Just wanted to say thanks to all those who worked so hard to weave together the enormous project that was the 2019 Tripleshot CrossFondo. A road race on a 40km loop over multiple jurisdictions is hard enough to put together. Try adding the tasks of knocking on doors to recruit 40+ private landowners to lend their property to the cause and then *building trails* across those properties. Plus permits to run the race through various public parks, plus catering, plus great support/marshalling/door prizes/entry prizes, valet bike parking, bike wash, etc. etc. And all the while working with an eye--long-term--to expanding trail networks in the community, finding new partners for trail building and trail connecting, and supporting old partners in that effort. It's an amazing accomplishment and an incredible ride.
Lister Farrar and Joanna Fox obviously spearhead the effort. But there's no way it could happen without a huge amount of additional work by parents, kids, and Tripleshot volunteers. Thanks everyone!
I, for one, crashed 4 times and ripped out the valve of my tubeless tire. But I had a blast!
Thanks all!
Martin
Hats off to Lister, youth team, parents, and other volunteers
Moderator: mfarnham
Re: Hats off to Lister, youth team, parents, and other volunteers
Hear hear.
What an awesome event.
What an awesome event.
Rob Duncan
Re: Hats off to Lister, youth team, parents, and other volunteers
Another year, another beyond-accolade TSCF!
At risk of over-using the GIF methodolgy of story-telling (and when has that stopped us before?), here’s my summary of this years fantastic event.
Hints and solid snooping revealed some new course features this year. And when Lister, Joanna and team saw a week of rain in the forecast, they seemed particularly upbeat.
Through some last-minute Rob M miracle, his daughter bravely took on babysitter duties so L3 could also ride. The morning brought continued rain and chill; most folks were huddled around tents or each other for warmth and encouragement
This year, instead of a mad dash, the ride started in a quite controlled manner
up to the infamous Hector Connector, which caused a bit of wait for some
but ultimately it opened up the course nicely for the rest of the way. In fact, at some times, you could feel pretty alone,
while other times you enjoyed the company of others, laughing and whooping (and occasionally cursing) at the equal parts awesomeness and absurdity of it all.
Of particular note were the rocks, which definitely seemed sharper than normal (two flats for me, anyway)
After swooping, climbing, and descending thru areas visited in previous Crossfondo’s, along with a couple minor water crossings
we headed into parts unknown - the majority of new private property owners, many of whom were keen to share their greenhouses, truck beds, and farmlands for our event
If you could keep at least some mud out of the frame and drive train, this was my favourite part of the course. Thick mud, driving rain, and the always incredible volunteers to cheer you, direct you, and feed you.
Once out of the muddy farmlands
the course generally sped up, with only one last shot of bacon and Coke from Bob and Doug before the finish circuit.
After hearing some world-class accolades from MC Paul O’Callahan, who always makes you feel like king/queen of the world,
and a brave bike clean offer from the tireless TS Youth, it was time to high-five/hug/bro-hug/fist bump the fellow finishers and share in the stories.
Tho it was heard from a few that they wished for a little less rain...
overall I felt it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun in the dry.
Food was again top-notch; I dare say it keeps getting better and better. Sort of a fine-dining experience following a lengthy bike-riding appetizer
It also felt like the portion sizes have gotten bigger each year!
Can’t be said enough how well-run and fun this event was. Starting with the core organizers, volunteers and TS youth team and parents, thru to the other riders who shared in the pain, frustrations, joys, and whoops; and ending with the greater community who (sometimes literally) opened their doors for us, I felt like it exemplified what biking can be about: a singular event where you can smash your guts race, peddle with a crew, or stop and scarf up all the chocolate balls and crispy bacon your cheeks can handle.
Bravo and thanks again to all!
At risk of over-using the GIF methodolgy of story-telling (and when has that stopped us before?), here’s my summary of this years fantastic event.
Hints and solid snooping revealed some new course features this year. And when Lister, Joanna and team saw a week of rain in the forecast, they seemed particularly upbeat.
Through some last-minute Rob M miracle, his daughter bravely took on babysitter duties so L3 could also ride. The morning brought continued rain and chill; most folks were huddled around tents or each other for warmth and encouragement
This year, instead of a mad dash, the ride started in a quite controlled manner
up to the infamous Hector Connector, which caused a bit of wait for some
but ultimately it opened up the course nicely for the rest of the way. In fact, at some times, you could feel pretty alone,
while other times you enjoyed the company of others, laughing and whooping (and occasionally cursing) at the equal parts awesomeness and absurdity of it all.
Of particular note were the rocks, which definitely seemed sharper than normal (two flats for me, anyway)
After swooping, climbing, and descending thru areas visited in previous Crossfondo’s, along with a couple minor water crossings
we headed into parts unknown - the majority of new private property owners, many of whom were keen to share their greenhouses, truck beds, and farmlands for our event
If you could keep at least some mud out of the frame and drive train, this was my favourite part of the course. Thick mud, driving rain, and the always incredible volunteers to cheer you, direct you, and feed you.
Once out of the muddy farmlands
the course generally sped up, with only one last shot of bacon and Coke from Bob and Doug before the finish circuit.
After hearing some world-class accolades from MC Paul O’Callahan, who always makes you feel like king/queen of the world,
and a brave bike clean offer from the tireless TS Youth, it was time to high-five/hug/bro-hug/fist bump the fellow finishers and share in the stories.
Tho it was heard from a few that they wished for a little less rain...
overall I felt it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun in the dry.
Food was again top-notch; I dare say it keeps getting better and better. Sort of a fine-dining experience following a lengthy bike-riding appetizer
It also felt like the portion sizes have gotten bigger each year!
Can’t be said enough how well-run and fun this event was. Starting with the core organizers, volunteers and TS youth team and parents, thru to the other riders who shared in the pain, frustrations, joys, and whoops; and ending with the greater community who (sometimes literally) opened their doors for us, I felt like it exemplified what biking can be about: a singular event where you can smash your guts race, peddle with a crew, or stop and scarf up all the chocolate balls and crispy bacon your cheeks can handle.
Bravo and thanks again to all!
Re: Hats off to Lister, youth team, parents, and other volunteers
Both GF for his post-CF, GIF-mastery (it's now officially a tradition, never to be not followed, Greg!), AND all the organizers, sponsors, and volunteers that keep making this event, bigger, better, and amazing-er.