My OperaTh-Th-Th-That's All Folks!
Saturday, October 6, 2007 4:03:54 AM
Friday, October 5, 2007 - Nasty, nasty, nasty weather today. The speed runs were cancelled this evening due to rain and wind and cold. The forecast is not much better for Saturday. My crew chief and I have decided to call it an event. 61.05 mph will have to do for this year. We'll be heading back to Long Beach tomorrow early.
This morning dawned cold and windy. There was actually a new bike and rider, Jason Erikson, who ran the qualification road first thing. He made it OK, so if there are any runs on Rte 305 tomorrow, he'll be in the field. After qualification a 1/4 mile was measured off and 14 riders had a go at blasting down the drag race course. I went out to watch and was somehow magically transformed into the timer for this craziness. It was to no one's surprize that the event was won by Sam Whittingham in a shade over 28 seconds and a maximum speed of 36 mph. The guy's a monster.
After lunch most everyone lounged around and watched the weather. There were various impromptu gatherings wherein the conversation weaved between bike mechanics, aerodynamics of streamliners, days of glory, and baldfaced lies. I made the decision that if there were runs this evening, we would go out and see, but that would be it.
At about 3:30 we got the word that today's runs were scratched, so it was off to the store for the Jack Daniels. Dad and I toasted the week and passed around the cheer to those in the area.
It's been a good week. The goal of 65 was always a big stretch, and I'm happy to have matched last year's speed in lesser conditions. I had thought that this would be it for me as far as competing goes, but now I'm not so sure. It is really a rush going that fast under your own power, and there are always things that can be done to make the bike faster. The next event will be the one hour challenge in April. I'll let you know - stay tuned.
I have more pictures from the week to post in the coming days, so don't go far away.
This morning dawned cold and windy. There was actually a new bike and rider, Jason Erikson, who ran the qualification road first thing. He made it OK, so if there are any runs on Rte 305 tomorrow, he'll be in the field. After qualification a 1/4 mile was measured off and 14 riders had a go at blasting down the drag race course. I went out to watch and was somehow magically transformed into the timer for this craziness. It was to no one's surprize that the event was won by Sam Whittingham in a shade over 28 seconds and a maximum speed of 36 mph. The guy's a monster.After lunch most everyone lounged around and watched the weather. There were various impromptu gatherings wherein the conversation weaved between bike mechanics, aerodynamics of streamliners, days of glory, and baldfaced lies. I made the decision that if there were runs this evening, we would go out and see, but that would be it.
At about 3:30 we got the word that today's runs were scratched, so it was off to the store for the Jack Daniels. Dad and I toasted the week and passed around the cheer to those in the area. It's been a good week. The goal of 65 was always a big stretch, and I'm happy to have matched last year's speed in lesser conditions. I had thought that this would be it for me as far as competing goes, but now I'm not so sure. It is really a rush going that fast under your own power, and there are always things that can be done to make the bike faster. The next event will be the one hour challenge in April. I'll let you know - stay tuned.
I have more pictures from the week to post in the coming days, so don't go far away.
