Summer's Here and the Time is Right
... for cycling in the street!
Helen's back home in the USA and the weather has got much hotter; OK we've had a fair bit of rain too, but I think summer has arrived at last.
Last weekend was a holiday weekend so we had an extra day off to enjoy the sunny weather. On Saturday we drove up to Baltimore for the Bike Jam and as well as loads of bike races we saw an amazing trial bike show. We also saw our first member of Slipstream Chipotle (http://www.slipstreamsports.com/) Mike Friedman aka meatball, the team we are supporting this year; well one of the teams we are supporting as we also think Vanderkitten (http://www.vanderkitten.com/racing.html) rock too.
If that weren't enough we headed of to RFK stadium on the Sunday, or more rightly one of the car parks for the RFK Criterium where the main, and biggest prize, event was the ladies race and boy did those girls move.
Monday was a bit more laid back as after running a few errands we wend to the Alexandria Jazz festival for a chilled afternoon.
Those who are coming to visit will be pleased to know that work on the Pool started; the new pump is installed and now running. The pool has been drained so that the liner can be fixed so we're hoping that it should be up and running soon, which is good news as it is getting very hot.
Although is started hot and muggy this Saturday morning we had a few thunderstorms, torrential rain and a tornado watch in effect so our bike ride had to be canceled. Sunday dawned hot and sunny which was good news as the CSC invitational bike race was being held in Arlington. We got there in plenty of time to see the Cat 1/2 ladies race and the kids races; although there was no chance of getting past all the parents to see the younger ones. We strolled down to see the pro teams and I got very excited when we saw the Slipstream Chipotle van and even more when I shook Magnus Backstedt's hand and wished him well for the race; the guy is 6'4" and has got a fierce grip on him! Magnus, obviously motivated by my good wishes, attacked the race and broke away early on; unfortunately the breakaway grew too big and they lapped the main field (1k laps) which didn't play to his strengths, but he did get awarded most aggressive rider. We were really close to the action and you could stand on the kerb with the riders blasting past almost touching you; in the picture you can see Helen looking at Magnus and another slipstream rider on one corner, but if you click on the photo and check out some of the others you will see riders even closer to her!
After the race we drove out to the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad trail for a thirty mile pootle, although Helen is getting quicker and it can take an effort to keep up with her on my fixie; just need to work on the slow speed maneuvering!
Next weekend it's off to Philadelphia for a day cycling in the country and then see the guys, and girls as we'll be supporting Vanderkitten, race in the Commerce Bank International.
Helen's back home in the USA and the weather has got much hotter; OK we've had a fair bit of rain too, but I think summer has arrived at last.
Last weekend was a holiday weekend so we had an extra day off to enjoy the sunny weather. On Saturday we drove up to Baltimore for the Bike Jam and as well as loads of bike races we saw an amazing trial bike show. We also saw our first member of Slipstream Chipotle (http://www.slipstreamsports.com/) Mike Friedman aka meatball, the team we are supporting this year; well one of the teams we are supporting as we also think Vanderkitten (http://www.vanderkitten.com/racing.html) rock too.
If that weren't enough we headed of to RFK stadium on the Sunday, or more rightly one of the car parks for the RFK Criterium where the main, and biggest prize, event was the ladies race and boy did those girls move.
Monday was a bit more laid back as after running a few errands we wend to the Alexandria Jazz festival for a chilled afternoon.
Those who are coming to visit will be pleased to know that work on the Pool started; the new pump is installed and now running. The pool has been drained so that the liner can be fixed so we're hoping that it should be up and running soon, which is good news as it is getting very hot.
Although is started hot and muggy this Saturday morning we had a few thunderstorms, torrential rain and a tornado watch in effect so our bike ride had to be canceled. Sunday dawned hot and sunny which was good news as the CSC invitational bike race was being held in Arlington. We got there in plenty of time to see the Cat 1/2 ladies race and the kids races; although there was no chance of getting past all the parents to see the younger ones. We strolled down to see the pro teams and I got very excited when we saw the Slipstream Chipotle van and even more when I shook Magnus Backstedt's hand and wished him well for the race; the guy is 6'4" and has got a fierce grip on him! Magnus, obviously motivated by my good wishes, attacked the race and broke away early on; unfortunately the breakaway grew too big and they lapped the main field (1k laps) which didn't play to his strengths, but he did get awarded most aggressive rider. We were really close to the action and you could stand on the kerb with the riders blasting past almost touching you; in the picture you can see Helen looking at Magnus and another slipstream rider on one corner, but if you click on the photo and check out some of the others you will see riders even closer to her!
After the race we drove out to the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad trail for a thirty mile pootle, although Helen is getting quicker and it can take an effort to keep up with her on my fixie; just need to work on the slow speed maneuvering!
Next weekend it's off to Philadelphia for a day cycling in the country and then see the guys, and girls as we'll be supporting Vanderkitten, race in the Commerce Bank International.
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