Time for Trials (and other Pursuits)

The Boneshaker's Cycling Team held their 2nd annual Tundra Time Trial yesterday, and what a fantastic event it was. Held on the Silver Comet Trail outside of Atlanta, Georgia, the event offers a 10 mile long out-and-back course with slight (1-3%) grades that are typical of old railbeds that have been converted to multi-use trails. 155 riders showed up to brave the frigid 38°-60°F temperatures. Actually, your's truly was the first rider off, and it was a bit nippy, and hard on the lungs. I was hacking all day - my lungs definitely do not like temperatures below 65°F.

Because the local velodrome is closed for repairs (and in dire straights, actually), it was an opportunity for me to dust off all my track equipment and spend some time on a fixed gear. All the aero equipment still works, and I turned a time of 23:49 (Beating my old 10 mile time from 15 years ago by over 5 minutes). My minute man caught me, and I was amazed to see him go by with less than 2k left. Not amazed that he passed me, but that he was, except for his kit, in full USPS time trial bike regalia, down to the Trek Team Time Trail frame, aero bars, Bontrager disc and front wheels. Technology has come a long way when a Catagory III rider can own the same equipment that Lance rides - well, until Saturday anyway. Lance's new position and equipment (as well as his donut-powered ITT from the Algarve) will be the subject of a post later. The sheer number of disc wheels, time trial bikes and other aero equimpent was simply amazing.

Boneshaker's did a bang-up job running the event. We had a start platform, ramp, and computerized results posted within minutes of finishing, and they deserve a hearty "Well done!" for handling over 155 riders at their second running of this event. I guess riders will have to go off every 30 seconds next year. Good job, guys!

UPDATE: The results from the Boneshaker's Tundra Time Trial are up.

Comments

[Buster Johnson]

Thanks for the write up with all of the kind words about the Boneshaker Team. As a new team member, I was surprised that things went as well as they did with 70+ showing up to register the morning of.

We had a blast doing it but were too tired to take a planned team ride at the end. It was awesome watching the riders getting prepared to ride, trainers popping out of trunks, teams under tents, passers by asking what was the BIG event, etc. I was like a kid at Christmas.
Thanks Again,
Buster
(alias Maniac)

[Steve]

Buster,

If you guys keep running events that well organized, you can expect more than 155 riders. I was especially impressed you guys took the time to build a start ramp - that was fantastic!

[E. Griffin]

Good write up off a good race. It was my first race ever and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Good articles on your blog too!