Countdown to ELLT 2021: Roadies

Seven racers coming from outside the Greater Newbury Area. Three racers from nothern Virginia, including one time overall champion Eric Shimp, one time gold medal in basketball Steve Ball, and one time Green Jacket in golf Greg Golden. Two time overall champion JP, one time overall champion Mike Graf, and relentless Rho bandit Chris Doyle all coming from beyond the east coast. And representing the Big Apple and the Empire State will be one time basketball gold medalist Hadj.

(Yes, one time overall champion Leo lives in NYC now, but he’s not yet been there a year, so he’s not a roadie. Yes, the Roys and Chris H are coming from New Hampsire, but they’re within Greater Newbury.)

In 12 runnings of the East Luray Liars Triathlon, overall winners are evenly split between roadies and townies (who we will list tomorrow). One massive advantage for the roadies in 2021? Steve Ball doesn’t arrive until Friday, so no Thursday night Steve Ball martinis.

Music TDS: Spin Doctors’ ‘Pocket Full…’

Spin Doctors’ “Pocket Full of Kryptonite”

This all started with a text question, “have the Spin Doctors aged well?” I have nothing but fond memories of their songs, but only ever think or listen to “Two Princes.” So I pulled up the first album and listened straight through. Twice. And then one more time the next day (because I was grilling and cooking, so maybe a bourbon or two influenced my initial reactions). And then a fourth time, taking notes on every song. Simply, to quote myself (on the text chain), “album is way better than I remember and there are tracks that I can see how they thought would be as big as ‘Princes’ – really solid album.” My text group immediately questioned that evaluation, so here we go…

‘Jimmy Olsen’ – so tight, great lyrics, so Megaphonics (more on them below), a perfect little song and a perfect first track for this album.

‘What Time Is It’ – very J Geils Band, just missing a huge horn section. I can also imagine this track live lasting for 10 minutes, easily.

‘Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong’ – yeah, in the #MeToo era this sounds off, but it’s still got a great little hook and kick. As the most Black Crowes song on the album, it just misses the mark of being an absolute smash hit. Honestly, I had kind of forgotten about ‘Little Miss’ but after listening to the album a few times, its one of the tracks that keeps coming back into my head.

‘Forty or Fifty’ — Carbon Leaf a decade before Carbon Leaf’s “Echo Echo” album? Add a little touch of the Irish and this fits in perfectly between ‘The Boxer’ and ‘Wanderin Around.’ I have no idea how much Spin Doctors the Carbon Leaf guys listened to, but this track really snuck up on me. I probably dismissed it in 1991, but after hours of listening to “Echo Echo” I want to hear this track more often.

‘Refrigerator Blues’ — this band had surprisingly far more Zeppelin vibes than I remember. A solid hard rock track, with the drums echoing Bonham.

‘More Than She Knows’ — ah, a Blues Traveller song! And I suspect Spin Doctors thought this would be a bigger hit. A solid tune and includes a harmonic riff straight off Blue Traveller’s first album….because…..John Popper plays it. In doing a little background reading, Popper was a bandmate with some of the Spin Doctors before he got more serious with Blues Traveler and the bands frequently toured together. And I didn’t need to read anything to know this: in the Spring of 1991, Spin Doctors played a gig at Washington & Lee University and Popper joined them on stage for a few songs. We were there – and more on that next.

‘Two Princes’ – no better track and nothing more Spin Doctors than this. Loved it when I first heard it 29 years ago and love it today. And the first time I heard it must have been live. Mike and I were running WLUR our senior year and would have heard the “Up for Grabs…Live” EP that came out in January of that year, because I know we met the band when they arrived in Lexington and told them we were fans. I don’t remember any other details, except John Popper coming on stage, which blew everyone away because every living soul at W&L had heard ‘But Anyway.’

‘Off My Line’ – rips and rips and rips – great guitars, great vocals, tight as hell. The kind of song I would hear performed live and be like “damn, what the hell was that? Fantastic!” I could hear Trombone Shorty covering this. I want to hear Trombone Shorty cover this. So tight, so good.

‘How Could You Want Him (When…)’ – the Goo Goo Dolls album I love, “Hold Me Up” came out a little less than a year before “Pocket Full” and this song could have been on it. Same vibe, similar sound. And a really mature, well put together track,  with great lyrics and just a relentless drive. Buried on the album and really damn good.

‘Shinbone Alley/Hard to Exist’ – solid, with plenty of pop and signature Spin Doctors sound, but missing that killer hook or lyric. And……it’s with this song that I finally woke up to how good the bass player is. Not just driving underneath but soloing along side the guitar player. Damn.

Overall, this album evoked Led Zeppelin, J Geils Band, and Carbon Leaf, plus my favorite Goo Goo Dolls album and the Megaphonics. Yes, the Megaphonics, maybe the most loved band during my four years at W&L, or at least in the Holy Trinity with the Truly Dangerous Swamp Band and Jimmy Bishop and the Turning Points. Back to Spin Doctors – this album also made me want to hear Trombone Shorty cover a song and it featured John Popper being his best John Popper. What more could you want? To answer the question, yes, Spin Doctors “Pocket Full of Kryptonite” aged better than expected back in 1991 and I’m regretting years of not listening to it more often.

 

ELLT Pic of the Day — 2014, Hoops

JP elevating and you can see the high arc on the shot (he was afraid I was going to block him). Mike Graf boxing out Eric Shimp. Chris Doyle, positioned for an outside shot. And where is the 6th player, where is my other teammate? (answer tomorrow)

ELLT 2017: Getting warmed up

playing soccer like my oldest son…..

Wednesday Flashback – 1991

just three rugby playing fellas…I believe this photo is from halftime

ELLT 2013 Soccer – 3 pictures tell the story

so the blue team won, with plenty of credit to JP and that whoever was always offsides but passing him the ball for his finishing shots on goal. But the following three pictures show that maybe the blue team had another MVP.

notice the dirt area where the grass has worn away, to Eric G’s right and ahead of where Mike is going with the ball

now you can see how Eric Lapham has come around Graf for the steal, with better position on the ball, elbow in the guts, textbook technique

now look at that dirt spot again and you can see Mike not only held possession, but gained some separation to pass.

have I mentioned we’re playing soccer again in 2014? And its a World Cup year…good times coming…

 

 

2 Days and a wake-up — odds

Echoing the last two years, I’ve saved the overall odds for 2 days before the event, giving everyone plenty of time to lobby, but also enough time to adjust, as needed. A few words on “odds” and scoring.

• these “odds” are informational only, as the House is not actually taking bets. $30 covers the keg and a shirt, not a bookie fee.
• the “odds” are on winning first place overall, not just reaching the overall podium and/or finishing the race
• The Commissioner has reconfirmed that reaching the overall podium requires completing all four stages of the race. Appeals to The Commissioner can be made at any time

Odds of winning 1st Place Overall in the 2013 East Luray Liars Triathlon

Steve Otto (2012 Champion, 2009 2nd place) — 15-1: Otto flew the race at top speed in 2012, stopped only by a tree on the time trial. In 2011, the field slanted heavily towards the rock climbers and mountain bikers, stages that Otto did well in, but faced crazy steep competition. This year, Otto could medal in climbing, golf, and mountain biking. In hoops, just like last year…well…one of his teammates was on a champion team once. If he repeats his 2012 performance, minus the crash, Otto will be well-positioned for a return to the overall top 3.

JP Ratajczak (2012 2nd place overall, 2008 champion) — 10-1: JP benefits from the rules change eliminating expectations. And his 2nd place finish in 2012 makes him heavily favored this year. If his golf game hasn’t improved, but his basketball teammates continue last year’s success (2nd place in an epic final game), he should be on the podium at the end.

Eric Marshall (2012 3rd overall) — 100-1: In 2012, the odds started like this: “Here is your 2012 Easy-Money-Lock Grey Horse contender, a true mudder” and he finished 3rd, which proves these odds are somewhat based in reality.  The real world is keeping Eric off the rocks and away from golf this year, which means his medaling chances are reduced to mountain biking (easily in the top 5, not sure if he’ll crack the top 3) and basketball…where one of his teammates is a 5 time winner.

Dan Moore (2011 champion, 2008 3rd place) — 50-1: Danno remains in contention for rock climbing. His golf game still sucks and he is out of contention for mountain biking. So his chances for the podium rest with with hoops…and his teammates, as it stands now, are both roookies not known for their basketball skills. A first on the rocks, a hole-in-one (resulting in 3rd), and a miracle on the court and Danno could place again.

Eric Shimp (2010 champion) — 12-1: Eric has one weakness — mountain biking. With some luck (meaning mostly bad luck attached to Marshall, Lapham, and Gus) in golf and a solid hoops performance, plus a decent year on the ropes, Eric could very well medal in three events. And, for what its worth — over 5 years of competition, no racer has earned a medal in all four events. If he pulls down three stage medals, its hard to see him missing the podium again in 2013….all depends on golf…

Eric Lapham (2010 2nd place) — 100-1: Eric will miss rock climbing due to injury/real-life, but should expect to medal in golf and mountain biking. If Lapham is sitting on two 1st place finishes and the next two stages produce 6 winners without another stage win…The Commissioner, The Race Director, and the head of the ELLT Competition Committee may need to have a special rules discussion regarding GC qualifications…but only if we’re looking at 2 1st place finishes and a messy rest of the field.

Steve Ball (2008 2nd place) — 25-1: Revisiting last year’s projection: “Steve’s podium finish in 2008 came from the perfect ELLT strategy: low expectations, a strong liver, and good luck.” With expectations no longer a factor, Steve’s training and actual atheltic execution become the key difference. His basketball team is intact from last year, so a little more experience may help. Cardio and strength training should help on the rocks. He will, once again, get a decent mountain bike and should be able to cut his time trial time by 75%. He will suck at golf…but medals on the rocks and bikes…and mixology skills that reduce the other racers’ skills…and maybe possibly he could be that dark horse surprise winner.

Steve Schukraft (2011 3rd Place) — 35-1: Steve illustrates perfectly the bias built into the stages and why the golf-and-basketball players are more heavily favored over time against the rock-climbers-and-mountain-bikers. In short, you can get better at biking and climbing more quickly than you can get better at golf (and, to a lesser degree, hoops). So if you have a decent golf game, you’re always in contention, provided you put a little time in working on cardio and some basic rock/ride techniques. Of course, the competition in golf is a bit more intense, with the elite players all very closed matched. All of which makes me think we need to consider a true golf handicap approach for 2014. But for now we have Steve Schukraft, sneaky good at rock climbing and mountain biking, but hobbled by limited golf skills and questionable basketball teammates. If the top three golfers win nothing else and the winning court trio is similarly shut out, medals in climbing and biking could propel Steve back to the podium…but those are long odds.

Tom McParland (2010 3rd place) — 23-1: Tom set an impossibly high bar last year with his speech on Thursday night, labeling the rest of the field as runner-ups and making “no apologizations” for his pending abscence. So this year, the pressure is on…golf and rock climbing are a mystery as previous years give no real indications. And we should expect an outstanding time trial, but will be surprised if he overcomes his teammates at hoops. Early success on the rocks, confusion in the GC standings, and a solid time trial and he sneaks into 1st.

Mike Graf – 15-1: From last year: “Every year the Young Liars are convinced Me-Mike has a shot at 1st place overall, which means Mike is terrible at setting expectations low (at least with the younger crowd). This year, Mike’s got an improved hoops team, 4 years of experience on the rocks, and a properly-sized mountain bike. If he trims a couple minutes off his time trial and puts that length to use on the rocks…this could be Mike first trip to the overall podium.” Just needs a properly fitting helmet and we’re looking at a strong contender for 1st.

Chris Doyle — 11-1: Everyone has benefitted and suffered from Steve Ball’s penchant for muddlers and the morning-after regrets, but only Chris has had his triathlon derailed by Steve Ball’s terrible sense of direction. By following Steve the wrong way on the time trial, Chris took himself out of contention on the bikes and probably used up the extra strength he needed to sink the winning shot in basketball. He has a decent shot on the rocks, could take a 3rd place in golf, should expect to be in contention on the bikes….and could very well be part of the hoops team that ends the Shimpean Dynasty. Gentlemen, your Grey Horse Lock for 2013, Chris Doyle…

Jason Madden — 35-1: Jason came in 9th on the time trial last year and his basketball team won two games. In other words, he is coasting below the radar and could easily outperform last year’s personal results (although in basketball, he may be a bit more challenged). With a solid showing on the rocks and a little luck on the bike….still some long odds, considering his golf game and hoops teammates.

Chris Heffernan – 150-1: Without doing the rocks, golf, and biking Chris’ odds are substantially diminished. He is likely to have a gold medal winner on his basketball team…but….seriously…hard to see a podium finish.

Gary Cavanaugh — 12-1: This is Gary’s year. He will compete in the first six stages (including Muddling) and is a serious contender in golf and basketball. All he needs to do is complete rock climbing and mountain biking, medal in the other two events, and he is a lock for the podium. A first in golf and hoops and he gets his first overall championship.

Tom Gustafson — 100-1: Without rock climbing, Tom’s overall chances are diminished…..but…he could repeat in the green jacket and his 2012 mountain biking time was shockingly fast. If – huge if – his basketball teammates can step up and play fast, quick, high-percentage shooting hoops, he could step up to the podium. But…he’ll need extra help, especially if he falters even slightly on the golf course.

Eric Gundrum — 150-1: Real-life is taking Eric away for the final three events, so he will need to win on the rocks and the golf course to reach the podium (with help), but….that seems unlikely (at least on the golf course). He has, however, provided the absolute best basketball jerseys for Team Guinness…(and I can’t find a single picture of that elusive bastard)

John Coliano and Brecht Palombo — 150-1 (each): Rookies have traditionally done well, but those years included expectations in the scoring….so John and Brecht will have to overcome 5 years of experience and a basketball teammate prone to wandering off to the keg in mid-game.

ELLT 2013 Hoops — These are your teams

On Saturday afternoon, August 2, the following teams will take the court, order of match-ups to be determined:

Hoosiers: JP, Chris Doyle, and Mike Graf (last year’s runners-up, looking for revenge)

Cubed: Steve Ball, Steve Otto, and Steve Schukraft (easily the best dressed last year, with their cool shirts)

Granite: Chris Roy, Chris Heffernan, and Danno (pound for pound, the most like their team name)

Styx: Eric Shimp, Gary Cavanaugh, and Eric Marshall

Bill Dow’s Little Leaguers: Eric Lapham, Jason Madden, and Tom Gustafson

Guinness: Tom McParland, Eric Gundrum, and me

Please remember — all this is subject to change, as players’ schedules and/or injuries may preclude them from making the basketball stage of the race. In the event we need to mix up the teams, we will…

and a few more pictures from hoops over the years:

Links of the Day – May 7

sadly, not the kind pictured below, although its a good day for it…

This guy Dale Katechis needs to come compete in the ELLT…he has the right attitude…and he can bring his own beer

I will add this to a Music That Doesn’t Suck post once I listen to the whole thing, but so far exactly what you would expect from Billy Bragg hangs out with Wilco (yes, I know its a year old, but I missed it before now)

and the most visited ELL page of the last week – this one, not sure why….

 

Pic of the Day for a Friday

the only guys who have completed every event, every year, for 5 straight years….