12 hours of Tsali race report
The 2nd lap Crew.
The Start of 12 hours of Tsali.
Will Murr about to go out on his lap.
Nick getting mean on it.
Michael thinking about his lap.
Denise showing the boys how it is done.
Philip is all smiles.
Chris has his game face on.
KWood up to all good.
Will Murr about to go out on his lap.
Nick getting mean on it.
Michael thinking about his lap.
Denise showing the boys how it is done.
Philip is all smiles.
Chris has his game face on.
KWood up to all good.
Matt St.Marie's report
12 Hours of Tsali is an event that the Sycamore Cycles team always tries to have a strong showing at. For several years, we only had one open money team at the race, and we gave it our best shot at the win, but never quite made it. Last year, we added some more teams, broadening our level of representation, but still missed the top step on the pro podium despite a very strong showing. This year, Sycamore had 7 different teams at the race, plus one 12 hour solo racer. Our single pro/open money team came to the race hoping to be able to finally take top honors, despite not having our strongest rider from the year before. This year's team was composed of Wes Dickson, Chris Bennett, Donnie Kirkwood, and Matt St. Marie. Bennett started the team out on the run and first lap, and threw down a solid time, only slightly behind a very determined 1st and 2nd for 3rd on the lap. Dickson took the next lap, and posted the fastest lap for the team on the day, but it wasn't quite enough to pull back even with the leaders. The team continued rotation with strong laps from St. Marie and Kirkwood, but kept loosing time to the surprisingly strong and highly motivated lead teams. Despite a series of very fast and consistent laps throughout the day, the team was not able to make up time on the leaders, and finished in 3rd on the day, a solid podium finish for Sycamore's open team. The team is looking forward to next year, when we will once again be gunning for the win in the pro field.
Josh was loving it.
Jeff Parker I don't need to say anything else.
Derek laying down a hot lap.
The girls talking about the plan.
Daniel sheadin' the cabbage.
Geoff on his way to the solo win.
Team Domination's race report
Michael shaved about 3:30 of last years lap time.
Derek was our ringer of the day not going above 48 minutes until his 4th/night lap
I crashed on lap 2 and saw a snake, you wanna talk about a predicament, put a SNAKE between me and the finish line during a BIKE RACE. "Oh snap its a snake, but I am in a race, but its a snake, but....." you get the picture
The new race kits look pretty awesome, especially when laid over the best bikers body in the PNF (see above pic haha)Throughout the day we kept trading spots with the other 2 Sycamore sport teams mostly staying a few minutes behind the "Chiefs" (insert Atlanta Braves chant here). Going into our last lap we were a couple minutes off them but our ringer came through and got the pass on the last lap to put us up on them by a couple minutes which was pretty exiting to hear. I had already gone back to the camp site for more "real man" recovery drinks. All in all we had a pretty solid race ending up with 14 laps (1 more than last year), and everyone improved on their lap times. There was some very stiff competition there this year including all of the Sycamore Sport teams. Props to the TDS's for laying down and taking 1st place. Again please view the pics above. Obviously I am not smart enough to figure out how to put pics where they belong.
Chad Banner went down to Tsali, he was looking for a race to steal.
Julia's report
Last year despite their best efforts the top spot on the podium eluded the Sycamore Oh Yeahs (Dirty Girls of Brevard). This year they were back for blood. Their four-woman team included such big names as regional pro and glacial morphologist Natasha Cowie, fresh-off-the-boat Ohioan Emily Benson, race director extraordinaire Jenna Bales Walker, and local celebrity Julia Tellman. Cowie led out with a sizzling first lap, put in at least ten minutes on the competition, and kept up the pace the entire race. She also made delicious peanut butter bars and identified wildflowers. Tellman scored the coveted fastest lap time and continued the tradition of never getting kitted up until ten minutes before the race. Walker ignored her gnarly road rash and shoulder damage and threw down some consistent lap times, while maintaining a devil-may-care attitude and a half-zipped jersey. Benson entertained everyone in the pit area, possibly sustained a concussion, and loved every minute of her first night ride. The ladies held a comfortable lead the entire twelve hours and were happy to find themselves on the winner's block after their hard work.
Jamie's report
Team 'Short Shorts' had an awesome time at Tsali this year! Jami, Denise, William, and Ray had fun riding the super fast course and enjoyed the awesome company from the Sycamore crew. Denise endured the sprint and the first lap of the day, putting up a great time and getting us off to a good start. I took on the second lap, followed by Will riding the third one. At first, Ray was a little hesitant about racing at Tsali, but stuck it out and dominated the fourth lap of the day. Overall, we finished 5th in the 'base group,' which we were all happy about since it was our first time out at 12 hours of Tsali. We look forward to racing with everyone again next year!
Jena heading out on another.
Justin telling all that Parker is on track.
Tamer is pinned.
Jamie is having a blast.
Josh was loving it.
Timmy's report
"Jeff Parker is a Pretty Man" did very well as a team. Little P, Kell, and Josh all hung tough. I met my personal goal of keeping my lap times fairly consistent and the rest of the guys did as well. When one of us came rolling into the transition area, there was always somebody on deck waiting to roll out. I think that the game ball has to go to Josh. This was josh’s first XC race and he def gave it all he had, he even went out for his first night ride and race lap. Over all, "Jeff Parker is a Pretty Man" did awesome and I can’t wait for next year.
"Jeff Parker is a Pretty Man" did very well as a team. Little P, Kell, and Josh all hung tough. I met my personal goal of keeping my lap times fairly consistent and the rest of the guys did as well. When one of us came rolling into the transition area, there was always somebody on deck waiting to roll out. I think that the game ball has to go to Josh. This was josh’s first XC race and he def gave it all he had, he even went out for his first night ride and race lap. Over all, "Jeff Parker is a Pretty Man" did awesome and I can’t wait for next year.
Jeff Parker I don't need to say anything else.
Derek laying down a hot lap.
The girls talking about the plan.
Daniel sheadin' the cabbage.
Geoff on his way to the solo win.
Team Domination's race reportIt all started about 11 o clock on Saturday. We had already decided the order of the race the week before. Aaron would go first and do the run because he is like 6'6" and he would only have to take 2 or 3 steps to complete the long run up the gravel road. Derek was going to go second, myself third, followed by Michael. It all started good with Aaron finishing his lap about mid pack of the sport field, hand off to Derek and he was off. Derek came back in and damn!! He just turned a little over a 46 min. lap. That was awesome and he moved us up a couple spots. Hand off to me and I put the power to the ground, just after leaving I caught a guy from one of the Velosports teams and was able to shake him climbing the county line road. I felt really good and the course was FAST. I finished up the last climb which is short but kind of steep, a little down hill and then it is rolling and flat for like the last 3 miles. It is very fast, big ring, burmed corners, and hard packed. I got back handed off to Michael and checked the Garmin. 48:03 nice! I was shooting for 48 min. laps so I was happy with that time, plus I shaved about 5:30 of last years lap time. We continued the rotation throughout the day with no major mishaps but a few things to note:
Michael shaved about 3:30 of last years lap time.
Derek was our ringer of the day not going above 48 minutes until his 4th/night lap
I crashed on lap 2 and saw a snake, you wanna talk about a predicament, put a SNAKE between me and the finish line during a BIKE RACE. "Oh snap its a snake, but I am in a race, but its a snake, but....." you get the picture
The new race kits look pretty awesome, especially when laid over the best bikers body in the PNF (see above pic haha)Throughout the day we kept trading spots with the other 2 Sycamore sport teams mostly staying a few minutes behind the "Chiefs" (insert Atlanta Braves chant here). Going into our last lap we were a couple minutes off them but our ringer came through and got the pass on the last lap to put us up on them by a couple minutes which was pretty exiting to hear. I had already gone back to the camp site for more "real man" recovery drinks. All in all we had a pretty solid race ending up with 14 laps (1 more than last year), and everyone improved on their lap times. There was some very stiff competition there this year including all of the Sycamore Sport teams. Props to the TDS's for laying down and taking 1st place. Again please view the pics above. Obviously I am not smart enough to figure out how to put pics where they belong.
Chad Banner went down to Tsali, he was looking for a race to steal.
He was in a bind 'cos he was way behind: he was willin' to make a deal.
When he came across TDS rolling their bikes and playin' em hot.
And Banner jumped upon a hickory stump and said:
"TDS let me tell you what: I bet you didn't know it, but I'm a mountain biker too. "
"And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you."
"Now you ride a pretty race, boy, but give the Banner his due:"
"I bet a GT of gold against your soul, 'cos I think I'm better than you."
TDS said: "My name's Talent and it might be a sin,"
"But I'll take your bet, your gonna regret, 'cos I'm the best that's ever been."
Parker you dust off your mtb and ride your lap hard.
'Cos hells broke loose in Tsali and the Banner deals it hard.
And if you win you get this shiny GT made of gold.
But if you lose, the Banner gets your soul.
The Banner jumped on his stumpy and he said: "I'll start this show."
And fire flew from his quads as he got ready to go.
And he stomped down 5,000 watts to his pedals and it made an evil hiss.
Then a band of dominators joined in and it sounded something like this.
When the Banner finished, Talent said: "Well you're pretty good ol' son."
"But if you'll sit down in that chair, right there, and let me show you how its done."
"47 minutes on the course, run boys, run."
"The Banner's in the house of the risin' sun."
"Parker in the house, pickin' off the rest,"
"Steve, does your dog bite?""
"yes, dan, yes."
The Banner bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat.
He laid that golden GT on the ground at Talent's feet.
Talent said: "Banner just come on back if you ever want to try again."
I told you once, you son of a gun, I'm the best that's ever been."
"And he rode 45 minutes to the parkway, run boys, run."
"The Banner's in the house of the risin' sun."
"Miles in the pit blowin on a shofar."
Steve, does your dog bite?"
"yes, dan, hard."
And thats exactly how it happened.
And thats exactly how it happened.
Dano out.
Julia's reportLast year despite their best efforts the top spot on the podium eluded the Sycamore Oh Yeahs (Dirty Girls of Brevard). This year they were back for blood. Their four-woman team included such big names as regional pro and glacial morphologist Natasha Cowie, fresh-off-the-boat Ohioan Emily Benson, race director extraordinaire Jenna Bales Walker, and local celebrity Julia Tellman. Cowie led out with a sizzling first lap, put in at least ten minutes on the competition, and kept up the pace the entire race. She also made delicious peanut butter bars and identified wildflowers. Tellman scored the coveted fastest lap time and continued the tradition of never getting kitted up until ten minutes before the race. Walker ignored her gnarly road rash and shoulder damage and threw down some consistent lap times, while maintaining a devil-may-care attitude and a half-zipped jersey. Benson entertained everyone in the pit area, possibly sustained a concussion, and loved every minute of her first night ride. The ladies held a comfortable lead the entire twelve hours and were happy to find themselves on the winner's block after their hard work.
Jamie's reportTeam 'Short Shorts' had an awesome time at Tsali this year! Jami, Denise, William, and Ray had fun riding the super fast course and enjoyed the awesome company from the Sycamore crew. Denise endured the sprint and the first lap of the day, putting up a great time and getting us off to a good start. I took on the second lap, followed by Will riding the third one. At first, Ray was a little hesitant about racing at Tsali, but stuck it out and dominated the fourth lap of the day. Overall, we finished 5th in the 'base group,' which we were all happy about since it was our first time out at 12 hours of Tsali. We look forward to racing with everyone again next year!
Jena heading out on another.Justin telling all that Parker is on track.
Tamer is pinned.
Jamie is having a blast.
1 comments:
Can I just say that:
a) Every other person at Tsali had their jersey half-zipped. Chad Banner exposed more chest than me. (Sorry, Chad, had to pick on you.)
b) I am very proud of my cleavage and have only a few years left to show off before the perkiness submits to gravity to more depressing degrees.
c) The new glasses rock. :)
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