NomadVW 

So, after about a week's worth of debating and some serious thinking it over, I've decided to call an early end to my priority race season. This week's 40km TT and then my circuit race on the 7th of October will be it for me this year.

I was planning to make some races in November a priority. However, since of none of these races in Japan are going to really do me a lick of good for upgrade points, there's no sense in keeping "in taper" for a month while my CTL stagnates and/or drops significantly by the end of November. So, instead I'm looking at the spring and starting to plan my spring events. Back to base training for me.

Looks like the first big race for the spring will be Jefferson Cup for me. Looks like a great course and much more my style than all the crits that fill up Feb/March in DC.

Doesn't even really look like anything to do that would get me upgrade points in Feb/March until then.

It's starting to get kinda fun looking at the MABRA racing. Also looking at the upstate NY racing so I have a reason to go visit my folks in the Adirondacks through the summer.

MDcatV

The U of MD Pres Cup crit is the 1st scored race of the season, it's a fun, technical crit on the UMD campus.

Jeff Cup is a great road race, not particularly selective, but a great "racers" course.

After that Walkersville is another good road race that is ususally 1st week in April, then its a couple of industrial park crits until Poolesville Road Race in May, then it's crits out the yin yang through the summer.

Lithuania

UMD is definitely a very fun crit.

I approached this season with a race every race attitude and after getting hurt in an industrial park i am hoping to restrain myself and be alot more selective in the races I attend and UMD is definitely one Im going to do again.

*new*guy

Jefferson Cup was so fun this year. The weather was amazing.

Are you planning to race unattached? When will you be getting here?

NomadVW 

I'll arrive in DC first week of January.

Re: attached/unattached - We'll see how Quicksilver and Tradezone go.

There are a couple teams I like the "feel" of just from race reports here and web information, spacing of group rides, etc. But ultimately, it'll be folks I meet that will make the difference, I'm sure. February will be a busy month, for sure.

daneil

If you're looking at the upstate NY calender take a look at Battenkill Roubaix. A really great race and it's usually around the beginning of April.

*new*guy

cool. we should schedule a winter BF ride when you get settled.

calhoun1

Where else besides Bikereg to you see all the future bike races?

I would like to look into next spring to start trying to plan on the races.

MDcatV

www.mabra.org - race calender stays fairly consistent from year to year so look at 2007 and go from there

registration announcements are typically on the mabra google groups listserve.

Enthalpic

Are you planning on maintaining your insanely high CTL all winter long? The 6 weeks I was at 115 - 120CTL was more than enough for me.

NomadVW 

I'll continue with the high training load until I move at least. My time may not be as bountiful after the move with a different work schedule, so I intend to take advantage of what I have here. I'm hoping for the best, but there are a lot of unknowns. If I can continue to have the time available that I have now, I'll keep the CTL up there "insanely high" if for no other reason than... well.. I love being on the bike!