Tuesday, April 27, 2010

2010 Single Bong 20K Recap

Sometimes you have to know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em… well at least those were the words I heard in a country song while heading up to the Bong 20K TT this past weekend. Some riders decided to gamble with me and make the trip to Kanasville to tempt fate and weather the storm. Other riders took a more laxidasical approach in favor of a  hot cup of coco in front of a picturesque fire in the comfort of their own homes.

As time trialists, we are a bit of an odd bunch in that to excel in this cycling discipline we must have a good relationship with Pain. We cannot just go on the Dr. Phil Show and obtain the latest and greatest psychological remedy because we have a dysfunctional relationship with Pain. Staying home because of adverse weather is not in our nature, and the Bong 20k brought plenty of it. The race featured damp, cold 50 degree weather with a nice tailwind going out to the second turn. Following the second turn, riders met a slight crosswind that slowly turned into a swirling headwind on the finishing stretch. This monstrosity of a wind brought some riders to the brink on the finishing stretch.
This week featured some new, regular faces to hit the leader board this season. Charles “Gerlacher” Gerlach (Lamb Little Racing) took top honors on the men’s side of the competition torching the course in 26:55, nipping Kevin Pomasl (Team Wisconsin MC2) for second place with a time of 26:58. Curtis Bice (ABD), finally broke his own “twenty-eight minute curse”, completing the podium with a time of 27:08. On the ladies side, Debbie Dust (PACT-Dish Network) yet again took first place honors, ripping the course in 28:56. Leigh Thompson (Vision Quest) was second, riding a 29:54. Arrietta Clauss (Mad City) completed the women’s overall podium with a time of 30:17.

Other MATTS riders turning in excellent times on this day were: Bob Burke (PACT-Dish Network), Dan Madsen (ABD), Daniel Norbeck (Vision Quest), Brain Harris (Scarletfire/Verizon Racing), Peter Allen (XXX Athletico), Francine Hass (Alberto’s), Reed Oliff (Lamb Little Racing), Mike Jones (PACT-Dish Network), Kevin Stephens (Project 5 Racing), Vitor Alexandre (Coltivita-Chicagoland), James Flechsig (ABD), Richard Adamczyk (Midwest Masters), Tristen Petsch-Horvarth (Team Mack), David Goetzinger (Rock River Oil), Gene Nozicka (Alberto’s), Stephen Miwa (South Chicago Wheelmen), Marilyn Powell (ABD), Pat Beam (ABD), and Peter Alexander (Midwest Masters).

Race results and pictures of this event have been posted on the ABR website.  Thanks goes out to Greg Bond for taking excellent photos of this event.  The next race on the MATTS schedule takes riders to Garden Prairie, Illinois for the Scarletfire / Verizon 2-person 40k on May 8th. On-line registration is available for this event. Links to Bong 20k results, pictures, and Scarletfire / Verizon 2-person TT race information are listed below. Happy Training!
http://www.truesport.com/register/events/2010/abrtt01/index.html

Note:  Photo top is of Doug Peterson (Lamb Little Racing) and Vitor Alexandre (Coltivita-Chicagoland) racing back and forth for position.  Photo was taken by Greg Bond. Photo center left is of Bob Marshall (ABD) warming up for his race. 

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