Air Force Classic

[Steve O]

@Tim Kelley 118090 wrote:

Strava said I had the third fastest lap of the day: https://www.strava.com/segments/7393091

(I guess the other faster folks didn’t upload their files…)

Don’t get all cocky – you only beat the 61-year old woman by 6 seconds:
http://www.cadencesports.com/racefiles/959_Lap%20Results_All%20Riders_detail.htm

Oh, and she did four more laps than you, too.

[Tim Kelley]

@Steve O 118096 wrote:

Don’t get all cocky – you only beat the 61-year old woman by 6 seconds:
http://www.cadencesports.com/racefiles/959_Lap%20Results_All%20Riders_detail.htm

Oh, and she did four more laps than you, too.

I believe that was actually Damian Lopez Alphonso (the guy who lost both arms below his elbows) that was riding under Tracy’s number. (Google his name and prepare to be impressed)

[sjclaeys]

In other news, ArlCo Board Member Audrey Clement says that the Clarendon Cup “constitutes a reckless endangerment” because it caused her to “risk her life” in taking another route on her bike to the board meeting: http://www.arlnow.com/2015/06/15/photos-air-force-association-cycling-classic/.

Maybe the better response is to have more bike infrastructure in Arlington. :rolleyes:

[Tim Kelley]

@sjclaeys 118118 wrote:

Maybe the better response is to have more bike infrastructure Arlington. :rolleyes:

Someone in our office had the same reaction.

[kwarkentien]

@sjclaeys 118118 wrote:

In other news, ArlCo Board Member Audrey Clement says that the Clarendon Cup “constitutes a reckless endangerment” because it caused her to “risk her life” in taking another route on her bike to the board meeting: http://www.arlnow.com/2015/06/15/photos-air-force-association-cycling-classic/.

Maybe the better response is to have more bike infrastructure Arlington. :rolleyes:

Audrey Clement is NOT a County Board Member. She’s a perennial candidate of the Green Party but most recently is running as an “Independent” hoping that new moniker might change the outcome for her. But your observation about her laughable “reckless endangerment” statement is spot on. Plus, I can’t imagine what route she might have had to take to get to the Courthouse that would’ve have anything to do with the Clarendon Cup road closures that could be in any way perceived as a “risk to her life.” But what is a politician without hyperbole!!

[Steve O]

@Tim Kelley 118090 wrote:

Strava said I had the third fastest lap of the day: https://www.strava.com/segments/7393091

(I guess the other faster folks didn’t upload their files…)

Strava said I tied for the 135th fastest lap of the day: https://www.strava.com/segments/7393091

(I guess the other faster folks didn’t upload their files…)

[Tim Kelley]

@Steve O 118122 wrote:

Strava said I tied for the 135th fastest lap of the day: https://www.strava.com/segments/7393091

(I guess the other faster folks didn’t upload their files…)

I don’t see your name there–and it jumps from 133rd to 136th?

[PotomacCyclist]

@kwarkentien 118120 wrote:

Audrey Clement is NOT a County Board Member. She’s a perennial candidate of the Green Party but most recently is running as an “Independent” hoping that new moniker might change the outcome for her. But your observation about her laughable “reckless endangerment” statement is spot on. Plus, I can’t imagine what route she might have had to take to get to the Courthouse that would’ve have anything to do with the Clarendon Cup road closures that could be in any way perceived as a “risk to her life.” But what is a politician without hyperbole!!

To be fair to her, the road closures did cause her to take a detour. She had to ride through every single ramp and lane of the Springfield Interchange. She was also forced to dodge planes that were landing on the main runway at National Airport, just as she was crossing. She also had several near-misses as she maneuvered around the construction cranes at the MGM Casino construction site in National Harbor. We should show some sympathy here.

[MattAune]

@kwarkentien 118120 wrote:

Audrey Clement is NOT a County Board Member. She’s a perennial candidate of the Green Party but most recently is running as an “Independent” hoping that new moniker might change the outcome for her. But your observation about her laughable “reckless endangerment” statement is spot on. Plus, I can’t imagine what route she might have had to take to get to the Courthouse that would’ve have anything to do with the Clarendon Cup road closures that could be in any way perceived as a “risk to her life.” But what is a politician without hyperbole!!

She risked her life because she literally lifted her bike over the fence in an attempt to cut across the course as the peloton of the pro race was approaching. She then got in an argument with some teammates about why it was such a problem for her to walk a block and cross the course at a guarded crossing.

As one of my teammates put it, “its a particularly dumb thing to say if you’re a candidate that wants to be pro-bike commuting. She alienates cyclists by complaining about the race, and alienates anti-cycling voters because she rides. Lose-lose.”

[Vicegrip]

@Tim Kelley 118098 wrote:

I believe that was actually Damian Lopez Alphonso (the guy who lost both arms below his elbows) that was riding under Tracy’s number. (Google his name and prepare to be impressed)

He was kicking ass! Thanks for the tip on who he is.

[Steve O]

@Tim Kelley 118124 wrote:

I don’t see your name there–and it jumps from 133rd to 136th?

That’s because those faster people have been uploading since I posted. Now I’m not even in the top 200. Another day or two and I drop out of the top 1000.

Correction: Still 135th. You need to click on “This Year” not “All Time”

[Vicegrip]

@Steve O 118143 wrote:

That’s because those faster people have been uploading since I posted. Now I’m not even in the top 200. Another day or two and I drop out of the top 1000.

Someone throw the kill switch asap! I am down to 77th already. (Down from what I don’t know. Forgot to check)

I was digging the couple on the high end tandem. They were riding at about 22 mph per lap and we passed each other quite a few times. They were rocking the downhills and flats but I gained back on the hill and false flats. They made it look smooth and graceful. Clean cornering and well synchronised up and out of the saddle(s) Michele and I have much to learn for next year.

[Steve O]

This was the first time I’ve ridden the Air Force Cycling Challenge, and, to be frank, it wasn’t all that much fun. Although it’s good to be on closed roads, they are mostly big highways without really any scenery. I guess the Air Force Memorial is kinda cool, but it looks the same on every lap.
Since I had set a personal goal of 6 laps and didn’t know what that would take, I wanted to build a buffer of time before the last couple of laps. So I only took one 2-minute water break and ended up riding alone most of the time (with the exception of the enjoyable 2/3rds lap I rode with sjclaeys). Even at that I only finished with about 8 minutes to spare, so I couldn’t have taken many other breaks anyway.

So it just felt like a grind in hot weather. Good thing the medal is real gold.

On the other hand, I had a great time watching the pros race and drinking free starbucks promos and rooting through the bargain bins and enjoying a mint milkshake from Coldstone, etc. So the event is a good time, but not so much the ride for me. Honestly, if next year I wanted to do a bunch of miles before watching the Criterium, I could find a much nicer ride–say down to Mt. Vernon or something. And it wouldn’t cost $65.

That said, I do think supporting the whole weekend (I also watched the men’s race on Saturday after getting my packet) of cycling in Arlington is good.
So next year I think I may volunteer to marshall. At least that way I’ll have more social interactions without feeling like I have to keep pushing hard just to get around a set number of times.

Then in 2017 hozn and I will do it on unicycles.

[Sunyata]

@Vicegrip 118155 wrote:

I was digging the couple on the high end tandem. They were riding at about 22 mph per lap and we passed each other quite a few times. They were rocking the downhills and flats but I gained back on the hill and false flats. They made it look smooth and graceful. Clean cornering and well synchronised up and out of the saddle(s) Michele and I have much to learn for next year.

Were they all extremely matchy-matchy in their kits and helmets (and probably even shoes)? If so, I am pretty sure I know who you are talking about. They are mountain bikers and kick my ass every time I ride with them.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@Steve O 118157 wrote:

And it wouldn’t cost $65.

…snip…

So next year I think I may volunteer to marshall.

PRO-TIP: Volunteering to help could net you free registration for the Crystal Ride…

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