Category: Personal Page 56 of 59

It was bikes, bikes, bikes, this weekend. In addition to my usual weekend morning group ride on the W&OD trail, I found some time to hit Wakefield on my (new to me) Gary Fisher Sugar 4+ on Saturday afternoon. The next morning found me where I certainly didn’t belong – on a bike at the start line for the Dirt Criterium, part of the Cranky Monkey mountain bike racing series. I didn’t impress anyone, but I wasn’t DFL. So, we’ll call that a victory. The afternoon was a bit more sedate – I went to watch the final two events at the City Bikes RFK Criterium. I really enjoyed the RFK crit. A different flavor than my other local fav (the CSC Invitational, which takes place blocks from my house), it’s a hardcore amateur affair. The am-only races and the scorching hot location (RFK parking lot) weed out all but the most devoted racers and fans. The result is that those who make it are treated to a show of phenomenal efforts by cyclists who do it for nothing but the glory. Love it.

Competed in my first professionally-run mountain bike race this weekend – it was fantastically fun. I finished middle of the pack, but leagues ahead of where I was before the race. I’ll be back next year, for sure. More pictures here.

I am amazed at my investment in Floyd Landis’ achievements in the 2006 Tour de France.  While I am very clear that even the most decent of riders can end up dopers (thank you, Tyler, for that lesson), Landis’ alleged violation continues to make no sense to me.  Tomorrow, at 5am EDT, we are supposed to get the results of the B sample.  Like most of the rest of the world, I expect it will come back with with same result.  I wish that could settle matters.  But it really won’t.  Not for me, and not for most cycling fans.  With respect to pro cycling, the only thing I want more than to be reassured of Floyd’s innocence, is to be certain of the truth.

Ah well.  Until then, more from the man himself.