This gold medal was from the Florida Senior Games in a qualifying race for the state championships.
Each state has races that are categorized by age starting at 50 years old so when you get to championships, although the road races are a mass start, you are really racing against men in your own age group (for me, that is 55 to 59 years old).

Then every other year there is a national championship.
It is amazing how fast some of these guys are……..the times really don’t slow down much until the age group hits about 70. There is a local guy originally from Belgium, Eric Lippens, who races in the 65 to 69 age group and he did the 5 km time trial in 7:05 minutes – that’s pretty quick for an “old man”!!!
He rides in my Saturday morning group – I’ll start working on him to wear some Pirate gear.
Although they claim it’s for “fun”, believe me, these guys are very competitive.
By the way, I have another big delivery of Pirate gear coming my way soon. I have to prepare for the new year and the 2010 racing season with new white sleeveless Pirate jerseys, time trial suit, etc., etc.
I want to look my Pirate best for some more medals!!!

All the best for the New Year,

Tim Cranch