DC Gets a Downtown Pro Crit

by Sui Juris on Aug 22, 2008 11:38 AM EDT

On September 21st of this year, you'll be able to head down to Penn Quarter and see a real live pro criterium race in the form of the ING Direct Capital Criterium. It's a six turn 1km circuit that winds its way among the Federal agencies downtown.

I've been waiting for a long time to see something like this happen (in fact, I already know the shot I'll be aiming for). As it stands, there's going to be a Men's 35+ race, a Men's 1/2/3, and a Men's Pro. No word on who the teams will be yet.

DId you notice something missing from that list of races? That's right, no women's field. Which is especially disappointing, considering that Cyclelife, a presenting sponsor, has its own women's team. They're aware of that disappointment, and while they haven't promised anything about next year, they say that they hope to include a women's field when they can. The official race site is here, and I'll post more when details become available.

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Outstanding!

It’ll go right in front of my office. (Not that I work on Sundays)

by rocketpress on Aug 22, 2008 1:11 PM EDT reply actions

and a block from my office

though I, too, do not work on Sundays.

Hm, may have to mosey up there…

by Le Comte on Aug 22, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll be there.

I’ll ride in, since I can stash my bike in the office. The real question is can I get the wife to metro down with our baby. She needs to see her first race.

by rocketpress on Aug 22, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

well okay, then

who’s bringing the beer?

(You know, I was dithering about going to Brussels that weekend, and this may have tipped me in favor away from that. This troubles me.)

by Sui Juris on Aug 22, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Troubles me a bit too.

If my wife comes down, I’ll have her haul some beer under the stroller, it has this handy basket…okay, that didn’t trouble me…which troubles me.

by rocketpress on Aug 22, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

well heck why else would you use the basket

by lyne on Aug 23, 2008 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll bring Shiner...

Hefe Weizen.

Yummy!

Racing for Victory and Free Beer!

by DemonCats on Aug 22, 2008 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Why does it trouble you?

is there a race in Brussels you’d be missing if you don’t go?

by Le Comte on Aug 23, 2008 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

sound cool :-)

can’t wait to see the photos.

booo on no womens’ race. masters men but women? boooo.

by Jen See on Aug 22, 2008 4:07 PM EDT reply actions

Sadness!

I will be in Utah during this. Wah!

by Megabeth on Aug 22, 2008 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

Oh no...

Mark is on his own with the guys, beer, and racing. God help anyone around that group. Tee hee hee!

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Aug 22, 2008 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Whoa

Tight 6-turn 1km crit? Is this one of those races that’s largely won or lost in the lineup? Actually, maybe not, the turns around Penn Quarter are sorta wide. I love that my hated former office is now on a bike race course.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 22, 2008 6:30 PM EDT reply actions

I may be seeing you...checking Kayak travel now...

I have to go via philly, and get in at BWI? Oh, the indignity… Can I take my folder on Amtrak from BWI?

Wait, think carbon cost… how about Amtrak all the way… daily, leaves PGH 5:45 AM (ouch, but doable)… arrive DC 1:30 PM… hang out until 4PM monday…back in PGH by midnight. $76.

Holy sh*t, look, under baggage, they have a link for “bring your bicycle on board”! I’m going to make that into its own fan post. (Who knew?) Looks like folders are AOK as carryon.

OK, guys, if I do this…where and when?

by JFS_PGH on Aug 23, 2008 2:34 PM EDT reply actions

Scoping it out Monday

I’m planning to get there in time to catch the end of the 35+

There is a Starbucks at the corner of 13th and E…

by rocketpress on Aug 23, 2008 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

as soon as

possible, at the stroller with the beer in it.

Obviously.

by Sui Juris on Aug 24, 2008 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm in!

got my Amtrak ticket…got my folder bike…got my old friend in D.C. with a spare bed and a great kitchen (Hi Eric! Have you read this thread yet?).

So 13th and E between 8:15 and 8:30. Anyone planning a second, later rendezvous for the temporally-challenged?

And the important questions. What team colors does the beer stroller sport? Does D.C. have container laws / biking while inebriated laws? Is Sui the sort of lawyer who can make that all OK? And finally…will DemonCats be there to share riding tips for the REAL city, and introduce us to Offisa Friendly?

by JFS_PGH on Aug 26, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

The beer stroller

is a nondescript khaki. I wanted orange or sky blue, but I was overruled. Something about clashing and outfits, I don’t know…

I will be the guy wearing this shirt (that’s not me in the photo).

Send me an email and I’ll give you my cell # in case we need a spacial/temporal adjustment.

by rocketpress on Aug 27, 2008 6:53 AM EDT up reply actions

that's

a much nicer shirt than my favorite (which Threadless apparently doesn’t sell anymore).

by Sui Juris on Aug 27, 2008 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh-ho!

I might have to get that one too.

by rocketpress on Aug 27, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Sui is

the kind of lawyer that won’t do anyone any good in most any imaginable situation. There was one brief moment, after taking the bar, that I actually knew stuff that would be useful to everyday people. I’m pretty sure that moment was only about 5 minutes long.

by Sui Juris on Aug 27, 2008 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

A second later rendezvous time for all would be good

I will be coming in a bit later from the out western burbs

by roadside on Aug 28, 2008 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Roadside,DemonCats, Anyone else who wants to pile on...

I just sent my cell number to Sui, Rocketpress and LeComte. Their profiles go to e-mail links. I also added my e-mail to my profile (sorta kinda, you can’t click, you gotta fix it). So if you’re in contact with any of us, or if you get in contact with any of us, we should all be mutually flexible and adequately connected for all eventualities.

by JFS_PGH on Aug 28, 2008 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions