Mark Huston of Jamaica Plain, Mass. (Rivet Photos)

By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

LOVELL — For Mark Huston of Jamaica Plain, Mass., the Tour de Lovell is the sporting highlight of his year.

“I can play out my Walter Mitty Tour de France fantasies. I am 59 years old and have been cycling since I was a teenager. My wife and I have entered the Tour de Lovell five times over the years. It is great fun to research training ideas and try to improve my performance,” he said.

Like many TDL riders, Huston falls somewhere in the middle between the front-runners and the laidback, let’s enjoy the beautiful setting cyclist that make up the yearly field.

Huston challenges himself, and searches for “edges” that could improve upon times posted in previous Lovell appearances.

“For instance, this year I used aero wheels, did specialized training for speed, and learned about warmup and eating during the ride to help make it a better experience,” he said. “Very quickly, I was between the two types of riders — the hot-shots drafting strategically to conserve their energy and the less sophisticated. When I was rolling down the hill by Stephen King's house, the fast riders were out of sight and looking behind me I could see no one chasing (me).”

The race for Huston, however, quickly took on a different complexion.

“By the time I reached the turnaround, five or six guys had caught me. We chased and caught and dropped each other a few times on the way to the finish,” he said. “On the final hill down Christian Hill Road, Scott, a really nice local guy, warned us to be careful down the hill. I foolishly let the bike fly and had my first experience of the phenomenon known as the ‘speed wobble’ (an harmonic oscillation), where the bike starts shaking harder and harder. I thought I was going to crash and luckily managed to slow down and stop at the bottom of the hill. I was sure I had had a flat or ruined my rim somehow, but everything was normal (as long as the bike is not used on bumpy downhills at 42 mph).”

Huston placed in 43rd place at 1 hour, 14 minutes, 58.4 seconds.

“I finished over 20 minutes behind the winner, but really enjoyed the friendly, superb organization, the thrill of pushing myself to catch then stay on another rider’s wheel then afterward the pleasure of chatting with the other riders and generous volunteers,” Huston said. “I heard that this may be the last year the event is put on.  If this is the sad truth, thanks to all for making this experience possible for me and my wife.”

Tour de Lovell volunteer Stan Tupaj says the race needs an infusion of volunteers to work the 21.3-mile course. He is hoping other town organization members will step up and join the TDL race crew so that the event can return for its 11th running in 2016.

Mark Lush of Ossipee, N.H.

Mark Lush of Ossipee, N.H. has competed in the Tour de Lovell since 2009 because of two simple elements — good people and a good race.

“It is a fun race that I have been doing since 2009. Good people and a good race is why I keep coming back, and I keep thinking I will do better and sometimes I do,” he said.

The Old Stage climb is the hardest part of the race for Lush.

“Some years, the legs are good and I stay with the leaders. This year, I did not. The fast neutral section was fun because I was sitting second until Old Stage — better luck next year,” said Lush, who placed 28th overall in 1 hour, 6 minutes, 50.3 seconds.

Lush started racing in the early 1980s and now only competes in Lovell. He too heard rumors that this might be the TDL’s last year.

“I hope not because it is lots of fun and I would hate to end it by getting dropped on the first climb,” he said.

Katelyn Shorey of Sweden made her debut at the 2015 Tour.

Since graduating from St. Lawrence University in 2010, she had been living in Washington, D.C. and recently San Francisco, Calif. However, this summer, Katie returned home to Maine and will be relocating to Portland.

Katelyn Shorey of Sweden

“I entered the race because I’m interested in improving my cycling skills and plan to partake in as many local events and races as possible,” she said. “I absolutely loved the scenery on the ride along Route 5 and 5A. Growing up in the area, I’ve driven on those roads multiple times; however, seeing the sights from the seat of a bike is like no other. But the best part was seeing my dad (a volunteer) stationed at the bottom of Christian Hill, cheering me on and making sure I slowed down for the sharp turn.”

There were a lot of intense and seasoned riders on the course, so Katie was a bit intimidated as a newcomer to the world of racing.

“I was also surprised to see such few women! Once I started pedaling, I focused on getting up those big hills and tried to pass as many folks as possible,” she said.

Katie finished the race in 1 hour, 24 minutes, 17.1 seconds — good for 55th place.

Cycling became an interest out of necessity. Katie tore her ACL in a ski accident, and turned to cycling in 2012 as part of her rehab and as an alternative low-impact sport. She joined bike groups in Washington, D.C. and took scenic tours through Rock Creek Park and nearby towns.

“I did the Tri for a Cure (Portland women’s triathlon) in 2012 and the Trek Across Maine in 2013 because I love the sense of community and support during Maine sporting events,” she said. “I enjoy the challenge of the hills (my strength is climbing), the comradery of group rides, and the ability to get around without a car! I’ve done everything from Crossfit to reformer Pilates, but I think I’ve found my niche with cycling!”

2015 TOUR DE LOVELL OVERALL RESULTS

Winner Nathan Kenison-Marvin of Tuftonboro, N.H.

1. Nathan Kenison-Marvin, M20-35, Tuftonboro, NH, 53:05.3
2. Frank O’Reilly, M36-45, Pearl River, NY, 53:25.33.
3. Christopher Darling, M36-45, Lovell, 53:41.8
4. Ben Finch, M20-35, Newton, MA, 53:53.9
5. Jason Howes, M36-45, Naples, 53:56.0
6. Matt Burke, M20-35, South Paris, 53:57.1
7. Eric Darling, M36-45, Shelburne, VT, 57:58.2
8. Sean Mohan, M36-45, Moultonboro, NH, 58:35.6
9. Thad LaVallee, M36-45, Sharon, MA, 59:10.6
10. Ethan Keyes, M36-45, Manchester, 59:11.5
11. Ryan Gibbons, M36-45, Leominster, MA, 59:12.9
12. Parker Normann, M46-55, Fairfax Station, VA, 59:14.5
13. Nick Burke, M20-35, Portland, 59:22.4
14. Henry Finch, M66+, Waban, MA, 1:00:36.4
15. Edward Pond, M46-55, Sweden, 1:00:37.2
16. Steven Discordia, M36-45, North Conway, NH, 1:00:37.4
17. Richard John, M56-65, Wolfeboro, NH, 1:00:43.0
18. Tom Wentworth, M56-65, Bethel, 1:03:01.3
19. William Buick, M56-65, New Haven, CT, 1:03:02.3
20. Matthew Rogers, M46-55, South Berwick, 1:03:03.1
    

    Sean Mohan of Moultonboro, N.H.

21. Erik Martin, M20-35, Naples, 1:03:03.8
22. Mary Jo Caselena, F50+, Bedford, PA, 1:03:04.3
23. Joseph Caselena, M46-55, Bedford, PA, 1:03:06.5
24. Chris Roy, M36-45, Bridgton, 1:04:00.8
25. Jeff Hershberger, M36-45, Greenwood, 1:06:08.3
26. Drew Kissinger, M36-45, Carlisle, MA, 1:06:11.44
27. Jonathan Carpenter, M56-65, Yarmouth Port, MA, 1:06:26.6
28. Mark Lush, M56-65, Ossipee, NH, 1:06:50. 3
29. Martin Feeney, M46-55, Medway, MA, 1:06:53.9
30. Walter Grzyb, M46-55, Lovell, 1:07:12.9
31. Eric Malinowski, M36-45, Waterford, 1:08:14.3
32. Chris Comrack, M36-45, Washington, DC, 1:08:18.2
33. Peter Bell, M56-65, Waterford, 1:09:17.6
34. Stephen Simmerman, M36-45, Somerville, MA, 1:10:09.9
35. Christopher Burk, M36-45, Denmark, 1:10:34.1
36. Kevin O’Rourke, M36-45, Upton, MA, 1:10:42.5
37. Jan Newhouse, M56-65, Lovell, 1:11:55.8
38. Derrek Schlottmann, M46-55, Lovell, 1:11:56.0
39. Andrew Chakoumakos, M46-55, Lovell, 1:12:51.8
40. Keith Dehner, M46-55, Little Egg Harbor, NJ, 1:13:09.9
    

    Chris Roy of Bridgton

41. Mark Simpson, M56-65, Farmington, 1:13:32.6
42. Scott Berglund, M46-55, Stoneham, 1:14:55.3
43. Mark Huston, M56-65, Jamaica Plain, MA, 1:14:58.4
44. Brent Legere, M20-35, Lovell, 1:18:48.0
45. Dana Flanders, M56-65, Houston, TX, 1:19:06.8
46. Dale Lougee, M66+, Athol, MA, 1:19:12.1
47. Jose Mendoza, M20-35, Miami, FL, 1:19:35.8
48. Michael McGowan, M20-35, Naples, 1:19:37.9
49. Wilford Scott, M56-65, Annapolis, MD, 1:20:58.0
50. Kathryn Carpenter, F50+, Yarmouth Port, MA, 1:20:59.5
51. David Powers, MT50-59, Lovell, 1:21:09.2
52. Diane Caracciolo, F50+, Lovell, 1:23:25.4
53. Edward Poliquin, M66+, Lovell, 1:23:33.1
54. Andrew Norkin, M46-55, Denmark, 1:24:07.8
55. Katelyn Shorey, F29-, Sweden, 1:24:17.1
56. Nancy Stockford, F60+, Jamaica Plain, MA, 1:24:29.7
57. Bob Mallon, M66+, Fryeburg, 1:26:50.1
58. Gary Prince, M66+, Stratham, NH, 1:28:08.5
    

    Dana Flanders of Houston, Texas

59. Leo Dunn, M56-65, Lovell, 1:28:45.9
60. Jaimie Crawford, F29-, Fryeburg, 1:29:44.8
61. Nancy Flanders, F50+, Houston, TX, 1:29:54.1
62. Tyler Blood, M14-, Stratham, NH, 1:31.25.1
63. Kim Poliquin, F40-49, Boston, MA, 1:32:14.9
64. Hilary Jones, F50+, Lovell, 1:33:21.8
65. Betsy Alden, FT60+, Lovell, 1:40:57.6
66. George Vooris, MT50-59, Naples, 1:52.19.2

MT, FT — Male Touring, Female Touring

TOUR DE LOVELL KIDS’ TOUR

1. Wesley Martin, Naples, 11:38.6
2. Madeline Darling, Lovell, 11:43.1
3. Connor Martin, Naples, 11:54.0
4. Will Galligan, Fryeburg, 13:12.3
5. Emilia Comrack, Washington, DC, 13:35.3
6. Anna Gerner, Phoenixville, PA, 14:07.8
7. Maren Berglund, Stoneham, 15:14.1
   

   Kids' Tour winner Wesley Martin of Naples

8. Peyton Davidson, Lovell, 15:32.1
9. Soleil Huang-Dale, Fryeburg, 15:45.8
10. Charlotte Comrack, Washington, DC, 15:59.4
11. Delin Drew, Lovell, 18:51.5
12. Cavlin Galligan, Fryeburg, 21:24.2
13. Owen Galligan, Fryeburg, 21:25.8

• The Kids’ Tour started on Route 5 in front of the New Suncook School, to the Lovell Athletic Fields, back to the New Suncook School.