Crystal Ride 2012

So last year, in 2011, the event that made me decide to start taking this biking thing seriously was the Air Force Cycling Classic. Somehow or another, I convinced the CEO of my company to sponsor a Team entry in the Crystal Ride. I got a group of six riders together, organized some training rides, got a full kit made, and managed to raise more money than any other corporate team! We did great last year, and of course had to do it again this year. 

This year, Team GC Velo (Gibbs & Cox Maritime Solutions), did an even job. For the second year in a row, we were the leading fundraiser (helped by a generous 1 for 1 corporate match) and, according to the results, we came in second in the corporate lap race to none other thank LMCO. 

4 riders (myself included) completed 7 laps (105 KM) inside the time limit (3.5 hours)! This includes a guy who's ridden seriously for about a month! The other two riders managed the full Gold Medal level 6 laps (90 KM) inside the time limit! That's a team mileage total of 600KM!!!!! 

I couldn't help but cop the Lance VII when I was finishing up my seventh lap. I know it was douchetastic. 

The ride was great, hot but not oppressive (and being the boy scout that I am, I had ICE SOCKS in my cooler in the corporate tent). Nick Bradford (NCVC, also rides for GC Velo in this event) kept reminding me to stop pulling (as we were towing about 80 riders behind us for 3 or 4 laps! 

DAMMIT JOHN! STOP PULLING!!!!!!!

HERE is my garmin data, just cause YOU KNOW you want to see it!

Like Mr. Pickett said... RIDE SALLY RIDE

Saturday was the first Crit of the year for me, and I'd like to take this chance to thank WWVC for putting on a very smooth race. As I had been informed, the course is FLAT, WIDE, and SAFE (a rare combination these days in MABRA land it seems). The first thing I noticed was all the NCVC riders.. (I think I counted 8, but I could be mistaken).

Rights reserved - Craig DuBois photographer

Well, the race was short, fast, and relatively calm. The first 3 - 4 laps were really quite fast, and the pack got really strung out and people started to pop off the back (not me for a change!). After that it settled into a stable, albeit reasonably brisk, pace. As you'd expect about 3 laps to go the pace started to pick up and people started throwing attacks off the front. I was near the back of the field and not in a position to attack, so I just rode on home with a sprint for a few more places just because the road was a million feet wide!

Final resutls? 25 of 46

NCVC won, what a shocker..

People who need to get upgraded!

A few weeks ago now, I decided to ride in the Greenbelt training race (hmm.. 5/23/2012 was the exact date). After getting thoroughly exploded by the crew racing in the "C" race, I was really, really, upset and really thought about hanging up the bike for the season.

Then I used the USA Cycling website to learn a few things about the folks who"podiumed" . 

First Place Matt Mcloone  (License #380188)

Okay, this 26 year old dude has entered 2 races (both Greenbelt) and placed 3rd in his first race, and 1st in second start. Who wins their 2nd start, ever? I hate this guy. Upgrade him fast!

Second Place Henry Tragle (License #375346)

This guy is my age at least (36), but only has this one start on his record. 2nd place in his 1st start. I hate this guy even more. If he wins or places highly in his next start, get him the hell outta here!

Third Place David Miller (License #375653) 

So, this 29 year old at least has a few starts. He's done Greenbelt a few times, All American, Walton Park and Wintergreen... wait wait.. did I see that right, he was 1st place in Cat 5 @ Wintergreen? Let's pull the string here.. he completed the wintergreen ascent in 36:50.8?!?!?!? That's REALLY FAST! That's... like.. wow..  the 7th fastest time this year, including the Pro's!!!!!! UPGRADE!

So, I still am crushed that I got crushed.. but at least these folks should end up in the 1's or 2's soon..... 

Ah racing. So bad at it. But I love it so much!