Road Bike Racing - Spotting a Trend

Anyone seeing this type of event cropping up more and more?

All categories, all age groups, mass start, low prize money, high entry fee, longer distance, non-USCF road races.

In the couple that I've ridden, I notice that the field stays together for the most part. The cream rises to the top. And others hang on for dear life.

We have a growing number in Michigan. I just wondered if more are coming onto the calendar.

We either have USCF or CBR (California Bicycle Racing) out here. I have not seen races that were neither. Road Races are actually rare compared to crits out here anyway!

We have two major groups here....
Wisconsin Cycling Association and WIsport.

Both put together a schedule of road races and TT's....and they are pretty picky about cats and age brackets.

On this subject, my disappointing TT Sunday was my first, and I was surprised that it was not very organized. No timing chips were used on us or the bikes....there was no water or snacks to be found before or after...not even to BUY....and the thing cost me 25 dollars to enter...10 dollars for a one-day license. I got nothing but a chance to humiliate myself on the course they laid out. That was a bit disappointing too...

Hell, I'm having trouble finding races nearby during the month of August. I'd overpay to be the lantern rouge if it meant less than a 50 mile drive. But to answer your question, yes, I'm seeing lots of 3/4/5 or 4/5 races this time of year. :(

Event, that sounds down right European. New England doesn't see too much open category chaos races ;) I believe there was one up in Maine a month back but otherwise nothing I can remember. In the USCF stuff I'm finding a shift from 3/4 races early season to more often P/1/2/3 fields (owwie).

We have two major groups here....
Wisconsin Cycling Association and WIsport.

Both put together a schedule of road races and TT's....and they are pretty picky about cats and age brackets.

On this subject, my disappointing TT Sunday was my first, and I was surprised that it was not very organized. No timing chips were used on us or the bikes....there was no water or snacks to be found before or after...not even to BUY....and the thing cost me 25 dollars to enter...10 dollars for a one-day license. I got nothing but a chance to humiliate myself on the course they laid out. That was a bit disappointing too...

Nothing humiliating about getting out there and giving it some stick!! Good for you. The WCA runs a tight ship or so I thought ... I raced Leland and registered as a 35+ 4/5. Hiedi (UCI official), however, would have none of it come start time saying she'd not been informed of this category and made me go off with the 30+. I went up the climb with the lead group the first time and started to see pink elephants being serenaded by Elvis with the Berlin Philharmonic as the support band when I hit the crest. Needless to say I didn't do too well. (got ripped off by a tea leaf too :()

Tour De Phill rocks!!!

cool, where in michigan? sounds like fun....hanging on for dear life that is.

I went up the climb with the lead group the first time and started to see pink elephants being serenaded by Elvis with the Berlin Philharmonic as the support band when I hit the crest.

Isn't that what happened to Jan and Kloden on the road to Courchevel? Only I think Godefroot was conducting.

Marquette in June
Fenton and Grayling in July

looks like ill have to wait a year

Nice little crit in northern KY this weekend (25 minutes?), but I don't have a crit bike built yet. :(