Black Dog #2 - The wind is getting old...

Results Posted

Can't seem to catch a break from the wind. This was the 3rd blustery time trial in nearly a week. First TNT, then Synergy, now Black Dog. This time it was HOT!

This weeks Black Dog was the 2nd of 4 events in the Nature Valley Grand Prix Qualifier Series. Overall turnout was unusually low, considering there were 100+ racers 2 weeks ago. As expected, more fast guys showed up than normal, including Doug Swanson, who broke the course record (13:48), setting a new record of 13:44. Very impressive given the windy conditions. GrandStay swept the top 4 spots with Stanford (14:09), Casper (14:26), and Brabbit (14:28). Timmer finished 5th in 14:37.

The pavement is now patched (still pretty rough though), and the police were there in force to keep riders on their best behavior. Not nearly as much traffic as 2 weeks ago, so I can't imagine there were any complaints from motorists. Staging in driveway, and not allowing people to warm up on the course cut down greatly on start area congestion.

Jordan found out first hand how mean the dog can be. He felt much better than this past Sunday, and thought he was flying. He was dissapointed to see his time was 15:28. How many of us Black Doggers have had that happen to us? Probably all of us. He was clearly spun out on the way back in his junior gears, and it didn't help that I neglected to fully inflate the tire on his disc.

Carla felt crappy the whole ride, almost throwing up. To top it off, she got caught at the turn around behind cars coming at her, and from behind.

They sent all the NVGP qualifier riders off last. Therefore, I rode the Tandem first, with stoker Dave Zimmerman. We made a modest effort, hoping to open the legs up, but not burying it, for a 14:20.

I started 2nd of the NVGP qualifier riders, 30 secs behind Zim, and 30 secs in front of Yorgos. I knew it would be a lonely ride, and it was. The toughest parts were approaching the power plant, and the open section just before the turn around. The wind seemed to be coming from everywhere. At the turn, I looked to be holding Zim @ 30sec, and Yorgos didn't appear to be closing. The return was fast, and it was critical to get on top of a big gear and fly. I saw 24-27mph most of the way out, and 29-35mph on the way back. I actually rode the 53x11 from the power plant back to the start. That never happens. I posted the exact same time as this past Sunday, 15:04.

To top the night off, we somehow managed to lock the keys in the truck. Hollywood came to the rescue, calling back the locksmith who had just helped Matt Stein unlock his car. $75 later, we finally headed home. What a night.