Shocker at the 3rd Annual Ten Hours of Tiger Random Notes

E-rod comtemplates whether or not he should eat his apple core. E-rod is a deep thinker and a grad student.

The best quote I heard was made by a by-passer after hearing the details of the event. After he showed interest in participating he was told that he could join in. He said, “Wow… that’s really cool…. But I think I’ll go home, order a pizza, and take a shit.” I don’t know what he meant by this but I took this statement to mean he’d come out next year.


Karl is amazed that Stephen bought good champagne. Apparently, hell has frozen over.


"please, no more pictures."


Taylor claims his grand prize.


Milos explains his strategy to Frog.


Marina, while caressing her new bike that Jabez had sold her was heard saying, “I love my precious.” Morgan, who really just came for the beer was heard saying, "I hate my old bike. Can I have another beer?"

Taylor, the very special guest, was still trying to snake my line like it was a 2 foot powder day.


E-rod wins the most falls category.

The winners of the prizes:

Dawn won the Hummer for the female rider category. Karl was relieved that the pressure was off him for at least a day.

Mike Kaufman, although not a beginner was entered into the beginner category as a joke, won the turtle bike horn.

The grand prize (a shiny new hydration pack) went to Taylor. He was seen sucking on the tube wondering where the bowl was. I think he thought he’d won a bong.

Of course the bottle of champagne (donated by Stephen Watt to the rider who rode the most laps) went to Frog.


"See you next year"

dateline: Sept 13, 2003

In Jim McKay's (ABC Wide World of Sports) infamous words “. . . the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat . . . the human drama of athletic competition. This is..."
Ten Hours of Tiger.

Ten Hours had all the drama of freshman prom; the King was not crowned until the very end. After learning that Loren had injured himself and his appearance would be purely ceremonial, the cup had already lost its owner. Now, all that was left was one of the many competitors to be crowned.

Maybe, my shoe is
under here.
Ten Hours did not start with a bang. Jabez, Chris and “the Skareb” waited anxiously at 9:30, but the setup took a little too long so they started the first breakaway around 10:00. The peloton was busy filling water bottles, setting up tents, and unpacking their gear. Jennifer, Don (aka Frog), Milos, Katka, Honza, Koko, Curtis, Tom, E-Rod, and I started our pursuit around 10:15. Soon afterward, it was obvious who the strongest riders were when Frog and Milos pulled away during the first big climb. It is worth noting that Dave Ryan was on time for the event, but was unable to leave with the others because he had forgot a shoe. Yes, that’s right… one shoe.

I'm so tired. Ride a lap,
drink a beer, ride a lap.
Stupid Humans.
One lap led to another, and that another was pretty much it for most of us. Two laps, and many beers were the average result. Although some riders brought their own support teams in a feeble attempt gain the upper hand (e.g. Koko had Kristie to encourage him to "get his lazy ass back out there and ride like a god" and Curtis had Steven and little Keagan to bring him food so he could keep pace) still, they could muster only two laps.

Jabez and Dan Keagan debate
which Krispy Kreme is the best.
You can tell that Jabez
is taking it seriously.
Ten Hours was an event for all. Dan Keagan came out to witness the spectacle and took on the most arduous job of all, walking Ozzy the barking devil-dog. Jeff Tu with broken vertebrae, brought afternoon Krispy Kremes for everyone.

Afternoon riders, David Ko (yes, you always have to use his first and last name when referring to him), Tanya, Morgan, Greg, Loren, Kim, Karl, Dawn and Marina and her very special guest Taylor had no designs on winning the cup but enjoyed a few beers, a good ride, and the sunshine.

At about 3:00, I had the lead with 2 ridden laps and 2 bonus laps but only because I had drunk my bonus beers before the real competitors had a chance. Milos quickly passed me with his 3 ridden laps and 2 bonus laps. With Frog on the trail for his 4th lap, it seemed like Milos' lead was going to be short-lived. The clock was ticking. Frog was still out at 6:00. And at 6:30 with no sign of Frog, a commotion was starting at the finish tent. What if he had a mechanical? What if he didn’t have enough beer to finish his bonus laps? With Milos eyeing the cup and contemplating drinking Frog’s remaining beers, Frog rolled in to complete 4 laps. If 4 laps isn’t impressive enough, all those laps were done on a cyclocross bike. So, for all you mountain bikers out there complaining about not having front suspension, quit complaining. The only thing that stood between Frog and that cup were 4 beers. After making an attempt at drinking the beers, Frog acquiesced and shook Milos’ hand in a congratulatory gesture.

"4 laps, no problem. I just wish I had more daylight to do a fifth. Has anyone seen my helmet? I can't seem to find it."

The passing of the
Ten Hours of Tiger Cup
What does this tell us, this strange twist of events? That Ten Hours of Tiger is no normal event. It’s an event that teaches us valuable lessons. In life, where being the best at something always seems pays off, this event proves that being "just good enough" is really the way to win. I know that’s a little Jerry Springer but it makes you think, huh…?

I want to thank everyone who came out, and I hope you all will come out next year. Remember to bring a friend, because it’s much more fun to inflict this kind of pain on a friend than it is to an enemy.

Who made it to the end?
left-right Mike, Dawn, Karl, Milos, Frog, Taylor, Marina, Kim, Jennifer, Ozzy, E-rod, Loren, Dan, Dave, Jabez.

Lasty, thanks to both Milos and Frog for a well-ridden race and their good sportsmanship.

Until next year,
Dan Dole and Stephen "I'll see you next year" Watt