The first snow hit DC on Saturday and by Sunday morning, conditions were perfect for a high speed garage-sale festival.
In the Beginning, had God sucked it up and tinkered a bit more on Sunday, he would have created this morning's cross conditions and called it "good". At first, under the blanket of snow was a layer of hard sticky ice. These conditions slowly turned most of the course into a rutted muddy bog but on bits of asphalt and an extended concrete bridge section, it transformed into a smooth wet ice rink with hordes of cyclists doing a ballerina impression before gravity jerked bike and spinning Icarus down into a careening pretzel-sled. Twirling, twisting and then testing their respective helmet specs, riders dropped out as noggins bounced and slid 'cross the icy surf. I nearly ran over one racer's head as he instantly appeared to push his bike sideways and forward out from under himself. I couldn't stop and I certainly couldn't change directions. I high sided the appropriate pedal stroke to avoid cracking him w/ my pedals on the way past. It was survival mode for 40 minutes. I survived. I had a blast. I had a beer with the misery-loves-company-crew, David and Rob.
Beautiful.
Just under 7 miles in just over 40 minutes. Avg blazing speed: 10 mph. Ripped it up, sloth-tortoise style.
veni vedi velo.
