The Ruff News Time Trial... a summer tradition that was known to me... but not really ever understood as I had never experienced it...

 

although I brought the camera... I did not snap any photos to tell the tale

Ruff News Time Trial

a post work BBQ and Bike Race hosted by DC Bike Messengers for Messengers and others has been going on for years...

well, actually... I do not know the history

not sure when it started...

not sure if it faded and was brought back

but

it is here and it is super cool 

so...

for years and years I would race my bicycle at the Wednesdays at Wakefield events in Northern Virginia

always felt that it was like a mountain bikers version of a summer softball week 

well... this Ruff News Time Trial is similar but different

after work on Thursdays in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC people meet at Picnic Grove #28 for food and fun

there is a five and a half time trial loop

starts and finishes at the BBQ spot

the route goes up hill towards the Nature Center

passes the Nature Center

does a left hand button hook to head back

takes a sharp left that sends racers towards the Park Police Station

then a sprint along side the creek on a slight grade downhill

ending with a sharp right turn either on the road or the bike path to get to the start finish

short and sweet

a leg burner the whole way

either climbing or sprinting 

attacking each and every inch along the way

times are kept

shit is talked 

fun is had 

good times

thank you Andy Zalan and April for hosting 

Andy runs the time clock and handles race specifics

while April caters to the stomach side of things

very kind how April provides... thanks April

thanks Andy

those two are quite a team

Andy throws a variety of events 

and April is what Andy has called his Alleycat Angel

she assists and lends a hand where ever she can

in this case...  working the grill and pushing food on people in a Wonderful motherly sort of way

my time on the course was nothing to boast about

still battling with some injuries

the Achilles injury was years ago... but still recovering

then also

when working for Capital BikeShare I injured my legs and had to return to work so never had time off to heal 

which has me at a percentage of what I should be...

then also my bike selection

riding an old cyclocross bike with flat bars, one by gearing, and large tires

the upright position and the small front ring make it a comfortable bike to spin 

but it is not a sprinter 

it has a low top speed

when I race two weeks ago I had a chain skipping problem 

resolved that stiff link

last night I had a SNAFU or two

dropped the chain which forced me to stop and lose some time

then also

I was leading Ron Cassie on his first time trial experience 

slowed for him so he would not miss the turns

and we almost crashed into each other on a left hand turn

GOOD TIMES

THANKS ANDY!

THANKS APRIL!

great seeing so many people from the DC Bike Family!