Tell Tale Signs

Usually, if you are smiling for the camera, you are off the back.

Professional photographer, Anthony Skorochod, has been taking cycling pics in the Mid-Atlantic and New England areas for years. He does the best job of capturing the mood of the race, especially for those not in it anymore. Here are a few gems from The Lower Providence Spring Classic Criterium. Why are all these people so happy?

"OMG!! My AVG Watts > than NP and my IF is too high. I bet my FTP is set too low. Oh shit, where did everybody go?"

Custom painted super six for this?

We are hoping this guy is warming up. Note..small ring..jacket...not in the field.

Hi there.

Douchebag of the Week - Alberto Contador

Coches de la pistola es un poco más de la parte superior.

Crit Season is Here

This weekend in MABRAland we have two races, a crit and a circuit race.

Let's prelude this weekend with some bike racing 101.

Saturday is a dead flat crit, wide open, two corners. It will be fast for many of the fields. However, if you get dropped, God bless us all. If you fear that you are going to get dropped, find the biggest guy that doesn't look fat and get behind him and hold on for the next hour. Enjoy the ride. If you get dropped, you will be on this site come next week. Yay for you!

Sunday is similar but the race is deemed a 'circuit race.' Of course a circuit race is kind of like a crit because you do a bunch of laps. It's kind of like a road race too because the laps are longer. A circuit race is more like a crit because they are usually 45 minutes to an hour. But it's like a road race because you can't take any free laps.

To get everybody pumped up for the weekend, we wanted to share with you the motivational poster that we have hanging up at YGD HQ.

Good v Bad

nima good

nima bad

5 Stages of Denial - Guest blogger

We have a guest blogger today. Reid Beloni, a collegiate rider for Virginia Tech and the Carolina Subaru Gary Fisher Road Cycling Team has a similar passion for all that goes on with the tail end of the pack.

Check out the following essay on the phrases, i.e. excuses that are muttered in the parking lot after a rider gets the ol' drop. We like how Reid relates getting dropped to the five stages of denial. Well done.

http://bigwatts.blogspot.com

In addition to the phrases that are often spoken at bike races when someone is getting dropped that we talked about last week, here is one more.

"well that's racing" This is something that might be heard after the race, once all the stories have been told, after all the possible ways that you might not have gotten dropped are contemplated, you reach a state of complacency about your miserable weekend; "well that's racing."

These stages of getting dropped remind me of something. They are oddly similar to the five stages of grief. Your saga of getting dropped just like the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Denial: Often a stage associated with "Move up!" being yelled at you. You deny the fact you are on your way to getting dropped and you friends actually encourage the behavior. If you listen to them and keep going you're only going to get dropped.

Anger: This is a two part stage where people will yell "Good job man!" and "Keep it up!" Those watching are frustrated and angry that you are getting dropped. They tell you to keep it up and encourage you, which is intended to mean keep up the good job, but the effort sucks because its getting you dropped.

Bargaining: The'll tell you to "Work together!" This is pretty self explanatory, but this stage of grief is actualized by those around you trying to bargain with the other racers on your behalf by trying to get them to pull your dropped ass back to the field. It will never work.

Depression: "Finish strong!" The most depressing part of your bike race of grief is when you somehow reach the finish line. Reaching the finish line in bike racing isn't an accomplishment, bike racing isn't a triathlon where everyone who registers gets a finishing medal. Finishing off the back is depressing, and to rub it in they tell you to finish strong, now you're even more depressed.

Acceptance: In bike racing this comes in two stages: the "You looked good until..." stage which is immediately after the race. This is when you are talking to your family and fans who don't know anything about bike racing and who think that the whole time you were riding on the front you were winning the race. Them and you have accepted that "you looked good until" but still got dropped and lost.

The second stage of acceptance for a bike racer is when you accept that "well that's racing." This comes after you have talked to your buddies who tell you the truth about what actually happened and that while you probably could have done any number of things to keep from getting dropped, but you didn't, and will probably do it again next weekend, but that's bike racing.

Bahati Crash Image - You Decide

Yesterday, at the Dana Point Criterium in California, Rahsaan Bahati claimed to have been crashed out by United Health Care team members. Last night, tweets were atwitter and facebook was poppin' with Rashaan's own status stating "when the grass is cut, the snakes will show." District Cycling has a great interview with Rahsaan done last night.

Cool. Never heard that one before but we understand the meaning.

Today, video of the race, the crash, and the aftermath surfaced. check it here

Then, SoCalCycling.com took a still of the video, enlarged it, and posted it on their facebook page. Leave it up to Hollywood.

The saying that we are more familiar with is "the proof is in the pudding."

Doin' the Cockroach

walkersville.

Fabian Dropalerra

There we were, at YGD World Headquarters with 'borrowed' 62 inch flat screen we just 'purchased' at Best Buy so we could watch Paris Roubaix on the ultimate TV. Beer in hand. Waffles in the kitchen. Significant others sent on errands.

The stage was already set. Tomeke v Sparticus. Tornado Tom v. Fabulous Cancellara . Who will win? Will a fattened up Leaf Hoste take charge? Will this be Hincapie's year? Will Paul Sherwen stop quoting Sean Kelley?

Paris Roubaix is always off the hook. Every single year. However, this year brought an even sharper edge.

None of this mattered. Sparticus had his own plans. Much like Chuck Hutchenson in every geriatric classed race in MABRA, Sparticus was on a different level than the rest of the field. The cobbles screamed mercy on Sunday with 48km to go.

"Boonan, we have a problem"

District Cycling Droppage - AA Style

Hey, isn't that the guy from The Discovery Channel show? He's getting his drop on like he was an anvil. Well, if you didn't know, he's now a part of a two man crew over at the District Cycling Podcast. He knows this is coming.. We love them. They love us. Let's get married...or at least spoon.

(Adam..have a seat).

At this point, Adam is thinking...

"I'll ride one more lap before I get caught on camera"

"Grrrrrr.. Livin' the dream man..livin' the dream but first...MUST. GET. OVER. HILL."

Insert caption here..PLEASE!!

Thanks to the one and only Harry Fang who brought out his new digital camera and took great spy shots for us. Make sure you point at the people riding bikes next week and not the trees!

Out of Town Droppage

It's nice to see that some things are national. We have this gem while everybody is waiting for the photos to start coming in from Walkersville and Tysons (don't be shy photographers). In the meantime, kick back, relax and enjoy some new flavor to yougotdropped. OHIO STYLE...where mullets aren't just for cycling..they fo' yo' MOMMA TOO!!

The masters of smugness related cycling podcasting have been in touch recently. John G from Two Johns Podcast holds certification as our honorary Midwest droppage police. He has submitted a photo bringing us Ohioian goodness with the following photo along with excuse email from a dropped teammate of his (green sleeved kit).

We call it, "Getting Dropped is So Much Better When You Aren't Alone"

(email from droppee)

"Also, you owe me my team socks.........didn't have them last week which is probably why I got dropped on the climb TWICE..........either that or because you sent out a good luck message to everyone on the team who was racing to wish them good luck and didn't wish me good luck, yeah, you forgot about me and I haven't been able to sleep ever since..............damn."

The Drop Heard Around the World

Church was cancelled on Easter Sunday in Flanders. Belgians from all over came to the region to celebrate bike racing and another Belgium victory on home turf. Then... Sparticus drops breakaway companion and Belgie hero Tornado Tom at 10:24 eastern standard time. Waffles were dropped. Beer was dropped. Tornado Tom...dropped :(

It was the biggest drop of 2010...so far

The 2nd Battle of Bull Run Mountain

Jared from Haymarket Bicycles has requested that You Got Dropped help advertise the Second Battle of Bull Run Mountain to be held this Saturday. Looks like a good time. Me and my pink gloves.

The Battle of Bull Run Mountain is back!! With no racing this weekend, we've got a chance for another epic showdown. And this time we have a trophy. The race flyer will be made available this evening.

The last event was great, and this time we're hoping on doubling the turnout. We'll have racers and non-racers alike; everyone is invited. We're only 35 miles West of DC, so it's a short trip on a Saturday morning. (And as of now, the weather is supposed to be in the low 80s, with a zero percent chance of rain).

Date: Saturday, April 3, 2010
Time: 8am
Start: Haymarket Bicycles parking lot
Loop: Map
Distance: 62.5 miles

Generally, this is just an event designed to get a bunch of people out to suffer on some great, tough roads. There will be some nice flat farm roads with tough cross wind sections, some steep pitches, fun descents, and some gnarly dirt. Planning on doing Walkersville, Poolesville, or Battenkill? This will be perfect preparation, so get your teammates and come on out. (We expect the dirt roads to be a little more packed down since we'll have had two weeks of traffic and some rain the roads).

Special notes:
Ride at your own risk.
Rules of the road apply.
You've heard of a "no drop" ride? Well this is just the opposite.
Use the map link and bring a cue sheet (see below), or just don't get dropped.
There will most likely be a sag wagon or two, but bring flat changing gear to be prepared.

Who am I?

Who am I, indeed.

Until any of us are featured in the Wall Street Journal, nobody is saying anything.

We will also accept being featured in New York Times or a laser carving on the moon.

Exciting New Updated AWESOME DROP PHOTOS

You guys make us sick.

What are you guys expecting to see? Ultra droppage? It was pouring out there. Nobody wanted to risk having their precious SLRs get wet. We are giving this one a pass anyway on account that we don't have much material and the weather sucked.

Oh, and Joe D, stop it.

Gonna have a look at Cycling Captured now for Union Grove droppage. Stay tuned.

A Prelude to a Drop

The first 'real' race is less than 48 hours away. Jeff Cup. It's where You Got Dropped got it's inspiration, our muse. This race has a special place in our hearts. Right about now...

Cat 5s are anxiously not even thinking about a bike race right now.

Cat 4s are carbing up and emailing their teammates about how to block once their superstar gets in a solo break at mile 5. (tip..it won't work)

Cat 3s are wondering why the hell they signed up for a 1/2/3 race

The 1s and 2s are licking their chops to throw down

All the masters are wrapping up the workweek a little early to go polish off their carbon fiber wheels and tell their significant other they will be gone for the weekend.

Jeff Cup has been the official start for MABRA for 20 years. Cyclists from all over the land have had the pleasure to drive 2 plus hours into wine and horse country, the home of Thomas Jefferson, and thousands of smart upper middle class white kids only to figure out they didn't train properly over the winter. (the cyclists..not the white kids)

Let's start laying out excuses today before the photo evidence starts hitting our desks on Monday morning.

Droppage as Art at Vint Hill

We call this one "The Green Monster"

Making new Friends

This guy was blown off the back like "TNT". Maybe he "Shook it All Night Long" the night before. We think he was on "The Razor's Edge" while on "The Highway to Hell". He sure didn't have a "Stiff Upper Lip". Oh lol @ us. So witty.

We refer to this MASTERPIECE simply as "Check Please"

I'm So Ronry

Thanks to the fine work of http://needtobike.com/ photographers, we had ample photo droppage to choose from at Vint Hill. There are so many more that we didn't select. It was if they were working for us. Thanks, guys.

Bad Andy really was pretty bad on Sunday

Apparently there is a ride called Sunday World's in Lancaster, PA that runs every Sunday throughout the winter and spring. 30-35 dudes show up, some whom are in their 50s and 60s.

We didn't know that cyclocross season gave it's specialists that big of a fitness hangover that the group has to wait for you so you don't get lost.

The Battle Within the Battle

It should be pointed out that B. Vaughn was ahead of Mike Githens, Pete Custer, Steven Grant, Jody Dumond, Chip Hoover, Chris Schmidt, Harry Fang, and many others. So they all got dropped by Bryan. However, it appears that he got dropped by some others who may have or may have not sent in this video. At any rate, this looked like a hell of a good time. Those guys look like they have some serious fun.

Battle Of Bull Run Mountain #1 - Dirt & Gravel Section from Bryan Vaughan on Vimeo.

Comment Moderation Turned ON

this guy http://sigberto.blogspot.com/ is a piece of work. anybody else laugh out loud at this clown when reading this self indulgent crap?

our comment moderation is NOT turned on nor do we have deleted comments.

(yes..we know we are anonymous but whatevs...right siggy???)

It's time, people..

send them to us

yougotdropped@gmail.com

The Other Lance on Tony Kornheiser Today - Right Now

Lance Armstrong is scheduled to address the remarks that our pal Tony Kornheiser made regarding running cyclists over last week on today's TK show. http://www.espn980.com/

We are torn. This only is going to drive traffic to Kornheiser's radio show. On the other hand, many of the listeners looking for NCAA bracket info are going to turn the channel once Lancealot comes on.

Love him or hate him..Lance makes news. We are listening. Hopefully, he'll drop TK's ass big time.

The TK show starts at 10am. Lance on at 11am.

Race Ride Reminder - Battle of Bull Run Mountain

DO NOT Present

The Battle of Bull Run Mountain March 21, 2010

The Battle of Bull Run Mountain is fun race ride celebrating some of the gnarliest roads in Prince William and Fauquier counties. The loop is 62.5 miles and includes a nice combination of flat farm roads, steep hills, and long climbs, including a tough dirt ascent up the back side of Bull RunMountain. Hardcase tires are recommended.

You’ve heard of a ‘no-drop’ ride? Well this is just the opposite.

Check out the route here: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/41677

Sag wagon support will be provided by Haymarket Bicycles.

For more information, just show up on Sunday.

Disclaimer

Ride at your own risk, and follow the rules of the road. The roads aren’t closed, so don’t piss off drivers, get hit, crash, or break laws.

Scoring

• Town line sprints are ON.
• KOM points at the top of Waterfall (2), Foxcroft (2), and of course, Bull Run Mountain (3).
• The finish line is the front edge of the I-66 overpass on Antioch Road.

Category	Start Time	Entry Fee	Prizes
Pro/1/2/3	8:00am	$0	Bragging Rights
4/5	8:00am	$0	Bragging Rights
Women’s 1-4	8:00am	$0	Bragging Rights
Junior	Are you sure?	$0	Bragging Rights
Open	8:00am	$0	Bragging Rights

Location: Parking Lot of Haymarket Bicycles

YGD and HB Permit Number: 1

Permit is NOT Pending.

Lance is our hero

Help Lance get a free t shirt. How? Buy one of your own so we can break even or as close to it as possible then give the 2009 poster boy a freebie. We are sure he'll model it for us and send us a photo..or burn it. Either way, it will be good fun. But things aren't free. Don't be a wheelsucker.

Speaking of Lance, he just mentioned that he is afraid of getting an emergency call that would shorten his big ride laid out for today. This is what we think it might sound like.

caller: ring ring ring

lance: hello

caller: a monkey is attacking my gopher..come quick i need help. we are all going to die!!

lance: I have a 58.4 miler i need to rock out but i'll be right there ma'am. These bonerific Vo2Max intervals can wait until it's dark outside. It makes them harder anyway. I said harder. hahah.

caller: oh thank you. i don't have any money though. can i pay you with my daughter?

lance: only if there are two of them and they are silly bazillys

caller: oh yes. they are super hot!! come right over!!

lance: hey monkey, get ready to dance