Dave Ryskamp Maintains Perfect Attendance at Rapid Wheelmen Ada Time Trial Series

Rapid Wheelmen Time Trials

64^th Street, Alto, MI

Twelve Mile Course

June 29, 2009

  As the 19 participants signed up for the Time Trials today, the skies turned dark and the strong winds continued to blow.  Minutes after sending off the last rider, a gentle rain started to fall.  It was a cool rain with temperatures only in the mid 60’s.  Despite less than optimal conditions, there were 6 personal best times.

Ian Jones rode alone in the Children’s Class with a finish of 40:48.  This is a 49 second improvement since his last Time Trial.  Ian has improved every time he has participated having started the season with a finish of 46:48.  In July we look forward to having some of the children from the Motion Initiative competing also.

Dave Durkee brought his wife Mary out to ride in the Male/Female Tandem Class.  Mary said she has only ridden a few miles this season, and it was time to get out.  Their finish was 37:45.  Thanks to Dave for volunteering to line up the riders.  Additionally, they rode to the event on the tandem and left to ride home in the rain so Mary got a real workout – and a damp one at that.

In the Women’s Class, Tarra Miedema took first place with 31:01.  This is a 1 minute 10 second improvement from her last best time this year.  In 2008 Tarra’s best time for the entire year was 39:01.  Be sure to congratulate her on her amazing 8 minute improvement from one season to the next!  Dan Korienek watched the children tonight so that his wife, Laura, could compete.  She took second place with 37:59 – a 34 second improvement.  Laura just started racing this season, and she is showing an aptitude for it.  Keep up the good work.

Roger Bonga took first place in the Men’s Class this week with 28:13.  Dave Ryskamp shaved off 2 seconds from his time taking second with 29:08.  Marc Dettman captured third with 29:46.  Kim Lee was in fourth with 30:27.  After almost a month absence, Tyrone Holmes returned in fifth place with a personal best of 30:44 – 56 seconds better than in May.  Newcomer Martin Vandenack followed in 6^th place with 31:33.  Scott Booth had a personal best of 34:57 – a 10 second improvement.

A giant thank you goes out to Kim Kordecki for covering for me last week while I recuperated from the 24 Hour Challenge.  Thanks to Laura Melendez for being our faithful and steady holder.  Cal Hekman stepped up to help count down this week, and Bob Ayars saved us from the rain by parking his car at the finish line.  Thanks to my dear husband, Scott, for the many things he does to help with the Time Trials.  Be sure to thank all the volunteers that make this event possible.

Have a happy Fourth of July.  Hope to see you all on the 6^th for hopefully a drier time trial.  As always, feel free to contact me with any questions.

Carolyn Chapman, timetrials@rapidwheelmen.com,