LOYALTON, CALIFORNIA, June 12, 2016 - Spokesman teammates Bob Montague and yours truly, Jim Langley made the long haul up to the mountains to race the 40K (25 mile) race of truth known as the Districts Time Trial Championships. Up for grabs was a NorCal State Championships Title and the winner's jersey to go along with it.
The Loyalton course was a switch from the traditional racecourse just a few miles away in Sattley. We drove up the day before to survey it. It's pretty much dead flat the whole way. It starts with a 5.4 mile straightaway with one 90-degree left turn at the end of that, followed by a route that turns a few more times before hitting the turnaround at 12.5 miles. The pavement wasn't bad but definitely not the smooth tarmac you dream of having for an hour in the pain locker.
I found it a little windy going out and got knocked off my line by the gusts several times. Since Montague comes right behind Langley alphabetically, Bob started 30 second behind me. Behind us both was National Champ Gary Painter, who passed Bob and I before we reaching halfway. He was on pace to ride a sub 52 40K, which is remarkable for a 60-year-old, and we believe may have set a new national record. (Full results have not been posted yet.)
I had a good ride finishing in 57:50, which was enough for 3rd and the bronze (Gary is from Indiana so he couldn't claim a podium spot even though he won the race handily). Bob was right behind me in about an hour. Paul Gossi won the jersey and Roland Freund nabbed the silver. The results photo shows the exact results and times.
Jim Gentes who raced in the 54-59s took the photo of us afterward on the right. Notice the Spokesman Cervelos!
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