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Weekly Time Trials
Sponsored by:
Improve your speed and stamina through our club time trials sponsored by Grand Rapids Bicycle Company. Time trials are held May through August every Monday evening (except during holidays and severe weather) on a 15-mile course in Ada and are open to all members. Results are recorded each week and published online and submitted to The Grand Rapids Press. Try to improve your time each week!
Questions? Contact Carolyn Chapman
Time Trials are very visible to the area residents. Please ride in a responsible and courteous manner. Remember, you represent your club.
Who Can Participate?
Time Trials are open to all Rapid Wheelmen members. Not a member? Sign up online or bring a completed printable form and payment to the Time Trials; if you sign up online less than a week before you come to the Time Trials, bring your payment confirmation.
The Time Trials are truly for participants at any level of fitness; all that is required is that you put forth your very best effort. We welcome people who have never ridden in a race before as well as seasoned athletes. There is room for everyone. If you have never raced before or feel that you may be slower, you can arrive early and request an early start time so that you finish with the others. You will establish your own base time at your own fitness level. You can come back as many times as you like throughout the season and try to improve your personal best time.
How Does It Work?
- We meet at the corner of Grand River and Buttrick in Ada, MI, in the Grand River parking lot of Ada Park.
- Sign up is from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.; you will also be required to sign a release form. If you are slower or a novice rider, arrive early enough to sign up for an early start time or contact the ride coordinator in advance.
- You will be assigned a start time and number.
- Report to the starting area at least 3 minutes before your start time.
- The first rider starts at 6:30 p.m. After that, riders leave in 30 second intervals. No warm up or cool down on Grand River after 6:30 p.m.
- The course is out and back for a total of approximately 15 miles, and the terrain is flat to gently rolling.
- Ride on the right side of the road approximately 7.5 miles to the turn-around at the stop ahead sign; there is a big white X in the middle of the road.
- Turn only when traffic is clear and return.
- Call out your number near the finish line. Once you have completed the Time Trial, do not cross the finish line again. (to reach Buttrick by bicycle once you have crossed the finish line, go through the park)
- The timer will give the times in the parking lot only after the last rider finishes; do not approach the timer for your time.
See Time Trials Rules for more details.
Required
- A securely fastened ANSI/Snell approved helmet must be worn at all times while riding on the course.
- All riders must read and sign a release form.
- Riders under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the release form.
- Riders under 13 must ride with a parent or guardian.
Volunteer
It takes a couple dozen volunteers to run the Time Trials for the 4-month season. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Carolyn Chapman.
Our Sponsor
Please be sure to also thank our sponsor, Grand Rapids Bicycle Company, for helping to cover many of the Time Trial expenses. We appreciate their ongoing support. They are also sponsoring a points contest with prizes, designed to reward people for consistent attendance and speed with bonus points for volunteering.
Results
2007 Time Trial Overall Results
2007 Time Trail Category Results
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PO Box 1008, Grand Rapids, MI 49501
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