It was a perfect day, with mellow temps and no precipitation. The tread was great. The entire day felt like cornering practice because you could carry so much speed into every turn.
It was also a historic day, with co-winners Sue Grandjean and Abra McNair becoming the first women ever to win a Growlers event. Kim McCormack was close, finishing second at the 2018 Climbing Championship.
Sue and Abra’s accomplishment was a long-awaited break-through. By the way - if you are wondering about the skill level of your fellow riders, Sue and Abra are members of U.S. National Mountain Bike Orienteering Team.
After Jeanine and I rode 18 on Saturday, I was planning on two laps at the FHOP. Then, after I’d stupidly eaten a pepperoni stick, Dave and Jeanine peer-pressured me into riding a third lap. Finished the day with 18.8 miles and nothing in the tank.
Notable rides - Joe Van Leuven and Rudy Minuitti, both in their 60s, rode five and four laps respectively. Scooter Sutterer also rang up five laps.
Thanks to Tony McCoy, Aurora McCoy, Sean Eklund, and Clifford Goens for counting laps. View results below.
Bob Stanton spent the day taking photos. I will get you a link when they are ready.
Results -
*Ben Belli - 3 laps in 2:30
*Sue Brown - 2 laps in 3:27
*Al Cabrerra - 2 laps in 2:05
*Andy Crump - 4 laps in 3:47
*Clint Fitch - 3 laps in 2:48
*Isaac Fitch - 1 lap in 1:10
*Lethon Fitch - 1 lap in 1:08
*Lizzy Fitch - 4 laps in 3:30
*Emily Goodman - 3 laps in 3:11
*Sue Grandjean - 5 laps in 3:38
*Suzie Griffin - 3 laps in 3:08
*Cameron Hanley - 1 lap in 1:55
*Carter Hanley - 3 laps in 3:24
*Terry Hanley - 1 lap in 1:55
*Dara Hartman - 2 laps in 2:43
*Nancy Hopkins - 1 lap in 2:16
*Bob Horness: 2 laps in 2:58
*Jeremy Howard - 4 laps in 3:09 (finished five but missed the cut-off by 9 minutes)
*Michael Inbody - 3 laps in 3:26
*Jeanine - 3 laps in 3:24
*Daryl Kent - 4 laps in 3:26
*Nick Khajavei - 3 laps in 3:03
*Ed Knight - 2 laps in 2:19
*Sascha Knight - 3 laps in 3:24
*John Kowalski - 3 laps in 3:27
*D. LeMonds: 3 laps in 3:23
*J. LeMonds: 3 laps in 3:23
*Steve Luther: 3 laps in 3:10
*Vaughn Martin: 2 laps in 3:49
*Abra McNair: 5 laps in 3:32
*Rudy Minuitti: 4 laps in 3:51
*Evan Parks: 2 laps in 3:37
*Matt Porter: 2 laps in 3:37
*Aliza Richman: 4 laps in 3:28
*John Rickenbach: 3 laps in 3:35
*Tela Rickenbach: 3 laps in 3:23
*Owen Rodabaugh: 4 laps in 3:35
*Matt Smith: 3 laps in 3:27
*Russ Speirn: 3 laps in 2:51
*Mike Sobolewski: 4 laps in 3:33
*Bob Stanton: 1 lap in :48 (photographer)
*James Stolz: 3 laps in 3:33
*Nancy Stone: 3 laps in 3:28
*Scooter Sutterer: 5 laps in 3:50
*Ben Tai: 3 laps in 3 24
*Herb Tai: 1 lap in 1:55
*Sam Tai: 1 lap in 1:55
*Kevin Templeton: 2 laps in 1:45
*Joe Van Leuven: 5 laps in 3:51
*Femi Willis: 1 lap in 2:16
*Jeff Wize: 4 laps in 3:26
*Devon Wright: 2 laps in 2:30
*Yael Zbar: 2 laps in 3:27