While you were all busy hitting the delete key, I was busy living vicariously as a lonely List Lurker. Here's a quick look at what you might have missed from the various cycling list-serves this week.
In MABRA-land:
- Ryan of Route 1 Velo started the week off with a discussion of his confrontation with the Montgomery County Police Department and an analysis of all the money he has spent in Montgomery County over the past year. While the most unique aspect of this whole discussion was that Ryan appears to be a double-fisted steak eater at Mon Ami Gabi ($879/year?!), his call for a cyclist boycott of local businesses in Montgomery County seems to have gone largely unheeded. Of note, however, was the ensuing e-mail banter that can be distilled down to two, oft-repeated and oft-ignored lessons for cyclists everywhere:
- In SUV vs. Cyclists confrontations, the SUV will always win. Obey Physics: it's the law.
- And, in the immortal words of The Clash, "I fought the law and the law won."
So, cyclists take heed: be respectful of every rider,driver, and law enforcement official out there. The laws are there to protect us all. To get respect, however, we must be willing to give it first.
- MABRA Bar Adminstrator, the indefatigable Dave Harrell, posted the proposed changes to next year's BAR competition. Everyone hoping to eke out a tie for 17th place or better in the BAR should check out the synopsis of the changes and the full text of the changes.
- Jim Patton put out another urgent call for new race officials. Our region is in dire need of new officials to make the extremely robust racing schedule a reality. The entry level USA Cycling Official's training takes one day plus a little study preparation -- and there is NO cost to the new official. The first clinic is scheduled for January 30 in Severn, MD -- and there will be other options for training. If you want to volunteer or have questions, contact Jim directly.
- For Junior / U23 Riders, there was an important announcement about the USAC's Regional Development Clinics for 2010. These clinics can provide valuable training from experienced coaching and riding professionals. If you are interested, check out the schedule, attend a clinic, and then show the rest of MABRA how much of a leg-breaker you can become.
In the world of the VA Cycling listserve, there was less activity, but one item of special note for those looking to score some great gear while saving a buck.
- The 2010 Stop, Swap, and Save, the Mid-Atlantic's largest indoor cycling swap meet, is being held in the Richmond area on March 7th. Whether you are looking for road, mountain, triathlon, track, BMX, vintage, new or used, there's something for everyone! Be one of the first 500 consumers through the door and receive a FREE goodie bag! For details, check it out here.
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Got any comments, interpretations, re-interpretations, or mis-interprations? Send them to me; I've got nothing better to do than to sit in my darkened room and live vicariously as a list-lurker...
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Gus Grissom races for Team GamJams Racing, teaches Greek and Latin at DeMatha Catholic High School, and writes a dissertation in his spare time. He compiles this column strictly for fortune and glory.
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