Place Yer Bets

08.8.2007 | 10:55 am

Really, I ought to be packing right now. But I’m not worried. My list of things to bring to Leadville is thorough. Actually gathering and loading all the stuff is just a formality, really.

So, it’s time for us to make some wagers.

The Dug v. Fatty Saga: I Cannot Lose
Back in November, Dug and and I exchanged a little bit of trash talk. Specifically, I told him he was a feebleminded fool to do the Leadville 100 on his singlespeed. Dug responded by betting my bike against his in a fairly complex wager. Here’s how Dug’s challenge to me went, for those of you whose memories are as hazy as mine:

  • If I finish Leadville next year in less than ten hours on my crappy, “Brad Keyes maintained” Surly Karate Monkey rigid singlespeed YOU will give ME whatever bike you ride in Leadville.
  • If I finish in Leadville in more than 11 hours, I will give YOU the bike I ride in the race.
  • If I finish between 10 and 11 hours, we’ll call it a push. You keep your bike, I keep mine. But, in this case, since I’ll have finished (and you contend I won’t finish), you’ll have to maintain my bike for me for the rest of calendar 2007.  

So here’s the thing: As his challenge is written, it’s now impossible for me to lose. Why? Because Dug no longer rides a crappy, “Brad Keyes maintained” Surly Karate Monkey rigid singlespeed. Dug in fact now rides a beautiful Waltworks rigid singlespeed. Sure, this Waltworks is (yet another) Brad Keyes hand-me-down, but it’s still a beautiful, light bike. So Dug can’t satisfy the condition under which he would win my ultra-trick Weapon of Choice.

But what about the other two parts of the bet? Well, the second part is still in effect. If Dug finishes in more than 11 hours, he will give me the bike he rides in the race. Which is, as I’ve just noted, no longer an ancient Karate Monkey. Now it’s a bike that I would actually like to have. And I think there’s a pretty darn good chance Dug will finish in more than 11 hours. So far, consensus is he’ll finish in 11:15.

And as for the third condition, well, that remains in effect as well. I’m willing to maintain Dug’s bike for the rest of calendar 2007 if he finishes between 10 and 11 hours.

Which does not mean that I will necessarily maintain it well.

Contest: Place Your Own Bets
OK, so I’ve been pretty open about my weight, my training and my attitude about this race. I’ve also been pretty open about the fact that this will be the eleventh time I have done this race, and that the fastest I have ever done it is 9:13.

So, what time do you think I’ll finish with? I’ll give the person with the closest time an awesome Fat Cyclist logo-embossed Banjo Brothers Messenger Bag.

And while you’re at it, why don’t you guess Rick Sunderlage’s (not his real name), Dug’s, Kenny’s, Bob’s, and Brad’s finish times. I’ll give away prizes (I’ve got some Ergon grips, a Fat Cyclist T-Shirt, and some Banjo Brothers pocket messenger bags to give away), to the people who come closest to guessing their times.

In case of a tie for any of these guesses, the earliest entry wins. That’s fair.

Pics and Short Posts for the Next Few Days
The good folks at Apple have been kind enough to provide Dug, Susan and me with iPhones. I’ve set them up so we can easily post pictures and quick notes from these phones. Assuming we get a signal in Leadville (far from certain), we’ll post pictures and comments during the next couple days, and Susan will post pictures and updates during the actual race.

OK, time for me to go pack. Wish me luck (with the race, not with packing. I don’t need luck for packing).

113 Comments

  1. Comment by Clydesdale | 08.8.2007 | 11:10 am

    Hey I’m first, in case of a tie that is…

    Elden will finish in under 8:45, saaayyy 8:44:48 because he will see it and push to get under.

    Dug, oohhh Dug, 11:08, sorry…
    Kenny, 8:10
    Bob – ?? haven’t followed the entry’s close enough about the other riders skills, let’s say 10:50?
    Rick S. – 10:40?
    Brad – 10:20?
    Sorry Bob, Brad and Rick but I have been focused mostly on Elden’s challenges both physically and emotionally the past while and haven’t paid too much attention to the others in the “core” group.
    Good luck to all of you this weekend!!

  2. Comment by Rider34 | 08.8.2007 | 11:13 am

    Fatty 9:03
    Dug 10:57 (sorry fatty! looks like 3 months of cleaning for you…)
    Rick 8:39
    Kenny 8:45

    Good luck to you all. Have fun, and most importantly bring home some epic tales for us to read about in the next few weeks.

    Rider34

  3. Comment by DOM | 08.8.2007 | 11:14 am

    I’ve got FC coming in at 8:51, Dug at 9:58 (which will really get under your skin, won’t it?) Kenny at 8:43, Bob at 10:15, and Brad at 11:10 ( taking a wild card on a mechanical). Since I only know FC’s goal and ridiculous training this summer and Dug’s wager, the rest are completely baseless guesses. If I offended any of you, use it as locker room bulletin board fodder to spur you on, but forgive me, I don’t know any better.

  4. Comment by TG | 08.8.2007 | 11:16 am

    Hmmmm..I’m not good at this. These numbers are picked out of thin air. But best of luck to all riders and their crews.

    Elden—8:42:51
    Dug—–11:13:13
    Bob—geeze, isn’t Bob the one with the electric bike? 11:15:13
    Rick S (not his real name)—-9:55:01
    Brad—9:02:01

  5. Comment by TG | 08.8.2007 | 11:18 am

    Shoot!!! I forgot Kenny.
    Kenny—8:39:31. BTW, how is your head mending??

  6. Comment by Dopey | 08.8.2007 | 11:18 am

    Sorry Fatty, I gotta go with the over and say 9:10. I figure as lite of riding as the coach is making you go through you’ll be so hyped to ride you’ll blow up in the first half of the ride. Good luck though.

  7. Comment by Kate | 08.8.2007 | 11:20 am

    Here is my guess:

    Fatty: 9:40
    Dug: 10:36
    Rick S: 9:12
    Kenny: 9:15
    Bob: 9:29
    Brad: 9:55

    Good luck everyone! Looking forward to the report!

  8. Comment by KeepYerBag | 08.8.2007 | 11:20 am

    I’m going the same time I speculated last year: 8:42.

    Let’s call it 8:42:26 just for kicks.

    Good luck to everyone and have fun.

  9. Comment by Sophia | 08.8.2007 | 11:21 am

    Okay, here goes:

    FC: 8:33 (I have that much faith in you)
    Kenny: 8:09
    Dug: 10:47
    Brad: 8:27 ?? (if he’s riding a singlespeed, then 9:15) ??
    Rick: 8:47
    Bob: 11:30
    Lisa/Liz???: 9:47

    Sorry if I offended anyone, I don’t know you guys and I’m pretty much just picking random numbers. Good luck this weekend! Can’t wait to hear about it!

  10. Comment by kenny | 08.8.2007 | 11:30 am

    The noggin’s great. I thought I was going to be a hideous beast, but I accually look somewhat normal.

  11. Comment by velo_femme | 08.8.2007 | 11:31 am

    Now I was trying to be scientific about this… if Fatty finished in 9:13 as his fastest time, say a coach would help him do 5% better… because at this level it takes a lot more to improve a little. That would put him at 8:45:35. Of course, the FC legs are much more ripped these days so we’ll give him bonus style minutes… final answer 8:40:35. :-) Now don’t go off too fast and blow yourself up. Good luck, have fun, looking forward to the race recaps.

  12. Comment by highlycaffeinated | 08.8.2007 | 11:31 am

    fatty: 8:53
    kenny: 8:10
    dug: 11:20
    brad: 8:46
    rick: 8:28
    bob: 11:58

    Good luck!

  13. Comment by GenghisKhan | 08.8.2007 | 11:32 am

    Good luck to all. Here are the finish times:

    Fatty: 9:36
    RS: 11:24
    Dug: 11:54
    Kenny: 8:43
    Bob: 11:49
    Brad: 10:33

    Hey, no hatin’–I just write the numbers the voices tell me to write…

  14. Comment by Lowrydr | 08.8.2007 | 11:32 am

    Here’s my shot at this one:
    Fatty 8:52:10

  15. Comment by Lowrydr | 08.8.2007 | 11:35 am

    Dang computer, the rest:
    RS(not his real name) 9:42:21
    Dug 10:29:50
    Kenny 8:41:20
    Bob 11:01:05
    Brad 10:44:35

  16. Comment by mark | 08.8.2007 | 11:41 am

    Fatty: 8:59 (I think you’ll make it, but by the narrowest of margins
    Kenny: 8:46
    Dug: 10:27
    Rick S: 9:18 (deduct 25 minutes if riding a geared bike)
    Bob: 11:48

    BTW, since the last post (picture of Brad peeing, assumed to be a test of the iPhone) was the shortest-lived ever, I will once again put in a shameless plug for my wife’s blog. Anyone looking for great recipes, please check out kitchenaddiction.blogspot.com. You’ll see why I will never be a skinny cyclist, although one of her next posts will be 10 recipes for healthy & tasty training meals.

  17. Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 08.8.2007 | 11:41 am

    I’d like to help with the upkeep of Dug’s bike if it comes down to that. My advice is silicon… it’s light, it’s smooth, it’s abundant. Silicon chain lubricant is the best. If you can’t find any at the LBS just throw a handfull of sand on the chain, it’s full of silicon too and I’m sure it’ll do the job admirably.

    Fatty – 8:52:11 (it’ll be close, but you’ll make it)
    Dug – 10:59:59 (but I’d be taking blood and urine samples before paying the bet)
    Kenny – 8:52:12 (he’s your leadout man, right?)
    Bob – 10:47:51 (and screaming “I’m alive” as he crosses the line)
    Brad – 9:25ish (I don’t know why, just a feeling)
    Floyd – 8:53:01 (he’ll hang for the whole race but get burned in the finishing straight, cross the line crying and refuse to give interviews)

    Did anyone else notice that Lance Armstrong withdrew the same day Fatty posted the before/after shots? Coincidence?

  18. Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 08.8.2007 | 11:45 am

    I missed Rick Sunderlage (not his real name) – 9:30:49 (not his real time)

  19. Comment by bikegrl | 08.8.2007 | 11:45 am

    FC= 9:07:42

  20. Comment by sans auto | 08.8.2007 | 11:50 am

    Fatty… 8:30
    Dug… 12:02

  21. Comment by Derek | 08.8.2007 | 11:53 am

    Fatty – 8:59:51
    Dug – 10:46:33

  22. Comment by axel | 08.8.2007 | 12:06 pm

    FC: 9:01
    Kenny: 8:01
    Dug: 11:01
    Brad: 8:31
    Rick: 9:01
    Bob: 11:01
    hope y’all do better than this…

  23. Comment by UltraRob | 08.8.2007 | 12:07 pm

    3 is my lucky number. 33 is my Really lucky number. Fatty I’d go with 8:33 but somebody already took that plus I don’t have that much faith in you with Shot Bloks. So here are my guesses.

    Fatty = 8:43:33
    Dug = 11:13:33
    Kenny = 8:53:33
    Bob = 10:33:33
    Brad = 9:33:33

  24. Comment by hades | 08.8.2007 | 12:10 pm

    Fatty – because i have faith that 1) no horrible mechanicals will happen to his bike despite his use of gears 2) and he will know enough to pace himself 3) and I posted yesterday that he owed us (and his crew) a sub 8:30 4) and I ride the same fork and 5) he should shoot for the moon, 8:29:59
    Dug – 1) Because I’d hate for him to lose a beautiful SS steel frame that is much nicer than my crappy (yet entirely adequate) Karate Monkey 2) and I like single speeds and 3) I like challenges, I’m gonna say 10:59:59.

  25. Comment by Philly Jen | 08.8.2007 | 12:22 pm

    I already said it:

    Fatty: 8:27:53 (oh-niiiiiiiiine)
    Dug: 11:07

    BTW, did I read you right? The nice people at Apple just “provided” you, Dug, and Susan with iPhones? I think you should build a wager around Dug’s iPhone…

  26. Comment by Jeffy | 08.8.2007 | 12:22 pm

    Sorry Clyde, I got in first:

    “Jeffy Says:

    August 6th, 2007 at 9:27 am
    Better than “quite nicely” I expect! 8:48:29 Have a great ride…Jeffy”

    That’s for not-Fatty. Dug, 10:37:01, Kenny 8:27:34, Rick 8:50:00 and I’m out of predictions. Jeffy

  27. Comment by Aaron | 08.8.2007 | 12:27 pm

    Fatty: 9:05
    Dug: 10:30
    Kenny: 8:47
    Brad: 8:33
    Rick: 9:35
    Bob: 11:50
    Floyd: 7:45

  28. Comment by Bent022 | 08.8.2007 | 12:37 pm

    Fatty – 8:37
    Rick s (NHRN) – 8:34
    Dug – 10:02
    Kenny – 8:06
    Bob – 10:36
    Brad – 8:59

    Wild guesses….except Eldon’s…I think he will make it in 8:37

  29. Comment by nunk | 08.8.2007 | 12:37 pm

    kenny 8:49
    brad 8:55
    fatty 8:59
    rick 10:35
    dug 10:55
    bob 11:30

  30. Comment by JEB | 08.8.2007 | 12:48 pm

    FC – 8:47

    “Go, man, go! Git up that hill! Woohoo!” -Some trail-side cheering to take with you!

  31. Comment by UncleFred | 08.8.2007 | 12:48 pm

    Fatty – 8.42
    Kenny – 8.50
    Rick – 9.48
    Dug – 10.50
    Brad – 8.32
    Bob – 8.15

  32. Comment by MTB W | 08.8.2007 | 12:54 pm

    fatty: 8:51:58
    kenny: 8:07:20
    dug: 11:11:01
    brad: 8:51:58
    rick s.: 8:51:58 (yep, that’s right – all 3 will cross the finish at the same time. In fact, they will be arm-in-arm-in-arm, unless one of them is peeing at the time)
    bob: 11:21:21
    At least that is what my crazy 8 ball says.

    I am planning on stopping in on the race (planning on hiking Mt Massive on Sunday). I’ll cheer each of you on if I see you! Good luck to all! Susan, best wishes to you too!

  33. Comment by Tyson | 08.8.2007 | 12:57 pm

    I’ll be like the contestants on The Price Is Right and just lowball it across the board!

    Fatty: DNF
    Dug: DNF
    Rick S: DNF
    Kenny: DNF
    Bob: DNF
    Brad: DNF

    Of course, I *want* you all to go out and kick some ass (and finish in one piece). I want pictures of podium finishes and Floyd Landis and everyone having a blast and more blog entries because this blog rules.

    But what could cause so many people to DNF? Maybe dragons at mile 30? A pack of ninjas at mile 40?

  34. Comment by gwadzilla | 08.8.2007 | 12:58 pm

    this is sort of like betting on how long till a couple breaks up…

    the numbers are either a compliment or an insult!

    rock the course
    ride hard
    enjoy what you can!

    don’t sweat the numbers

    and if you see anyone in a yellow jersey doping… TAKE A PICTURE!

  35. Comment by Jose | 08.8.2007 | 1:01 pm

    Kenny’s: 8:45
    Brad’s: 9:05
    Fatty’s: 09:25
    Dug’s: 12:25
    Rick Sunderlage’s (not his real name): DNF (medical condition, black lungs)
    Bob’s: DNF (mechanical)

  36. Comment by BotchedExperiment | 08.8.2007 | 1:14 pm

    Elden, fueled by anger, desperation, and soup: 8:58
    Kenny, still somewhat hazy: 8:52
    Duuug, chillin’ in his man-pris: 11:48
    Brad, karma finally catches up: 12:22
    Bob, STP pays off : 11:53
    Floyd, blows up spectacularly: 8:49
    Lance, engaged by his previous engagement which is VERY important: No Show

    Post Race:
    Elden will literally attack the first person he sees with food.
    Kenny will act like the whole thing was no big deal, wether he takes 1st over-all or finishes in 12 horus.
    Brad will drink a beer, while sporting nothing but tightywhiteys, while sitting in the middle of Leadville.
    Bob will be both euphoric and shattered. He’ll look back on some moments of the race with the greatest pride, and others with utmost shame.
    Dug will take two ambien and won’t wake up for a week.
    Botched will regret his decision for years to come.

  37. Comment by mark | 08.8.2007 | 1:15 pm

    Oh, yeah. Brad K will get a 9:23 unless he’s riding a geared bike. Then same 25 minute deduction applies.

  38. Pingback by RocBike.com » Links Of The Day: 8 August 2007 | 08.8.2007 | 1:20 pm

    [...] Place Yer Bets [...]

  39. Comment by TeeBone | 08.8.2007 | 1:22 pm

    There once was a fat shaggy dude
    Who would ride bikes but eat loads of food
    Now he’s fit and he’s hairless
    And if he doesn’t get careless
    I’m sorry Dug, but I think you’re screwed!

    Fatty: 8:56:05 (My head says you blow it by taking a header and dislocating your shoulder, but my heart really hopes that isn’t the case. Good luck man!)
    Dug: 11:11:11 (Sorry dude, I hope you still have the Surly)
    Kenny: 8:10:20 (Still making Fatty look like a chump)
    Brad: 8:53:13
    Rick: 9:19:35
    Bob: 11:51:12

    Bonus:
    Floyd: 8:10:29 (exactly one spot behind Kenny)

  40. Comment by Wheels | 08.8.2007 | 1:36 pm

    Fatty: 8:49
    Dug: 10:34
    Kenny: 8:37
    Brad: 8:44
    Rick S.: 8:47
    Bob: 11:22

    Yeah, I hope these are encouraging and not offensive to you guys. I can’t keep you all straight. We all know Kenny is hot and fast, Fatty is skinny and getting fast, and Bob sings the praises of an electric bike, but really you all tend to run together. How did Apple know you and your crew were so deserving of iphones? That’s awesome! Good luck to you all!

  41. Comment by Lisa | 08.8.2007 | 1:43 pm

    FATTY: 8:45
    Kenny: 8:25-I hope he wears a helmet!
    DUG: 9:30-I have faith in you-don’t let me down!
    Brad: 8:30
    Rick: 8:45
    Bob: 11:20
    I’m so flattered that someone (Sophia) is betting on me! My goal is just to finish in 12hrs and maybe bump into Floyd in the process!
    Good Luck to everyone-see you in Leadville!

  42. Comment by Listless Crab | 08.8.2007 | 2:07 pm

    Well firstly the Listless Crab will do close to 10:00

    Elden – 8:42:30
    Kenny – 8:15
    Dug – 10:45
    Rick – 8:30
    Brad – 8:15
    Bob – 11:00

    See you there

  43. Comment by tigermouth | 08.8.2007 | 2:16 pm

    My guesses:

    Fatty: 8:57:07
    Dug: 10:11:11
    Rick S: 11:11:11
    Kenny: 9:11:11
    Bob: 10:22:22
    Brad: 10:33:33

  44. Comment by rogarr | 08.8.2007 | 2:19 pm

    Fatty: 8:32
    Kenny: 8:18
    Dug: 11:01
    Rick: 8:30
    Brad: 8:20
    Bob: 11:40

  45. Comment by chtrich | 08.8.2007 | 2:22 pm

    Kenny – 8:18.26
    Brad – 8:35.26
    Fatty (Not So) – 8:41.26
    Rick (NHRN) – 9:18.26
    Dug – 9:49.26
    Bob – 11:26.18

  46. Comment by Bob | 08.8.2007 | 2:34 pm

    Fatty – 8:57
    Rick S – 9:08
    Kenny – 8:42
    Brad – 8:42
    Dug – 11:22
    Me – 11:22
    Floyd – DNS

  47. Comment by Stephanie | 08.8.2007 | 2:44 pm

    Fatty – 8:42
    Rick S – 9:48
    Kenny – 8:02 with helmet
    Brad – 9:30???
    Dug – 11:52 (good luck on that singlespeed!!!)
    Bob – 11:22 (thought it would be a good idea to go with the time he chose)

  48. Comment by Miguel | 08.8.2007 | 2:44 pm

    Fat Elden – 8:53:52
    Dug- 10:45:34
    Kenny- 8:25:48
    Brad- 8:38:16
    Rick S (Not his real name)- 9:11:29
    Bob- well, give him 11:24:01

    Good luck to everyone, I hope that the times are good! Conditions look like they ought to be great, but who ever really knows until it is actually over!

  49. Comment by Bedney | 08.8.2007 | 2:46 pm

    Fatty – 8:43
    Rick S. – 9:27
    Brad – 8:49 (but from what botched says his sheer manliness should shave at least a few minutes off the time)
    Kenny – 8:44
    Dug – 11:01 (enjoy your new bike)
    Bob – 11:29

  50. Comment by Sophia | 08.8.2007 | 2:57 pm

    Lisa,
    Sorry I wasn’t sure on your name, but FC mentioned you kicking some butt and climbing really well in one of his posts, so I included you, too. Good luck!

  51. Comment by Chessed | 08.8.2007 | 3:46 pm

    fatty 8:52:15
    RickS 8:37:12
    Kenny 8:17:32
    Brad 8:42:16
    Dug 10:58
    Bob 11:53

  52. Comment by monkeywebb | 08.8.2007 | 3:55 pm

    This brings me no great joy, but I’m sad to say Fatty will encounter a couple of minor incidents along the way that will prevent him from besting his 9 hour goal:

    First, despite the high levels of packing confidence, he misplaces a bike shoe (yes, only one). He attempts to compete with a sneaker on the right foot and the real thing on the left (resulting time penalty: 19 minutes). This works as best as can be expected until a shoelace gets caught in the chain and he goes down, dislocating his shoulder for the plenty-sixth time (resulting time penalty: only 6 minutes!).

    While poor Fatty is massaging the errant shoulder back into place Floyd happens by and demands an autograph. That’s right folks, Fatty was besting Floyd despite the mismatched shoe situation. Unable to find a pen, Floyd insists that Fatty sign his leg (leg?!) with dirty chain lube. Thanks to a meticulously maintained rig this takes multiple attempts and about 5 precious minutes.

    The rest of the day passes without notable incidence, and Fatty finishes only 42 minutes slower than he otherwise would have. Since he was conditioned for a very quick 8:36 his adjusted time is: 9:06:00

    Here’s the rest:

    Dug: 11:02 (there’s some good news, Fatty)
    Rick S. (not his real name): 9:27
    Kenny: 8:37 (with both shoes and a helmet, but also some scalp scar tissue)
    Bob: 10:47
    Brad: 11:01 (Beating Dug…)

  53. Comment by HwyJay | 08.8.2007 | 4:02 pm

    Long Time Lurker…

    Fatty: 08:47:13
    Dug: 11:07:13
    Rick S: 09:13:16
    Kenny: 08:27:21
    Bob: 11:06:48
    Brad: 08:38:06

  54. Comment by Logan | 08.8.2007 | 4:04 pm

    Elden, 8:55
    Kenny 8:55
    Duuug 11:55
    Brad 11:55
    Bob 11:55
    Floyd 7:55 unless he drinks some whiskey the night before, then 6:55

  55. Comment by KT | 08.8.2007 | 4:20 pm

    Hm…. I’m not good with numbers (the computer does all the work, anyway), but here goes:

    Fatty: 8:52.67
    Dug: 10:59.98
    Kenny: 8:28.00
    Brad: 10:00.00 (shot in the dark)
    Bob: 10:01.00 (another shot in the dark)
    Lisa: 11:00.00 (sending you bike love from another bike chick!)
    Rick S: 9:42.72

    Floyd: 10:03.32; I don’t think he’s near as well-prepared as FC and the Core Group. Still, sorry, Lisa, he’ll be faster than you. But, if you bump into him, do it in a steep-ish portion of the ride so he falls off into a ravine. If that happens, Floyd will get a 12:15.12.

    Go, Team Fatty!!!!!!!!!!

  56. Comment by Born4Lycra | 08.8.2007 | 4:28 pm

    Well I have blind faith in FC and he WILL be sub 9 hours.
    Exactly 8.49.07 in fact.
    So based on the snippets of info regarding the other members of team FC (I assume you will all be wearing FC tops) Kenny will be quicker, Dug will build the tension, Bob, Rick and Brad will finish between FC and Dug.
    so
    FC 8.49.07 exactly
    Kenny 8.33.30
    Rick 9.10.31
    Bob and Brad 9.59.32 holding hands as they cross the line together
    Dug 11.00.00 (what does that do to the bet?) timing his finish perfectly so that the bet is null and void and everybody lives happily ever after. 2008 sees Dug come and out and smash his time just to prove a point.
    Above all Sue is there supporting FC and the lads and everyone associated with Team FC are winners. Have a great time everybody.

  57. Comment by Jill | 08.8.2007 | 4:33 pm

    Elden, 9:01:49
    Kenny, 8:58:43
    Duuug, 10:41:01
    Brad, 10:42:02
    Bob, 10:43:35
    Floyd, DNF

  58. Comment by iDon, uNot | 08.8.2007 | 5:45 pm

    OK, so lets see…
    Dug: (sorry D) 11:18
    Rick: 10:32
    Kenny: 9:15
    Bob: 10:32 (I just have a feeling one of the 2 of you will do 10:32 and know neither, so…)
    Brad: 9:42

  59. Comment by gian | 08.8.2007 | 5:50 pm

    fatty 8:37:42

  60. Comment by iDon, uNot | 08.8.2007 | 5:50 pm

    OH! and Fatty…

    I got you at 8:53

  61. Comment by RoadRash | 08.8.2007 | 6:48 pm

    Go get’em Fatty. Make sure Kenny wears his helmet!

    Fatty: 8:41:05 (allez, allez!)
    Dug: 10:50
    Kenny: 8:47
    Brad: 10:33
    Rick (not his real name): 9:15
    Bob: 10:50
    Landis: DNF, overslept

  62. Comment by Rocky | 08.8.2007 | 7:25 pm

    Fatty 9:26
    Dug 10:49
    Kenny 8:13
    Rick S. 10:10
    Bob 11:26
    Brad 8:48

  63. Comment by Jsun | 08.8.2007 | 7:26 pm

    Elden-8:39:42 constantly sees gigantic purple bunnies on the bike ahead
    Dug-10:48:57 continually questions gear choice while hyper spinning / climbing
    Bob-11:48:13 always about to blow, blow up, blow chunks, blow out
    Rick -9:55:21 never stops choosing a new name, and perhaps a new identity
    Brad-8:22:11 endlessly needs to stop and pee
    Kenny-8:16:17 forever giving other racers skeptical looks
    me-7:45:48 eternally stuck in traffic getting to/from twin lakes because I am in stuck in a car instead of racing this year

  64. Comment by Debamundo | 08.8.2007 | 7:26 pm

    Since the subject has come up, I have a burning question I have been wanting to ask someone for a long time, but I’ve been afraid of looking like an idiot. After reading this blog for a year or so, however, I realize this is a place where idiocy is celebrated. (July 22, for instance.) So here goes:

    Single speed bikes and fixed gear bikes – why?

    I mean, I just don’t get it. When the gods have modern technology have given us carbon fiber and titanium wonders with twenty or even more speeds… WHY?!

    I should give a little background on myself which may (or may not) explain my ignorance. I am strictly a roadie. I live in a small town in Southeast Kansas. Kansas is not as flat as most people think, especially along the eastern edge where I live, but okay, Utah it ain’t. We have a lot of wind, though. (A lot!) And there just isn’t much in the way of trails around here. So I and every biker I know road rides. Even the mountain bikers put more miles on their road bikes than their mountain bikes, and they are a frustrated lot that either end up going total roadie or moving to Colorado.

    So, somebody please help me to understand the madness. Thanks.

  65. Comment by hades | 08.8.2007 | 7:54 pm

    There’s no explaining the madness. You either do or do not do (do wop do wop do wop). No Really, You ride a fixed gear or a single speed and you either A) like it or B) don’t get it. The single speed mountain bike is something that I’ve found most mountain bike people get after giving it a fair shake w/a good attitude. I still own geared bikes, but some some inexplicable reason I don’t ride any of them any more (or once or twice a year, and then I don’t get it… can someone explain this whole geared thing to me?)

  66. Comment by Bob | 08.8.2007 | 8:13 pm

    Debamundo – I wondered the same thing about single-speeds in particular. A few years ago, my friends started riding them and liked them so much they stopped riding their geared bikes — and some of them got rid of their other mountain bikes. When I would ride up a hill on my geared by with these guys, I’d try to shift into the same gear to simulate their effort, and it just seemed ridiculous to ride what seemed to be a middle cog in the middle ring. I never understood the appeal until Fatty and I switched bikes for about an hour on Little Creek Mesa. Riding a single-speed just felt cool. It’s nothing like the simulation. For some reason — I don’t know the technical issues involved — bigger wheels (29ers, as opposed to 26ers) go hand-in-hand with a single-speed. These large wheels seem to roll you over obstacles that may give you fits on a bike with smaller wheels. The single-speed also has a directness, for lack of a better word, that geared bikes don’t have. You feel closer to the bike. There are drawbacks, of course. Unless you can get a big run, you can’t go up steep pitches, and you ride higher to the ground, which I don’t like. Single-speeds are also inexpensive. You can get a really good one for five hundred bucks.

    Fixed geared bikes are a different story. Unless you live near a velodrome or like novelty bikes, there’s no compelling reason to ride a fixie.

  67. Comment by Griffin | 08.8.2007 | 8:38 pm

    Fatty: 8:51:30

    I think that would be a very respectable @ss-whooping to his old time!

    Landis – a DNF
    Armstrong – 8:15

    Armstrong in the pink jersey – I’ll wager not during the ride but perhaps during the post-ride photo ops if you don’t freak him out with your ultra aggressive looking glasses.

  68. Comment by aussie kev | 08.8.2007 | 9:17 pm

    FC: 8:58 a pb yeah

    Kenny: not a pb
    Dug: not a pb
    Brad: not a pb
    Rick: not a pb
    Bob: not a pb

  69. Comment by Heffalump | 08.8.2007 | 9:54 pm

    Fatty: 8:47
    Dug: 11:13
    Rick S: 9:35
    Kenny: 8:30
    Bob: 10:01
    Brad: 9:57

    Do you get to KEEP the i phones forever?

  70. Comment by Bones | 08.8.2007 | 10:50 pm

    FC: 8:46

  71. Comment by william | 08.8.2007 | 11:02 pm

    I’m going for fatty to do it in 8:23 having an awsome day!
    Good luck dude!

  72. Comment by Weean | 08.8.2007 | 11:07 pm

    Fatty: 9:02
    Dug: 9:02
    Rick S: 9:02
    Kenny: 9:02
    Bob: 9:02
    Brad: 9:02
    Floyd 9:01
    Lance DNS

    I think you’ll sub-9, but I couldn’t be bothered thinking of a new time for all of you, and the prospect of Dug sub-9ing on a SS is frankly preposterous.

  73. Comment by buckythedonkey | 08.8.2007 | 11:13 pm

    Fatty: 8:48:28 (this despite his new saddle/arse hatchet cleaving his butt asunder after only 47 miles)
    Dug: 11:00:01 (a herioc last climb will fail to save the Waltworks from the Fatster’s grasp)
    Landis: DQ (uh, alledgedly)
    Rasmussen: Did not start (he was training in Mexico instead, apparently)

    Apple “provided” you with iPhones? What’s this? Have you become Paris Hilton or something? Before we know it there’ll be the obligatory gushing spread in Hello Magazine:

    “Elden and Susan relax in their stunning mountain retreat as they await the arrival of close friends David and Victoria, with whom Susan is sharing a hilarious conversation on her stunning iPhone (generously provided by their close friend Steve). Even in repose, handsome Elden’s enormous quads etc, etc ad infinitum.”

    Maybe Hello is a UK thing: http://www.hellomagazine.com

  74. Comment by buckythedonkey | 08.8.2007 | 11:17 pm

    Oh yes, and I wore my pink jersey for the first time yesterday and it set off my tan a treat. I was just about to leave the house in it when the wife grabbed me and shagged me senseless.

  75. Comment by Fish | 08.8.2007 | 11:21 pm

    Fatty has a flawless day with full measure of motivation and legs – 8:50
    Dug is a freak of nature – 9:53
    Brad is more of a freak than Dug, but not nearly as motivated as Fatty – 8:57
    Kenny is a complete mutant – 8:35
    Bob hates altitude – 11:15
    Botched digs deep to get that buckle – 11:45
    Not His Real Name puts up a decent front, but I’m not fooled that he’s not a hammer at heart – 8:52
    Nails brings home another big belt buckle – 8:48
    Racer has a good start and rides consistently while keeping his knee intact – 8:58

  76. Comment by theLurker | 08.8.2007 | 11:21 pm

    “Which does not mean that I will necessarily maintain it _well_.”

    Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. So much for the Corinthian spirit, sportsmanship and debts of honour. Tch, tch, tch. O tempora, o mores. And there was I about to wish you good luck for the race. :)

    Well I will wish both you _and_ Dug good luck for the race and may the best man win.

  77. Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 08.9.2007 | 12:15 am

    Debamundo / Bob, Ah Bob; a true non-believer. The fixie has a very important place in the cycling world. It’s where most cyclists go to learn to pedal. Not the velodrome, just the fixed gear bike. It smooths out your pedal stroke better than any drills or technique adjustment in the world.

    Plus for improving fitness it’s better than a single speed. You can’t change down the gears for climbs so you have to push harder (improving either strength or technique or both).

    Sounds like a single speed so far… BUT, you have to pedal down the hills too. There’s no rest. EVER. And your legs are whirring around at quite a rate. Again, here you learn to be smooth (or use the brakes or die – smoothness is easiest).

    And a fixie is sooo quiet – it’s easy to get into a trance and literally ride for ages with seemingly no effort (just don’t look at the HRM banging away at 85%). It’s a Zen state. I’m sure the Dalai Lama rides a fixie.

  78. Comment by gewwez | 08.9.2007 | 1:58 am

    Fatty: 8:51
    Dug: 11:10
    Rick S: 8:31 (his real time!)
    Kenny: 8:45
    Bob: 9:38
    Brad: 8:41

  79. Comment by Born 4 Lycra | 08.9.2007 | 3:15 am

    Bucky Bucky Bucky you Lucky Lucky Lucky bikerider – My wife is never awake when I leave the house to go riding. Would it be to obvious to wear my pink top for breakfast?

  80. Comment by Sean | 08.9.2007 | 4:41 am

    I am going with my guess of a few day ago for Fatty 8:47:17
    Dug 11:00:30
    Rick S 9:23
    Kenny 8:45
    Bob 11:30
    Brad 11:29

  81. Comment by Doug G | 08.9.2007 | 4:49 am

    Fatty: 10:01
    Dug: 10:55
    Rick: 09:38
    Brad: 09:30
    Bob: DNF
    Had to pick one DNF…pulled Bobs name out of a hat

  82. Comment by DerekB | 08.9.2007 | 5:14 am

    All I can say, is rock and roll Big Guy (or not so Big Guy as the case seems these days. . .). You are trained, you are ready, now just show up at the line. . .start *smart* (no crazy crashes in the first hour) and post negative splits (is that possible in a point to point race?) the whole way. You’ve got me wanting to head out and do this race one year. . . though I am not sure if this Vermont “flatlander” can handle the elevation. . .

    Good luck!

    Fatty 8:42 – - – I *know* you’ve got it in you.
    Dug 10:54
    Rick (not his real name) 9:05
    Brad 8:50
    Bob 10:13

  83. Comment by SpikeBlue | 08.9.2007 | 5:21 am

    Kenny 8:32:20
    (formerly known as) Fatty 8:51:35
    Dug 9:09:23
    Rick S 9:39:15
    Brad 10:15
    Bob 11:01

    Best of luck to you all!

  84. Comment by VA Biker | 08.9.2007 | 5:36 am

    Fatty – 8:53 (soup-fueled and ready to go)
    Rick – 9:20
    Kenny – 8:20 (has increased down hill aerodynamics from the taut skin of the un-intentional facelift)
    Brad – 8:45
    Dug – 10:30 (Dug’s been relatively quiet; I think he’s been training)
    Bob – 11:45 (STP too flat? Ship cruise too recent? Still gets sub-12)
    Lisa – 10:45 (Go, Lisa, go!)
    Floyd – 7:50 (Trained some more since Ned crushed him, but not enough)
    Lance – DNF (mechanical, or at least that’s what the results line reads. Really was getting beaten by a bunch of locals and couldn’t take the heat)

    The real bet of this blog would seem to be just how fast Fatty falls out of his strict training regimen and blows up to “regular weight”, which I figure to be somewhere ’round 170lbs [~77kg]. My prediction for this event is 15 Oct 2007. Beware the ides of October.

  85. Comment by Den | 08.9.2007 | 5:46 am

    Elden – 8:44
    Dug – 10:14
    Rick – 9:21
    Kenny – 8:24
    Bob – 10:54
    Brad – 9:22

    Good luck to all of you

  86. Comment by Alberto | 08.9.2007 | 5:54 am

    Fatty: 09:07
    Dug: 10:57
    Kenny, 8:10
    Bob – 10:35
    Rick S. – 10:30
    Brad – 10:26

  87. Comment by buckythedonkey | 08.9.2007 | 6:01 am

    Born4Lycra: would that be a dozen oysters for breakfast? I’m a hopeless liar, BTW.

  88. Comment by Mike Roadie | 08.9.2007 | 6:50 am

    I wanted to do the DNF’s….but here goes:

    Elden: 8:53 (there will be a tire problem)
    Rick S: 11:11 (not his real time)
    Dug: 11:36
    Kenny: 8:37 (helmet will slow him down)
    Bob: 9:04 (heartbreak)
    Brad: DNF (there has to be one)

    Donate my winnings to: http://austin07.livestrong.org/mlevin

    Good luck all!!!!!

  89. Comment by Orbea Girl | 08.9.2007 | 7:37 am

    Good luck for Leadville! I hope you have a great day, a safe ride and better your previous best time.

  90. Comment by Big Boned | 08.9.2007 | 7:45 am

    Lurker,
    …and I thought I was the only one who was disturbed by this seeming lack of sportsmanship! I’m sure that Fatty is just pulling Dugs chain. I’m hoping Dug puts Fatty’s bike up for auction as I suggested in an earlier post!
    BB

  91. Comment by born4felt | 08.9.2007 | 8:28 am

    Fatty: 08:48
    Dug: 11:47
    Kenny: 8:26
    Bob – 10:24
    Rick S. – 9:05
    Brad – DNF
    Floyd: 8:01
    Lance: No show.

    Now go, boys!

  92. Comment by Rob | 08.9.2007 | 8:44 am

    Fatty: 8:55
    Rick S: 8:55
    Dug: 8:55
    Kenny: 8:55
    Brad: 8:55

    Crossing the finish line holding eathothers hands in the air.

    (Directed by Ron Howard.)

  93. Comment by rexinsea | 08.9.2007 | 11:15 am

    Fatty: 8:47.52
    RS: 10:45
    Dug: 10:30
    Kenny: 8:47.52
    Bob: 10:42
    Brad: 11:01

  94. Comment by Mrs. Coach | 08.9.2007 | 11:25 am

    Good luck FC! With Susan there to cheer you on your going to get the sub-9h time. She reached her end of the bargain, now you need to reach yours. I’m really excited to see how things all end up.
    Everyone have fun and be safe!

  95. Comment by brigWOman | 08.9.2007 | 12:05 pm

    i’m going to go with 8:51 for fatty. i’ll use the energy i would have used guessing the others for sending good juju vibes in your direction. good luck!

  96. Comment by Rachel | 08.9.2007 | 12:41 pm

    I typically just read and watch mark post, but since I’ve actually been biking twice in the last week, I felt worthy to post. Especially since there are prizes involved. Best of luck!

    fc: 9:00
    kenny: 8:34
    dug: 11:19
    brad: 10:07
    rick: 8:49
    bob: 10:26

  97. Comment by spbarnes | 08.9.2007 | 2:28 pm

    re: fixed and single speed riding.

    Fixed gear riding is just so elegant…nothing extra, nothing redundant, nothing but you and the pedals and the wheels. Brakes strictly optional, you know.

    Why I started riding fixed: to smooth out the pedal stroke, improve climbing
    strength, increase top end spin cadence. And to get a better workout in when
    there is limited time (far too often).

    All of those things are happening. Mission accomplished.

    But none of those “rational” reasons explains why the geared bikes gather
    dust and the fixed gear gets most of my time. It just feels better. More of a
    direct connection to the road. More straightforward. More honest, even.

    Want to go faster? So pedal faster, already.

    Want to climb better? So pedal harder, already.

    Want to survive that long downhill? Bette get your legs moving, already.

    No excuses, no place to hide, no options.

    I was up in Santa Rosa six weeks ago helping to put on a charity ride to raise
    money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I bought the fixed gear
    that week, so I thought it would be cool to preride the course for my first fixed
    gear ride. Which it was…missed a turn and ended up with almost 120 miles.
    The next day at breakfast, word had gotten around. I was an instant celebrity.
    I had to bring the bike downstairs for everybody to see it, to prove that it
    actually existed. I stood around for half an hour while fascinated riders waited
    to take a spin around the parking lot on the contraption.

    It makes you wonder just how much you can do if you put your mind to it.

  98. Comment by Karst | 08.9.2007 | 6:54 pm

    fatty: 8:48:48
    dug: 11:01:01

  99. Comment by rbrigman84 | 08.9.2007 | 8:02 pm

    Elden…you’re all over it…8:53:06

  100. Comment by velocc | 08.9.2007 | 9:32 pm

    elden riding for SUSAN: 8:39:13
    kenney 8:99 (don’t use ur had for breaking!)
    dug 9:19
    brad 9:28
    rick 10:11
    bob 9:11

    Wishing you all good luck and keep the rubber side town:)

  101. Comment by FliesOnly | 08.10.2007 | 3:12 am

    As usual, I’m way late to the game.

    Anyway, my picks are as follows:
    Fatty 08:52:17
    Doug 11:17:39
    Rick S 10:50:52
    Kenny 08:47:12
    Bob 11:31:06
    Brad 08:39:41

  102. Comment by Pete | 08.10.2007 | 3:42 am

    I may as well join the reindeer games, though at this point my odds are
    a) slim
    to
    b) none.

    Elden: 7:13:13 (one second faster than last year’s winning time by David Wiens. I may not win, but it should make Elden happy)
    Rick Sunderlage (not his real name): 8:32:45
    Dug: 10:38:23
    Kenny: 8:42:16
    Bob: 10:37:25
    Brad: 8:44:16

  103. Comment by runride | 08.10.2007 | 9:10 am

    Floyd: 7:27
    Kenny: 8:33
    Elden: plenty:06
    Dug: 10:54 (he’s gonna want to keep the waltworks)
    Bob: DNF (it’s gonna be a little difficult without the electric bike)
    the rest???
    GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

  104. Comment by flossy | 08.10.2007 | 9:20 am

    Good luck Fatty, I’m backing you for 8:34

  105. Comment by YVR | 08.10.2007 | 9:57 am

    FC: 8:13

  106. Comment by Griffin | 08.12.2007 | 6:01 pm

    Initial “unofficial” reports from the leadville 100 website state Elden came in at a very respectable 9:14:30.

    I’m going to go ahead and break the news that this was due not only to Elden receiving a record NINE flats. But also because he got into an unexpected fistfight with Lance Armstrong which combined with the flats delayed him from 8:53:30 to 9:14:30 (Elden is good at fixing flats, plus Lance was unexpectedly easy for Elden to TKO). Lance, got a DNS/DNF/DFL from it, plus the embarrassment of being TKO’d by a man in a pink jersey.

    Based on all of that I’m claiming victory as clearly Fatty should-have/would-have/deserved-to come in at 8:53:30….

    Separately, Landis is reported as #2 at 7:00:30? He’s either one of the great riders of our generation or a complete scoundrel. Either way, dopers suck.

    So there. Congrats Fatty!

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