PHOTOHIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2005 EDITION: Paul Martin's Mission Impossible?
Special thanks to Randy Ward of Brecksville Velo Sport for these wonderful images!
Before we get started, everyone say "Thank you, Mr. Bywaters," for getting up at 4:30 AM and driving out from Pittsburgh to serve as Chief Judge. This is Gary's tenth tour of duty, and he even looks good in the outmoded uniform of a certain terminally corrupt governing body (note to the Evil Empire: he didn't actually wear your precious tunic for this ABR-sanctioned race. The picture is from a different event.)
Lap 1
The starter's whistle blew at just past 10 AM on a pluperfect day: 67° F, under azure skies dotted by high, cottony cumulus clouds. A special $100 prize was offered for anyone who could break 90 minutes, but things were tranquillo the first time up the hill, as Mike Stubna was caught trying to stifle a yawn.
Lap 2
Showing his usual lack of restraint, Tris Hopkins escaped along with Jeremy Grimm, as seen at the foot of the descent. So nice to see these two riding in perfect harmony, rather than all tangled up with each other! J Meanwhile, the main bunch was duly unimpressed . . .
Lap 3
and indeed, the fugitives were soon in hand, whereupon things strung out a bit.
Lap 4
Todd Bolgrin led through the corner in this first of a 3-shot sequence (here are #2 & #3). Jim Baldesare, aka Mr. Grumpy Face, didn't seem to be having a good time, and would later have to drop out. Come to think of it, he never did listen in class when Miss Crabtree would tell us, "A happy face makes a happy day."
Lap 5
By the time he reached the base of the hill, Paul Martin had broken away (so what else is new?!)
Lap 6
Martin's gap soon began to yawn, but at least he was gritting his teeth a bit, and the trademark snarl had appeared! Terrific shot, that.
Meanwhile, back in the "chase" group, youngster Ryan Gamm hadn't quite given up, and drove the pace hard, while Brian Batke and Stephan Kadar sat and spun comfortably like the veterans they are. Further back, Tris Hopkins (right, accompanied by Hector Colon) had begun to pay for his past indiscretions. Somehow, suffering looks worse when it's piled 6'7" high.
Lap 7
Some pictures should remain uncropped, and this is one of them: Paul Martin, alone off the front, with Don Cernanec (red t-shirt) looking on at far right. Along with Al Marcosson and George Liolios, Don ruled the regional racing roost in the 1970s, but is now sidelined after hip replacement surgery.
"Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past.
What might have been and what has been
Point to one end, which is always present."
-- T. S. Elliot, Four Quartets
About the only thing that could stop Martin now was a bear jumping out of the woods, and none were in evidence. Another great shot, let's crop it slightly. Perfect.
Lap 8 (bell lap)
Race time was around 1:20:10 as Martin neared the line at the end of lap 8, or ~20 seconds behind pace for the special $100 prize. DING-DING-DING-DING-DING! To claim it, his last lap would have to be his fastest of the day, and quite possibly as fast as any he had ever done before in training on this course.
4+ minutes back, what passed for the main group was down to 9 riders, and 16-year-old Jimmy MacDonald of Medina (far right) was hanging in nicely.
Another 90 seconds back came a group of five, including Hector Colon, Chris Cioccio, Tris Hopkins, et al. Ouch. Let's crop this one a bit, too. Hmmm. Cioccio is always so nice, and calls this "the race that keeps on giving." Giving what, one wonders??
FINISH
Ever the supreme accountant of his talent, Martin was actually able to coast a bit as he approached the finish line, before giving a victory salute. With a finely-judged effort, he had turned the last lap in 9:40, set a new course record, and became the first known human being to complete 9 laps in under 90 minutes, with a few seconds to spare. On the day, Martin covered 36.7 hilly miles in 1:29:55, for an average speed of 24.5 mph. Mission accomplished! The old record was 1:30:33, set by Jeff Braumberger in 2004.
"I'm very grateful for the generous prize, I plan on spending it right away" said Martin -- um, Lisa, that is! "I'll be back next year, and I'll bring Paul with me once again."
Masters Men and Cat. 4 Men
Oh yes, there were some other races, too. In the Masters' event, John Lowry, Tom Frueh, Larry Pandy, and Sal Ponzio set up for the corner at the base of the hill.
The Cat. 4 race showed the many faces of Dan Quinlan: calm and relaxed in the pack, while others resorted to sticking their tongue out; casting a concerned glance at an opponent's wheel; and exploding off the front for the win. What a maniac!
Not to be overlooked, young Andy Moskal (flanked here by Rick Parr and James Flesher) had a fine day, winning the Juniors' race (and the Cat. 5 and outright, since they raced together), then racing strongly in the Cat. 4's, which followed immediately. That's 49 miles of racing for the day, more than anyone else did. Ah, youthful exuberance! Within a year, he would be up to Cat. 2, and feature in the Cat. 1-3 race, but that's another story . . .
