Donald’s Daily Draft

Jul 07 2008

Firecracker 4th of July Ride

Published by djones at 9:28 am under Cycling News, Training

On Friday, I bolted after the newscast so I could make it to The Spin Cycle’s 16th Annual Firecracker 4th of July Ride. Last year, I took part in the 100k and it turned out to be one of my best 62 mile rides. This year, I only had time to ride the 50k because I had to head out to the mountains to meet my family for July 4th celebrations there. So at the start, I found myself toward the front of the 1,000 or so cyclists. I was just behind the faster pack on the 100k. Then about 7 miles in, it was time to turn off for the 50k route. I looked around after a few minutes and I was all alone on the 50k course. But I was familiar with the rolling roads because it’s exactly where I do most of my training. I pushed it and averaged 20.5 mph. It was the first and probably only ride I will ever be the first cyclist in. The finish was at the Hibernian Pub. Sorry guys (especially Leslie), I didn’t have a cold pint because it was 9:30am… so I settled for a nice slice of watermelon.
It was a great ride and even better… it raises a lot of money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I talked with the owner of The Spin Cycle, Kevin Coggins, about the ride.
Check out the video (it actually ends at 1:15 but you can listen to more patriotic music if you want):

9 Responses to “Firecracker 4th of July Ride”

# willon 07 Jul 2008 at 12:21 pm

Haha

Great “beauty shot” at start of video.

100k? Americans using metric?

So you won! Sweet, nice one!
# chrison 07 Jul 2008 at 3:24 pm

Great pace dude. Well done.
# Donaldon 08 Jul 2008 at 4:49 am

WILL– Funny huh… I wasn’t in control of the editing. The photographer put the so called “beauty shot” up front. But thanks anyway. Yes… imagine… metric…
I don’t know what I won… how about the satisfaction of a solid ride!

CHRIS– Thanks… that means a lot coming form the “Crit Monster.” For some reason, I just see you as this rolling mass of power. Your writings are either right on… or just so intense you’ve bumped yourself up a few categories. Either way… I still don’t know if I would ever want to race you.
# Grooveron 08 Jul 2008 at 7:25 am

Nice speed, Donald. Thanks for putting metric as well as imperial measurements. It makes it so much easier to appreciate your achievements without having to google conversions.
# Donaldon 08 Jul 2008 at 8:55 am

THANKS GROOVER– Yeah… no worries… I’ll work on including the metric distances/speeds more often.
# Jeffon 08 Jul 2008 at 1:14 pm

That had to be a bummer being all alone huh? It sounds like you had a great ride though.
# Donaldon 09 Jul 2008 at 3:09 am

JEFF– yeah… bummer.:) It was great fun. Even better… a lot people raised a lot of money for a good cause.
# Ronon 12 Jul 2008 at 8:53 pm

I got to get something like that for my blog! Nice shots.
# djoneson 13 Jul 2008 at 8:28 am

Ron… Thanks… It helps to have your own personal photographer… well only when it’s work related. Then, I’m on my own.