Galena Time Trial Report

by Hayes Sanborn

The race of truth where small decisions become large decisions. The time trial is my trump card, I've focused most of my cycling training over the last few years here. Its an event where you need to be comfortable being uncomfortable as your sitting at or just below your redline. I've spent time with Ken and Adam over the years dialing in my fit, I spend hours and hours researching small equipment choices that save fraction of watts from tire selection, latex tubes, and quick release position I know what is fast. All these little savings you laugh at, add up.

I arrived about 75mins early to check in only to discover I didn't need to check in, so off I went to check out the course, I road an easy lap to get a feel for the rollers and then ran a hot lap to make sure I would have the gearing dialed in to maintain speed over the crest of the various hills. With my scouting done, I hit the trainer for 20mins to keep the engine hot. At the last min, I wanted to switch to my long sleeve skin suit, but since I pinned my number from the inside I decided to stay with short sleeves. I didn't want to fuss with it and get frustrated.

Lining up, by number, we had a few people miss their start times as there was some confusion where to start. My 0:30 man was a no show, so my carrot would be a min up the road and the man behind me would also be a min behind. Got to the start line, clipped in, took a deep breath, and off I went. I just had a few mental cues during my ride; Turtle the head, roll the shoulders, and bury your head and smash watts. I had a few minor hiccups where I didn't maintain my momentum as I hoped and had to fight the machine a little, but overall I was pleased. The uphill sprint to finish the TT was so painful but so much fun, it always feels great to empty the tank.

The results!

 Hayes Sanborn, Cat 5 Time Trial, 7:52 (28.16mph) 2nd Place

To Skin Suit or Not to Skin Suit, That is the Question

As rain poured down tonight and the reality of summer's ending settled in, I realized the race calender had only one remaining race-dot. For a roadie like myself, the Fall Fling signals the end is no longer near, but present. No Monkeys raced in last weekend's road race and crit...but this Saturday's Time Trial has attracted a few riders in search of a Skin Suit. (I capitalize Skin Suit in order to not inadvertently discount its formal nature). Yet not as a Pirate is in search of treasure for spoil, these riders in search of a Skin Suit have deeper intentions. I behold: The Skin Suit Challenge...



Discipline: Individual Time Trial in B.F. Egypt
Distance: 12.5km (7.75 miles)

Contestant 1: Dean Okun (SpiderMonkey Cycling)
C1 Bike: Pegoretti
C1 Aerobars: No
C1 Wheels: Deep Dish
Kansas University Alum: `86

Contestant 2: Andrew Zens (SpiderMonkey Cycling)
C2 Bike: Madone-sweet discovery logos too
C2 Aerobars: No
C2 Wheels: Non-Deep Dish
Kansas University Alum: `07



The moonshine lit juvenile quarrels involving story telling and gentlemen bets led to this very challenge: loser wears the long-sleeve SpiderMonkey Skin Suit to the end of the year Formal (did I forget the humiliation factor?). Andrew heads out of the gate 60 seconds before Dean with a racer half-way in between. Both riders have declined comment on whether they will be wearing a time trial helmet.


At about 20 mph for 60 secs Andrew should have about 500 meters on Dean. The wind will play a definite factor as well as cornering ability. Weather could be bad so I assume both will race with virtually no skin on their body getting air during the race; something they haven't done since Super Spring Crit in Beloit.


I wish I could say that the the coverage starts at 10am with Paul and Phil then onto the sweet shots of the team buses with Ben Stiller breaking time trial bikes and guys with ice vests drilling it on the trainer, but I can't. However, Andrew and Dean will be rockin' an iPod on respective Cyclops' having a Zym under the 312 tent while I enjoy a few 312s myself...


Something tells me they will be joking when they start warming up and then the reality of the Skin Suit sets in.




-CaCAW