I finished a respectable 23rd.  At some point, I was at least 30+ riders back, so that just goes to show, if you finish, you might do OK. 

Lessons Learned:
1.  As with any race, don't change your equipment day-of unless you KNOW it's going to work. And when you do it, do it right!
2.  Aero wheels on the descent after the Snake make for a scary ride, especially if it is a windy day.
3.  The race is won on the descent, not on the snake.  Chill up the Snake and fly down the back side.
4.  When ascending the Snake, center of gravity is everything.  Stand up and you lose traction; sit too far back and you pop wheelies (I did it several times and had to unclip once).
5.  Do a month of Ab work before the snake because it HURTS!
6.  Finish, Finish, Finish.  Chances are, 75% of the field won't, so if you do, you're almost guaranteed a respectable result.