Blue Streak: Heavy rains cool area for first bike ride of 2020 season

Chuck Smith, Team Dayton, approaches the first turn of the Blue Streak Time Trial on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 9. The Blue Streak Time Trials, held the second Tuesday of every month from April through October, cover a 10-mile course on the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

Chuck Smith, Team Dayton, approaches the first turn of the Blue Streak Time Trial on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 9. The Blue Streak Time Trials, held the second Tuesday of every month from April through October, cover a 10-mile course on the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

A heavy downpour greeted 106 bicyclists as they prepared for the first 2020 Blue Streak Time Trial. The rain came just in time to cool an extremely hot afternoon and departed in time for the 6 p.m. start to take place as planned.

Joshua Bozue of Fairborn circled the 10-mile Blue Streak route around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Area A flightline perimeter roads in just 20 minutes and 30 seconds for a blistering average speed of 29.3 mph. He was 44 seconds faster than second-place Sean Martin of Tipp City.

Several Wright-Patterson military and civilian personnel participated in the time trial. While most riders were Ohioans, several came from Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky.

The youngest Blue Streak rider was 6-year-old Etta Hudson of Tipp City who circled the course in 35 minutes and 1 second. Etta rode a “tag-along” extension behind her grandfather retired Lt. Gen. Jack Hudson. Hudson said his granddaughter pedaled well and enjoyed the ride.

The 22nd Blue Streak season will continue the second Tuesday of each month through October, including July 14, Aug.11,

Sept. 8 and Oct.13.

Interested riders may go to http://bit.ly/2020BSTT to register for any of the four remaining 2020 Blue Streak Time Trials at least six days before the event. Find more Blue Streak information at www.bluestreaktt.com.

Blue Streak starts on Skeel Avenue across from the Prairie Trace golf course clubhouse. Parking is available in the southern portion of the large parking lot, which extends along Skeel from the Tennis Club to the golf driving range. A portable restroom is available between the parking lot and the driving range.

Blue Streak riders are released at 30-second intervals, starting at 6 p.m.

Riders are encouraged to arrive earlier to prepare their bikes and to get their numbers. No numbers will be available after 5:45 pm. Helmets are required.

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