Virginia Travel Guide 2015 - 62

CHRISTOPHER THO

MPSON

COMPETE

by Curtis Winsor
` Above: Wine
Country Half Marathon,
Leesburg; Inset: Roto
meltdown at Carvins
Cove Trail, Roanoke
`From Previous Page:
2014 CapTech USA
Cycling Collegiate
Road National
Championships,
Richmond was a
precursor to Société
2015 World Road
Cycling Championship

Over the last decade, while
racing my bike, I have had
opportunities to experience
nearly every state in the
U.S. and many countries in
Europe and South America.
Finding an ideal home base
for training did not take long.
Virginia stood above the rest
with its beautiful mountains,
coastal waters, and endless
opportunities for recreation
and adventure. It's here that
I learned to love my sport
and to appreciate the beauty
around me.
A GROWING SPORT

Since my entrance into the
cycling world in the early

2000s, the sport in the U.S.
has grown dramatically.
Virginia's cycling landscape
continues to expand, and
has proven to be a hotbed
for amateur and professional
racers, casual commuters,
weekend warriors, and
even a playground for velo
vacationers.
THE WORLD IS COMING

Cycling popularity has grown
so much that the state capital,
Richmond, will host Société
2015, the World Road Cycling
Championships. The best
professional men and women
will travel around the globe
to race the streets of the city

where Patrick Henry famously
bellowed, "Give me liberty, or
give me death!" A test event
was held in May of 2014 with
U.S. Collegiate Nationals
taking place on the same
course where local boy Chris
Jones took the title.
Société 2015 will be held
from September 19-27 and
will feature 12 championship
races for Elite Men and
Women; Under 23; and
Junior Men and Women, all
competing for their countries.
Athletes will compete in
three disciplines, the Road
Race, Individual Time Trials
and Team Time Trials. Each
discipline will crown a world
champion. 1986 was the last
time the United States hosted
this prestigious event.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
(AND INTO THE WOODS)

Of course cycling is not limited
to just skinny-tire racing.
With plenty of trails and
protected parks all around the
state, Virginia offers popular

Participant Or Spectator?
About the Writer
Curtis Winsor is a
professional cyclist, and
winner of the 2012 Roanoke
Twilight Gran Prix. Off
the bike he owns Winsor
Creative, a full-service
studio providing marketing,
design and video production.
Providing balance to his busy
training and work schedule,
Curtis' wife Alexa loves
when he takes breaks so
they can experience all that
Virginia has to offer.

62

ANOTHER WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP
IN 2015
Held biannually, in an Olympics
style format, police officers,
correction officers, and
firefighters compete on the
world stage showcasing their
sporting abilities in the World
Police and Fire Games. Fairfax
County, just outside of the
nation's capital, will host the
2015 edition featuring more
than 12,000 police and fire
athletes from 70 countries from
June 26th to July 5th.

RUN INSTEAD
OF RIDE
Virginia has it all, from high
mountains to ocean waters. The
Rock N Roll half marathon
makes a stop at Virginia Beach
in August when the sun is hot.
I'll be there, but I'll have my
feet in the sand enjoying the
ocean breeze. If you can't make
it for this popular event, the
opportunities are endless with
nearly every town hosting 5K
fun runs, 10K trails runs and,
color walks, foam parties, and
full marathons.

MIX IT UP
Dominion Riverrock held
each summer in Richmond
brings music, sports and river
life together. Cardinal Point
Vineyard and Barren Ridge
Vineyards both host 5K races,
in which you start and finish in
the scenic vineyards. Storming of
Thunder Ridge is an annual bike
race in Lynchburg where the
Blue Ridge Mountains are your
backdrop. Rides include 27,45,
75 and 100 mile options. Want to
combine them all? Swim, run and
bike in The QuanticoTri (triathlon)
on Marine Corp Base Quantico.
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