Snake Alley Criterium Burlington IA photos

[marni]

shots from wandering around downtown and watching the criterium from various points along the route.

Todays weather was 90 degrees, kind of muggy, light breeze and cloud cover. I wouldn't be able to make that climb no matter how many granny gears I had, let alone doing it 8x (for the under 14 ) 12 for the (next oldest group and 20x for the pros.

The hotel kitchen ran out of eggs, sausage and bacon. Guess they weren't prepared for all the heavy protein loaders. I mentioned this to one of the coaches (while waiting for a few crumbs) and he replied- "we 16 vans in the parking lot with bike racks on top, Ya think?"

We were sitting next to a table of 4 20 ish young men, all tall, lank, muscled and shaved watching in awe as they put away 2-3 cups of scrambeled eggs, 4-6 sausage patties, random strips of bacon, 2 bowls of oatmeal, a couple of sweet rolls, seveal glasses or orange juice and milk, each, and then as they left, they stripped the cooler of several 4 oz yogurts a piece. Guess that was to fill in the corners.

Tomorrow we are off early to beat the heat to ride 58 miles to Muscatine, IA although we will be riding in IL for most of the day since the route is flatter. Flatter being a relative term.

enjoy the pictures which are of various riders in various categories.

going into the pre climb
snake alley from the bottom
climbing cat 4 over 50
still climbing
girls climbing cat for age ?

[goldfinch]

Makes my knees sore to watch them! Hope you have a good ride today. I see at 10:00am it is already in the 80s.

[Atlas]

Great pictures! That would have fun to watch. I'm with you, I could do it once very slowly and feel pretty accomplished.

[marni]

the average grade was 12 % and the straight distance between curves was 50 feet, plus it was paved in very rough not too closely set brick. Arggg!

There is a another criterium here in Muscatine IA today, but it is a speed trial thing around the park.

I'm a bit wiped by the heat so I don't think I will get over to watch it, but I have been known to change my mind.