YouGotDropped.com

So last year a site popped up in our area.  A site that embodies one of the things true racers fear on the amateur level, and that is getting dropped.  While this site has gotten mixed reviews in the area, it’s done in fun.  What it entails is this: You get dropped, they take or obtain a picture, they make you famous.  While it is sad, scary and slightly embarrassing, I personally think this concept is hysterical.  Lets be honest here, EVERYONE gets dropped sometimes.

Oddly enough I know these guys, but don’t know who these guys are.  I’ve chatted with them.  I’ve done some of the Twitter banter with them.  And yesterday we had a conversation.  I jokingly showed them the picture you see here.  The race is called Tour of Washington County and it’s our big local stage race.  When I first began cycling, I had the weight and wanted to obtain some goals.  Stage race was at the top of that list.  It’s a road race on Saturday and a time trial on Sunday Morning and a Crit later that afternoon.  I was in no shape for this race, but when one of my teammates dropped out of it, I took his spot.  Earlier that year my wife and I had our 2nd child, who I aptly call the Bear, and I was not getting in my training time, and certainly wasn’t racing.  I knew I wouldn’t be competitive, but I knew I could complete it.

Road race: Hell.  Rolling hills with some serious grades going on.  Too much for my fat ass.  I know, I know…but look at 6′3″ and 215 lbs, there is a huge difference when you’re up against some one coming in at a buck eighty.  Lap one, I dropped. The picture is that moment.  I finished off the back at like 28 or something. Almost died.

Time Trial: eh. If I don’t know the TT course, it psyches me out.  I’m working on that this year. I did horribly, but for my 2009 season, par for the course.

Crit: By this time, I was done.  I generally excel in crits because of my size and my engine, but I had no desire to do this.  The course is one of the coolest, however.  Right in a town, closed off and pretty damn fast.  We had a guy on my team that was looking at a top 10 General Classification.  I told him “look, I don’t want to do this race, but I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’ve always wanted to attack from the get go.  I’ll do that, you let everyone chase my ass down, and when they catch me, because they will catch my fat ass, I’ll try to stick in.” Dennis asked “Um, ok, but why?” “Because I can drop a bunch of guys who probably feel as fantastic as I do right away, and then if I drop, they’ll pull me, and I’ll be happy to watch the finish from the side lines.” So that’s what I did.  I was the first one out and I was gone.  I lasted by myself for 2 and 1/2 laps before I blew up.  The race announcer made fun of me, (1st to worst or something like that in addition to the earlier comments about free food, me being fat, or something) and then I was out.  I did drop like 20 guys…unfortunately me and 2 other teammates where among them.  Dennis, however placed 6th overall.  I’m confident it had nothing to do with me.

Fast forward to yesterday in a little chat with You Got Dropped.  I show them this pic from the road race, and You Got Dropped responded with “naw, you’re safe” but followed up with “this one, however….” with a pic from the crit (click the link to see the image). I think the site is fantastic, so I’d be a hypocrate to think myself above being made fun of.  So check it out.  It’s a good time: www.yougotdropped.com

DC