Rutgers Cycling Takes On Boston

by Kevin Miller

LIVE (almost) from the Boston Beanpot Cycling Classic-here's the race report, or rather weekend report. When the team gathered in the parking lot of Brower at 5PM Friday, who knew the awesomeness that would ensue during the weekend? Some dubbed it the undergrad race; others dubbed it the undergrad race with super-senior Jay. Either way, everyone packed all their gear into Chris's van and Dave's SUV, and we started the journey to Boston- stopping on the way in Connecticut for Dunkin Donuts. Andy was sporting his cornrows and gold chain (a regular Grand Master Flash). We passed other people with bikes on their cars and proceeded to scream about Rutgers Cycling out the window. Then, BOOM, fast forward a couple of grueling hours on the road and we arrived in Boston. Destination: the MIT fraternity Delta Tau Delta (which was like a mansion). The brothers, many of whom cycle, had let us stay in their second floor bedroom and provided many couches and mattresses for us to rest and live in for the weekend. Friday night, several of us went out to peruse the city, and some decided on hitting the sack early for the race the next morning. We woke up early, and set off for Grafton, MA where the Beanpot Road Race would take place- on the campus of the Tufts Veterinary School- a very small, but beautiful campus in rural Massachussets. The course was very up and down hilly, with the largest being right smack dab in the middle. In the D's, Dave would race adamantly, with Andy following close behind. Racing C's, Chris finished 4th (after a giant truck was practically stopped during the sprint), and Jay and Rich held up with the rest of the pack. I finished around the middle of the pack, and Alex put in a good sprint in the B's. After the race came and went, we headed back to the frat house, stopping for pizza in a small shop and watching re-runs of Wrestlemania. Next morning- Sunday was to be the Beanpot Criterium- located on the Tufts University Main Campus. This is clearly one of the most dangerous crit courses out there, having turns named Carnage Corner, and the like. Fortresses of hay bails were laid out to prevent serious damage. Andy and Dave, racing the D's, were entangled in a massive crash that threw them out of the crit, Dave's on the last lap. In the C's, Chris finished second overall (and got a sweet medal to prove it), and Rich and Jay followed close in pursuit. I raced Intro's in what was probably my best race to date. Alex topped it all off with a decent finish in the B's, and we all went to a Burrito joint where they were having a meal deal sponsored by the ECCC. We headed home, stopping for some Auntie Anne's on the way, and then hit New Jersey, where it was pouring rain. Sadly, nothing gold can stay, only in our memories. :) Boston was beautiful! Pictures coming soon.