Kings Gap Time Trial Individual Hill Climb Time Trial Sponsored by the Harrisburg Bicycle Club

Inaugural King's Gap Time Trial

by Mark Riordan
 
With “911” now at the forefront and after witnessing a presentation of the colors by the Boys Scouts of America, all 40 participants were ready to attack the access road to the summit of Kings Gap.  An HBC Community Outreach Project, the inaugural Kings Gap Time Trial was a fundraiser for both the Kings Gap Education Center and the new Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa.

At 8:46 a.m., exactly 10 years to the minute that American Flight 11 slammed into the north side of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, Mechanicsburg resident Alec Kunzweiler, left the flag surrounded start line and became the first rider to cross the finish line to set the standard at 13 minutes and 33 seconds. Being one of the few under 18-year-old participants, Alec held on to the fastest time as other riders tried to best it. Anticipation was at its highest when Alec’s father George crossed the finish line. But Alec remained on top with even his father failing to beat his time.

Finally, Dover resident Joe McMaster, riding in the 45 - 55-year-old class, crossed the finish line at 11 minutes and 58 seconds to lower the fastest time.

As rider after rider crossed the Finish Line, no one could beat Joe’s time. Finally, in the Men 36 – 45, Brian Eifler, living over at the Carlisle Barracks, crossed the finish line at 11 minutes and 58 seconds, the exact same time as Joe McMaster. Would it come down to a coin toss for fastest time?

But it would only be a few minutes before Dillsburg resident John Capriotti would break the fastest time by 16 seconds to have the day’s fastest time of 11 minutes and 43 seconds and become the inaugural HBC Kings Gap TT record holder.

The crowd roared as 82-year-old Camp Hill resident Howard Beane crossed the line at 19 minutes and 8 seconds. And at 9:58, 10 years to the minute that the first hijack distress radio call from United Flight 93, the last participant crossed the finish line at the Kings Gap Mansion to end the inaugural Kings Gap TT.  Is 10 minutes a realistic milestone?  Maybe sometime in the future we will know.

Music Played at Opening and Closing Ceremonies:

National Anthem -Performed by the combined Choirs of the Military Academies
America the Beautiful with Taps - Performed by the Buglers of Arlington National Cemetery

NOTE: See the Harrisburg Bicycle Club website for photographs of the Kings Gap TT taken by Richard Skaare as well as photographs taken by Jason Spangler.  Jason's photos are also available for download here.

Harrisburg Bicycle Club Gives Back!

by Keith Spangler

The final numbers are in, the 2011 Kings Gap Time Trial, a community outreach project sponsored by the Harrisburg Bicycle Club in association with Kings Gap State Park, raised $1,035 for the two benefit organizations:  Friends of Kings Gap and Flight 93 National Memorial.  Each organization will receive a check for $517.50.

In addition, the Harrisburg Bicycle Club donated another $1,000 to the Friends of Kings Gap.  This additional donation represents a portion of the profits raised by the PSP Century ride - another Harrisburg Bicycle Club benefit ride - held earlier in the season.
 
So all together the Kings Gap TT and you gave back to the community a total of - $2,035. That's amazing!
 
On behalf of the Kings Gap TT committee and the Harrisburg Bicycle Club, I tip my hat to all who supported this first-time event.  That includes all of the riders, volunteers and our vendors/partners.  Your support of this event demonstrates your dedication to the community, both locally and nationally.
 
Sincerely,
Keith A. Spangler, Event Organizer - 2011 Kings Gap Time Trial

Special Thank You

On behalf of the Kings Gap Time Trial committee and participants, I would like to send a sincere "Thank You" to the following sponsors of the Kings Gap Time Trial.  Your support was amazing and we want you to know how much we appreciate it.  Even in poor economic times you stepped up to support this Harrisburg Bicycle Club community outreach project.  Your willinginess to answer our committee's request for items to support the registered riders, volunteers and spectators certainly shows your devotion to the community and for those who have given their lives for our country.  So, from all of us...thank you!

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Venue
Friends of Kings Gap - food service
GU Energy - Gu packets
VegasFuel - energy drink
Red Bull - energy drink
Filson Water and Graham Motors of Carlisle - bottled water
Tyndale Flag Services - 50 American Flags 
Coles Bike Shop - Two $25 Gift Certificates
World Cup Bike Shop - Two $50 Gift Certificates
Holmes Bike Shop - $100 Gift Certificate
Pedal Pushers Bike Shop - Five Multi-tools
Mountainside Bike Shop - Two Bike Helmets
Clean Bottles - Eight Clean Bottles
Road ID - Seven Gift Certificates, Rider Numbers
Giant Foods - $50 Gift Certificate (divided into two dining cards)
AmeriChoice - Federal Credit Union - pens and event bags
Boy Scouts of America - Troop 174 and Troop 127