goose70

I'll be up there on business that week and would like to get a race in on Saturday. I don't see anything within 90-minutes of Hartford on Bikereg, but realize that not all races are posted on that site. It need not be anything fancy....I just need race #10 so that I can get my Cat 4 upgrade in time for a masters race I'd like to do later that month.

Thanks for any leads.

carpediemracing 

If you can make the Rent race in East Hartford on Tuesday night that's one option.

Another is the Wed night race at Bethel.

Finally there's the Wed night race in Ninigret Park RI.

You probably saw the Concord NH crit Aug 4th.

NE-BRA is the local association:
https://www.nebra.us/events.html

Homebrew01

Do those weeknight races count towards upgrades ? ie, are they "legit" ?

carpediemracing 

Not officially. However if you're on the lead lap of the A race at either the Rent or Bethel you're riding at a Cat 1-2 level. If a local rider includes some "results" from those races it's easy to get an upgrade from say a 4 to a 3 or 5 to a 4 (meaning upgrades where you can upgrade based on experience).

Typical guys that win at the Rent - Ben Wolfe (he lapped the field 2x the other week) or Ron Larose. My teammate Todd (Nat Champ M35 Cross of Canada I think). Some guys that show but don't win - 3rd in Masters nationals cross (M35 I think), a bunch of Cat 2s, the 3rd place 2002 Elite National RR racer. I've never won an A race although I placed in 2010 (I rarely finish them to be honest).

Bethel I don't know but the regulars include the 1s and 2s from Target Training, Cannondale, other locals. It's harder than the Rent I think.

Ninigret - Yabroudy is the guy I recognized when I was there. Because the course offers a bit more shelter I'd say it's easier but it's still frickin' hard.

carpediemracing 

I think Bethel counts if field size is enough.

botto 

sgr.

shovelhd

He only lapped me once.

The OP is a Cat5 and would be in the B race. The Rent doesn't normally count for finishes. Bethel may, depending on which week. Check bikereg. The ones that do state "results reported to USAC". Ninigret is a training race, so maybe. Concord is a USAC race so yes.

goose70

Thanks very much, CDR. The NH race doesn't have a Cat 5 for those of us under 45, and weekday races will be tough to fit into my schedule, although I plan to keep them in mind just in case I can break away from work early.

Regarding whether the weekday "training" races count, my understanding from MABRA is that they typically count for Cat 5 -to- 4 upgrade only (so suit my purposes for now).

carpediemracing 

Ninigret is the most casual of the races. I arrived late one evening - the field was already lined up. I changed, got my wheels on, filled out a form and a check, helmet, lined up, and started with them. No numbers so that saved a bunch of time, and I left behind all the little accouterments like gloves, whatever under the helmet, shoe covers, etc. Regardless if the field size is reasonable I think a rep may take that race into account, esp since the course has 7 turns and you actually corner there. Rent is a little like that, Bethel is no turns to speak of.

I didn't process the "upgrade to Cat 4" bit so my apologies.

If you're in Hartford the Rent is probably the best. It starts at 6 PM though for the B race so you need to get there 5:30 or something at the latest. I bring a pre-filled release, check, and already have my number pinned (it's the same number for the season).

Speaking of which it looks like it's going to get rained out tonight. Arg. They'll make the call at 4 PM (on twitter @TuesdayTheRent).