Rob Panzera's "Ardennes Classics Tour" veterans Larry Kaufman, Dan Goese and Jason Shanney enjoy a brief reunion after the 2018 Belgian Waffle Ride on April 15th.
This coming weekend (April 28th & 29th) presents two of the finest road racing events in Southern California...the Barrio Logan Grand Prix (BLGP) in San Diego, then the Dana Point Grand Prix (DPGP) in—you guessed it—Dana Point. These criteriums "crits" bring the local racing scene back onto hard concrete and asphalt after the epic Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR) dragged about a thousand racers on and off the road all over northern San Diego County two weeks ago.
▶ BWR photos on Flickr here. ◀
I participated in the BWR wafer RIDE. Some people race it with all their might, but it is called a "ride" and I can't really say I raced it. My purpose was to finish it with no crashes and no cramping. I enjoyed the rest stops and scenery. I feared for my noggin during the sandy, rocky, off-road portions because this one day presented more dirt-riding than I've done in the nine years since I almost killed myself in a mountain biking accident in 2009. I wasn't on a mountain bike in the Belgian Waffle Ride, but my Specialized Diverge—with its stock, chubby 38 mm tires and subtle suspension in the seatpost and steerer—made the dirty journey possible without destroying my 60-year-old back. I was so glad to get back on solid pavement after every dirt section, and I'm relieved I survived the ride unscathed. It was quite an experience, but that's now checked off my bucket list. (Next: Crater Lake Century this summer!)
If I was a capable, strong bike racer unafraid of experiencing a fifth concussion, I would participate in the great races this coming weekend: BLGP on Saturday and DPGP on Sunday. They both have a 60+ category, which you cannot say about every amateur road racing event. Since I'm slow and crits are dangerous, I'll take photos and watch instead of race. As a big San Diego Bicycle Club (SDBC) supporter, I've been photographing the BLGP for years. I've also been providing prizes for winners of the Juniors racers. I'm a fan of road bike racing across the board, but I'm especially supportive of women and children who want to participate. As things are in the USA, support for their racing dreams is nominal at best.
This will be my first time ever going to watch the DPGP and I'm excited to see it. Dana Point is a beautiful community, and our YouTube celebrity SDBC member from The Netherlands, Jasper Verkuijl (who also happens to be a Boeing 747 pilot for KLM) will be working with SDBC's amazing elite team to try to pull off a win.
Look for photos posted here from both races by this time next week. I hope to see you out there!
▶ BWR photos on Flickr here. ◀
I participated in the BWR wafer RIDE. Some people race it with all their might, but it is called a "ride" and I can't really say I raced it. My purpose was to finish it with no crashes and no cramping. I enjoyed the rest stops and scenery. I feared for my noggin during the sandy, rocky, off-road portions because this one day presented more dirt-riding than I've done in the nine years since I almost killed myself in a mountain biking accident in 2009. I wasn't on a mountain bike in the Belgian Waffle Ride, but my Specialized Diverge—with its stock, chubby 38 mm tires and subtle suspension in the seatpost and steerer—made the dirty journey possible without destroying my 60-year-old back. I was so glad to get back on solid pavement after every dirt section, and I'm relieved I survived the ride unscathed. It was quite an experience, but that's now checked off my bucket list. (Next: Crater Lake Century this summer!)
If I was a capable, strong bike racer unafraid of experiencing a fifth concussion, I would participate in the great races this coming weekend: BLGP on Saturday and DPGP on Sunday. They both have a 60+ category, which you cannot say about every amateur road racing event. Since I'm slow and crits are dangerous, I'll take photos and watch instead of race. As a big San Diego Bicycle Club (SDBC) supporter, I've been photographing the BLGP for years. I've also been providing prizes for winners of the Juniors racers. I'm a fan of road bike racing across the board, but I'm especially supportive of women and children who want to participate. As things are in the USA, support for their racing dreams is nominal at best.
This will be my first time ever going to watch the DPGP and I'm excited to see it. Dana Point is a beautiful community, and our YouTube celebrity SDBC member from The Netherlands, Jasper Verkuijl (who also happens to be a Boeing 747 pilot for KLM) will be working with SDBC's amazing elite team to try to pull off a win.
Look for photos posted here from both races by this time next week. I hope to see you out there!
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