Has anyone done that race before? I see Wojciech is registered in the 4s. Any information on this two day stage race appreciated.

I haven't done it before but decided to 'cause of the cheap accommodations (25$ a night at a local YMCA & a 7$ breakfast)

I'm not sure if it counts for upgrade points though, Eric told me it does, the organizer said he hasn't asked for any USAC marshals and CBRA said that it does not.

It should be good training for Housatonic if not a major goal in itself.

greg donovan, al barouh, jeff owens and i did it last year

i thought it was a great race

nice, closed-course time trial the morning of the first day, followed by a very fun (and brutally fast) closed-course circuit race

second day: MONSTER STAGE! 90-something miles. having a feeder is crucial. really cool, varied terrain.

the race was cheap, well-run and generally an awesome introduction to "stage racing"

i will probably do it again this year

I am eying this one as well.

Unlike last year Cat 4 do NOT ride 90 miles. We would have a much shorter 51 mile race.

am i buggin' out, or was the CSR not $165 last year?

i remember it being under $100

anyone?

I think it was like $95?

I definitely had a good time. Well, I can't say the 91 miler was "fun", but well worth the entry fee. Now they want MORE $ for FEWER miles as a cat 4? Oh booo, this sounds like the budget battle. More for less. Although part of that might be a time thing, since obviously it took the 4's a while to finish and ended up being a long day. Still, if you can do it, I recommend it. I never knew so many cat 4's had $5000 time trial rigs.

Also, try to get more than 2 hours of sleep before the road race (meaning, don't bring your graveyard shift working significant other who texts in your ear all night. Love you, honey).

This is a pretty cool stage race. Since there are competitions for GC, sprinting and climbing there is a lot of action and strategery, especially during the circuit race when there are sprint or climbing points on every other lap. It's also one of the few stage races without a heavy-duty climbing component. There are climbs, but they're either short enough or shallow enough that you can stay with the front of the race even if you're not a good climber. Last year the time trial started down a ramp, which was a nice touch. Here is William and Al Barouh's start last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwuowtxHQ2w.

It's too bad about the price increase. (And it's too bad the cat. 4 road race is only 51 miles. The 91 miles last year in the rain was epic.) But if stage racing is your thing, you don't get many opportunities.

Maybe they saw that Dieter Drake was getting guys to pay $95-105 for a one day race...

Nice hay bales by the ramp! Willie DC knows I loves me some down home vibe to my road racing. Also, Greg: is this the race where you and Al took ice baths together??

That's exactly right, Ryan. Cause taking ice baths with Al gets you this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTuwoI72_Ts

Maybe he takes reservations? :-)

Fiddlehead fern and a mama come a'runnin'

I'm almost certainly going to sign up, because as GregD ways we don't get too many opportunities to do this kind of thing.

I heard from a USAC official that this is not a USAC event this year. Also last year there were recommendations that many more marshalls were needed for the event. This year the promoter aims to secure that help and he is paying them quite well, so that may account for some of the cost increase.
Still that should help make it a well run race (unless of course the clowns that AVD uses for his spring series all decamp to CT for the weekend !)

Checked it out. I'm gonna keep my options open for now, especially since I don't know how i'm going to afford it. Do we still have that excel sheet where we can see who signed up for specific races?

I'm gonna convince the wife that I gotta go.

Patrick

Posted By: gregd it's too bad the cat. 4 road race is only 51 miles. The 91 miles last year in the rain was epic.) But if stage racing is your thing, you don't get many opportunities.

The RR is 93 miles not only for the 1/2, but also for the 3 and for the masters (40+, 50+), so Greg, no reason not to go.

I see on bikereg Wojciech is in. Anyone else? I'm 99% sure I'm doing this, can anyone offer me a ride? I'll split gas and lodging happily. It should be fun. Cat 3s? It would be nice to have company for those 90 miles on Sunday

Who's in? Wojciech, Mike and I are going, it would be fun to be a whole group. If other 4s are going, I'll race as a 4 (and will miss the 93 mile RR). Registration price goes up $20 on Sunday.

I'm a big fat maybe. Lodging ideas?

I don't know if it is sold out but they have $25 a night YMCA bunks, we could try to grab some of those

YMCA! I heard that's "fun" to stay at. Don't you have to be under, like, 30, or it's creepy? I'd do it though. I get to be the Indian!!!

Since we're a team, we would all be Indians. When I look at the Masters (such as last year's winner, Jonny Bold, 2010 Bronze UCI Cyclo-cross Masters World Championships, USA CX 2009 champ 45-50) I feel I'm going to race with the 4s. At least, if I have to race by myself it won't be for a 93 mile race!

I checked with the YMCA, accomodations are still available. I can e-mail them the reservation form later today or tomorrow. If you haven't registered yet for the race, don't forget the price goes up by $20 on Sunday. I'm waiting to see who's going (Patrick, Jeff, others?) to decide whether I race in the 4s or the masters (this 93 mile RR is so tempting in such company:).
From the race Website: "The 2011 Road Race course has been re-routed to by-pass the Norfolk Road Metal Bridge. The by-pass adds 2 miles to the overall road race length." (racers crashed on it last year under the rain).

I just registered for the Cat 4 race. Looking forward to this one.

I am happy to offer a ride, but I am not sure yet if I will be able to as the current plan is to travel with my wife and kids. I will need to clarify the family plan and get a rack for my van before I know what I can offer.

Patrick

I am looking to join the fun for this.

I bring my own coffee and almond butter sandwiches. I don't touch steak and other food from dubious sources!

No worries.

avoid Marc and McDonalds...

Guys, Note that registration closes next Tuesday and is mandatory, so far I believe only Patric and myself are registered

http://www.bikereg.com/events/Register.asp?EventID=12245

I'm totally not ready for it. Good luck to you guys.

Hey guys,

what's happening with this? Are folks still in? Am I driving someone? Roll call.....