Whiskey Time Trial

Yeah, so I guess I am bit competitive.

I went out for a solo, self supported time trial of the WOR course, just to see where I might have stacked up. Also a great test for the new wheels on the SS.

3:18:30 would have put me about 5th in the SS category.

My time on the geared bike in 2005 was 3:00, but this course is longer and harder. Not to mention the SS thing.

How do I explain the discrepancy from the ride I did with Dave (+1 hr):
two flats + crash (30 min).
Dave and I played to both of our weaknesses him waiting for me on ascents and vice versa on descents, this is probably worth 15 minutes.
Suspension fork easily took off 15 minutes.

Bent the rear a bit. Had a flat that sealed and all I noticed was the rear being a little soft an hour into the ride. Hit it with some air, and never had another problem. I like tubeless.

The fork allowed me to go way too fast on the downhills.

Lots of fun.

Holier than thou comments follow:

I am annoyed by the litter I found on/around the trail. If you drop a Gu packet...pick it up! Shamefully, I did not stop to pick up all the one's I saw, which is nearly as bad.

I believe in the self supported endurance race movement (or any race for that matter). A course is picked. Folks can time trial it on their own or groups, fully self supported, without all the fanfare, keep the records of the times in some neutral website, trust folks not to cheat it, and post honest times. I think supported racing comes with an entitlement mindset that someone is going to clean up after the racer, look out for them, take care of them, because you paid a fee, and figure that care and support is part of the fee. Racing in general needs to get over itself.

Finally, I can't believe the threads on MTBR in endurance racing where folks want people to carefully define "support" so they can push the rules to the nth degree. Really, folks, how hard is it. If you are asking forget it, just do it how you want.

Rant over.