This was an awesome race put together by Dan G. as sort of a training race for CMWC 05.
About thirty or so racers gathered at the bottom of Malcolm X park at about 4 p.m. The race was supposed to start at 5 p.m., but some racers were stuck in traffic and Dan gave them til 6 p.m. to get there. I don't think they ever made it. That's ok, because Dan gave out the manifests early and that gave everyone more than enough time to sort out the manifest, which consisted of three pick-up locations with three drop locations for each.
The pick up locations were Logan Circle, Dupont Circle and Washington Circle. The drop locations included the Lucky Bar, State Department Authentications, several along Pennsylvania Ave., The Willard Hotel. etc etc.
He had three manifests printed up. Each one had the same pick locations, but he had jumbled up the drops so as to vary your route slightly for each one. Joe Porkchops was the manifest exchange person in Sherwood Forest. Oh, and you only had an hour and a half to complete your manifests and arrive at the finish line, Cafe Manowaj at 624 T Street, NW (thanks for the kind time Cafe Manowaj!!!).
Kevin and I rode quick with one or two routing mistakes and were able to get our third manifest. We thought we might be able to finish at least eight of twelve checkpoints on the third and final manifest, but luck wasn't on my side. At the third drop location for the first pick, at 1735 K Street NW, as I jumped on to the curb, I came down on the edge and the dreaded PSSSSSSSSSSSSSS of a snake bite as I flatted. Kevin was doing good, so we agreed he should go on without me. As I changed my tube, (thanks to Kim Reynolds for lending me her tools), I could hear her talking to base and that the race leaders (Bruce and AZ) were finishing up, AZ with a flat tire!
As I finished blowing my tire up, I had run out of time to do anymore checkpoints, so I was headed directly towards T street. Two blocks away at Connecticut Ave and 18th Street, once againg the dreaded Pssssssssssssss of a flat tire, I had made the rookie mistake of getting my tube pinched in between my tire bead and rim! Damn! At this point, being out of tubess and with precious little time, I decided ride the twenty-five block on a flat tire! It was my only option.
I made the finish with no time to spare, but able to turn my manifest in and have it accepted by Dan G.. Woo-hoo!!!
Dan G. had plenty of free beer available for his racers and after a few of them and much good music, he announced the winners, which in this order were:
1. Bruce Beran (who won a free registration to CMWC, courtesy of Dan G.)
2. Andy Z.
3. Corey Twyman
Kevin was able to place 6th and I was able to hang onto 8th Place out of 22 accepted manifests. We're very happy with those results!
Anyhoo, we want to thank Dan G. again for a real fun time and good race and the kind people at Cafe Manowaj for putting up with us!
See ya in NYC for CMWC 05 and the week after in B.more for Isaac's Courier Gangbang!