Calvin's Challenge 2006 Posted by: Brian Nieport @ 2006.05.11.2036
May 6th marked my fifth attempt at Calvin's Challenge. Also, Bob returned on the tandem with a new stoker, Melissa Cover. The conditions were much improved over last year with sunny conditions, high in the low 60's, and wind from 7 to 12 mph. Even with the limited training I had over winter quarter, I felt prepared due to some hard riding since. The first priority was to make sure Bob and Melissa would get the Male/Female tandem record then next would be an age group record for myself. Once again, Danny Chew showed up and would be a contender all day.
Shortly after the start a group of 30 formed as the initial front group with the tandem and myself being the ones really pushing the pace over the initial 100 miles. During the opening 100, an Orrville rider would begin to help. After each of the 50-mile laps, the group would get smaller as riders would drop off. After the third lap, the group was down to the lead group for the remainder of the day. After the completing the double century, we switched over to the seven-mile laps. During the first seven-mile lap, I managed to ride away from the group and got reeled in after a mile. After I was caught, I asked the tandem to sit back if I would happen to get away again. At the hill on the ensuing lab, I attacked hard and got a sizable gap quick for with major move of the day. Only Danny Chew and the Orrville rider would be able to follow. Over the next couple of laps, I found myself getting weaker. At about the 226 mile mark, I hit the wall with a hard bonk and fall off the back of the group. I would manage to finish on the same mileage as Danny and the Orrville rider after I recovered from the bonk.
Bob and Melissa would ride 249 miles to win the Male/Female category and set a new benchmark for tandems. I am pretty happy to have set a personal record and to have tied the 20-24 age group record. I believe, if I didn't bonk, I would have been able to put do an extra seven mile lap. I am unsure if I will return next year but it is a very good possibility. Lastly, I would like to thank my Dad and Drew Cover for feeding Bob, Melissa, and myself all day.
Since I sometimes read the OU student newspaper (OU is to Journalism what DAAP is to Design), the News-Record looks even more lame than it did back when I went to UC.
As a side note, this the second time somemthing I've done has made the News-Record. Last time it was with the help of Jeff W., and fortunately my name wasn't mentioned...
Nieport- think about it - mountain bike endurance racing. While chicks might not dig Calvins Challenge, they will be clamouring to you after you finish the TransAlps.
Yeah! I've read about the trans rockies. Sounds like straight punishment. Jason you should teach Nieport to mountain bike, but on a more serious note, chicks do dig mountain bikers!
Hey, Tri for Joe was awsome! 700m swim, 30k bike and 5k run later I finished in 1:28:12. At the finish a volunteer caught me before I could collapsed and then I continued to shake uncontrollably for 45 seconds or so. Crazy, but a good time and a great race!
Go ask David G - All this anti-government criticism should be left for peacetime, because the democrats are causing our foes to hang on for hope by bringing up things such as civil rights violations, just so they can win the elections.
one might wonder who is more mature ditsy backstabbing high school girls or ditsy backstabbing politians of all party lines.
Speaking of which I need to go withdraw some money from my freezer.
It's all about choosing the lesser of two evils when it comes to present day politics.Does putting money in the freezer really help it to stay fresh longer?
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,br> pictured left to right: Chris Frantz, David Byrne, The Bull!!!?, Tina Weymouth. WTF?