PeteD
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Had a great time and ride; one doesn’t get the chance to (for the most part) just hammer it for that long on roads inside the beltway.
I left home at 5:45am, and made it down to the Starbucks at around 6:30. Spotted sjclaeys and chatted for a few before going and getting in line. Saw consularrider as we walked to the back of the line. Seems there was some confusion as people were telling us they were being told we were all going to have to turn around, but that soon passed.
Walked the first couple hundred yards but was clipped in as we hit the start line. Steve’s observation that it would be better to be in the first corner on the outside was well placed, we had no slowdowns there.
The first bit out to Rosslyn was a bit of slow/fast as we dealt with the varying lane sizing. It was amazing to see Tim just floored at the front of the peleton, but equally astounded at the sheer number of flats that the lead group were incurring. I didn’t think the roads were that bad, but then again I run 25mm gatorskins on aluminum wheels…
I lost Steve after the turn around in Rosslyn; I got claustrophobic being around so many people so I was moving into open space and didn’t realize he had come un-hooked until I got to on-ramp from 110 to 27.
So for the next lap and a half I just kept riding to the front and wasn’t all that concerned with drafting anyone; they could follow me if they could keep my wheel. Eventually vicegrip pulled around me and said I needed to let him return the favour a bit and let him pull. So for the next 3 laps we spent time in front, sometimes latching onto another fast mover or two, before eventually taking over for them.
Most fulfilling moment was me pulling from the Rosslyn turn around to the middle of the 27 on ramp, then Kurt taking over to the foot of the Air Force Memorial climb. I heard some freehub clicking, and thought we had maybe a couple people behind us (a guy in a Pearl Izumi jersey and another guy that basically kept with us the entire time). When Kurt hit the bottom of the hill, and pulled off, I was expecting one of those guys to come around and get us up the hill. Instead there were about a group of 20 that fanned out across the road. Old guys on the front for the win I guess
I did keep yelling at people I recognized (Was that dbb? Dickie on the front of the cutters twice, quick Hellos for consular and Rod).
Got around for lap 6 in 2:38, but I guess we missed the starting lap 7 cut off by about 8 minutes; using flyby there were a few in front of us that started 7 and made it around, and others that started 7 but were pulled off before getting off of Rt 1 onto 110.
Picked up my medal and hung out with Arlingtonrider for an hour congratulating people as they came off the course. Saw quite a few forum members just chatting and high-fiving.
Spent an hour afterwards, and by about lap 15 of the Elite Mens race, figured it was time to mosey home. I turned a couple laps at Hanes Point, and found my way ’round thru to a couple of federal buildings I needed to figure out how to get to by bike, then really headed home. I only had to add (after that) another 5 or so to hit 100.4 by the time I got home. Fastest century ever! (probably the flattest one I’ve done too).
