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Archive for September 19th, 2009

After the 8k, Donna and I headed down town to watch the Dylan Mitchell Memorial Criterium.

"The event is held in memory of Dylan Mitchell, a Fort Mill native who was struck and killed by a car while coming back from a training ride in September 2005 with the University of South Carolina Cycling Club. He was 21."

Since I was hit by a car last year, by a driver who didn’t even bother to stop, I feel somewhat connected to this event. In many ways I’m lucky to be alive. Although I didn’t know Dylan, I am still saddened by the events and a life ended so suddenly.

But it was an absolutely beautiful day, with slightly overcast skies to keep the temperatures down and a nice breeze to compliment it. Donna and I grabbed some lunch and drinks and sat in the shade of a tree at the edge of the park while the riders sped passed. It was great!

I gleefully took hundreds of photos and tried to pick up some pointers on style and technique. Not sure I gained anything in that department, but it was a fantastic way to spend the day. Donna and I spent several hours just talking and watching. There were a few moments of rain, but not enough to slow down the event. It was a great to be outside and I’m really considering participating next year. Of course that will put me in the 40+ Masters category, but I might stand a chance against those guys. I have a year to train up for it. All I need is a cool sprint bike!

Here are some pictures of the event. If you’re in the area you should definitely plan to come out next year.

To put it bluntly, this event was a disappointment from the start! I have to say I find it deplorable that the US National Whitewater Center would charge a $5 parking fee to the participants of the running event. Since we’d already paid an entrance fee this was nothing more than a shakedown for extra money from a captive audience. It’s only $5, but it’s the principle of the thing. Considering there were about 500 people there it’s a pretty nice way to line your pockets with an extra $2,500 from a fundraising event. Way to show your true colors you greedy bastards!

And while the event was pretty fun to watch (I actually got to see Donna more than once before she finished) according to the women who actually ran it, it was an absolutely horrible experience. The course was loaded with massive exposed roots, slippery slate and shale rocks and downhills that were slick from the slight rain and humidity. More than one person hurt themselves on the trail. Further, the Whitewater Center advertised water stations and support along the route. Truth of the matter is they offered nothing. There was no chip timing, no water, and when people did hurt themselves there was nowhere and no one to take them too. Maybe that is the thrill and excitement of doing a trail run, but I didn’t hear a single person say they enjoyed themselves. The people I heard said they hated the course and that it was miserable. Again, way to go guys you sure know how to make a fundraiser special!

Also, the path was far too narrow. When people had to slow down because it was slippery it caused a bottleneck which caused everyone to stand around and wait their turn to cross the same area. Donna said she was pretty mad with having to stand around and lose momentum. She didn’t want to slip and fall, but standing around isn’t the right way to go either.

Donna did have a decent run and she was pretty happy with her time. The support and camaraderie is always exciting to see, but it was completely marred by the ineptitude of the Whitewater Center. I can only hope that next year this event is held somewhere else and they aren’t given a chance to rip off charitable people or put them in danger because they don’t know how to lay out a course or offer support.

The Whitewater Center gets an EPIC FAIL as a host for this event!

Despite their stupidity here are a few photos I took while I was out there.