I know they changed the format this year, but b-kill still looks like a good race. I've done it the last 3 years and plan to go again this year. I've gone up the morning of the race and been fine. In the past race start was mid to late morning (at least for CAT 5 and the gran fondo). Grandma lives close by. I've crashed there the night before as well. Room for lots of Kissenas

https://www.bikereg.com/tourofthebattenkill13

Maybe this should go in a general upcoming races thread, but it's not really upcoming and I imagine it'll generate enough specific banter to warrant it's own thread. This is the one week (approximately) warning for Battenkill 2011, pre-reg opens next Tuesday, Dec 21, at 7 PM.

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?EventID=11703

It's coming!!!!

I was thinking about my registration plan and figured maybe I should post it to the crowd to see if others agree or not.

I am currently a CAT 5. Raced a handful of road races, took time off (still riding, but not racing) - then raced the CX season more regularly (9 races in the later part of the season).
I am training more now, and plan on racing road in a more complete manner this coming year.

So my plan is to race as a 5 for the spring, do Battenkill as a 5, then upgrade to a 4 soon after. Following the whole "giving myself a chance" theory, vs going for the fastest possible ten race upgrade, and doing Battenkill as a 4.
Is the 4 to 5 upgrade compulsory after 10 races are done ?

If anyone thinks this is sandbagish, trust me, its not. I am losing weight at a regular clip, its awesome, but I am still slow.

thoughts ?

I think you can stay a 5 for a pretty long time, the 10 races is the minimum to upgrade. You will know when you are ready to upgrade, I wouldn't put a fixed date on it, just go by feel.

Mike

Josh,

I'd say upgrade after you do your 10 and do Battenkill as a 4. It sounds to me like your main goal is to get back in shape; that is, you're not looking to rack up podiums by staying in the 5s. Besides, there's going to be a group of youngster CAT 5s at Battenkill destined for CAT 3 by season's end who will smash the race anyway. So if you're "slow" you're not likely to go top 20 in either race.

Given that, I'd suggest the upgrade because there are several things about being in the 4's that will help with the goal of getting fit again. (A) You get longer races - and for park races if your goal is to not get dropped its really not that much harder in the 4's than it is the 5's as long as you "sit in." (B) There are more races for you to do - usually there are some good races that don't have 5 fields. (C) I found there was a learning curve when it came to racing in the 4s - the bigger group, how to find and keep good position, and generally navigate a peloton of 100+ instead of 50 or less. Developing those skills will help you gain confidence and comfort - and that can be done while you're still getting in shape.

Hope that helps,

R

I know I am going to be sitting by the computer tonight...

So who's in for Battenkill 4s? I imagine we'll have quite a crew.

I'm in for the 4s

I'm planning on registering for the 4 race tonight.

just signed up for the 3's

i want to win this thing . . . revenge mission!

I'm reg'd - cat4. Revenge mission for me too - my race last year was a flat-tastic disaster.

I'm in for the 4's. And I say Josh stay a CAT 5 till you win a couple races, then cat up.

I'm in for a 5!

I'm in as a 5 as well!

I am in on the 5 - can't wait!

I just thought I would put this out there for you Battenkill lovers who are not yet cat 2s.

This year, it sounds like both Eric Robertson and JP Partland are planning to compete. I may join in too.

Why do you care? Well, that means, in theory, if you were to upgrade this year, you would likely have at least 2 (maybe 3) strong, experienced with whom to race at this New York "spring classic." Rumor has it JP was in the running for top 5 at last year's race before a mechanical and Robertson was shredding some serious legs on Sunday's Kissena group ride.

I'm not suggesting anyone upgrade prematurely. I just want everyone to know that we've got a solid core of cat 2s who race all the big regional races and are ready to welcome all of our 5s, 4s, and 3s as they climb the racing ranks.

Yup, me too... In on the 5's!!!

Posted By: Marc BertuccoI just thought I would put this out there for you Battenkill lovers who are not yet cat 2s.

This year, it sounds like both Eric Robertson and JP Partland are planning to compete. I may join in too.

Why do you care? Well, that means, in theory, if you were to upgrade this year, you would likely have at least 2 (maybe 3) strong, experienced with whom to race at this New York "spring classic." Rumor has it JP was in the running for top 5 at last year's race before a mechanical and Robertson was shredding some serious legs on Sunday's Kissena group ride.

I'm not suggesting anyone upgrade prematurely. I just want everyone to know that we've got a solid core of cat 2s who race all the big regional races and are ready to welcome all of our 5s, 4s, and 3s as they climb the racing ranks.

don't poach from our cat 3 squad!!!

Posted By: mperlberg

Posted By: Marc BertuccoI just thought I would put this out there for you Battenkill lovers who are not yet cat 2s.

This year, it sounds like both Eric Robertson and JP Partland are planning to compete. I may join in too.

Why do you care? Well, that means, in theory, if you were to upgrade this year, you would likely have at least 2 (maybe 3) strong, experienced with whom to race at this New York "spring classic." Rumor has it JP was in the running for top 5 at last year's race before a mechanical and Robertson was shredding some serious legs on Sunday's Kissena group ride.

I'm not suggesting anyone upgrade prematurely. I just want everyone to know that we've got a solid core of cat 2s who race all the big regional races and are ready to welcome all of our 5s, 4s, and 3s as they climb the racing ranks.

don't poach from our cat 3 squad!!!

f'real!

http://www.gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs/1057743_o.gif

we're going to have an absolutely CRACK squad of 3's this year (providing Joaquin signs up!)

Not that this effects any of us amateurs, but Battenkill is losing its UCI calendar status. It will certainly be a lower profile race than last year.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/01/news/battenkill-withdraws-from-uci-calendar-blasts_155438

I'm pre-registered for the Cat 5, but still on the waiting list. Hoping to get cleared soon.

Oh - and if I do, my folks live just outside of Albany, about an hour away. We (they) would be more than happy to offer a free place to crash the night before for a couple of Kissenas.

Fingers crossed that the wait list opens up...

Battenkill hotel/motel recommendations... any ideas?

Looks like I'm gonna get in - I'm next on the waiting list to be cleared. Any other Cat 5's racing here? Or planning to head up for the recon ride next Sunday?

Posted By: normanzoBattenkill hotel/motel recommendations... any ideas?

Yeah It's time anyone want to share a car/room for the race?

I'm currently riding on Michelin Pro 3's, 23 mms, usually inflated to around 110-115 psi for the park races. Is that a good size for the pavement/dirt road mix up there? I've heard people suggest going with a 25mm tire, but not sure of the pros/cons. Any suggestions?

if you've got a spare $80-100 bucks, get a pair of ProRace 3's in 25 - they'll feel really nice

otherwise, 23's will work fine

unless it is very hot and dry, the dirt roads are usually very smooth, with the occasional pothole

i've ridden 23's or smaller (when tubulars) every time and never had a problem

a big part of avoiding flats is keeping your head up and not riding into holes blind

Al has suggested Vittoria Open Pave. I'm gonna look into those. Otherwise maybe the pair of Maxxis Refuses that I already have. I flatted last year and it sucked.

Oh man, battenkill. double-wrap your handlebars, buy a set of tied-and-soldered 32-spoke tubular rims (ambrosios, or, if you're lucky, you might be able to source the legendary Mavic SSC Bleu on eBay) built onto DT Paris-Roubaix hubs. You might also consider a more thickly-padded saddle, a suspension seatpost, and gel-padded cycling gloves.

Kidding. The first thing to know is the difficulty of the Battenkill course is highly overrated.

So much depends on your weight and your riding style. William is right, head up and avoid the holes. Sharp stuff is on all race courses, Battenkill is little different in that regard.

Tire pressure. If you weigh around 160, those tires are probably fine at 110-115, though you could probably safely ride 100-105 without problem. (you can find a tire pressure chart based on rider weight on the michelin website) The reduced pressure will soften the ride and probably improve your traction, but not dramatically. Most people don't really know their tire pressure. I don't like pumping up tires daily, and I've found that if I pump my 23mm tires up weekly (usually between 105-110, and with butyl tubes), they're usually down around 80 or lower by the time I put a pump on them again.

Before thinking about changing tires, play with tire pressure. Try riding at 100psi, just to see if you really notice a difference.

I've ridden clinchers and tubulars at Battenkill. The tubulars were 21mm and the clinchers were 23mm (both tubed and tubeless). Have yet to flat in five attempts. And I used 21mm Vittoria Corsa CX tires in one of those attempts

Second, tire width. 25mm tires will ride smoother at the same pressure. There will be a bit of a cost on the paved sections, and keep in mind most of the race is on paved roads. You can also run lower pressure more easily. I ran 25mm tires (I've had both Michelin Pro3Race and Vittoria CX Open Pro) and routinely ran 85-90psi, though I seemed to ride them safely down to 70psi.

I don't know what the benefit to Vittoria Open Pave is. The open pave is a CG rather than CX, and the difference between the two is a thicker tread and wider spaced chevrons. A thicker tread may or may not be more flat-proof; the advantage in my mind is there's more rubber between the road and the casing which means the tire takes longer to wear out. I don't have much faith that the tread is stickier rubber. But even if it is, I doubt it will make a difference on the dirt.

My current plan is to use my current road race wheel setup. Zipp 404 tubulars with Zipp 23mm tires (these have Vittoria 290tpi casings).

Short of a situation where it is snowing the night before the race, I would suggest that there is no reason to change your tires for Battenkill. JP is right, it isn't very different than any other race for tire selection.

If you're not already doing this before every race, you should check your tires for any cuts, damage or foreign objects protruding through the tread, and replace if necessary. If you want some extra security for the race put in new inner tubes. Especially if you've been riding the same tires/tubes since last summer.

Maybe go with lower pressure. I've been running 90-95 in front and 95-100 in the back now, and I think for somebody under the 160-170 range this will give you a better ride and make a huge difference in comfort.