Saturday, August 25, 2007With temperatures reaching into the high 80’s, with 90+% humidity, this years Tour De Yinz began as the polar opposite of last year’s race. Held in November 2006, the inagural TDY featured pouring rain with temperatures of around 40°. Race participants were clearly pleased about the updated conditions.Pre-raceThis year the race was made up of 4 checkpoint/stages. Only three of the stages were given to participants at the begning of the race. One neutral stage, one mountain stage (M), and one sprint stage (S). The fourth checkpoint was revealed at the end of the mountain stage and was introduced to racers as a ‘doping control center’. The race started with one lap around Friendship Park. (See below for starting order per TDY Prologue) Russo getting it good.After completing one lap around the park, racers headed for their first checkpoint. The checkpoints could be done in any order, however, the first to complete the mountain stage and the sprint stage received a cash bonus as well as the polka dot, or green jersey on the podium. Prizes were also awarded to first place overall—receiving the Maillot jaune—and first place female.John “Toodles” Lomax, second placeThere were 28 riders in the TDY2, a few went missing… Only 19 of 28 riders completed the race.Results:1. Ted K. 1:41.552. John L. 1:45.21 TT3. Rob L. 1:45.37 TT4. Steve K. 1:50.36 S5. Corey L. 1:52.42 M6. Jason B. 1:54.497. Mike C. 2:01.348. Blake I. 2:18.43 TT9. Paulie4 2:19.4010. Matt K. 2:20.13 TT11. Aaron S. 2:23.0012. Jordan 2:23.1813. Rob W. 2:23.19 TT14. Devon H. 2:23.4915. Loren S. 2:41.43 TT W16. Ben G. 2:45.33 TT17. Greg R. 2:49.5218. Jim I. 2:58.16 TT19. Dave L. 3:07.34The winners circleAfter the race we all cruised over to Greg’s house for beers and the award ceremony. Pabst provided us with a few 30 packs, and Iron City Bikes helped the prize bin with a Topeak Road Morph pump. Other prizes included cash, and two limited edition prints of the race poster. If you ask nicely, i might be able to get you a copy if your interested.The jersey winners.Thanks to everyone that came out to race and to work checkpoints. This years TDY was the best yet and it can only get better. See you next year, jag-offs.PGH Alleycats.