VCU cyclists tackle the official 2015 UCI Road World Championships circuit course

By Anne Dreyfuss
C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research

Brandon Smith was a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University when he started cycling competitively. “Cycling is a way to clear my head,” he said. “It allows me to unwind and get a great workout.”

Smith joined the Cycling Club of VCU during his freshman year and served as the club’s president for three years as an undergraduate. “I love the camaraderie,” he said.

Tonight, Smith and seven of his friends will hit the pavement again on the same climbs and cobblestones that make up the official 2015 UCI Road World Championships circuit course. The 26-year-old amateur cyclist is riding in Conquer the Cobbles, a public event that gives participants a chance to experience the same road circuit course that will be contested over the weekend by competitors from more than 75 countries.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to get some good speed going and pretend like we’re pros for a couple hours,” Smith said.

Hopefully we’ll be able to get some good speed going and pretend like we’re pros for a couple hours.

Smith, who graduated from VCU in 2011 with a degree in health, physical education and exercise science and returned to complete his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2014, will join more than 1,300 people who have already signed up to ride the course this evening. Many riders have ties to VCU.

“I see this as a way to support the local biking community and to experience the course firsthand,” said Chuck Biddle, Ph.D., professor, Department of Nurse Anesthesia, VCU School of Allied Health Professions. Biddle commutes by bicycle from his home in the Fan to work on the MCV campus for about half of the year and rides about 75 miles a week on varying terrain. For him, Conquer the Cobbles is an opportunity to experience his daily commute in a festive atmosphere.

“The race is a great way to nationally showcase our city in a way that might not otherwise occur,” Biddle said. The course that winds through the history and beauty of Monument Avenue as well as the challenging climbs of Libby Hill and 23rd Street will also traverse through VCU’s Monroe Park campus.

“Most Richmond cyclists have done these roads,” Smith said, adding that the closed course will allow for cyclists to ride in the opposite direction than they’re used to. “It’s exciting because, for example, Main Street is typically a climb and this time it is going the other way and it’s a huge downhill. We’ll be at break-neck speeds going down there. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Walk-up registration is still open for the event that starts outside of Sports Backers Stadium at 100 Avenue of Champions at 7 p.m.

 

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