The Rosie Ruiz Solo Breakaway

As has been my gig for the last month on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I take my daughter to soccer practice at Allen Pond Park in Bowie, jump on my bike ride as fast as I can to catch the ABRT train as it leaves the park and ride or after the time moved earlier, as it comes down Rossback Road. After joining the train, I usually ride on the front so as to waste myself for the team since I typically turn right at the base of Harwood Hill and head back to Bowie. However, today I felt good and after leading over the rollers on Waysons, Will informs Steve, Russ, a bike Doctor rider and me that we have a gap. Since I was feeling good, I thought, what the heck, I'll go up the hill with my compadres. We drill it up the hill and over the top, it's just Steve, Russ and me all the way to Rt 2. What the heck, might as well see if we can keep it going, since it didn't seem like anyone was chasing. Off we go down Rt 2, where I find myself off the front. Might as well keep going in TT mode. Around the circle and straight on Bayard due to the lack of daylight, still no chase in sight behind. Up Sands and still no chase in sight behind. I'm thinking, can this be? A solo breakaway that is going to stick? Up Patuxent to the light at 214 and I realize I have to turn to head back to Bowie to make it back in time. I'll take it - a solo breakaway (close enough) to the finish, just like Rosie.

The Wheelsucker Rested and Confident Before the Thursday Evening World Championship

While the overwhelming favorite for the upcoming Thursday Evening World Championship has to be Jeff "Ace" McDermott, the rider who won in a solo breakaway on last week's Tuesday ride on exactly the same course is the venerable Wheelsucker.

"You have to give it everything and you have to be very lucky to stay away from a field containing Ace, Tim Shaffer, and Brian MacLean", said the wheelsucker. "But the Patrick Hogan crash forced them to stop and the gap grew too large for them to close."

When Bike Racing News asked about the upcoming Thursday Evening World Championship the loquacious wheelsucker replied: "I dug very deep at the Turkey Day race and then the St. Michaels Century. When you go that hard you have to give your body a chance to recover. But I have been taking it easy, riding less, but still going hard occasionally. I have good sensations in my legs and I am tranquil. My lower back is killing me, but it loosens up after I warmup on the bike, so I am hoping it does not limit me during the race. We'll see."

While the course is not really suited to the wheelsucker’s strengths (primarily wheelsucking on a non technical flat or downhill course) and he has never beaten Ace McDermott in a sprint on this course, no one else is crazy enough to try to ride away alone during the neutral rollout and try to stay away for the entire race.

Weather could be a major factor for the race; the forecast is for heavy rain and flooding, and riders are wondering if organizers will postpone the race to next Tuesday evening.

Lance Armstrong May Sign With Latitude

For Immediate Release:

Annapolis MD: Latitude/ABRT announced that discussions with Lance Armstrong regarding his joining Latitude/ABRT are progressing well. Armstrong is to race major events including the Tour de Frace in Latitude colors, backed by the Latitude/ABRT elite team.

Latitude/ABRT team president Doug Shapter announced today that negotiations with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong were proceeding very well, and that Latitude was about to apply for a wild card berth in the Tour de France for the Latitude team, with Lance Armstrong as team captain. "Latitude has been in a rebuilding mode for the last two years", said Shapter. "We had the sprinters, the leadout riders, the time trialists and the domestiques, we just didn't have the right rider to be a GC contender." The addition of Armstrong to the team is expected to not only vault Latitude/ABRT to the top of the MABRA BAR standings, but take the team all the way to the podium in Paris.

Existing Latitude riders were enthusiastic about racing with Armstrong. "I am very much looking forward to riding with Lance and learning from his experience", said Latitude junior star Tom MacKay, while 40+ ace Keith Reeder said, "I expect we'll be able to send riders off the front and still control the front of the peleton when we need to." "I could use a good lead out man for next year", said 30+ strong man Lance Lacy. But not all Latitude riders were as impressed, "Sure he can time trial and he can climb with the best in the world, making him a favorite in the grand tours." said 50+ star Art Brown, "but you have to be a sprinter to win in MABRA."

And the man himself? "I don't need the money, I just want to race bikes, and I am happy to have found a team like Latitude/ABRT which supports my primary mission of beating cancer", said Lance Armstrong.

For further information contact:
Latitude/ABRT President Doug Shapter: dshapter@gmail.com

John Ver Bryke Spotted?

A rider in Latitude kit was spotted on the Monday Annapolis Bike Doctor Ride. The rider resembles John Ver Bryke, albeit disguised by the appearance of carrying a few more pounds. This rider was riding a Giant TCR with weight weenie parts that looked identical to JVB's Giant. Whether this was John in disguise or not, he was a strong rider, and easily dropped most of the peleton on the hills.

Concern Mounts For Missing Team Mate

Annapolis, MD - - Concern mounts within the Annapolis Bicycle Racing Team ABRT/ Latitude), as 50+ team member John Ver Bryke continues to be missing.

He was last seen on a training ride in late 2007. While there have been rumors of sitings at Jaguar parts counters and local marinas, police have been unable to confirm any of these.

"The last time I spoke with him, he was going to buy a Felt TT bike and focus on training rides and Time Trials", said team mate and friend Alexander "Ali" Meller. "But then he just disappeared."

Ver Bryke was expected to be a key member of ABRT's 50+ team this year. In his absence, ABRT has brought in newcomer Art Brown, who has been doing OK.

If anyone has any information on Ver Bryke's whereabouts, please contact ABRT President Doug Shapter.