Time Trial Track Chicago: 2012 Wolfgang Freitag 2-Person TTT Recap

The weather all week was windy and dry with temps in the 100’s. Now, it's time for another team time trial in the MATTS, so why wouldn't you expect the temperature to drop and the clouds release some of that rain they’ve been holding on to? It happened in Garden Prairie…right Dougie! Therefore, the heat definitely wasn’t a factor for any of the teams on Sunday, but their bank account of energy did come into play.

As teams left the starting line heading east, they faced both a 10mph north, northeast wind and rain. After the first and second right hand turn, teams were given a little helping push from the wind goddesses. This helped teams pick up their pace as they rode over the gradual inclines on both the second and third stretches. Heading north to the complete the first of two laps, teams found the wind once again to be a nuisance as it quickly chipped away at the average speed. For those teams that started early, the rain did subside a little on the second lap. What kind of times would have been put in if the roads had been dry? Teams most definitely would have had an easier time navigating the corners and potholes that plagued the third stretch.

For the teams that had the power, the clock told the story, so there was no need for any self medicating excuses to ease the psyche. The fastest time of the day belonged to the Vision Quest team of Chris Meewes and Mike Heagney. They stopped the clock at 1.06.16.49. When Chris and Mike came around corner three on their first lap, they saw a lightning bolt strike the ground to their left and heard the thunder crack instantaneously. No wonder these two VQ’ers rode so fast. It was all about self preservation! Kidding aside, these two "speed demons" were firing on all cylinders and dosed out their effort to perfection in the team time trial. The second fastest time of the day belonged to the Scarlet Fire team of Chris Mosora and Tom Doughty as rolled across the line at 1.07.16.49...very solid performance gentlemen. Once again, rounding out the podium with the third fastest time of the day at 1.09.05.01 was the team of Bob Burke (PACT Dish Network) and Brian Akers (Lamb Little Racing).

Rolling into Herscher I didn’t find the pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, but I did find the race. For those of you city folk, check out the height of the corn. It’s just a tad bit higher than your knees!

This statement must be true because it says so on the sign…right?

Midwest Masters Cycling Team

Carl Wilkins and the rest of the Midwest Masters have this registration thing down pat…fast and efficient.

Mrs. Putnum and Mrs. Beck just informed Bob that he needs a parent signature to enter this event. Don’t worry Bob, I’ll sign for you. Wait! Should you be signing that release form for me? After all, you are more than old enough to be my father.

Patricia Beam has the good stuff in her left hand. Bob Burke and Terry Martin are trying to gather the funds necessary to purchase this laboratory grade Wolfberry brew that the USADA doesn’t approve of. Check out the SBH bank clock in the background. At 7:30, the weather was looking pretty darn good. However, an hour later, it was starting to get questionable with clouds moving in and the sky starting to leak.

A big thanks to the LEO’s of Herscher as well as all of the course marshals who kept the intersections safe for all the riders.

Bob Herbert Sr. left Bob Herbert Jr. at home today for this race and picked up the 70+ perennial powerhouse Jake Kreihbel. Jake it was good to see you back racing. Everybody missed you at the last two events.

First Meads car, now the sporty, Vision Quest, man van. For cripe sakes Reed, where’s our team bus? Seriously, first it was the skinsuit, and then it was the bike. I would talk to junior about this, but you decided to leave him at home this morning. Nice strategic move you pulled!

Vision Quest brought the troops out to lay it down on this 50K corn field course. There must not have been a multisport event going down this weekend. I can’t believe I was allowed to park in this lot. I think they were just being nice and let it slide because I had my very own podium girl in my man van. I guess sometimes in sports, you need that sort of distraction. Thanks “Sweet Cheeks!”

Did he say I was old? Get it right junior…I’m 62 not 63! Why, I’m gonna tear the legs off that little shit like I did during our training session the morning of the fourth. He better not complain about the heat today. It’s a good 20 degrees cooler. Besides, he’s wearing the really cool helmet today.

The Midwest Masters Cycling Team members are taking it easy before the start. When you’ve done and seen it all, a little fifteen minute delay because of lightning doesn’t amount to squat. Just look at their body language…they’re relaxed before the start.

Two TTT’s and two third places for fastest time of the day. I’ll take it! Bob, thanks for another awesome race. Next time, I’ll make sure to bring the bungee cords, so we can latch on and get a free tow from Tom Doughty and Chris Mosora as they pass by. As they scooted around us, I did catch a glimpse of some monster, chiseled, ex-pro gams and a rare rear derailleur on that single-speed, desperado’s rig.

A big thanks goes out to the Midwest Masters Cycling Team, Carl Wilkins, Bob Kuttler, and Bill Cassidy for putting together another awesome MATTS event at Herscher.