Diamond Derby
what is the Diamond Derby?
maybe this link to the Gwadzilla page will help
maybe not
or maybe this article in GRIST will give a better idea
maybe not
maybe the following words will better explain things?
maybe not
the images posted here are from a meeting at the race location a few weeks back
on this day I had the pleasure of taking a few fast laps around the course
then race director Sheba Farrin showed me the space that we would be using for the kids' race at the Diamond Derby
Sheba lead the laps with her beautiful baby in tow
the cover was pulled off the bicycle trailer and Sheba's beautiful baby giggled and laughed the whole way
during some points of the ride this beautiful baby whose name slips my mind had its hands raised in the air like an experienced roller coaster rider
THE RACE COURSE IS A PEDAL POWERED ROLLER COASTER!
the spiral up and spiral down is the classic roller coaster beginning
slow start... dropping into a fast descent!
then the ramps between floors make for a nice glide that offer the chance to get some speed
speed which of course will need to be controlled because this race is all about twists and turns
if you do not make the turn... the concrete wall will definitely slow you down
CRASHING COULD BE BAD!
there may be some spaces to catch some air... but not too much air
because of the low ceiling
but no worries... I am more than likely taller than you... and I am at no real risk of hitting the ceiling... not even when launching the barriers
will their be hay bail barriers this year?
HELL YES!
this Diamond Derby is going to be BIGGER and BETTER than the last Crystal City event
the race is an odd meld of road crit... cyclocross race... and urban race
the Open Category race is a bit of a scavenger hunt with a messenger twist...
the kids' race... well... there will be a short course set up for the wee ones... and the more comfortable young racers will do an abbreviated version of the adult course
these mixes are not so odd knowing that Sheba Farrin was a long time bicycle messenger and a long time Cat 1 Road Racer
offering up the first lap with one set of challenges and then each following lap will be a different route offering up another set of challenges
let me tell you... these photos do not do this race course justice
see it to beleive it?
NO- RACE IT TO BELIEVE IT!
it is a hoot a holler and a scream to ride and race in a parking garage
it is a hoot a holler and a scream to ride and race in a parking garage
there is something about the low ceiling and the cement pillars that offer up added excitement
thrilling to say the least!
still not getting it?
well... check out the images from the Diamond Derby last spring
Diamond Derby images on the Gwadzilla Facebook Page
it is really something unique
the event on the day attracts a wide variety of riders
there will be people there to race but there will also be people there to spectate
a good majority of the spectators will be involved in a social ride from Washington DC then across the bridge into Crystal City
I think the racers enjoy the spectacle of the social riders
while the social riders are clearly entertained by the racers
it is a great meld of two rather different approaches to cycling
Crystal City Diamond Derby
September 29, 2012
2345 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA
Bikes, Racing, Art,
Food and Fashion!
September 29, 2012
2345 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA
Bikes, Racing, Art,
Food and Fashion!
REGISTER FOR THE DIAMOND DERBY HERE
http://www.diamond-derby.com/registration/
http://www.diamond-derby.com/registration/