As I am closing out my 20th year with the team, and most of those involved with our promotions in some fashion, completing the last season event is always bittersweet, but always needs to be recognized for all the hard work done. As we have been asked to take on a heavier load in the TT Cup in recent years, the team has risen to the challenge. In fact, grown and advanced this year. Costs have been up, ridership down, and the long time experienced members taxed, but still enjoying the ride. For 2024, a solid 4 TTs in the books and today closed out the NJ Time Trial Cup Series. When I started with the team (centuries ago, LOL) these were not locations we used, but the TTs were built and all seem to be well received in the TT Community in the Series. Hoping next year, some others Teams/Directors will rejoin and take on Events so the Series can be a little more balanced. In any event, thank you so much for being a supportive great team and stepping up to challenges. Back to today. And the weather was wonderful!

The Long Valley TT was built off of Flanders TT last year when we needed to move it due to construction into Long Valley proper. It’s got a few rollers and is a tough course and 15 juniors joined us this year. Very good, but we went to extra lengths for the best safety we could. Big thanks go out to the following for making this race happen, and executing it today extremely well: Got lots of great feedback all around:

• Joe and Dottie – don’t need to say more, but everything from course set up to review, podium set up, clean up and while Joe was the starter for the race, Dottie handled registration, finances, and kept “home base” in order.
• Dan Reiss – thanks for bringing out tent, supplies, backdrop and also helping with keeping riders inside the cones and assisting with post race prizes. Dan also got 3rd in Senior Men – super strong field
• Ken, Manny, and Erich – managed, “whipping”, “holding” and getting riders to the line safely and off
• Rod Murray – course set up
• Marshals on cross roads and turn arounds – Greg and Maria Shutske, Paul Tippett, Marc Perrault, Frank Villani, and Bob Yarrow

Many of this group volunteered at multiple races this year, and some all races. So thank you. And, of course, we are also here to race and we had juniors Ethan Robinson, Gino Romaniello, and Keegan Danielson. Ethan and Gino grabbed podiums. Also, Brian Finnegan on the podium for 2nd Place in Non TT Men Novice. Rick Danielson raced in that category as was also quite helpful to the team with prizes for the event. Other team racers were Herman Storms, Rod Murray, Betty Tyrell, and Ron Romaniello. Jennifer Smeddy could not make it today, but she helped us market the event on social media to a group she manages, so much appreciated. Today, I was just Event Director. No racing.

While all is fresh, I like to recognize. Look for results “prettied up” shortly by Bob Perlee. They are available now on the Race Results Live Link. See you out there for our Somerset Social Ride and also look for a myriad of details coming in August on elections, our Duke Island team event/party/BBQ, Club TT and more. Enjoy the rest of this nice summer weekend.

Thanks again
Chuck