Air Force Association Challenge ride

[Bilsko]

I’m signed up as well. 17.15 mph average to pull down the Gold medal and the only real climbs seem to be up Wilson and then the harder one to get up to the AFMemorial. First ride of this type for me (not quite a race, but still competitive) so I’m excited.

[txgoonie]

@consularrider 53880 wrote:

That’s it? I could have sworn the supersonics were out, maybe it was the crowd?

Well, that’s of the people who uploaded their ride to Strava. Doesn’t mean there wasn’t someone going faster.

[NicDiesel]

Those of you that did it last year – can you recommend a good spot for your support person to hang out at that’s shady? My wife said she wants to cheer me on and be my support person but didn’t know if the shady area over by the water fountains in Crystal City would be open or not for spectators. Anyone remember what the crowd was like for the race last year?

[txgoonie]

@4st7lbs 53890 wrote:

Those of you that did it last year – can you recommend a good spot for your support person to hang out at that’s shady? My wife said she wants to cheer me on and be my support person but didn’t know if the shady area over by the water fountains in Crystal City would be open or not for spectators. Anyone remember what the crowd was like for the race last year?

It’s not a huge crowd draw quite honestly since it’s non-competitive. I actually remember some people doing exactly what your wife is planning to do in that spot. The roads will be closed to vehicular traffic, of course, but pedestrians shouldn’t have any trouble getting around. Just please make sure you’re actually off the route if you choose to stop. It’s not a huge hazard at the water fountain b/c the road is relatively wide there. I just remember people creating their own little impromptu pit stops right on the road, which really isn’t the safest thing to do.

[Arlingtonrider]

I and lots of others were cheering people on from the sidewalks south of the Water Park, and as I recall, there was shade to stand in. I might be there again this year, cowbells in hand. I might actually have been a couple of blocks south of the Water Park on the same side of the street that it’s on, close to the finish line and the announcers’ stand across the street.

[consularrider]

Ok, the Challenge Ride website changed the map of the course to what was run last year from what was originally posted. Last year’s route was 15 km (9.32 miles) per lap and the new route was supposed to be 16.5 km (10.25 miles) per lap. The website still lists the route as 16.5 km, but I’m betting it is only 15 km. That’s a difference of 9 km (5.58 miles) for six laps. For for six laps of 99 km in 3.5 hours (no breaks), you need to average 28.25 kph (17.57 mph), if it is only 90 km you need to average 25.72 kph (15.98 mph).

[Bilsko]

@consularrider 53903 wrote:

Ok, the Challenge Ride website changed the map of the course to what was run last year from what was originally posted. Last year’s route was 15 km (9.32 miles) per lap and the new route was supposed to be 16.5 km (10.25 miles) per lap. The website still lists the route as 16.5 km, but I’m betting it is only 15 km. That’s a difference of 9 km (5.58 miles) for six laps. For for six laps of 99 km in 3.5 hours (no breaks), you need to average 28.25 kph (17.57 mph), if it is only 90 km you need to average 25.72 kph (15.98 mph).

So I’m confused – is the PDF map (labeled June 9, 2013) *not* the actual course? I had to force ridewithgps to maps it out with straigh lines (b/c it wouldn’t let me map around the Pentagon), and it came up a bit short on distance (closer to 14.5-15km than to 16.5)…

I can’t imagine it will be substantially different – getting road closure permits around there must be the worst so I’d think that they just go with what’s worked in the past, no?

[dasgeh]

Would it be crazy to do this with a kid (on a weehoo, seat or similar)?

[consularrider]

@Bilsko 53905 wrote:

So I’m confused – is the PDF map (labeled June 9, 2013) *not* the actual course? I had to force ridewithgps to maps it out with straigh lines (b/c it wouldn’t let me map around the Pentagon), and it came up a bit short on distance (closer to 14.5-15km than to 16.5)…

I can’t imagine it will be substantially different – getting road closure permits around there must be the worst so I’d think that they just go with what’s worked in the past, no?

As I understand it, that is the course and it is only 15 km. Earlier this year there was a much different PDF at the website that I believe was closer to the 16.5 km and they never changed the wording in description. Something to be sure to clarify when you pickup you packet on Friday or Saturday.

[Tim Kelley]

@dasgeh 53906 wrote:

Would it be crazy to do this with a kid (on a weehoo, seat or similar)?

No–just start out towards the back, stay out of the passing lane and watch any of the tight turns. (In years past there always seems to be at least one sharp turn that ends up being a bottleneck)

Is Grant coming out too?

[dasgeh]

Grant is signed up for the 2/3 (but may switch to the 3/4). Sydney is signed up for the kids race. Ryder and I were feeling left out.

[KLizotte]

I also recall people skipping the hill up to the AF Memorial. Just stay on 395 if you choose.

[Tim Kelley]

@KLizotte 53925 wrote:

I also recall people skipping the hill up to the AF Memorial. Just stay on 395 if you choose.

But then you don’t get your pastry and your heckling from Richard Fries!!

[NicDiesel]

@KLizotte 53925 wrote:

I also recall people skipping the hill up to the AF Memorial. Just stay on 395 if you choose.

How bad is that hill? Are we talking “out of saddle” all out climb or “just keep your speed up”?

[Tim Kelley]

@4st7lbs 53928 wrote:

How bad is that hill? Are we talking “out of saddle” all out climb or “just keep your speed up”?

More like sit and spin–it’s not steep enough to get out of the saddle unless you are really pushing to keep up with the fast little climber guys.

[Author]

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