Who's going? September 2-5 I'm planning on it.

I missed two years of this race. The first year...and the year I got married. So yeah, I'm going.

Now that FItchburg has gone away, this is the best Stage Race in the region. Nice rolling TT that has some serious climbing out of the blocks. Circuit race that has a super fast finish, but you have to make it over the deceptively hard stair stepping climbing stretch that starts 1/4 of a mile before and through the feed zone. Road race that has a great mountain top finish, and without question one of the most challenging crits in the country.

Last year I posted lots of info on related activities, lodging, eateries, etc around the weekend for those that want to try and make it a family style vacation. The Mad RIver Valley is just a nice place to be.

I'm definitely in, in the 50+, hoping to improve my 2007 result (27th place)... you can laugh.

Do read what Marc and (if I'm not getting senile) Keith have written about GMSR, lots of important infos that will make you feel you've already raced there. You will know what to expect, which is quite valuable.

I will be driving there but not coming back to NYC directly, so I will have room for someone on the way up only.

I want to do this. However I've done a lot of stage racing this year, so I'm holding off til I'm sure its not one too many in terms of time, money, etc

Come on Ryan, you cannot not do it: who else would organize the condo rental etc.? (I can barely organize the logistics for my driving there).

I just decided i need to do this.

I know, we're Monday, the Tour of the Catskills is still fresh in our minds and legs, but we should start to organize our stay over there. Is renting a condo at Sugarbush Village the best option? (I stayed at Village Gate, part of Sugarbush village, with Penman and Neu).

You loved the climbs at ToC? Come to GMSR, there are some great climbs! The climbs were a bit too much at ToC? Come to GMSR, they are not so steep.
Seriously, no TT bikes allowed there, so it's a level playing field. Climbing TT for a good part. You have a compact? It's OK, just be sure to have an 11 cog. You have standard gearing? It's OK, just be sure to have a 26 at least for the end of stage 3. The icing on the cake at GMSR is the criterium in Burlington.

Statement on Bikereg: "An additional $30 will be charged for all registrations received after August 14".

I will be racing in the 50+, selfishly, but will make pancakes with Maple syrup for everyone if we share a condo (I might even bring some syrup from Québec, which is what Ryder Hesjedal uses).

hi ALL,
am still recovering from T.o.C., 1st TT &stage race; finished 14th/39, cat5 45+(bonked on final stage3, too much chasing on stage2 &poor energy management). GMSR sounds fun &another good challenge, plus would be a 1st criterium for me, climbing sounds fun enven tough seems to be on of my achille's heel(s).

i could use some direction/advice on the categories, i believe, i could qualify for men 4, men 4/5 or men 40+(1-4) if i complete upgrade. i have, just completed 10 races including the (2)mass start races @ T.o.C. &will race again this weekend.

so any advice on:
A. what is the difference between men 4 and men 4/5? (would love to ride with 1or more teammates).
B. which category would be best for me (stephan/marc)?
C. any insight on per day costs for GMSR, ToC was a bit dear and cost may factor in decision to register.

thanks,
-harry

Harry,

I would stay far away from the Men 40+ (1-4), where there will certainly be a collection of strong cat 1/2/3 men waiting to cause you misery (and possibly miss the time cut) in that Master's group. In terms of cost per day, you should look into lodging options (lots listed on the website) and then go from there. If you stay with a group in a condo with a kitchen, there are several grocery stores in town for food stuffs. It's not a cheap weekend for sure.

A few days have passed since the dreadful KOMs, now you should be able to register for a new race with hills (just the cannibal TT and stage 3), Marc is talking about renting a condo for GMSR and the entry fee will go up $30 after this Sunday (August 14th), so I ask again: who's on? For the moment, we have Andrew, Marc, Harry and myself.

marc&stephan,
Thanks for reply/advice. I think I would prefer the 4's hope to have a few other kissenas for this one, if not won't be the 1st time to go solo! Still strength in numbers.
-h

Talkin about categories, shouldn't Warren StJohn upgrade?

Warren is upgrading now. But yes, he should have probably upgraded before.

I understand perfectly the idea of waiting till one feels ready to race in the upper category, but he definitely is! What about you, Ryan? A few more points this Sunday then at GMSR?
The cat. 4 who are strong and have never done it should go to GMSR (one good reason is to work with Ryan), the setting is incredible, it's the only race where you appreciate the scenery even if the race is hard. The atmosphere is great too.

I want to but I don't want to organize anything.

Ryan, anybody who went to ToC can attest to the fact you've done your share! I am willing to do some of the organizing (find a place for example) if team members make up their minds before the Sunday deadline.

FWIW,
Stage Race results - GC don't matter for 4-3 upgrades. St. John isn't really an automatic.

I know, but he has enough (very meaningful) points, so it's up to him.
Actually, if there were 50 participants in each race, he has 39 points, more than enough (30) for an automatic upgrade. I did not count the GC/crit/TT/CRCA races.

I just texted him and asked him. He said he put in for it and hasn't heard back yet.

He also said if he has to race as a 4 he'll work for me, so hey, maybe we want him there!

fyi, for Green Mountain, my wife and I are NOT going to be renting a condo.

Sunday last day for GMSR before fee increase...

hi all,
am trying to make decision, 'GMSR or no GMSR' & 'mens 4 or mens 4/5(what is this category???)...leaning toward the 4's once upgraded.

so, how many 4's will KCC have @ GMSR:
mens 4 = ryan, eric, (me), andrew, ryan, william???, other(s)
mens 50+ = stephane

i probably have this all mixed up, as still do not know quite who's who &in which category yet.
any elucidation appreciated.
-h

From GMSR registration page on Bikereg:

"An additional $30 will be charged for all registrations received after August 14.

Registration closes at 5:30 PM on August 30.

Please note: refunds will NOT be issued if you cannot attend the race."

If I take the 50+ as an example, last year, 67 participants. As of today, 13 only have registered for GMSR 2011. Maybe some racers prefer to wait to be almost sure they can participate and pay the extra $30 than to risk losing $195-205.

Anyway, whether you register or not this week-end, if you're planning to do this race and stay with the other Kissena racers, it would be nice to have a head count as soon as possible, so that we start organizing the trip (cars/condo).

Time to get ready for GMSR (accomodations). Who's going? I would like to get the info today.

okay,
i'm in registered for men 4/5's.

will room&ride up w/stephane. love a ride back if anyone else is coming, Ryan, Andrew?
(marcB is chilln' w/spouse, SG if off on adventure after race). fights are cheep @$75 burlington 2jfk...not sure how to return w/ bicycle.

i realize Wojciech would likely ride his bike back staten island...would take me a week.
should be fun!
-h;>

@ Ryan: I saw an FB post from Warren saying he'd upgraded
@ Eric: good LORD man, if he isn't an automatic I shudder to race against someone who is...

Posted By: Jules Roazen@ Ryan: I saw an FB post from Warren saying he'd upgraded
@ Eric: good LORD man, if he isn't an automatic I shudder to race against someone who is...

Actually, Jules, there is such a racer, you and Ryan know him well, it's the young kid you climbs like a supergoat and talks like a brat during the race, he has over 70 points and remains a cat. 4. It's not fair, because you, Ryan and Norm would have had (more) upgrade points if the four or five guys whou should have upgraded before ToC had done so.

Who.
Warren had more than I saw when I commented.

From what I experienced my fellow racers at TOC were the most civil well behaved bunch I've ever raced with. I heard tales of some d-baggery but never caught any myself.
The parcours on the other hand... that was a litany of foul, backstabbin, extra cards up the sleeve cheatin, kick you in the nuts when you are down villainy...

@eragot

its Nick Waller from Placid.

I talked to him after Tokeneke. He's a good kid, he's only like 19. He's scared to upgrade for whatever reason. I told him he'd be fine. He said he'd probably upgrade before Green Mountain.

The kid in the dots who got second was a little shithead. And insanely strong.