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The 2008 Black Dog Time Trial series came to an end last night with a bang.  Well the bang held off until just after the awards ceremony. 

The brewing storm clouds fostered a brisk wind that obeyed The Dog when it came time for the first rider to start.  One by one they went, except the tandems, to chase The Dog.  While the Old Dog is showing her years and now showers the pain with potholes and patches, there’s something about the race of truth that is as pure as a puppy.  There’s no hiding, no one to help, no one to encourage, and no escaping.  It’s just you and the bike and that Demon in your head injecting doubt into your thighs.  The Demon causes you to wonder why you do this to yourself, why keep going, and urges you to slow just a little so it won’t hurt so bad.  The Dog Demon says, “It’s okay, just a little will be fine, right?”  “It won’t cost you, it might even help on the return.  You went out too fast anyway.”  “Next time you should train more.” 

F-off Demon you say after passing the power plant on your run to the finish.  You lay down the hammer and having saved something feels good, for a fleeting minute.  The pain ensues  but your spirits are lifted again as you pass the start line and give it your all.  There’s nothing left though and the slog under the bridge and up the rise is almost all you can stand.  Did I say stand?  You can do it, get out of the saddle and sprint for that line.  The Demon chimes in, “No, stay aero.”  No, you can do it every second counts.  One last drive and the suffering is over.

You stop the clock and immediately begin to wonder what you should have done differently.  That damn Demon!  You saved too much, or did you.  Those moments of doubt cost you for sure but you left it all out there.  How could it hurt so bad if you didn’t?

There are those specialists who have had that demon exorcised and for whom the pain seems like a drug.  The Timmers and Caspers and Cullens aren’t immune to the pain they just know how to escape its temptation to attend to it.

Top Dog for 2008 was Tim Mulrooney with an average time for the 7.2 mile out and back was 14:30.  Mulrooney’s time of 14:15 edged him past Dan Casper for the series win.  Casper who did not compete in the last night of racing finished the series with an average time of 14:33. 

8/27 Results

Final Series Standings

Like man’s best friend, the final night of the Dog is a social beast where with a slice in one hand and a cold one in the other all the regulars talk times and tweaks and what might have been.  Bravo to all who tested their will and congrats to the series winners.

The Dog will be back in 09, let’s hope she’s got a shiny black coat. 

Listen to the interview with series champ Timmer and the colorful Hollywood. 

 

 bikethrow.com Dog Interview [3:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download