First, there was a big bike race in Roanoke for the 4th of July weekend. We went down there for the day. I did my race and rolled around a city block for an hour or so. Nothing to write about except that I had the biggest fan club! Amalia went crazy and cheered every time I came around. Its pretty cool having fans but all I could show her was how to be honorable in defeat. After my race was the kids race. Unfortunately, she was too young to do a full lap, that was for the big kids. So she did a 1/4 lap with a few other kids. Her bike is geared too low though. It helps on hills but her feet fly off when she starts pedaling really fast. Anyway, she finished and got a medal and a hotdog! Thats a good prize!
I almost forgot that the day before this race there was a 5k in Shawsville. Amalia did the 1 mile fun run with Lisa and Camilo. Unfortunately, she crashed in warm-ups and bloodied her knees. She still toughed it out and made us proud! I did the 5K and did a personal best of 17:13 which means I averaged 5:33/mile for 3.1 miles. I was pretty pleased.
Then there was the Blacksburg Bicycle Classic. Unfortunately there was no kids race, just adults. So Lisa decided to do her first road race, well actually a criterium. It was right near our home so we all rode over to watch. Unfortunately with women's racing there aren't too many participants so they combine categories. So Lisa, as a beginner, got to race with women who are one step away from being pro (whatever that means in the US bicycle racing scene). In any case, what it meant for Lisa was pain. She hung with the group for a couple of laps and then got gapped off the back. But she didn't quit and rode hard all the way to the end. I think she had a good time. Amalia and I had made her a sign and once again Amalia was the biggest fan at the race and cheered like crazy. The best part was that we were positioned at the base of the climb so for a couple of laps Amalia got to run along side Lisa, just like at the Tour de France! Next time we might have to go out the night before and paint 'SpeedMoore Racing' on the road! Lisa ended up 5th out of 7, not bad for a first race. The next day was the road race out in Maggie, Virginia, about 20 miles away. My race was about 50 miles and ended on a 2.5 mile climb that averaged 8% grade. Needless to say, it hurt. I ended up 4th out of probably 40. Both days were stupid hot with temperatures over 90 and very humid. This has been the hottest summer since we moved here.
The most recent race was just this friday, the Draper mile associated with the Steppin' Out street fair. Its a straight 1 mile race that is downhill and ends in the middle of the fair. Its pretty cool because there are tons of people watching and cheering. Amalia did the kids race with 2 of her friends. Apparently she was super fast and no one could keep up with her. She had a great time! I did the elite race and did a 4:54. Every year I do about the same. This year I am in better shape but have had a cold all week. I felt it too. I was looking for a rest station in a 1 mile race!
We still aren't done racing though. Lisa has a triathlon coming up and then starts cyclocross season. I love 'cross and Lisa has mentioned wanting to do a race or two as well. Hopefully there will be kids races too. Pretty soon Camilo will be racing too.
SpeedMoore Racing!
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