The 2013 Fortune 700 Fixed-Gear TTT & Circuit Race...

Well, another year, another Fortune 700 two-stage, one-day race at the Rose Bowl. Raced in memory of Chris Cono who, you may remember passed away earlier in the year, a big thanks is owed to Dan Barr, Dorothy Wong, Justin Kizzart, Dustin Woodard, and many volunteers who got it organized and underway.

i don't know who ended up winning the ttt, or overall crown, but these guys finished 1-2 in the circuit race

For those of you who do not know, the Fortune 700 is a fixed-gear race comprised of a three lap team time trial, contested this year by pairs, and followed by a five lap (for women and juniors) or seven lap (for everyone else) short course circuit race. The circuit race included the climb of Salvia Canyon and descent of Washington on each lap. Neither one of those is something I would especially look forward to on a fixed-gear bike. So, everyone out there today had me beat on that count. Further, and as you might expect of a mid-day race in the San Gabriel Valley, in August, it was quite warm.

assemblage and instructions

tattoos and custom rigs

greetings all around

There is something distinguishing about the lack of noise from a well-maintained fixed-gear bike, that no geared bike can match. The hum of tire on road is more distinct; there is no unnecessary clicking or clacking, the familiar ratcheting of the freewheel is not mute, it is nonexistent. That silence from the course was filled by a cacophony from the course-side - music from the LACycleTours.com truck and crew, the ringing of cowbells, jeers and shouts to drivers, encouraging them to move along when their gawking looked as if it might interfere with the flow of the racers, cheers and shouts of encouragement from the spectators each and every time riders drifted with determination through the start/finish. While there might have been some favoritism, no one was left out, everyone was either coaxed or goaded to do their best. I still consider races like this to be home-grown, grass-roots affairs, and honestly think that the way everyone supports one another is what makes them special, sets them apart. Besides the photos shown here, a selection of 104 can be seen on my Flickr. Feel free to provide tags. More than anything, enjoy the ride.

superheroes teamed, unfair advantage?

eyes on the prize - it's up the road

focus in the ttt

sprint to the line in the ttt

one of many course marshals - Peter Sagan has nothing on this guys moves

bar swap, or grip it like this?

smile before the start

just enough shade left

lead group at the end of lap one in the circuit race, not much fragmentation - yet

end of lap two - starting to come apart

until next time...