Wind Grabs Colonel in Blue Streak By Chuck Smith, DCC VP Winds grabbed DCC member Col. Charles Czarniecki during the Wednesday, August 18 Blue Streak time trial. He explained, “That was a killer wind, especially at the end. Very serious head wind down Skeel and head wind component down Hebble Creek. When I turned into the wind on the way past the Aero Club, it felt like the wind was just grabbing me and holding me up. I was doing 26 mph in stretches down the back of the base (in the trees) but went as slow as 16+ mph at a spot in the last stretches.” Col. Czarniecki averaged 22.5 miles per hour. He was among 65 riders in this time trial which challenges bicyclists to ride their own best time over the 10 miles around the Area C Flight Line. The best time among the DCC riders was 22 minutes and 37 seconds by Richard Myers in his fared recumbent. Among conventional bicycles, the best was Jay Van Houton’s 24 minutes and 24 seconds. Other DCC members included Dan DeClark with 25:05, Jim Paoloemilio with 26:06, Chris Cowan with 26:50, Joe Raskay with 27:51, Casey Smith with 30:00, Jim Perry with 30:49, Betty Warwick with 31:29, Brian Davis (WDTN meteorologist) with 31:33, and Ed Davis with 31:44. Brian Davis said the directional signs helped him to stay on the route this time. Last month, he wandered off the route near Huffman Prairie. Join us for the final Blue Streak Time Trial of the 2004 season on Wednesday, September 15. All bicyclists are invited to participate in this race for your own best time. If you have not participated before, email your name and intention to ride to LtCol Dave Hardwick at david.hardwick@wpafb.af.mil by September 8. Approach Wright-Patterson AFB via SR 444. Enter Gate 12-A (AFMC HQ) where you see the jet fighters and flag poles. Identify yourself as a Blue Streak rider. Present your picture ID and the guard will motion you in. Continue straight until you pass the Hope Hotel on your right. Turn left until the road ends at the jet plane static display. Turn right and continue until you reach Skeel Avenue, where you bear to the right. Meet in the Tennis Club (Building 90) parking lot on Skeel Avenue near the Area C flight line by 5pm. The registration deadline is 5:30. Numbers will be distributed by 5:45, and the riders will be released in 30-second intervals starting at 6pm. |