Goat Hill Time Trials Reprise

This past Tuesday marked the finale of the Goat Hill time trials series in Uxbridge.  Same course as last year.  Same charming timer.  One new face consistently above me in the results every week.

I'd smile, too.

The course was impeccable the first two weeks.  After a very dry spring, we finally picked up some rain and the course turned super grippy.

I gave it hell the first week. I was fast.  So fast.  In fact, I knew I just must have won.  Well, probably.

As it turns out, I did win.  Because first and foremost time trials are a race against yourself.  And then against the eight (yes, eight) jerks that beat you when you feel like you are on top of the world.  The laurels were shared between Matt Chandler and John Beaupre, tied for first with 28:03.  Third place was only four seconds out from first.  Guess who?

Have you been tanning.  You look kind of bronze.

Last year my best go at this 4.75 mile loop was 31:00 flat.  The first week I turned in a 30:55.  Sweet!  Not only did I put up a time slower than eight people.  I put up a time faster than eight people.

That's right.  All you folks with eleven year old kids at home are jumping up and down yelling, "That's the median.  The one in the middle!"  Yes.  It is.

Those of you who are actually checking the results are jumping up and down yelling, "You're a liar.  Ten people beat you!"  Well, I guess you're right also, but technically two of those were people that beat me twice and I'm not counting them.  I know you would have beat me a third time if you had run the course again.  And probably a fourth.  Stop showing off.

Show Off

 The next week turned out to be just as perfect for riding.  A light rain through the ride, but not enough to make it slippery.

Steve Segenchuk hammers out of the start, the roar of the crowd ringing in his ears.

Steve Segenchuk and the crowd.

Did I win, Mike?

How did my week two go?  Well, I was able to shave 48 seconds off for a 30:07.  So close to that 30 minute barrier.  Next week.  That was good for 8th of 18.  Better than median.

The second week winner was Steve Segenchuk with a 27:32.  Second was...

28:19

And rounding out the top three was Derek with a 28:57.  Damn those guys are fast.

I went out after my run and saw how the real bikers do it.

Potter rolling the rock...

And Modig doing the same...

Here's Zimma on the rocks.  Zomething different indeed.

Here's Dave Flynn killing it on the same rocks just before the end of the lap with Jess Bly coming in just behind him. 

And speaking of Jess.  He was 43 seconds behind me the first week.  The second week he cut that down to 17 seconds.  Man, oh man.  Nervous about week three.

As well I should have been.  Week three came and with it real rain.  No longer grippy, the course was truly wet.  Rock and root alike were ready to rob you of your uprightedness.  I dabbed.  Twice.  That after two clean weeks. I still felt pretty good with the conditions, but didn't know how the others would do in the adverse conditions.

I went out on the minute mark after Jess.  I knew I had to try to gain ground on him to stay in front of him in the week's standings.  Try as I might, I just couldn't catch a glimpse of him.  He was FLYING.  After climbing the last real hill and heading into the flowy downhill stuff, I finally saw him.  And not the way I wanted to,.  He was walking down the trail, bike over his shoulder.  Flat in front.  Ugh.  As it turns out, he was having the run of his life.  Hitting all the turns perfectly, fast enough to almost be out of control.  Almost.  Shredded his tire on a rock just after the bomb holes.  The Stan's couldn't seal it.  Jess's race was run.  And I would remain ahead of him for yet another week.  30:33 beats a DNF every time.  And was good enough for 6th out of 17 in week three.

Week three was won by John Beaupre with a 26:46 (fastest time of the entire series).  An injured Matt Chandler took second with 28:56.  And with 29:03 and 3rd?

3rd, 2nd, 3rd.  Stupid kid.

Following the finale at Goat Hill we huddled under a couple of easy-ups and had a good old fashioned Bums cookout.  Burgers and dogs on Mike's big ol' commercial sized grill and awesome taco salad courtesy of Russ.  Great series.  Great food.  Great people.  Thanks Mike Tonry.   Now onto Mendon Road! 

Mike Laplante, Bryan Wilson, Rick Nelson and Wayne

Our fearless timer emerges from the woods.  Methinks he's a golfer, not a mountain biker.