You could say that the Mopac TT is an "underground" cycling event, since it's never been a high-profile or formal race. News of it has always traveled mostly by word of mouth, with many of the same participants attending religiously year after year. But it's not exclusive, or no more exclusive, say, than a mental institution. You're welcome to the club so long as you think doing an all-out 8-mile time trial at 6pm in the dead of a Texas summer sounds like a good idea.
Started by RunFAR Racing Services in 2004 and long known as the "RunFAR time trial," the Mopac TT was still going strong in 2010, held the second Tuesday of every month from the spring through the beginning of autumn. The course was the same out-and-back, starting near the Veloway at Mopac and La Crosse, heading south and then west until the turnaround at 45 and 1826, and returning to the finish at the same intersection on the northbound side of Mopac. Last fall, however, the rumor mill had it that RunFAR was moving their headquarters to Dallas. Many refused to believe it until they saw the notice on RunFAR's website in large red text: after 7 years, the Mopac TT was no more.
Amid the wailing and gnashing of teeth, other rumors began circulating at the beginning of the 2011 season. The Mopac TT had always been popular in the cycling and triathlon community, and different groups talked of a revival. Training on Mopac, it wasn't unusual to see a smattering of aero helmets and skinsuits out on the old course. The addiction was strong.
Newcomers should note that even a brief flirtation with the Mopac TT is enough to cause a dangerous preoccupation. In 2010, if you were following pro triathlete Phillip Graves' tweets, you would have seen the telltale signs: First, a brief mention. Then, talk of records, weather conditions, times, and finally, training fatigue from the event that he said had "become an ever increasing part of his life." No matter how fast you go, you'll think you can go faster. Graves broke the course record, and then beat his own time twice after. He still holds the record with a time of 15:24.8 (31.2mph).
Some of Austin's fastest professional and amateur cyclists attend the Mopac TT. Before last year, 2011 Elite National Criterium champion David Wenger held the course record with 15:44.4 (30.5mph), set in July 2007. In April 2010, Graves beat that time by one second on a windy day. Then, in October, Wenger set a new personal best of 15:33, but on the same day, Graves came in at 15:25. At the following TT, Graves set the current course record of 15:24. It's difficult to compare records from year to year, however, since the course changes so much over time. The new fast times were, in part, the result of the new turnaround added at 45 and 1826 last year. Unfortunately, since road conditions have since worsened, it's thought that this advantage has effectively been cancelled out. Graves' record may stand for a long time.
And yet…on June 14, the most recent TT, amateur triathlete Maggi Finley broke the female course record with a blistering time of 17:57 (26.9mph), beating out the 18:01 I'd had the month before. Maggi's run was a firm victory, the record set in a strong crosswind on a day that most riders were significantly slower. In 2010, the course record was held by pro triathlete Desiree Ficker, at 18:13 (26.3 mph). Before the turnaround was added, cyclist Christina Wolfe had the fastest time of 18:22.9 (26.1mph), set in August 2008. For the women, the excitement is likely to continue, even if the record-breaking runs are Maggi, a la Phillip Graves, simply setting new smoking PRs.
The Mopac TT's appeal is hard to define. Maybe it's the frequency of it, or the fact that it's such a short, fast course. Or, then again, maybe it's the low-key atmosphere. Although results are posted online, which demands a certain accountability, there's no prize money or medals to be won and no official start time. You just get there, pick up your chip, and roll out across the mats any time after 6pm and before 7:30. And though you've got plenty of company if you show up in an aero helmet and booties, you can race on a pink cruiser with a basket in front and still not hear anything for it.
The Mopac TT has a special place in many hearts. And since most, if not all, of the Mopac regulars have the idea that they've got a faster time in them, the event's disappearance was cause for despair.
Fortunately, just as hope was about to breathe its last, word got out that AllSports Timing was hosting a free Mopac TT in April. The response was good, so TTs were also held in May and June. All were free, since a permit cannot be obtained for the course. But Chris Oroshiba, owner and founder of AllSports Timing, doesn't see that as a problem and says he plans to continue as long as there's interest from the cycling community.
Comments (0)