Dolan and Scoles win Highlander Prologue TTT

Report by Jeff Dolan

When I hear the word "time trial," two things pop into my head:

1. "I like Time Trials, I would like to participate"
2. "I am going to kill everybody that I am racing"

So, when I found out that there would be a 22 mile Team Time Trial at the Highlander, I was very interested. I convinced Drew to be my teammate, and we headed down to Bristol to make good on goal number 2 (destroy the field). The course was not a conventional TT course, obviously, as its main features included the speed-bumps known as Egypt Hill and Gannett Hill. However, team DinoBear grabbed the aero helmets, donned the sleek, sexy, skinsuits, and set out on a mission of demolition.

Within the first 5 or so miles of the race, we caught all the teams that started in front of us. We kept the momentum rolling over Egypt, and bombed down the other side (although the descent was into a headwind, so it was not as fast as we might have hoped). In attempt to keep the average speed high, we pushed hard on the stretch along route 64 (26-28 mph) until we reached the base of the col de Gannett. The climb was rather exciting, as we mixed with those who were participating in the individual TT effort (bristol mt. parking lot to the top of Gannett), and we were able to witness some people having a lot of trouble ascending the mountain (dropping chains, or just falling off bikes). We pushed all the way through the line, and won by 4 minutes.

It was a really cool event, and I, for one, certainly hope they have the TTT option again next year.


-Dolanosaurus