im reg'd up for the 3/4

Reminder for family joggers who plan on getting there early to contest the 5 or 10k events, they have a division for moms/dads running with running strollers. Which is something you could never experience doing a NYRR event.

Going to wait for at least 1 other woman to register... Grrr

@Erika, but they're all waiting for YOU to register. Last year there were 32 women in the 3/4 field. No reason to think that there won't be a similar sized field this year.

http://www.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2013-81

I've officially signed up for the 40+ race.

And in 2012, 42 women in the 3/4 field.

http://www.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2012-1766

And in 2011, 33 women

http://www.turkeyhill.com/community/country-classic-results/country-classic-2011-womens-3-4.aspx

Okay okay. I broke the Bike Reg ice. And if no one else registers (did Turkey Hill Dairy have some sort of sexist Twitter meltdown that I somehow overlooked on Jezebel?! am I a traitor to womankind?!) it looks like I can get a refund.

Erika Tarte said:

Okay okay. I broke the Bike Reg ice. And if no one else registers (did Turkey Hill Dairy have some sort of sexist Twitter meltdown that I somehow overlooked on Jezebel?! am I a traitor to womankind?!) it looks like I can get a refund.

No, it's just that for most every road race except Battenkill, people wait until the last minute to sign up. All the other categories are exceptionally thin too at this point. There was a "funny" thing a few years back when the Fitchburg organizers were trying to get their race going again, but abruptly cancelled it because of lack of pre-registration over 2 weeks out from the date. Now if they were cleverer than that they would have done an analysis of the numbers and realized that they were exactly on track timing wise to get the number of registrations they had in a previous edition (or so said numbers/crossresults.com guru Colin Reuter).

I'm in, it at the rate my training is. Going I'm gonna go OTB faster than @Wrongway can blow a tube at Floyd (see what I did there?)

^ Jules is saying he's going to win.

I am keen on this.

@adam, Its a 99% chance i'm going to this if you still need a ride  (I can fit three bikes, possibly four?) -- Also @Jeff A, since you brought this event to my attention you're more than welcome if you need a ride... let me know!

ok. i'm registered. this looks like a great event...

He Joel, I'd love to take you up on that, but I think your race starts at 1:37pm and mine at 10:20am.  I think that might chuck a spanner in the works?

Hey Adam, yeah the 3hr difference isn't ideal. I was planing on breakfast with the kids before I head out. 

No, no, I can't ask that of you. Worst case I'll rent a car. That's incredibly kind of you to offer that though. Many thanks. Somebody buy this guy a beer, he's a keeper.

There are plenty of races coming up and I will be back to take advantage of your generous nature for sure, you can count on it.

Adam, I might be in. Shoot me an email.

So, are there any details from the experienced on the wall? Grade, distance, general advice?

Last year's 3/4 race.

Vlad is right about the wall not being a deal breaker/maker for guys riding in the top 50% of their given field. The last time I did this race in the Pro 1/2 field we went up the wall, EVERY lap. Hence my "PTSD" about it. That said, it is short, but EXTREMELY steep. So if you go into the climb too far back, you are going to lose all momentum as weaker riders literally hit the wall and get gapped. Be sure not to make yourself work too hard when not necessary.

This race is a grinder and with potential for strong crosswinds, breakaways can have success. Look for other teams, and take note if they are riding as a team. Then you can look to them for help.

Two places of note that are good places to get gaps are Turn 1 (just past the start finish) and Turn 3 on the main loop. Both turns are preceded by fast stretches and go from wide road riding to narrow. If you are on/near the front, it's a super easy way to get a gap and keep it going. Especially after turn 1 where it starts to roll/false flat climb.

As the race unfolds, be sure to note the group dynamics on the finishing straight. Make mental notes of where you need to be when. Try moving around the field. See which paths offer the least resistance. Figure out gearing for the day. Figure you should have a somewhat lighter gear to spin up to speed for about 10 seconds, then one click harder for the gear you are going to finish out the sprint in. We don't want you to throw away the race just because it's coming down to a bunch sprint for placings.

Also, rumor has it that one of the best Southwestern-style restaurants outside of the actual Southwest is in the area?

Erika...more info please? Because you know, while I love me my rural PA, dining options tend to be WEAK.

Rumors are true! Well, partially true. My wife went to college in rural PA and is quite fond of this place, only (only!) a 2 hour drive away from the race. We try to go there whenever (and wherever) we're in PA. It is worth driving 2 hours away from NY after a race? Yes. But we're also staying at a hotel in Lewisburg on Saturday night, so we'll have somewhere to sleep off our queso-drunken stupors.

Ahhh...bummer...too far out of the way for us....

But perfect location for my not infrequent road trips back and forth from Chicago!

"Chicago"
"Road trip"
"Perfect"
These three things do not belong in the same sentence...

@Jules just add "burrito" to that sentence and everything falls into place...

^There is not a large enough Awesome button for that one.  Imma gonna break my other thumb just cliking this one over and over and over again...

Randomn question, but does anyone know if the race is dog friendly? I'm assuming so, but figured I would double check before I bring my pup with me.

Yes, just make sure you pin his numbers on correctly and set him loose in the correct field.

Good Luck Y'all!

Jeff Apruzzese said:

Randomn question, but does anyone know if the race is dog friendly? I'm assuming so, but figured I would double check before I bring my pup with me.

Well, they don't have any dog running events, but the racing doesn't take place on the grounds of a private estate (e.g. Granogue) or city park (Eisenhower Park, LI) that has frustrating "no dog" rules.

One thing to note possibly for those who feel they need a feed, is that the feed zone does NOT have any good objects to tie up pooches while your biggest fan is standing by the side of the road risking his/her life holding up a bottle of "gorilla balled BPA flavored 'during load'" refreshment.

We normally would bring our dog Penny, but Sarah wants to be able to chase our toddler around the family zone without pooch in tow.

During load? I do not like where this is going.