Your favorite race
#26
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Red Bull Race the Place from earlier this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKQ2tXp5KvA
Old amusement park, TT and then 80 rider race. I rode the fixed gear category
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKQ2tXp5KvA
Old amusement park, TT and then 80 rider race. I rode the fixed gear category
#27
**** that
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My favorite crit would have to be the Ballard Crit in Seattle - first "big" race I won (as a 4 & a 3). Course & atmosphere are pretty rad; for Seattle anyway.
Two runners up would have to be the Cascade crit stage in Bend - mostly for the atmosphere, since the course is pretty basic - and of course the San Rafael crit, for obvious reasons.
Runner-runner up is Cat's Hill - love the course, unfortunately it doesn't love me back...
As for RR's, I actually do like a few: San Dimas RR course is fun, and Mason Lake in WA was always fun too.
Two runners up would have to be the Cascade crit stage in Bend - mostly for the atmosphere, since the course is pretty basic - and of course the San Rafael crit, for obvious reasons.
Runner-runner up is Cat's Hill - love the course, unfortunately it doesn't love me back...
As for RR's, I actually do like a few: San Dimas RR course is fun, and Mason Lake in WA was always fun too.
#28
starting pistol means war
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(3) The Peillon Circuit Race, a small regional race in Provence France. I don't even know if it is still around. But in terms of difficulty, this was a 8+
A short 3km circuit with a corkscrew 1st turn into a 53-12 descent, into a 90 degree second turn ( brick facade giving much incentive to turn ) still heading downhill, to a 3rd 120 degree turn which not only changed direction but also threw you back uphill ( 39-23/26 ). At the top of the hill the 4th turn into the only flat section ( start / finish ) which was about 6-800 meters long.
The race started in a village perched on top of a hill. In july Provence is just bright sun, 100 degree temps but no humidity.
I recall receiving a fresh water bottle each lap and one poured over my head if needed.
Result was blisters in my palms ( I wore gloves ) shorts saturated with evaporated salt and a 16th placing.
.
A short 3km circuit with a corkscrew 1st turn into a 53-12 descent, into a 90 degree second turn ( brick facade giving much incentive to turn ) still heading downhill, to a 3rd 120 degree turn which not only changed direction but also threw you back uphill ( 39-23/26 ). At the top of the hill the 4th turn into the only flat section ( start / finish ) which was about 6-800 meters long.
The race started in a village perched on top of a hill. In july Provence is just bright sun, 100 degree temps but no humidity.
I recall receiving a fresh water bottle each lap and one poured over my head if needed.
Result was blisters in my palms ( I wore gloves ) shorts saturated with evaporated salt and a 16th placing.
.
#29
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It was, but it instantly brought me to reality as to the very big chasm of racing in France versus US. Much harder over there and they all attack constantly. Not to mention that there is nowhere near the amount of Idiotproofing that is so prevalent here in the US. Meaning the roads are what they are , tricky sometimes dangerous, always challenging as far as technical challenge.
But I was a guest with a local club and they treated me as if I was actually part of their club. Support was so thorough that I just needed to show up and ride.
But I was a guest with a local club and they treated me as if I was actually part of their club. Support was so thorough that I just needed to show up and ride.
#30
starting pistol means war
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ppl just wanting to finish a race with the main pack are not racing
they are JRA
if you are a mid-level racer in your field, attack to anticipate the break, not the other way around
little euro kids learn this from the start, aggression brings chances
#31
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Favorite race I've won: Chris Thater Memorial. Old course. It takes a lot of work for a break to stick and the course is wide open so you're never totally out of sight. Great field, great cause.
Favorite race I've never won and never will win: Boston Mayor's Cup. Mainly for the history. Outstanding downtown course that I raced in the 80's and was resurrected shortly before I returned to racing. Ridiculously fast.
Favorite race I've never won and never will win: Boston Mayor's Cup. Mainly for the history. Outstanding downtown course that I raced in the 80's and was resurrected shortly before I returned to racing. Ridiculously fast.
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#33
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Berkeley Hills RR - even though I had a terrible experience this year, the course is just awesome.
Cat's Hill - doesn't suit me, but its pure exhaustion and terror
Pescadero RR - beautiful course, hill top finish.... except for the stage descents of sketchy doom
Cat's Hill - doesn't suit me, but its pure exhaustion and terror
Pescadero RR - beautiful course, hill top finish.... except for the stage descents of sketchy doom
#34
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I liked Berkeley Hills as well! First race with such climbing in which I didn't get dropped. Cats Hill was a fun one as well, but other crits have hills and I preferred the Santa Cruz Classic Crit course.
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Birmingham Bike fest in Birmingham Michigan is probably one of my favorites. .5 mile 6 turn downtown course..really fun. One of my last races as a cat 5 and I got 6th place in it after getting dropped in pretty much every race I did that year. Both quads cramped up on me last year and I got dropped so Im hoping for a better race in a couple weeks
Might head there in a couple weeks to shoot the race.
#36
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So far, I haven't really found a course that I consider all that great. I do wish they'd let amateurs do the Sunset Circuit Race here in Redlands. The San Marcos Crit was a fun course, I liked Red Trolley, and PIR was fun since it was on a racetrack.
We've got close to a million frequent flyer points so hopefully we can fly out to some races next year. Its not easy though when you're on call 50% of the time.
We've got close to a million frequent flyer points so hopefully we can fly out to some races next year. Its not easy though when you're on call 50% of the time.
#37
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#38
ride lots be safe
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Tour de Gruene. Oldest race in Texas and it uses the prettiest road in the state.
Tour de Gruene
Sadly I don't think I'll be going this year, my usual partner is ill.
Tour de Gruene
Sadly I don't think I'll be going this year, my usual partner is ill.
#39
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Tour de Beauport in Quebec back in the 1980s. Not that it was anything special, but it was the first real stage race I did.
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Superweek in the '80s. Huge fields, Euro pros and great crowds. Also included late starts, lacking payouts, and lots of driving.
#41
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In the regret category, I almost went to the Tour of Texas when it was a good pre-season stage race (1984-ish ?). Would have got my butt kicked, but might have been fun.
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#42
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Ganther Race the Lake
It starts in Fond du Lac, WI and goes around Lake Winnebago. The actual route it takes is 88 miles long, the distance being my favorite part of it. It is all around a great atmosphere, and great coarse. I just did it for the first time this year, and I surprised myself by how well I placed, and the pace I managed to maintain throughout the race.
I definitely going to do it again next year! Doing this race should be on your bucket list!
It starts in Fond du Lac, WI and goes around Lake Winnebago. The actual route it takes is 88 miles long, the distance being my favorite part of it. It is all around a great atmosphere, and great coarse. I just did it for the first time this year, and I surprised myself by how well I placed, and the pace I managed to maintain throughout the race.
I definitely going to do it again next year! Doing this race should be on your bucket list!
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chummdizzle
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01-24-10 11:06 PM