We’re doing a GR and TC segment each. Look out.
First up, the Traverse City fan base will be happy to take to the woods for a very different challenge from this past week’s assault on McKinley. We’re hitting the woods for an effort on the VASA Singletrack Short Loop, a 2.7 mile segment that is tight and tough. The current KOM is held by Keegan Myers, and he’ll be very serious in his defense. The current mark is at 11:29, which is nearly 30 seconds faster than second place.
Myers will undoubtedly improve on his mark, but there are some candidates that should threaten. If someone can throw a Garmin on Einstein’s Nate St. Onge, the mark could fall quickly. Also keep an eye on John Ammond, Jason Lowetz, Eric Pollard and Craig Webb. It’s a short, intense effort that tests handling ability as much as top end speed, so there may be some surprising names near the top of the list come next Sunday. This one isn’t all about engine, but a decent amount of skill, too.
As a special wrinkle, Silverleaf Saw Mills is offering up a bounty of $25 to the brave soul who can take the segment by the deadline. The $25 is in the plastic form of a gift card at Einstein Cycles, where $25 can really take you places. A massive thanks to Silverleaf Saw Mills for hopping on board, and to Ec for serving as such a splendid home base of operations for this particular segment.
The test in GR is a very different animal. One of the most revered bursts in kolo t.c. history, we revisit the ascent of De Paterberg. Located west of Allendale, the climb decimated the field at the 2011 There Will Be Blood Unofficial Gravel Road Race. It’s a veritable wall, with gradients up to 13.6% on loose, rutted gravel. It flattens out over the top, which brings the average gradient to a misleading 3.5%. The climb doesn’t stop at the gravel, nor does it avoid wind over the top. Stay on the gas over the pavement section and grind it out. The current KOM is Joel Bush, followed at some distance by Yours Truly and Wes Sovis.
At the moment, there’s no bounty on offer for De Paterberg, but kolo t.c. is working on details as you read this. Unless it’s after 9pm, at which time kolo t.c. just hangs out and watches MI-5.
Both Challenges end on Sunday, August 18 at 6pm. Give it hell, boys and girls.
Single Track Short Loop Top Ten
| 1. Keegan Myers | Jul 24, 2013 | 13.9mi/h | – | 113W | – | 11:29 | |
| 2 | Ryan Kushman | Jun 3, 2013 | 13.4mi/h | – | 122W | – | 11:56 |
| 3 | Dave Walston | May 16, 2013 | 13.3mi/h | – | 196W | – | 12:00 |
| 4 | Kevin Gregory | May 4, 2013 | 13.0mi/h | – | 164W | – | 12:18 |
| 5 | Jay Click | Jun 6, 2013 | 12.9mi/h | – | 162W | – | 12:25 |
| 6 | Jim Picotte | Jul 28, 2013 | 12.3mi/h | 167bpm | 188W | – | 12:58 |
| 7 | jamison sheppard | Jul 4, 2013 | 12.3mi/h | – | 100W | – | 12:59 |
| 8 | Mike Walters | Jun 19, 2013 | 12.1mi/h | – | 125W | – | 13:12 |
| 9 | James Rybarsyk | Jul 27, 2013 | 12.1mi/h | – | – | – | 13:14 |
| 10 | Bennett Paul | Aug 6, 2013 | 12.0mi/h | 168bpm | 88W | – | 13:19 |
De Paterberg Top Ten
| Joel Bush | Jul 22, 2012 | 21.2mi/h | – | 535W | – | 1:15 | |
| 2 | Wes Sovis | Oct 26, 2011 | 17.1mi/h | – | 420W | – | 1:33 |
| 3 | Cody Sovis | Oct 26, 2011 | 16.7mi/h | – | – | – | 1:35 |
| 4 | Jim Braam | Mar 13, 2013 | 16.6mi/h | – | 324W | – | 1:36 |
| 5 | Heath Paukette | Jul 23, 2013 | 16.4mi/h | – | 358W | – | 1:37 |
| 6 | JD Lobbezoo | Nov 2, 2012 | 15.1mi/h | – | – | – | 1:45 |
| 7 | Eric Parrott | Jul 4, 2013 | 14.9mi/h | – | – | – | 1:47 |
| 8 | Dan Korienek | Feb 17, 2013 | 14.2mi/h | 167bpm | 444W | – | 1:52 |
| 9 | John Camfferman | Jan 19, 2013 | 14.0mi/h | – | 353W | – | 1:54 |
| 10 | Kevin Stacey | Jun 18, 2013 | 13.5mi/h | 145bpm | 344W | – | 1:58 |