okansas.blogspot.com Occassional thoughts about orienteering
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Watching a bike race
Watching sports -- especially suffering sports like cycling, running or skiing -- is always inspiring. I spent a few hours this morning watching the US Collegiate Cycling Champs in Lawrence. As expected, it was inspiring to see all those people working so hard.
I shot some video of the women's division one race. The women did 55 minutes plus three laps. Each lap was one mile in downtown Lawrence.
For those of you who don't know Lawrence, the course was a mile with 8 turns and a few gentle climbs. For those of you who know Lawrence, the course began at 9th and Mass, headed south to 10th, then over to New Hampshire, back north to 8th, then up Mass to 7th, west to Vermont, back to 8th and then back down Mass to the start/finish line.
Since I didn't add naration to the video, I'll give you a bit of info. The video shows the start and first lap. About 20-25 minutes into the race, you'll see a little group of 4 riders try to get away from the pack. It didn't work. You'll see the last three laps. Including the last corner, a right hand turn 200 meters from the finish. You'll be able to see the winner, but I didn't catch who she was (she might have been from Florida).
