I rode my bike to the US Air Force Cycling Classic today. It’s a road bike race laid out on an 8km course around the Pentagon and Crystal City. Things lasted all day with the amateurs and finished with the mens professional race that started at noon and was supposed to go till around 4. I probably rolled up to the north side of the Pentagon around 2:45. I saw a road blocked off and assumed it was for the race but saw no one around. I wondered down towards the Pentagon parking lot upon two cops that told me I was on the course and it would be wise to get off. I hung out there with the cops for the pack to come around for a lap.I was skeptical about riding behind the Pentagon and all the way to Crystal City but the cops said I could try it. So I ended up behind the Pentagon on the lawn off the road because the road was the course. There was no one back there but I’m sure there were a dozen cameras focused on me. And lots of security guys talking about me. Once the road opened up on the other side of the Pentagon a few cops signaled me over and told me to get off the course. I blamed the other cops but they didn’t want to hear it. They pointed me down a road that eventually got me to Crystal City.
There were great views of the race in Crystal City. You could hang out at a corner all by yourself as long as you weren’t near the crowds at the finish. I captured some pics seen on the link below. I only saw them make a few laps so I didn't get too many good pics. The second video towards the end is pretty good with them coming around a turn after a long straight within 800 meters of the finish. The finish was close but I didn’t see it all that well. The spectators were leaning over the barrier and it was hard to see and take pics.
Picasa pics
2 comments:
Lay off on the negative comments! Labeling the riders in your photos Quitters and stating "These wimps gave up" shows your ignorance of this sport. Your pigeon shooting, craft brew swilling, snowboarding heart would pop out of your chest if you tried to bike with any of those dudes for more than 5 minutes. Show up next year and ride the open ride and get a taste.
Chill out b cali, you are 1 of 2 people that read this blog and see those pictures.
And I'm one of a few people that actually watches bike racing in this country. The thought crossed my mind that labeling them in a negative way on a public photo album was a little harsh but then I remembered you and I are the only ones that are going to actually see it.
And what is wrong with shooting flying rats, craft brew swillin', and snowboarding? I'd beat everyone of those "pros" on a downhill that requires more than genetics!
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