Climbs
It seemed to me that this year’s route for Seattle’s most diabolical guerilla time-trial bike race, the infamous Tour de Watertower, was easier, or at least more efficient than in years past, and I guess my time, which, at 3 hours 39 minutes and change was a good five whole minutes faster than my previous personal best is testament to that.
But this isn’t to say that race was a walk in the park, nor even a ride through one, although it did, as usual, lead us through some of Seattle’s loveliest neighborhoods to a few of its most spectacular views.
I was particularly taken, this time, by the panorama of our fair city afforded by the eastern slopes of Magnolia as one descended from the watery heights there and I savored the opportunity to ride across the Aurora Bridge in sunny broad daylight, too.
But I think my favorite part of the route was winding through Myrtle Edwards Park on my way to West Seattle for the final two climbs: the sky was smudged with blue and white so that the scene seemed more like a painting than a 3-dimensional reality. As I pedaled through the park, I felt like an animated rendering or perhaps some minor character in a Wes Anderson film.
I’m proud to say that I didn’t have to walk up any hills, although I did carry my bike two blocks up some steps on Dravus that led to Magnolia’s watertower. And unlike in previous races, I never really got any leg cramps, a result no doubt attributable not so much to fitness, but rather the relative coolness of the day and the generosity of folks at the checkpoints in refilling my water bottle.
According to my modified scoring methodology, whereby you take your age, subtract your final placing, and then the highest number wins, I came in, I think, second.
And even better, I took first place in the fendered bike class.
But this isn’t to say that race was a walk in the park, nor even a ride through one, although it did, as usual, lead us through some of Seattle’s loveliest neighborhoods to a few of its most spectacular views.
I was particularly taken, this time, by the panorama of our fair city afforded by the eastern slopes of Magnolia as one descended from the watery heights there and I savored the opportunity to ride across the Aurora Bridge in sunny broad daylight, too.
But I think my favorite part of the route was winding through Myrtle Edwards Park on my way to West Seattle for the final two climbs: the sky was smudged with blue and white so that the scene seemed more like a painting than a 3-dimensional reality. As I pedaled through the park, I felt like an animated rendering or perhaps some minor character in a Wes Anderson film.
I’m proud to say that I didn’t have to walk up any hills, although I did carry my bike two blocks up some steps on Dravus that led to Magnolia’s watertower. And unlike in previous races, I never really got any leg cramps, a result no doubt attributable not so much to fitness, but rather the relative coolness of the day and the generosity of folks at the checkpoints in refilling my water bottle.
According to my modified scoring methodology, whereby you take your age, subtract your final placing, and then the highest number wins, I came in, I think, second.
And even better, I took first place in the fendered bike class.
posted by Professor Dave at 10:52 AM
2 Comments:
I also walked up a block or two of Dravus. The flat tire I got speeding down the Magnolia Bridge ranks among the most irritating to say nothing of most terrifying events to ever occur to me on a bicycle. Always good to see you at the races. Congrats on your second place (adjusted) and first place (fendered) finish! I will humbly accept this year's DFL honours.
Just a note, Jason Smith, the second place overall, rode/finished with fenders and a rack. Wearing jeans and boots. I chased him all over the course only to finish 3 minutes behind him. Not that anyone cares but I thought you might like to know.
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