Crystal City Classic Bike Race

A couple of months ago I was in Crystal City covering Artomatic for 9 NEWS NOW's morning news. Artomatic is really cool and you should get there the next time they hold one. It was there that I met Maurissa Potts. She is with the Crystal City BID (Business Improvment District). It was at that time that Maurissa asked me if I'd be willing to participate in a Celebrity Trike Race as part of the Crystal City Classic. Not knowing what I was in for, I agreed.

As you can see from the picture, 15 inch tricycles are very hard to ride if you are an adult. And this was going downhill, before the race as we headed toward the starting line.I'm only 5'6" and change (5'7" on a really good day) and this thing was tiny. If you're wondering what's on my head, I'm wearing a hat and goggles like old aviators used to wear. Race organizers asked us to wear something fun. The gentleman to the left me in the picture is WJLA and Newschannel 8 meteorologist Joe Witte. Joe is an avid cyclist of the 2 wheeled variety. Joe is a very nice guy and it was a pleasure competing with him.

Actually, I really didn't care how I finished as long as I beat Joe. After all, he's a meteorologist on a cross-town rival. How could I walk in the doors of WUSA if I lost? There was a lot at stake here.(I first met Joe over 20 years ago when he was working at NBC in New York and I was taking the NBC studio tour.)

It was appearant early in the race that pedaling just wasn't working, so I turned my tricylcle into a scooter. The race was close. My wife captured this great action shot of me in second place. That leg you see in front of me belongs to Walter Tejada, Vice-Chairman, Arlington County Board. He was the eventual winner and I was right behind him.

The first place winner was given a trophy. The 2nd place winner(that would be me) and the 3rd place winner were handed ribbons. All 3 of us, were presented with "commander medallions" from Major General Robert L. Smolen, who is the commander of the Air Force District of Washington. The Air Force was the major sponsor of the bike race and the medallion is absolutely stunning. Receiving the medallion was an unexpected surprise and a real honor. The General also particpated in the trike race and had 2 bloody knees to boast about when we were finished.

Even if I hadn't come in second, and even if I hadn't beaten a cross-town rival, it was a great event to be part of and I hope they'll ask me back in 2008.