[EDIT: Lance is computer illiterate and was unable to use a Flash player that didn't auto play. I've removed the embedded video and apologize to all of my readers.]
I have to say I’m pretty surprised and though I don’t think it’s such a good idea, I have to admire his panache. He looks lean, mean and motivated. I like that he made the announcement with a video to put an end to all of the written speculation. 2009 is going to be a very interesting year for professional cycling. Good luck dude.
Though I hadn’t ridden outside sine June 26th, I decided to make a run at the North Cheyenne Canyon climb. I’ve previously written about this HERE, HERE and HERE.
Though I’ve lost about 100 pounds since I first tried it last year, I’m still surprised that I’ve been able to knock almost 5 minutes off my PR. Oddly, tonight’s climb felt the slowest of all my efforts though I did notice that I stayed above 7 mph on the super steep section (usually drop below 5 there). Initial attempt: 24:44. New PR: 19:39!
The conditions were ideal, about 60 degrees with no wind and I literally climbed into a cloud which cooled me off even more. When I had set out for a ride, I hadn’t even though of doing NCC but then I realized that I’m unlikely to see weather like this until November.
The video shows the NYPD officer standing in the street as bikes ride past. He begins to slowly walk towards the street as the cyclist, Richard Vazques, approaches. Vazques veers left to avoid him, but the officer speeds up his pace and then violently knocks Vazques to the ground in front of a crowd. Vazques was arrested, held for 26 hours, and then charged with felony assault of a police officer and resisting arrest. One other cyclist was ticketed Friday night for riding outside the bike lane, which is not actually illegal and often necessary, considering how popular bike lanes are for double parking.
Nice job, Mayor Bloomberg. If so inclined, please leave a message for him at (212) 639-9675. I did.
The NYPD placed the unidentified officer on desk duty pending the outcome of a department investigation. With a little luck, he will lose his job, his car, his house and find it very difficult to find employment in the future.
And just so it is known, if I’m ever knocked off the bike like this by a cop or anyone else, I will be charged with much more than assault. I will do everything in my power to end the assailant’s life, right on the spot. Yup, I would kill a cop. In a heartbeat without any remorse.
The last time I climbed North Cheyenne Canyon, I weighed at 228.5 pounds. Today, I weighed 188.5 pounds and climbed it with Josh, one of the most gifted climbers I’ve ever ridden with. We had planned to ride from Broadmoor down to Florence but the wind was steady at 15 mph from the south (read: HEADWIND) and gusting in the mid 40’s. It was kinda chilly too (around 50) so we decided to ride close to Cheyenne Mountain for protection and do the hills.
When I first climbed this bad boy, I clocked a tad over 37 minutes (yikes!). Today’s time: 23 minutes, 48 seconds (clocked from the gate). Not great, but getting closer to my ultimate goal of sub 20. I’ve previously written about the climb up N. Cheyenne Canyon HERE and HERE.
Here’s the ride profile (guess which spike is N. Cheyenne…):
I can barely recognize the top picture but it has given me motivation to get on the bike right now, at 8:55 pm. Even at 193 though, I’m still about 20 pounds overweight for my height of 6′ 1″. Sorry about the scruff, I would have shaved but I was testing out my new camera and was shocked to see myself.
