The Sixth annual Tour de Tryptophan was staged beneath perfect skies on the Fullerton Loop this weekend. The no-rules-no-worries 24-hour solo race is organized by participants and held at the courthouse parking lot the day after Thanksgiving. Three-time winner Bob Bacin holds the record--17 laps on the
11-mile course, which links together horse trails, bike paths, neighborhood streets and parks. The noon-to-noon urban festival is a low-key event that begins Friday after Thanksgiving. Some riders pump out as many laps as their bodies will allow, while others (like me) spend more time playing guitars, conversing on folding chairs and eating pizza than they do pedaling their bikes.
It's all good, because the entry donations go to good causes within the cycling community. This time, the TdT raised over $1500 for the Brent Thompson fund--Brent was the seminal force that shaped and preserved the trail network at Bootleg Canyon, Nevada. Brent passed on after a battle with a weak heart and the money will help settle some leftover bills as well as erect a monument in his name at Bootleg.
Gene Frial receives the perpetual trophy from Shop Girl (a car in a coffin) made by Bob Bacin. Bob and Gene tied with 14 laps. Gene's three sixes beat Bob's pair of nines. RC. Photo
The Tour record was not jeopardized, as the best anyone could do this year was 14 laps--a tie between Bob Bacin and this year's champ, Gene Frial. Lappers pick up a playing card each time around, which acts as a tie breaker and also determines wild-card winners for prizes handed out during the award ceremony. Frial received the eternal trophy--a Cars-R-Coffins inspired medallion, strung by a recycled bicycle chain, and made by Bob Bacin.
Mikey won the first TdT on an '80s rigid bike and put in 14 laps. He took it easy this year--one lap. Mike's solar panels powered race headquarters. RC photo
The Fullerton Loop is very much a beginner's ride, although it has a few huffer climbs and enough technical options to entertain seasoned riders--many of which show up regularly on Thursday evenings for a headlight social. The ride began 26 years ago and has since been adopted by the city, with a dedicated maintenance staff as well as off-road-motorcycle-mounted police.
Smiley Mike Schmidt's eight laps was good enough to earn the fifth spot. We rode together all Saturday morning. RC photo
The longevity of the loop is attributed to the fact that regular riders bend over backwards to get along with the multitude of dog-walkers, runners, equestrians and children who share the route. The Fullerton Loop draws mountain bikers from considerable distances because it offers a little of everything (even a couple of ladders) and has one of the best vibes you'll ever feel on a bike. If you are a first-timer,
have someone guide you around it a few times--it's a bit tricky to navigate even with a GPS.
Some guy standing at the top of the course above Coyote Hills. The sign refers to Ryan Cleek's documentary film "Downhill Speed" about three downhill pros racing the National Championship and World Cup Series. Mike Schmidt photo.
The magic of spending 24 hours on an urban trail like the Fullerton Loop is watching the city go to sleep--having the streets and trails all to ourselves for a brief time--and then watching it awaken once more in the morning hours. The pace is moderated because you can't race full speed with traffic lights and within a shared environment, so competitors adopt a no-worries vibe--go fast when you can and hit cruise-control when traffic backs up.
These guys were taking a breather behind Brea Dam. They didn't know that they were racing. RC photo
I ran across a handful of old friends while lapping the course--two mates, Steve Grove and Steve Willis, with whom I patrolled nearby Chino Hills State Park on the Mounted Assistance Unit there almost 20 years ago, and I rode with Smiley Mike Schmidt--a regular partner in pain for Tuesday and Thursday race-training rides in Orange County during the '90s. Mike and I talked through the morning hours as the trails filled with fresh faced runners and weekend warriors.
Rachel Ercole had a South Park Cartman jersey that everyone wanted. And, check out those twist shifters. Where did she find that stuff?. RC photo
By the noontime lap, street traffic was buzzing right along, family picnicers and fishermen ringed Laguna Lake at the half-way point, and everyone on the trail pretty much knew that there was a mountain bike event going on--but by then, the Sixth Annual Tour de Tryptophan was over.
Sore legs--and, we got these dandy T shirts too! Each year, Steve Boehmke manages to come up with an awesome race logo. RC photo
Officially, 54 riders attended, although many more showed up just to ride along with the group. If you want to experience a 24-hour solo event and actually enjoy it. see if you can get away next Thanksgiving weekend. Or join us for a Thursday evening social.
Doris Matyasovich put in seven laps. Doris has won just about every title available to a Masters Female--cross country and downhill. Her autobiography, "Don't Tell Me I Can't" can be found on e-Bay, or at dorismaty@socal.rr.com. RC photo
Tour de Tryptophan is officially unofficial, although it wouldn't happen without Steve Boehmke. RC photo
See ya next year. RC photo