Rock Falls Time Trial Clinic and Picnic (by Joel Roesch):

Rockfalls TT clinic and Picnic

After pumping up my tires to about 4 lbs over max (and finding outlater this is not necessary or wise for more mph) I headed out atabout 8:55 to meet up with Wally at Randy's restaraunt. He's thereand we head out right away on our way to the Rock Falls Team TimeTrial clinic via the bike trail, Spehle road, etc facing a NW breezeof maybe 5-10 mph. Not too bad for this windy spring. We arrive around 8:45 and find national legend Gordy Paulson, Tim Mulrooney,Lance Niles (very fast people), a few Spring Street riders, our Prez, Jim, Bob Schwartz and a few other enthusiasts seeking knowledge from Gordy and Tim.The Clinic is outstanding!!! Gordy puts on a very informative powerpoint presentation, with Tim adding his perspective ocasionally. We ask questions along the way and both experts share generously the information they have learned over the years. Equipment, attitude,rider placement, proper rotating, nutrition, rest, echelon, tire pressure, are just a few of the subjects covered. Even though I do not Time Trial now I find the info very useful, and just maybe this could be a jumping point to another aspect of biking. So now it's time for the time trial and the big guns kit up and unload their exotic bikes (there must be another word than bikes for these machines). I am thinking, the opportunity to ride with this group may never happen again. Off we go and I hold Gordy's and/or Tim's wheel for most of the 10mile course, fading a bit just at the end.This is the warmup of course, otherwise you know.........Gordy, Tim, Lance, and a person (Mike Suntken) I don't know form a team and Bob says 5,4,3,2,1 and they are off. They later have a mishap and I think, but am not certain that my team is the winner. Dave W., Joe S, Kevin Potter (all Spring St riders, and they are always tough) Joan Carlson, and myself make up a team of 5. Joan islooking very fit and proves me correct later on. I am a bit nervous, not having done very much Super High Intensity Training this spring and I find out soon I am correct again in my thinking.5,4,3,2,1 and we are off and after a few clipping in problems and avoiding a dog who had chased the previous group we form up an echelon and right away I am in trouble, falling off the pace after 3-4 miles. Kevin kindly drops back and we make it a two man with Kevin pulling a cooked rider most of the way. Good fun with Anne's famous brats making our efforts worthwhile.Wally and I set off for home and now wonder of wonders have a TAILWIND of 15-20 mph. Life is good. Hats off to Jim and Anne for putting on a fun and informative day. Joel

A special thanks to our corner marshalls: Jerry Christensen, Kent McDaniels, Diane Ostenso, Kerri Zastrow and Ruth and Taylor Blodgett. Thanks for showing the way and helping the riders stay safe.