Dinner with Ted King and Joe Dombrowski -- Arlington VA

[ny biker]

Sorry for the late notice, but I only just found out about this -- if anyone would like to meet pro cyclists Ted King and Joe Dombrowski, they'll be at a dinner event in Arlington tomorrow (Oct 4, 2012). Tickets are limited but I was just able to buy one, so they're not sold out yet.

Ted is from New England and is an awesome domestique for Liquigas-Cannondale. Joe is a climber who rode with Bontrager LS this year and just signed with Team Sky.

The dinner is at Rustico Restaurant and Bar in Arlington -- on Wilson Blvd in Ballston. It starts at 7 pm. Tickets are $50 and include dinner, non-alcoholic drinks and a chance to ask Ted and Joe questions.

More information and a link to registration is here:

http://www.halfwheelhell.com/2012/10...ng-freshbikes/

[redrhodie]

Oh, cool! I'd love to go if I were closer. Have fun and tell us all about it.

[ny biker]

What should I ask them?

[redrhodie]

Jeez! I keep writing questions then deleting them. There's so much I'm curious about. What was the hardest day they've had racing? What was their best day? What's it like for the team when one of their guys wins a stage? What's the funniest prank they've seen in the peleton? When they're racing, do they notice the fans and the scenery, or is it all a blur?

I wish I were going.

[ny biker]

They definitely notice the fans and the scenery. They talked about a stage in the Tour of Utah where they rode through a desolate area outside of SLC, with nothing but desert and no fans for miles. Except for this one 12 year old kid cheering on the side of the road. No house nearby, no buildings anywhere, no adults, no car, no bike, no evidence of how he got out there, just one lone kid.

When there are big crowds on the sides of the road, it can affect the race. You need to be on the front going into the crowd, because there won't be any room for you to move up once you're surrounded.

They rarely drink alcohol during the season, but winning a stage means the team gets champagne at dinner. With Sagan on the team, Liquigas had many opportunities for champagne.

I asked what goes through their minds when they're really suffering on the bike. Ted said lots of four-letter words, and he remembers what his father told him years ago -- Papa didn't raise no quitter.

Their favorite races are local races from where they grew up.

Ear plugs are very important for sleeping. Custom ear plugs are the best. Joe has a rule that he and his roommate have to pee sitting down when one of them gets up in the middle of the night, to reduce the noise.

Levi and Tommy D are really good at peeing from a moving bike.

You use a saddle from your team's saddle sponsor. Hopefully they have one that is comfortable for you. Same with shoes -- if you're lucky, your sponsor's shoes fit you comfortably, but if they don't, there's not much you can do about it.

Ted agrees with me that Vermont Maple Candy is the best candy in the world.

[redrhodie]

Cool! It sounds like they covered a lot. Are they doing this in more places? Were there a lot of people?

[Possegal]

That is so cool! I would have loved to have gone but just couldn't swing the time. I love Ted King, he's a great writer, very funny. Sounds like just as funny in person. Cool pics!!

[tulip]

Very cool, NYB! We have the Grand Fondo in Richmond this weekend; I wonder if they will make an appearance.

[jobob]

Thanks for the report, sounds like you had a great time!

[ny biker]

It was lots of fun. The group was pretty small, but I don't think it was publicized much. They said they might try to do it again.

Ted said they'd be riding part of the Culpepper Century tomorrow.