Historic Riding In Arlington – 1991 Tour DuPont

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Tim Kelley 61573 wrote:

New blog post! I found some old video clips on youtube from the early 90s when some high quality racing came through the DC area. Anyone have anything they can add? I know some long time riders remember this…

http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/news-events/blog/historic-riding-in-arlington-1991-tour-dupont/

The guys at 1:28 totally made my day. Also, guy at 1:00 is clearly using a Gruber assist….

[PotomacCyclist]

Bring back the Tour DuPont!

Not that I have any personal memories of it. I wasn’t in the Arlington/DC area in 1991. I wasn’t riding bikes or watching bike races either.

[consularrider]

I may have actually been in Rosslyn around that time, but can’t find the actual dates of the race. I left Mexico City in February, had some home leave, and then a couple weeks of training at the old Foreign Service Institute at Key Blvd between Oak and Nash (Gold’s Gym occupies our old library space) before heading to London in April. Opening shot is near my current office building, and the video could have been of the Crystal Ride/Air Force Cycling Challenge.

[Tim Kelley]

@consularrider 61712 wrote:

I may have actually been in Rosslyn around that time, but can’t find the actual dates of the race. I left Mexico City in February, had some home leave, and then a couple weeks of training at the old Foreign Service Institute at Key Blvd between Oak and Nash (Gold’s Gym occupies our old library space) before heading to London in April. Opening shot is near my current office building, and the video could have been of the Crystal Ride/Air Force Cycling Challenge.

Mid-May. 1991 was May 9th-19th.

[consularrider]

@Tim Kelley 61715 wrote:

Mid-May. 1991 was May 9th-19th.

Nope, must be why I don’t remember it. By mid-May I was firmly ensconced on the visa line in Grosvenor Square and bike commuting from Swiss Cottage through Regents Park.

[PotomacCyclist]

I lived in Regents Park one summer. (No, I wasn’t homeless. I was on a study abroad program and we stayed at the dorms in Regents College.) Very nice location. Lots of trees and open space, but just a short walk from central London.

[KLizotte]

@consularrider 61730 wrote:

By mid-May I was firmly ensconced on the visa line in Grosvenor Square and bike commuting from Swiss Cottage through Regents Park.

You were either crazy or brave to be bike commuting in London.

[Rod Smith]

I missed the 1991 Arlington stage but I watched the 1992 final stage time trial in DC. I saw Anderson pre-riding the course and watched Fignon, Bugno, Kvalsvoll, Lemond, etc. climb Capitol Hill on Independence Ave. I guess I saw Swartz but to be honest I didn’t know who he was or that he was a contender to win the overall. Although this announcers spin it differently, I saw this as a contest between Lemond and Z teammate Kvalsvoll and that’s what it turned out to be.

[dasgeh]

@KLizotte 61743 wrote:

You were either crazy or brave to be bike commuting in London.

I’m slowly working on my brother and sister-in-law to let my nephews bike commute from Hampstead to St. Paul’s School (Hammersmith). I have a few years. I may need them.

[culimerc]

I was in a VIP tent in 1988 when the Tour Du Trump came to town. Got to shake hands with both Lemond and Hampsten.

[consularrider]

@KLizotte 61743 wrote:

You were either crazy or brave to be bike commuting in London.

It wasn’t so bad in the mornings, but the return ride in the evening (especially in the dark) was no fun. Here’s my route as best I remember.

[vvill]

@consularrider 61805 wrote:

It wasn’t so bad in the mornings, but the return ride in the evening (especially in the dark) was no fun. Here’s my route as best I remember.

I assume it’s gotten better. I used to commute from Isle of Dogs to around Liverpool St station a few times a week, and only ever got hit by a taxi once.

[Author]

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