THE SWEET:
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/f68634264b6ac9823b9f228c_rw_1200.jpg?h=3ef94644a57def5c6786ef093fb79301)
Megan Guarnier makes the podium for Team USA (above). American Juniors Chloe Dygert wins two golds and Emma White wins two silver medals.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/510beffb1f9f27f8f245a4ea_rw_1200.jpg?h=a591012c622f9853925ab8b353d0d4ae)
USA based Team BMC, with Taylor Phinney, win the team time trial.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/960f6581ffb3b30aa79fa2a4_rw_1200.jpg?h=f841203a0a927d6ccc0e1f57933b061f)
Ben King and Team USA kept the crowd excited with breakaway moves.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/509289af4099789ab4339159_rw_1200.jpg?h=e83b40249d16fc7818aa199cddfc94ca)
Peter Sagan steals the show with his bold breakaway with 2K to go in the road race.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/434725186bc5b0937fb95cd8_rw_1200.jpg?h=543a0bf1e3111b6b010eda4dadd4aa8d)
Fans came from all over the world to watch and cheer for all the cyclists. A reported 650,000 attended the nine days of racing events in Richmond.
THE BITTERSWEET: Riding a practice lap with the pros...
A journalist sneaks onto the road race course, during the practice session of September 24th. He rides along with the pros, and gives us a cyclist's eye view of things.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/dc54f4ba49602cb60d79a74b_rw_1920.jpg?h=0dad820edacba44bb9e9a41f5b491111)
Riding onto Monument Ave, being watched by J.E.B. Stuart on horseback.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/98126e23fc89cf559370ca5f_rw_1920.jpg?h=4cfe7416a7a1f83ac87c41ab990c8700)
Making the hairpin turn at the Jefferson Davis Monument.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/24b81450bdec7258f8825b27_rw_1920.jpg?h=efcd19d641db4878f432eedb8d1e3299)
Being stopped by a Security Marshal.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/09152e82c2895c601c5006bb_rw_1920.jpg?h=a9252aad9445264488fd7cb9114fae68)
No problem, I show my media credentials, and I get the thumbs up to proceed.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/f51035ac8b34a2df368e802b_rw_1920.jpg?h=deeaaeae1b202851e398cbc6fb0137f6)
Kids waiting for High Fives from me and other cyclists.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/f50fb9e95c45919436f2bb85_rw_1920.jpg?h=bd930de4eeeab7676f9a0d774f1025df)
No less than five policemen at Main and 6th St, ready to stop any traffic from crossing my path.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/0f1bedf08ca54282935dd193_rw_1920.jpg?h=2494257fdc8c4f20570813deac62f5f1)
A Team USA rider blasting past me as we pass the Virginia Retirement System, my former place of employment.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/a1e195a88a03b78468829cfb_rw_1920.jpg?h=042cbefb3c422459aa8453455e99a954)
Some of the pros flying by.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/712c8322d3722697afe38a44_rw_1920.jpg?h=c7d81ffeea735541fc2b8c8feb5079e6)
The best seat on the course, and it's pet friendly.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/08e078c09d7f157295d55331_rw_1920.jpg?h=c93b7fcc50032541b9aaab97a8874137)
Going up Libby Hill.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/de71acd1386b89b5d9e32839_rw_1920.jpg?h=9ac4a15ecbb7a98d6403caf359a049b5)
Getting passed on Libby Hill.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/130235493bc366a89e7d4097_rw_1920.jpg?h=d0add3fcdcb52323a07163cbfe615d36)
Almost at the top.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/040a2d20ab08ef69322616b2_rw_1920.jpg?h=d70fdfe3857ab99ab603aa681fc4479b)
Yeah, made it. Piece of cake. (NOT!)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/f7feb47a6cb703ed42b51e3e_rw_1920.jpg?h=49d08727f3612f5f3e372d3c015db1d6)
The view going up 23rd St, the steepest hill on the course. I'm huffing and puffing a lot, already.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/29262261885823a6f89e9c32_rw_1920.jpg?h=dc78ad01c5ed1962136e7d31448e6ce2)
It's just not my day. I abort the climb about halfway up. My heart rate monitor shows 180 BPM - not unusual for me on a climb like this - but I wimp out this time.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/5ca982694dce86e8428b1df5_rw_1920.jpg?h=88a1d1af80780009634215c4fb029b4b)
At least I can enjoy the great view from here, watching the pros ride up without much of a problem.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/d606bc2ea60105ec63fd1f3a504d0346/26a474ff70931c6810385aa2_rw_1920.jpg?h=a4a4f297cf526a2e04f17dcd71b69ed8)
Don't they know this is supposed to be a steep hill?!