Nate Smokes Torture Test 2009!
James and Nate did the 2009 Torture Test (official name Excruciation Exam) on January 3, 2009. This is a mountain bike marathon race that combines approx. 30 miles of single track with 50 miles of rural country roads in a grueling test of endurance. The race starts out at Bluff Creek ranch in Warda, Texas (about 30 miles south of Austin). You do a loop of the Bluff Creek single track, then hit the back roads for a scenic 30 mile ride to Rocky Hill ranch in Smithville, Texas. Then you do two ten mile loops of the famous Rocky Hill ranch single track, then head back up a big hill for the 20+ mile return to Bluff Creek via a different route. Once back, you aren’t done! You still have to do a partial loop of Bluff Creek single track. Believe me, it’s really tough! There was a great turn-out this year, over 130 racers. Hannah came along to be our “Pit Crew” Her help was invaluable!
Dirty Du at Rocky Hill 2008
November brings cooler days, Thanksgiving and a great tradition for Trimble Racing – the Dirty Du! We have been racing these tough, but fun events almost since we’ve moved back to Texas with the first one happening in 2001. This year Bo and I were the only ones able to make the start line at the famous Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville Texas, just south of Austin. Out thoughts were with Dave who was in Europe and Nate and Hannah who were in North Carolina. Matt, who tried one a few years back, was in Houston but had other commitments. These days, the only Dirty Du is once a year at Rocky Hill, although in years past there was a series of races each season in some incredible venues around Austin and San Antonio. The race consists of a 5K trail run, a 12 Mile Mountain Bike, followed by a 5K trail run. All of the best multisport and mountain bike racers in Texas have done the Dirty Du at one time or another, including a certain Lance Armstrong who still holds the course record at Rocky Hill with a 1:36:05.5 clocking in 2002. I was in that race, standing on the same start line as Lance, but finishing about 50 minutes later with a 2:26:37.6. Nate finished just ahead of me with a 2:24:46.2 and Hannah came in later with a 3:09:43.9 on her old green cruiser bike!
FMB Silk Tires
I recently tired out a pair of FMB BOYAUX de COMPETITION silk tires in 22MM on the Trimble Aero bike #067. The tires are handmade in France and competitors to Dugast. I think they are equal if not better in quality. I’ve put about 100 miles on my pair and really enjoyed the ride! 9.5 bar is about the right pressure for my weight and even at that high pressure they smooth out the roughness in the road better than any other type of tire. The ride feels very smooth and fast. They are available at www.worldclasscycles.com The tires are glued to a pair of vintage Fiamme Red Label rims and Dura Ace 7400 hubs with 28 spokes. It’s a very light and lively wheelset, but not at all aero.
Green Aero restoration
I recently restored and updated Nate’s bike, know as the Green Aero. This frame is from the original prototype molds and was built in Natick Mass, probably in 1989 or so. Nate is attending Lees McCrae college in Banner Elk, NC and is on the bike and running teams. He will put the bike to good use there staying in shape for various racing disciplines.
TRIMBLE AERO BIKE RESTORATION
Here are some pictures of frame #067 finished on July 26, 1990 in Natick Ma. This was an extra light frame that I originally built for professional triathlete Paul Barford. To upgrade old equipment, I installed a correct Campy Chorus BB and 53 tooth chainring on the original hardcoated Chorus crankset. Also installed new were a Campy record 25.0 seatpost, WTB Rocket saddle, correct time period Dura Ace 7400 derailieurs and brakeset, Whipperman chain and new bar tape. The carbon Profile fork and CK headset had been previously installed about 2 years ago. Also new are Vittoria Diamonte Pro tires and Dura Ace 7400 7 speed 12-19 freewheel for the training wheels. With my Zipp 303 wheelset and Veloflex Carbon tubulars, the bike without pedals is under 17 lbs, not far off a modern bike and far more aero! The bike rides awesome now. I’m guessing the frame has in excess of 20,000 miles on it. James Trimble
TMBRA Big Ring Challenge
Sorry for the late posting – this race took place May 4th. I got the draft done right after, but then lots of trips out of town delayed posting it. Nate was 7th of 14 in expert 19-29, Bo was 4th of 9 in Sport Men 15-16 and Dad 12th of 12 in Sport Men 50+after a crash with a junior jambed his Derailieur on the first lap. The weather was great and the course fast. Dad
