Hill and Dubin Up to “Challenge”

Palisadian Tom Hill has competed in, and completed, countless races in his cycling career but few have been as difficult for him as last weekend’s Mulholland Challenge. It wasn’t just the grueling 109-mile course that required some 12,500 feet of climbing that nearly did him in–it was the sweltering 100+ degree temperatures that caused almost 25 percent of the field to drop out. Still, tired as he was, Hill finished seventh in the 45-50 age group and 25th overall in seven hours and 57 minutes’just under his goal of eight hours. He also easily met his goal of finishing among the top 10 percent. “It was like riding through a hot oven,” Hill said. “I cramped up badly after about 80 miles but I kept icing down my thighs and I toughed my way through it. Judging by the times I’d estimate the heat slowed people down by about 30 minutes.” Hill had company for his second Mulholland Challenge (he completed his first two years ago). He has been riding and training with Palisades High sophomore Sam Dubin, who was the youngest racer in the field and was by far the youngest finisher. “He has a real passion for cycling and he’s got a lot of potential,” Hill said of his young apprentice. “We road parts of the course together a few times but never in that kind of heat. It was nice to see him complete the hardest event of his life to date.” Dubin, who finished exactly two hours behind his fellow Palisadian, was happy to see Hill waiting for him at the finish line. “He said ‘I’m so dead, I wasn’t prepared for this mentally,'” Hill said. “I told him ‘Yeah, it’s not easy.’ It takes a lot of determination.” The course started at Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas, wound through Malibu and Topanga Canyons and included several treacherous stretches, including the Rock Store, Little Sycamore, Deer Creek, Decker Canyon and Stunt Hill climbs.