The Lava Report

Good meeting you both at the Roatan triathlon. It certainly was a tough course - hard to imagine a much hillier bike profile. I just count myself lucky the conditions were excellent on the day and I didn't have any major mishaps.

After seeing your sporting resumes on your site I am feeling much better about finishing behind you both!

Looking forward to the next one and I hope to see you both around on the circuit in future.

All the best, Henry

Awesome. Incredible. The island, the people, truly beautiful. More than I expected. The race course was more than most expected too!! It was thee most challenging Olympic distance to date. It is an ITU race where many aspiring 2012 Olympians race for points in effort to make their countries Olympic team. About 40 elites from several countries competing and about 75 age groupers as ourselves(for the challenge and podium).
The race directors Leslie and her crew put on a incredible race. Purely one of the best I have experienced. The whole package was exciting, challenging and beautiful. Big monster hills on this island. At steepest, 20%!!!!! We have hills here. Long grinds. They have nutty straight up stuff that so many were off the bike and walking. We never unclipped but both could have used a 25 tooth cog! My borrowed entry level Kona(compact cranks and all) from Corey worked great but the serious age groupers brought their serious artillery. I'm still glad I kept mine safely @ home, but 15 lbs of carbon and deep dish wheels would have been sweet on that course.
I could see Jodi on the turn arounds on the bike and she had the lead of all women age groupers. With the ITU elites starting a half hour before us and way up front in packs on the bike, it was spread out from our start. I had a typical lethargic-paced swim but by the 1st turnaround 8 miles out(and damn high) I could count 6 age groupers on the bike ahead of me. I pretty much held that(damn compact cranks)! place to the run transition..
At one mile the run course went straight up for a long time. Then straight down. Then we got to do it all again on the 2nd loop 10K. I kept my head down and ran those beasts.I love the hot hilly quad busting hills they offered and caught and passed 3 runners during the run and finished placing 3rd overall. Stoked? Yep. And it's always a treat to see Jodi on the course multiple times.. She left the field near another border as she was running like the wind. She placed 1st female age grouper overall handily. Thank you Leslie Pojoul Brown, Jennifer and all the crew, volunteers, everyone that made this race awesome. It was all that and more. We met and made many a new friends. Locals and travelers alike. Truly one epic trip. Hope to see you all again next year.

I just learned of Kevin's untimely passing today. Kevin was my youngest cousin, but I have not seen him a quite a few years. I am like the rest of you- in shock. His father, Brian, is very upset, since Kevin was his only son. Kevin had a younger sister, Autumn, who is now their only surviving child. (Just as a side note, I also lost a 21 year-old child (my youngest daughter) on Xmas Eve of '04, so I think I know how Brian must be feeling about now.)

Kevin was a man who was so full of life, and now his life will live-on in thousands of photographs, autographs, constant memories of his incessant smile, and huge heart. We will miss you, Kev...

Bob McKay
Chatsworth, CA

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Kevin Unck Memorial Ride

http://www.cyclingconnection.org/Kevin_Unck.html

Saturday January 22 at 8:00 AM

It’s A Grind Coffee House - Day Creek & Baseline
7325 Day Creek Blvd., Suite 103
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739

This Saturday's Grind Ride will be a Memorial ride in honor of Kevin Unck. Please spread the word and save the date.

I always looked forward when riding with Kevin on Team and local rides. Couldn't Be around a nicer Guy. I will Miss Him dearly.
Freddie