Gone was the rain and the cold and in its place were mild
temperatures and bright sunshine and dry roads. Again the Gay Games
cyclists gathered - by Gay Games provided buses or their own cars -
to reclaim their bicycles from overnight security at the Palos
Forest Preserve. Today would be the final event of Gay Games VII
for this group of GLBT cyclists.

In the time trial, teams of 3-5 riders were assembled to run the
same course as the Individual Time Trial from Wednesday's race. In
a Team Time Trial, the team's finish time is recorded when the third
rider's front wheel crosses the finish line. This means that the
entire team is invested in that third rider having the best time
possible. How that rider performs determines how that team places.

These Games have been competitive. They have been more
than "citizen's races" - they have been truly competitive
international races. At the same time, bonds have been formed that
crossed borders - and racing categories. In that spirit, Uval Hets
from Team Israel, a Category 2 racer and cycling coach (and software
engineer for an Insraeli bank and a member of Israeli Army special
forces reserves), decided to coach and join Big Crank Racing for
this important race.

Uval joined Don Griffith, Jack Michael and Jay Hulsey in another
strong field of competition. Uval led the men in warmups and gave
them several important tips (accelerate out of turns, stay close,
don't save anything for the end because its a short race, go to the
bathroom before you ride) and then volunteered to pull the paceline
throughout the race.

The men attacked the course with Uval in the lead. The men rode
strong with Uval's expert coaching and encouragement, telling them
when to drink, to stay close, to keep quiet and to hurry up but also
telling them when they did a good job.

With the combined effects of Uval's strong leadership and the
strength and perserverance of the men of Big Crank, the team flew
across the finish line to cheers of fans from various cities they
had befriended during this important week.

Once the last riders crossed the line, the medal ceremony was
organized. While they waited, these men and women, facing the end
of their amazing week of competition and community exchanged names
and numbers with those they had grown to love. When the
announcement came, Big Crank had medaled again, claiming the
bronze. Jay Hulsey placed his Team St. Louis hat on Uval's head and
the team held up the Israeli flag - perfectly reflecting what these
Games have been about: victory among a field of tough competitors
whose identity is based not in conquest but in love.

Tomorrow: The Games Come to a Close: The Closing Ceremonies and
Final Reflections