Record Number of Riders Completes Growlers Gulch 5,000

May 11, 2008 on 8:05 am | In Mt. Biking |

Bob Stanton shrugged off a flat tire early in the ride and surged back to capture the top spot in Saturday’s Growlers Gulch 5,000 with a time of 3:32. Even more incredible was the fact that Stanton accomplished the feat aboard his steel-frame, fixed-gear Vulture.

Fourteen riders completed the 28-mile course, a record for the event, with three joining Stanton in posting sub-four hour times: Mike Van Hoose (3:38), Rob Larsen (3:50), and Dave LeMonds (3:57). Riders were helped by superior tread and temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Oddly, a number of riders chose to ignore the GG5K motto - “It’s a ride, not a race.”

The route included five stellar downhill runs - Big Wow, Rush, and three trips from the top of the Upper KMA to the bottom of the Secret Garden - totaling nearly nine miles.

Van Hoose - one-time apprentice to Three Rivers Cycling guru and pseudo GG5K participant Richard Haight - was the big surprise, giving Stanton a strong challenge from start to finish. Asked whether he relied on instruction from Haight during the ride, Van Hoose said, “Sort of. I learned that you need to know the ride route and that you’d better be able to handle downhill single-track if you don’t want to get your ass handed to you.”

The Rules Committee continues to look closely at the ride time recorded by Dave LeMonds, who somehow managed to slash nearly 15 minutes off his 2007 mark. LeMonds showed up with new tires that had not received committee approval. Several GG5K participants complained that the tires had negative rolling resistance. When Rules Committee members attempted to examine the tires after the ride, LeMonds had already locked the bike in his car. He said he “could not recall” where he had placed his key.

Although the 2008 ride route was adjusted to included more single-track, times were similar to those recorded in 2007. See all finishers below, with 2007 times in parentheses to the right.

Bob Stanton - 3:32 (Did not ride)
Mike Van Hoose - 3:38 (Did not ride)
Rob Larsen - 3: 50 (3:59)
D. LeMonds - 3:57 (4:11)
Susan Martin - 4:07 (4:02)
J. LeMonds - 4:08 (4:08)
John Gibson - 4:14 (Did not ride)
Thomas Mueller - 4:22 (3:57)
Andy Crump - 4:42 (Did not ride)
Guy Smith - 5:20 (Did not ride)
Jesse Lopez - 5:23 (Did not ride)
Paul Norris - 5:28 (3:52 - Paul waited for Mel this year)
Melanie Norris - 5:28
Bo Marshall - 5:28

Team Fajardo

The team was back for more punishment. After priming themselves with heavy partying on Friday night, Team Fajardo - Mike Fajardo, Will Hanna, and Mike “Beer Man” Braaten - elected to forego their pre-ride stretching regimen on Saturday morning, opting instead for repeated hits of scotch from a flask in the back of the team van.

After carefully studying the ride route for several weeks, Mike Fajardo immediately missed the turn to the Big Wow at the start of the ride, guiding the team down Rush instead. TF did not simply break the Growlers Gulch No-Skid Rule. They stomped the hell out of it and whacked it with sticks.

Several riders - certain that TF was safely behind them - initially thought a motorcycle had been on Rush, which would explain the blown-out berms, vegetation damage, and missing bark on several trees. The situation became clear when the leaders overtook TF near the bottom of the trail.

TF racked up approximately 3,400 feet of elevation gain over 19.3 miles. The good news is that they were not forced to make use of their overnight camping permit.

Asked why Braaten and Hanna are willing to embrace the pain of the 5K each year, Fajardo said, “Are you kidding? These guys don’t have lives. This is like a weekend in Vegas for them.”

Team Bad Medicine

Only one member of notoriously dysfunctional Team Bad Medicine showed for the ride. It took some time, but Bo Marshall sucked it up and completed the entire route to kudos from the GG ride crew.

Marshall, who had trained with a happy-face GPS that was apparently designed by Mister Rogers, reported that he had gained 6,600 feet of elevation during Saturday’s ride. GG5K veterans assured Marshall that it only felt like 6,600 feet. 

Several attempts were made to reach TBM’s absent leader via phone, but he was reportedly drinking mead with Sister Mary Catherine and was unavailable for comment. 

Notes

• Eight riders completed their first GG5K - Stanton, Van Hoose, John Gibson, Andy Crump, Guy Smith, Jessie Lopez, Melanie Norris and Marshall.
• There were allegations that Team Fajardo has been using performance-enhancers. However, GG5K veterans who have seen TF ride for the past three years commented that if this is the case, the drugs are not working as prescribed.
• Melanie Norris became only the second woman to ever finish the GG5K. Susan Martin - who has ridden in all three - is the other.
• Dave LeMonds, Rob Larsen, Susan Martin, Thomas Mueller, J. LeMonds, and the members of Team Fajardo have ridden in all three GG5Ks. 
• Paul and Melanie Norris rode the entire GG5K route three weekends in a row!