Reconnoitering Grant’s Tomb
Old Man Winter was not exactly kind to the streets around Grant’s Tomb, and the monsoon that is predicted for this Saturday’s full day of high-speed criterium racing does not bode well for those faint of heart, or those running too much tire pressure. Here, a quick review of the course—its turns and its blemishes. (Read the CR preview of the race here.)
The Tomb is where it's at this Saturday, rain or shine.
Entering Turn 1.
In Turn 1.
Best avoided, in Turn 1.
A 2-inch pothole after Turn 1.
Beginning of Turn 2.
Coming out of Turn 2. You might be greeted with a vicious headwind on this stretch. Time to get aero—or suck some wheel.
Entering Turn 3, start of hill.
Turn 3 up close; could be dodgy in the rain.
The hill, between Turns 3 and 4. Some rough surface in the middle.
Top of hill, Turn 4.
The top of hill, Turn 4, on the left side.
The top of the only hill on the course. At bottom is Turn 3, at top Turn 4.
Exiting Turn 4, you begin a longish, mostly gradual downhill.
Entering Turn 5 way at the bottom end of course, on the north side.
Middle of Turn 5, the last turn; it can get a bit tight for a big pack.
The home stretch, between Turns 5 and 1.
A little undulation before the finish; feel the burn.
The last bit before finish line levels off, but the race will likely be decided by this point.
The finish line will be here somewhere. It has not been in exactly the same place every year.
All photos CyclingReporter.com.
