Shoes, Ships, and Sealing Wax

CSC Invitational

We went to the CSC Invitational, the criterium in Clarendon, on Saturday. Ten years ago, the first time the race was staged, I would have told you that watching guys ride around a one kilometer circle for two hours was insane. Now, it's a highlight of my year.

I achieved a personal first: I filled my entire 1-gig memory card. Most of the pictures sucked, though. It's hard to focus on a subject that moves at 35 mph. I wonder how Graham Watson does it...

Here's what I got:

This is not the Tour de France, or even a spring classic. It's a pro race with a lot of small community stuff, like politicians, beauty queens, and a kid's race just before the pros take the course. Or if you have a slow kid and an eager-to-warm-up racer...

In the feed zone.

One of the team support guys making wraps for his riders.

What impresses me most about skilled riders is not their speed, it's how well the handle the bike. I wouldn't try to eat jelly beans while riding, much less a sandwich. These guys, if they weren't worried about speed, could make the freaking sandwiches and stay on the bike.

Yes, cycling has referees.

Posted by Nic at June 3, 2007 07:48 PM | TrackBack