Virginia Draft

“Draft” according to an Old Virginia lexicon, is a local name for “creek.” It appears this definition of draft is exclusive to the mountain regions of Virginia (Stuart's Draft, Ramsey's Draft).

Here in the coastal region “Draft” is a local name for “Harlan.” Here he is in southern Chesapeake pulling me through the cornfields. (left photo)

And then there's this Virginia Draft.

New n Old

I have had 4 years of bad dreams about Ramsey's Draft ascent. Blair, Wes, Pat and I did 2 days of training on the Shenandoah Mountain 100 course, so I finally got the chance to visit my poison. I remember the climb, which is about 50 mile point on the race course, playing a big role in my decision to abandon the 2003 race at mile 72. Sunday as I climbed this off-camber, rock garden-laden monster, I realized it wasn't nearly as bad as I remember. Old memories, new perspective:


Other weekend perspectives:

The huddles around the GPS VS. the huddles around the map. The guys did a great job navigating using both methods.






My new shoes VS. Wes' duct tape fingers. I had no idea the "chrome" in these Diadoras would be so flashy when I ordered them. I kept trying to get them dirty but the chrome is like teflon. Oh, well, maybe the glare will keep deer out of my path.

Wes' new Element VS the decades-old singletrack.

Blair's climbing gears VS. Wes' only gear. Wes defended his singlespeed with all the passion one would expect. He did about a dozen old style gear changes, switching from a 36x23 to a 36x20 depending on terrain.

Photos of the month

How many can say they raced in Nationals with one of these? Or how many can say they actually look good with one of these for that matter? Laura Cook (Tripower)placed 8th in the 35-39 Masters Nationals time trial last week while dragging around stitches, a fading shiner and road rash from a recent crash. Professional racer Kristin Sanders (Cheerwine) won the 35-39 time trial. (photo by BJ Samuel)

Dan chain whips the "welcome home" cake, er--I mean to say--the cake for Sally's birthday. Yes, there were people who were born in the 70's. Chuck is there in the background. (photo and cake by BJ Samuel)

Betty Tyrell (Somerset Wheelman) of NJ attacks at Master's Nationals criterim where the competion among the 55-59 women was fierce. Kay Tsui (HPC/ List) of Falls Church, VA won the race but not without an obvious fight by Betty and by BJ (Tripower) who is in the rear of photo. Betty and BJ took 1st and 2nd respectively in the time trial the previous day. (photo by Bob Samuel)

Epic is a 4 lettered word

(left, obviously I missed the stars and stripes memo. Dan said all I needed to do was look at the calendar.)

Epic is not something you plan for. It just happens. Our 61-mile cross ride on pavement and fireroads in James City and New Kent Counties was the perfect ride for me to re-aquaint with my cross bike. I learned lots from our tour guide, Dan:

5. History by Dan: "The settlers arrived in Va Beach and got the hell out because of the bugs."

4. Geography by Dan: "The fire road is coming up any minute." (repeat 5 times)

3. Geology by Dan: He double flatted on the only "bolder" 50 miles east of the fall line.

2. More history by Dan: "Washington, Jefferson, they all smoked pot. That's why they came here."

1. Philosophy by Dan: "What doesn't hurt you will kill you."

Hmm, this was a bit of a bloggers retreat, huh? 4 blogs but only 3 tubes AND 3 flats, imagine that. 7 water bottles and 0 the final hour, not surprising. See Dan, Chris and Kevin's blogs!