Hermination on wheels Derek Hermon rode a bicycle similar to this one to win the Specialized GoldSprints title and jersey for the second straight year. (KATHY PORTIE/Big Bear Grizzly) Hermon wins GoldSprint title By KATHY PORTIE Reporter Published: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 7:07 AM PDT The Herminator did it again. Derek Hermon, owner of Bear Valley Bikes and a professional mountain biker, beat the roadies at the GoldSprints Championship during the Specialized Dealer Conference in Keystone, Colo., July 16. To most around the local mountain biking scene, Hermon is known as the Herminator. There were more than 60 competitors in the bicycle roller race series. Cyclists clipped into the stationary bikes and raced against the clock for 500 meters. The three-day event was at the Kickapoo Tavern in Keystone’s River Run Village. As defending champ, Hermon said he felt the pressure early. “I didn’t think I could do it,” Hermon said. “I only qualified with the fourth-fastest time.” Eight cyclists advanced to the final round of single-elimination ride-offs. That’s when Hermon found his second wind. He turned in the fastest time of the event to win his semi-final heat in 18.26 seconds. That put Hermon up against Don Langley, a former world record holder in the 200-meter time trials. Langley is a veteran road racer who was a member of the 1984 U.S. cycling team, and a 2002 national champion and world silver medalist. Specialized named one of its road bikes after Langley—the Langster. Prior to the GoldSprint final, Langley asked if Hermon was a track racer. “He didn’t like it when I told him I was a mountain biker,” Hermon said. “It was pretty funny.” Langley had a great start, leading early before Hermon caught up at the midway point. “I pulled ahead and kept a good lead at the end,” Hermon said. That good lead turned out to be the event’s second-fastest time at 18.77 seconds. It earned Hermon the Specialized GoldSprint champion’s jersey. “It was really tough,” Hermon said about pedaling at a higher elevation than Big Bear. “We were at 9,300 feet. I would literally see stars and gasp for air. It was like being a fish out of water.” Hermon, who brought GoldSprints to Big Bear last winter, said he is partnering with Nottinghams again to host several more races and a winter series. “Stay tuned for more GoldSprint competitions here,” he said. He hopes to put on a couple of races in the next few weeks. For more information on bicycle roller racing, visit the Web site www.opensprints.com. For more information on Notti GoldSprints competition, contact Bear Valley Bikes at 909-866-8000. Bear Valley Bikes is at 40298 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake. Nottinghams is at 40797 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake CA 92315