Have you ever boarded one of our beloved Metrobuses and, once moving, felt like your driver must be an ex-NASCAR racer? Well, there might just be a reason for that. Perhaps he or she was in training for Metro’s Annual Bus Roadeo.

Called a “Roadeo” because Metrobuses are put through their daily paces on a road or in the “corral,” this event challenges bus operators and maintenance workers to demonstrate their efficiency in timed skills events.

Next time we are on the 42 and some creepy, smelly guy ends up in our lap because of the driver’s “efficiency” at accelerating down Columbia Road or weaving through Connecticut Avenue traffic, we’ll keep quiet and allow him or her to practice in peace.

The competition, to be held Saturday at the Landover Bus Division, 3433 Pennsy Drive, in Landover, MD, will include catered food, visits from McGruff the Crime Dog, Max the Metro Mascot, and the Metrobus Robot, though it’s billed as being for “family and friends of the competitors.” Not sure if that means anyone can show up or not, but for a chance to root for whomever will be D.C.’s entrant in the 2006 International Bus Roadeo competition in Nashville, TN, it might be worth the risk of being turned away. We wish all our drivers best of luck.