2007 24-Hour Subaru Champion Challenge |
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2007 Subaru Champion Challenge |
It was like 2006's race but completely different.
No Hurricane Ernesto. No camping out the night before. No vacant spot in our 5-person roster. No
excuses. This was the race to get it done and fast.
September 1: Everyone made it up to the race site early Saturday morning for the pre-race
festivities. Jon and Lenny were giddy because 7Springs was opening a new downhill course the same
day, and our packets had discounted passes to use there. And it was beautiful. And it was dry. It
was so perfect compared to a year before. We bared through it last year to rightfully own a gorgeous
weekend this time around. The perfect weather made our new racer, Kathleen D., very happy.
The morning was filled with Wulfkuhle stories and bike preparation. Andy agreed to take the
helms for the first lap, including the run-start which was significantly longer this year by wrapping
around the lake. This added at least 5 minutes to Andy's lap. But it didn't matter because Andy man-
handled that lap on his trusty single-speed in 1:10. He's not a player he just crushes a lot. He
took the ski slope climb like a pro.
After walloping his lap, Kathleen took over to ensure a full lap in the daytime. She took the place of Lenny from a year before, debuting at mountain bike racing. She handled the still tightly-packed field with grace, and maintaining an excellent pace for a first-time lap. The first Kathleen then handed the bracelet off to the Wulfkuhle Kathleen. Having done the course a year before in terrible conditions, she tore it up this year. Improving her times significantly, she kept the momentum for the team. Next in line was Lenny, with a solid 1:27, then Jon with an even better 1:20. The boys were really showing their stuff. Then the night laps came, and unlike the previous year, Lenny did not dismiss any laps, and the transitions kept their fluidity. Speaking of fluids, Jon realized the necessity of a lonely midnight coffee to keep his stamina up.
September 2: With chicken noodle soup, Heed, and plenty else to eat and drink, Big Lead Pipes was prepared for the long haul. The boys entertained the night laps while the girls rested for another day lap each. They were inpressive during their ultimate lap, with Kathleen D. taking a shot from her handlebars for an honorary bruise.
Taking such pain is business as usual for members of Big Lead Pipes. It usually pays off too. With four other teams in our category (Sport class, 125-175 combined age), Big Lead Pipes pulled into a respectable third place, with all its glory.
To the victors go schwag, and this year's awards were detailed messenger bags, medals, and carribeaner-compasses. Not bad, Big Lead Pipes.
The race was done and won, but at the end of the day, Jon and Lenny began to focus on the bigger picture for the summer...
