I'm kicking my ass!

On tap for the weekend was the 40k Church Creek Time Trial Saturday and Reston 123 Crit on Sunday.

This video pretty much sums up how Church Creek went and felt:


Stephen Robinson continued his streak of pummeling me. Yep, 2nd place for moi in the 35+. But hey, it is fun to know that guy is going to show up every time bringing the pain. It keeps pushing me to try and improve. Thanks ABRT for promoting!

NOW, on to an interesting topic, RULES. After having raced triathlon for several years before coming to cycling, I've always been very conscious of drafting. But after my TT on Saturday, I realized that I wasn't really sure what the drafting rules are per USAC. Here's what happened. I catch the guy (different division) who started 30 seconds before me about ~8-9 miles in, just about that point where you are headed into the wind for what seems like forever. This guy decides to ride right off my left side for several miles. He would randomly pull up alongside me on the left, not passing, just sitting there. His bike was making this god awful annoying noise. He passes me back right before the final turn. So, this whole episode led me to read the rules, and yes, jackass, if you read this, you should have been penalized as you were cheating. I hope you feel good about your effort. Man, you were an annoyance.

3E6. Rider Conduct.
(a) On an out-and-back course, riders shall stay to the right of the centerline at all times [disqualification].
(b) No rider shall take pace behind another rider closer than 25 meters (80 feet) ahead or 2 meters (7 feet) to the side. [A rider who is observed taking pace shall receive a time penalty as specified in Table 2]. A rider may also be disqualified for extended and/or repeated pacing.
(c) No two riders may ride abreast other than when attempting to pass and such attempts shall not be maintained beyond a distance of 500 meters. An attempt to pass may be repeated an unlimited number of times but each time a challenging rider fails in his attempt, he shall drop back to 25 meters behind the challenged rider before renewing his attempt.

Oh, yeah, some 46 yr old dude went 50:39 and DESTROYED everyone. Wow, he only was like a minute behind DC Velo's wicked fast 4 man team. Things that make you go, hmmm.

Haig came over for dinner on Saturday. Igda and Emir whipped up an awesome Bosnian meal, Cevapcici & Burek!!!! So fattening, yet so delicious.

On to Reston Sunday:

With the toilet repaired, Emir's bedroom door fixed and furniture re-arranged between bedrooms, we headed out for the afternoon race.

This is a pretty sweet race. I've only done it twice, but I have to say, it is a killer venue and it's close! Evolution always runs a first class event. This race takes A LOT of volunteers for sure. Thanks Evolution!

start:

Not much to report really. An early move got away with some firepower...that may be an understatement. XO and DC Velo played havoc at the front of the field [which they should and is expected].
I like this overhead vid:

Reston Crit overhead shot from Peter Warner on Vimeo.

Much of the rest of the field appeared comfortable with racing for scraps after that for the next 70 minutes. Umm, that's about it. Igda shot a good video of Russ Langley inching out the win.

Reston Crit 123 Finish 2011 from Peter Warner on Vimeo.

SWEET, just read Gilbert won the Belgium jersey!!!! Wow, Tim Rugg took 3rd at Elite Nats. Congrats, Tim!