The Hyde Park Blast is a fundraiser for cancer research that has been held in this Cincinnati neighborhood for the last 17 years.
One of the highlights of the Blast is a day of bicycle racing.
While the racing takes place all day we were able to watch two of the 45 minute long races – including the Intermediate Men’s race.
The course was a mile loop up and down Erie Avenue, the main street in the neighborhood.
At the far end they made a turn through a couple of the side streets.
Hyde Park has always been one of the nicer areas of the city. Note in the background someone tore down one of the classic old houses to build a large modern house. While I love this type of architecture, there is a place and this clearly isn’t it – they must have thought they were in Seattle.
Still it makes a nice background for the racers.
Coming down the small hill and making the turn back onto Erie Avenue.
The racing was close throughout.
The intensity is shown on the faces of the racers.
And a final sprint to the finish.
The second race we saw was a women’s race, including the Ohio State championship.
One of the racers took off ahead of the pack and built a 20 second lead.
Only to eventually be caught.
This race too came down the the final sprint. The racer who had broken away only to be caught did manage to hang on and win.
But the real reason I wanted to check out the Hyde Park Blast was the Chariot Racing!
The Chariots are pulled by two humans with one in the Chariot.
Costumes were encouraged.
There were two groups of Chariot Racers – social ones with better costumes, and serious runners who designed for maximum speed.
Although the various running clubs still had some style to them.
Clearly not one of the serious groups.
Sharks might be fast in the water, but not on the streets of Cincinnati. Still the Chariot Races made a great finish to a good day of the Hyde Park Blast.
RDZ Photography 