The “SVBC Time Trial Series” was initiated more than two decades ago. I was not yet plugged into the local cycling scene before the long-running event went on hiatus, but I have heard a few local regulars remember the early days with fondness. I understand that riders would congregate every week in Montezuma, where Les Welch would oversee an out-and-back time trial on our valley’s flattest road, which follows the Dry Riverfrom Bridgewater to Clover Hill. Kurt Rosenberger tells me that he was a regular in the fixed gear category.
He and his buds would search for the largest possible chainring to match with their 13 tooth track cogs. On a true TT bike, Connie Peterson dominated the women’s aero category. These are but a few snapshots of past time trials. To pedal a little deeper down memory lane, check out the archives on the SVBC webpage. Old editions of the now defunct SVBC newsletter, the Mellow Velo, from 2006 and 2007 contain detailed documentation of past results, weather, and corn height.
This year, the event returned as a monthly summer series. The reprise of the event saw a few aspects of the series change and a few aspects remain the same. Three out of the four races sent riders down the classic 10 mile Dry River Rd. course, but the August race sent riders up the steepest section of Reddish Knob. Ken Bell took on responsibility for timing the races. Instead of using a stopwatch, pen, and paper, he employed his trusty iPhone. Connie still dominated the women’s aero category, but there was no fixed gear category.
A few notable performances placed a few riders on the podium (yes, there was an actual podium ceremony each month), but the remarkable performances were scattered throughout the field. A time trial can be a race against oneself. Instead of racing others, competitors in a time trial are racing the clock. The clock allows them to compare their effort to other racers or to their own past attempts. Because of this, time trials are accessible to a wide-variety of cyclists.
One doesn’t need to be “competitive” to have reason to take part; they must only want to try to improve as a cyclist. Every rider, from the first to the last, has a reason to “turn themselves inside out” to gain a second or two. Though, professional cyclist Joe Dombrowski didn’t seem to be trying too hard when participated in the Reddish Knob TT and passed nearly the entire field in while turning over big ring.
The finale of the 2013 series will take place on Thursday September 26th. If you haven’t joined us, this is your last chance this year. Come out and lay down a time! Don’t worry; We won’t change the course – you will be able to try to beat your PR next summer. Riders who wish to ride from town to the start should meet at Rocktown Bicycles at 4:50. Riders who would like to drive straight from work should arrive at the church in Montezuma by 5:30. We will try to start the first rider by 5:45 or 6:00.
Please pre register here to help us get started on time. With the days getting shorter, the riders will race down Dry River Rd. with the autumn sun sinking low toward Shenandoah Mountain. It should be beautiful, but please bring lights for the ride home.
Results for 2013 SVBC Time Trial #1 at Dry River Rd. are here.
Results for 2013 SVBC Time Trial #2 at Dry River Rd. are here.
Results for 2013 Time Trial #3 at Reddish Knob are here.
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