Fifty-six-year-old cyclist Fred Wittwer dealt with more than the usual troubles that ail local bicyclists on Saturday as he competed in the 2007 Cyclocross National Championships in Kansas City. The cycle-centric website Pedal Pushers Online reported today that Wittwer, a bicycle racer that competes as part of the Charlottesville Racing Club, pumped his pedals against the riders in three age groups in addition to his "Masters Men 55-59" division, not to mention a snowfall that froze the surface of the outdoor race track. "On the last lap, I didn’t have any brakes," Wittwer told Pedal Pusher following his first place finish in his division. "My rims iced up so when I hit the brakes, I just kept going." Wittwer bested the 43 other cyclists in his division, finishing the 12.4 kilometer race more than 40 seconds ahead of the pack with a time of 43 minutes and 34 seconds.
Previous "This Just In" articles from this week:
Born gentle [December 14]
Former C-VILLE staff writer shows a pit bull the love
Deeds runs for governor [December 13]
Says he will continue common sense approach
Highway to hell [December 13]
Grim growth patterns for Virginia
Love in the time of Sheffield [December 12]
Love is a Mixtape author to return to town
Long an All-American [December 12]
Wanted: One large trophy case
Jefferson’s descendants killed, wounded in Colorado shootings [December 12]
David Works has tried to reach across the racial divide of TJ’s legacy
Squirrel shuts down Charlottesville [December 11]
Little critter gets fried
