BETHEL UPDATE

For those that didn't know the Bethel series ended last season. New facilities around the course brought too much auto traffic onto the course and last season was a bit of a shitshow really. The two New Britain series are part of a replacement for Bethel.

However .... The amount of snow in Bethel collapsed the roof of aforementioned 'new facilities'. So without the traffic Bethel looks like being on again this year, albeit in an abbreviated form.
Tentative dates (permits pending) are 3/15 and 3/22.

Anyone know anything about this race The Pedal Power Road Race Series?

Starts this Sunday and if it rains on Saturday could be option for me. This or Bethel. 

Unfortunately, the 2 dudes that might know ride for Somerville. They used to love them some Mullica and Zeppelin though.

Seems like a haul. I'll take the trip with you if Saturday is washed out.

Thinking about taking a ride to this tomorrow.  Masters race at 9:32a. 

https://www.bikereg.com/pedal-power-road-race-series-race-2

Anyone interested? 

Considering it Jeff, messaged you.

I was really tempted by this, but the 8am start for the 4 field is ass early. Might do this in a few weeks though when I'll be down this way already. 

Kissena Spring classic at Prospect Park. March 29, Sunday.

South Jersey Spring Series quick update.

Sean Miles gets 4th in his first race. Nine more Cat 5 races (with a win or two along the way, I predict) and this guy is going to be a force on our Cat 4 squad.

After both bringing back and trying to instigate breaks in the Masters race I finished mid pack in the sprint. Glad to get back in the action.

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Bummed to miss the race, but I already made my racing, travel, family plans for this weekend. This should be a good "first race" by the way for any new racers out there. Charlie runs a tight ship and the PP course is generally safe and hard enough to keep everyone pretty honest.

So far it's Phil, Mark Taylor and myself registered for the 4's, Dan Strika, Keith Snyder and Jake Jolly in the Pro 123 field and Austin Welsh is the lone Kissena in the 5s

The Sommerville Spurts have 5 guys in the A race

I have to visit family this weekend, otherwise I would've reg'd.  In my absence, please kill it.

I will be at an indoor water park....no kidding

Chances are I'll be there, park is open during the race correct? Plan on getting some training miles in post race

Sean,

Yes, the park is open the entire time which makes it crucial that we are on our best behavior including not riding in the pedestrian lane (at any time) and not riding against the flow of traffic (pre and post race - and of course during). When your race is done and you are doing laps move to the side of the road and stop (preferably in the grass on the right side) when the other fields come by. 

As the sponsoring club it is especially important that we set the example on this stuff. 

Jim,

thanks, of course and agreed

Jeez, I forgot the most important part.

Have fun!

I'll be driving over on Sunday morning. What's the hot set-up for parking? Is there available street parking around reg at 3rd st? 

Thanks, 
Jake 

Jake, There's a parking lot at Litchfield Villa, enter at 5th Street. Not positive what time they allow parking there in the morning but worth a look. The public spots are further in (closer to the park road).

They allow parking at 6AM

I may join you guys tomorrow. I'll help out help out any way I can especially early on in the race. 

Hey team, hop on over to the Turkey Hill thread. It's a great race with lots going for it. Might be the most "family friendly" RR of the year for those with little ones. All kinds of free food. Running races in the morning. But for you swinging single racers, there are SEPARATE Cat 5, 4 and 3 fields.

https://www.bikereg.com/turkey-hill-country-classic

The race itself, is what I would describe as classic midwestern/Belgian kermesse style road race. Rolling country roads, plenty of exposure to the elements as the 4-corner-ish race tours PA farm country. There is one steep wall that you will hit at least once and maybe 3 times per lap depending on your category; but this is not a climbers course. It's just a good hard road race for the fit.

Now that you've gotten your appetite "whetted" by Orchard Beach, consider signing up for the Wilmington Grand Prix coming this Saturday (and if you are into cobbled hill climb TTs, they've got fun for you too on Friday). Wilmington is about 115 or so miles away, so not close, but not far either.

A figure 8 course with some elevation changes. Looks like nice wide corners too. Plenty of room to nail a good line, or screw it up and force yourself to do another ball-busting interval to get back up to speed!

https://player.vimeo.com/video/24089972

And when you are done racing, stick around and watch the pros, actual pros contest a national calendar Pro 1-only event. You will be like, whuutttt, those dudes are hot and fierce.

Wilmington is nice college town, there's a lot going on that weekend. And Laura Van Gilder will be happy that you are there (she appears to be one of the organizers)

http://www.wilmgrandprix.com/

Wow….good prize money! Even the 4/5 field pays out 12 places $1000

And closer to home, the following weekend are the Memorial Day Weekend Crits in New Jersey.

Yowsers, Memorial Day is early this year, and that means some of the better, real deal crit racing of the year is about to kick off over three days of the holiday weekend.

Some pretty solid crit racing in nearby New Jersey over the holiday weekend. There are all courses on city streets that will challenge BOTH your fitness and handling skills.

Raritan is a tough little, tight course with good pavement, but a couple of quick turns that will test you for sure.

https://www.bikereg.com/john-basilone-raritan-cycling-classic

Bound Brook, in addition to quick, right-left chicane, has a few long straight stretches that will have you digging deep to hang onto the wheels in front of you. Voted the course most likely to "beat the crap out of you." Quiet course, a few treats and eats, but plenty of grass and shade and good for family spectating.

https://www.bikereg.com/bound-brook-cycling-classic

Somerville is a 4-corner rectangle with good pavement all around. It's an easy race to finish, hard to place because of the relative shortness of the race compared to the difficulty level of the course. This day has lots going on for the families. Petting zoos, pony rides, kettle corn, blazing sun, and of course the racing is pretty good for watching too.

https://www.bikereg.com/tour-of-somerville

I'm doing both Raritan and Bound Brook. These are a couple of the best crits of the year around here.

I also am going out to do Wilmington. Does anyone else want to share a ride?