News from Race Headquarters
Protect the Test grand prize winners announced |
| Sep 04 2009 |
SQUAMISH—Richard MacKellar of the “Protect the Test Initiative” announced the final winners of the contest last week.
Ron Goldstone of Squamish was the grand prize winner with his poem “The Quest for Three Thirty.” (below)
“Goldstone captured the essence of the Test of Metal and its impact with humour and style,” said MacKellar. “The committee felt that his contribution really got to the spirit of the contest.”
Goldstone's entry also won the May contest through popular vote, while the committee chose Mike Truelove's essay “A Squamish Landmark” as their winner.
“The Best of the Rest” category was taken by Jude Goodwin for her essay, “Taste the Myth of it.” For her win, Goodwin won an entry into next year's Test of Metal.
Both Goldstone and Truelove won entries into next year's Test of Metal with their May wins. Goldstone also won the grand prize of a lifetime entry into the Test of Metal.
“We were very pleased with the way that people embraced this contest,” MacKellar said. “We certainly heard loud and clear that people want this race protected.”
The “Protect the Test Initiative” will continue to advocate for protection of the Test of Metal course. Check out the website www.protectthetest.com for more information.
www.protectthetest.com
Protect the Test – Grand Prize Winner 2009
The Quest for Three-Thirty by Ron Goldstone
During the excitement of the start of my first ToM in 1999, someone asked what my goal was.
Being a test virgin, I muttered, "3:30."
The Quest for 3:30 (Q330) has haunted me since.
Q330 is why we spend the winter peddling nowhere,
agonizing over 3:40, and telling ourselves that this is the year
Q330 is the only reason I have ever stopped drinking beer
Q330 is why we lie to family and friends. (No, I'm not riding as much as I like)
Q330 is why we spend a thousand dollars to shave off a pound on a bike
Q330 is why I can describe a hundred roots, rocks, and trees,
Q330 is very similar to a mental disease
Q330 is the reason why family vacations involve the family driving behind as I toil up one mountain pass after another
Q330 is the bet you make against your brother
Q330 is why we weigh what we eat
Q330 is nine mile repeats
Q330 is why we chose two wheels as our commuter
Q330 is scheduling New Year's Day to be near a computer
Q330 is obsessing a 1.95 versus a 2.0 tire
Q330 is an unhealthy desire
Q330 is missing riding 70% of Squamish's great trails that are not on the course
Q330 is taking pills that were meant for a horse
Q330 is why my bike is worth more than my car, cleaner than my house, and more familiar than my wife
Q330 is something I'll be chasing for the rest of my life
Q330 is why we go even when it's raining
Q330 scheduling everything around training
Q330 is the only reason to wear tight shorts
Q330 is obsession of sorts
Q330 will give me hope, and keep me from being dejected
Q330 is why the TEST MUST BE PROTECTED
