Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Mock Grand Prix Results



The First Annual Big Ring Racing Invitational Mock Grand Prix Event was an unmitigated success. Somewhere between 25-30 people showed up, all of whom had the kind of attitude that made for a fun ride.

Congratulations and adoration pored out for race winner Matt Surch (above) who walked away with a used PoS, but deeply symbolic, Big Ring.

Other winners included Hannah Dayan who put in a personal best, racing her way to the coveted Little Ring award for sweeping up the rear:

The first woman across the line was Anna O'Brien though it isn't clear from this photo record whether or not she finished on her bicycle or was crouched on the roof of a car:

Rick Clancy won the long-course version of the race, visiting Champlain Lookout on both of his laps in a desparate attempt to find a pelaton he could ride with. He did find one at the Chelsea pub afterwards:

The tandem competition victors were Melissa Phypers and Amelie Monvoisin:

Tobin DeCou can be seen at the start of the race warming up his right arm in preparation for his anticipated victory salute. Next to him are Stef "The Fly" Manzoni and Rodd Heino (who almost nobody could keep up with despite his self-assembled bike having at least 25mm tires):

By the end of the race, Tobin managed to get his arm all the way up as he was dragged into the finish by Blair Batchelor (who shaved 7 minutes off his personal best on each loop). Lenny Gallant can be seen in the back of this group getting ready to pick his nose:


My race consisted mainly of this view of Sarah Kirby's ass:

though I remember her as being much blurrier given that I was trying to see through an endless river of sweat. Sarah was in contention for the race win until she flatted on the second lap climb of Fortune. There was some discussion in the lead group about the etiquette of gapping someone with a mechanical, but it was put to rest by Ryan Zarychanski who abruptly declared "She'll catch up." I lost my will to live not long after that and was dropped by the lead group as well, riding the last 10 painful minutes on my own.

The lead group of five finished in approximately 1:13 which is impressive given that time and tempo was lost at all the road crossings and gates. I think this was the order of the group crossing the finish line (more aptly described as a finishing "area"):

1. Matt Surch, Tall Tree Cycles
2. Rob Parniak
3. Neil Schiemann
4. Rodd Heino
5. Ryan Zarychanski

Sadly, no Big Ring Racing team members were able to contend for the Big Ring prize. Our team post-race analysis suggests that this is a result of a number of factors, including:

1. Being too slow
2. Craig posting his strategy in a series of videos before the race.
3. Other people being too fast

Nevertheless, I am pleased that I also set a personal best, finishing a respectable 6th place approximately 90 seconds behind the lead pack, the first Big Ringer to cross the line. Gilles Monvoisin was the next Big Ringer in, proving that we over 40 guys are not to be taken too lightly. Cheers Gilles!


In addition to the prizes, Craig handed out some Pro Gold Lubricant and Citrawipes to many of the participants.

Thank you everyone for joining in. It was a learning experience and a lot of fun for me.

20 comments:

Shorty said...

that's an awesome report Peter.

thanks for organizing this. I fully expected to be riding alone, but that's ok, because i planned on working hard for my two laps, and did fairly well, considering i haven't actually TRAINED for the race ;)

I am proud of my little ring.

-Han

LennyG said...

Nice report Doc... I agree with reason number one but not all of us 40 somethings are to be feared!

Golonghardman said...

Great job getting that many people together for this Peter, it was fun and nice to discover since i never ride the gats loop we talk of so much, i'll be riding that way more often hopefully with some other riders! What are the chances a ride like this could kind of become regular? Obviously the interst is there.
Last word "I took this shit down", thats the way it is when your the only one who did the advanced section. BOOYA!

Anonymous said...

you gals organize something at night and I'll be there!

Night time CX race - from Gamelin up 5 to 15 to 1 to firetower then down 16 to 32 down 40 up 2 to 1 to 3 parkway to 32 (hike a bike) up 4 down Penquin to Notch then hit up towards McKenzie King via road climb up the hill to the 15 to 5 to Gamelin.

Kill'r race!
All on a CX ride. Smallest tire gets bonus points.

Time start: around 11pm-when ever (most likely till 3am or so)
wimps not apply. Yah gotta finish it no matter what. Even if your momma calls yelling for yah!

Yah gotta be a tough mofo and chance it

race name: bastardized CX

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Kark said...

Jeff, I deleted your last two comments because the judgements and sentiments expressed didn't contribute in a positive way.

Anonymous said...

is that like church?

Anonymous said...

Gotta have the payouts. Other places have them.

Anonymous said...

what did Cretien say once - small town cheap!
Giddy up
pay up
race up
win it up

I'm sure there are a couple of people that would like to cash in.

There's some great riders in ottawa. They spend countless hours and money getting there.
Help'm out.

the original big ring said...

Jeff,I agree - it'd be really awesome to have some long races around here. Hell, more racing in the Ottawa area would be great.
However, it seems that you are comparing the Ottawa area and lack of racing to all the hundies in the states (ie. North Carolina and Georgia) . . . the problem I see it is, One, we lack the population of riders, and , Two, all of those races take place on land that has been ok'd for riding - it's all public land or land holders give permission. It'd be very difficult indeed to scope out a race of 160km on single track around Ottawa. The routes that you propose are 50% illegal, most riders in Ottawa are not familiar with them and it'd be near impossible to organize it.

That being said, why don't you stop talking about it and organize a race . . . . don't wait for someone else to do it. Just like in the movie Field of Dreams, " . . . build it and they will come" I'd be very interested in racing it!
Cheers.

Pascii said...

Peter, thanks for setting that up. Despite doing a lap and half by myself after being dropped on a downhill of all things, I really enjoyed myself having managed to hold off whatever packs were behind me. Regarding your comment about the size of Rodd's tires: For the record, Rodd, Matt and most of us from that crew run at least 28s. Rodd runs 30s, and I'm surprised he didn't have his fenders mounted...

Peter M said...

Pascal, you aren't helping my self-esteem any! I think Rodd's wheels weigh as much as Ryan Z's entire bike.

Anonymous said...

all of those races take place on land that has been ok'd for riding - it's all public land or land holders give permission.

1) the body that looks after our lands up here is very confined in their views (talk to anyone that had to work with them). That structure has to be reduced in size. That involves:
people stopping the chit chat and getting off their rear end and writing/calling their MP
Not saying eliminate them completely, but a major reduction in size. If you only knew of the critical programs that are being cut in this country that are reducing crime. Yet, this body is receiving huge amounts of funds to do patrols. If you only knew....
There has to be a redirection of funds from fluffy departments to those that need it (i.e. those protecting our safety!)
I know we all love to protect this body up there for some ill reason. Its strange!

2) there are plenty of underground grass roots races that turn into major races. They all start "illegal" (what a strange term we have all bought into, fn strange, I reserve this term for real crimes).
Races have to start some place.
Good to see you guys had an event.
Just make sure you always eliminate the "legal" burden of these organized events though - I nearly got burnt when I was 16 from a weightlifting event I had at my house. Some fella dropped weights on his head, nearly sued us for a million bucks! Ouch! He was a good friend, people turn on people in a dime!
That being said, ensure the event is classified as "at own risk".
I have posted a couple of events, I make sure I specify that (after being through the ringer).

3) I don't have the time to organize, I'll help out (put up signs and mark the route) and donate (race it). Got many many commitments. All this sht takes time... (little return on investment)

enjoy.
(and, what the hell was wrong with the comments anyhow. Ottawa is a boring place at times, especially when we can't ride some of the good stuff... I use to spend countless hours in that forest you had pictures of FP, PL etc.. fixing up those trails. Just love'm. No time and people end up just shtting on yah anyhow... screw it.)

Anonymous said...

It's a god damn shame I have to travel 8-12 hours to get down to a hundie. We should have them.

I have a feeling that mtbing is decreasing every place (as mtbr.com in the Endurance section noted that many 24hrs are being canceled due to attendance.)

would be nice having a couple of underground "hard ass" ultra-endurance epic races.
(man, some of the people that do hundred milers are surprising. People come in 15 hours, just pushing the human body to the limits. Good on them they finished! People from all over the US come to those races, some 20 hours away!
Heck, I'm not sure I would drive 4-5 hours to do a 2 hour race. But, to drive 8 hours to do a 8.5 race that has some wicked single track similar to the BCBike race and to eat for free, not really... I would!)

Anonymous said...

here, do this (found this)

gatevents.blog.com

winter riding is a friggen blast. Like rally car!

(don't know till yah try it. To criticize is easy, to try it is a damn hoot!)

Rodd Heino said...

Hallo all, Rodd 'late to the party' Heino here,
Was camping this week with the chilluns.
Firstly Peter!
Thanks for letting us non BRR'ers (hmm awkward)
show up and ride scared.
That was a super fun way to motivate oneself to push that wee bit harder.
And our group mate, Sarah Kirby, is veddy strong for good reason, seems she's a trackie of some repute not to be trifled with. Next time clinchers eh Sarah? (sweet wheels though!)
Which brings me to my next rant (what you thought I was done? ha knowing no one will read this has loosened my tongue)
Self Built bike? 25s? heavy wheels?
Goodness the ignominy, My "self built bike' is made by an amazing craftsman (whom I'm sure most of y'all are familiar with, Hugh Black of True North fame) and sports Ksyrium ES wheels and fat light tires. So no excuses there, I had every advantage. The whole thing weighs a shade under 19 lbs and Pascal's right, I had the fenders on until a few weeks ago when I was tired of getting dropped on the downs (as happened in this race anyways!) dammit!
being 140 sucks on the downs
Any who belated thank you to Peter for making it so, and if I understand any of the chitchat above, let me know if you need some 'mixed terrain' type rides right from your door, 120 km and up )
toodles

rodd

I have a bunch mapped out on GPS to share
geeeeeeeeeeeek!

Anonymous said...

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MaggiepQWY said...

you gals organize something at night and I'll be there! Night time CX race - from Gamelin up 5 to 15 to 1 to firetower then down 16 to 32 down 40 up 2 to 1 to 3 parkway to 32 (hike a bike) up 4 down Penquin to Notch then hit up towards McKenzie King via road climb up the hill to the 15 to 5 to Gamelin. Kill'r race! All on a CX ride. Smallest tire gets bonus points. Time start: around 11pm-when ever (most likely till 3am or so) wimps not apply. Yah gotta finish it no matter what. Even if your momma calls yelling for yah! Yah gotta be a tough mofo and chance it race name: bastardized CX

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