Armed Forces Cycling Classic

Air Force Association Cycling Classic Returns to Arlington Next Month

By ARLnow.com

Air Force Cycling Classic Crystal Cup

(Updated on May 9) A weekend of cycling races is on tap for the weekend of June 11-12.

The two day Air Force Association Cycling Classic, sponsored by Boeing, is returning to Arlington for its 19th year next month.

The races will take place around Clarendon on Saturday, June 11 — busy streets like Wilson Blvd will be closed to traffic around the race circuit — and around Crystal City, the Pentagon and the Air Force Memorial on Sunday, June 12.

More details from a press release:

Kids Race: The Ethan Klancnik Memorial Kids Race supports Tay-Sachs Awareness and Prevention, and will take place in Clarendon on Saturday, June 11 and in Crystal City on Sunday, June 12.

Air Force Association Cycling Classic’s Clarendon Cup: This professional race showcases a form of cycling involving a series of high-speed bike races that take place on a 1km course on city streets. As part of the prestigious USA Cycling Professional Road Tour, the Clarendon Cup is known as one of the most difficult criterium races in the U.S. due to technical demands of the course and the quality of the participants.

Challenge Ride: The Challenge Ride is an amateur, non-competitive, participatory ride, open to cyclists of all abilities. The ride will be held on a closed, 15km circuit in and around the Pentagon, Crystal City and the Air Force Memorial. Bronze, silver and gold medals will be awarded for those who can complete 2, 4 or 6 laps within the 3-hour course closure (June 12, Crystal City). Races incorporated in the Challenge Ride include:

  • Thales Corporate Challenge
  • Navy Federal Credit Union Armed Forces Challenge
  • USAA Congressional Challenge

Some proceeds from the event will benefit wounded Air Force personnel.

“The Air Force Association’s Wounded Airman Program is the primary beneficiary of the event, receiving proceeds from pledges made by Team Sabre and from additional fundraising activities throughout the weekend,” said the press release. “The Wounded Airman Program supports wounded, ill and injured Airmen with adaptive equipment needs, financial support and care and quality of life items.”

Registration for the kids ride and for the races is open online. See photos from previous years here, here and here.

Audrey Clement Blasts Arlington Bike Race Again

By Heather Mongilio

Audrey-Clement

(Updated at 2:15 p.m.) Independent candidate for County Board Audrey Clement is continuing to criticize Arlington for hosting a bike race last month.

On Saturday, Clement, a self-described avid cyclist, said the Air Force Association’s Cycling Classic, a two-day racing event in Clarendon and Crystal City, was dangerous to the public.

“No mention made by the Air Force Association of the danger to participants and pedestrians of conducting high speed races in the heart of a densely populated business district or the nuisance value of blocking major throughways to vehicular traffic for half of the day,” Clement said.

Clement previously spoke against the race at a last month’s Board meeting, while the race was happening, because the road closures prevented her from biking to the meeting on the route she usually takes. During that meeting, she told Board members that closing roads for the race was “reckless endangerment.”

“I risked my life to bike to this meeting,” she asserted.

Clement noted on Saturday that she was “ridiculed” for her remarks in June.

“At the June 13 County Board meeting I was ridiculed by County Board members for characterizing the bicycle races in progress that day in Clarendon as ‘reckless endangerment,'” she said.

Board members responded to Clement’s latest complaints by saying the barriers lining the cycling course ensured spectator safety, but Clement disagreed.

“Other Board members agreed with Mr. Fisette that the barricades put in place were sufficient to prevent accident or injury, I wish that were true. Yet on Thursday, July 2, one cyclist was killed and two were critically injured when one of the cyclist’s had a tire blowout on a downhill race sponsored by the World Police and Fire Games in Prince William Forest Park,” Clement said during the July 18 Board meeting.

Clement went on to say that the sport of cycling has more deaths than the Indianapolis 500, which had its last death in 1973. While there were some crashes at this year’s Clarendon and Crystal Cup races, no deaths were reported. During the race, barriers kept spectators away from the speeding cyclists and event staff were positioned at every crossing area to help people get from one side of the course to the other.

Arlington County is happy to work with event organizers to plan road closures and public safety measures, Board member Jay Fisette said.

“Our special events [are] one of the things that makes Arlington special. We have a special events policy, we have our block parties, we have bike events, we have neighborhood events, and events sponsored by the BIDs that happen in our denser corridors and each of those require work and require staff time to make sure the road network still works and they’re safe,” Fisette said.

In her remarks, Clement also called for a multi-modal system of enforcing traffic laws, with police officers monitoring activity from bikes. Board Chair Mary Hynes said a system called “PAL” is already in place to encourage cyclists and motorists to be careful on the road.

Photos: Air Force Association Cycling Classic

By Heather Mongilio
1/27

(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) Hundreds of cyclists took to Clarendon and Crystal City streets as part of the Air Force Association Cycling Classic this past weekend.

The two-day event saw professional, amateur and youth cyclists speed up and down Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards and Crystal Drive. The course also featured several tight turns for participants to whip around. The Clarendon Cup had five of these turns, which makes it one of the more difficult courses of its kind in the United States.

“It’s a really fun, local race. It’s one of the best in the area,” said Mattison Brady, a Washington, D.C. resident who placed second in the Amateur race.

The course’s technical challenges only add to the fun, Brady said.

But for some the two courses proved to be anything but fun. The Clarendon Cup’s challenges turned the race into a “race of attrition,” said Christopher Hair, a local cyclist with the United Healthcare/National Capital Velo Club Amateur team.

“It’s about an hour of excruciating pain,” Hair said. “Most people are smiling because it’s over.”

Riders also fell prey to the courses with multiple crashes throughout the two days. Multiple women hit the pavement during an early crash in the Clarendon Cup and at least two riders hit the ground during the men’s professional Crystal Cup causing a small slowdown.

The event was also apparently hazardous to a County Board candidate. Independent Board candidate Audrey Clement said the road closures from the Clarendon Cup hindered her ability to safely bike to Saturday’s Board meeting.

“As you know, I am an avid biker. I’ve biked to work every day for the past 25 years and I’ve biked to virtually every County Board meeting for the past three years,” Clement said in the meeting’s public comment period. “Yet today, I risked my life to bike to this meeting because the bike race… had blocked off all the streets in Clarendon. This represents not just an inconvenience to pedestrians, motorists and other bikers in the county, it constitutes reckless endangerment.”

For Hilton Clarke, a professional cyclist with United Healthcare, the two-day event was something to celebrate. The 35-year-old Australian cyclist won both the Clarendon and Crystal Cups and the Omnium.

“Well, I’ve been here a few times, and I’ve won now yesterdays race three times, and this race I’ve come in second three times, so it’s nice, even though my teammates normally beat me in this race, it’s nice to get a win here in this event so I’m really happy,” Clarke said.

For the women, Lauren Stephens took the Clarendon Cup after a long breakaway, and Coryn Rivera, a nationally-known cyclist, took the Crystal Cup and the Omnium.

Air Force Cycling Classic Coming This Weekend

By Heather Mongilio

Air Force Cycling Classic Crystal Cup(Updated at 1:20 p.m.) Hundreds of cyclists will descend on Clarendon and Crystal City for the Air Force Association Cycling Classic this weekend.

The two-day event boasts multiple races, with a men’s and women’s professional cycling race in each neighborhood. There will also be multiple amateur races, kids races and a challenge ride.

On Saturday, the highlight of the event is the Clarendon Cup, a professional/amateur course that takes cyclists through the heart of Clarendon. The course is known as one of the most difficult in the United States, according to the association.

The event starts at 8 a.m. with amateur races from 8-9:50 a.m. The women’s professional teams will race at 10 a.m., and the men’s professional teams will take the course at noon. In between the two professional races is the kid’s race at 11:35 a.m.

Arlington cycling enthusiasts can block out their morning or decide to come for a couple of the races, said Emily Helpern, a PR rep. She recommends viewers watch near the start/finish line, where the main stage is located, at the intersection of Wilson Boulevard N. Herndon Street.

On Sunday, the event moves to Crystal City and starts at 7 a.m. with a non-competitive challenge ride. After the ride concludes, the men’s pro teams will start the Crystal City Cup races at 10:20 a.m, followed by a kid’s race at 12:25 p.m., the women’s pro race at 12:35 p.m. and amateur races at 1:45 p.m.

Helpern also recommends spectators watch from the start/finish line on Crystal Drive between 20th and 23rd Streets S.

Those willing to brave some of Arlington’s hottest days should plan on using the Metro to get down to the course and get off at the Clarendon or Crystal City stations, both of which are on the Blue Line. There will be some public parking on Saturday and parking is free at the Crystal City’s underground public garages.

Residents may want to avoid driving in Clarendon and Crystal City as a result of the races. Many of the roads, including Wilson Boulevard and Clarendon Boulevard, will be closed.

The following roads will be closed from 4:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday for the Clarendon Cup:

  • Wilson Boulevard, from Fillmore Street to Washington Boulevard
  • Clarendon Boulevard, from Washington Boulevard to N. Fillmore Street
  • Washington Boulevard, from Wilson Boulevard to N. Highland Street
  • N. Highland Street from Wilson Boulevard to Washington Boulevard
  • N. Garfield/N. Fillmore Streets from Wilson Boulevard to Washington Boulevard

The following roads will be closed from 4:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday for the Crystal City Cup:

  • Crystal Drive, from 15th Street S. through 23rd Street S.
  • Wilson Boulevard, from N. Kent Street to the ramp to Route 110
  • S. Clark Street, from 20th Street S. to 23rd Street S.
  • 20th Street S., from Crystal Drive to S. Clark Street
  • 18th Street S., from Crystal Drive to Bell Street
  • 23rd Street S., from Crystal Drive to S. Clark Street
  • Crystal Drive (west side), from 23rd Street S. to the Century Center Parking Garage

The ramps from Memorial Avenue, to Route 110 and Route 27 on the GW Parkway will be closed Sunday, June 14, from 5 a.m. to noon.

Air Force Association Cycling Classic Returns June 13-14

By Ethan Rothstein

Air Force Cycling Classic Crystal CupThe D.C. region’s biggest cycling race is coming back to Arlington for its 18th running next month.

The Air Force Association Cycling Classic will take place in Clarendon and Crystal City over the weekend of June 13 and. The event will have several races, inviting cyclists of all ages and skill levels to participate in the event most appropriate for them.

The premier race of the weekend is Saturday’s Clarendon Cup, a pro/am race that will take riders up and down Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards in the heart of the neighborhood. That race is part of the National Criterium Calendar, a 13-race tour organized by USA Cycling.

Sunday morning, the Challenge Ride — a 15-kilometer jaunt up Route 110 and around the Pentagon, Air Force Memorial and Crystal City — will kick off, allowing anyone to register and compete.

During the Challenge Ride, staffs from congressional representatives will be invited to compete as teams, racing for their party. There are also races for kids, competitive amateurs and opportunities to compete as corporate teams. The Challenge Ride costs $60 to participate, with a $10 discount for active, reserve and retired military members.

Sunday afternoon, the event will conclude with the Crystal Cup, another National Criterium Calendar race, that will take riders along Jefferson-Davis Highway and Crystal Drive in Crystal City.

File photo

Clarendon Roads to Close Saturday for Cycling Classic

By Ethan Rothstein

Air Force Cycling Classic Crystal CupParts of Wilson, Clarendon and Washington Boulevards in Clarendon will be closed most of the day Saturday for the Air Force Association Cycling Classic.

Roads will close starting at 4:30 a.m. Saturday and re-open at 5:00 p.m. to accommodate the Clarendon Cup portion of the Cycling Classic, which also features races in Crystal City and along Route 110 on Sunday.

Registration is closed for the Cycling Classic, which is part of USA Cycling’s National Criterium Calendar, but spectators are invited to watch and visit booths at the expo on Clarendon Blvd. The Clarendon Cup, according to the Cycling Classic’s website, is “known as one of the most difficult criterium races in the U.S. due to technical demands of the course and the quality of the participants.”

Here are the closures that will take effect on Saturday from 4:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:

  • Wilson Boulevard will be closed from N. Fillmore Street to Washington Boulevard
  • Clarendon Boulevard will be closed from Washington Boulevard to N. Fillmore Street
  • Washington Boulevard will be closed from Wilson Boulevard to N. Highland Street
  • N. Highland Street will be closed from Wilson Boulevard to Washington Boulevard
  • N. Garfield Street/N. Fillmore Street will be closed from Wilson Boulevard to Washington Boulevard

File photo. The Air Force Cycling Classic is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Air Force Cycling Classic to Roll into Arlington

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 1:55 p.m.) Thousands of spectators will line the streets of Arlington this weekend, as bicyclists roll through for The Air Force Cycling Classic.

This Saturday, June 9, the event kicks off with the Clarendon Cup, near the Clarendon Metro. There will be a number of races throughout the day for men and women of various abilities. There will also be a children’s event. On Sunday, June 10, the action moves to Crystal Drive in Crystal City.

Registration can be found online, and the schedule is as follows:

Saturday, June 9

  • 8:00 a.m. — Men’s Masters Amateur Race
  • 8:55 a.m. — Men’s Elite Amateur Race
  • 9:55 a.m. — Women’s Elite Race:
  • 11:35 a.m. — Kids’ Race
  • 12:00 p.m. — Men’s Pro Race

Sunday, June 10

  • 7:30 a.m. — Crystal Ride
  • 11:15 a.m. — Kids’ Race
  • 11:30 a.m. — Men’s Pro Race
  • 1:25 p.m. — Women’s Elite Race
  • 2:30 p.m. — Men’s Elite Amateur Race (Category 3 racing license)
  • 3:25 p.m. — Men’s Elite Amateur Race (Category 4 racing license)

A number of roads will be closed for the races, and the Arlington County Police will be helping to direct traffic. Parking may be restricted in the affected areas, so residents should look for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. The closures are below:

Saturday, June 9, from 4:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

  • Wilson Blvd from N. Fillmore Street to Washington Blvd
  • Clarendon Blvd from Washington Blvd to N. Fillmore Street
  • Washington Blvd from Wilson Blvd to N. Highland Street
  • Highland Street from Wilson Blvd to Washington Blvd
  • Garfield Street and Fillmore Street from Wilson Blvd to Washington Blvd
Sunday, June 10, from 5:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
  • Joyce Street from Army Navy Drive to Columbia Pike
  • Columbia Pike from Oak Street to Pentagon South Parking (access to Pentagon, Eads and Fern Street)
  • South Gate Road, no access to Columbia Pike
  • Eastbound Washington Blvd at I-395
  • Westbound Washington Blvd from Memorial Bridge
  • Boundary Channel Drive
  • Crystal Drive from 23rd Street to Army Navy Drive- no vehicle traffic permitted northbound or southbound on Crystal Drive Access (will be granted to Clark Street from 12th Street)
  • 15th Street and Jefferson Davis Highway – no traffic permitted east of Jefferson Davis Highway. All traffic that comes east of Eads Street must use Route 1.
  • 18th and Clark Street – no vehicle traffic permitted eastbound towards Crystal Drive unless parking. All traffic will be detoured southbound on Bell Street.
  • 20th and Jefferson Davis Highway – no traffic permitted from Jefferson Davis Highway to 20th Street or to the access road that parallels Jefferson Davis Highway to the east.
  • 23rd and Jefferson Davis Highway – All traffic coming from or across Jefferson Davis Highway will be sent south on Clark Street. The normal lanes of traffic on 23rd Street coming from Crystal Drive will be used for the race route. Traffic coming from Crystal Drive on 23rd Street will be using the eastbound lanes.
  • Southbound Route 110 ramp to northbound I-395 will be closed until noon.
  • Southbound Route 110 from Rosslyn to S. 15th Street will be closed until noon.

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser

Photos from the Air Force Cycling Classic

By ARLnow.com

The Air Force Cycling Classic was held in Clarendon and Crystal City over the weekend.

Dozens of professional and amateur cyclists competed in a series of circuit races around both urban corridors. Cyclingnews.com has the results from both the Clarendon Cup and the Crystal Cup men’s and women’s pro races.

Photos by ARLnow.com, 83(b), Brendan J. McMurrer, D.WHIT Photography, Tim Kelley

1/21

Road Closures Planned for Weekend Bike Races

By ARLnow.com

The Air Force Cycling Classic will bring exciting races and extensive road closures to Arlington over the weekend.

The nationally-recognized pro cycling event will kick off early in Clarendon on Saturday, then head to Crystal City on Sunday. Here’s the official schedule:

  • Saturday, June 11 (Clarendon)
    • 8:00 a.m. — Amateur races (for licensed riders)
    • 10:05 a.m. — Women’s Pro/Am race
    • 11:35 a.m. — Kids race
    • 12:00 p.m. — Clarendon Cup Pro/Am Invitational
  • Sunday, June 12 (Crystal City)
    • 7:30 a.m. — Crystal Ride (open to all, registration ends Friday)
    • 11:15 a.m. — Kids races
    • 11:35 a.m. — Crystal Cup Pro/Am Invitational
    • 1:25 p.m. — Women’s Pro/Am race
    • 2:30 p.m. — Amateur race (for licensed riders)

The races will result in a long list of road closures. See the list, after the jump.
(more…)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

“Discriminatory” Rolling Thunder Checkpoint? — The American Motorcyclist Association has a beef with Arlington County. The group says that Arlington police conducted a “motorcycle-only checkpoint” on Saturday during Rolling Thunder. Calling the practice “discriminatory,” the association has sent letters expressing “concern” to Gov. Bob McDonnell, Arlington Police Chief Doug Scott and Virginia legislative leaders. [Speed TV]

Mormon Singles Gather in Crystal City — Crystal City’s new 23rd Street Chapel is a place for young, single members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to gather. The chapel claims hundreds of single members, many of whom are specifically on the look-out for a wife or husband. The Washington area reportedly has one of the highest concentration of Mormons outside of Utah. [Washington Post]

Last Call for Crystal Ride Registration — Today is the last day to register for Crystal Ride, a non-competitive bike ride held on a 7.8 mile closed circuit around South Arlington during next weekend’s Air Force Cycling Challenge.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Real Estate Prices Rise — Real estate prices continue to rise in Arlington, reports local Realtor Laura Rubinchuk. In May, prices of townhouses and detached single-family homes rose 4 percent and 5 percent respectively compared to 2009. The condo market was up 1 percent.

ACPD Investigating Thefts from Government Buildings — A group of thieves is targeting secured government buildings in Northern Virginia. According to The Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder, the thieves wait for people to swipe their security badges at entrances, nonchalantly follow them in, and then proceed to steal valuables from unoccupied offices. The Arlington County Police Department is conducting a joint investigation of the break-ins with the U.S. Secret Service and the Diplomatic Security Service.

Crystal Cup Results — Yesterday we brought you a recap of the Air Force Cycling Classic’s Clarendon Cup, which was held on Saturday, but neglected to mention the results of the second half of the Classic — the Crystal Cup, which was held in Crystal City on Sunday. Luckily, CyclingNews.com covered the race here.  Among those taking the podium following the women’s race was local rider Erin Silliman.

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