The time trials are a race against the clock, with a staggered start that takes riders 8 miles round-trip, out and back on Riverside drive.

Kenny Boettger, of Placid Planet, said the format of competition against yourself is what draws in a wide range of bicyclists, from fat-tire riders to people training for Ironman and other cycling races.

“It’s just you racing against yourself, and there’s usually a good party at the end,” Boettger said. “You’re not competing against anyone but yourself, and it’s pretty safe because you’re not in a group so there’s less chance of an accident.”

Boettger said the time trials have been going on for at least 35 years, and will continue each Wednesday for the next five weeks.

Loring Porter rides his fat-tire bike during Placid Planet’s first of six time trial races on Wednesday. (Enterprise photo — Justin A. Levine)

Van Ledger, a stand-out athlete who is playing for Lake Placid’s high school tennis team, also competes in cross-country running and biathlon and added that he has big plans for the next year.

“I’m in 10th (grade), but I’m graduating next year,” Ledger said after the time trials. “I’m skipping up a grade. I’ve been doubling up on classes and cramming over the summer to get a year ahead.

“I’m usually not allowed to say it, but the main reason is I don’t really like school,” he laughed. “But overall, if I can get out of school a year early, then I can have a full gap year and just train and still get back into college on time.”

Ledger has previously skied for the high school’s Nordic team, but skipped last season to train in biathlon with the New York Ski Educational Foundation at the Olympic Training Center. Ledger said Wednesday was his first road bike race, and that the difference between skiing and running races was noticeable.

“It was cool; it’s a lot different from a running race or a mountain bike race,” he said. “It’s a lot more straight forward. There’s no technical part, it’s just pure power.”

Jim Walker led all racers with a time of 18 minutes, 25 seconds. Nick Seleni (20:21) was second, Jeff Erenstone (21:27) placed third and Ledger had the fourth fastest time of the night with a 21:54.

Ledger was followed by Colin Delaney (22:28), Dan Reilly (23:16), Kim Maguire (23:20), Caitlyn Skufka (23:29), Amanda Zullo (24:02) and Eric Adsit (24:16) rounded out the top 10 finishers. Karl Zaumbrecher clocked a time of 24:37, Darci Lafave finished in 25:05 and Danica Frisbie crossed the line in 25:24.

Mark Scanio (25:55) had the 14th fastest time, while Loring Porter came across in 28:29 on a fat bike. Fred Zimmy finished in 30:45, Savannah Doviak clocked a time of 31:03, Mary Agnes Pellitieri had a 34:40 and Don Rumble rounded out the field with a 44:26.

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Wednesday’s Results

Jim Walker 18:25

Nick Seleni 20:21

Jeff Erenstone 21:27

Van Ledger 21:54

Colin Delaney 22:28

Dan Reilly 23:16

Kim Maguire 23:20

Caitlyn Skufka 23:29

Amanda Zullo 24:02

Eric Adsit 24:16

Karl Zaumbrecher 24:37

Darci Lafave 25:05

Danica Frisbie 25:24.

Mark Scanio 25:55

Loring Porter 28:29

Fred Zimmy 30:45

Savannah Doviak 31:03

Mary Agnes 34:40

Don Rumble 44:26.