Speed Times Five Read Online Free

race personnel at every checkpoint. Because of the isolation of parts of the course, it is vital that you keep your communications gear in good working condition.
    â€œAlso, please observe the rules of good sportsmanship. If someone is in trouble, make sure you help him or her or—at the very least—call for assistance. The race can be dangerous; let’s look out for one another.
    â€œFinally, I want to thank our support staff and race sponsors, especially StarTel communications, QuickAid sports drinks, the Tuffy bike corporation, LaTelle Medical and Pharmaceutical, and Sea-Zoom personal water craft. And, of course, I can’t forget the beautiful Fire Creek Mountain Resort, who have allowed us the use of their spectacular facilities for the first three stages of this race. Next time you’re in Quebec, visit Fire Creek Mountain.”Bennett gazed out over the sea of eager racers assembled before him. “So, are you ready to race?”
    â€œYeah!” the crowd screamed back.
    â€œThen let’s hit the starting blocks!” Bennett waved to the crowd, pointed toward the starting gate atop the ski hill, and then jogged in that direction.
    Half an hour later, the Hardys’ starting numbers were called, and the team made its way to the gate.
    â€œSee you both at the first resupply point,” Jamal said.
    â€œTake good care of the van,” Frank said.
    â€œWe’ll treat it as if we owned it,” Chet replied.
    â€œThat’s what we’re worried about,” Joe shot back jokingly.
    A crowd of officials milled around the starting gate. They checked the communications equipment—a durable long-range walkie-talkie hooked into race headquarters—as each racer came through, and ran through a final prerace checklist.
    Joe and Frank completed their paperwork and headed for the gate. Ahead of them, the brothers saw Kelly Hawk plunge down the slope at a breakneck pace. Collins, Frid, and Curtis waited nearby, looking very much a team in their matching UMass campus wear. All of the students started before Joe and Frank.
    When his turn came, Frank mounted his bike at the top of the run. He gave Joe the thumbs-up, waited for the starting buzzer, and then took off downhill.
    Joe positioned his mountain bike in the starting gate and hopped on. He watched as Frank zipped around the first turn in the course, disappearing behind a stand of pine trees. Joe looked at the starter, who said, “Ready?”
    Joe nodded and adjusted his racing helmet and goggles. The starter brought up his starting timer, which was hooked into the gate. The lights on either side of the gate flashed red . . . yellow . . . green! A buzzer sounded and the gate flew open.
    Joe hit the pedals and lurched out of the gate and down the steep, bare ski slope.
    â€œYahoo!” he whooped. Yelling wasn’t very professional, but the thrill of descent felt glorious. Stones and dust kicked up behind Joe as he zoomed toward the first turn.
    He came in hard and clenched the hand brake to slow himself a little. The bike skidded sideways a bit, costing him some time, but he regained control and headed for the second steep turn.
    A tall stand of pines rose up before him as he neared a jog to the right. He squeezed the brakes lightly to take the edge off the turn.
    The grips caught for a moment, then pressed all the way to the handlebars. The brakes didn’t catch. Unable to control his speed, Joe careened toward the tall pine trees.

3 Accidental Meetings
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    Joe squeezed the brakes once more as he turned the bike’s front wheel to steer away from the edge of the course.
    Nothing. He had no brakes at all.
    He flipped the shift lever and kicked the bike into a lower gear, hoping he wouldn’t throw the chain as he did so. The chain held and the bike turned, but not fast enough.
    Trees shot up in front of him, a dense, green wall. Many of the trunks were a foot wide. The mesh ski