im - 7/01/2005 08:16:00 AM

Single Speed World Championships 2005. That's pretty much all I have to write. If you're of a certain camp, you read that and probably have already moved on to a different web page. Others read it and rolled their eyes but kept reading, hoping it was just an isolated aftershock, some random burp before this year's event is finally digested and left alone. There is another group who read that line and kept reading willingly, perhaps even out of rapt curiosity. Many of these people are not 'bike' people, in that they do not (yet) have that disease that makes a person live and breathe bicycles, at the expense of personal relationships, normal looking clothing, and of course their checking account balance. These are cyclists without guile, for they are without the attachments of cycling cliques. In other words, they have not yet grown sick of hearing about SSWC. One of the distinguishing factors of this year's SSWC was the amazing cooperation between the event organizers, the forestry service (on whose land we rode, as we were told at the beginning of the race), and the city of State College itself. Event organizers told us they had so many volunteers that they actually had to turn people away. This may not sound like a big deal, but in addition to registration of several hundred riders, getting number plates, schwag, porta-johns, etc., there were volunteers all along the 27.5 mile route. In fact, there were at least several people at every stop, aiding in whatever way presented itself. They tirelessly cheered on all the riders and were especially encouring at particularly tough spots. They got, well, me through a challenging rock garden that I might otherwise have given up on halfway through and they did it just by being enthusiastic about being out there and watching everybody ride bikes. By the prize portion of race day, we were still trying to decide a reasonable category for the winner of a free Surly frame. We went through several ideas but nothing seemed right. Nick then hit upon the idea of giving it to one of the volunteers. Sov and I agreed this was a perfect choice and Nick went to talk to the organizers. They knew right away who deserved it most. Joe Gore was one such volunteer. He likes bikes. He rides bikes. He likes to help others ride bikes. According to E. Roman, one of the organizers, Joe was one of those volunteers who took everything that was thrown at him and asked for more. Joe was called up in front of the throng of half-in-the-bag riders and awarded his choice of Surly frame. Fast forward to a few days ago. Joe wrote in to say he'd talked to E. Roman down at Mt Nittany Wheelworks and had decided on a Steamroller. Joe had this to say when he wrote us with his decision: "I wanted a cool town bike and now i have the chance to be kicken it in style. Thanks again for coming out and chillen with us and riden our trails. Come back soon and I will show you and your boys some more cool stuff." Joe, you're on. But, uh, I might still need some time to recover. SSWC '06 is less than a year away... Congrats, Joe. You deserve it. -----