Little Miami Dirty Dozen - Results

Black Friday, November 27, 2020
Pandemic Version

What a year!  Well, at least the weather cooperated and the riding was great!  Temperatures started in the 40s and rose into the 50s by ride end.  With the flexible staggered start that meant you either started early in the low 40s, finishing in the low 50s; or started later in the upper 40s, finishing with upper 50s!  The wind started out from the southwest, shifting to the west.  2020 was our second best year for temps except for 2015 when we got into the mid 60s; though one could argue this year was the best, as we stayed dry (not counting sweat).

Everyone kept track of their own times up the hills, as we rode socially distanced.  The blue markings for the start and end of the timing runs held up well for the week they were out there before the event.  While marking them I was wondering about that until I made the mark at the bottom of Fr. Ancient - East.  Within 20 seconds of placing it a car drove over it, but it was still intact without much of a shadow image at all after it.  During the event only one marking at the base of Anderson was about half obscured with wet leaves, though it was still obvious.  The markings were set at the historical locations for the LMDD, including the top of Wilmington-west placed right around the corner of Nixon Camp.

Maybe people just didn't bother with timing themselves, or just enjoyed the climbs on a great day to be out; as not many people reported their times by the Nov. 30 cutoff.  As such not only did I get points, I'm on the podium too!  I'm good with that, though I know many more people were out there -- I estimate between 25 to 35.  I kept passing people (or they passing me) in various locations, including our winner of the last few years, Nick.  This year however, Luke Bobbitt takes the win with 64 out of a best possible 65 points!  Mykyta Jex is second with 53 points including a win on the first climb, while I'm in third with 34 points.  My best year ever!

Brent Devitt also took advantage of the great weather and new timing scheme to set a LMDD record for a tricycle recumbent of 20 points total!  Good job!

For one of our veteran LMDD riders this was the first time they had to keep track of where they had to go to stay on the course, and they ended up missing turns and taking a couple hills out of order.  They had to be done in order because it wouldn't be fair for example to take Hollingsworth fresh as climb 4, while for everyone else it was climb 12.

It's interesting to review the times and relate them to perceived effort while on the climbs.  I would have thought Ft. Ancient - East to take the longest, as while you're climbing it it seems to take forever to get to the top; however Wilmington Rd. - East was consistently the longest time-wise for everyone (not counting Red Oak).

Climbing without the pack was different.  It was easier to read the hill to gauge where to stand and sit while climbing.  Whether it improved my climb times I don't know, because I never tracked them when with the group.  Maybe I should next year.  One definite difference this year is if I felt my quads burning anywhere I asked the question, "Am I on a climb?"  If the answer was yes, I kept on pushing hard.  If the answer was no I backed off or dropped down a gear or two.  I didn't have to keep up or catch up with the group and between hills had a wondrously leisurely ride.

Matt