Spring Meadow Triathlon Special Qualifying Race for Nationals! (Permanent Top Post)

The 2009 Special Qualifier race will qualify the top 33% or top 5 people (whichever is greater) per age group for the 2009 Age Group Nationals.

Register for Spring Meadow Triathlon at active.com

Spring Meadow Triathlon Web Site  and manual registration

USA Triathlon

Mike Jacobson & Sean Slanger

race directors

(406) 442-1106

2011 Chimney Rock Rd, Helena, MT 59601

cajake@dishmail.net

Spring Meadow Lake Triathlon athlete instruction

Rally (Hell) Ride 6-16-2009

5:45 As usual, running late riding hard across town to get to spring meadow on time for the weekly Hellride, my favorite training day of the week. On the Upper Westside I run into Shane Mundt adjusting his seat height, I lend a hand to steady his bike. Never enough time for bike maintenance which is always needed when you need to be somewhere! Adjustments done we make it on time for the ride. 

6:00–14 cyclists are divided into three teams so that we can work on team tactics this week. Lucky me, I have Greg Wirth on my team, who won all three stages last week. We receive the ride instructions and sprint finish locations form Robert Ray and we are off. A little windier than last week, but par for late spring in Helena. Later my Garmin reported from Helena Airport weather station 77 degrees and winds from the WNW average 11.9 mph high of 17.2 mph.

First effort to the fire station, Shane’s off the front with a tough effort into the wind. I am not feeling it so my lead out for the team members is non existent, and I cruise in with Mike Jacobson. He gave an extra effort and beats me across the line. Man that is always a tough hill. No biggie, I will give the second stage a better effort, after all, I’ve gone off the front in a break away on the second one before and held off the peloton. I’ve even won with a nice sprint. Certainly I can give it a good effort. Hmm, I’ve also gone off the front, been hung out there to suffer only to be reeled in and left for dead! Part of the beauty of this ride, you can dare to be great and win a big ego boost, or you can dare to be great, get clobbered and gain some real fitness, come back and do it again. It’s a win no matter. So we regroup at the fire house. I learn three things: One, I’m nominated to write up the race report; two, Greg Wirth won the first stage (I was so far back and not paying attention to learn this firsthand); and three, the team in the lead rolls out last on stage two. . .lucky me, Greg is on my team, we head out last.

After team one and team two head out, we casually follow. I’m thinking, Come on team, they are moving. . . lets go! Mike Jacobson takes control and bridges our team up to team two. I peter out and fall off again. Not my day. I watch as everyone goes by, but so far out that I again cannot see the finish. Again, Greg takes the win.

Fine, I’m just going to cruise with the wind on the third stage. I sit back and am amazed at 35 plus miles per hour with zero cadence. Drafting, downhill with a tailwind is cool, but I’m not really working on my fitness. That’s ok, I’m tired and I like sitting in the back. I watching Sarah lead, who turns it over to Mike, who leads/pulls everyone for the majority of the stage. I watch the hard effort of Mike, man he’s got to be tired! I watch the sly, experienced and amazing Robert Ray position himself . . . strategizing, like everyone else, for the stage win. Waiting, resting and watching everyone else just fly down the road. But hey, didn’t you see Shane? We are getting toward the end and Shane is still way off the front. Aren’t `YOU’ going to chase him down? Ok, the hill is coming, time to go. I swing out to go around. I catch Greg’s wheel just as he makes the jump. I think, Greg’s on my team, but who cares, if I can, I am going to pass him! No chance. 1/3 up. I’m not looking back. I don’t have too. I know Robert is there. . . he always is. I don’t know how many times he has passed me at this point. Last week he passed me in the last five yards. Zoom, there goes Tom (from the East coast–Boston?) and Big Jumpin’ John Tietz both passed by me then Greg with authority going first and second place, repectivly. We all pass Shane 2/3 the way up who gave it a valiant effort off the front for several of the miles. Shane probably had the best workout, but no stage win today. Greg crosses third, I come in fourth and Joe Hamilton is fifth. Hey, I didn’t get Greg, Greg didn’t sweep, and Robert didn’t pass me! 

The Hellride has something for everyone. The climber can win stage one, the daring time trial specialist can take stage two, and the vertically challenged can cruise along with the peloton at high speeds in stage three. Regardless of your ability, we always regroup and challenge ourselves. If you haven’t come out yet, do so. You might enjoy it as much as I do.

Dave Hamer

Time Trial Results 6-11-2009

ANNOUNCEMENT: Team Great Divide’s Hill Climb Time Trial is this Thursday, June 18 – 6:30 start time. Meet on Park Ave., across from library. Finish line is near the end of the pavement in Unionville, approximately 4 miles. Prizes for everyone!

For more information, click on the following link:

http://teamgreatdivide.wordpress.com/time-trial-series/

please note – my contact phone number is incorrect. For more info, please call at 459-1308.

Results: Last week’s Valley Time Trial was sizzling hot, sizzling fast! Great Wirth edged Scott Herzig by a mere 5 seconds, both riders breaking the 14-minute barrier with a 13:52 and 13:57. Dave Hamer took 3d with a 14:13 followed by Rick Finley, 14:36; Robert Ray, 14:56; and Byron at 16:12. On the women’s side, Laura Holien proved to us all why she’s the course record holder—despite her noticeable absence from the time trials as of late. Laura blazed across the paint with a 14:55. She was followed by Sarah Slanger, 16:01, Jane O’Driscoll, 16:18; and Meghan Trainer, 17:18.

Marysville Road

The new carpet to Marysville

Historic marker on the edge of Marysville

The road to Marysville has been paved this summer and is a wonderful road bike ride up and down. The loop from Helena is about 46 miles if you add a little Birdseye Road. During the week there was still some construction traffic and a pilot car which I ignored, but no other cars at all.

Xterra Northwest Championships report

Greg says write a race report and I say, “how many words?” He finds out I knit and shamed back to skinny tires and curved bars.
Landen, Gail and I headed to Farragut State Park near Athol Idaho for the Xterra Northwest Championships this past weekend. Our Xterra Experience so far had been one of tough courses and gritty competitors (we call ourselves the Tribe). A call from my friend Volker Riedlinger on Thursday night had me wondering what event I had signed up for. Might as well bring your road bike, he said. 22 miles of the water line. Uhoh. I knew I should have done a few Hell rides. He wasn’t far off. Pretty flat, very fast. A road course on dirt. The only thing that saved the weekend from turning into a ” dude, that was one tough bike course” kind of event was the 52 degree water temp in good 1 foot blowing surf. Now that reminded us all where we were and what we had in front of us.
The day started with the Short course Xterra. 50 brave tribes men and women lined up on the shores of lake Pend Oreille for a 1/2 mile swim, one lap of the 11 mile bike course and a 5K trail run. Landen, having been thrown out of the long course event for not being of the legal age of 15 had a thing or two to show the assembled Xterra execs. The gun sounded and soon one lone yellow cap was all by itself ripping the strokes thru the surf and around the buoys. 11:35 later he was out of the water and into transition. Second place came in almost 5 minutes later in 16:14. Being 40 he wasn’t gonna let some little kid have his way with him. Oops, guess he will. Lando’s bike split of 56:06 was fastest of the day by a minute. He headed out on the 5K with a solid 6 minute lead and had he not decided to tour a mile or so of the 10K course when he missed an arrow it would have been a perfect day. As it was, once the volunteers setting up the aid stations got him turned around it was too little too late. He ended up in second by a mere 9 seconds. Best quote of the day. “I came in second? Wow, that’s great.” I want to be a kid again.
All in all it was a great weekend. We broke in our new TGD tops with some good sweat, a little blood but no tears. I was able to pick up the one spot in my age group for the World Championship in Maui, all the while managing to only cause minor embarrassment to my family at the June Moon after party. It’s a great race to try if you want to venture to the dark side.
Randy

Screaming Chicken ride..ie Rally (Hell) Ride 6-9-2009

Respectfully submitted with no statement of validity or accuracy of any of the statements herein:

Soon after regrouping at silver city, Byron started barking orders, from the back, about who was responsible for the report on the evenings follies. Muddled in expletives I heard my name hollered. At that point I was caught up in visiting with Raz who was in the process of proving to us all that our fancy new bikes were nothing without the legs and lungs to back it as he was riding around most of us on his early 90’s trek.

My first thought after trying desperately to get out this reporting obligation, was sh** instead of geeking out on Brian’s new HED wheels and reciting drag charts, I should have been paying attention to riders names and not being so social inept about introductions. That, however would be way to weird for a gear geek and certifiable introvert. Add to that fact, that I was off the back, endulging in my huge helping of humble pie, at every sprinting opportunity, I had no idea how the actual front of the pack sorted out at each point.

Absent the balance of fairer sex it shaped up to be a full on testosterone ride of 8 or 9, which someone mentioned is close to the best turn-out of the year . Notably, the ratio of triathletes to roadies was about even. Byron and Greg started chest pounding promptly after the first pedal turn out of the parking lot about the relative fitness of the two disciplines. Later in the ride, Byron, after being shelled by most of the triathletes, seemed to quite down a bit about funny bikes and bars and came up some random rule about not using aero bars on solo break aways??.

Greg, the screaming chicken, Wirth, proved that he not only does he have the legs to back up his smack talk, but also the tactical smarts, and charisma to lead the team. Clearly fearing the sprinting abilities of Dave ??, Mike and yours truley, he carefully orchestrated hanging us out on the front on solo breaks while he sat in and kept his legs fresh, waiting for the road to turn up. Aparently his 5:49 pace in the governors cup 10k did not sap his legs in the least as he rode on by us and proceeded to make a complete sweep of all the sprint points. I believe maybe the super master Robert gave him a go on the first hill but I couldn’t see that far away..

2 “punctures” (that’s british for flat) on the ride added to our rest time at the fire station as did Bryan’s “sponge encounter” later on which were welcome recovery opportunity for some of us. The weather turned out to be perfect.

Until next week, that is all.

Keith, in the rear with the beer, Carparelli

June Hill Climb TT

Results from last week:

Eleven riders showed up for last week’s first hill climb time trial. It was a fine evening, 66 degrees at the summit, with no wind—a clam before the storm. Sarah Slanger appears the early front runner for the queen’s crown, edging Meghan Trainor by a mere 3 seconds (19:52 to 19:55) to claim first—again. Sarah took the first Valley time trial just one week ago. Who will stop the Darling from Darby? Stay tuned! In third was Jane O’Driscoll, 20:54, followed by Rhonda at 26:16.

On the men’s side, one of those crazy Velo birds calling himself “The Flying Dutchman” (Karl V.), flew up the slopes to Unionville, jeering the rest of the field along the way, in 14:24, well ahead of course record holder Scotty Herzig, who took second in 14:57. Sure, the Flying Dutchman breathes hard and coughs and sputters like the rest of us, but oh, he makes it look so easy. But who could forget that August evening 8 years ago (has it really been 8 years??) when a much younger Scotty said no to the small chain ring and scorched the field with a 13:56!! TGD’s Robert Ray donned his silver bean shield as if preparing for time travel and claimed third, with a time of 16:44. The rest: Mick Karls 17:52; Shane Mundt, 17:57; Dave Hamer, 19:26, and Phil, 19:37. Nice work everyone!

Fiskie

Onion Man Triathlon Report

See Pictures of the race here

onionman 2009:

anyone who has ever had the pleasure of traveling with the great divide team to an out of state race can appreciate the atmosphere of anticipation that this year’s 15 racers experienced as we gathered Saturday morning at crossroads. that’s not a typo either. fifteen of us setting off to look for booty and swag to bring home from the folks in Washington who do such a good job running the olympic distance onionman triathlon. well, we sort of set off since our first order of business was to test the mettle of our leader by circling the caravan for a “good luck” send off tour through the streets of the upper west side and back to crossroads to rescue a lost pair of sunglasses.

seeing Greg’s white knuckle squeeze on his steering wheel let us know we were good to go and so off we headed off stopping only for corndogs and beer, closely following the gates’ pre-race nutrition plan. a quick stop at a bike porn shop and a burrito stand in Laura’s old college neighborhood was all we saw of Spokanebecause race packets were waiting in Walla Walla. Walla Walla is a beautiful green oasis in the middle of the dry lava plains of eastern Washington. fields and orchards intermingle with vineyards in a very European setting. it’s a great venue for a fun race.

at the packet pickup we all stood in line with our fellow racers, sizing up each other’s fitness, including a few pros who came to share the pain. a little intimidation is never a bad thing and we dished out our own with pretty boys ruses and Bryan who obviously could out drink anyone there.

the team gathered for a pre-race dinner which never would have been served if not for the perseverance of our type-A alpha member mark. sorry Greg, you’ve been displaced a notch. thanks mark!

race morning was breezy but sunny and warm. water temp was reported to be 67 degrees which was a huge relief for all of us northerners who still reeked of pool chlorine from an entire 7 months of following the black pool lane lines. nervous chatter at the motel breakfast eluded to the focus of the group to go out there and kick some butt.

at the race site Bryan’s ripped guns offered some giggling and blushing for the teenaged girls who had volunteered as body markers, no doubt for this exact reason! as soon as we remembered how to put on a wetsuit we were in the water and ready to race. the bullhorn sounded and patty’s race tactics went into full swing as she immediately kicked off my goggles as she swam away. unfazed, i jumped into the mayhem and followed the mass of orange capped swimmers who, through fogged goggles half full of water, looked exactly like the orange buoys floating somewhere out in the distance.

out of the water and into T1, Sean added a fourth sport by sprinting up and downan earthen dam to fetch a helmet out of his van. pretty impressive, especially given his 44:05 run split later on! the out and back bike course was windy and has a false flat climb all the way out but as the leaders began to appear in the oncoming lane it soon was apparent that a lot of Helenians were having a good day. first came Greg right on the tails of the pros and followed by one after another rider wearing the gdt red and yellow tucked down on the aero bars cranking out some serious wattage. The transitions remained a bit of a challenge for gdt members as Greg did a little ankle twist on his way out and others (okay, maybe just me) couldn’t remember where we had left our stuff from T1. but again on the run course the red and yellow dominated the front of the pack and set up an incredible medal run by the Helena group. Ann and Greg, in true athletic form, overcame foot/ankle injuries to smoke their run splits. After worrying all week that she’d drown in the swim, patty pulled out the stops in her run to finish second in her age group for this her first Olympic distance. The gdt team entry also put in a good race finishing second in the team category.

The race brought out some very competitive racers from across the northwest and in spite of the tough field, gdt came away with 10 medals for the 15 racers who competed! Podium announcements rarely went without at least one racer from Helena. Sean even had enough left over after his race to outrun the cateringguards and made off with both chicken and a vegetarian only shish-ka-bob at the post race lunch.

That afternoon we made our way back to couer d’alene for post race stories over mojitos and sushi but not before the slanger man van made an unscheduled stop for a quick “shower” in the parking lot of an urgent care center. The urgency however was believed to be alcohol induced.

The next morning the group suited up once more in red and yellow to ride the cda ironman course which started a few blocks from our hotel rooms. The morning was perfect as the sound of almost 15 riders clicked into their pedals and took off in a nicely formed peloton through downtown that caught the attention of everyone we passed. It was a great finale to a fantastic weekend.

The official tally of the race was as follows: in the top ten standings, 4 Helenaracers made the list. Laura was 6, Ann 8 and Sarah 10 in the women’s category and Greg was 9 in the men’s. Ann was 3^rd in the women’s masters category. By age group, Laura took 3^rd in the women’s 25-29, Greg was 3^rd , ruses 6^th and Bryan 11th in the male 30-34, Sara 3^rd in the women’s 30-35, Sean 11^th in men’s 35-39, Karen 4^th in 35-39 women’s, mike 8^th in men’s 40-44, patty 2^nd women’s 45-49, mark 3^rd, bill 8^th men’s 50-54, and Ann 1^st women’s 50-54. JP, Meagan, and Dave took second in the team competition.

Bill

Queen City Triathlon Report

Hopefully, I haven’t missed too much, but here’s some highlights from Queen City…..if I missed anyone, I apologize and its unintentional…..
____________________________________

At Queen City Triathlon, Team Great Divide made its usual impressive showing in a somewhat non-traditional way. To prevent taking all the top spots in a race billed as a “Beginner Friendly Triathlon ” the TGD powerhouse turned its efforts to volunteering and supporting 50 plus new triathletes in a field of 80 racers. 

Team members were at all the hot spots – including race director Russ Gates, volunteer coordinator Carolyn Keller, Mike Jacobson, Bryan Johnson, and Sarah Slanger at transition, Steve Creigh at the Green Meadow light; Greg Wirth at the finish line, JP Crowley at the Grill…. and Byron lurking around being helpful?!? I also saw Todd Younkin, Sean Slanger, Ann Seifert, and Laura Holien helping out. I’m sure I missed some other team members who worked the race. 

As for racers, TGD swept the field anyway. Meghan Trainor (first triathlon race), Mick Karls, myself (not newbies anymore), and Patty Ramsay took first in their respective age groups. Steph Younkin secured third place in her age group for her first triathlon. Awesome showing by our new triathletes!

Since Queen City Triathlon is now USAT sanctioned (thanks to Ann Gilbert’s push and Russ’ kind acquiescence), all racers who are first in their age group qualify to race at USAT Nationals (in Tuskaloosa Alabama in August. Yuck!). Greg will have to step up the pace if he doesn’t want to be carrying Meghan’s bags around Tuskaloosa….. (Of course, he’ll be in good company with other team members. Russ Gates will be carrying his mom’s bags around if he doesn’t earn his own spot. Maybe he can talk JP into bringing the extracycle again). Our very own Carrie Strike, Crossroads masters swim coach, might as well be recruited for the team. She was first woman overall – with a swim background! That just goes to show what a beautiful swim stroke can do for you….. 

Future team members Nate Crowley, Grace Crowley, Addie Slanger and Ashlin Slanger tore up the kids triathlon course. I think the TGD youth/junior team could be a presence at Spring Meadow if we can get jerseys that small!

I’m sure I missed some key moments and people, but I’d like to send out a big thanks to Russ and Carolyn for their excellent work! Same to Joel for Cow Country. What a great race weekend.

KP

Rally “Hell” Ride 6-2-2009

OK, Here goes for the June 2 Hell Ride report (how did I get stuck with this? – Byron told me to- so why do I have to listen to him?),

Great turn out – we had nine riders this past Tuesday. And I made no statements about hanging back this time (and note: no excuses about lack of legs due to the Cow Country Classic (CCC) Race on Sunday – but I considered it…). I did suggest it might be a faster ride because of the wind out of the S/SE

Sarah Slanger had to remind Byron in the pace line that he shouldn’t talk smack unless he’s ready to back it up with some challenges, so off we went up the first hill… I think the CCC did put a Slowness on several people’s legs. Jason Ames (who didn’t race the CCC) led the charge up the to the fire house and never was challenged by those behind him… Eric Lindle pulled a strong 2nd until I passed him as he eased up before the Last Chance chapel sign (I think he let me take second from him, being a nice guy – or was it because I told him the finish line was closer than it realy is?). 

Other rolled in, not too spread out – Sarah Slanger leading in the following group (you go!). Out we went to the next “Hot Spot”, with Dave Hamer who did the CCC taking a fly. Jason Ames chased him down about halfway, but they were off the front until the sign, with Dave pulling out a first-rate sprint. I took a fly after Sarah had done most of the work for the group we were in, and Eric L. was once again right there to push past me, but then we traded places again right before the finish.  

Re-group and off again, with a slight wind shift and still in our favor and fast paced line down 200 with Sarah pulling (yes Eric, you can draft off of Sarah, even with small wheels, it is cool…). Dave once again out there, but with the wind, not much hope of getting away from the pack. Everyone trying to let others do the work on this section, Final sprint – Jason, Robert, Eric(?), but Sarah right there too…

The group split up at Applegate – with about half deciding to go the Masonic Loop. Gorgeous evening great ride.  Prizes went to Jason, and Sarah (I kept mine). Too Bad if you missed it, maybe next time?

Robert

Valley Time Trial – May

ANNOUNCEMENT: Hill Climb Time Trial this Thursday – 6:30 start time. Meet on Park Ave., across from library. Finish line is near the end of the pavement in Unionville, approximately 4 miles. Prizes for everyone!

Time Trial Results:

For May, the conditions were superb this past Thursday for the first time trial of the year. The temperature was up, hovering around 80 degrees at 6:30, with a steady wind. Oh, and we have experienced far worse, haven’t we? The wicked wind from the west was devilish, perhaps, but far from depraved. The times reflected the tolerable conditions.

A mere nine seconds separated the top four male finishers at the first Valley Course time trial. Rick Finley and Dave Hamer tied at 14:36; followed by Greg Wirth at 14:40 and Robert Ray at 14:45 Bill Ramsay took 4th at 15:50 followed by Paul Sebens at 16:58, and Byron at 17:01.

On the women’s side, Sarah Slanger took top honors with a 16:18 followed by Jane O’Driscoll nipping at her heels with a 16:26. Peggy Stringer road a strong 17:09 and Patty (Mastin or is it Ramsay now?) flew home with an 18:49. Not bad, Patty, for a first timer, but not so fast! Patty is actually a Valley Course record holder! Ah, the Time Trial Director has a memory like an African Bush Elephant! On July 13, 2006, Patty and Bill set the Valley Course tandem team record at 16:49, which has withstood the test of time for almost three years! Sorry, Patty, no Montana sticker for you!!

Oh, but I digress. Nice work everyone! And I must say, there’s no better way to light up the face of a time trial finisher than to hand him or her a box of refreshing YooHoo as a prize for a job well done! This week: the sardines return!!

From the flashback department: When Rick rolled up, sporting his crisp, new caramel and cream Montana Velo kit, I couldn’t help but flashback to days of yore, when me and my buddies were hanging out in my parent’s basement listening to Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti and in walks (let’s call him Rick), wearing white pants, a floral polyester shirt buttoned down past his sternum, and (gulp!) a gold chain! Dude! You’ve gone disco! (I’m not sure if we said “dude” way back then, but it sure sounds right). And then as the jeers subsided we started a serious argument with Rick about why the Bee Gees are NOT a rock band until he told us his older brother would buy us beer that night, so we said okay. And we decided without saying a word that he was still one of us and, together, we all listened to Cheech and Chong’s Big Bambu. There’s a moral to this story somewhere, I think.

See ya Thursday, everyone!!

Scott Fisk